The King Field House was originally constructed in 1949 as the second gymnasium on campus. After the construction of the Van Every Field House, the King gym was primarily used for summer camps and as a multi-purpose space. Training spaces were removed from King with the 2014 renovation of the Van Every Field House. The King Gymnasium was well suited to be renovated into the centrally located, primer campus student/faculty assembly space as well as a theater and arts facility for VES. The renovated gym houses the D. Phillip Garmey Theater with multi-level seating for 350 persons. The stage is equipped with modern theatrical equipment, a multi-functional orchestra pit, and theatrical support spaces including a stage shop with costume and prop storage. Also renovated portions of the building complex house a new music classroom, a multi-room practice suite, as well as a state-of-the-art recording studio. Since King is part of an overall complex of multiple buildings, including the Barksdale Gymnasium, specific design attention was given to make the entire facility more connected. New vertical circulation, including an elevator, allow easier access to the multitude of levels in the buildings from common lobby spaces. A new two-story lobby addition to the front of the building provides for gathering and circulation spaces as well as gallery and exhibition spaces.