Downs
This new residence hall with four room options that include more private bedrooms, is for both upperclass and freshmen residents.
Sign your contract now. This executive summary describes its features, including its convenient location near buildings for upperclass students, including the Schools of Business, Law, Engineering, and Music. Nearby recreation buildings include Anschutz Sports Pavilion, Allen Fieldhouse, Hoglund Ballpark and Ambler Student Recreation Fitness Center. With the construction of the Central District, this building is located at the new center of the KU campus, easily accessible by walking and by convenient bus routes.
Drone view of Downs Residence Hall and South Commons Dining Center.
Where is this hall located?
The address is 1517 W. 18th Street (phone: 785-864-9050). Also at that location is the adjoining dining center, South Commons Dining.
What is here?
The hall has 545 men and women residents. Residents may choose one of four room designs. A renovated academic commons will be located in the existing Oliver Hall dining center. Additionally, it has a brand-new 22,000 square-foot dining center.
- All rooms are suites
- Private bedrooms are options for both 2-person and 4-person suites
- Free laundry rooms are located on each floor
- A recreation room is available
- The hall comes equipped with a full kitchen
Who was Cora Downs?
Downs was the first woman to earn a PhD at KU in 1924, and also received her undergraduate and master’s degrees from KU. She began as an instructor of bacteriology in 1917, then became a professor and served as a member of the faculty until her retirement in 1963. Dr. Downs was one of KU’s most outstanding scientists. During World War II, she led 40 scientists in a top secret biological warfare project. (Side note: Her grandmother, also named Cora Downs, was the first female member of the Kansas Board of Regents.) It has its own dining center.
What is Central District?
KU's Central District, approved by the Kansas Board of Regents in November 2015, was a building program in the center of campus. In addition to this new residence hall, the projects include a 700-bed student apartment building, new Stouffer Place, at 19th and Iowa streets, the new Burge Union, a parking garage, a utility plant and a 280,000-square-foot integrated science building.
When was the last new residence hall built at KU?
Self and Oswald halls were built in 2015.
- Self and Oswald Halls: new buildings opened in August 2015
- GSP Hall: renovated and reopened in August 2012
- Jayhawker Towers A, D: renovated and reopened in August 2009 and 2010
- Hashinger Hall: renovated and reopened in August 2006
- Ellsworth Hall: renovated and reopened in August 2004
- Lewis Hall: renovated and reopened in August 1999
- Templin Hall: renovated and reopened in August 1997
 X  2-PERSON WITH BATH, PRIVATE BEDROOMS |
 X  4-PERSON, 2-BATH SUITE, PRIVATE BEDROOM |
 X  4-PERSON, 2-BATH, SHARED BEDROOMS |
 X  4-PERSON, 2-BATH SUITE |
General room dimensions:
In the 4-person suites, bedrooms are about 7-7 ½’ x 11-11 ½’ and living rooms 13 ½ x 13 ½.
In the 4-person rooms (non-suites), bedrooms are approximately 11 ½ x 15 ½’.
In the private bedrooms (non-suites), bedrooms are approximately 7 ½ x 13 ½’.
This is a 4-person, 2-bath shared bedroom.
Downs beds are lofted and the dresser fits underneath
Downs Hall features four types of room layout
Bedrooms are furnished with bed, desk, dresser and chair for each resident
Pictured is a 4-person, 2-bath, shared bedroom layout
Friends gather in their spacious suite living room
The hall has large lobbies for studying and small study spaces
Laundry cost is included in your housing rate
Resident exits Downs Hall's South Commons Dining Center
Downs Hall entrance to South Commons Dining Center, Oliver and Downs Halls
Downs Hall north side and west entrance
Recreation area is located on the first floor
Students study together in study lounge
Study lounge with a view of Stouffer Place Apartments to the west
Spectacular view of the KU campus from the Downs study lounge
Bedroom
South Commons Dining Center
South Commons Dining Center
South Commons Dining Center
Big Jay welcomes students
Hall staff with a quick selfie before new residents arrive
Big Jay is supportive. Not entirely helpful, but supportive
Move in day is a family affair
The ribbon-cutting for the new South Commons Dining Center that serves Downs 
