At the University of Iowa, it’s impossible to separate Hillcrest Hall from its history. The hall was built in 1938, originally as a residence hall for men, in part with government Works Progress Administration funds. In the 1940s it housed cadets from the United States naval preflight cadets. After World War II, as the student population boomed, additions were constructed in 1950, 1957, and 1960, bringing occupancy up to 900 coed students. A cafeteria, lounges, and recreation area were then added, creating a mysterious labyrinth of hallways and corridors that would befuddle students for generations. Couple all this history with its location up on a hill overlooking the Iowa River, and its reputation as an iconic building is cemented.
So when it came time to update the hall for today’s students, renovation – not replacement – was the only logical option. Started in 2021 and scheduled to be completed before the start of the 2024–25 academic year, the renovation will be done in three phases with a $22 million budget. Each stage of the project will temporarily reduce the building’s total occupancy by approximately 250 beds. In the end, the hall will feature more social spaces and student lounges. Community restrooms are being renovated into single-user units, and additional upgrades are being made for rooms, doors, and hallways as well as the Hillcrest Market Place (featuring multiple food stations) and the Grand Avenue Market.
— James A. Baumann
