A seven-story masonry building from the turn of the century, the Richardson Building was last renovated in 1988 for the City of Chicago Departments of Revenue and Housing. The project program called for renovation and rehabilitation of the exterior facades and arcade along Congress Parkway; complete demolition of the 1988 interior build-out; and new interior construction to accommodate retail establishments, community space, sleeping rooms for the hostellers, and dormitory space for Columbia College students. DLK completed the initial feasibility study for Hostelling International, then was commissioned to finish the design process.