Auburn University Board of Trustees approves Jordan-Hare Stadium North End Zone multipurpose events center

The Auburn University Board of Trustees approved plans for a transformative redevelopment of campus north of Jordan‑Hare Stadium, marking a major investment in facilities designed to serve the Auburn Family for generations to come.

The university-funded project will construct a seven‑story, approximately 300,000‑square‑foot addition on the north end of Jordan‑Hare Stadium. The new facility will include a large multi‑purpose hall and ballroom, intentionally flexible spaces adaptable for year-round campuswide events and celebrations, modern kitchens and dining venues that will serve both campus life and major events, and new club and premium spaces to use during gameday. Designed to accommodate both everyday use and large-scale occasions, the center expands Auburn’s ability to host year-round celebratory and signature events in a centralized location.

“Auburn creates an exceptional student experience by providing students the spaces, resources and opportunities they need to gather, connect and engage with each other,” said Bobby Woodard, senior vice president for Student Affairs. “By dramatically expanding student life space in the heart of campus, we answer a growing demand for places where students can celebrate milestones, build community and take part in the traditions that shape Auburn.”

Complementing the building addition, the Board of Trustees also approved a new elevated North Plaza, spanning above Heisman Drive between Jordan‑Hare Stadium and Petrie Hall. The plaza will provide an inviting outdoor gathering space that strengthens pedestrian connectivity across campus, adds landscaped green space and hardscape and enhances the overall arrival experience in one of Auburn’s most visible places. Beneath the plaza, operational support areas will serve the adjoining multipurpose facility, integrating form and function into the site’s design.

The coordinated effort reimagines the area between Jordan‑Hare Stadium and Haley Center as a vibrant campus space that supports learning, connection and shared events. Together, the projects reflect Auburn’s long-term vision to further campus connectivity, create flexible gathering spaces and support the evolving needs of those visiting and those who call campus home.

“This project represents a thoughtful investment in how Auburn brings people together, not only on game day, but throughout the life of the university,” said Christopher B. Roberts, president of Auburn University. “As a land-grant institution, we are called to create spaces that support learning, strengthen relationships and serve the broader community. The North End Zone addition and North Plaza will provide a central, welcoming place where students, faculty, alumni and visitors can gather for meaningful experiences that reflect the spirit of Auburn. These spaces will support everything from daily student engagement to major university milestones, all while enhancing connectivity across campus. We are building with purpose, ensuring that what we create today will continue to serve the Auburn Family well into the future.” 

As Auburn continues to provide the best student-centered experience through premier facilities, the North End Zone addition and North Plaza provide flexible, centrally located venues that better align with how campus is utilized throughout the year.  

“Spaces like this make it easier to show up, get involved and lead,” said Willis Orr, president of Auburn University’s Student Government Association. “Campus collaboration helped shape a project that reflects what students need, and adding spaces for meetings, events and organization programming creates more opportunities to participate and stay connected on campus.” 

Together, the two projects form a cohesive redevelopment plan that emphasizes flexibility, accessibility and shared use. Once completed, the North End Zone addition and North Plaza are expected to redefine how the campus gathers, celebrates and connects, reinforcing Auburn University’s role as both an academic institution and a community center for the state and region. 

“By prioritizing adaptability, the project enables consistent, multi‑functional use throughout the calendar year,” said Zeke Smith, chair of the Board of Trustees’ Facilities Committee. “The design encourages flexibility, durability and shared use, ensuring these spaces can support a wide range of academic, event and operational needs while strengthening the overall campus framework for decades to come.” 

HOK Architects of Kansas City, Missouri, will serve as the architect for both projects, with Robins & Morton of Birmingham, Alabama, acting as construction manager.