On a recent afternoon, an empty tequila bottle rested on the grassy parkway across from the construction site of the new Obama Presidential Center, highlighting the striking contrast between everyday life and the notable architectural project taking shape. The center’s design features a distinctive 225-foot-tall tower, crafted with granite, which will serve as the main exhibition space.
The design comes from Tod Williams Billie Tsien Architects (TWBTA), a New York firm known for its thoughtful and serene architectural style, demonstrated in previous works such as the Barnes Foundation in Philadelphia and the Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts at the University of Chicago. As construction progresses, the anticipation for the center’s opening in 2026 grows, with the tower’s striking features garnering increasing interest.
The center will include a broad plaza situated on the east side of South Stony Island Avenue at 60th Street, surrounded by the tower, a forum for events aligned with the mission of the Obama Foundation, and a new branch of the Chicago Public Library, which will feature a reading room filled with books selected by the Obamas. The tower, which embodies a hidden treasure concept, boasts four levels of exhibition space with exceptionally high ceilings, setting it apart from traditional designs.
Soon, visitors will see large letters inscribed on the tower’s facade, quoting Barack Obama’s speech commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Selma to Montgomery march. An artistic highlight is an 83-foot-tall painted glass window titled “Uprising of the Sun,” created by Ethiopian American artist Julie Mehretu, which draws inspiration from the same speech. The window’s colors and design blend traditional and contemporary styles, further enhancing the tower’s architectural narrative.
On the uppermost floor, the Sky Room features expansive windows offering unique views of the city, particularly towards the south and west, where Obama’s community organizing roots took shape. The building’s gray New Hampshire granite reflects changing light conditions and adds a moody yet intriguing character to the structure.
As the installation of exhibits, designed by Ralph Appelbaum Associates, begins, including a replica of the Oval Office, the center is poised to become a landmark that contrasts the historic White House’s grandeur with its own understated elegance.
The development signifies a significant shift in the Woodlawn neighborhood and is expected to enhance traffic flow along the widened South Stony Island Avenue. The design features underground spaces interconnected by public courtyards that introduce natural light, presenting a challenge for architects but also a unique approach to urban space.
With materials such as cast bronze panels being incorporated and careful attention to detail, the construction of the Obama Presidential Center still has much to unfold. While the building reflects a quiet departure from conventional Chicago architecture, it invites curiosity about how it will ultimately blend into the city’s landscape, promising a distinctive and enriching addition to the community.