Virginia Tech Named ENR MidAtlantic Owner of the Year

Recognized both for its $1-billion-plus capital construction portfolio and its efforts to incorporate academic research into its campus projects, Virginia Tech has been named the 2025 ENR MidAtlantic Owner of the Year. The Blacksburg, Va.-based university will be featured in the March print issue of ENR East, the newly formed ENR region that includes the MidAtlantic states.  

The regional recognition of an owner is made by ENR editors based not only on its construction portfolio within the region but also for its innovation, creativity and community impact. Previous ENR MidAtlantic recipients include the Pennsylvania Dept. of Transportation, Morgan State University, West Virginia Dept. of Transportation, Boston Properties, Penn Med, Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission, DelDOT, Douglas Development, DC Public Schools and DC Water. 

Key to execution of Virginia Tech’s current capital investment portfolio, design and construction teams play pivotal roles in the lifecycle of significant projects, from planning and engineering to safe construction and timely and quality delivery. These teams collaborate with faculty, staff and stakeholders to preserve the university’s architectural integrity while incorporating the latest design and building standards. Their dedication ensures that all projects, whether new construction or renovations, meet evolving needs of students, faculty and broader communities.

Virginia Tech is committed to blending academic research with construction projects, creating living laboratories that benefit the industry and the university community. This entails collaboration among the owner, designers, contractors and other stakeholders. 

The construction of Hitt Hall exemplifies this approach. This multi-use facility expands the presence of the College of Engineering’s Myers-Lawson School of Construction while adding dining and academic spaces. The facility was built with a collegiate gothic expression and a palette of materials consistent with campus design principles and buildings on the Blacksburg campus—including signature Hokie stone that is extracted from the school’s own quarries. 

From project inception to delivery, the School of Construction partners with designers and constructors, offering research and experiential learning opportunities. 

Examples of this integration include: 

 ·         • Robotics in Construction: Testing legged robots for surveying, inspection and safety tasks in active construction environments

·         • Drone Applications: Using drones for site inspection and mapping

·         • 4D BIM Integration: Engaging students with augmented reality platforms that allow interaction with real-time contractor BIM models during construction 

·         • Innovative Technologies: Research on exoskeletons, sensors, AI applications and more. 

·         • 3D Concrete Printing: A $1-million research project in Hitt Hall’s Procon Innovation Center that addresses the U.S. affordable housing crisis. 

By fostering an environment where academic research, teaching and practical construction activities intersect, the university has transformed campus construction projects into dynamic learning and research opportunities that advance the construction industry and enrich the educational experience of future employees and leaders. 

Check out the March issue of ENR East to read about the ENR MidAtlantic Owner of the Year.

Justin Rice is Editor for ENR East.