Project Overview
The University of Iowa is modernizing the historic Iowa Memorial Union (IMU) through a 110,000 square-foot phased renovation, preserving the 100-year legacy of an active campus hub. The project transforms existing space to bring student health and wellness, lounge and study areas, and renovated dining spaces closer to students – improving access and overall experience.
Key Takeaways
- Revitalizes a campus landmark into a vibrant, student-centered hub
- Complex, multi-phased renovation while maintaining continuous operations in a high-traffic area
- Coordination with 20+ stakeholder groups, each with unique needs and priorities
- Early, integrated phasing strategy to inform design, constructability, and execution
- Positive customer experience due to strong coordination and planning approach
- Continuous coordination with IMU operations to avoid disruption to daily events and student experience
- Extensive demolition and transformation of former hotel space within existing structure
- Completion Date
June 2026
- Delivery Method
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Construction Manager at Risk
Revitalizing a Campus Hub
The IMU renovation reimagines an outdated 1925 building into a vibrant, student-focused hub that better serves the evolving needs of students in the University of Iowa community. The project brings updated food service, lounge and study spaces, and consolidates key student services—including health, wellness, and counseling—into one accessible location.
As a central gathering place for everything from student orientation to daily campus events, the IMU plays a critical role in campus life. This modernization will improve circulation and usability, and create a more welcoming, connected space.
Maintaining Operations in a Highly Active Environment
The project is being delivered within a fully occupied space, requiring careful coordination to ensure uninterrupted campus events including tours, academic functions, and student events. Mortenson works closely with IMU operations and event staff through ongoing planning and regular coordination meetings. This proactive approach allows the team to adjust construction activities in real time – maintaining safety, access, and a positive experience for building users throughout the duration of the work.
Complex Phased Delivery and Execution
Delivering a highly complex renovation within an active, historic campus environment required precise phasing, coordination, and adaptability. Key components include:
- 110,000 square foot, multi-level renovation within an existing facility, including significant demolition of former hotel space
- Carefully sequenced, eight-phase approach to maintain continuous operations
- “Leapfrog” strategy enabling departments to relocate efficiently while preserving access and functionality
- Early phasing strategy aligning construction with stakeholder and end-user needs
- Coordination with more than 20 user groups, each with unique schedules and operational requirements
- Visual phasing plans to communicate upcoming work, impacts, and transitions with university leadership and IMU operations
A Student-First Campus Environment
Aligned with the University of Iowa’s long-term campus master plan, the renovation supports continuous operations while advancing a more accessible, connected, and resilient campus. Through close collaboration with stakeholders, Mortenson is helping deliver a future-ready environment that enhances the daily experience for students and campus users.
Student and End User Impact
- Expanded access to student health, counseling, and wellness services
- Consolidation of key student services into a centralized, more accessible location
- Enhanced gathering, study, and lounge spaces to support student life and collaboration
- Improved circulation and intuitive wayfinding throughout the building
- Increased accessibility, driving higher anticipated usage
- Enhanced experience for students, faculty, staff, and campus visitors, including tours and orientation
- Flexible, multi-use spaces to support events such as career fairs, meetings, and campus programming
