# Dobie Center > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Dobie_Center > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Dobie_Center.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dobie_Center > Source revision: 1357126204 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) Residence hall on the University of Texas Austin campus Dobie Twenty21 Interactive map of the Dobie Twenty21 area Former names Dobie Center General information Type Residential Location 2021 Guadalupe Street, Austin, Texas, United States Coordinates 30°17′00″N 97°44′28″W / 30.28342°N 97.74125°W / 30.28342; -97.74125 Named for J. Frank Dobie Owner University of Texas at Austin Technical details Floor count 27 Lifts/elevators 6 Design and construction Architecture firm J. & G. Daverman and Associates Other information Public transit CapMetro Bus 640 Website housing.utexas.edu/housing/residence-halls/residence-hall-locations/dobie-twenty21 **Dobie Center**, named after [J. Frank Dobie](/source/J._Frank_Dobie), is a formerly privately owned 27-story [residence hall](/source/Dormitory) located on the [University of Texas at Austin](/source/University_of_Texas_at_Austin) campus. On October 12, 2021, the [University of Texas](/source/University_of_Texas) announced it was purchasing the center to provide additional school-owned housing near campus for its students.[1] In addition to being a residence for students, Dobie contains a two-story [mall](/source/Shopping_mall), restaurants, and specialty stores.[2] Fitness center The property features a pool, fitness center, two sport courts, six elevators, and an industrial-styled cafeteria. ## History A picture of the Dobie Center The building was designed by J. & G. Daverman and Associates in 1972. Upon its completion, Dobie Center was the tallest building in Austin, surpassing the [Texas State Capitol](/source/Texas_State_Capitol), which had held the title for nearly 90 years. Dobie was the first modernist building to exist on UT's campus. The building underwent a US$10 million facelift in 1990 to replace its then brick [façade](/source/Curtain_wall_(architecture)) by exposing the glass underneath.[3] When classes began in the Fall 1989 semester, would-be residents of Dobie Center were temporarily relocated to the Radisson Plaza Hotel.[4] On November 11, 2006, a fire, started by an improperly extinguished cigarette,[5] broke out on the pool deck of Dobie Center causing an estimated $600,000 worth of damage. The pool deck reopened in late April 2008. The fire was contained to an area outside of the residential tower. This structure was an old wooden deck that has been replaced by a concrete structure. The Dobie Mall was completely remodeled by the Nix Group in the '90s and is now a hub of student activity and shopping.[6] The mall is a two-story shopping and food center featuring a food court, stores, and even a chapel. The food court today features seating for 500 and various assorted independently run food outlets. Dobie's Lobby In 2014 the Dobie Center became managed by Campus Evolution Villages, marking the start of over $4 million in renovations, including new hardwood floors, a cafeteria face-lift, and an updated movie and game room. However, there was controversy during this time due to allegations made by many students that Campus Evolution Villages did not uphold their end of a bargain.[7] In October 2021, the University of Texas at Austin purchased Dobie Center for US$104 million.[1][8] On April 21, 2026 it was announced that Dobie Hall would be renamed Dell Hall, following [Michael Dell](/source/Michael_Dell)'s $750 million donation to a planned expansion of the [Dell Medical School](/source/Dell_Medical_School) at the [J. J. Pickle Research Campus](/source/J._J._Pickle_Research_Campus).[9] Whilst a UT student, Michael Dell, founder of [Dell Technologies](/source/Dell_Technologies), lived in room 2713 of what was then Dobie Mall.[10][11] ## Life at Dobie The Dobie Center offers monthly resident events ranging from floor events to dorm-wide events, such as book club.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*] Additionally, [The University of Texas](/source/The_University_of_Texas)'s campus and covered parking garage are draws for students looking for convenience. Dobie had been historically known for having recurring elevator problems, with many students having been trapped in elevators for multiple hours;[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*] however, management recently[*[when?](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Manual_of_Style/Dates_and_numbers#Chronological_items)*] took a major crack on the problem by replacing one of its three decade-old elevators.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*] There is a resident assistant on every few floors at Dobie. Dobie is also known for being able to accommodate international exchange students who are looking for a short-term stay due to its low occupancy rate.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*] ## Notable people A view of Dobie's pool 2016 presidential candidate and former governor of Florida [Jeb Bush](/source/Jeb_Bush) lived in Dobie Center.[12] [Daniel Johnston](/source/Daniel_Johnston), outsider singer-songwriter and artist, worked at a now-closed McDonalds in Dobie Mall, located in Dobie Center. He would, reportedly, hand out tapes of his album [Hi, How Are You](/source/Hi%2C_How_Are_You) to people while working.[13] ## Stores and restaurants Some of the stores and restaurants inside Dobie Center include: - Emiliano's Burrito Factory - Dobie Market - [The Princeton Review](/source/The_Princeton_Review) - Niki's Pizza - Oma's Kitchen - Army Recruiting Office - Navy Recruiting Office - U.S. Marine Corps Officer Selection Office - Regus - [Subway](/source/Subway_(restaurant)) - [Target](/source/Target_Corporation) ## References 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-affordability_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-affordability_1-1) ["UT Austin Adds Student Housing Options to Increase Campus Access, Affordability"](https://news.utexas.edu/2021/10/12/ut-austin-adds-student-housing-options-to-increase-campus-access-affordability/). *UT News*. October 12, 2021. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20230531222333/https://news.utexas.edu/2021/10/12/ut-austin-adds-student-housing-options-to-increase-campus-access-affordability/) from the original on May 31, 2023. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-Dobie_2-0)** ["About"](https://web.archive.org/web/20070208002357/http://dobiecenter.com/about.html). *Dobie Center*. Archived from [the original](http://www.dobiecenter.com/about.html) on February 8, 2007. Retrieved November 10, 2006. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** "Dobie Center to get $10 million face lift". *[The Daily Texan](/source/The_Daily_Texan)*. January 11, 1989. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** "Radisson to house some Dobie tenants". *[The Daily Texan](/source/The_Daily_Texan)*. August 4, 1989. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** Elliott, M.T. (November 16, 2006). ["AFD finds Dobie fire started by cigarettes"](https://repositories.lib.utexas.edu/bitstream/handle/2152/112180/20061116.txt?sequence=2&isAllowed=y). *[The Daily Texan](/source/The_Daily_Texan)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20230122025151/https://repositories.lib.utexas.edu/bitstream/handle/2152/112180/20061116.txt?sequence=2&isAllowed=y) from the original on January 22, 2023 – via Texas ScholarWorks. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["Dobie Center"](https://web.archive.org/web/20190915163715/http://www.nixgrouparchitects.com:80/dobie.html). *Nix Group Architects*. Archived from [the original](http://www.nixgrouparchitects.com/dobie.html) on September 15, 2019. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** Buchholz, Jan (April 29, 2014). ["UT's famed high-rise dorm where Dell launched to get $4 million makeover"](http://www.bizjournals.com/austin/blog/real-estate/2014/04/uts-famed-high-rise-dorm-where-dell-launched-to.html). *Austin Business Journal*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20160623170914/http://www.bizjournals.com/austin/blog/real-estate/2014/04/uts-famed-high-rise-dorm-where-dell-launched-to.html) from the original on June 23, 2016. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** Roy, Kaushiki (October 25, 2021). ["Students hope UT will improve living conditions at DobieTwenty21 apartments since purchasing the center"](https://thedailytexan.com/2021/10/25/students-hope-ut-will-improve-living-conditions-at-dobietwenty21-apartments-since-purchasing-the-center/). *The Daily Texan*. Retrieved April 4, 2026. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** Aldridge, Olivia (April 21, 2026). ["UT announces new Dell Medical Center, research campus after $750 million gift"](https://www.kut.org/health/2026-04-21/ut-austin-dell-medical-center-hospital-michael-susan-dell-foundation-donation). *KUT Radio, Austin's NPR Station*. Retrieved April 22, 2026. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** Villalpando, Nicole (April 21, 2026). ["Dell $750M gift funds UT Austin medical center with AI, technology focus"](https://www.statesman.com/news/healthcare/article/dell-gift-ut-austin-medical-center-ai-22212520.php). *Austin American-Statesman*. Retrieved April 22, 2026. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** ["Michael Dell's view from the top"](https://web.archive.org/web/20110607072747/http://www.statesman.com/business/content/business/stories/archive/0502dell.html). *[Austin American-Statesman](/source/Austin_American-Statesman)*. May 2, 2004. Archived from [the original](http://www.statesman.com/business/content/business/stories/archive/0502dell.html) on June 7, 2011. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** ["In Texas, a Focused Jeb Bush Stood Out From the Crowd"](https://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/17/jeb-bush-texas-years/). *[Austin American-Statesman](/source/Austin_American-Statesman)*. March 17, 2015. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** ["Spotlight: Daniel Johnston"](https://www.austinchronicle.com/music/2005-03-18/263348/). *[The Austin Chronicle](/source/The_Austin_Chronicle)*. March 18, 2005. ## External links Wikimedia Commons has media related to [Dobie Center](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Dobie_Center). - [Dobie Center](http://www.dobiecenter.com/) - [Landmark's Dobie Theater](http://www.landmarktheatres.com/) Preceded by Texas Capitol Tallest Building in Austin 1972—1984 112m Succeeded by One American Center [Portal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Contents/Portals): - [Architecture](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Architecture) --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Dobie Center](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dobie_Center) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dobie_Center?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.