2018
Pine Hall
Pine Hall, the most significant campus construction project undertaken during President Dennis Hanno’s tenure, broke ground on May 18, 2018 during Commencement and Reunion Weekend. The 45,000-square-foot building, which has a 178-bed capacity, opened in fall 2019.
Located near Pine Street, adjacent to the Meadows complex and Young, McIntire and Clark Halls, the new residence was built to accommodate a growing student population, and was the first new dormitory constructed since Beard Hall in 2002. The building site previously held 19-20 Pine Street, a 19th century white clapboard house. A portion of that house had previously been a bowling alley for seminary students, and the house previously served as faculty bridge housing and student living space. Prior to demolition, significant architectural features of the house, including the fireplace and decorative elements of the porch, were retained by the college.
Pine Hall was constructed with a focus on community spaces and rigorous environmental standards, becoming the first large-scale college residence hall in New England to meet the Passive House standard. It was designed by the architectural firm SGA, and representatives from Student Affairs, Residential Life, facilities and the Finance Office worked with the firm to guide the design phase. Open sessions were held to gather student, faculty and staff input in the planning process. The building offers a variety of resources that can be used by the entire Wheaton community, including Conger Commons, named in honor of longtime Wheaton trustee Nancy Pearlstine Conger 1967.
The residence’s theme is wellness, well-embraced when the community spaces served as a food pantry for students who could not return home during the COVID-19 pandemic.