HOUSING AND RESIDENTIAL EXPERIENCE
30 E. BALBO DRIVE
Meet 30 East, Columbia’s newest addition to its residence centers with room for 340 students. Kick back in apartmentstyle spaces with an en-suite bathroom, with two to five students per residence, and take advantage of the full kitchen. And don’t forget the location—you’ll be steps from the Student Center and one block from Grant Park.
THE DWIGHT
Built in 1911 as the headquarters of the Dwight Brothers Paper Company, the Dwight was home to multiple independent printing and binding shops. A classic example of the “company lofts” style, the building became a landmark in the Printers Row area of Chicago. While the building has been wholly renovated, its spirit has been preserved.
THE ARC
Formerly known as the Old Colony Building, this architectural masterpiece was converted into modern apartments in 2015. Housing options include double-occupancy and private bedrooms in shared apartments. Amenities include a study lounge with computers and free printing, 24-hour fitness center, rooftop oasis with gas grills, game room and bike storage.
THE UNIVERSITY CENTER
The University Center (UC) has created a home away from home for around 1,700 students from Columbia and other nearby universities. The UC features a fitness center, multimedia rooms, music practice rooms, an art studio, study rooms and a game room, along with laundry facilities, a kitchen on every floor, and bicycle storage.
Questions? Contact Housing and Residential Experience: (312) 369-7803 | housing@colum.edu colum.edu/housing
HOUSING AND RESIDENTIAL EXPERIENCE
LEARNING COMMUNITIES
THE FIRST YEAR LEARNING COMMUNITIES
These communities have a structured focus on the experiences and student development of first-year Columbia students. Residents who choose to live in these communities will engage in intentional learning, social, and creative opportunities meant to enhance the Columbia student experience. First Year Experience residents will participate in community development opportunities on campus and around Chicago, gain essential leadership skills, and have unique opportunities to complement their academic experience. For Fall 2026, the location of the First Year Experience community will be determined prior to the housing application launch.
THE HONORS COMMUNITY
This community presents an opportunity for honors students— who are curious and dedicated to learning, and want to further share their passion and interests with those who are academically like-minded—to live with one another.
GENDER-INCLUSIVE HOUSING
Columbia College Chicago is committed to providing a safe, accepting, and inclusive experience for all students. The college has a nondiscrimination policy that includes gender identity and/or expression. This policy extends to student housing. As such, our office of Housing & Residential Experience is proud to offer gender-inclusive housing options. These living options provide an on-campus residence experience that welcomes students across all gender identities and/or expressions, including transgender, questioning, or gender nonconforming students. All residential students, regardless of sex, gender identity, or sexual orientation, have the option of requesting a gender-inclusive room on the housing application.
HOUSING APPLICATION
• The housing application for new students generally opens in May. Applicants will be notified when the housing application is set to open.
• As a part of the housing application process, students will complete a profile, indicating their housing preferences and information about their personal habits (i.e., cleanliness, guests, sleeping, studying, etc.). Students will be able to utilize our roommate matching tool to find roommates and create groups to live in the same apartments. We hope to allow our first-year students to self-select their specific assignment via our online housing portal.
*Please note this process may need to be adjusted at the discretion of the Housing and Residential Experience Office. The most up-to-date information will be on the HRE website (colum.edu/hre) or on your Columbia Connect applicant page (colum.edu/connect).
WANT TO SEE MORE?
Watch our housing videos at colum.edu/virtualtour.
Questions? Contact Housing and Residential Experience: (312) 369-7803 | housing@colum.edu colum.edu/housing
