 At the time of the purchase, the University stated that the building would most likely be renovated to serve as a conference center, possibly in conjunction with the Boston University School of Management that was going to be built next door.After the purchase, BU leased the building to Howard Johnson Co. BU rented out for its students at the hotel when there was a shortage of student housing.On February 5, 1994, about 200 people were evacuated from the hotel after a fire broke out on the top floor of the building.