Passing of the Key Marks Transfer of Alcoa Building to University of Richmond
December 3, 2001
Alcoa executives will turn over the keys to the former Reynolds Metals executive office building to the University of Richmond today in a 4 p.m. private ceremony at the property, following formal settlement of the gift-purchase transaction.
On Aug. 27, the university announced it had agreed to purchase the building and approximately 35 acres of surrounding land from Alcoa. Neither the appraised value nor the purchase price will be announced, but the transaction involves a significant cash component from the university and a sizeable gift component from Alcoa.
A university task force led by Provost June R. Aprille is developing plans for use of the property. Cooper emphasized that the full-time residential undergraduate enterprise will remain on the university's main campus.
"We acquired this building to attract partners who could, in turn, help the region and the university attract additional talent and resources. The range of potential partners is considerable. Among many possibilities, we will consider corporate tenants and professional school functions," Cooper said.
The 250,000 square-foot building is located at the intersection of West Broad St., Glenside Rd. and Interstate 64 in Henrico County. Designed by architect Gordon Bunshaft, it opened in 1958 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It incorporates nearly 1.4 million pounds of aluminum. Landscape architect Charles Gillette, who created other noteworthy gardens in Richmond and at the university campus, designed the gardens on the surrounding grounds.