At least the inside is nice.

We showed you a review of a coveted Barnard housing spot this afternoon, now it’s time for the most coveted Columbia housing: EC highrises. Killer views and more ensue…

Location: 70 Morningside Dr.

Nearby dorms: Wien, basically.

Stores and restaurants: Hamilton Deli, Arts and Crafts Beer Parlor (grad students!), Subsconscious, Flat Top, Friedman’s, Appletree Market.

Cost: $10,120/year

Amenities:

• Bathrooms: One private bathroom (for 5 people): shower, bathtub, sink, toilet. Cleaned on a weekly basis.
• AC/Heating: Yes to both.
• Kitchen: Every suite has a relatively modern kitchen (and a dishwasher!) with decent cabinet space. There are no common kitchen areas for the floor, but a pathetic microwave in the lounge. Basically, if you live in a 6th floor double, get comfortable in the dining halls.
• Lounge: One lounge per hall. Common area/lounge in every suite.
• Laundry: A ton of machines in the basement.
• Computers/Printers: Computers and printers available on floors 10 and 18 and in the main lobby.
• Gym: Two cardio rooms on 8th and 16th floors.
• Intra-Transportation: 2 very fast elevators and 2 stairwells.
• Hardwood/Carpet: Very mixed and erratic situation here (true to EC’s spirit). Lobby is hardwood, halls are carpeted. Doubles are carpeted. All common areas inside the suites are hardwood, and high rise bedrooms are hardwood.
• Wifi: Obviously.
• Bonus: Beautiful, recently renovated hall lounge with a piano and plasma TV. Music practice rooms and study rooms spread out. Study Lounges on 6th, 12th, 14th and 20th floors. Faculty-in-residence. EC also houses Special Interest Communities. Also houses Greek organizations(is that a bonus, though? Really?)

Room variety:

• 7 high-rise 5-person suites with 5 singles
  7 high-rise 6-person suites with 6 singles
  56 high-rise 5-person ‘exclusion’ suites with 3 singles and 1 double
  35 high-rise 2-person apartments
• 6th floor doubles average 200 square feet.
• 5 two-person apartments per floor, roughly 400 square feet.
• Suites that have 3 singles and 1 double are roughly 295 square feet, with usually 10 per floor. Suites with 6 singles and 5 singles are roughly 286 square feet.

Numbers:

• Basically, don’t get too excited about an EC suite unless you’re a senior, but 6th-floor doubles go to sophomores and juniors.
• EC Highrise – 6 Person Suite (All Sgl): 30/534 was the cutoff in 2015, 30/389 in 2014.
• Five person singles: 2015 cutoff 30/354, 2014 cut off 30/2913.
• EC Highrise – 6th Floor Doubles, cutoff 10/2331 in 2015, 10/1371 in 2014. Scary numbers, underclassmen.
• EC Highrise – 2-Person Flats, 30/1084 in 2015, in 2014 30/2409

Bwog recommendation:

• “If your lotto number is so bad that you’re considering a 6th floor double, just pick whatever room is the biggest on your day. If that’s a 6th floor double, so be it. They aren’t the best, but are better if you’re living with friends. And you’ll have that New York City view.”
• “If you’re a senior and didn’t get your first-choice suite, look to the 5-persons in EC during Senior Regroup; they’re hot commodities then.”
• “EC or die.”

Resident opinion: 

• “There’s a good number of noise complaints, weekends especially, but overall it’s definitely one of the better living situations.”