House Plans played a major role in the social life of students from the municipal colleges. They were the alternative to the sororities and fraternities of private colleges and universities. By 1936 the House Plan Association was already established at the City College of Business and Civic Administration, and in 1943 they received a generous gift of $16,500 ( $250,000 today) from the Sadie and Arthur Lamport Foundation to open a student center at 25 East 22nd Street. Mr. Lamport was a 1902 graduate of the college who went on to head the banking firm of A.M. Lamport & Co. A 1943 New York Times article reported that the building was to have a lounge, meeting rooms, dining rooms and a kitchen, in addition to a separate faculty lounge and a caretakers apartment.

The House Plans were supported by the Lamport Leaders Society. The Lamport House hosted parties, dances and other social events in addition to their annual Freshman Reception, Turkey Trot, Mardi Gras and Cabaret Night. The building at 25 East 22nd Street served for over 20 years as a social center for students at the college.