Classes began last week in a newly-leased GW building on 17th Street across from the Old Executive Building. Fourteen classrooms at 1776 G St. will host GW engineering classes for seven to 10 years, according to a deal the University negotiated with the Hines Company.

The Engineering Management and Systems Engineering Department, a graduate-level studies division of the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, will use the 30,000 square feet of space in the commercial office building for classes and faculty offices.

“In many cases, the new location will actually be more convenient for students. The new classrooms are excellent learning environments,” said Craig Linebaugh, associate vice president for academic planning and special projects.

Before the move, EMSE classes and faculty offices were in spaces both on and off campus, such as the School Without Walls High School and the Gelman Library.

Acting EMSE Chair Richard Soland said the leased space allows the department to consolidate.

“The School of Engineering and Applied Science needs space for its growing computer science program and its new program in biomedical engineering,” Linebaugh wrote in an e-mail. “My reasons (for leasing it) were its proximity to campus, the space had already been designed for use as classrooms and offices, and it offered an opportunity to address some critical space issues.”

The space includes 14 classrooms, two SEAS computer labs, faculty, research assistant and staff offices, kitchens and a marble bathroom.

The new classrooms, which each seat about 25 students, are set up in either a traditional classroom style with desks and chairs or conference-room style with a large table and chairs. Soland said GW remodeled the space in the basement and first floor of the building, formerly occupied by a branch of American Intercontinental University.

“They are really nice new classrooms,” Soland said. “We almost gutted the spaces.”