By Mary Ellen Podmolik |
Columbia College Chicago said it will take over a South Loop apartment building and turn it into a residence hall, beginning this fall.

The college said it signed a five-year lease to operate a residence hall in the 16-story Dwight Lofts at 626 S. Clark St., which currently functions as an apartment building owned by ASB Capital Management of Bethesda, Md. The building has 771 beds in 178 loft-style units.

Columbia will vacate a residence hall at 2 E. Eighth St. in May when
that lease expires. That building accommodates 820 beds.

A college spokesman said while it has space for fewer students, Dwight
Lofts has more common areas and space for student programs. That
includes a two-floor common area with soundproof music practice rooms, a
5,100-square-foot art studio space and a 3,800-square-foot furnished
lounge.

The building was formerly the headquarters of Dwight Brothers Paper Co.