1920 Commons on Dec. 6, 2023.
Credit: Derek Wong1920 Commons is set to undergo its first complete renovation since its construction in 1971, including significant changes to the building’s interior and exterior appearance.
Penn Business Services Director of Communications and External Relations Courtney Dombroski wrote in a statement to The Daily Pennsylvanian that the project “will be a comprehensive overhaul” of the building and dining hall, which is one of the most popular on Penn’s campus. Construction on the building is not expected to begin for several years, and Dombroski wrote that the construction start date has not been set.
Many of the project's details — including its duration, phases of renovation, and potential changes to walking paths on campus — are not yet finalized, according to Dombroski.
“Over the years, Penn has made investments in various parts of the facility, such as additions, partial renovations, and infrastructure replacements, but the building has not undergone a complete renovation since it was constructed,” she wrote. “Specific details regarding the renovation are currently being worked on through the design process.”
Penn is currently in the process of selecting an architect to lead the renovation efforts. Ensuing steps will include schematic design, design development, and creating construction documents before the renovation begins.
Dombroski said that Penn is in the process of evaluating whether the building will be renovated in phases or “taken completely offline.” If the renovation occurs in one phase, she wrote that “a temporary dining facility will be erected in Hamilton Village."
If the renovation occurs in several phases, Dombroski said that “there may be an opportunity to have designated areas remain operational,” adding that the dining hall’s all-you-can-eat option will remain open.
She wrote that, while Business Services does not anticipate any campus closures during the renovation, the project may cause changes to walking paths and increased noise.
Penn is currently working with Envision Strategies, a consulting firm specializing in food service and hospitality, to host focus groups — which occurred on Dec. 4-5 — about students’ dining experiences in Commons and their preferences. Dombroski said that Penn will continue to gather student feedback about the renovation in the spring semester.
The email sent to students inviting them to focus groups, which was acquired by the DP, offers participants food and $25 in Dining Dollars if they participate.
“1920 Commons is scheduled for renovations, and as part of the planning process, we are gathering input from students about their current 1920 Commons dining experience and ideas for what they might like in the future,” the email reads.
Director of Business Services Pam Lampitt told the DP that, through the focus groups, they want to “hear directly from students about what they think 1920 Commons should offer [and] what it should be.”
“Because traditional all-you-care-to-eat dining is maybe not what we need in that particular dining café, so we’re taking the time to really explore what the future of dining holds in 1920 [Commons],” Lampitt added.
Dombroski wrote that — while the University does not currently have any plans to change its meal plan offerings due to the renovation — there “may be an opportunity” to do so at a later stage of the project.
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