KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — Two brand new residence halls at the University of Tennessee are ready to welcome students and accommodate the growing population on Rocky Top.
Beacon Hall and Poplar Hall are the two newest suite-style dormitories on campus and will house approximately 2,000 students combined. Each building features its own post office, first-floor laundry rooms, a community kitchen, as well as study and lounge spaces.
$1.7 billion spent on new construction in Knoxville area in 2024
Both are located in the growing residential area on the western edge of the campus between Volunteer Boulevard and 20th Street. Poplar Hall shares a large outdoor greenspace with Magnolia Hall and Dogwood Hall, both of which opened in 2019.
Housing has been a top priority for university leaders in order to keep up with surging enrollment. The student population has grown by roughly 10,000 since 2019 and Tennessee saw a record number of first-year applicants in 2024.
The $160-million Torchbearer Residence Hall at the corner of Lake Loudon and Volunteer Boulevard remains under construction and is set to open ahead of the 2026 fall semester, adding over 1,000 new beds to campus…