History
The building we now call the Georgia Tech Alumni House began as a YMCA facility. Early in the 1900's, John D. Rockefeller agreed to fund a new building at Georgia Tech by contributing $50,000 on February 10, 1910. Friends raised the balance of the funds, $25,000, in a few months and construction began in 1911. The building was dedicated in 1912 and quickly became the center of social activity on campus.
Today's configuration of the House differs from its years as a YMCA. Front steps led directly into the lobby, which we now refer to as the mezzanine. Dormitories (four beds to every bathroom) dominated the third floor, and there was no elevator or air conditioning. The building housed billiard tables, a bowling alley in the basement, meeting rooms for social groups, the only telephone on campus for many years, and the White & Gold cleaning service. The second floor contained a beautifully finished reception hall, reading and writing rooms, a restroom for ladies, and a handsome auditorium with a seating capacity of nearly 300 complete with balcony. The building also included a full service restaurant. The dormitories became known as the Rockefeller Apartments and were later the first women's dormitory on campus.
In 1968, Tech broke ground for the Callaway Student Center on west campus. By 1971 the Student Center opened and all Georgia Tech student activities relocated there. The House stood empty except for the occasional Architectural lab or Y activity from 1971-1976. During that time, the Y relocated to its current West Peachtree location and the building was scheduled for demolition.
Then in 1976 the Alumni Association stepped in and began extensive restructuring and renovation. It was reopened in 1979 as the L.W. "Chip" Robert Jr. Alumni/Faculty House.
The 1979 version of the building included a new entrance from the street level accessing the newly built reception lobby, executive offices, a conference room, and general office spaces for the Alumni Association staff.
The mezzanine level included a large atrium lobby, a library, ballroom, dining room, kitchen and lounge. Each room was named after a prominent alumnus who helped finance the renovations. Campus food services operated a small restaurant from the kitchen and called it the Faculty Club for several years. The second and third floors were converted to staff offices. An elevator, updated heating and cooling, and modern bathrooms were also added.
By 1991 the Faculty Club closed and the building housed only the Alumni Association. In 1994, a cosmetic make-over was completed and the unique Georgia Tech photo history exhibits were added. Today, the House encompasses offices and support rooms for more than 50 employees, a Career Development center, Living History Studio, a conference room, and lobby. The mezzanine level has been converted to more than 3,500 square feet of event space, including a ballroom, lobby, an additional conference room, and library. The space is enjoyed today by hundreds of alumni, family and friends.
