Belmont University broke ground today on what will be the growing campus’ largest building to date, a 188,000-square-foot academic center situated on the corner of Wedgewood and 15th avenues.

The building, which does not yet have a name, will house most departments from the College of Arts and Sciences as well as the School of Religion.

Slated to open in fall 2014 and with a projected price tag of $76.5 million, the building is being designed and built by Nashville-based Earl Swensson Associates and R.C. Mathews, respectively. A five-level underground parking garage will provide approximately 430 parking spaces, and the facility will connect on three floors to both the Inman Center and McWhorter Hall.

“The building establishes a new cornerstone for Belmont University and provides a true reflection of who we are,” Belmont President Bob Fisher said in a release. “It will sit as a beacon on the northeast edge of campus, offering a perfect view of the Nashville skyline and inviting Nashville and the world to come and see what Belmont is all about.”

Since Belmont’s general education/core curriculum requires courses in writing, speech, math and religion, among others, every BU undergraduate will take classes in the new academic center. In addition, the center will house a 280-seat chapel, a dining venue, 30 classrooms, state-of the-art laboratories and conference room space.