UNC Kenan-Flagler has ushered in a new era with the opening of Steven D. Bell Hall, a state-of-the-art academic facility designed to support the school’s continued growth and enhance the student experience. The building, which welcomed its first classes in Spring 2026, doubles the school’s space for teaching, student life, and community engagement for undergraduate business, Master of Accounting, Master of Science in Management, full-time MBA, Evening Executive MBA, and PhD candidates.
The new building, which is approximately 156,000 square feet, is named in honor of alumnus Steven D. Bell (BA ’67), who with his wife, Jackie Bell, pledged $26 million for the project. Another $105M came from the state of North Carolina along with $90M in other private support.
Features of UNC’s Steven D. Bell Hall
Steven D. Bell Hall spans four levels and is designed to blend cutting-edge functionality with a strong sense of community and connection to nature. At its core is a dramatic four-story atrium that fills the building with natural light, complemented by a large lobby and reception area featuring donor recognition. The facility includes 16 flexible, tech-enabled classrooms for hybrid learning, nearly 40 study rooms, and dedicated lounges and study spaces for undergraduate and graduate business students, alongside meeting, event, and collaboration areas throughout.
The building also emphasizes experiential learning and career development, with specialized offices for centers such as the Ackerman Center for Excellence in Sustainability and the Center for the Business of Health, as well as a robust recruiting suite featuring 27 interview rooms and employer engagement spaces. Students benefit from expanded dining options, including a two-story dining hall, café, and grab-and-go offerings, plus thoughtful amenities like lockers, lactation rooms, and meditation spaces.
Designed to take full advantage of its wooded surroundings, Bell Hall features outdoor classrooms, terraces, gardens, and social spaces, along with Wi-Fi-enabled plazas and balconies. Additional highlights include expanded parking with EV charging stations and room for future growth, ensuring the facility can evolve alongside the needs of the UNC Kenan-Flagler community.
At the building’s grand opening celebration, Dean Mary Margaret Frank said, “As we celebrate this remarkable achievement, let’s remember that Bell Hall is more than a physical space – It is a shared accomplishment, a testament to what we can achieve together. Steven D. Bell Hall stands as a place where ideas ignite, leaders emerge, and the future of business education is boldly shaped. Together, we carry forward a legacy that will inspire generations of business leaders to lead the way.”
Renovations to the McColl Building
The campus upgrade also includes a two-story addition and significant renovations to the business school’s longtime home of McColl Building, creating a seamless connection to Bell Hall through a new entrance and updated lobby. Academic spaces have been upgraded with 15 renovated hybrid-capable classrooms, a new seminar room, and more than 20 additional study rooms, alongside new lounges, study areas, and administrative offices for the MAC and MSM programs. Faculty and doctoral communities benefit from 31 new or renovated offices and refreshed PhD program space, while Koury Auditorium now features a permanent stage for larger events.
Beyond academics, the enhancements extend to technology and campus life. A state-of-the-art communications suite supports the Faculty Consulting Group with production studios, teaching spaces, and a podcast studio, while expanded seating and Wi-Fi coverage improve outdoor collaboration in the McColl Felicite Latané Plaza. Sustainability is also a priority, with photovoltaic solar panels installed on the roof.
Take a tour of the new Steven D. Bell Hall with Rachel Oatis, MBA Class of ’26, below:
