Heritage Halls
Built in 1953 & 2017
Heritage Halls: Where We Began (1953)
Heritage Halls began in the 1950s as a groundbreaking housing experiment at BYU. With aging dorms and growing student needs, President Ernest Wilkinson announced the construction of apartment-style housing for single women. Designed to mimic real home living, each unit included a kitchen, living room, and three bedrooms. Though originally tied to class credit through the College of Family Living, the “lab for living” idea never fully materialized. Still, the concept, championed by Dr. Virginia Cutler, drew national attention for its innovation in teaching life skills through student housing.
The first 16 buildings opened in 1953 and were named after influential Latter-day Saint women like Eliza R. Snow and Mary Fielding Smith. Students loved the independence the apartments offered, and the complex quickly grew, with eight more buildings added by 1956. In 1982, male students were welcomed, and a central building was added to support services like apartment management and household consulting. Heritage Halls became more than housing; it was a place where students learned to live independently and build community.
By 2011, the original buildings were outdated and were gradually replaced. The new Heritage Halls, completed in 2017, includes 12 larger buildings and the Morris Center, now housing over 2,700 students. Though the new buildings are numbered rather than named, Heritage Halls remains a beloved and iconic part of BYU life, offering students a unique blend of independence, community, and home.
Heritage Halls: Where We Are Now
Heritage Halls has come a long way since it first opened its doors in 1953. What began as a bold experiment in student living has been entirely reimagined. The original buildings, once a fixture of early campus life, have been torn down, replaced by redbrick, L-shaped buildings that blend East Coast classic architecture with modern amenities. These new structures now frame leafy courtyards filled with young trees, green lawns, and winding walkways, an inviting space where students can study, socialize, or just breathe.
Located on the east side of campus near the Creamery on Ninth, the updated Heritage Halls complex now consists of 16 buildings. Inside, everything is fresh and thoughtfully designed, from the cherry-stained cabinets to the state-of-the-art fixtures. The apartments are styled for independence and community, featuring mostly three-bedroom layouts, with a few two-bedroom options. Each room is shared by two guests and comes fully furnished with beds, desks, and closets, ready for students to make their own.
Students living in Heritage Halls are expected to uphold BYU’s Honor Code, reflecting the university’s heritage of faith, integrity, and strength. Brigham Young University is currently ranked among the top 20 universities in the nation (2023).
Though rebuilt from the ground up and no longer bearing the names of influential Latter-day Saint women, Heritage Halls still serves as a home away from home for students. Today, it hosts everything from buzzing summer camps and For the Strength of Youth sessions to daytime undergraduates settling into their first apartments. More than just housing, it remains a center of connection, honor, and lasting friendship.