Ground will be broken this week on the Impact and Prosperity Epicenter. This newest addition to the David Eccles School of Business will be a multidisciplinary hub for innovation, impact, and prosperity, which will provide student housing and office space for the Center for Business, Health, and Prosperity and the Sorenson Impact Center. The $114 million project is made possible by the generous support of anchor donations from Jim Sorenson and Robert and Lynette Gay.
The six-story building will include a dedicated gathering space on the first floor, known as The Forum, which will serve as the heart of the building. This space will bring together users from different the programmatic areas and from all over campus in an open, collaborative space. The Center for Business, Health, and Prosperity and Sorenson Impact Center will occupy space directly above The Forum.
“The Epicenter is a living-learning space that will provide an unparalleled opportunity to equip the next generation of leaders with social purpose and sharpen the world’s understanding of impact investing and approaches to sustainable economic development,” said Jim Sorenson. “We believe the outcome of the Epicenter will be two-fold, creating the highest learnings and solutions in impact investing and preparing students to be powerful global citizens and community leaders.”
The Epicenter will help create and expand on the innovative work towards prosperity and sustainability already taking place at the University, and around the world.
“We are excited to be a partner with the University and Jim Sorenson in building this new Impact and Prosperity Epicenter,” Bob and Lynette Gay said. “Through the Center we expect to lay a new innovative foundation within the University that builds and enhances the lives of not only the University’s students but countless others, especially in Africa where we have labored for many years. Building on a mission of unifying the resources of business and public health, we believe the Epicenter will become a cutting-edge, student-led deliverer of growth, hope and prosperity to today’s global community.”
This new venture also builds on the mission of University President Taylor Randall to create residential hubs on campus that provide experiential learning opportunities for students to impact their world in meaningful ways. The 284,808 square foot Epicenter building will provide 775 resident beds for students.
“Demand for on-campus housing is growing, but we want to ensure our students have more than just a place to live,” said Taylor Randall, who oversaw the planning of the Epicenter during his time as dean at the Eccles School.
“We want to create a living learning community where students can engage with the transformational work of these centers, gain valuable experience, and use that experience to change the world around them. The Epicenter incorporates all elements of our vision to inspire, innovate, and impact.”
The building will sit on a site to the east of the University’s Lassonde Studios. Construction will begin immediately following this week’s groundbreaking event and is expected to be completed in August 2024.