Shippensburg University’s Reisner Dining Hall serves as the campus’s primary dining destination, supporting student life and large‑scale campus events. STV designed a comprehensive renovation and expansion that modernized all student-facing dining venues while upgrading the building’s back-of-house operations to improve foodservice efficiency. The enhanced facility now features more than 23,000 square feet of seating for up to 1,500 diners, including a 500‑seat banquet hall and multiple flexible meeting rooms. Exterior updates, including a new main entrance, were designed to align with the university’s campus master plan. The project was delivered through phased construction, ensuring the dining hall remained an active resource for students throughout the renovation.
What challenges did STV address?
The university sought to transform an aging dining facility into a modern, flexible and efficient space while keeping services operational during construction. STV needed to integrate new program elements, expand seating capacity and elevate the student experience without disrupting ongoing campus activities.
What solutions did STV deliver?
STV provided full architectural and engineering design services, including civil, structural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, fire protection and interior design. The team reimagined the dining environment with open, light‑filled spaces and updated food service venues, while reorganizing support areas to enhance operational flow. Exterior improvements established a more welcoming arrival experience and unified the building’s appearance with campus standards.
How does this project benefit the community?
The revitalized dining hall offers students a vibrant, flexible environment designed to support social interaction, large gatherings and day‑to‑day campus life. Modernized food service operations improve dining efficiency and reliability, while upgraded spaces enhance the overall student experience and support long‑term campus growth.
Key stats and accolades
- 1,500 student seating capacity
- 23,000+ sf of dining space
- 500‑seat banquet facility
- Phased construction in an active campus environment
- Modernized food service and back‑of‑house operations
