Renovation: Adaptive Reuse
In June of 2011, the renovative blitz which previously fell upon Busch Hall and Cupples II Hall, both original Cope and Stewardson buildings, came for Umrath.1 The renovation was the largest re-envisioning of Umrath’s purpose ever. In just over 14 months, the roof and load-bearing internal walls were removed and replaced.1 The renovation project received the Keystone Award from and was named project of the year by the Associated General Contractors of St. Louis and netted an award for best practices in pre-project planning from the St. Louis Council of Construction Consumers.2 Unlike the Rathskeller renovation, which was beset by delays, the efficient planning and execution saw minimal campus disruption despite the sweeping nature of the project.3 The renovation blew new life into Umrath, setting it up for another 110 years of centrality, dynamism, and vivacity.
“We have to be respectful, certainly, of the past and learn from it, but we must also be a modern, forward-thinking institution that accommodates changes.”
—Jamie Kolker, former assistant vice chancellor1
Umrath’s rapid transformation opened up the building like never before, addressing issues of floor heights, hall widths, and even connecting the east and west wings over the arch for the first time.1 Air conditioning, heating, lighting, fire and disibility access, and technological improvements were all made too.1 The dynamic footprint of Umrath made it possible to make these modifications while maintaining the historic character of the building. A 56-seat classroom, conference rooms, dozens of academic offices, and Umrath Hall Lounge, a 150-seat event space (once a dining hall) featuring a working fireplace now inhabit Umrath Hall.1 It now includes Campus Y, the John C. Danforth Center on Religion & Politics, the John and Penelope Biggs Department of Classics, and the Center for the Humanities among its tenants.1
1. Benson, Mary Ellen. Iconic Buildings, Modern Uses, The Source, WashU, 1 Dec. 2012, www.source.washu.edu/2012/12/iconic-buildings-modern-uses/.
2. “Umrath Hall Makeover Garners Awards.” The Source, Washington University in St. Louis, 13 Jan. 2016, www.source.washu.edu/2013/01/umrath-hall-makeover-garners-awards/.
3. WUSTL Video Services, “Renovated Umrath Hall Opens,” Introduction to DH Fall 2025, accessed September 20, 2025, https://lucascaswell.publish.library.wustl.edu/admin/items/show/2.