Cloyne Court Hotel, Berkeley

The Cloyne Court Hotel, commonly known as Cloyne, is a historic gem nestled on the north side of the University of California, Berkeley campus on Ridge Road. This landmark, a testament to early 20th-century architecture and community, now operates as one of the houses within the Berkeley Student Cooperative (BSC), the largest student housing cooperative in North America.

Built in 1904 by the University Land and Improvement Company, Cloyne Court was designed by architect John Galen Howard. It was named after Cloyne, a village in Ireland where philosopher George Berkeley served as bishop. Originally a “high-class, modern apartment house,” the building featured 32 suites, each equipped with a private bath, and individual telephone wiring, and separated by fireproof walls. Its innovative layout eschewed common hallways for private stairways connecting suites to public spaces.

The Pierce family managed Cloyne until 1946 when it was sold to the University Students' Cooperative Association (now BSC). Initially an all-male residence hosting social events with nearby women's co-ops, it became coeducational in 1972. In 1970, ownership transferred to the Regents of the University of California under threat of eminent domain, and it now operates under a peppercorn lease renewed in 2005.

Today, Cloyne houses 140 UC Berkeley students (119 during summer), primarily undergraduates, and operates as a fully student-run and student-governed residence. Members contribute five hours of work per week, performing tasks like cooking, cleaning, and maintenance. Communal meals and weekly meetings foster a sense of community and shared responsibility.

Cloyne was designated a City of Berkeley Landmark in 1982 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1992. The building remains a vibrant part of Berkeley’s landscape, blending its storied past with a commitment to cooperative living and student empowerment.