Iowa Board of Regents approves construction of new student-run restaurant and learning laboratory
09/24/2026
AMES, Iowa – The Iowa Board of Regents approved construction of a new student-run restaurant and learning laboratory that will expand opportunities across multiple programs in Iowa State University’s College of Health and Human Sciences.
The project will renovate approximately 9,000 square feet on the first floor of the Human Nutritional Sciences Building (HNSB) and near the LeBaron Auditorium, creating a new home for Iowa State’s 100-year-old tearoom.
“The Joan Bice Underwood Tearoom has a rich history of preparing students for careers in hospitality management, dietetics and culinary food science,” said College of Health and Human Sciences Dean’s Chair Laura Jolly. “The new facility will continue that legacy in a state-of-the-art space.”
Relocating the tearoom from the garden level of MacKay Hall will provide a significant increase in space, capacity and function.
Through integrated technology, camera systems and a demonstration island, the 90-seat dining room will seamlessly transition from an elevated guest experience to a fully equipped classroom. The kitchen’s design mirrors what students will find in the industry and offers back-of-house instructional space for student learning.
The new restaurant will be directly connected to the college’s new LeBaron complex, opening into the courtyard, commons and west lobby.
“This space will bring students, faculty and industry-relevant learning together in one place. Whether they’re studying nutrition, culinary science, hospitality or event management, students will gain experience in an environment that reflects the workplaces they will enter after graduation,” said Jolly.
The project is funded through $10.8 million in private gifts and $2 million in university funding designated for deferred maintenance in HNSB. Construction is tentatively scheduled to begin in spring 2027 and be complete in 2029.
Joan Bice Underwood Tearoom – 100 Years of Experiential Learning
The Joan Bice Underwood Tearoom is one of Iowa State University’s longest-running experiential learning programs. Since opening on June 11, 1926, at the dedication of MacKay Hall, the tearoom has given countless students the opportunity to apply classroom learning in a real-world setting.
The program’s impact was recognized in 2001 when Roger and Connie Underwood made a transformational gift to renovate the tearoom in honor of Roger’s mother, Joan Bice Underwood. An Iowa State alumna who worked in the Tearoom as a student, Underwood’s connection to the program reflected the lasting impact it has had on many students.
The future location of the student-run restaurant is within the College of Health and Human Sciences’ new LeBaron Complex. The $56 million project has replaced LeBaron Hall and renovated the second floor of HNSB, creating a connected hub for teaching, collaboration and experiential learning. When the complex is complete, the restaurant will connect directly to LeBaron Hall, further expanding opportunities for student learning and engagement.
Conceptual Renderings
The back of house will feature industry-style equipment and space for demonstrations.
The dining room set for restaurant style service
The dining room set for restaurant service
The dining room shown as a classroom/workshop setting
The dining room shown as a classroom/workshop setting
Contact
Brittney Rutherford, College of Health and Human Sciences Communications Director, 515-294-8175
