In addition to maintaining our 100-year-old building, these renovations will create more welcoming, functional, and energy efficient community spaces for the entire I-House community. We have taken resident feedback into consideration in our planning, having heard that seating and study spaces are too limited, that heat is an issue during summer, and that there are opportunities to create more natural light and better integration with outdoor spaces. The project will include major updates to these areas and create all-new common spaces for the I-House community.

The Main Lounge and Dodge Room will close beginning December 22, 2025. The Abby O’Neill Patio will also undergo renovations but will remain open until late February. Pending construction progress, work will continue through early August 2026. The spaces will reopen ahead of the Fall semester.

Work hours are from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. The construction crews will typically arrive earlier in the morning to begin work planning, but noise-producing work is not permitted before 9 a.m.

During regular work hours (9 a.m. to 5 p.m.), residents should expect typical construction noise in the area, e.g. the use of power tools, old finishes being taken down and removed, etc. Before 9 a.m., noise-producing work is not permitted. Early morning work will only include tasks like project coordination, bringing in materials, electrical wiring, painting, and cleaning the job site.

Noise will be intermittent and not constant. The noisiest periods of construction will be during the initial phases as demolition takes place in the Main Lounge. We also expect noise on the exterior of the building when the patio is renovated during spring and summer. We will do our best to insulate the adjoining areas from noise, and we expect that most rooms will not be impacted. If you have comments or concerns about noise during the construction process, please write to us at facilities@ihouse-nyc.org.

For the first phase of construction (lasting through February 26, 2026), residents can continue to use the temporary Riverside Drive entrance to the building. After hearing from residents, we have arranged to keep a small portion of the Main Lounge open to foot traffic during this time. This will keep a pathway open to the Burns Foyer and allow use of the interior stairs on the west side of the Main Lounge. As the project progresses, we will be providing additional updates on alternate routes for foot traffic, emergency egress routes, and instructions for residents with accessibility needs. We will also be posting way-finding signage as the project gets underway.

We will be adding additional soft seating in the southern end of the Dining Hall, including sofas and club chairs to provide an additional casual seating space for residents. The Pub, HR Commons, Map Lounge, and Study Center will all remain open during this time.

The Claremont Lobby renovation project is on schedule and the space will officially reopen on February 26, 2026. This will also signal the second phase of the Main Lounge renovation. From that date on, the Claremont Lobby will be restored as the primary entrance to the House. We will send updates as the reopening nears to keep you apprised of changes and how to best navigate the building.

Yes, administrative offices will remain open as normal.

No, the music practice rooms will remain open and we do not expect noise to reach or affect that area of the building.

We will be posting updates on the status of the Main Lounge renovation and the Claremont Lobby on this page. If you other questions, please email us at facilities@ihouse-nyc.org.

The Claremont Lobby reopens on Thursday, February 26, at 7:00 a.m. You can enter the building and the new lobby at 155 Claremont Avenue. The entrance will be open to residents and staff 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The temporary Claremont entrance will remain open until March 6. This will help us transition deliveries to the new entrance in the interim period. After March 6, the temporary entrance will permanently close, and all access into I-House from Claremont Avenue will flow through the new lobby.

The temporary entrance off the Main Lounge Patio will close when the Claremont Lobby reopens. If you plan on leaving the building before 7:00 a.m. on February 26, please use the temporary entrance off the Main Lounge Patio. If you plan on leaving the building after 7:00 a.m., please use the new Claremont Lobby.

The revolving door entrance at 500 Riverside Drive will remain open and staffed for the hours below:

• Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday: 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
• Wednesday: 9:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m.
• Saturday–Sunday: Closed

• Luggage carts can be arranged at the new Claremont Lobby desk starting February 26. Residents will receive a key which they can take to the B Level storage room (adjacent to the Package Concierge Lockers) to retrieve the cart.
• Vacuums are now available on each resident floor in both buildings.
• Sports equipment is available in the Frohlich Gymnasium closets located behind the padded wall.

The Public Safety Office will be permanently relocated to the B-Level Office just past the Sakura Conference Room on the right.

The Package Concierge System will be in two places for residents’ convenience. The B Level lockers will remain in their present location, behind the South Laundry room. The other location will be on the A level, just off the new Claremont Lobby. Packages will be available in this location starting February 26.

Residents should continue directing deliveries to the 155 Claremont Avenue receiving gate address. Your delivery driver will need to contact you upon arrival so you can retrieve your order. 

Residents can access the North Building bike room and exit the building through the receiving door out to Claremont Avenue.

The vending machines have been permanently relocated to the C Level Map Lounge.