The Graduation Issue 2026: A look back at four years of construction at Penn

The Class of 2026 witnessed significant changes to Penn’s campus over their four years at the University. 

Since 2022, Penn has allocated over $1 billion to renovation costs. During that time, the University opened new research buildings, overhauled student housing, leased apartment complexes, and renovated historic landmarks. 

2022-23

During the summer of 2022, the University honored then-Penn President Amy Gutmann by breaking ground on Amy Gutmann Hall and renaming New College House West to Gutmann College House. Later in the month, the Penn Boathouse — located on Philadelphia’s historic Boathouse Row — underwent a complete overhaul.

In September of that year, the University announced the construction of a performing arts theater named after 1963 Wharton graduate and luxury footwear designer Stuart Weitzman. The auditorium is located next to the Annenberg Center.

Also, during that month, the University Board of Trustees entered a three-year lease with the College House at the Radian, converting it into upperclassman housing to accommodate students displaced by renovations at the Quad. At the time, students already living in the building raised concerns about the rising cost of rent and the loss of off-campus independence.

In November 2022, Penn Off-Campus Services announced that Sansom Place West — the sole remaining on-campus graduate student housing — would close at the end of the 2022-23 academic year. 

An $87.4 million restoration of College Hall’s west wing began in January 2023. Sections of Perelman Quadrangle and College Green were fenced off for the next two years, rerouting foot traffic from the center of campus.

Renovations to the Quad started in May 2023 with an allocated budget of $238.2 million. Construction began with Riepe College House, followed shortly by Ware College House and then Fisher Hassenfeld College House.

To accommodate the displacement, Lauder College House and Van Pelt Manor in Gregory College House became exclusively first-year housing beginning in the 2023-24 academic year.

2023-24

The Board of Trustees reviewed designs for a new Student Performing Arts Center in June 2023, moving the project into its next phase. The building, located in the space next to Hill College House, will include two theaters, five rehearsal studios, and additional teaching and practice spaces. Construction is expected to end in winter 2027.

A few months later, Stouffer College House reopened following a $35.6 million renovation. The work — which began in May 2022 — installed single-use restrooms, added mechanical and electrical systems, and increased accessibility. The college house exclusively housed first-year students while Riepe was closed for renovations.

That summer, the building formerly known as Sansom Place East reopened as The Accolade on Chestnut, restoring an on-campus housing option for graduate students. A $94.5 million renovation of the property added HVAC systems, windows, and concrete restoration.

In October 2023, Penn unveiled a $35.6 million expansion of the Graduate School of Education — the building’s first major renovation since 1966. The project connected 3700 Walnut St. with Stiteler Hall and introduced Catalyst@Penn, a new innovation lab.

2024-25

Ware closed during the 2024-25 academic year as part of ongoing Quad renovations. To supplement the housing shortage, Penn leased the Axis — an apartment building at 36th and Chestnut streets — and converted Gutmann College House into four-year housing.

In September 2024, Penn authorized $13.8 million to replace elevators in Harnwell College House and Harrison College House. The decision came after the successful modernization of elevators in Rodin College House.

Penn Athletics opened the Ott Center for Track and Field later that year. The 73,000-square-foot facility featured a 200-meter banked indoor track, two pole vault runways, two long and triple jump runways, as well as seating for over 1,000 spectators.

In December 2024, Penn announced a $17.8 million renovation of Fisher Fine Arts Library, aiming to clean the building’s 133-year-old sandstone facade by replacing windows, repairing the roof, and installing new lightning and fall protection.

The following year, the University completed renovations on the west wing of College Hall, marking an end to the two-year-long project.

Amy Gutmann Hall — a six-story Penn Engineering building — also formally opened in September 2025 and went on to earn a national certification for its sustainable construction and design.

The Vagelos Laboratory for Energy Science and Technology, which opened that same month, was granted the same accreditation. Located at 32nd and Walnut streets, the building houses seven research laboratories focused on renewable energy and battery storage.

2025-26

In August 2025, Ware reopened to first-year students. Residents of both Ware and Riepe — which was renovated over the 2023-24 academic year — praised the upgrades in interviews with The Daily Pennsylvanian.

Two months later, a flooding incident in Riepe damaged seven rooms and displaced three students.

In February 2026, the Stuart Weitzman School of Design unveiled a renovated Stuart Weitzman Hall. The $58 million expansion — the school’s first major project in nearly 60 years — added design studios and student maker spaces to the reimagined interior.

Winter storms in early 2026 exposed the limitations of Penn’s older infrastructure. Burst pipes and water damage affected students in Harrison, Rodin, and Kings Court English House.

Harnwell was evacuated after a sprinkler discharge flooded the building in February. Flooding also occurred at the ARCH building and Platt Student Performing Arts House that winter. 

At a Board of Trustees meeting in March, the University presented plans to construct a $520 million Physical Science Building adjacent to the David Rittenhouse Laboratory. 

Penn’s trustees also approved an $11.5 million renovation to the lower level of the McNeil Building. The changes will transform the former Penn Career Services space into central classrooms and seminar rooms. 

The Platt Student Performing Arts Center — which was first announced in 2021 and named in honor of 1979 College graduates Julie and Marc Platt — is currently under construction along Woodland Walk. The building is slated to open in early 2027.

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