In 2000, the University of Chicago initiated a massive multi-phased restoration project to save and preserve International House for future generations of students, scholars and community members. This project which will be completed in during the 2007-08 academic year has rejuvenated resident life at International House and paved the way for residents to share in the unique living-learning experience that greatly enhances their time in Chicago. The restoration process when completed will have cost just over $30 million which was funded by the university thanks to the generosity and foresight of the former President Don Randal and the Board of Trustees.  Included in this amount is a $5 million loan that International House is required to retire.

The restoration process was completed over a five year period. During this time, International House remained open for residential occupancy and special events with the exception of the summer of 2006 when the House was closed for the demolition and reconstruction of the resident rooms. During this period, the entire building was closed from June 14, 2006 through September 15, 2006. When the building reopened that fall, only 171 rooms on the West Wing were ready for occupancy. The East Wing restoration was completed by January 31, 2006 and the 315 rooms on this wing were returned to resident and guest use at that time.

The restoration of International House was comprehensive. In the early phases of the process, efforts were made to replace all of the existing roofs and repair the exterior façade. The building underwent a ten month tuck pointing and stone replacement project that reinvigorated the exterior of the building to maintain the structural integrity of the structure. This work was followed by extensive interior work that involved the installation of new plumbing risers, replacement of the main electrical panels and branch wiring, and the renovations of a portion of the common bathrooms on the resident floors.

During the summer of 2005, International House closed its doors to residents for the first time in its history so that resident room renovations could take place. From June 15, 2005 until September 15, 2005 International House was closed to residents, guests and special events so that resident rooms, corridors and the remaining floor bathrooms could be renovated. This phase of the project involved the demolition and rebuilding of resident rooms, corridors and some floor bathrooms. The work on the West Wing resident rooms and corridors was completed by September 15, 2005 and the 171 resident rooms were reopened for the Fall Quarter of the 2005-06 academic year. Work continued on the East Wing and these rooms were once again available to residents beginning February, 2006.

The resident rooms’ portion of the restoration process involved the demolition of the existing closets in all sleeping rooms, removal of older electrical and telephone wiring and light fixtures, removal of the existing floor coverings and replacement of the windows in each room and hallway. The resident rooms were rewired to provide additional and greatly upgraded electrical service, cable TV, internet and telephone access, new movable furniture, ceiling fans, new floor coverings and a forced air system that has the capability of providing dehumidified cooled air to student rooms. Residents also receive access to a wireless computer system in their room and all common areas of the House.

As a part of the building restoration project, International House received many safety upgrades to improve the buildings safety and security for future residents. All of the rooms and corridors had a fire sprinkler system installed which will protect the building and residents from the spread of fire. An upgraded smoke and heat detector system was added that covers every space in the building including resident rooms, corridors, study and storage spaces. This information is fed into a new fire control panel that links to University Police and local fire service to form a protective response that is multi-layered and designed for maximum safety for the occupants.

The restoration helped to create a new service offering as International House set aside one floor for use as guest or short-term housing. These rooms were finished and furnished at a different level from the regular resident rooms. These spaces were designed to be similar to a hotel room in the style and upgraded nature of their furnishings. These thirty-seven rooms are carpeted, have TV’s lamps, alarm clocks, telephone service and queen beds so that guests may be more comfortable during their stay in International House.

During the restoration process, many of the common rooms received new or refurbished furnishing. Many of the original pieces of furniture that were in the House when it opened in 1932 were restored and placed back into circulation for residents and guests of the House to admire and enjoy. The Map Room was restored and returned to its original look reversing the renovation of the early 1980’s which turned this space into a gift shop. The Map Room and the newly created Tiffin Board Room were air conditioned making these spaces usable for a greater portion of the year.

 As part of the overall renovation plan for International House, all of the major elevators will have been replaced by the end of 2007. The East Wing elevators were rebuilt in 2004 and the Freight Elevator was replaced by a new passenger elevator which opened in December of 2006. The West Wing elevator is scheduled for replacement during spring of 2007.  The work on these items involved the complete replacement of the elevator cabs, cabling and mechanical systems.

An emphasis of the restoration process was to make International House accessible to individuals with disabilities. As such, fifty rooms were modified to allow individuals with physical limitations or hearing problems live in the House as fully functioning residents. Common bathroom accommodations were made on the West Wing so that these spaces were able to meet ADA specifications. Additional work on the accessibility front will continue through the end of 2007 as efforts are made to make the Courtyard, main entry to the building, the Assembly Hall and other public spaces fully accessible. Upon completion of this work, all of International House will be accessible and ready to assume a leadership role on campus in providing services to students and guests with disabilities.