Chicago's DePaul University has secured demolition permits for the first two of five buildings, paving the way for a $42.4 million practice facility designed by HNTB and Antunovich Associates. The project will replace aging structures on the university's Lincoln Park campus and mark a major upgrade to its basketball program.
Design and sustainability
The new complex will rise at the northwest corner of West Belden Avenue and North Sheffield Avenue, where a brick façade mirrors the surrounding neighborhood while floor‑to‑ceiling glass provides transparent views of the campus. Architects have emphasized energy efficiency, targeting a more than 10 percent reduction in consumption through bird‑friendly glass, rooftop solar panels and other green amenities.
Inside, the ground floor will house locker rooms, strength‑and‑conditioning spaces, nutrition areas, meeting rooms, sports‑medicine and therapy suites, serving all of the university’s athletic departments. The second level will be devoted to basketball, featuring coaches’ offices and dedicated workspaces for the men’s and women’s programs.
At the building’s crown, two practice courts will be paired with a mezzanine lounge, therapy rooms and meeting areas, creating a comprehensive training environment that blends functionality with modern design.
Demolition contractor Henegahn Wrecking & Excavating is poised to begin site clearance, after which general contractor Bulley & Andrews will start foundation work, having already secured a caisson permit for the new structure.