Construction update October 2024: Concrete is complete at the Obama Presidential Center
- Building the Center
- Chicago
- Construction blog
We’re excited to share that the concrete construction of the buildings at the Obama Presidential Center is now complete, marking a major milestone in our progress. Crews have shifted focus to the exterior finishes, installing granite and windows being installed throughout the site. The Museum Building, which stands 225 feet tall, now has granite covering about one-third of its exterior on all four sides. Meanwhile, both the Forum and Library buildings are seeing continued progress with granite and glass installations.
At the top of the Museum Building, in the Sky Room, steel framing for the unique cone-shaped ceiling is almost finished. This space will offer visitors a peaceful spot to reflect, with breathtaking views of Chicago’s South and West Sides. Inside the Museum Exhibit Gallery, walls and ceilings are in place, and the framing for the full-scale replica of President Obama’s Oval Office is nearly complete.
In the Forum Building, crews are working on framing the walls for the restaurant. Concrete floor slabs are also being poured in the lower-level lobby and corridor. At the newest branch of the Chicago Public Library, work continues on overhead systems such as mechanical, electrical, and plumbing. The walls for the adjacent Reading Garden, which will house Richard Hunt’s "Bird Book" sculpture, are now complete.
On the east side of the campus, the geofoam and gravel base for the sloping design is being laid, hinting at the future contours of the Great Lawn and surrounding greenspaces. At the south end of the site, progress is being made on the Home Court at the Obama Presidential Center. The concrete foundation walls and south elevator core have been poured, and the structural steel frame is starting to come together. Crews have also completed the concrete floor slab, and underground utility work is underway. This space will be home to a state-of-the-art gymnasium and wellness studios, hosting various programs and events for the community.
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