<p>Here are some pictures of the nearly-completed Becker-Friedman Economics Institute at UChicago:</p>
<p><a href="http://bfi.uchicago.edu/hall-for-econ">http://bfi.uchicago.edu/hall-for-econ</a></p>
<p>(Scroll to the bottom of the page for the pictures.)</p>
<p>The new building looks stunning! If only the planned North campus dorm could have boasted comparable architecture and finishes... </p>
<p>Thanks for showing us the webpage. Those pictures look stunning indeed. I am impressed with the updated classrooms that look amazing with state of the art setting. </p>
<p>The Church of Freshwater Economists!</p>
<p>Incredible architectural detail for a brand new building. Impressive! </p>
<p>Yea agree that this facility is a really nice addition to UChicago. I had seen a picture of the outside but I had not seen anything on the inside. And these photos do not show the research pavilion being constructed out back. Another good thing about this new structure is that it creates a wonderful more direct passageway on 58th street between the East side of campus where Booth and other structures are and the main quad and the West side of campus.</p>
<p>I still don’t agree with Cue7 on the North campus dorm but I defer to him on this because he’s an alum and I’m just a parent. :)</p>
<p>Cue: I think the CTS building looks great, and I’m thrilled that the university is expanding the campus by re-purposing existing H-P gothic buildings. I was always sad that the CTS building wasn’t officially part of the campus. Now it is.
I understand that you would have liked the gothic idiom to be continued at campus north, but to do it well, the cost would have been prohibitive and Gang is a really good architect. If you want to decry lost opportunities for good architecture on campus, the new campus south structure behind B-J is not going to stand up well. It is a stylistic hodge-podge and falls far short of the high standard set by other recent additions to campus. </p>
<p>Gorgeous job. Cue, don’t dispair. As you can see there is definitely some method to their madness. When we first visited UChicago I liked the gothic architecture in general but once we went inside some of the buildings it took me back to my southern State Flagship 37 years before with the 19th century dorms with the clanking pipes and overall darkness (or you cold say lack of light) and most things working marginally. When I told S it reminded me of the lodge at Wakulla Springs, Florida he knew exactly what I meant. I know Cue dislikes MaxP tremendously (I would like it better in a different color) so I told S1('12) the best thing was to try to get into it, where everything inside was basically brand new (at the time) and in working order, including the elevators, sink, locks, pipes, carpets, INSULATION!, wide hallways, toilet fixtures, etc. and from inside it you would have the best vantage point because you wouldn’t really have to look at it (the Reg is so close you can hardly be shocked by it, either). He took my advice and was happy for ever after by way of 1920’s 100% refurbished apartment building in his last two years. He stayed in Chicago after graduation in Hyde Park and just recently moved north of downtown. I would take the special trip to UChicago to appreciate this wonderful job next time we visit.</p>
<p>I am not certain why Cue7 is comparing the rehab of a fabulous 90-year-old building with the construction from scratch of a new one. 99% of what looks great in those pictures was there before they started work on this particular avatar of the building.</p>
<p>Wow this is gorgeous. It is kind of surreal to hear about a “pedestrian walkway” to the East - I was always under the impression that we had a lovely walk along 59th street (Oriental Institute on one side, CTS on the other) getting back and forth to dear old Woodward Court. </p>
<p>Does anyone know if the co-op bookstore is still in the basement? I haven’t been back for several years, but would love to pass my membership down to my daughter if she chooses U of C!</p>
<p>About 18 months ago the Seminary Co-op Bookstore’s main store moved to renovated space in 5751 South Woodlawn, next door to Robie House, where it is mostly above-ground.</p>
<p>JHS asked:</p>
<p>“I am not certain why Cue7 is comparing the rehab of a fabulous 90-year-old building with the construction from scratch of a new one.”</p>
<p>My response: because you can still build excellent gothic-style buildings from scratch. Admittedly, such buildings wouldn’t have the tradition of this 90-year old gem, but they are outstanding nonetheless, and appear to be as costly as the amount Chicago is spending on its new Studio Gang-designed behemoth. </p>
<p>For example, Wash U built a 175,000 sq ft law school facility from scratch, for $31M in the late 90s. See here:
<a href=“Anheuser-Busch Hall - Washington University in St. Louis”>http://wustl.edu/community/visitors/tour/danforth/anheuser-busch-hall.html</a></p>
<p>Notre Dame built a new gothic style law school building a few years back as well, It’s around 80,000 sq. ft, and cost about $50M. See here:
<a href=“Law School | Locations | Campus Tour | University of Notre Dame”>http://tour.nd.edu/locations/law-school/</a></p>
<p>UChicago’s earmarked $150M for the new dorm construction. I imagine a dorm with 800 beds would be in the 300,000 sq. ft range. It’s very probable that, for a whopping $150M, the school could build a dorm that’s more consistent with Chicago’s original style. </p>
<p>Alternatively, if that’s not possible, build dorms that are more consistent with the neighborhood’s classic brick architecture. Don’t build a polarizing building that would look at home in downtown Chicago, but sorely out of place in Hyde Park. Most people are perfectly happy with the new Econ department’s space. We can’t say as much about the new dorm. </p>