C.W. Driver Companies Completes Renovation for Riverside Community College District

Creating New Business, Law and Computer Information Systems Building

The $29.3M renovation unites two formerly separate structures, creating 34,055 square feet of learning space

RIVERSIDE, Calif.  C.W. Driver Companies, a leading builder serving California since 1919, today announced the completion of a $29.3M renovation at Riverside City College with the transformation of the former Physical & Life Science Buildings, built in the 1960s, into the new Business, Law, and Computer Information Systems Building. The work involved significant changes to the original incarnation with the demolition of all interior spaces to make room for new classrooms, conference rooms, computer labs, testing centers, and a multipurpose room. The spacious 34,055 square-foot building, which took 18 months to complete, will provide instructional and support services to accommodate the program’s growth. 

Nineteen Six Architects and C.W. Driver Companies was challenged with creating an entirely new interior and joining two buildings while not dramatically altering the footprint. As a result, the school’s original structures on the site (a two-story building with classrooms and laboratories, and four-story service tower that housed a mechanical room, restrooms and storage) received seismic retrofitting in the renovation and are now united via an addition on the upper level, creating a lobby and main entry, as well as circulation spaces, meeting rooms, an engagement center, and an open study area.  

On the lower level of the addition, the underside of the existing balcony was enclosed with storefronts to provide interior access between the two buildings. Other areas in the renovation include a large meeting room, courtroom lecturing space, a Network Operation Center, Cyber Security Lab, and additional computer server room space. 

“This is our second project with the Riverside Community College District in the last couple of years. Previously we worked on the Ben Clark Public Safety Training Center at Moreno Valley College,” said Dave Amundson, Project Executive at C.W. Driver Companies. “It’s another example of a repeat client that we work to grow a long-term relationship with us through new projects.” 

The project is designed to LEED Gold Certifications with multiple updates to the former buildings’ antiquated infrastructure systems.  

Located at 4800 Magnolia Ave, Riverside, CA 92506, Riverside City College offers more than 100 degrees and certificates. The college serves approximately 15,500 full- and part-time students annually. 

C.W. Driver Companies collaborated with architecture firm 19six Architect on the project. Other notable higher education projects by C.W. Driver Companies include the Riverside CCD – Ben Clark Public Safety Training Center, Education Center; CSU San Bernardino – Coyote Village and Coyote Commons; UC Santa Barbara Interactive Learning Pavilion, MiraCosta College Chemistry & Biotechnology Building; Pomona-Pitzer’s Rains Athletic Center; Long Beach City College – Multi-Disciplinary Facility Replacement, Coast CCD – OCC Language Arts and Social Science Building, Kinesiology and Athletics Complex and Student Union Complex, Coastline College, Student Services Center; OCC Kinesiology & Aquatics Pavilion; San Diego CCD – Mesa College, Fine Arts Building; Chapman University’s Keck Center for Science and Engineering; Cal Poly Pomona’s Student Services Building; and Vanguard University’s Waugh Student Center.