Van Hise Hall in Madison, WI

Quick Highlights: Van Hise Hall

• Stunning panoramic views: Head to the top floors for breathtaking sights of Madison and the UW campus.
• Major academic hub: Home to world languages and international studies—expect a global atmosphere with plenty of student life.
• Easy to get lost: Maze-like hallways, intermittent construction, and quirky elevator stops can frustrate even savvy campus navigators.

About Van Hise Hall

Address: 1220 Linden Dr, Madison, WI 53706, USA
Website: wisc.edu

Towering above most of campus, Van Hise Hall is a concrete giant that dominates the west end of the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Only the Capitol itself stands taller in all of Madison. Originally built in 1967, this 19-story building is instantly recognizable for its modernist, utilitarian style and sheer height. Named after Charles R. Van Hise, a one-time university president, Van Hise Hall mostly houses language departments, administrative offices, and classrooms.

Layout & Accessibility

Van Hise is notorious for its labyrinthine corridors, unexpected dead ends, and frequent construction zones. If you're visiting, give yourself extra time to find your room—especially during your first trip. The elevator situation often confuses new arrivals; it only runs up to the 16th floor, but a few floors are inaccessible or skipped for safety. The fifth floor is especially infamous, as some elevators don’t stop there at all. Stairs become essential here, so be ready to climb a bit if your class isn't right where you expect.

The entrance is wheelchair accessible, and designated accessible parking is available nearby through campus services, but remember: this isn’t a building known for its simplicity. Ramps and lifts exist, but Van Hise can still present challenges, particularly on upper floors or during ongoing maintenance.

What You'll Find Inside

Inside, Van Hise is all business. Common areas are minimal, though you’ll occasionally find a few comfy chairs near faculty offices or in the first-floor lobby. Most of the traffic here is professors, grad students, and undergrads hustling to language or international studies classes.

• Academic departments: More than 20 language and international studies departments call Van Hise home, including Spanish, German, Scandinavian Studies, and many lesser-taught languages.
• Classrooms: Modern, though not fancy—expect functional desks, whiteboards, and plenty of natural light on higher floors.
• Faculty offices: If you’re meeting a professor or academic advisor, double-check the floor and wing—you’ll probably get turned around at least once!
• Restrooms: Located on every other floor, with at least one gender-neutral option available.

Vibe & Atmosphere

Van Hise has a reputation for being a bit on the “cold and institutional” side. Its brutalist architecture isn’t for everyone, but that lends it a quirky, offbeat campus energy. The building is almost always busy during the school year, especially between classes when the halls fill with rushing students carrying backpacks and conversations in multiple languages fill the air. Expect a mix of international students, language learners, and professors popping in and out of offices.

There’s a certain mystique about Van Hise—partly because of its history, partly because so many people have gotten unintentionally lost in it. It’s not a social or eating hangout (you’ll want to head to Union South or other nearby cafés for that), but you’ll hear plenty of campus stories about mistaken elevators, weird hallway layouts, and the sometimes endless hunt for your classroom.

The 14th Floor View

If there’s just one non-academic reason to stop by, make it the 14th floor. This high vantage point is famous around campus for the epic views it provides. On a clear day, you’ll see Lake Mendota sparkling to the north, the heart of Madison stretching towards the Capitol dome, and the university’s iconic buildings scattered below. It’s a quiet spot to snap Instagram-worthy photos, contemplate the enormity of the campus, or simply soak in the cityscape.

A word to the wise: the 14th floor might be locked or restricted to those with access passes, depending on the semester and activities inside. Still, if you can catch it open, it’s worth the elevator ride and a bit of stair climbing (since not all elevators serve every floor).

Key Features and Things to Note

• Not a hangout spot: No food services, study lounges, or cafés inside
• Restrooms: Found on alternate floors, reasonably clean but not the most modern
• Accessible entrance and parking: Wheelchair-friendly with accessible parking nearby
• No parking available: Don't plan to park right at the building
• Not dog-friendly: Animals not allowed except service animals
• Strong Wi-Fi: Plentiful for students and staff with campus credentials
• Historical design: Engineered by Roger Young (Frelich, Angus-Young), offering a genuine piece of UW architectural history

Visitor Experience & Drawbacks

While Van Hise Hall is an essential part of the academic heartbeat at UW–Madison, it’s not exactly a “destination” for casual visitors. Most people come here for classes, meetings, or office hours. The confusing layout (think dead ends, T-intersections, multi-floor wings that don’t align), quirks in elevator function, and frequent construction work all add to the challenge—so anyone with mobility issues or who’s easily frustrated by navigation hassles should be prepared.

On the plus side, staff and faculty tend to be exceptionally helpful, and you’ll often find bulletin boards packed with language learning events, lectures, and cultural activities. The energy is international, scholarly, and always a bit quirky.

Practical Tips & Recommendations

• Check your classroom location in advance: It’s easy to end up in the wrong wing or on the wrong floor. The UW-Madison website has detailed building floor plans if you want to map out your route ahead of time.
• Budget extra time: Especially during your first visit, as the building can be disorienting.
• Plan for walking: Be ready for stairs and long hallways, even if you plan to use the elevator.
• Bring snacks and water: There are no food options or vending machines inside, so plan accordingly.
• Don’t miss the view: If possible, swing by the 14th floor for a cityscape that’s tough to rival anywhere else on campus.

Final Words

Van Hise Hall isn’t glamorous, cozy, or particularly welcoming in a traditional sense. Still, it stands as a pillar of academia at UW–Madison—an iconic, slightly maddening, but memorable place to study, teach, and connect. Whether you’re here for a semester or just popping in, it’s a building that’s hard to forget and is worth exploring, if only for the view from above and a taste of classic campus history.