New Chicago Event Center Set to Host DePaul Basketball Games

CHICAGO — Pelli Clark Pelli Architects, headquartered in New Haven, Conn., has recently been chosen to design the new McCormick Place Event Center (MPEC), which will host DePaul University’s men’s and women’s basketball games.

The $7.2 million design features a sweeping curved roof above transparent glass walls. The interior is designed in a bowl-like shape with surrounding seats located above the court. DePaul’s Blue Demons are to start playing in the 10,000-seat event center at the start of the 2016 basketball season.

The design team is familiar with modernizing and expanding the university, as they recently completed the state-of-the-art DePaul Theatre School, which opened in September.

“We are delighted that Pelli Clarke Pelli has been selected to design the city’s new event center,” said Dennis Holtschneider, president of DePaul, in a statement. “Pelli architects were terrific about addressing faculty input into the final design of DePaul’s Theatre School and in projecting an accurate budget. I am confident Pelli Clarke Pelli will design an equally special event center that will make the South Loop proud.”
A nine-member panel chose the architectural firm with representatives from the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority (MPEA), the city of Chicago and DePaul University serving on the specialized committee. Though the Blue Demons will be the primary tenants of the event center, MPEC will also host 25 to 30 annual events.
According to the university, the new center is expected to generate new jobs, attract tourism and bring economic growth to the planned McCormick Place entertainment district.
“The drawings for the events center are tremendous and this facility will be one of the premiere basketball facilities in the country,” said Doug Bruno, the women’s basketball head coach, in a statement. “We look forward to not only being ranked in the top 25 on the court, but also bringing our up tempo brand of basketball to the South Loop.”
The university recently partnered with FOX Sports, which will televise every Big East conference game. Not only will the new center reinvigorate the school’s support of basketball, but it will also be broadcast nationwide to demonstrate the university’s longstanding commitment to the sport.
“DePaul basketball has been synonymous with the city of Chicago since the 1970s and the historic years of Ray Meyer,” said Jean Lenti Ponsetto, DePaul athletic director, in a statement. “Fast forward to 2013 and we’re very excited about renewing our winning tradition in men’s basketball and continuing our winning ways in women’s basketball. This stately and elegantly designed facility by Pelli Clarke Pelli will showcase not only the Blue Demons but also the rich tradition of BIG EAST basketball.”