Active Projects

Duke is in the midst of switching buildings from a steam system that has handled the heating needs of campus since the 1920s, to a more energy-efficient hot water system. Hot water distribution will be extended from the Brodhead Center to Abele and Davison Quads as part of this effort.

November 2025 UPDATE: Work in the current phase on Telecom Drive is expected to finish by December 19, with pedestrian detours in place and a single lane for two-way traffic.

Expected Project Completion: Spring 2026

Project Manager: Ed Sinnott

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The Bryan Center is a central hub of student activity on Duke’s West Campus. Opened in 1982 with an area over 225,000 SF, it houses the University Store, Reynolds Industries Theater, multiple dining facilities, and numerous Student Affairs offices. The goal of this project is to extend the lifespan of this important facility, improve building conditions, reduce emergency repairs and maintenance requests, and protect critical operational spaces.

This work is a building envelope restoration that will replace the roofing system over most of the building and make repairs to the exterior façade. Both efforts will require phasing that will start on the plaza side of the building moving west toward the Bryan parking garage. Scaffolding and lifts will move around the exterior of the Bryan Center for roof replacement and façade repairs.

Expected Project Completion: April 2026

Project Manager: James King

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Duke is in the midst of building and utility renewal, including storm, sanitary, normal and emergency power, and minor waterproofing and grading.

Work on Cameron Indoor Stadium and Card Gym utility replacement includes rerouting of service vehicles and pedestrian traffic around the work areas.

Expected Project Completion: September 2026

Project Manager: Ed Sinnott

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Coombs Stadium is undergoing a phased renovation, including the installation of normal and emergency underground utilities. 

November 2025 UPDATE: Work requires sections of the Whitford Drive lot to be temporarily offline through mid-December.

Expected Project Completion for Current Phase: December 2026

Project Manager: Ed Sinnott

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The refresh of the landscape, hardscape and infrastructure within the East Campus Quad will continue throughout summer 2025. Throughout the past academic year work has continued on the project, which involved replacing the stormwater drainage system, sidewalks, granite curbs and irrigation system as well as upgrading the lighting with LEDs.

Baldwin Quad roadway sections are closed, and sidewalks will close intermittently as storm drains, electric systems, lighting, granite curbs, hardscaping, irrigation and landscaping are installed through this calendar year.

Expected Project Completion: August 2026

Project Manager: Heidy Jaramillo

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Known as the Garden Gateway, this transformational renovation and expansion project is designed to enrich the experience for all visitors and to accommodate the Garden’s dramatic growth in the past decade. Construction is scheduled to begin in late fall and reach completion in spring 2026. Visitors can continue to enjoy the Gardens throughout the entirety of the project.

Visitors are advised to check the Duke Gardens website for updates and important information as the project takes shape. To learn more, sign up for Garden Gateway email updates.

The Main Gardens entrance, Doris Duke Center, and parking lots are closed, along with Lewis Street — except for pedestrians and emergency vehicles — while construction of the new Garden Gateway Building and outdoor plaza, as well as the renovation of the Doris Duke Center, continues through March 2026.

Expected Project Completion: March 2026

Project Manager: Virginia Norton

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Duke is in the midst of switching buildings from a steam system that has handled the heating needs of campus since the 1920s, to a more energy-efficient hot water system. Starting in May 2025, Gross Hall and Sanford Hall will be added to Duke’s hot water network, which consists of underground pipes running to and from a hot water plant on West Campus.

Pedestrian detours are in place until January 2026 on the east side of Gross Hall while heating hot water distribution is extended from Sanford to Gross Hall systems along Towerview Road.

Expected Project Completion: January 2026

Project Manager: Ed Sinnott

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Originally opened in 1927, Lilly Library, a hub of student life on East Campus, is in the midst of a two-year renovation and expansion project that will blend the building’s historic charm with modern features. The library will have more collaborative study spaces, technology-equipped project rooms and a new entrance.

Temporary rerouting of vehicle and pedestrian traffic around the work area until September 2026 for the building renovation, expansion and associated utilities.

Expected Project Completion: September 2026

Project Manager: Dudley Willis

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Built in 1931, the Reuben-Cooke Building will undergo a renovation – supported by a gift from The Duke Endowment – that will include a new roof, an overhaul of its mechanical, electrical, plumbing and telecommunications systems, restoration of historic windows and replacement of existing windows, and a modernization of its offices, classrooms and lab spaces.

The building is closed for a complete renewal, modernization and extension of new utilities, resulting in about 60 fewer parking spaces in the upper Allen Building lot during construction and rerouting of vehicle and pedestrian traffic around the work area until spring 2027.

Expected Project Completion: May 2027

Project Manager: Gregory Stribling

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The Sanford Building work is a building envelope restoration that will involve roof replacement, glazing, waterproofing and sealing of joints.

November 2025 UPDATE: Work includes temporary rerouting of vehicle and pedestrian traffic throughout November around the work areas.

Expected Project Completion: February 2026

Project Manager: Kendall Schmidt

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