The West Wheelock Neighborhood
A New Neighborhood Taking Shape
To meet critical demand for new undergraduate housing, Dartmouth is transforming the gateway to Hanover from West Wheelock Street—creating a vibrant, walkable neighborhood between the Connecticut River and the Green for the entire community to enjoy while adding nearly 700 new beds for juniors and seniors in apartment-style residence halls.
Russo Hall, Shonda Rhimes Hall, Class of 1989 Hall, and Alumnae Hall will help meet nearly three-quarters of President Sian Leah Beilock’s commitment to create at least 1,000 new beds for faculty, staff, and students in the next 10 years.
Student-Centered, Sustainable Design
Through surveys, focus groups, design charrettes, and other engagement opportunities, student preferences have been incorporated into the residence hall designs at every level, from initial planning to comfort-testing the furniture. Most requested: the flexibility and independence of apartment-style living close to campus; kitchen spaces, with the option of a meal plan; the ability to live with friends, regardless of house community affiliation; common spaces for gathering, wellness, studying, and creating.
The residence halls are being designed to achieve LEED Gold certification, and are part of the Dartmouth Climate Collaborative efforts to modernize infrastructure across campus.
Evolving the
Undergraduate
Housing Experience
The West Wheelock Street residences are designed to give juniors and seniors the opportunity to experience apartment-style independence with all the benefits of a tight-knit academic community.
At Dartmouth, all first-year students are assigned a residence hall affiliated with one of six house communities—small communities within the Dartmouth community in which they can develop strong bonds with peers and faculty and staff mentors.
Students are affiliated with their house through all four years, whether they are on-campus, living in alternative housing, or taking terms abroad, creating needed continuity.
As students mature over four years, many want more choice in where and how to live. West Wheelock Street is creating more options close to campus.
“West Wheelock Street is one of four gateways into Hanover, is part of the Appalachian Trail, and a path to the Connecticut River, and the proposed design will be a dramatic improvement for all users.”
—ROB HOUSEMAN, HANOVER TOWN MANAGER
The Buildings at a Glance
The residence halls currently under construction on West Wheelock will ultimately house nearly 700 juniors and seniors in apartment-style suites with shared kitchens and living rooms and private bedrooms.
Russo Hall will house 283 students and is named for Thomas A. Russo ’77 and Gina Russo ’77, who gave $30 million to launch the West Wheelock housing initiative—at the time the largest gift for undergraduate housing in Dartmouth history. Projected opening: fall 2026.
- Featured space: a beautiful, wood-paneled library with space for students to collaborate or work independently
- The Den, a speak-easy-style lounge and flexible social spaces with comfortable furniture
- A game room
- Bike and ski storage and bike repair space
Alumnae Hall honors the historic collective generosity of the 30 alumnae to date who have given $30 million to fund the residence, which will house approximately 95 students, and a riverfront park. Projected opening: fall 2028.
- Featured space: a treehouse reading room overlooking the river
- Community kitchen
- A large marketplace with Fresh Zone vending machines
- Outdoor patio connected to event space and community kitchen
- Fifth-floor street-level access to West End academic neighborhood
A total of 593 members of the Class of 1989, plus other supporters, have donated more than $30 million in gifts to name the Class of 1989 Hall, which will house approximately 188 students. Projected opening: fall 2028.
- Featured space: a café operated by Dartmouth Dining Services
- Outdoor courtyard and shared patio with Shonda Rhimes Hall
- Common living area and kitchen
- Fourth-floor street-level access to West End academic neighborhood
Shonda Rhimes Hall, named with a $15 million gift from Shonda Rhimes ’91, will be the first Dartmouth building named for a Black alumna. It will house approximately 115 students. Projected opening: fall 2028.
- Featured spaces: a wellness studio and common living room
- Soundproof pods for music and creative practice
- Bike and ski storage and bike repair space
- Outdoor courtyard and shared patio with Class of 1989 Hall
- Fifth-floor street-level access to West End academic neighborhood
Use the map to see where Dartmouth’s newest residence halls are located.
From Gateway to Neighborhood
West Wheelock Street has long been one of Hanover’s primary gateways, connecting campus to the Connecticut River and the Appalachian Trail. Now, with construction well underway, the corridor is evolving into a vibrant, walkable neighborhood.
