Building permit highlight for Oct. 19

Built in 1953, it originally served as the Lower School on the first floor; faculty housing on the second floor; dormitories for the youngest boarding students on the third floor; and an art room, science laboratory and bookstore in the basement. It has been home to the Middle School since 1957.

The 17,000-square-foot hall is being renovated to convert the dorm rooms into classrooms. Other classrooms are being configured to allow for a new art room and choral and band rooms. Plans also call for building a new assembly room and expanding the dining hall to increase seating.

Amenities in the building will include SMART Boards (interactive electronic whiteboards) for every classroom, an audio system for the assembly room, and a café for students, faculty and parents.

The building will be completed in fall 2010.

Classes have been moved to Bacot Hall, the most recently renovated building.

The contractor is Kjellstrom-Lee Construction in Richmond, and the architectural firm is Bowie Gridley Architects in Washington.

The project cost is $3.12 million, according to the building permit.

See the entire list of weekly building permits at TimesDispatch.com. Keyword: Metro Business