Abbot Hall, with its columnned portico and now-nonfunctioning rooftop observatory, is the most distinctive looking of the three buildings that occupy Abbot Circle on School Street, just down the hill from the center of campus. Together, these three buildings formed the heart of Abbot Academy, an all-girls school that merged with the all-boys Phillips Academy in 1973. Built in 1829 and originally named The Academy Building, Abbot Hall has served multiple purposes over its history and was even relocated in the late 19th century. Today, it is the home of the PA communications office, the Brace Center for Gender Studies, and the Addison Gallery's Artist Apartment & Studio Space. The large School Room, located on the third floor, serves as a venue for all sorts of meetings and events.