College hosts tours of new building, students look at building before construction

By Dylan Rossiter / February 4, 2018

The new building looks over Boston Common and other Emerson buildings. Photo: Chris Van Buskirk/Berkeley Beacon

The new building looks over Boston Common and other Emerson buildings. Photo: Chris Van Buskirk/Berkeley Beacon

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The new building looks over Boston Common and other Emerson buildings. Photo: Chris Van Buskirk/Berkeley Beacon

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The new building looks over Boston Common and other Emerson buildings. Photo: Chris Van Buskirk/Berkeley Beacon

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The new building looks over Boston Common and other Emerson buildings. Photo: Chris Van Buskirk/Berkeley Beacon

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The new building looks over Boston Common and other Emerson buildings. Photo: Chris Van Buskirk/Berkeley Beacon

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The new building looks over Boston Common and other Emerson buildings. Photo: Chris Van Buskirk/Berkeley Beacon

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The new building looks over Boston Common and other Emerson buildings. Photo: Chris Van Buskirk/Berkeley Beacon

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The new building looks over Boston Common and other Emerson buildings. Photo: Chris Van Buskirk/Berkeley Beacon

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The new building looks over Boston Common and other Emerson buildings. Photo: Chris Van Buskirk/Berkeley Beacon

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The new building looks over Boston Common and other Emerson buildings. Photo: Chris Van Buskirk/Berkeley Beacon

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The new building looks over Boston Common and other Emerson buildings. Photo: Chris Van Buskirk/Berkeley Beacon

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The new building looks over Boston Common and other Emerson buildings. Photo: Chris Van Buskirk/Berkeley Beacon

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The college may dedicate its newest 172 Tremont St. building to student spaces.

The Office of Student Engagement and Leadership led student tours and discussed how to best utilize the $24 million building, nicknamed the Skinny Building.

“A final decision has not been made yet and [student] involvement will be essential as the college makes determinations about the future use of [172 Tremont St.],” Vice President and Dean for Campus Life James Hoppe wrote in an email announcing the forums.

Hoppe said recent discussions have been focused on moving the Max Mutchnick Campus Center in Piano Row to 172 Tremont St. and relocating the Fitness Center to the basement of Piano Row.

SEAL hosted the student forums on Jan. 29 and 31 for members of organizations recognized by the Student Government Association to discuss possibilities for the building.

While plans have not been finalized, Director of Student Activities Jason Meier said the building would be ready for use by January 2019.

The new building currently has four floors and overlooks Boston Common. Construction has not started yet as plans are still being drawn. The building was originally intended to be condos, so it still has bathtubs and large kitchen spaces.

About the Contributor

Dylan Rossiter, Emerson '21

Dylan Rossiter is the Director of Advertising and Events for the State House News Service, where he also serves as General Manager for the company's flagship newsletter, MASSterList. He served as The Berkeley Beacon's Operations Managing Editor, overseeing finance, institutional advancement, and newsroom administration from May 2019 to July 2021. He is the only known disabled managing editor in the history of The Beacon. During his first semester at Emerson, Rossiter became Digital Strategist, where he overhauled The Beacon's website and helped transition the organization to a multi-platform daily. He guided The Beacon's digital platforms in that role, helping to triple the newspaper's online audience. Rossiter also helped develop and supervise the launch of The Berkeley Beacon Magazine, podcast unit, subscription service, and donor support program. He also provided editorial support amid breaking news and Irregular operations. While at Emerson, Rossiter worked as an Assignment Editor with NBCUniversal Local. He graduated Emerson in May 2021 with a BS in Journalism.