Auxiliary Services Director Jason Tolliver’s “Union Square” idea is quickly taking shape as the new bookstore approaches completion.
The 50,000-square-foot bookstore is under construction on the corner of Highland and Raphael Semmes roads.
Considerable progress has been made on the bookstore since The Daily Reveille’s most recent report in March.
The most significant of the additions are exterior walls around the building.
Paul Stevenson, University bookstore general manager, said the bookstore will be one of the largest college bookstores in the nation.
“Although it is not complete, someone can simply walk through the bookstore and immediately tell the difference between the Union bookstore and this one [on Highland Road],” Stevenson said. “It is a little less than twice the size of the current store. The store is similar in size to Georgia Tech’s and Ohio State’s bookstores.”
Stevenson said construction on the bookstore should be complete in December, but Emmett David, director of Planning, Design and Construction for Facility Services, expects the project to be done in October.
Each bookstore around the country is tailored to its specific location, Stevenson said. Students should expect to see architecture iconic to LSU’s original buildings, such as the broad, sweeping arches found on many buildings in the Quad.
The most prominent part of the new building will be its tower overlooking the University’s large oak trees and expansive landscape.
Stevenson said many are more excited about the features of the bookstore, specifically a technology store that will be located on the second floor. The store will sell merchandise as well as perform repair services. If all goes as planned, the technology store will sell Apple products, according to Tolliver.
Stevenson said the store will also feature some impressive interior design. He said officials are considering hanging an airplane shell from the bookstore’s ceiling.
Another feature of the bookstore will be a “proudly serving” Starbucks Cafe. The term “proudly serving” is included in the title because the cafe will not be officially licensed by Starbucks, Stevenson said. The cafe will have a 100-person seating capacity and will be on the opposite side of the bookstore from the technology store.
“It is hard to grasp the size of the new store until you are actually able to walk around in it,” Stevenson said.
“Although we have all of these cool new features, the thing we are really trying to accomplish is to build a community that people genuinely want to hang out in. We would like to be able to host musicians and gameday events as well as other programs with our 40-person seating area.”
Ultimately Tolliver said he hopes the addition of a new bookstore coupled with creative programs will create a community he likes to call the Union Square. Free king cake, happy hour and “Fantastic Fridays” are just a few of the ideas Tolliver has in mind.  
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Contact Josh Bergeron at [email protected]