Pierce

On November 9, 2012, University officials announced plans to close Pierce Tower and Dining Commons at the end of the 2012-2013 school year and, over the next four years, construct a new dorm and dining hall on North Campus in its place. Pierce, which has had a rich culture and community for over a century, deserves to be celebrated.

The building is on the corner of 55th and University and has proudly housed students since 1960. Harry Weese of the architectural firm Harry Weese & Associates designed it at a cost of $2,400,000.

The dorm, which is ten stories high and can house 250 students, is named after Stanley R. Pierce, a former UChicago Maroons fullback who went on to become a broker and gift the University $800,000.

The Breezeway greets guests as they enter. Pierce students often play ping-pong, pool, fooseball, or watch TV down here (when they're not doing homework, of course.) 

Floors 3 and 4 of Pierce are Tufts House. This year, Tufts won Sports Frolic, Pierce's annual inter-house sports competition held in Henry Crown.

Pierce lounges are a central part of House culture as students often hang in them or walk through on the way to the elevators.

Pierce Houses are known to engage in some (friendly) competition. Here, Tufts house shows off on a lounge poster.

Residents also often play Smash on Nintendo, sometimes for hours on end!

Floors 5 and 6 of Pierce are Henderson House. This year, Henderson had a unique mustache theme on its walls.

More house pride found on the walls of Pierce! Next year, the Hendus will join Tufts in New Grad.

Thompson House lives on floors 7 and 8. This year, they had a record theme on their walls.

Students often work in the lounges, collaborating on problem sets and projects.  Next year, Thompson will be moved to I-House.

At the top of Pierce is Shorey House on floors 9 and 10. Quite fittingly, Shorey's motto is "Always on Top."

This year, Shorey's Theme was One Hit Wonders. Each student had a "One Hit Wonder" on their door, such as "Pop Lock and Drop It" or "Shake It."

Shorey house's mascot, Ferrari, a statue with a perplexing history. Earlier this year, second years David Goldfeld and Ricky Stewart gave a presentation on Ferrari's life. Now, Shoreyites are trying to figure out how to transport it to I-House for next year.

This 10th floor room is meant to be a double, but first year Mariah Raynor has it to herself. What beautiful decorating!

One half of a traditional Pierce double. Here, first year Maxine Frendel has outfitted it with photos, postcards, and mementos. 

The view from a 10th floor window. On a clear day, you can see all the way to Harper from the south side of the building and Downtown from the north side.

Back downstairs, on the deck outside the breezeway, first year Paloma Ocola reads for class in the sunshine. 

Students also relax on the deck during the day when it's nice out. Here, first year Dana Cohen catches some rays.

In the basement of Pierce is TANSTAAFL, a study room and lounge. TANSTAAFL  stands for "There Ain't No Such Thing As A Free Lunch" and is a throwback to when the room was a student-run cafe.  

View of the building from the parking lot on Greenwood. Pierce, we will miss you!