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Construction timelapse (facing west)
Construction timelapse (facing west)

Grimes Engineering Center construction updates

Work has begun on construction of the Grimes Engineering Center, a new facility on the UC Berkeley campus that will become a nexus for student collaboration, innovation and entrepreneurship. Slated for completion in early 2025, the new center will add 35,500 square feet across two new floors above the existing two floors of the Bechtel Engineering Center. This page provides an overview of key construction updates created for occupants and visitors of neighboring buildings. Information about the project is also available on the Capital Strategies website. 

Questions or concerns about how the upcoming construction activities may impact daily operations, research or instruction should be directed to your building coordinator. 

Construction site views

Grimes Engineering Center building name on top of the entrance of a white building that is under construction
Aluminum sun shades, UHPC panels and signage being installed
staircase in construction
Staircase railing and stair treads installation
flooring being prepared
Garbarini lounge flooring preparation

See the Engineering Center construction gallery for previous images.

Birdseye view of Engineering Center construction zone, showing the upcoming and current fenced areas, pathways (existing and modified), detour signs for pedestrian traffic and accessible routes.
As of 6/6/24, new fences will be installed starting 6/17/24 surrounding the construction zone. Detour signs will be up leading pedestrian traffic. The south and southeast stairways leading from the former Trefethen Terrace toward Evans Hall will be closed. The sidewalk between the construction zone and Evans Hall to the south is also closed. An accessible pathway will remain on the east of Evans and the construction zone to access Davis and Sutardja Dai halls. The accessible pathway to the east side of Davis Hall now detours via elevator through Evans Hall. The project yard, south of McLaughlin Hall and west of Evans Hall, has also been fenced. (Click image to view larger version)
Map showing pathways around the construction zone: accessible pathways will be routed along the west side of Evans Hall and the construction zone to reach Davis and Sutardja Dai halls, and via elevators through Evans Hall to reach the east side of Hearst Memorial Mining Building and Cory Hall. Trucks will access the construction zone via the Mining Circle and University Drive.
Accessible pathways will be retained on the west side of Evans Hall and the construction zone, and via elevators through Evans Hall to reach Hearst Memorial Mining Building and Cory Hall. (Click map to view larger image)

Engineering Center addition and renovation — simplified project schedule

Schedule grid shows Design Phase from February 2022 through September 2023, and Construction Phase from June 2023 through December 2024. Construction sub-phases: Demolition June 13-November 2023; Foundation September 21-January 2024; Steel & structure December 8, 2023-April 2024; Exterior & roof March 7-October 2024; Interior construction April 11-October 2024; Site Improvements August 1-September 2024; Testing and Commissioning September 20-December 2024; Punchlist items January-March 10, 2025. For occupants, Surge preparation from January-May 2023; Occupant move-out by June 12, 2023; Occupant surge June 2023-December 2024; Occupant move-in January 2025.