College Hall Renovation | University of Pennsylvania

College Hall is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is a contributing property of the University of Pennsylvania’s Historic District. The building, constructed in 1871, has become home to the President, Provost, School of Arts and Sciences, and the Department of History. The exterior of College Hall shows the elements of common 1870’s architecture, including Second Empire and Gothic styles utilizing a Serpentine ashlar stone.

This final phase of this phased interior and exterior restoration saw the complete gut and replacement of interior finishes and insertion of two multi-story elevators in the west wing and construction of one two-story LULA elevator in the center wing. Existing floor and roof framing were upgraded to modern code standards. New MEP systems were introduced requiring new steel-supported platform in the clock tower and multiple brick bearing wall penetrations for ductwork distribution. Additional highlights of the project included a complete reconstruction of the exterior façade to remove the failing Serpentine ashlar stone veneer and replacement with colored cast stone elements. The exterior restoration included the development of special techniques by Keast & Hood for the consolidation of the rubble backup masonry.