For reasons unbeknownst to me, I have found that over the years people like to generalize Founder’s Hall as the freshman dorm “hospital” with its white, vacant spaces and its linoleum floors. Even more baffling is the fact that some say Founder’s Hall has nothing interesting nearby and lacks community. Well, I'm here to break stereotypes. I implore you to visit all the reasons why I love Founder's Hall.
1. The 10-15 minute dreaded walk to school
I know you’re wondering...why do I love the walk to school? In the simplest terms, it’s the fastest way to lose your freshman 15. Your parents aren’t here to control what you eat. Your dining hall serves not-authentic food. What can you do but opt for pizza and outside eateries? Walk! (And don’t worry, you’ll get used to it in no time.)
2. Union Square
3. Chipotle! Starbucks! Dunkin’ Donuts!
Wait, did I hear that correctly? We’re less than five minutes away from Chipotle, Starbucks, and Dunkin’ Donuts?! Yes, you did hear correctly. The nearest Chipotle, Starbucks, and Dunkin’ Donuts rests on 14th Street and above, only a few minutes' walk away from your awesome 12th street dormitory.
4. Palladium dining hall, gym, and brunch!
I don’t know if you know this, but Palladium is regarded as one of the super dorms. It essentially has everything one could ever need. And guess what? It's right next to us on 13th Street! Palladium’s fancy dining hall serves orders of pizza, giant salads, Indian food, sushi, a bubble tea and smoothie station, and much more! They also have a very renowned gym located in the basement floor if you’re dying to stay healthy or even shed some pounds. Oh, and don’t forget Palladium Brunch! Palladium dining hall switches over to brunch-style eatery on Sundays from early morning to mid-afternoon. Why spend $15 on brunch when you can come to Palladium with a meal plan? (Includes ham and salmon eggs benedict, milkshakes, fruit bar, chocolate fountain, paella, and traditional french toast, tater tots, eggs, and more!)
5. The quiet dorm
Unlike other dorms, Founder’s is the only FYRE dorm that is in a small street. It’s a one-way road so there aren’t as many fire trucks, police officers, or taxis passing by when you need to study.
6. The view
Founder’s has one of the best views facing uptown and downtown. I lived in 1802, meaning that I faced uptown (see photo). When I visited my friends facing downtown, if they lived high enough, they could see the entirety of lower Manhattan!
7. The rooms
OK, I know they’re like hospital rooms, but the rooms are big enough that you can fit an entire carpet in there and decorate it as if it were your little apartment. You can host parties (without alcohol!) and savor the view. (If it’s the lack of community that bothers you, what my roommates and I did was open up our doors and sit outside with some Insomnia Cookies and chatted. As people came back at the end of the day, they would sit and talk for awhile. My floor bonded really well, shout-out to floor 18 and RA Bailey!)
8. The study rooms on floors 2, 3, 4
Founder’s has giant study rooms for you to study in. They are available 24 hours around the clock, but only floor 2 is the designated “study room” which requires silence at all times. I avoided going to Bobst Library this way, and I don't regret it one bit.
9. Easy access to Union Square MTA lines
Located on 12th Street, Founder's Hall has easy access to the Union Square MTA lines on 14th Street (L, N, Q, R, W, 4, 5, 6) which reaches all throughout Manhattan. If you want to go to SoHo, Chinatown, Koreatown, this is where to start!
10. Two valued supermarkets, right by your door!
If you aren’t convinced by now why I and you should love Founder's Hall, you should know that everybody has late-night cravings. Well, have no fear! Just at the corner of 12th Street and 3rd Avenue lies Westside Market. They sell fresh fruit and just about every other organic and healthy craving you can find. On 14th Street resides the esteemed Whole Foods Market, which is big enough for you to get lost in.
11. Strand Bookstore
12. Movie theaters around the corner
I fancy the movie theater Regal Union Square Stadium 14 on 14th Street. They have large auditoriums that sometimes feature balconies to watch the latest movies. Should you not enjoy Regal Union Square, try the nearby AMC Village 7 on 3rd Avenue that's just been recently remodeled.
13. Webster Hall
If you’re like me and went to the unofficial Welcome Week parties, you’ll know what Webster Hall is like. Since it's so close in proximity to our dorm on 11th Street, it's a perfect time to unwind and let loose. Even better, we won't need NYU Public Safety to pick us up because we can walk a block to our dorm. (Webster Hall features many ballrooms available for college students and 18+ years of age alike to get together. Drinks aren’t available for those under 21, but you can still relish the atmosphere. Webster Hall currently hosts many famous DJs and artists.)
Sure, Hayden/Lipton Hall is nice with its new renovations, and Brittany Hall is nice for being a renovated hotel, but Founder’s has much more to offer than just its hospital rooms and its lack of community. And even though sometimes walking to school was tiring, I would be able to experience both the Washington Square Park location whilst at school and the Union Square Park area whilst back at the dorm. It was truly the best of both worlds.
