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Our campus is constantly changing. Notre Dame has seen remarkable growth in the past few decades, not only in research efforts and academic programs, but also in its physical facilities. With expansion comes construction, and with construction comes speculation. We’re here to clear up the confusion and answer your questions about the four major projects you’ll notice when you arrive at ND in the fall.

Main Circle

Whether you’re an incoming freshman driving down Notre Dame Ave. for the first time at move-in, a current student returning from break or an alumnus visiting campus after many years, Main Circle welcomes you home. It’s more than a roundabout. Located in the heart of campus, the space offers unparalleled views of the dome, an iconic statue of Our Lady and a serene first impression of Notre Dame.

Main Circle is nearing the finish line of a two-year redesign, with construction scheduled to be completed by early September 2025. Former University President Rev. John Jenkins, C.S.C., announced the project in June 2022 at the 50th anniversary of undergraduate women’s admissions into Notre Dame. The renovation aims to honor the profound impact of all women — past, present and future — who study at Notre Dame. The statue of Our Lady, sculpted by Fr. Anthony "Tony" Lauck, C.S.C., will remain a central feature in the circle, and a circular seat wall will be added to encourage members of the community to pause and enjoy the space.

In a comment to Scholastic, University architect Doug Marsh wrote, “The reimagined Main Circle is intended to be a welcoming entrance to campus and both a contemplative space and a meeting place, where all are invited to sit and enjoy the beauty around them, or converse with a friend or colleague.”

South Quad

Dorm culture is a cornerstone of undergraduate life at Notre Dame. Random residence hall and roommate assignments often evolve into a second family and shape students’ college experience. Construction is underway on two new South Quad dorms, both scheduled to open in fall 2026. The project began in summer 2024 with the demolition of Fisher and Pangborn, two men’s halls built in the 1950s. In their place, a new men’s dorm, Coyle Hall, and a women’s dorm, Grojean Hall, will be constructed.

Coyle Hall, named for alumni John and Jill Coyle, will house former Fisher Hall residents. Meanwhile, Grojean Hall, named in honor of Therese Mary Grojean, will welcome a new community of undergraduate women. According to the University’s statement, both dorms will echo the collegiate Gothic architecture represented in other newly constructed residence halls, such as Graham Family Hall and Johnson Family Hall. However, each building will include distinct design elements: Coyle will feature a chapel visible from South Quad, while Grojean will include a tower at its entrance.

The new dorms will not only enhance the quality of residential life with modernized facilities but also support Notre Dame’s six-semester residency requirement. Together, the two halls will increase the University’s residential capacity by 445 beds, ensuring on-campus housing for all transfer students moving forward.

South Dining Hall

South Dining Hall (SDH) is the older of Notre Dame’s two dining halls. The North vs. South Dining Hall rivalry is a hallmark of campus culture, and students drawn to the building’s Gothic design, storied history and ambient atmosphere proudly defend SDH as the superior dining experience. Designed by Gothic Revival architect Ralph Adams Cram in 1927, SDH is considered one of the preeminent Collegiate Gothic dining facilities in the United States. In addition to its architecture, the building’s historic interior, featuring stone fireplaces and oak tables and chairs, often evokes comparisons to Hogwarts.

As SDH approaches its centennial anniversary in 2027, the building will undergo a two-year modernization project beginning in May 2025. According to the University’s statement on the project, the first year of work will focus on establishing new serving areas, state-of-the-art kitchens and accessible restrooms. After nearly a century of operation, outdated equipment will be replaced with more energy-efficient mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems. In year two, both dining rooms will undergo restoration, and an additional entrance on the south side of the building will be established, all while preserving the hall’s historic architecture. Despite two years of construction, there’s good news for SDH loyalists: food service will remain available throughout the renovation.

Mendoza College of Business

Mendoza’s current renovation project aims to address the college’s growing spatial needs and enhance student collaboration. The North Addition, a new three-story building scheduled to open in fall 2026, will allow Mendoza to extend its educational offerings to a broader student population. The expansion will feature classrooms, seminar rooms, conference rooms, faculty offices, a student lounge and a 130-seat auditorium.

There are also several renovation projects underway inside Mendoza. Construction has begun on the Mendoza Behavioral Lab, a space dedicated to research located in the basement of the building. A new trading room, complete with state-of-the-art market data and simulation tools, will open in Fall 2025. For current and future business students, these updates promise a more collaborative and innovative learning environment.