The University of Texas at Austin opened with eight professors and 221 students on the grounds where the UT Tower stands today in 1883. Today, we are steadfast in our work to become the highest-impact public research university in the world, with more than 12,000 faculty and staff members and more than 53,000 students. And, while much has changed, the Tower, since its construction in 1937, has stood as a symbol of our history, culture, and bold vision for our University.
Yet, the Tower has deteriorated, with no meaningful investment since its opening nearly 90 years ago. I am grateful for the vision of the Board of Regents’ members, who have made the Tower’s return to glory one of their and our priorities, with the promise for investment in restoring, revitalizing, and reimagining it. Their early investment has been followed by initial efforts to raise funds, and that work continues as we determine the ultimate extent of the restoration and reimagination that we can affect.
Realizing this vision will take several years. And I am proud to share that the initial exterior restoration, including the stone, windows, lighting, clockface, and historic gilding on the facade of the building, will begin in November and is estimated to last through the summer of 2027. The building will remain in operation through the duration of construction.
Throughout the restoration period, the Tower and Main Building will be protected by scaffolding and a decorative covering known as a scrim to ensure a safe and efficient restoration process. It will change the views in and out of the Tower and affect some of the parking near the Tower but will still allow the Tower to be lit burnt orange to celebrate athletic victories and academic accomplishments, as well as for conference and national championships.
Although the project timeline calls for the scaffolding to begin rising on the north facade of the Main Building in November, the construction will not advance to cover the Tower and south facade of the Main Building until after our 2025 commencement celebration. We do, however, expect certain milestones, such as graduation pictures, to be affected for the classes of 2026 and possibly 2027. Students who are expecting to graduate during those two years should make plans to capture those special Tower photos throughout the year, prior to the scaffolding and scrim covering the building.
The Tower is a beacon for the University and an integral part of what we stand for. And through this significant project, we will underscore the importance of preserving the history and heritage that define our identity, ensuring that its legacy continues to serve current students, faculty, and staff while inspiring future generations.
Below are a few renderings that showcase the former and future state of the Tower. Please join me in celebrating the start of this historic restoration, and I look forward to celebrating more Longhorn life with you at the Tower throughout the year.
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