The University of Chicago Biological Sciences Division – Feasibility/New Building Study

Chicago, Illinois


Eckenhoff Saunders first conducted a faculty office tower feasibility study in 2015. Building on this foundation, the firm was re-engaged in 2022 to develop an expanded study to explore the feasibility of constructing a major research laboratory facility on campus. The study addresses key factors such as functionality, aesthetics, cost, schedule, and logistics.

The proposed project involves creating a new Biological Sciences Research and Clinical Office Tower, with eight potential site options on the Chicago campus. One of the options as shown above is an addition to their existing eight-story parking garage. The program would include state-of-the-art wet and dry bench laboratories, faculty offices, a faculty commons, administrative offices for the Pritzker School of Medicine, and various support facilities. The estimated project budget ranges from $350M to $500M.