University set to begin construction of 34,000-square-foot bookstore

North facade of TCU Bookstore

Fort Worth, TX

1/30/2007

TCU, in partnership with Barnes & Noble College Booksellers, Inc. will begin construction of a new 34,000-square-foot bookstore by mid-April. The two-story bookstore, which will be located at the corner of W. Berry Street and University Drive S., is slated for completion by the end of 2007.

Along with textbooks, located on the mezzanine, the store also will sell TCU merchandise and regular retail books and magazines similar to other Barnes & Noble stores. In addition, the bookstore will feature an indoor and outdoor wireless Internet café and lounge and reading areas. Bookstore parking will be added on the northeast side of the facility.

“As a full-service Barnes & Noble bookstore, this facility will not only provide excellent services for our students, but members of our community as well,” said Brian Gutierrez, vice chancellor for finance and administration. “We committed early on to building a first class, aesthetically pleasing facility, and we are well on our way to accomplishing that goal. This bookstore adds to the vitality currently being developed on Berry Street.”

The design of the bookstore incorporates elements of the university’s new Brown-Lupton University Union (currently under construction) and also contributes to the university’s goal of becoming a pedestrian campus by providing amenities that students can take advantage of while living on campus. A bookstore committee, consisting of faculty, staff and students, was appointed by TCU Chancellor Victor J. Boschini last fall to work on development of a new bookstore after fire destroyed the University’s old bookstore in March of last year. The committee ensured all campus needs were met when determining the exact design of the store.  

One entrance to the bookstore will be located on the east side of the facility, providing students living in the GrandMarc easy access into the building. Additional entrances will be located on the front and northwest side of the facility.

A grand opening of the bookstore is scheduled for spring 2008.  In addition to the bookstore, TCU also is building four new residence halls (two will open this August), a new Brown-Lupton University Union, an indoor practice facility, and a renovated and new facility for the School of Education.