Inside Fenn Tower: A Look at CSU’s Reimagined Residence Hall

As Cleveland State University prepares to reopen Fenn Tower for the upcoming fall semester, the historic residence hall is undergoing a transformation aimed at redefining campus living while preserving its legacy.

Originally constructed as one of the university’s first buildings, Fenn Tower has long been a recognizable part of Cleveland’s skyline. Following extensive renovations, the building will reopen as a modern, student-centered community designed to meet the needs of today’s first-year students while honoring its historic character.

From Necessary Repairs to Full Transformation

The renovation began as an effort to address structural concerns but quickly evolved into a far more ambitious transformation. 

“It all started because of the facade work. Our lintels around our windows were failing a little bit,” said Sean Ries, executive director of capital planning and campus experience. “We could have just done that, but we ended up finding some steel issues and decided to fix the steel as well. When we were doing all that, because we were going to have to shut down for a period of time, we just said, ‘Let’s just make it a modern residence.’”

However, renovating a nearly century-old building came with its share of surprises, reinforcing the importance of renovation and a safety-first approach. 

“With the age of the building, as you start taking things off, you start finding more [such as] some fire suppression issues, foundation issues and asbestos,” said Ries. “Thank goodness we caught all that; everything’s going to be modern, and we won’t have to worry about those types of things.”

Contemporary Spaces That Encourage Comfort, Connection and Community 

The redesigned Fenn Tower prioritizes student well-being and community engagement, goals that guided the renovation and led to a complete reimagining of the building’s interior, including student rooms and shared spaces.

“It’s pretty cool stuff. The building will have all brand new furniture,” said Ries, adding that the project creates space for more than 400 additional students and that all rooms have been updated with a more modern, 21st-century design. “We had kitchenettes in every room, but we were asking students to get meal plans. We had carpet in all the rooms which was getting destroyed every other year. It just didn’t make much sense to keep them.”

Instead of carpet, the residence hall rooms now feature vinyl flooring that is easier to maintain and clean. The redesign also creates more open, functional living environments and encourages students to engage with the campus community beyond their rooms.

“It just makes sense to give them more space in their rooms,” said Ries. “And if you’re going to live here, we want to get you out more as well.”

Safety, Security and Privacy Take Center Stage

One of the building’s most significant upgrades is its enhanced safety and security system. 

“The number one thing we’ve all focused on through this process is safety and security,” said Ries. “Only students are going to be able to swipe in, while others will be able to come in on the visitor side.”

The lobby spaces were designed to encourage connection and interaction in a comfortable environment, while the new dorm layout provides greater privacy for residents. 

“Maybe students don’t know each other that well, so [they] don’t want to take someone they recently met to their room,” Ries said. “Now students can sit in the common area in a more comfortable setting under the watchful eye of the desk.” 

“[Another plus is] you’ll never share bathrooms with more than one person,” he said. “When I was in college, I shared with a whole floor.”

Another feature students can expect when Fenn Tower reopens in August is a modern residence hall with updated interiors and panoramic views of downtown Cleveland and Lake Erie. “The experience is a modern residence hall,” said Ries. “I’m going to go on the record as saying we have probably the best dorms or residence halls in any state institution.”

The overall goal is to create a welcoming environment where students feel at home.

“That's the key, right? They should feel like they're at home,” said Ries. “We’ll retain them, and they’ll continue to be taught positively about CSU.”

Honoring History Amid a Changing Campus

Despite the extensive renovations, preserving Fenn Tower’s historic character, including its art deco details and original woodwork, remained a priority as part of a broader effort to strengthen campus life and create a more connected student experience.

“Students are going to be at the heart of a lot of the changes this campus will go through,” said Ries.

With planned upgrades to nearby buildings and public spaces, the university aims to create a more vibrant, engaging residential campus environment.

“East 24th is our street. We can do what we want with it,” he said. “We’re looking at how to activate that and make it more of a tight-knit community. So, for the 2,000+ students that live on campus, we want them to know that there are things to do. They can stay here on the weekends and enjoy themselves.”

As construction wraps up, anticipation is building for what Fenn Tower will represent as both a residence hall and a cornerstone of student life at CSU, with Ries noting that the renovations reflect the university’s commitment to residence life and a more fresh, interactive campus experience.

“What they need to be excited about is that it is modern, and there’s really nothing they don’t have in this facility,” said Ries.

Learn more about Fenn Tower by listening to this episode of Viking Voices, Cleveland State University's official podcast.