To support Penn’s Second-Year Experience and maintain a high-quality on-campus living environment, the University continues to make significant investments in existing College Houses and campus infrastructure. Information on these initiatives—and their impact on the on-campus living experience—is provided below.
Penn Dining is creating a space that is welcoming, functional, and responsive to student needs. When complete, 1920 Commons will offer improvements designed to support convenience, comfort, and community. Demolition work will begin Summer 2026 and the fully renovated 1920 Commons will be complete Winter 2029.
Noisy work will occur 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. through December 2028. This noise will be heard in Harnwell College House.
Please review the schedule and timeline below to see residential impact to students.
| Estimated Date | Activity | Description | Residential Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 2026 through August 2026 | Phase 1: Demolition | The project includes limited demolition to create a new opening between 1920 Commons and the planned addition, along with interior pre-construction work to prepare the building ahead of the academic year. Loud demolition activity is expected for approximately four weeks beginning in mid-May. A temporary wall will be installed by June 7 to enclose the construction area, allowing operations to largely resume as normal thereafter. During this phase, the Starbucks seating area—including soft seating and the lower-level patio—will be closed. | Demolition will be loud during working hours. Noise will be heard in both 1920 Commons and Harnwell College House. |
| October 2026 through November 2027 | Phase 1B: Construction of Addition | This phase includes construction of the new addition, which will ultimately serve as the new entrance to 1920 Commons. Throughout construction, Starbucks and Gourmet Grocer will remain open, and summer 2027 operations are expected to continue out of 1920 Commons. A temporary Grab-and-Go location will be constructed by the end of Phase 1B and is scheduled to open on the first day of classes in January 2028. | Construction will be loud during working hours. Noise will be heard in both 1920 Commons and Harnwell College House. |
| December 2027 through July 2028 | Phase 2: Renovation of the Lower Levels | This phase includes renovation of the lower level (Starbucks area) and first level (Gourmet Grocer) of 1920 Commons. Upon completion, the space will feature an enhanced Gourmet Grocer, a new retail location, a coffee shop, and new meeting and study spaces. During construction, a temporary Grab-and-Go—offering exchange and grocery items, including halal and kosher options—will operate from the lower level of the new addition. AYCTE will remain operational throughout the academic year and will close during the summer. | Noisy work will take place inside of 1920 Commons. |
| May 2028 through November 2028 | Phase 3: Renovation of AYCTE cafe | This phase includes the closure and renovation of the all-you-care-to-eat cafe, with operations supported through various on-site operations. | Noisy work will take place inside of 1920 Commons. |
All four elevators in Harrison and Harnwell will be replaced and fully modernized between September 2025 and July 2027. This work will improve reliability, reduce wait times, and create a smoother ride experience overall.
To minimize disruption, we’ll modernize one elevator at a time in each building, keeping three elevators operating in each High Rise throughout every phase of the project.
One elevator in each building will be down at a time. This may increase elevator wait times. Minimal noisy work is expected, and will occur 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Please review the schedule and timeline below to see residential impact to students.
| Estimated Date | Activity | Description | Residential Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| September 2025 through February 2026 | Modernization of one elevator in each building | New cables, mechanical systems, and cabs | Delayed travel time, possible short term elevator outages, corridor diversion when pulling new cables, minimal noise impact. |
| March 2026 through July 2026 | Modernization of one elevator in each building | New cables, mechanical systems, and cabs | Delayed travel time, possible short term elevator outages, corridor diversion when pulling new cables, minimal noise impact. |
| September 2026 through January 2027 | Modernization of one elevator in each building | New cables, mechanical systems, and cabs | Delayed travel time, possible short term elevator outages, corridor diversion when pulling new cables, minimal noise impact. |
| February 2027 through July 2027 | Modernization of one elevator in each building | New cables, mechanical systems, and cabs | Delayed travel time, possible short term elevator outages, corridor diversion when pulling new cables, minimal noise impact. |
Renovations to the three College Houses in the historic Quadrangle began in May 2023 and conclude August 2026. The work will include roof and window repair and replacement, façade repair, interior finishes and bathroom reconfiguration, elevator upgrades, chimney lining and reconstruction, mechanical and electrical system replacement, and College House program space improvements.
The Quad renovation will be complete. There will be no impact to the on-campus living experience.
For a more detailed timeline, please review the chart below.
| Estimated Date | Activity | Description | Residential Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Late March through April 26, 2023 | Scaffolding construction | Scaffolding will be put up in the interior courtyards of Graduate, Bishop White, Birthday and Rodney, as well as the South side of McIlhenney, Ward and Warwick (outside of the moat) of Riepe College House for roof repair/replacement, chimney repairs, and exterior masonry repointing. Scaffolding will also be put up along the east facade of Morris and Bodine on the Junior Balcony. This work will improve the building envelope, reducing leaks and humidity impacting the interior. | Work will be loud at times. Installation of scaffolding will be in front of student windows. Students are encouraged to keep windows and blinds closed during this period. Work will cease before study days and final exams. Weekly updates will be sent out about upcoming work. |
May 2023-August 2024 Riepe College House closed for renovations | Replacement and upgrades to mechanical, plumbing, and HVAC systems/fan coil units Renovation of common area spaces, lounges, club room, study rooms, House Office, bathrooms Replacement/refinishing of flooring in corridors and student rooms Painting in public spaces and student rooms Removal of popcorn ceilings Repair/replace windows Replace electrical switchgear Add elevator in Provost Tower/Graduate area of Riepe New furniture in student rooms and common spaces New room and directional signage | This work will modernize mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems. Improvement of student social and study spaces, as well as refresh of student room. New bathrooms that will allow for more privacy in stalls and shower areas. Improved accessibility with additional elevators. | Work will be contained to the renovation area. During the construction period there will be no access to Riepe College House. Noise will be restricted to the renovation area, but depending on the work, could have minor impact on the surrounds areas. |
| Mid-Spring Semester 2024 | Scaffolding construction | Scaffolding will be put up in the interior courtyards of Ware College House for roof repair/replacement, chimney repairs, and exterior masonry repointing. This work will improve the building envelope, reducing leaks and humidity impacting the interior. | Work will be loud at times. Installation of scaffolding will be in front of student windows. Students are encouraged to keep windows and blinds closed during this period. Work will cease before study days and final exams. |
May 2024-August 2025 Ware College House closed for renovations | Replacement and upgrades to mechanical, plumbing, and HVAC systems/fan coil units Renovation of common area spaces, lounges, club room, study rooms, House Office, bathrooms Replacement/refinishing of flooring in corridors and student rooms Painting in public spaces and student rooms Removal of popcorn ceilings Repair/replace windows Replace electrical switchgear Add elevator in Memorial Tower New furniture in student rooms and common spaces New room and directional signage | This work will modernize mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems. Improvement of student social and study spaces, as well as refresh of student room. New bathrooms that will allow for more privacy in stalls and shower areas. Improved accessibility with additional elevators. | Work will be contained to the renovation area. During the construction period there will be no access to Ware College House. Noise will be restricted to the renovation area, but depending on the work, could have minor impact on the surrounds areas. |
May 2024-August 2025 McClelland closed for renovations | Replacement and upgrades to mechanical, plumbing, and HVAC systems Rework stairs between the first and second floor Updated seminar room Updated fitness center Redesigned skylight at Junior Balcony with upgraded pavers Window replacement New paint, flooring, lighting New music practice rooms New furniture Updated finishes in the dining cafe | Renovate the non-dining spaces. Update programming and communal spaces. Repair waterproofing on the Junior Balcony. Refresh dining finishes. | Work will be contained to the renovation area. During the construction period there will be no access to McClelland. Dining and package lockers will be relocated. Noise will be restricted to the renovation areas, but depending on the work, could have minor impact on the surrounding areas. |
| Mid-Spring Semester 2025 | Scaffolding construction | Scaffolding will be put up in the interior courtyards of Fisher Hassenfeld College House for roof repair/replacement, chimney repairs, and exterior masonry repointing. This work will improve the building envelope, reducing leaks and humidity impacting the interior. | Work will be loud at times. Installation of scaffolding will be in front of student windows. Students are encouraged to keep windows and blinds closed during this period. Work will cease before study days and final exams. |
May 2025-August 2026 Fisher Hassenfeld College House closed for renovations | Replacement and upgrades to mechanical, plumbing, and HVAC systems/fan coil units Renovation of common area spaces, lounges, club room, study rooms, House Office, bathrooms Replacement/refinishing of flooring in corridors and student rooms Painting in public spaces and student rooms Removal of popcorn ceilings Repair/replace windows New furniture in student rooms and common spaces New room and directional signage | This work will modernize mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems. Improvement of student social and study spaces, as well as refresh of student room. New bathrooms that will allow for more privacy in stalls and shower areas. | Work will be contained to the renovation area. During the construction period there will be no access to Fisher Hassenfeld College House. Noise will be restricted to the renovation area, but depending on the work, could have minor impact on the surrounds areas. |
As announced in June 2023, SPAC––the new student-centered performing arts venue––is to be built along Woodland Walk and 33rd Street. SPAC will provide multiple flexible spaces for teaching, rehearsals, and student performances.
SPAC is being built between Lauder College House and Hill College House.
Noisy work will occur 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. through July of 2026. Low noise work (landscaping) will occur in Fall 2026.
Please review the schedule and timeline below to see residential impact to students living in Hill and Lauder.
| Estimated Date | Activity | Description | Residential Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| July 2024 | Mobilization | Setting up construction fences, sidewalk closure, job trailers, land clearing will commence. | West 33rd Sidewalk and parking lane will be shut down. Fencing and trailer noise will include trucks and pneumatic post drivers. Land clearly will utilize builldozer and truck haulers. Noise level will be: medium.
|
| August 2024 | Demolition | Structure removals | Jack hammer and concrete saw cutting noise. Noise level will be high. There will be no impact to move-in activities. |
| September 1 through October 18, 2024 | Sheeting & Shoring/Excavation | Soil removal and earth retaining work | Earth digging and removal equipment will produce loud noise. Sheating and shoring equipment will provide pounding of steel soilder beams. Noise level will be high. |
| September 30 , 2024 through January 15, 2025 | Underground Utilities | Install Storm and Sanitary Lines | Trench excavation and pipe installation. Noise level will be medium to high. |
| October 15 through December 15, 2024 | Cassions and Foundations | Drill cassions excavate slabs and footings. Pour concrete in slabs and footings. | Drill rigs and excavator equipment. Noise level will be high. |
| December 15, 2024 through June 24, 2025 | Structural Steel Building Frame | Steel erection with crane operation and steel truck deliveries. | Crane and erection operations ad steel deliveries. Noise level will be medium to high. |
| August 2025 through December 2025 | Structural Concrete/Fireproofing | Deck pours with concrete trucks & fireproofing of the structural system | Longer work hours on concrete pour days, Saturdays for fireproofing |
| October 2025 through April 2026 | Facade Enclosure | Ground floor curtainwall installation, exterior framing & sheathing | Med to high noise impact, working Saturdays to finish as quick as possible |
| February 2026 through April 2026 | Roofing | Installation of the roofing system | Low to med noise |
| May 2026 through Aug 2026 | Terracotta Rain Screen | Installation of the exterior finish of building | Med noise, work adjacent to Woodland Walk will require closures |
| March 2026 through April 2026 | Traffic Signal Upgrades | Addition of buttons & programming to the lights at 33rd & Chestnut | Will require corner to be shutdown to get conduit installed/concrete repoured |
| April 2026 through July 2026 | Sitework | Rain Garden, irrigation & landscaping to be installed (trees/plantings completed in Oct/Nov 2026) | Low to med noise |
| Nov 2025 through April 2026 | MEPFP Rough In | Installation of the infrastructure to the building by mechanical, plumbing, electrical and fire protection subs | Med noise |
| March 2026 through December 2026 | Interior Work | From drywall to finishes of the project including all theatre equipment, furniture, paint, flooring, etc. | No impact |
| Fall 2026 | Landscaping | Planting and other landscaping around the exterior of the building | Low noise |
Hill House is a vibrant residential community with a special commitment to first year students — a commitment shared by an energetic group of upper class students who eagerly choose to live in Hill for its leadership opportunities. The resident Faculty Director, House Fellows, House Director and Graduate Associates are dedicated to providing residents with personal and professional assistance to successfully transition to University life both intellectually and socially.
In June 2016, Penn began a major renovation to Hill, to be completed in time for August 2017 Move In.
When Hill first opened in 1961 as a Penn's women's dormitory, the Pennsylvania Gazette ran a multi-page photo-essay headlined "A Starkly-Plain Outside But a Wow! Inside." One charmed resident likened the airy interior -- with its dramatic atrium, "wrought-iron balustrades (and) louvered shutters," and "green tropical plants" to being "in a Mediterranean town." Penn has demonstrated its commitment to providing a unique and dynamic residential experience to future residents of Hill through extensive renovation that should see the house through another 50 years of living and learning.
A complete building renovation at Hill will address maintenance and system upgrades needed for a modern College House. Work Includes:
Designed by Eero Saarinen in 1958, Hill College House is an internationally recognized architectural landmark located at the corner of 33rd and Walnut Streets. Originally a women's dormitory, the building's entry features an allegorical bridge over an ivy filled "moat" and its surrounding spiked metal fence. The living spaces, including five floors of double bedroom accommodates 500 students. Student lounges and seminar rooms are built around a vast central atrium that overlooks a dining area on the lower level. The arrangement is reminiscent of a Mediterranean village where residents live around a central square or plaza where they gather to celebrate, share their news and mark milestones of the year. Other iconic Saarinen designs include the St. Louis Gateway Arch, Washington Dulles Airport in Washington, D.C., Ingalls Rink and the Morse and Ezra Stiles Colleges at Yale University. He also designed furnishings for his projects, including the well known mid-century "Tulip" and "Womb" chairs. Hill College House is named for Robert C. Hill, an 1889 graduate of the College of Arts and Sciences and university benefactor.
"Generations of Penn students will call this extraordinary place home." Dr. Amy Gutmann
Lauder College House Site, August 2015
Lauder College House project photos will be periodically posted throughout the construction process.
The first signature residential building on Penn's campus specifically designed and built to maximize the College House experience.
Built to accommodate the intellectual, cultural, and social activities that have become the hallmark of Penn's College Houses.
Will frame the gateway to campus at 33rd and Chestnut Streets and will be adjacent to 34th Street, Chestnut Street, and the 125 Years of Women at Penn Walkway.
Click on arrows below for full details.
Fall 2013 Early site work begins
January 2014 Construction begins
July 2016 Construction complete
August 2016 Move in for residents
Click here to see pictures of the Lauder College House groundbreaking celebration.
For information about Lauder College House as it is today visit our Living Options page.
The University has awarded Greystar, a global firm specializing in rental housing including the collegiate marketplace, with a contract to oversee the renovation and management of Sansom Place East (SPE). The agreement, which was presented to Penn’s Board of Trustees at its June 2021 meeting, awarded Greystar a 75-year land-lease agreement under which the firm will completely renovate and subsequently manage the property which will continue to be used primarily as graduate housing.
The award was the completion of a long-term planning project to evaluate on and off-campus housing for graduate students, which included data gathering, surveys and focus groups and a detailed analysis of the current housing market in University City and the region. The results of this effort highlighted that despite the University’s investment in SPE ($14M between 2005 - 2015), the types of apartments and amenities provided were no longer aligned to the needs of the today’s graduate students.
Ideally located, the redeveloped student housing will be only a block away from the Penn Law School; two blocks from both the Wharton School and the Graduate School of Education; and four blocks from the School of Engineering and Applied Science. Adjacent to the Sansom Place East property, the existing occupied commercial retail at street level and the Philadelphia Institute of Contemporary Art will remain open during construction.
Priority is given to Penn graduate and professional students through May 1, 2023. For more information, click here.
| Building | Project | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Gregory College House | HVAC Units |
Resident rooms, corridors, and common areas will receive new HVAC units that will provide both heating and air-conditioning to these spaces. The windows in Gregory are being replaced and new roller shades are being installed in place of the existing metal blinds. |
| Gutmann College House |
Construction of College House |
New 430-bed building in Hamilton Village. |