In August, Georgetown undergraduate students moved into their residence halls on the Hilltop Campus, including a new residential community for juniors and seniors.

The residential complex - comprised of Byrnes, Hayden and Henle Halls - accommodates up to 732 upperclass students in apartment-style units. Students moved into Byrnes and Hayden Halls in August, while Henle will open for students later in the academic year.

Georgetown began construction in 2023 on the site of the former Henle Village in an effort to provide a larger, more accessible and sustainably designed space for students on campus. The new residential community is part of the university's goal to provide more housing options for juniors and seniors, including those on the Capitol Campus.

"We are excited to welcome Hoyas into our newest residential complex this school year, which marks a new chapter in student living at Georgetown," said David Green, Georgetown's senior vice president and chief operating officer.

Students live in fully furnished four-bedroom, two-bedroom and studio apartments. Each unit is equipped with an in-unit washer and dryer and a full-size kitchen, including a refrigerator, dishwasher, stove and microwave.

Each bedroom has a desk, chair and twin-XL beds depending on the occupancy of each room. Shared living spaces in each unit include a dining room table, chairs, a couch, coffee table and a TV stand.

The residential community also offers shared community spaces for students to gather, study and unwind. Outdoor spaces in the complex include electric grills in an outdoor kitchen.

Byrnes Hall also has shared community spaces open to residents in the entire complex. The amenities include a gaming area, soft seating for conversation and study, small group study spaces, a yoga and exercise room, and a meditation and reflection space.

"Byrnes, Hayden and Henle Halls show what student life can be like for an upperclass student in a university residence hall," said Nico Hohman, director of capital projects. "We're excited to provide students the space to build a rich community life on the Hilltop."

The new state-of-the-art residential building include a variety of sustainability features. The solar panelson the roofs of all three of the buildings will generate energy and offset the load to Georgetown's electrical grid. The complex's outdoor spaces feature courtyards and seating for studying and relaxation. The interior of the building features living green walls and other spaces designed to connect occupants to nature indoors and support wellbeing.

"The development of these three new residential communities underscores Georgetown's commitment to sustainability and is a major achievement for the university as we make progress towards a more sustainable future," said Ayana Thomas, associate vice president for sustainable business operations.

The complex is also on track to achieve Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) Platinum certification, which signifies the highest tier of energy efficiency, cost-savings and carbon emissions reduction. The new complex will be the first building on Georgetown's Hilltop Campus to achieve LEED Platinum status and follows the footsteps of the residential building at 55 H St. NW on the Capitol Campus, which achieved LEED Platinum status in 2023.

Cliff Stern (C'26) moved into Byrnes Hall last week and is excited to live in the new building. He's living with three friends in a two-bedroom unit and is excited to host friends for movie nights and dinner parties in the common living space.

"It's cool to set the vibe and tone of the new residential community and inaugurate this new building and have a different living experience with my friends than pretty much anything else on campus," Stern said.

In August, Georgetown announced a $20 million gift from William "Bill" G. Byrnes (B'72, L'81) and Lisa H. Byrnes (SLL'80) to support the development of comfortable, dynamic and accessible residences for a new generation of Hoyas.

To recognize their transformative gift, Georgetown named the west towerof the new residential complex the William Gerard and Lisa Hawkins Byrnes Hall, or Byrnes Hall.

"We are grateful to everyone who made these new residential communities possible," said Interim President Robert M. Groves. "We hope these new spaces enrich the on campus experiences of juniors and seniors on the Hilltop."