Northeastern Illinois University Breaks Ground on College of Education

Northeastern Illinois University broke ground in August of 2025 on a new building for the Daniel L. Goodwin College of Education in Chicago. Designed by SmithGroup, the $125.4 million facility will provide 24 classrooms, two designated conference rooms, and 80 private offices. The 189,673-sf structure will accommodate leading-edge laboratories and clinics for the cultivation of educational excellence, with 48,735 sf of space dedicated for general university use. 

Standing four stories above grade, the multiuse development will include a second-floor roof deck with vegetation and seating to foster informal exchange and occupant wellbeing. The project will incorporate a mechanical penthouse and a basement level, as well as a physical link to an adjacent building via a pedestrian bridge. Integrating bird-safe design strategies, the sustainable hub will seek LEED Silver certification. 

Power Construction is serving as construction manager, with Rubinos & Mesia Engineers (RME) as structural engineer. SmithGroup is also providing MEP and civil engineering services. The project team also includes NV5, UrbanWorks, CCS International, VDA, Gwen Grossman Lighting Design, Baumann Consulting, and Selbert Perkins Design. Completion is slated for summer of 2027.