Construction Updates

We'll post updates on this page as construction progresses on our Phase One expansion and renovation projects - check back frequently! Find out everything that's planned - and how you can support this ambitious effort - on the main page of our Transforming Futures campaign website.

Since our groundbreaking ceremony on April 25th, DVFriends' expansion and renovation projects have taken off. The front parking lot has been dug up to install the first of six stormwater basins and prepare for the relocated entry. And, behind the building, the new classroom wing is being constructed. As soon as school let out for the year, we also started excavation on the cafe courtyard, right outside the cafeteria. Check out the videos and photos below showing progress on each of these projects.

Thanks to Bala Engineering for this amazing video showing the progress we made around campus, including the installation of our New Classroom/Admin Wing's roof trusses!

Cafe Courtyard:

Several men in construction gear stand on top of a uncovered underground wall — June 11, 2024 Excavation reveals the buried remains of an older foundation wall outside of the cafeteria

Different view of the underground wall — June 11, 2024 Closer view of the old foundation wall

Construction Worker is working in a pit, setting up rebar for concrete foundations. — July 2, 2024 Foundations for retaining wall being set

Newly built retaining walls are in place and some old doors and stairwells have been removed — July 2, 2024 Stairs to Middle School door have been removed (left); Retaining walls for cafe courtyard are being constructed

Group of construction workers are cutting the stones that will sit on top of the retaining walls — July 7, 2024 Workers cutting the copestone that will sit on top of the walls

Top view of a retaining wall filled with dirt. — July 7, 2024 Lower School retaining wall finished

Small bulldozer is removing dirt from the walls of the cafe courtyard — July 17, 2024 Preparation for terrace seating has begun

Group of construction workers are laying down stones around the courtyard — July 23, 2024 Workers lay stones for terrace seating in cafe courtyard

Front Entrance and Stormwater Basins:

Rendering of completed new entrance and parking lot

April 30, 2024 Front parking lot demolished

May 2, 2024 Excavation begins on first stormwater basin

May 13, 2024 Stormwater basin infrastructure being installed

May 20, 2024 New entryway excavated and prepped (right)

June 13, 2024 Two stormwater basins under front lot are done and filled back in

July 2, 2024 New sidewalk laid out ready to be filled with concrete

Completed Stormwater Basin filled back in and being water to promote grass growth — July 9, 2024 A rain garden will sit atop one of the completed underground stormwater basins; the area is being seeded now

Group of construction workers pouring cement into a cylinder mold — July 16, 2024 Pouring cement for front circle light poles

Workers adding supports for the old front entrance canopy — July 16, 2024 Adding supports for the old entrance canopy so a new retaining wall can be built

Excavation begins on front entrance — July 23, 2024 Front entrance excavation begins

New Classroom/Admin Wing:

Rendering of the completed new wing — Rendering of completed new wing

View from far away of construction beginning — April 8, 2024 View from Dragon’s Rock Playspace as work begins

Constructions workers pouring concrete into the footers — April 22, 2024 Pouring building footers

Walls with scaffolding set up — May 13, 2024 Wall scaffolding

May 20, 2024 Crane-like concrete pump on site

Workers with a large pipe pouring concrete in foundation wall — May 20, 2024 Pouring concrete in foundation wall

Workers pouring cement on the ground level of the new building — June 13, 2024 Cement floor poured at ground level

A steel beam covered in signatures from students, teachers, and other community members. — June 13, 2024 The beam signed by the DVFriends community

Metal Framing has begun on the the second floor — July 2, 2024 Metal framing has begun on the the second floor

Storage area underneath new wing is full enclosed — July 9, 2024 Storage area underneath new wing is fully enclosed

Arial picture of trusses being placed on the new wing — July 12, 2024 Trusses are being set up on top of the second floor of the new wing

View from inside the new wing showing finished trusses — July 17, 2024 View from below of the new trusses

Workers installing new insulation on the roof and walls of the new wing — July 18, 2024 Workers setting up outside insulation on the roof and walls

Earlier project and campaign milestones

Thanks to Bala Engineering for this amazing video showing the progress we made in the first weeks after the groundbreaking!

April 29, 2024: Front parking circle is closed off so major construction can begin on the first of six planned underground stormwater basins on DV's campus, and the relocated front entryway.

April 25, 2024: Groundbreaking Ceremony. View photo gallery here. At a campaign reception following the groundbreaking, we announced we'd raised $3.7M (74%) of our $5M campaign goal. We also announced two matching gifts to inspire donors to make their best gifts to the campaign, from the Rudibaugh and D'Allaird families.

April 8, 2024: Most of the lower field is cordoned off by this date so excavation can begin for the new classroom/admin wing.

June 13, 2023: Enabling projects begin on campus and continue throughout the summer. Sewer, utility and gas lines are relocated to avoid conflicts with future construction, including the underground stormwater management elements that will be installed during the renovation and expansion project.

February 8, 2023: PA Senator Carolyn Comitta visits DVFriends and hosts a discussion about local government with two classes of Upper School students. Her visit is a continuation of our efforts to build support and awareness with our local elected leaders.

January 1, 2023:The New Year brings us across an important threshold: we've received $2.5M in gifts and pledges, putting us halfway to our $5M philanthropic goal. Individual donor meetings are in full swing.

December 2022: Insider's look events are the first activities of the silent phase of the campaign. Second $1M individual gift is pledged.

November 22, 2022: The Board of Trustees reaches 100% campaign participation, putting the wind in the sails for this effort. Their collective pledges total $1.4M, including the first $1M individual gift received for the campaign. Kirk Smothers reflects, "Nearly every pledge made represents the largest single gift made by that trustee to DVFriends." The close of the Board campaign is the start of the campaign's "silent phase".

November 21, 2022: We are thrilled to learn that DVFriends will be receiving a $2.5M RACP state grant. Read the full text of the announcement, which was shared by Rep. Melissa Shusterman. This is a reimbursement grant designed to spur economic development in the Commonwealth. (These funds will offset the total project cost of $14.4M and will not be counted towards the philanthropic goal of $5M.)

November 16, 2022: Josh Maxwell, Chester County Commissioner, visits DVFriends for a discussion and tour of campus.

September 27, 2022: We begin to build awareness and support for our projects with government officials. Representative Melissa Shusterman, 157th district, tours DVFriends and reads to a Lower School class.

August 18, 2022: DVFriends Board of Trustees approves a $5M campaign for Transforming Futures, Phase One, and all associated projects.

February 24, 2022: The Zoning Hearing Board of Tredyffrin Township approves our variance requests.