$215 Million Research Center at U. of Chicago Underway

CHICAGO — Construction is under way at the University of Chicago for a $215 million research center to replace the existing facility.

 

The university recently selected engineering firm Thornton Tomasetti as the structural engineer of record for the new William Eckhardt Research Center, a 265,000-square-foot project located at the existing site.

 

Demolition will begin on the existing Research Institutes Building, Low Temp Building, and the Astronomy and Astrophysics Center at the end of the year.

 

The project consists of five stories above grade, with an enclosed mechanical space on the sixth floor, and two stories below grade, according to a statement from the engineering firm.

 

The project is a cast-in-place concrete structure that will feature laboratories, offices, and conference rooms. 

 

The facility will also be home to the new Institute of Molecular Engineering, with a 9,200-square-foot clean room and an imaging suite below grade. 

 

A Level 2 bridge will provide a link between the center and the adjacent Accelerator Building.   

 

Officials expect the building to be ready for occupancy in the winter of 2015.

 

Project Team:

Thornton Tomasetti

Principal: Carol Post

Project Manager: Helen Torres

Project Engineer: Lauren DiPalma of the Chicago office

 

Project Manager: John Ekholm

PM Assist: Paul Billingsley, Joyce Griffin

Architect/Engineer: HOK with James Carpenter Design Associates

Construction Manager: W.E. O’Neil