I-House will close for additional renovations

The International House will temporarily close this summer as it enters the second phase of an over $23 million renovation that will improve the quality of student life in the facility.

The renovation, the largest and most costly in I-House’s more than 70-year history, will begin Monday, June 13, and will involve a wholesale upgrade of the facility’s student living spaces. Student rooms and bathrooms will be renovated, the building’s electrical and plumbing systems will be modernized, a wireless network and a fire sprinkler system will be installed, and new furnishings will be added to enhance the aesthetics of the student rooms and common areas.

“These much needed improvements will dramatically improve the quality of our residents’ experiences at International House in the future,” said Bill McCartney, Director of I-House. “Once this difficult renovation is complete, we will have the type of first-class housing that our students and guests deserve.”

Because the restoration project will be extensive, I-House will be temporarily closed from Monday, June 13 to Friday, Sept. 16. Current residents will be relocated to temporary housing in the Blackstone Apartments, which are two blocks north of I-House. During the summer dislocation, movers will assist residents, and additional storage will be made available to them in Breckenridge Hall.

McCartney said I-House would reopen for partial operation in the Fall Quarter, with at least 170 rooms and all of the program spaces on the first and second floors available for current residents and other University activities. The remaining student rooms will be completed prior to the start of the Spring Quarter 2006.