Ann Arbor's usually serene and quiet Law Quadrangle is abuzz with activity this week as work begins toward the $39 million renovation of one of University of Michigan's most historically valuable buildings.

Movers are in the midst of clearing the Lawyers Club of existing furniture and have partially closed a small portion of the south lane of South University from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Crews are staying tight to the curb and minimizing the area of road closure to prevent traffic back-ups.

The moving marks the beginning of a year-long renovation. The Lawyers Club is an on-campus residence hall and dining area for Law School students. Originally built in 1924 for $2 million, the Lawyers Club gothic exterior, coupled with a grandiose reading room and meticulously kept lawn, is regularly ranked among the most beautiful campus areas in the nation.

The renovation will rework 228 single-occupancy dorm rooms and 12 common areas, restore much of the buildings' stone masonry and upgrade the fire suppression system and technology infrastructure.

U-M Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Timothy Slottow has called striking a careful balance of preservation and renovation "very, very challenging."

The multimillion dollar upgrade is the third major construction project for the law school in recent years. Law school administrative offices and classrooms moved into the recently built South Hall, located on Monroe Street, in October. In 2011, the school also opened Robert. B Aikens Commons, a two-level glass roofed student gathering space built atop a courtyard. The three projects cost a combined $102 million.

Catherine Behan, U-M Law School Director of Communications, said the school is erecting a fence around the Lawyers Club during construction.

The school has reserved several off-campus houses for students seeking to live with other law students during the 2012-13 academic year.

East Quadrangle, an undergraduate residence hall located on Central Campus, is also undergoing a $116 million renovation that will begin this summer.

Kellie Woodhouse covers higher education for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at kelliewoodhouse@annarbor.com or 734-623-4602 and follow her on twitter.