Gatton College of Business and Economics - Gatton Business and Economics Building

Gatton Business and Economics Building

Constructed in the 1960s as the Commerce Building, it was renovated and expanded with a new wing for classrooms in 1992. The original 1960s wing contains graduate and faculty offices for the accounting and economic departments and includes the MBA center. It also features one large auditorium. The 1992 extension added a new three-floor atrium, a new computer laboratory, and 24 classrooms.

Studies began in the early 2000s for a new College of Business and Economics structure. A 2002 study suggested that if a new College of Business and Economics structure was to be constructed, it should relocate closer to downtown Lexington. The location for the new building will be at Martin Luther King Boulevard and Avenue of the Champions adjacent to New North Hall (University of Kentucky) and Memorial Coliseum. This would create a "symbolic link" between the University and downtown, the study suggested.

Funding for the $80 million structure, $40 million of which would come from private donors, would construct a new facility for classrooms, offices, a computer lab and a library. A parking structure would be included behind Memorial Coliseum as part of the project.

Construction funding priority is number one for the University in the 2008 state legislative session. The current corner property is currently a surface parking lot that features 272 spaces.