A review of one of the nine Columbia Special Interest Communities (SICs): Indigehouse

Indigehouse Location: 531 W. 113th St, about halfway between Broadway and Amsterdam.

Cost: $13,222/year for the 2025-2026 academic year. Projected rate for 2026-2027 is $13,904.

Recent stats: Indigehouse and other SICs are not included in the general housing lottery, as applicants apply during the fall semester through a separate SIC application process. There are 15 rooms, excluding the RA room. Five sophomores, seven juniors, and three seniors were accepted into Indigehouse during the 2025-2026 academic year.

Nearby:

• Right across the street from Symposium, a local Greek restaurant! From what I’ve heard, the food is decent, but it’s mostly great to have an option so close by.
• Down the block from the uptown M4 and M104 station on Broadway.
• A brief walk to Columbia Hardware Store, which is located on Broadway halfway between 113th and 114th St.
• One of the closest off-campus residence halls, so only a brief (less than five minutes) walk to Alfred Lerner Hall.
• Close to McBain Hall, which is on the other side of 113th, making it a convenient spot for anyone who has friends there.

Amenities:

• Each student has an XL twin bed, desk, chair, dresser, and built-in closet space.
• Bathrooms on each floor with two toilet stalls, two showers, two sinks, as well as shelf space and below-sink storage. These bathrooms are cleaned by facilities on weekday mornings.
• First floor living room area with couches and a TV!
• Large dining room area, perfect for hosting dinners and events.
• Access to the basement area that has additional tables and chairs.
• Lounge area on the fifth floor, which only has two rooms.
• Full kitchen on the first floor, with two refrigerators for communal use.
• Washer and dryer in the kitchen.

Room Varieties:

• Indigehouse is described as a corridor-style SIC residence hall.
• There are two walkthrough double rooms, furnished with amenities for each individual student and with a bookshelf to share. 
• The rooms are both in the back part of the house, with the innermost room having a view into the backyard.
• The remaining 12 rooms are single occupancy, with their own amenities and a bookshelf.

 Resident Opinion:

• “Super close-knit community, I love getting to live with my friends!”
• “Living so close to campus is great.”
• “Having a walkthrough double is so convenient because you get your own space and privacy while having a roommate.”

Bwog Recommendation:

Some of the SICs can be competitive to get into, but if you can secure a spot, it is absolutely worth it. The bathrooms are not shared by many people and are cleaned frequently, making them feel luxurious compared to larger residence halls. Residents are always hanging out in the living room or kitchen, so it is easy to make friends and combat the isolation of a typical single dorm. Whether your SIC is identity or interest-based, it feels like you are sharing an apartment with friends with whom you connect on a deeper level. As a second or third-year student, it is also a great alternative to participating in the dreadful housing lottery!

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