As part of his focus on expanding Illinois’ innovation economy, Governor JB Pritzker and the University of Illinois System’s Discovery Partners Institute have unveiled the design for the new headquarters in The 78, home to a vibrant new innovation district along the Chicago River. Located on a one-acre site southwest of the Loop, the new building will provide more than 200,000 square feet of office, classroom, lab, and event space for DPI and its university and industry partners.The State of Illinois has provided USD 500 million in capital funding to launch DPI and establish its Innovation Network at regional universities throughout the state. DPI is part of the University of Illinois System. Architecture firms OMA, under the direction of partner Shohei Shigematsu, and Jacobs are leading the design. The Illinois Capital Development Board oversees design and construction.The project is expected to break ground in 2024, becoming the first building to begin construction in The 78 Innovation District. It will mark the beginning of a transformation that will connect the South Loop and Chinatown, filling a 62-acre void that has long separated them.The base of the eight-story building will be populated with space that will be shared with the public—a café, auditorium, and multipurpose exhibition space/classrooms. The building’s main entry will be located at 15th Street and Wells-Wentworth. A Richard Hunt sculpture will anchor the site landscape.The DPI design team is Jacobs and OMA New York, led by Partner Shohei Shigematsu and Associates Christy Cheng and Jake Forster.
As part of his focus on expanding Illinois’ innovation economy, Governor JB Pritzker and the University of Illinois System’s Discovery Partners Institute have unveiled the design for the new headquarters in The 78, home to a vibrant new innovation district along the Chicago River. Located on a one-acre site southwest of the Loop, the new building will provide more than 200,000 square feet of office, classroom, lab, and event space for DPI and its university and industry partners.The State of Illinois has provided USD 500 million in capital funding to launch DPI and establish its Innovation Network at regional universities throughout the state. DPI is part of the University of Illinois System. Architecture firms OMA, under the direction of partner Shohei Shigematsu, and Jacobs are leading the design. The Illinois Capital Development Board oversees design and construction.The project is expected to break ground in 2024, becoming the first building to begin construction in The 78 Innovation District. It will mark the beginning of a transformation that will connect the South Loop and Chinatown, filling a 62-acre void that has long separated them.The base of the eight-story building will be populated with space that will be shared with the public—a café, auditorium, and multipurpose exhibition space/classrooms. The building’s main entry will be located at 15th Street and Wells-Wentworth. A Richard Hunt sculpture will anchor the site landscape.The DPI design team is Jacobs and OMA New York, led by Partner Shohei Shigematsu and Associates Christy Cheng and Jake Forster.
