Midterm grades: Academy Building rehab progresses

The renovation and expansion of Exeter’s iconic Academy Building is progressing ahead of schedule, with an aim of resuming classes there when school begins in the fall.

When the project is fully completed in early 2027, the 112-year-old building will boast 45 refurbished classrooms, a redesigned Assembly Hall, a new design lab and upgrades to the building’s electrical, mechanical, heating and cooling systems from stem to stern.

Crews from Consigli Construction began work the day after commencement last spring, balancing the need to overhaul the building’s systems while preserving its history. Features such as the high interior ceilings and the beloved marble staircase grooved by a century of Exonian footsteps will be retained. Every window will be replaced, but the marble sills will be preserved and polished.

The building’s newest features — beyond welcome climate control throughout — are still works in progress. Assembly Hall will be spun 180 degrees and seating expanded to accommodate 1,300 people. A massive crane on site will hoist beams weighing as much as 26,000 pounds into the interior to construct the hall’s new balcony.

The building’s north facade will be expanded to provide for the additional seating as well as make space for two new features: A large room overlooking the quad on the building’s first floor in which students can gather, study and relax; and a design lab on the basement floor to replace Mayer Auditorium. A reimagined terrace, entrance and foyer on the basement floor will greet students entering from the quad.

As many as 33 classrooms could be ready by September as the Math, History and Religion, Ethics & Philosophy departments move back in. The Assembly Hall and design lab are on pace to be completed by January or February.