South Hall: A Living Piece of Berkeley History

Visit South Hall, UC Berkeley's oldest building, a beautiful example of Second Empire architecture and home to the School of Information.

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South Hall, built in 1873, is the oldest building on the UC Berkeley campus and the sole survivor of the university's original six buildings. Designed in the Second Empire style, it's home to the School of Information and a reminder of Berkeley's rich academic past.

A brief summary to South Hall

Berkeley, California, 94704, US
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Local tips

Take a stroll around the building to admire the Second Empire architectural details, including the mansard roof and iron cresting.
Find the small stone bear on the balcony railing above the entrance; it's rumored to be the smallest bear statue on campus.
Check out the cast iron panels on the north and south facades depicting California's native fruits and grains.

Getting There

Walking

South Hall is centrally located on the UC Berkeley campus, southwest of Sather Tower (the Campanile). From Sproul Plaza, walk northeast towards the Campanile, then continue past it, heading towards the Doe Library. South Hall will be on your right, just past the library.
Public Transport

The Downtown Berkeley BART station is the closest public transport hub. From the station, walk east on Center Street towards the campus. Continue onto Crescent Lawn, then take a slight right onto Grinnell Pathway. Turn left onto Campanile Way, take the stairs, and turn left onto South Hall Road. South Hall will be on your right. AC Transit buses also serve the campus; check the AC Transit website for specific routes and stops.
Parking

There is no public parking on the central UC Berkeley campus during normal business hours. Several public parking garages are located near the campus, including the Lower Sproul Garage, Lower Hearst Garage, RSF Garage, Underhill Garage and Telegraph-Channing Garage. Hourly rates typically range from $3-5. Street parking may also be available around the campus. Check posted signs for restrictions and time limits.

Discover more about South Hall

South Hall stands as a proud monument to the University of California, Berkeley's earliest days. Completed in 1873, it is the oldest building on campus and the only remaining structure from the original six-building university nucleus. Designed by Scottish architect David Farquharson in the Second Empire style, South Hall showcases a distinctive European architectural flair rare on the West Coast. The building's architecture features a mansard roof, dormer windows, and ornamental iron cresting. Look closely at the north and south facades to see cast iron panels depicting California's native fruits and grains, a nod to South Hall's original role as home to the College of Agriculture. The building has housed various departments throughout its history, including the first physics laboratory in the United States, the Business School, and the Departments of Economics, Political Science, and Sociology. Today, it houses the School of Information. South Hall is located in the heart of the UC Berkeley campus, near Doe Library and Sather Tower (the Campanile). Visitors can admire the building's exterior details, including the small stone bear on the balcony railing above the entrance, rumored to be the smallest bear statue on campus. While the interior is primarily for academic use, the building's historical significance and architectural charm make it a must-see landmark on any campus tour.