The 45,000-square-foot Koenig House, just north of the Wohl Parking Garage off Shepley Drive, opened in August and is home to 160 first-year students.

Photo by David Kilper

Koenig House opened in August and is home to 160 first-year students.

It replaces the old Koenig, which was torn down over the summer to make way for the Hilltop Campus' newest residential college.

The new Liggett/Koenig Residential College is being constructed in two phases, the second of which will be open in August 2006. The new residential college will be renamed after construction is finished.

"Koenig House is really a beautiful dormitory," said junior John Spratt, a resident assistant on the fourth floor. "I think it will be even nicer once the second phase is finished.

"I'm very impressed with the way the University is upgrading the South 40 and the image of the dorms. Living here is great."

Koenig House is configured in the "new style" of residence halls on the Hilltop Campus, with the majority of rooms being double rooms connected by a shared bathroom. The unique feature is that the fourth floor features several large triple rooms.

The second phase of Liggett/Koenig Residential College, which will add 100,000 square feet, will contain suite-style housing with four single rooms and a common living area. That phase's work will be physically connected to Koenig House by four large common rooms on each floor, which are currently under construction.

The second phase will house only upperclassmen and will be home to the South 40's fifth faculty fellow, who has not yet been selected.

Photo by David Kilper

Molly Brooks studies in her room on the fourth floor. "Koenig House is really a beautiful dormitory," said junior John Spratt, a resident assistant on that floor.

Many amenities, including the main common area, will be constructed in the second phase.

Both phases, along with Liggett House, will form the new residential college.

There are currently nine residential colleges in the South 40, each housing approximately 300 students and comprising two or three separate houses that form a single community.

"The residential colleges offer students access to academic support and the ability to more easily interact with faculty members through the Faculty Fellows and Faculty Associates programs," said Justin X. Carroll, assistant vice chancellor for students and dean of students.