Construction update June 2024: President Obama marks the completion of the Museum Building

On a clear blue-sky day, President Obama stands in a hard hat and a brightly colored safety vest at the Obama Presidential construction site and signs a beam. A large group of construction workers with various skin tones also wearing safety clothing surround him.

President Obama recently visited the Obama Presidential Center construction site in Chicago to celebrate a significant milestone: the Museum Building, the tallest structure on the 19.3-acre campus, has reached its final height of 225 feet. During his visit, President Obama thanked the construction workers who brought this vision to life. Together, the group signed a beam that will be part of the Sky Room ceiling. The Sky Room will be located on the top floor of the Museum Building as a space to reflect and take in sweeping views of Lake Michigan to the East, the skyscrapers of downtown Chicago to the North, and the South Side of Chicago to the West and South. 

Crews are also currently installing granite on the exterior of the Museum Building. Inside, escalators and elevators are being installed, while framing and drywall work for the Museum galleries are ongoing. The Museum will have four floors showcasing key events, policies, challenges, and achievements of the Obama Presidency. The experience will invite them to bring change home to their own communities.

As work progresses, the campus landscape is evolving, with interior work advancing at the Forum and Library Buildings. Wall framing, plumbing, and drywall installation are underway. Outside, the east side of the Garage is nearing completion, offering a glimpse of the future Promenade and Great Lawn. Geofoam work and concrete seating installation have begun on the west side. At the south end of the site, work on the Home Court at the Obama Presidential Center is progressing rapidly, with foundation work set to begin in June. Our Home Court is a 45,000 square foot multipurpose space featuring a state-of-the-art gymnasium and wellness studios. It will serve as a venue for a variety of youth and adult programming, professional conferences, and community events.

An aerial view of the Obama Presidential Center. Construction tools, cranes, and trucks are seen in the image. Trees and the surrounding community are in the background.

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More construction updates

A gray stone installation climbs up the north and east faces of the Museum Building at the Obama Presidential Center. Blue tarp-wrapped escalator bases are seen through an opening that will eventually be clad in an art glass installation. A clear blue sky is in the background.
  • Building the Center
  • Chicago
Construction update October 2024: Concrete is complete at the Obama Presidential Center

Concrete construction across the site is complete. The Sky Room and Oval Office are taking shape.

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On a clear blue-sky day, President Obama stands in a hard hat and a brightly colored safety vest at the Obama Presidential construction site and signs a beam. A large group of construction workers with various skin tones also wearing safety clothing surround him.
  • Building the Center
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Construction update June 2024: President Obama marks the completion of the Museum Building

The Museum Building at the Obama Presidential Center has reached its final height of 225 feet.

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Construction update May 2024: The Obama Presidential Center takes shape

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President Obama is smiling wearing sunglasses, a white hardhat with the Obama Foundation rising sun logo, gloves, and a bright orange safety vest over a long dress coat. He is holding a cup of coffee and standing next to a white woman wearing a neon yellow construction coat, hard hat, and goggles. They are walking in front of three other people with a range of light to deep skin tones wearing orange safety vests and white hard hats. They are all walking in an unfinished building with scaffolding in the background.
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  • Building the Center
  • Chicago
Construction update Oct. 2023: Granite panels are going up

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  • Building the Center
  • Chicago
Construction update July 2023: third floor and climbing

Construction has reached the third floor, where a reconstruction of the Obama Oval Office will be on exhibit.

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Construction update Sept. 2023: 100 feet and climbing

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  • Building the Center
  • Chicago
Construction update May 2023: concrete on repeat

Work on the Museum building has reached an exciting milestone with the placement of the street level deck to form the concrete floor at this level.

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Construction update April 2023: meeting a parking garage milestone

Major structural work on the underground parking garage is complete!

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  • Building the Center
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Construction update March 2023: Library and Forum trade work begins

As the Center continues to take shape, we are thrilled to reach a new milestone in its construction.

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  • Building the Center
  • Chicago
Construction update Jan. 2023: mild weather and a strong start to 2023

Construction at The Center has picked up considerably since the holidays, aided by the unseasonably mild weather.

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  • Chicago
Construction update Sept. 2022: Year two begins

As construction of the Obama Presidential Center enters its second year, the focus is almost entirely on concrete.

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Construction update Aug. 2022: first workforce report released

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Construction update July 2022: casting columns and concrete

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Construction update May 2022: digging deep

Mass excavation and earth retention is complete and the focus is now squarely on concrete operations.

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Construction update April 2022: Cranes are up

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  • Chicago
Construction update March 2022: Earth retention work is complete

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  • Building the Center
  • Chicago
Construction update Feb. 2022: getting ready for mass excavation

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Construction update Jan 2022: ringing in the new year with geothermal wells

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Construction update Dec. 2021: drilling down

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  • Chicago
Construction update Oct. 2021: hosting a community event for People with Disabilities

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Construction update Sept. 2021: breaking ground

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Construction update Aug. 2021: Roadway improvements begin

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  • Building the Center
  • Chicago
Construction update June 2021: Median work begins

Expect lane closures as preparatory work to remove the existing median on Cornell Drive and install a new one begins.

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