Historic Culbertson Hall Renovation Complete for Fall 2024 Semester Start

After much anticipation, Moody Bible Institute is excited to announce the completion of the historic 54-year-old Culbertson Hall renovation project. The work that began in December 2023 on the downtown Chicago campus has been successfully moving forward for eight months and was officially completed on time and ready for the fall 2024 academic semester.

Culbertson Hall, or “Culby” as it is more affectionately referred to by staff and students, is named after Moody’s fifth president, Dr. Wiliam Culbertson. The historic residence hall underwent a series of significant upgrades during the spring ’24 semester and summer season to bring it from its midcentury appearance and construction into a modern residence hall for students to live, learn, thrive and build community.

“This long-awaited renovation is a significant step forward as we continue to re-imagine and create a modern, urban campus for our valued students,” said Dr. Mark Jobe, president of Moody Bible Institute. “We are grateful to God for his provision, as well as those who contributed to this vital project, especially our alumni. Our facilities team and the contractors have created an incredible space for the next generation of Moody students, and we are excited for them to move in this fall semester and continue their training.”

The 20-story building was first commissioned in 1970 and has traditionally served as an all-male residence hall. It has been home to more than 20,000 male students throughout the years. New with the renovation is the addition of housing for returning and incoming female students on the third floor of Culby (there will be no mixed-gender floors or living quarters).

Significant work for the renovation included replacement of all mechanical heating and cooling systems as well as the pipes and water system. All the finishes for residential floors including bathrooms, lounge spaces, paint, carpet, and lights were replaced. All this work was overseen by the General Contractor, Executive Construction Inc.

This in-depth, $38 million renovation project is part of the “home improvement” projects that have been made possible through Moody’s recent real estate transactions (the sale of 10 acres mostly located west of Wells Street across from Moody’s main campus) and the support of alumni donors. Because Moody owned these properties outright, without debt, the nearly $200 million in net sale proceeds have been reinvested in campus upgrades, such as the completed renovation of Culbertson Hall, upcoming replacement of Solheim Center, as well as long-term reserves and education endowments.

To view photos of the renovation project in process, visit Moody’s Facebook Page.