Weill Cornell Medicine celebrated the opening of the Feil Family and Weill Family Residence Hall with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on May 1, marking the completion of the institution’s new $260 million student residence.
Located at the northwest corner of 74th Street and York Avenue, the 16-story, 173,000-square-foot building will house 272 students when it opens in August. The modern facility offers studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom apartments, alongside spaces for studying, fitness, recreation, and social connection.
A major milestone for student life
“Today is about our students, who are going to be clinicians, scientists and educators,” said Dr. Robert A. Harrington, dean of Weill Cornell Medicine and provost for medical affairs at Cornell University. “This building will be the centerpiece of their education and personal development.”
Designed with student wellness in mind, the Feil Family and Weill Family Residence Hall features amenities including a fitness center, yoga and music rooms, study areas, a rooftop terrace, and outdoor garden spaces. The building also embraces eco-friendly design to support student well-being.
Major donors and campaign impact
The residence hall is a cornerstone project of the $1.5 billion We’re Changing Medicine campaign. Lead gifts from Jeffrey Feil and the Feil Family, and from Joan and Sanford I. Weill and the Weill Family Foundation, helped drive fundraising efforts. In total, nearly 80 donors and alumni contributed $122 million toward the project.
Board of Fellows Chair Jessica M. Bibliowicz called the residence “essential to the sustainability of health care and medicine,” while Jeffrey Feil emphasized the importance of providing a secure and supportive home for aspiring doctors and researchers.
Supporting students inside and outside the classroom
The new residence joins a series of initiatives aimed at enhancing the student experience at Weill Cornell Medicine. In 2019, the institution expanded its scholarship program to eliminate educational debt for eligible medical students. The opening of the Feil Family Student Center that same year further improved campus life by offering spaces for study, collaboration and informal gatherings.
“Today we celebrate our students and our commitment to education,” said Board of Fellows Chair Emeritus Sandy Weill. “This beautiful new residence, combined with our debt-free scholarship program and strong curriculum, ensures that students have the support they need to thrive.”
A foundation for future success
The design of the Feil Family and Weill Family Residence Hall was shaped by collaboration between students and the institution’s leadership, ensuring the building meets the academic and personal needs of the next generation of health care professionals.
“This residence provides more than just housing,” said Kenneth Johnson, a doctoral student at Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences. “It offers a place to belong—a space that nurtures academic excellence, personal well-being and meaningful community.”
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