The Rev. Clayton Harrington, Campus Missioner at The Episcopal Center at UGA (left), and Bishop Rob Wright (right) at the April 23 groundbreaking ceremony for The Wright House.
Construction is underway for a new Episcopal Center at The University of Georgia, which is expected to be ready for students in the fall of 2022.
The new building is being named The Wright House in honor of Bishop Wright, for his steadfast support for children, youth, and college ministries.
“This is an amazing project and a new concept for college ministry,” Bishop Wright said at the April 23 groundbreaking. “I am humbled that it bears my name.”
The Wright House will occupy the former site of the Episcopal Center and chapel in the heart of The University of Georgia campus at the corner of University Court and South Lumpkin Street.
The Rev. Canon Lang Lowrey, who co-developed the property with Atlanta-based Pope & Land Real Estate, said The Wright House has features not found in traditional student living. “Our ‘Live, Study, Pray’ concept is new and allows all students to live more intentionally toward their life goals and calling.”
The 123-bedroom facility features bathroom parity (a bathroom for each bedroom) and will include, open breezeway hallways, sun-filled residences with balconies, onsite parking, bike storage, a fitness facility, study spaces, and an indoor common kitchen and coffee bar. It will also have extensive outdoor common areas adjacent to the building and on the green roof deck.
The Wright House will be open to all UGA students but is designed to appeal to Episcopalian students who want to live near the resources of the new Episcopal Center as part of their UGA experience.
The Episcopal Center is a ministry of The Diocese of Atlanta that welcomes those of all or no faith or religious affiliation. The new Episcopal Center and chapel on the main level will serve as a multi-use facility for all residents of the Wright House. An Episcopal chaplain will live on site and be available to all residents.
The Wright House’s eco-friendly design was created by Athens architect Studio BNA. Athens-based Grahl Construction is the general contractor. Patterson Real Estate Advisory Group placed the construction financing with Delta Community Credit Union.
Residences will be available for lease this Fall for occupancy in August 2022. CollegeTown Properties is leasing and managing the community.