Whipple

Whipple Fire House, a historic Cedar Rapids building, now houses 30 Kohawks.

Whipple Fire House houses 30 students and blends local history with modern college living. This converted former fire station provides an environment where residents can quickly build strong connections.

Originally constructed in 1925 in the Tudor Revival style, the building was transformed into student housing in 2014, maintaining much of its historic character. Residents enjoy a close-knit community atmosphere and the convenience of shared restrooms located throughout the building, providing a classic residential hall experience.

The center of the hall is designed for interaction, featuring a full shared kitchen and communal dining area. Additionally, on-site shared laundry facilities are available to residents.

Renamed the Whipple Fire Station in honor of a devoted college and fire department trustee, the structure maintains a powerful connection to local history. It was the oldest fire house still in use in the city until its conversion. The structure was designed by Charles Zalesky, who also designed the 1927 Art Deco police station (now the Linn County Sheriff’s Office). If you look at the architecture, you can still observe the addition on the back built to increase the station's space.