Overview
Built in 1960 by local architecture firm Harry Weese and Associates, Pierce Tower Residence Hall and Dining Commons served The University of Chicago's student population for half a century. In June 2013, it was announced that a new residence hall and dining commons would be constructed on the site Pierce occupies. Demolition began the following month and completed in December 2013.
Project Team
- Project Manager: David Culcasi
- Project Contact: David Culcasi, dculcasi@uchicago.edu
Milestones
Demolition of Pierce Tower began August 2013 and completed December 2013.
Photos
![Fire hose out window](https://d3qi0qp55mx5f5.cloudfront.net/facilities/featuredprojects/IMG_1874.jpg?mtime=1412591589)
The local Chicago Fire Department performed training exercises on August 15th and 16th. An angled fire hose, shown in the image above, can fight a blaze on an upper level from a lower story.
![Wrecking Ball Preparing for demolition](https://d3qi0qp55mx5f5.cloudfront.net/shared-resources/i/template/transparent.gif)
Wrecking Ball outside of Pierce prepares for demolition.
![Wrecking ball going though window](https://d3qi0qp55mx5f5.cloudfront.net/shared-resources/i/template/transparent.gif)
Pierce receives the first blow from the wrecking ball.
![Crowd gathered to watch demolition](https://d3qi0qp55mx5f5.cloudfront.net/shared-resources/i/template/transparent.gif)
A crowd gathers a safe distance from the site to witness the demolition.