Even as it faces partial demolition, Usen Castle continues to receive attention within the higher education industry. The website bestdegreeprograms.org, which guides users to find the right degrees for their career goals, named the Castle 25th on their list of “30 Amazing Landmarks at Small Colleges” in the U.S. in March.

The website’s article praises Usen Castle for its similarity to Windsor Castle in the U.K. and its stairways and halls that end in dead ends. It also points to Cholmondeley’s Coffee House as the likely inspiration for the Central Perk coffee house on “Friends.”

The Castle was featured ahead of the Duke University chapel and Ponce De Leon Hotel at Flagler College on the list, but it fell behind landmarks such as the Grey Towers Castle at Arcadia University and the Sunken Garden at the College of William and Mary. The top honor went to Vanderbilt University’s Vanderbilt Arboretum.

The University announced plans to partially demolish Usen Castle and build a new dormitory in its place on Jan. 25, but the Waltham Historical Commission stalled the process on March 14 in a meeting where they voted unanimously to delay the demolition by one year. University alumni have vocally opposed the planned demolition.

—Max Moran