Ambler Johnston Hall
Ambler Johnston Hall, which has an east wing and west wing connected by lounge and common space, is on Washington Street, adjacent to the West End Market dining facility and Cassell Coliseum.
Ambler Johnston Hall is a residence hall that consists of two wings connected by three separate cross-over lounges. East Ambler Johnston, commonly referred to as East AJ, is home to 408 residents. West Ambler Johnston, commonly referred to as West AJ, is home to 895 residents. West AJ is one of the largest residence halls on campus. East AJ features a large computer lab open 24 hours a day, while West AJ features a fitness room. The residence hall is conveniently located near West End Market and Dietrick Dining Center. Construction started in 1967, the building was partly occupied in the Fall of 1968 and completely occupied in 1969. It was dedicated on Oct. 17, 1969. Cost of construction was $4,853,966; it contains 272,019 sq. ft.
J. Ambler Johnston
Ambler Johnston Hall is named for J. Ambler Johnston. Born in 1885, he was a 1904 graduate of Virginia Agricultural and Mechanical College and Polytechnic Institute. He also earned a master of science degree in 1905 from VPI. Johnston was co-founder of the architectural firm Carneal & Johnston, which was contracted by President Joseph D. Eggleston to set new standards for campus buildings.
The firm's first building was the original McBryde Hall, completed in 1917. It "marked the beginning of a long and happy association" between Virginia Tech and Carneal & Johnston, according to Tech historian Lyle Kinnear. The firm helped to incorporate the Collegiate Gothic style to the campus landscape.
Kinnear, author of The First 100 Years: A History of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, recalls an alumnus describing Johnston as "purring like a kitten" because a new building had been approved for construction.
Johnston resided in Richmond, Virginia, where he served as a charter member of the Richmond Rotary Club and was a Civil War scholar. He died in 1974.
Address: Washington Street (Lower Quad) | Map Grid: M-8
Originally Built: 1969 | Abbreviation: A J