At the center of Belmont University’s campus, a former utility powerhouse is taking on a new life. The CORD — short for Creating Opportunities, Realize Dreams — will transform the University’s historic powerhouse building, adding a three-story structure to create an interdisciplinary creative center.

The 17,000-square-foot project preserves the character of the existing brick powerhouse while infusing innovative spaces for how students learn, create and spend time together.

The CORD will include:

  • A student performance venue with capacity for up to 150
  • A Story Lab
  • A state-of-the-art Digital Media Lab focused on animation and cinematic arts production
  • Collaboration space bridging arts and music
  • Meeting spaces and gathering areas
  • A food outlet with exterior patio seating connecting to the main campus lawn

A green roof on a portion of the structure provides a sustainable stormwater management solution.

Honoring the Building’s History
The Historic Powerhouse has been part of Belmont’s campus for years, but its location and existing conditions presented an opportunity to rethink how the building could serve students. The design celebrates its industrial roots through restored brick, warehouse-inspired windows and other architectural details.

A new curtainwall connector lobby brings natural light into the project and creates a stronger connection to the surrounding campus. Outside, patio and terrace spaces extend the building into the landscape, giving students more places to gather, connect with the campus lawn and move along existing circulation paths.

Built for Collaboration
Whether it’s gathering for a performance, working on a media project, meeting with classmates or simply finding a place to spend time between classes, the CORD is designed around student interaction. Acoustically treated spaces support recording, media production and performances, while flexible layouts give students and faculty room to work together across disciplines.

The restored Powerhouse gives the project a sense of history, while new technology, flexible spaces and a strong focus on student interaction give the building a fresh purpose. The goal is straightforward: create a place where students can gather, collaborate, tell stories, make things and share ideas. At the heart of campus, the Powerhouse is becoming a new home for that kind of creative energy.