Historic armory transformed into Shenandoah University’s The HIVE

ESa, a national architecture and design firm, is proud to unveil The HIVE (Hub for Innovators, Veterans and Entrepreneurs), a transformed 1940s military armory that connects Shenandoah University’s campus to the broader community. Reimagined as a dynamic space for hands-on learning, interdisciplinary collaboration and student-driven innovation, The HIVE is officially open and already buzzing with activity.

“Designing The HIVE was an invitation to experiment, build and connect,” said Phillip Powers, Jr., AIA, NCARB, senior design manager at ESa. “We wanted to honor the building’s military history while introducing new elements that reflect where Shenandoah University is headed. It’s a place that helps students imagine and prepare for what’s next.”

The building was originally constructed for the National Guard and served the university and surrounding community for decades in various capacities. Its transformation preserves the character and history of the structure while adapting it into a dynamic space that prepares students for in-demand careers.

The revitalized 18,000-square-foot facility features a dedicated veterans center, a motion capture studio, a makerspace and emergent media lab, a virtual and augmented Reality lab, a cybersecurity lab, administrative offices, conference rooms, classrooms, E-sports competition arena, and a new multi-functional gathering space called the Collaboratory, with each area promotes interaction, exploration and interdisciplinary learning. New steel windows, clerestory windows, and glass curtain walls create a bright, open interior. Original brick walls, carved stone details, and exposed trusses remain intact, grounding the building in its past while its program advances the university’s academic goals, community engagement, and regional impact.

The HIVE’s adaptive reuse strategy also represents the university’s commitment to sustainability and civic stewardship. By revitalizing a long-standing structure instead of building new, the project celebrates local identity and demonstrates how legacy buildings can become launchpads for the future.

ESa’s relationship with Shenandoah University for more than a decade. Their close relationship as well as the collaboration of contractor Howard Shockey and Sons informed the design, ensuring the facility would match the needs and values of the campus. The veterans center provides resources for veterans across the region and the University, while the entrepreneurship and innovation labs support students that are establishing companies, advancing in technology industries, and to blend across academic disciplines. Flexible studios, multi-purpose meeting spaces, and the hybrid technology labs accommodate a wide range of creative projects, while the public areas welcome community involvement and connection.

The HIVE is a campus landmark that embodies Shenandoah’s values, expands its capacity to serve students and veterans and is spurring economic growth across the Northern Shenandoah Valley.