Project Challenges and Outcomes

The goal of the renovation was to transform the existing 1960s buildings into vibrant, modern residence life halls for incoming Penn State freshman. Additionally, the goal was for the newly renovated buildings to respect the design intent of the original buildings while providing a new, cohesive look throughout the East Halls complex.

Phase 2A of the East Halls project consists of Sproul Hall, which is a 10-story, 75,000 SF Tower Hall and Geary Hall, which is an eight-story, 70,000 SF Mid-Rise Hall. Each hall has mostly double occupancy rooms with some Resident Assistant single rooms that provide 300 beds in Sproul and 273 beds in Geary. Like the other recently renovated East Halls buildings, each floor has single user bathrooms that have a shower and toilet to allow for privacy and toilet only restrooms. The halls have a common space on the main floor with a meeting room, knowledge station, community kitchen, laundry and a resident life office. Additionally, Sproul has a housing office, mobility-assist bedroom, quiet room and foot-washing room, while Geary has a coordinator apartment, study room and music room for students.