[2] President John Francis O'Hara decided to build three new residence halls to remedy this problem: Cavanaugh in 1936, Zahm in 1937, and Breen-Phillips in 1939.

[2][1][5] Groundbreaking took place on March 27, construction started May 5, and the cornerstone was laid May 5, 1939 and blessed by president O'Hara and superior general James A Burns.

[6][7][8][3] It was built in collegiate Gothic style (although less elaborate and ornate than Alumni and Dillon) by Boston-based architects Maginnis and Walsh, who worked on several other projects at Notre Dame.

[15] He was also director of the Notre Dame Board of Trustees, president of the Alumni Association in 1908–1909, and benefactor of the Breen Medal for oratory.

[23] In 1963, the residents of the second floor of Breen-Phillips embarked in an in-hall marathon, and for 2 days straight walked up and down their hall while tiddlywinking for a total distance of 50 miles.

[27][28] Renovations for the transition to a woman's dorm included increased storage facilities and more washing and drying equipment.

[29][30][31] The addition of BP as a women's dorm, together with Farley Hall, was a major step towards coeducation, increasing the female population from 360 to 775.

[34] The current rector is Angie Hollar, a Mishawaka native who earned a bachelor's degree in Social Work from Saint Mary's College in 2011 and then entered the Advanced Standing Master of Social Work program at the University of Pennsylvania, followed by a Master of Divinity degree at the Jesuit School of Theology at Santa Clara University.