ApprovedUniversity

Gilbert Place University Bookstore

On April 14, 2026 the Virginia Tech Board of Visitors authorized up to $5.5 million to fit out about 21,000 square feet of first-floor space in Gilbert Place, on Gilbert Street in downtown Blacksburg, as the main University Bookstore. The store would consolidate the current bookstore on Kent Street on campus and the Volume Two Bookstore on University City Boulevard. The board document targets completion in spring 2027.

See the timeline Homes for sale nearby

The project

The details.

Gilbert Place opened in 2022 and, according to the board document, was transferred from the Virginia Tech Foundation to the university in early 2026 (see the Virginia Tech Foundation property exchange entry). Its first floor is intended for retail tenants and upper floors for university academic and administrative use. The upfit is funded from bookstore revenues and uses design-bid-build delivery. A Virginia Tech News summary of the April 2026 meeting said completion was scheduled for next summer (summer 2027) and that the Kent Street location would then be retired; the board document gives spring 2027.

Status
Approved
Type
University
Jurisdiction
Virginia Tech
Size
About 21,000 gross sq ft (first-floor retail space)
Location
220 Gilbert St, Blacksburg, VA, Downtown Blacksburg, Gilbert Street south of Prices Fork Road
Applicant
Virginia Tech
Last checked
Oct 13, 2026

Timeline

Where it stands.

Every step on record, oldest first, with a link to the official record where there is one.

  1. Board of Visitors authorized up to $5.5 million to design and build the bookstore upfit in Gilbert Place.

    Official record

Location

On the map.

220 Gilbert St, Blacksburg, VA, Downtown Blacksburg, Gilbert Street south of Prices Fork Road. 20 homes are for sale within a mile.

The blue marker is the project. Rings are a half mile and one mile, straight line. Prices are homes for sale now.

Homes for sale nearby

For sale near Gilbert Place University Bookstore.

The closest homes for sale, within 1.5 miles.

Sources

From the official record.

  1. Virginia Tech Board of Visitors: Resolution of Capital Project for the Gilbert Place University Bookstore UpfitApr 14, 2026
  2. Virginia Tech News: Board of Visitors concludes two-day meeting in BlacksburgApr 14, 2026

Details can change as a project moves through review. The official record governs. This page was last checked against it on Oct 13, 2026.

Information from Town of Blacksburg public records and other official sources. Check the official record for decisions.

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