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21 Apr 2016

Harvard Business School Breaks Ground on Large-Scale Convening Center

Thought Leaders From Around the World Will Gather in Klarman Hall Beginning in 2018
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(LtoR): Architect William Rawn; Harvard University President Drew Faust; Seth Klarman; Beth Klarman; Dean Nitin Nohria; Richard Walsh, President & CEO of Walsh Brothers construction management.

BOSTON—Harvard Business School officially broke ground today for Klarman Hall, a new convening center to be constructed on the Harvard Business School (HBS) campus. Expected to open in 2018, Klarman Hall will combine elements of a large-scale conference center, a performance space, and an intimate community forum where HBS can harness the energy and creativity of the thousands of students, faculty, alumni, and leaders of all kinds who come together at HBS each year for a wide variety of activities, from research conferences to symposia to cultural events.

The building was made possible by a generous donation from Seth (MBA 1982) and Beth Klarman. Seth Klarman is president and CEO of The Baupost Group, a Boston-based investment management firm. Beth Klarman is president of the Klarman Family Foundation. Both are members of the School’s Board of Dean’s Advisors.

“When you bring together people with talent, vision, and ambition in a space designed specifically to facilitate connections, conversation, and debate, the potential for transformative ideas and action is limitless,” said Seth Klarman.

Harvard Business School hosts some 700 events a year in which tens of thousands of people from around the world participate. With the addition of Klarman Hall, HBS seeks to convene these key voices to discuss and address the critical issues facing our times.

“With this wonderful gift, the Klarmans enable us to bring together leaders—in academia, in business, and in policy—in a world-class way to spur not just dialogue but action,” said HBS Dean Nitin Nohria.

Klarman Hall is being designed by the Boston-based firm of William Rawn and Associates as a vibrant space with an eye toward flexibility, adaptability, and accessibility, featuring:

A flexible floor design to accommodate and optimize events of up to 1,000 guests

State-of-the-art technology enabling virtual connections with scholars, practitioners, and thought leaders and enhancing the experience for participants

Stage and backstage capacity, acoustics, and equipment for many types of events—from case discussions and lectures to films and cultural showcases

A multipurpose foyer to engage an even wider audience

Pre-function reception space

LEED Gold or higher sustainability certification.
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Brian Kenny
Chief Marketing & Communications Officer
bkenny+hbs.edu
617-495-6336

Jim Aisner
Director of Media & Public Relations
jaisner+hbs.edu
617-495-6157

About Harvard Business School

Harvard Business School, located on a 40-acre campus in Boston, was founded in 1908 as part of Harvard University. It is among the world's most trusted sources of management education and thought leadership. For more than a century, the School's faculty has combined a passion for teaching with rigorous research conducted alongside practitioners at world-leading organizations to educate leaders who make a difference in the world. Through a dynamic ecosystem of research, learning, and entrepreneurship that includes MBA, Doctoral, Executive Education, and Online programs, as well as numerous initiatives, centers, institutes, and labs, Harvard Business School fosters bold new ideas and collaborative learning networks that shape the future of business.

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