On Monday morning, leaders of the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Brasfield & Gorrie and members of the Gorrie family gathered at UAB Mini Park to break ground on Frances and Miller Gorrie Hall. The facility will be part of UAB’s Science and Engineering Complex and is expected to be completed in the Summer of 2025.

Frances and Miller Gorrie Hall Groundbreaking

As the University of Alabama at Birmingham continues its growth, the School of Engineering is using that momentum to build a new facility that will support its goals of attracting faculty, increasing grant funding and training the next generation of engineers. That facility is Frances and Miller Gorrie Hall, a new home for the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s School of Engineering.

“Today marks the second phase of our Science and Engineering Complex, and is another milestone for our campus master plan that’s guiding the phenomenal growth and construction that we see all over campus. This inspired a colleague of mine to muse that the official bird of UAB is the ‘crane’. Another crane will be joining the flock soon as we continue building one of the most vibrant, technologically advanced and sustainable campuses in the nation.”
UAB Provost Pam Benoit, Ph.D.

The facility is named Frances and Miller Gorrie Hall in recognition of the Gorrie family and Brasfield & Gorrie’s longtime efforts to support the university.

“The story of Brasfield and Gorrie is well known. It stands without equal of any construction company in the United States. Frances and Miller Gorrie have lived lives of such distinction, integrity, perseverance, passion and commitment, and I can think of no one with more passion for this community—the city of Birmingham and the greater community—than Miller and Frances Gorrie.”
W. Stancil Starnes, President pro tempore, The University of Alabama System Board of Trustees

About Miller and Frances Gorrie Hall

As part of UAB’s Science and Engineering Complex and home to the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s School of Engineering, Gorrie Hall will feature sophisticated technology and design throughout the nearly 116,000-square-foot facility. With advanced labs, research suites and common areas, Gorrie Hall will help facilitate a thriving School of Engineering for years to come.

According to a UAB press release, Gorrie Hall’s Student Success Center will include three major components:

Peer Tutoring Lab: The peer tutoring lab provides face-to-face, individualized academic support for all first- and second-year courses, improving retention rates and encouraging successful academic outcomes.
Mentorship Programs: These additional student support systems will offer multiple layers of mentoring — from peers, alumni and local professionals.
Internship and Career Center: This center will provide students with hands-on, real-world experience through a guaranteed internship program while also introducing them to potential employers.

Another major feature in Gorrie Hall is a 2,000-square-foot materials testing lab, where students can have access to equipment needed to conduct compression, bending, tensile and impact testing on building materials ranging from concrete and steel to gels and foams. In addition, Gorrie Hall will include a number of research and teaching labs, a design and rapid prototyping lab, transportation and smart cities research suite, student study commons and an outdoor patio.

Construction is expected to be complete in Summer 2025.

Excited to see UAB break ground on a new project? Tag us @bhamnow to let us know your thoughts!