蜜桃社

Eliot Circular

Prexy Gets Facelift

Photo by Tom Humphrey

By Anna Mann

One of Reed’s most beloved and enduring buildings is now the proud home of and . Remodeled over summer 2014 and fitted with fabrics and furnishings selected by interior designer Kathia Emery ’67, Prexy opened its doors to students and alumni in August and received a score of visitors during Leadership Summit in September.

“If the first few months is any indication, this renovation is something the community will benefit from for a long time,” says Mike Teskey, director of alumni & parent relations. “The interior is lovely and functional—it really works for a variety of events.” 

Designed by A.E. Doyle, Prexy was completed in 1915 to serve as the college president’s home (whence its name). But in 1948, President E.B. MacNaughton [1948–52] decided to maintain his own home in Portland, and Prexy was remodeled to be a men’s dormitory. In 1958, the building was declared unsafe as a residence and was nearly demolished. Instead, it was refurbished for day use, for Reed’s music program, in which capacity it served nobly until 2013, when the Performing Arts Building opened.