University Dedicates Eck Hall of Law

dedication blessing On Friday, May 1, 2009, the University of Notre Dame dedicated the new Eck Hall of Law. The dedication began with celebration of Mass in the Basilica of the Sacred Heart, followed by blessing of the building, tours of Eck Hall, and dinner.

In 2001, the Law School embarked on a $57,680,000 expansion and renovation plan. The new building – Eck Hall of Law – houses classrooms, faculty offices, and administrative office space, and connects to the existing structure through a covered walkway and chapel at ground level, and through a dramatic Commons area above. The building is named for the late Frank Eck, Sr., who donated $21 million – the largest gift in the Law School’s history – toward construction of the building.

dedication eck port Renovation of the gothic structure that has been home to the Law School since the 1930s is underway. When completed in June 2010, that structure – renamed Biolchini Hall – will house a renovated Law Library, together with additional classrooms and administrative office space.

“Eck Hall of Law is a dramatic symbol of our continuing quest for excellence,” says Dean Patricia O’Hara. “It will play a critical role in helping us to attract the very best faculty and students to Notre Dame, and contribute greatly to creating and recreating each year a dynamic community grounded in the Judeo-Christian intellectual tradition.”

Eck Hall of Law Facts:

  • Total Project Cost – $57,680,000
    Includes Expansion (Eck Hall of Law) and
    Renovation of existing Law School (Biolchini Hall)

dedication atrium

  • Total Gross Square Feet for Eck Hall of Law – 85,500 gsf
  • Total Gross Square Feet for Eck Hall of Law and Biolchini Hall – 192,000 gsf
  • Eck Family Groundbreaking – July 31, 2007
  • Eck Hall Move-In – January 5, 2009
  • Classroom Space – 4,046 gsf
    One (1) 205-seat Moot Courtroom
    Two (2) 105-seat lecture halls
    Two (2) 70-seat lecture halls
    Five (5) seminar rooms
    Three (3) Skills Training Rooms
  • Faculty Office Space
    - Faculty Office Suites and Administrative Support
    - Faculty Meeting Room
    - Faculty Library
  • Dean’s Suite
  • Eck Commons
  • Student Services and Activities
    - Registrar
    - Student Services
    - Law School Administration
    - Student Bar Association
    - Student Organizations
  • Chapel
    75-seat Chapel
  • Architect – S/L/A/M Collaborative
  • Construction Manager – Geupel DeMars Hagerman, LLC
  • Audio/Visual Technology – Waveguide Consulting, Inc.