International House
CASE STUDY
International House Harrisburg has expanded from one building with just 14 beds to three buildings with over 165 beds through three phases in 10 years.
PHASE I
2002
318 & 320 CHESTNUT STREET
The original Ihouse building, 318/320 Chestnut Street, opened in 2002, housed a small group of students and boasted each resident’s home country’s flag on the building facade. The property underwent upgrades and renovations in 2017, made possible by a grant from the Kunkel Foundation. As such, 318 Chestnut Street is now named “The John Crain Kunkel Center” at International House Harrisburg. Students gather in the Hardwood Lounge for community events or the Friendship Lounge to watch movies or study.
PHASE II
2005
3RD & CHESTNUT STREETS
In 2005, International House grew substantially by a project that restored five row buildings and a vacant lot on Third and Chestnut Streets. This project, called “International Place,” added 34 units, 54 beds, first floor restaurant and retail, including Bricco, Ciao Bakery and Olewine’s Meat and Cheese, all of which were partnerships with Harrisburg Area Community College.
PHASE III
2011
312 & 314 CHESTNUT STREET
The third phase of the Ihouse expansion renovated 312/314 Chestnut Street into 14 additional apartment units, and utilized funding from the Commonwealth of PA, DCED and multiple local family foundations. These units house four and six students each for a total occupancy of 70, including common kitchen, two restrooms, and fully furnished arrangements.
International House Harrisburg strives to be a hub of multicultural conversation and global relationships, broadening perspectives in our own Harrisburg community.
The latest phase of Ihouse includes two common spaces. The Legacy Lounge in partnership with Hershey Entertainment and Resorts, and the Kunkel Lounge, made possible by the John Crain Kunkel Foundation.
We have housed nearly 5,000 students from 113 different countries around the globe, right in downtown Harrisburg. We have truly brought the world to our corner of the city! We’ve partnered with the Commonwealth of PA and many other local companies to house their interns, in addition to a myriad of colleges and universities in the capital region to lodge their students.
International House apartments are fully furnished, complete with linens and cookware, television and internet. Residents have access to common areas and lounges, larger kitchens to cook together and share food, and computer labs for their studies. The project is part of International Houses Worldwide, a global network of 17 International House student residences united by a mission of “mutual respect, understanding and global friendship.” International House Harrisburg actively pursues this mission by hosting regular events in our common spaces, encouraging our students to socialize, as well as allowing the community to experience other cultures.
