On Feb. 10, the University shared plans to replace the Alumni Residence Memorial (AMR) I and the Hopkins Cafe dining hall, with construction expected to begin in the summer of 2026 and be completed by 2028. The plans were announced 10 days in advance of the University’s meeting with the Baltimore Urban Design and Architecture Advisory Panel (UDAAP) on Feb. 20 .
AMR I, built in 1923, was the first of three alumni memorial residence halls to be constructed on Freshman Quad and currently houses around 196 first-year students. AMR II was built in 1953, with buildings A and B of AMR III being built three decades after that in 1983. While the new building is being constructed, the University has shared that other residential halls will be available for students.
All three of the AMRs currently house only freshman and living in the AMRs is the first experience of many students into college dorm living and life at Hopkins. However, current residents have raised concerns over AMR I’s aging infrastructure and access to amenities compared to other freshmen accommodations, such as Wolman Hall.
In an email to The News-Letter, freshman and AMR I resident Leya Kilpatrick voiced her concerns surrounding the building’s architectural integrity.
“[During the fall semester], there were threats of ceiling collapses. People had to move out because of it. Attention was only brought to [the building’s infrastructure issues] because one student’s roof had collapsed – thankfully when they weren’t in the dorm,” Kilpatrick wrote.
Robinson Bui, an AMR I resident who was relocated due to the ceiling crash, supported the replacement of the building.
“I think it's a great idea to replace this decrepit building. The fire alarms need fixing, there's barely enough laundry facilities, [and I’m] pretty sure there's mold growing and water damage to the ceilings,” he stated in an email to The News-Letter.
Despite identifying shortcomings of AMR I, students also recognized positive aspects of the hall, including social rooms and community building hubs. For example, student organizations like the Bollywood fusion dance group JŌSH and the Yong Han Lion Dance Troupe are two close-knit community groups that frequently rehearse in AMR I.
“The Multipurpose room is the most unique social room on campus. [Although] I think the ball room will be overshadowed by the new Student Center…I like having clubs host dance practice there,” said Bui.
Kilpatrick agreed that certain features of AMR I were valuable to her experience, and specifically called for the small and tight-knit feel of the building to be preserved in the new hall.
The University has shared that it will be gathering input and feedback from students, community members and staff on the renovation. In interviews to The News-Letter, current residents shared that they hoped the future building increased access to communal amenities. Rachel Chen, another resident in AMR I commented on the similar price but difference in amenity access across freshman housing in an interview with The News-Letter.
“I do think it’s good [to renovate] just because students are paying a similar price to live in AMR I as newer dorms, but with fewer accommodations,“ Chen said. “I like dorms that have their own mini gym, a lot of communal rooms, and more.”
Kilpatrick and Bui also elaborated on future changes they would like to see in the new dormitory, such as closer proximity of amenities within the dorms and additional inclusivity.
“I would like to see the AMR Reading Room design to be carried over; it’s spacious and comfortable to study in, [but] I wish the laundry machines and kitchen were not so far away from dorm spaces,” Kilpatrick stated.
In addition, Bui drew attention to the inaccessibility and lack of updates to the historic building.
“Having some extra gender neutral facilities within AMR I would be nice,“ he said. “We also need accessibility features. [Unlike suite style dorms,] AMR I has no elevators or automatic doors. Only stairs here.”
Myra Saeed contributed reporting to this article.
