Fromm Hall

Fromm Hall stands as a vibrant example of repurposing in San Francisco, blending modern education with a unique institutional history. Originally constructed in 1959, the building was first known as Xavier Hall and served as a residence for the Jesuit community at the University of San Francisco. It was named in honor of Saint Francis Xavier, one of the founders of the Jesuit order. In 2003, the building underwent a significant transformation following a ten million dollar capital campaign. It was renamed Fromm Hall to recognize Alfred and Hanna Fromm, two influential philanthropists and refugees from Germany who became pillars of the university community. Today, the building serves a variety of purposes, housing the Fromm Institute for Lifelong Learning, the X-Arts visual arts center, and a residence hall. This mix of occupants makes it an intergenerational hub where retired adults pursuing noncredit college courses often share the same campus space as undergraduate students.