Cornell College renovated four residence halls in two phases over a period of 15 months. The historic buildings—Dows, Tarr, and Pauley-Rorem Halls, were constructed in the 1960s and range between 16,900 and 19,500 square feet each.

Student gathering spaces and resident rooms were renovated, with each floor having a different color scheme. Bathrooms were enlarged, and air conditioning was added to each building, in addition to new windows, flooring, and updated finishes. Entrances to the buildings were relocated to have a more central access to the spaces. New patios were added, and landscaping was improved to creating a more inviting space for the students and visitors.