In the “finishing stages” of construction, the new dining center in South Quadrangle is taking shape.

With an official opening date of Aug. 28, to accommodate both student move-in and opening the dining center, the $60 million project that also included improvements to student bathrooms and community spaces in the residence hall is coming to a close.

“This is a Central Campus dining story,” said Peter Logan, communications director for University Housing. “South Quad will offer 50 percent more seating than Hill Dining Center.”

In fact, the dining hall will offer 946 seats in a community space with options for large and small groups. The micro-restaurant-style dining center will include:

• Olive Branch, a Mediterranean bistro complete with a stone pizza oven.

• Madison Street Deli.

• gf (gluten free), which will require card entry.

• Bamboo, Asian food with floor seating available.

• 24 Carrots, vegetarian and vegan.

• Wildfire grill.

• Smoke, which features smoked wings, ribs, brisket.

• Sabroso, Latin cuisine.

• Signatures, featured entrée station.

• Toast, breakfast-all-day.

• Finale, dessert.

The renovation brought rich hues to the dining center, accenting exposed beams and ceilings. Modern lighting also dots the dining area, along with occasional tables made from reclaimed bowling lanes.

The trayless dining hall also will have a salad bar, four beverage stations and a dish carousel similar to the one at Hill Dining Center.

The South Quad dining center will employ 60 full-time staff members, said Tom Smith, associate director for Michigan Dining. There also are plans to hire an additional 400 student workers, he said.

In response to a survey in which students said they would like more study areas, the South Quad renovation project also established new study rooms, alcoves and open lounges, and a new community center. There also are music practice rooms, a game room and multicultural lounges.

The project continues the work of the Residential Life Initiatives, a planned capital program launched in 2004 to improve university housing and dining facilities, and to strengthen the connection between living and learning on campus.

Constructed in 1951, South Quad is home to approximately 1,180 students, including the Honors Program and many varsity athletes. As part of the project, the building’s entrance on Madison Street was redesigned in this project to allow better access from West Quadrangle and the Michigan Union

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• housing
• South Quad