Gates Hall

Originally constructed in 1930 and long used as a campus dormitory, the three-story brick building now known as Gates Hall is being re-envisioned as a modern home for three of William & Mary’s leading research institutes. Owned and operated by the William & Mary Real Estate Foundation (WMREF), the building is undergoing a complete renovation paired with a significant expansion, two new wings totaling approximately 15,450 gross square feet, to create a 31,000-gross-square-foot interdisciplinary research hub.

A New Home for Three Research Institutes

The revitalized Gates Hall brings together the Institute for Integrative Conservation (IIC), the Global Research Institute (GRI), and the Whole Government Center (WGC). Co-locating these institutes within one purpose-built environment will support collaborative scholarship, shared programming, and expanded engagement across disciplines.

The building’s program includes dedicated academic offices, flexible meeting rooms, seminar spaces, and a variety of formal and informal collaboration zones designed to foster interaction among faculty, researchers, students, and visiting partners.

Honoring the Site’s History Through Archaeological Stewardship

Before construction could begin, the project team faced a significant site challenge: the grounds beneath the former residence hall had once been home to the Williamsburg Bray School, an 18th-century institution that educated enslaved and free Black children. In partnership with The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, William & Mary facilitated multiple phases of archaeological excavation to uncover, document, and preserve the site’s history. These investigations—spanning several years—revealed evidence of the school’s original footprint and contributed to ongoing research into its legacy, informing the university’s commitment to recognizing and protecting the cultural heritage embedded on campus.

An Expanded Facility with Modern Infrastructure

Led by the architecture team at Glavé & Holmes, Mueller is providing mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fire protection engineering services for the renovation and expansion of the former residence hall into a contemporary research facility while maintaining its historic presence along the edge of the William & Mary campus. Upgraded floor layouts and new building wings enable efficient adjacency between institutes, enhanced circulation, and a variety of workspace types suited to evolving research needs.

All new mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fire protection systems are designed as standalone infrastructure, independent from campus utility systems. This approach ensures operational flexibility for WMREF and provides the high-performance, reliable systems required for a modern research environment.

Supporting the Next Generation of Scholarship

With its expanded footprint, modern systems, and mission-driven program spaces, Robert M. Gates Hall will strengthen William & Mary’s research ecosystem while honoring the building’s historic character. The project positions the IIC, GRI, and WGC for continued growth and collaboration in a unified setting purposefully designed to support their work.