The New School Free Press is profiling each dorm the school has to offer. We’re starting with Stuy — let us know which one you’d like to see next.

What is it like living on-campus at The New School? Most first-year students live in one of three residence halls: Kerrey Hall, Loeb Hall, or the Stuyvesant Park Residence. Since the university standardized housing costs across all residences, prospective students may wonder where they’ll get the most bang for their buck. 

Irene Mok, a first-year Strategic Design and Management student at Parsons School of Design, currently resides in the university’s Stuyvesant Park Residence in Gramercy. “I love Stuy. I feel like this building has the most community,” she said. This year, she is one of around 635 students living in the building.

Colloquially known to students at The New School as “Stuy,” the 12-story residence hall houses its hundreds of residents across 138 suites. After its 2023 renovation, Stuy reopened its doors with upgraded amenities and redesigned living areas after years of student concerns, including murky water, rodent infestation, and mold. 

Today, Stuy is known among students for its lively social scene and large population. Its relative distance from most campus facilities gives it a particular independence. 

At other residence halls, it’s rare to see a large crowd hanging out front. At Stuy, the front stoop is a go-to hangout spot. “Outside, everyone’s always lingering,” Mok said. “I love going outside or just coming home from class and … seeing a bunch of people that I know.” Mok said it’s easy to get involved in group activities or parties when everybody’s mingling.

Inside Stuy’s Suites

Based on preference and availability, students who wish to live on-campus at The New School are matched with roommates in single, double, or triple dorm rooms. At Stuy, two to three of these rooms are connected by a common area, forming a suite. 

Each common area includes one bathroom — two for some higher-capacity suites — and a kitchen with ample cabinetry, a two-burner stovetop, a single-door fridge, and a sink. Most suites have dining tables, and some even boast balcony access on floors one through nine. 

“I love that I have a kitchen. I love that I have my own bathroom,” Mok said. “I like that it’s just like an apartment.” Mok’s suite consists of two double rooms and a modestly sized common area.

Stuy’s Amenities

Prospective residents should note that while The New School’s webpage lists them, the residence hall does not include a spray paint room or reading room. At the time of publication, representatives for The New School were unable to confirm if these spaces were removed or repurposed after the building’s 2023 renovation.

Laundry Room

Located across from the elevators on the basement level, Stuy’s laundry room has 14 washing machines and 15 dryers. Residents can use the machines free of charge.

Practice and Art Rooms

Residents can use one of several practice rooms on the basement level, each equipped with a piano.

Additionally, Stuy has two large study rooms and one art room on its basement level for collaborative or independent group study. Residents studying at Parsons may find themselves taking advantage of Stuy’s art room. Situated on the basement level, the art room is great for projects that take up a lot of space or may create a mess.

Basement Lounge

Stuy’s large basement lounge is a popular destination for its residents. When resident assistants aren’t using this space to host building events, you’ll find regulars lounging on the couches or crowding the pool table for a game.

Mailroom

The university assigns each resident at Stuy a mailbox to receive letters. Next to the mailboxes, students can pick up packages from the mailroom from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays, and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays.

Fitness Room

The fitness room at Stuy is located with the other amenities on the basement level. Its modest profile is great for casual exercisers. It is equipped with free weights, treadmills, ellipticals, benches, and medicine balls.

Courtyard

An oft-neglected feature of the residence hall is its back garden. The courtyard — open strictly from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. — has deteriorated slightly due to disuse. The front stoop is much more popular with residents.

Front Entrance

During most hours of the day, you’ll find at least a few residents of Stuy mingling out front. Along the steps and ramp leading to the building’s front door, students sit and socialize both during the day and night. This contributes to Stuy’s heavily social atmosphere, making it a great place if you’re looking for nearby nightlife.

Nearby Hotspots

Because Stuy is the furthest residence hall from most campus buildings — around a 15 to 20 minute walk from the University Center — it isn’t very convenient for residents. Those who rely on the on-campus dining struggle especially. But its location also gives residents a particular independence from the rest of the university. Just one block from the diverse storefronts of 14th Street, a few blocks from the culturally vibrant streets of Alphabet City, and steps away from the L train, Stuy boasts proximity to the most bustling parts of the East Village and easy access to Brooklyn.

In its immediate vicinity, residents frequent several budget-friendly hotspots.

Stuytown Marketplace

Students enrolled in a meal plan can use their Dining Dollars Plus at Stuytown Marketplace just down the street from Stuy. If you’re looking for a quick snack, a deli sandwich, or a handy roll of paper towels, Stuytown Marketplace has you covered.

99¢ Pizza at 14th Street

It’s difficult to find a time when this dollar pizza joint is closed. 99¢ Pizza on 14th Street is frequented by Stuy residents almost around the clock.

Stuyvesant Square Park

The residence hall’s namesake, Stuyvesant Square Park, is just across the street from the building. The garden is a fantastic choice for a peaceful reading spot or afternoon walk.

Transportation

Because of its more distant location, Stuy residents may find themselves relying more heavily on public transportation than other students living on-campus. 

If you’re running late to a class, one great option is the M14 Select bus. It stops a single block away from Stuy at the corner of East 14th Street and 2nd Avenue. Much of the M14 runs along 14th Street, and it stops handily across from the University Center on 5th Avenue. 

East of the M14 stop, subway access is conveniently located at the intersection of 1st Avenue and 14th Street. This station is served by the L train, which runs between 8th Avenue in Manhattan and Canarsie in Brooklyn. 

If you’re looking to live in a denser, lively residence hall with a strong identity — and don’t mind walking a bit to campus, Stuy may be a great first choice.