Honestly, if you’ve ever driven down 10th Street in Bloomington, you can’t miss it. It’s this massive, 14-story monolith that looks a bit like a Soviet-era apartment block or maybe a high-end hotel from the 70s, depending on how much coffee you’ve had. It's Indiana University Bloomington Eigenmann, and for decades, it’s been the center of more campus myths than almost any other building on the IU footprint.
Some people call it "Eigy." Back in the day, when it was a strictly quiet, international, and graduate-heavy zone, students nicknamed it "Eigetraz" because of the strict rules. But walk inside today and you'll find a vibe that is way different from the legends. It’s not just a place where serious PhD students go to hide from the sun anymore. It’s a weirdly charming, slightly chaotic, and surprisingly spacious home for a massive mix of undergrads and graduate students alike.
The Evolution of Indiana University Bloomington Eigenmann
So, how did we get here? Eigenmann Hall was built in 1968 and officially dedicated in 1970. It was named after Carl Eigenmann, a pretty famous ichthyologist—that's a fish scientist for the rest of us—who was the first dean of the IU Graduate School. For a long time, this was the "grown-up" dorm. If you weren't 21 or an international student, you basically weren't getting a key.
That changed in 1998. IU started admitting more students than they had beds for, which is a classic university move, right? They opened the first few floors to freshmen, and the "Melting Pot of Bloomington" era really took off. It used to be the only dorm open year-round because so many international students lived there and couldn't just fly home for Thanksgiving. At one point, people from over 100 countries lived under this one roof.
What It's Actually Like Living There
If you get assigned to Eigenmann, the first thing people are going to tell you is that the location is "the worst." Is it on the edge of campus? Yeah, kinda. It’s at 1900 E. 10th Street. If your classes are all the way over by the Sample Gates or the Optometry school, you’re looking at a 20-to-25-minute hike.
But here’s the secret: the 9 Bus. It stops right outside. It’s basically a lifeline. Plus, you’re right across from the Village Pantry (the "VP" to locals), a Subway, and Pizza X. Late-night breadsticks are a major perk of living on the east side.
The rooms are where Eigy actually wins. Because it was designed for older students, the rooms aren't those tiny "shoebox" doubles you find in Wright or Teter.
- Standard Singles: Most people crave these. They’re cozy, private, and perfect for introverts.
- Renovated Doubles: These are basically two old singles merged into one. They are huge. You get a half-wall for privacy, which is a total game-changer if your roommate snores or stays up late.
- The Views: Since it’s the tallest building in Bloomington, if you’re on the 10th floor or higher, the sunsets are incredible. You can see the whole campus and a good chunk of the town.
The Perks and the Quirks
Living in a 14-story building comes with some baggage. Let’s talk about the elevators. There are four of them, and they are surprisingly fast, but they have a mind of their own. During "rush hour"—right before those 9:30 AM classes—waiting for a lift can feel like an eternity. And if someone pulls the fire alarm (which happens more than it should), walking down 12 flights of stairs at 2 AM in your pajamas is a rite of passage you didn't ask for.
But then you have the stuff other dorms don't have. There’s a library inside. Not a huge one, but it’s a quiet place to grind through a paper. There’s a computer lab with printers, music practice rooms, and even the IU Outdoor Adventures shop is based right there.
Then there's the food. You don’t have a traditional "all-you-can-eat" dining hall inside Eigy, but you do have The Globe. They host rotating local restaurants, so you might get Filipino food one day and Hawaiian BBQ the next. It’s way better than standard cafeteria mystery meat.
Dealing with the "Eigy" Reputation
Is it "Eigetraz" still? Not really. It’s much louder than it used to be now that underclassmen have taken over more floors. But it still feels a bit more "focused" than somewhere like Northwest.
One thing to watch out for is the temperature. It was the first air-conditioned dorm at IU, but because the building is old and tall, the heat rises. If you’re on the 12th floor in February, you might actually need to crack a window because it gets so toasty. Speaking of windows, many of them don't open anymore—a relic of the campus-wide "moldy dorm" scare from a few years back. The university is super on top of testing now, but bringing a good air purifier is just smart living anyway.
Actionable Tips for New Residents
If you're moving into Indiana University Bloomington Eigenmann, don't just wing it. Here is how to actually survive and thrive:
- Get a bike. Seriously. The walk to the IMU or the Wells Library is long. A bike turns a 15-minute slog into a 5-minute breeze. Just buy a high-quality U-lock because bike theft is a real thing in Bloomington.
- Laundry strategy. The laundry rooms are on the upper floors (like floor 12). Don't try to do your wash on Sunday night. Use the "Crimson Card" app to pay because it’s cheaper than using quarters, and you can sometimes check if machines are open.
- Explore the 10th Floor. It used to be a language immersion floor. You’ll still see remnants of that culture, and it’s often one of the best spots for quiet study.
- The Water Secret. Residents swear the water filters on the 12th floor are the best in the building. If you're picky about your Brita, take the elevator up and fill your jugs there.
- Use the Detours. When you're driving, 10th Street is a nightmare during class changes. Learn how to use Law Lane to cut around the traffic. It'll save you ten minutes of staring at the back of a campus bus.
Eigenmann is a bit of a contradiction. It’s old but air-conditioned. It’s far away but has the best bus access. It’s a "grad dorm" that’s full of freshmen. But for most people who live there, the extra square footage and the insane views make it one of the best "accidental" assignments you can get at IU.
To make the most of your time at Eigenmann, your first move should be downloading the DoubleMap app. It tracks the IU buses in real-time. Since you're on the edge of the campus loop, knowing exactly when the 9 or the 6 bus is hitting your stop is the difference between making your mid-term and standing in the rain on 10th Street. Grab a sturdy laundry bag with backpack straps—you'll thank me when you're trekking up to the 12th floor—and embrace the "Eigy" life. It's an IU experience unlike any other.