Peabody Neighborhood
The goal of changes in the Peabody neighborhood is to create state of the art facilities that match the quality of research and teaching associated with the college’s top ranked program. In addition, FutureVU Land Use Plan calls for connections from Peabody to the main campus to be strengthened. Enhancements both at and above grade will be explored as a part of the master planning process underway for the neighborhood. Phase one of the Peabody efforts includes the renovations of the Home Economics and Mayborn buildings.
Newsletter
The university established a Peabody neighborhood newsletter distributed to interested community members regularly. To view past newsletters and/or if you have an interest in receiving the newsletter, please click here.
Peabody Neighborhood Progress To Date – 6 Magnolia Circle and Mayborn (Phase One)
Vanderbilt broke ground September 5, 2018 on the first phase of a $41.5 million multi-building construction and renovation plan at Peabody College. The historic 6 Magnolia Circle formerly known as the Home Economics Building and Frank W. Mayborn Building—each more than 100 years old—was renovated, and a new 15,000 square-foot building was constructed to connect them. When completed in January 2020, the 6 Magnolia Circle-Mayborn complex reflected higher sustainability standards and reduced energy usage through new flexible, active learning spaces, advanced technology for modernized instruction, a digital observation space for teacher training, flexible research space, a café, and administrative offices.
6 Magnolia Circle and Mayborn (formerly called the Industrial Arts Building) were the first two buildings to open in 1916 at the then-named George Peabody College for Teachers. The twin structures boasted marble floors and impressive columns, but Mayborn was the more elaborate of the two, with its limestone facings, smokestack and ornate staircase. The complex homes to Peabody’s largest undergraduate major, Human and Organizational Development, which is also the second-largest major at Vanderbilt.
The second phase of work is being considered for Payne Hall, Hobbs Laboratory, the Jessup Psychology Building and the Peabody Library.
Notable Features
As the design team considered renovations to Mayborn and 6 Magnolia Circle, the following elements were incorporated into the future design of the renovated buildings to better meet the needs of all of the Vanderbilt community members and align with FutureVU principles of diversity, inclusion and accessibility:
- Mayborn now includes a modern learning environment for Vanderbilt’s 2nd most popular major (HOD) and top masters program. It features space to welcome Nashville’s non-profit organizations and community leaders.
- The Connector building was constructed to strengthen connections across Peabody and the community. A multi-stop elevator was added to the new Connector building, which provides accessibility to all floors in the Mayborn and 6 Magnolia Circle buildings. There is no difference in regards to access for a person with a disability or a person without a disability. Everyone will use the same route to enter the building and access all floors by the same means.
- The 6 Magnolia Circle renovation was focused on strengthening science, pedagogy and practice. The building now features science labs for K-12 programs and opportunities to teach instruction techniques, as well as maker space for students and to facilitate faculty design of learning experiences.
- Before beginning the renovations of Mayborn and 6 Magnolia Circle, a thorough accessibility examination of all relevant items such as restrooms on all floors of each building, door hardware, restroom fixture locations, signage, water coolers and exterior access was conducted. Spaces or items were updated during the renovation to ensure that any person with a disability is now able to take full advantage of all amenities of the buildings.
- As exterior grading is reworked, slopes were eased to make the exterior access around the entire site more accessible for everyone.
News
Sep 13, 2018: Vanderbilt’s historic Peabody College set to expand with new construction
Mar 1, 2019: First edition of FutureVU Peabody neighborhood newsletter released
Oct 11, 2019: Peabody neighborhood project celebrates major milestone with “topping out” ceremony
Sept 2, 2020: Vanderbilt opens new buildings in West End and Peabody neighborhoods