In December 1965, Herman Gundlach, Inc. of Houghton, Michigan was awarded the contract for the construction of a new dormitory and food service center on the campus of Michigan Technological University in Houghton. Construction of a $1.6 million co-ed dormitory and food service center began and was to be undertaken in two separate phases. Phase I of the dormitory, on the west end, was to hold 300 students, two per room, and provide food service for 600 students. The first phase of the residence hall stands three stories and includes study rooms, staff offices, a staff conference room, and a lounge area. The food service area is two stories and contains a reception area, storage and equipment areas, staff rooms and offices on the first floor. The second floor is where the kitchen facilities and dining hall are located. Construction of Phase II of the residence hall began in June 1967. Phase II, on the east, was a unit to house 300 students in a six-story high-rise building adjacent and connected to Phase I. The building was officially completed in November 1968. In 1993, Coed Hall, as it was known, was renamed in honor of Frederick Walter McNair, the second president of the university when it was known as the Michigan College of Mines.