Harvard College House renewal swing space

Renovating the Inn at Harvard for student swing space as College House renewal scales up

Photograph by Jim Harrison

Photograph by Jim Harrison

The Inn at Harvard, shown in late January, is being converted into residential space to accommodate students during House renovation. Dunster is the first scheduled to be closed in toto, after Commencement, for complete renewal during the ensuing 15 months, following completion of pilot projects at Quincy and Leverett. Dunster’s diaspora will house students in existing swing spaces along Massachusetts Avenue; apartment buildings and a renovated frame house (former home of Expository Writing) on Prescott Street; and the repurposed Inn, a hub including common dining and social spaces for House affiliates during their temporary displacements. House renewal will be on the new College dean’s agenda; complete House renewal coverage is available at https://harvardmagazine.com/ tags/house-renewal.

You might also like

Citing improper procedure, a district judge postponed the government’s efforts to cap student visas at four years.

The 2026-2027 Ledecky and Summer Undergraduate Fellows

A roundup of University news from the summer of 2026

Most popular

Harvard Weathers a Year of Turmoil

The federal government has launched unprecedented actions against the University. Here’s a guide.

Lafayette’s Unexpected Gift to George Washington: Pheasants

The two birds will be on display at Harvard this summer.

Harvard’s Class of 2029 Reflects Shifts in Racial Makeup After Affirmative Action Ends

International students continue to enroll amid political uncertainty; mandatory SATs lead to a drop in applications.

Explore More From Current Issue

A vase of yellow flowers on a table next to an orange and a glass.

Harvard Art Museums restores a rare glimpse of an American master.

A woman with long, wavy hair wearing a white suit, seated in a bright, modern room.

The Harvard graduate’s roundtable talk show touches on hot button issues from religion to sex. 

A busy classroom filled with students working at computers, colorful decor, and a bright atmosphere.

In 2004, a frenzy spread across Harvard Yard in days. Four billion users later, we are only just catching up.