The renovations of Monroe and Old Dominion Halls, the first projects coming out of the university’s Housing & Dining Master Plan, were poised to build a residential experience befitting the caliber of W&M students. Originally constructed in the 1920s, William & Mary’s Monroe and Old Dominion Halls were in dire need of renovation, suffering from outdated systems, a lack of accessibility, and limited spaces for students to engage and connect with each other outside of their bedrooms.

The ground floors of each of the buildings were reconfigured to provide both a welcoming, accessible light-filled lobby as well as provide ample social and academic space to serve the residents of the building. By co-locating a Learning Commons, Study, Lounge and Classroom, students find plenty of opportunities to collaborate or spend time with their friends. Underutilized attics were renovated into bedrooms and bathrooms to account for the beds lost to creating these public spaces. Floor lounges and studies on the upper floors were centralized in the floor layouts, opening them up to the primary circulation pathways to encourage opportunities for chance student encounters. This engagement has cultivated thriving communities within the building that share meals, study hours, and social connections.

The renovated buildings reopened on their 100th year anniversaries, completely transformed for modern day student living while still retaining the beauty and charm of their historic 1920s character.