Who wouldn’t want to live in the middle of Frat Row?

Location: 548 W 113th, next to Symposium, the Greek restaurant.

Nearby dorms: It is near McBain and Watt, and is in the middle of Frat Row (which can sometimes cause excessive noise).

Stores and restaurants: Symposium (obviously), Junzi, Dig Inn, Tom’s, Oren’s, a Chase ATM, Milano Market, and Duane Reade.

Cost: $11,026 (projected Upperclass rate)

Amenities:

• Bathrooms: There is one bathroom per double, but the showers are on the smaller side.
• AC/Heating: There is no A/C.
• Kitchen: There is one kitchen per double which features a full-sized fridge, sink, and stove.
• Lounge: Sadly, there is no official lounge, but the lobby boasts a TV.
• Laundry: The basement only has one washer and dryer, but thankfully there aren’t many residents, so it should not be a big issue.
• Computers/Printing: No.
• Gym: Also, no.
• Intra-transportation: There is no elevator.
• Hardwood/Carpet: Hardwood floors everywhere!!
• Fireplace: Every room has a blocked off fire place and a potential balcony. Some suites even have rooftop access.

Room variety:

• Each of the five floors has a double, with floors two to five containing two doubles. There is one double in the basement, and an RA and rider on the first floor.

Numbers:

• From Columbia Housing: “Data from Room Selection 2021 shows the make-up as follows: …88% juniors and 12% seniors.”

Bwog recommendation:

Symposium gives you the chance to live in an NYC Brownstone while still reaping the benefits of living close to campus. Living in this Brownstone means having your own address and getting mail delivered directly to you. Grab and friend and embrace the Brownstone Lifestyle—albeit without an elevator.

Resident opinions:

• “Doug, the super, is an angel.”
• “[We] lived in the basement room of Symposium for both Junior and Senior year and had NO COMPLAINTS but the lack of light (which makes it especially cozy for sleeping in). The basement unit specifically has the biggest square footage and we were able to fit a long couch and both our desks on one side of the room and our beds head to foot with another dresser in the middle on the other side.We had two bookcase and a coffee table comfortably and another table and chairs in the kitchen area.”
• “No security guard means no judgements for hookups which is a blessing.”
• “Unlike other Columbia dorms only people who live in the dorm have swipe access…you have to walk downstairs to open the door to let everyone in, but you don’t have to use sign-ins so you can have as many Barnard / non-Columbia friends over as you want.”
• “It’s good if you’re sick of dorm life and want to feel more like a real person without splurging on NYC apartment prices.”
• “4R is the smallest double, but it has a balcony and roof access.”
• “The RA lives on the first floor so do as you please with that information.”
• “The stairs can be tough when you’re drunk and live on a higher floor.”
• “It’s all one-room doubles so pick a roommate you’re ready to get cozy with. But you have your own kitchen and bathroom which is tight.”
• “We didn’t have any issues with bugs or mice or anything.”

Symposium exterior via Columbia Housing

Symposium double via Bwarchives