On Friday, the University of Pittsburgh showed off its newest residence hall - an open-type environment that is more of a traditional type of dorm.
Over the last 18 months, the university has been working to transform the spot on the corner of Fifth Avenue and University Place to the 10-story Mark A. Nordenberg Hall.
Kathy Humphrey, vice provost and dean of students, said what makes Nordenberg Hall unique is the way it will help students developmentally as they transition from home to campus life.
"When we were setting out to build Nordenberg Hall, we really focused on what is going to make students successful," Humphrey said. "Building a sense of community early has implications both socially and academically in terms of student success."
While it's common nowadays for colleges to build suite-style units with private baths and common areas, Nordenberg Hall harkens back to an earlier era of college living.
Students will be housed on floors three through 10. Divided into two wings on each floor, each wing will have its own community lounge space and quiet study area in addition to sharing communal bathrooms. The rooms, which include both doubles and triples, come standard with beds, wooden dressers and desks, as well as a TV, microwave and refrigerator.
Humphrey said having an open environment will help students form a better bond not only with their floor mates, but with the university as a whole.
"This generation could easily stay in their rooms all day, with their personal computers and phones," she said. "But what is so important for them fundamentally is to establish a sense of community."
The building also includes a fitness center, two soundproof rooms for music practice, a print station, and laundry facilities on each floor. Additionally students have access to a third-floor outdoor patio area that will have picnic tables and serve as another common gathering space.
The first floor of the building includes retail space and will house a PNC Bank branch, the Pitt student health pharmacy, and the student health and counseling center. Across the street on Fifth Avenue, the university is opening the Oakland Bakery and Market as well as a Starbucks in the former PNC location.
Humphrey said with approximately 8,000 beds on its campus, Pitt has become one of the largest urban housing campuses in the country.