Category: In The News

  • The $2.2B Place Versailles project: From mall into 5,000 homes

    The $2.2B Place Versailles project: From mall into 5,000 homes

    Montreal’s Place Versailles shopping center is about to get a facelift. The iconic property, once a retail hub on Sherbrooke Street East, is set to be at the center of a $2.2 billion redevelopment that will add over 5,805 housing units, including 979 social housing units, and a fresh new urban design. The Place Versailles project marks one of the city’s largest mixed-use redevelopments in recent history, shifting the focus from big-box retail toward housing and pedestrian-friendly streets.

    Housing, retail, and office space take center stage in Place Versailles

    Developer Groupe Mach plans to demolish a large portion of the mall, keeping only 200,000 square feet of retail while integrating shops and services into the ground floors of residential towers. The new neighborhood will include more than 1.5 million square feet of housing in the form of rental apartments and affordable units. Mach says at least 15 percent will be set aside for affordable housing helping to address Montreal’s growing housing crisis.

    montreal Place Versailles project rendering. Mixed use development.

    Place Versailles project rendering

    Alongside the residential build, the site will see 500,000 square feet of office space, a public plaza, a new elementary school, a daycare, and green spaces. The plan also calls for a redesigned bus terminal and transit connections to encourage active transportation. Groupe Mach’s goal is to make Place Versailles a walkable neighborhood where residents can live, work, and access services within a few blocks.

    By reusing land previously locked into surface parking and low-density commercial uses, the project reduces urban sprawl and car dependency. Plans also include landscaped roofs, green corridors, and buildings designed to meet energy efficiency standards, though final certifications have yet to be confirmed.

    This massive overhaul is seen as a way to reimagine aging shopping malls into thriving residential and commercial hubs. According to the city, the project is expected to create over 5,000 jobs during construction and add much-needed housing units in a neighborhood that has seen minimal residential growth in decades.

    Demolition of parts of the mall are expected to begin in 2026, with phase one units available by 2028. Groupe Mach hopes the project will inject new life into the area, attracting young families and retirees looking for urban living options with local amenities.

    To stay up to date on construction projects like this and see how aging malls are being reimagined into modern mixed-use communities, subscribe to Under the Hard Hat’s newsletter at https://underthehardhat.org/join-us/

  • Toronto’s tallest mass timber residential building tackles housing crisis

    Toronto’s tallest mass timber residential building tackles housing crisis

    Toronto recently broke ground on its tallest mass timber residential building. The project at 230 Royal York Road is a nine-story development made almost entirely of prefabricated mass timber. Once the pieces arrive on-site, crews will have just 90 working days to get the structure up. Designed by LWPAC and built by the team at Intelligent City, the building is the first of its kind in the city: a mid-rise apartment complex constructed from engineered wood components that were built off-site using robotic machinery and AI.

    Toronto’s tallest mass timber residential render

    Image sourced from Intelligent City

    Mass timber construction: A faster way to build housing

    Toronto’s housing crunch isn’t a secret. It’s one of the most expensive cities in the world to live in, with the average detached home going for 1.44 million in 2025. This project aims to prove that prefabricated timber can scale and provide affordable housing in a market desperately needing quality housing fast. 

    Windmill Developments and Leader Lane Developments have been pushing for this kind of construction since 2017, with an eye on reducing costs and schedule pressure for mid-rise residential developments. With the city and the Canadian federal government planning to invest more in housing, many hope this project becomes a model for repeat builds.

    Building a mid-rise condo usually takes 18 to 24 months, depending on the size. With mass timber construction methods, this building is expected to be assembled in less than three months. Instead of waiting for traditional framing or concrete cures, windows, insulation, and interior systems follow close behind the assembly. For developers, this process shortens the time from permit to occupancy, providing the potential to quickly use capital for new projects. 

    The construction process at 230 Royal York Road

    The process to build Toronto’s tallest mass timber residential building is different that traditional methods as that The wood components come from Intelligent City, a prefabrication plant near Toronto where robotics and AI are now part of the standard production line. Automated machines cut and pre-assemble panels, columns, and beams before being shipped to the site. That includes pre-drilling holes, integrating duct runs, and ensuring all tolerances match precisely.

    For crews on-site, the building process is simplified as they simply have to put the pieces together and secure the structure. The pieces are labeled, mapped, and ready to be slotted in. According to Intelligent City, this process makes their work safer and faster.

    Is mass timber the future of mid-rise condos?

    Mass timber is emerging as a compelling solution for mid-rise condominium construction in Toronto, driven by the city’s urgent need for sustainable and scalable housing. With approximately 682 mid-rise buildings (5–11 stories) in the development pipeline and only 28% completed, there’s a significant opportunity to adopt faster and greener construction methods. Mass timber offers considerable advantages:

    • Carbon storage: Trees absorb carbon dioxide as they grow. When turned into timber, that carbon stays locked in the wood for decades, helping reduce atmospheric CO₂.
    • Lower emissions: Mass timber construction produces significantly fewer greenhouse gas emissions than concrete or steel production, which are highly energy-intensive.
    • Renewable resource: Timber comes from trees, which can be replanted and regrown. Sustainable forestry practices help ensure long-term availability.
    • Less construction waste: Prefabricated timber panels are cut to size off-site, which reduces on-site waste and speeds up construction.
    • Efficiency: With more work done off-site, construction is cleaner, quieter, and faster.

    The province of Ontario has already completed 151 mass timber projects, with more underway, signaling growing industry confidence. Furthermore, Toronto’s updated building codes now permit mass timber buildings up to 12 stories, paving the way for broader adoption in mid-rise developments. This is a positive sign for the younger generation hoping to get into the housing market in the future. With faster build times the supply of new condos could ease the sky high price growth that has made housing so unaffordable for many in Toronto. 

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  • Nova Scotia to host Canada’s first large-scale mass timber plant

    Nova Scotia to host Canada’s first large-scale mass timber plant

    Canada’s first large-scale mass timber industrial plant is officially breaking ground in Elmsdale, Nova Scotia, an exciting step toward greener building and stronger local economies. Backed by a $10.5 million federal investment, this facility will use eastern Canadian spruce to manufacture structural panels for residential and commercial construction, all while creating more than 100 skilled jobs in the region.

    The new plant is a joint project between the federal government, the Province of Nova Scotia, and Lloyoll Built, a sustainable building company based in Brooklyn, N.S. The site will operate as a fully integrated facility, processing wood, assembling panels, and manufacturing modular housing components in one location. That means fewer emissions, less waste, and a streamlined supply chain that benefits builders and buyers.

    Mass timber manufacturing in the factory

    Image sourced from Shutterstock

    The new mass timber facility in Elmsdale is expected to create 124 new jobs and significantly boost Nova Scotia’s growing offsite construction sector. With an added 2.5 million square feet of annual construction capacity, the plant will help close a critical gap in Canada’s national mass timber supply chain. It’s a boost not just for the economy but for climate-conscious housing initiatives across the country.

    “MTC will be one of the world’s most advanced manufacturing facilities… maximizing the value of our forests from tree to city,” said Patrick Crabbe, President and CEO of Mass Timber Company.

    Mass timber has been gaining popularity as a sustainable alternative to concrete and steel. It’s lighter, faster to build with, and stores carbon rather than emitting it. With Canada facing a nationwide housing crunch and growing pressure to decarbonize the construction industry, the timing of this facility couldn’t be better.

    “Today’s investments are excellent examples of how we can reduce emissions while ensuring the long-term sustainability of the lumber industry,” said Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources. Elmsdale’s new plant positions Atlantic Canada as a leader in green building innovation while keeping the roots of that innovation deeply local.

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  • What Mark Carney’s agenda means for the construction industry

    What Mark Carney’s agenda means for the construction industry

    Image sourced from Shutterstock

    Mark Carney’s Liberal government has laid out ambitious plans for affordable housing, infrastructure development, labor dynamics, and green building initiatives. If everything goes according to plan, the construction industry could be poised for big change.

    Top construction sectors targeted by Mark Carney’s Liberals

    Housing

    The Liberals have pledged to double the pace of new home construction over the next decade, aiming for nearly 500,000 units annually. This includes building on public lands and providing over $25 billion in financing to innovative prefabricated home builders. First-time homebuyers stand to benefit from the elimination of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) on properties priced at or under one million, potentially saving up to $50,000 on such purchases.

    Mark Carney also advocates for densification over urban sprawl, proposing the removal of unit maxima and parking minima and allowing taller buildings near transit lines to increase housing supply.

    Infrastructure

    The Liberals plan to establish a Major Federal Project Office to expedite decisions on significant infrastructure projects, cutting approval timelines from five years to just two. “We can’t build Canada into an energy superpower if we can’t actually get the shovels into the ground,” Carney said at an ironworkers’ union office in Calgary. “To put it plainly, we need to get going.”

    Their platform includes over $130 billion in new spending, with a major focus on Arctic infrastructure ($6.7 billion), energy sovereignty, and high-speed rail. Notable projects include funding for over-the-horizon radar systems, upgrades to military and civilian infrastructure in Nunavut, and $3.9 billion to launch “Alto,” a high-speed rail network linking Toronto to Quebec City. Additionally, a new $5 billion Trade Diversification Corridor Fund aims to support critical infrastructure like the Cedar LNG facility and the Churchill port revival.

    Labor

    A significant part of Mark Carney’s agenda will focus on workforce development to address labor shortages. Liberals plan to invest heavily in career stability by expanding access to upskilling and training, particularly for workers in mid-career transitions. The proposed benefit would offer up to $15,000 for Canadians working in priority sectors like construction, manufacturing, healthcare, artificial intelligence, and tech. This new benefit builds on a previous pledge to make skilled trades training more accessible by covering up to $8,000 in apprenticeship costs. 

    Carney’s plan includes direct collaboration with businesses to support employee retention, upskill their existing workforce, and safeguard jobs at risk from global disruptions like tariffs.

    Green building

    Carney has long believed that tackling climate change is also smart economics. Back in 2020, he described the green transition as “the greatest commercial opportunity of our time” during an event in London, a sentiment that’s shaped much of his post-banking career.

    Since leaving his central banking role, Mark Carney has focused on mobilizing private capital to drive climate action. In 2019, he took on the role of U.N. Special Envoy for Climate Action and Finance, and two years later, he helped launch the Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero, a coalition of financial institutions working to accelerate the shift to a net-zero economy.

    His climate convictions were first formed during his experience as governor of the Bank of England from 2013 to 2020. “When I became governor of the Bank of England, which oversees the insurance industry, I saw that the number of extreme weather events had tripled and the cost of those events had gone up five times in a quarter century,” he said in a 2021 interview with the United Nations. “These things really concentrated my mind on climate.”

    The government’s goal is to decarbonize federal buildings by 2030 and replace the consumer carbon tax with incentive programs that reward green choices, such as adopting electric vehicles and energy-efficient appliances.

    Canada’s Green Building Strategy supports these goals by promoting energy-efficient retrofits and sustainable materials. For example, programs like the Canada Greener Homes Grant and Loan help homeowners make eco-friendly upgrades, while the Green Municipal Fund provides financial support for municipal environmental projects.

    If Mark Carney can persuade opposition parties to agree on these initiatives, the Liberal mandate could signal a transformative period for Canada’s construction industry and a sustainable, more inclusive future for its workers.

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  • Population and housing starts are behind Canada’s affordability crisis

    Population and housing starts are behind Canada’s affordability crisis

    Canada’s housing affordability crisis isn’t going away, and the numbers help explain why. Since the 1970s, the population has more than tripled, but the number of new homes we’re building has barely changed. This crisis, a result of various factors like restrictive zoning rules and shortage of labor, has put prices beyond what most can afford.

    According to a recent Fraser Institute report, housing starts have essentially flatlined over the past five decades. In 2024, Canada saw 245,367 housing starts, lower than the 271,198 reported in 2021. The peak happened way back in 1976, with 273,203 starts. We’ve got more people than ever, but we’re still building like it’s the ’70s.

    Stack coins as graph trend up and interest rates with house model background. FED fix recession inflation crisis by increase interest rate that effect to house buyer. Mortgage loan, financial concept.

    Image sourced from Shutterstock

    It’s not hard to see the fallout. Rents and home prices are through the roof, especially in cities like Toronto and Vancouver. The squeeze on supply makes it tough for almost everyone, but especially for first-time buyers and lower-income families just trying to get a literal foot in the door.

    Several factors are getting in the way of building more homes. Zoning rules that limit density, slow municipal approval processes, and a lack of available land in urban areas are big barriers. On top of that, construction costs are rising, and skilled labor is in short supply, making it even harder to catch up.

    Can the government fix Canada’s housing affordability?

    Experts say there’s no silver bullet to fix Canada’s housing affordability. It’s going to take a mix of changes, including faster permitting, zoning reform to allow denser developments, and more investment in affordable housing. There’s also a push to encourage more rental builds and to rein in speculative buying, which can drive prices even higher.

    The federal government is trying to move the needle in Canada’s housing affordability but has yet to solve the problem. In September 2024, Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland rolled out updates to mortgage rules. That included bumping the cap on insured mortgages from C$1 million to C$1.5 million and extending mortgage terms to 30 years for first-time buyers purchasing new builds. These measures will “incentivize more new housing construction and tackle the housing shortage,” said Freeland in a previous statement.

    Still, not everyone’s convinced this will be enough. Tackling Canada’s housing crisis requires all hands on deck: federal, provincial, municipal, private sector, and community organizations working together. Without that kind of coordination, we’re not likely to see lasting change.

    Canada’s population isn’t slowing down, and if our housing supply doesn’t keep pace, affordability will only get worse. We’ve been building too little for too long. It’s time for a serious look at how we plan, finance, and approve new homes.

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  • Tariff pressure continues to drive construction materials costs up

    Tariff pressure continues to drive construction materials costs up

    Construction materials costs have risen three months in a row up until April—January (+1.4%), February (+0.6%), March (+0.5%), and April (–0.1%). This is according to an analysis of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Producer Price Index by Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC). The hike stems from tariff uncertainties clouding purchasing and pricing strategies, causing pressure to ramp for builders and prospective homeowners alike. This pressure has eased recently although largely stemming from driven by energy cost declines. Tariff-sensitive materials like steel (+5.9%) and copper wire (+5.0%) remained sharply up.

    The notices for the price hikes started popping up in March, even prior to the new tariffs taking effect. Construction materials costs for residential and non-residential building projects are now up a total of  0.8% from this time last year, and market volatility makes it difficult to predict when the rise will stagnate. As tariff and reciprocal tariff plans continue to turn on a dime, construction suppliers are forced to inaccurately predict the market. 

    Across the industry, budgeting and planning for projects is becoming increasingly complex, according to economists. Many businesses are attempting to lock in pricing early with accelerated procurement, and proactivity is the name of the game to protect businesses’ bottom line. Project leads, construction executives, and estimators are feeling the squeeze as each month brings a new brace of additional price hikes.

    Flat steel pipe product group square pipe. Construction material products such as black steel pipes, image ideas, examples of steel products.

    Flat steel square pipes used in construction and industrial projects. Photo via Shutterstock.

    “Construction input prices increased at a rapid pace for the third consecutive month in March and have now risen at a 9.7% annualized rate through the first quarter of 2025. The emerging effects of tariffs are glaring in the March data release, with iron and steel, steel mill products and copper wire and cable prices all rising more than 5% for the month,” says ABC Chief Economist Anirban Basu.

    According to ABC, rising construction material costs and ongoing market uncertainty have already caused more delays and cancellations. In April, about 22 percent of contractors said their projects were affected, which was up from 18 percent in March. While overall input prices dropped slightly in April, the cost of important materials like steel and copper continued to rise. Steel prices went up by 5.9 percent, and copper wire increased by 5 percent.

    Many companies had asked the Trump administration to ease up on tariffs. Instead, in early June, Trump raised tariffs on steel and aluminum from 25 percent to 50 percent. He said it was to protect American industry. The United Kingdom was given a temporary exception. But construction leaders say this move could make things worse by increasing construction material costs and putting even more pressure on already delayed or canceled projects.

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  • Nvidia will pour $500B into US AI supercomputer construction

    Nvidia will pour $500B into US AI supercomputer construction

    Nvidia plans to invest up to $500 billion in U.S.-based production of computer chips and AI supercomputers over the next four years. This move will shift a major portion of Nvidia’s high-performance computing operations back to American soil, with the company working alongside partners like TSMC, Amkor, and Foxconn to build and assemble its next-gen hardware.

    The centerpiece of this push is Nvidia’s new Blackwell GPU platform, designed to power cutting-edge AI systems. These supercomputers will be built in the U.S., with components sourced from local or U.S.-based suppliers. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang called them “AI factories”—a nod to the growing importance of AI infrastructure as a national asset.

    Jensen Huang NVIDIA's Founder, President and CEO gestures during a News event in Taipei on June 4, 2024.

    Jensen Huang, Nvidia’s Founder and CEO, speaks during a news event in Taipei on June 4, 2024. Photo via Shutterstock

    What’s included in the $500 billion investment for AI supercomputers?

    Nvidia’s commitment touches every part of the AI hardware pipeline:

    • Chip fabrication: TSMC will produce Blackwell GPU chips at its new Arizona fab.
    • Packaging: Amkor’s facility in Arizona will package Nvidia chips, with operations starting later in 2024.
    • System assembly: Nvidia will assemble AI supercomputers in the U.S. for local deployment.
    • Construction spending: Massive capital will go toward building new fabs, packaging facilities, and AI data centers.

    Much of the spending will depend on access to CHIPS Act incentives, but Nvidia says it will proceed either way.

    What this means for U.S. manufacturing

    This is one of the largest private manufacturing investments in U.S. history. For general contractors and design-build firms, it opens the door to a new wave of tech construction projects. These manufacturing plants are highly specialized buildings that require:

    • Advanced cooling systems for high-density computing
    • Secure server rooms with specialized access and fireproofing
    • Massive electrical infrastructure to power racks of GPUs
    • Precision-controlled environments for chip packaging and testing
    • Sustainable design and energy management for 24/7 operations

    For contractors working in MEP, industrial architecture, or mission-critical design, this presents a massive opportunity. The scale and technical demands of Nvidia’s U.S. chip manufacturing build-out are exactly the kind of high-performance environments where expertise matters most. This will create thousands of jobs and provide a much-needed boost to a slumping U.S. manufacturing industry. 

    Several major players are joining Nvidia in this push to ramp up U.S.-based chip production. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) is constructing advanced fabrication plants in Arizona, where it will produce Nvidia’s new Blackwell chips. Right next door, Amkor is setting up a facility to handle advanced chip packaging, making the entire process more streamlined and localized. GlobalFoundries is also on board, partnering with Nvidia to support future chip supply and diversify manufacturing options within the United States. Foxconn, a longtime tech manufacturing giant, is also participating in the effort to expand its presence in Wisconsin to support Nvidia’s AI infrastructure goals.

    This shift is happening thanks to the U.S. government backing the effort with subsidies and tax incentives through the CHIPS Act, aiming to boost domestic semiconductor capabilities and reduce the country’s dependence on overseas supply chains. With tensions rising around Taiwan and growing concerns about access to critical components from China, these moves are as much about national security and economic independence as they are about innovation.

    These AI supercomputer facilities are expected to be built and expanded through 2029, creating steady demand for contractors for years to come.

    To stay ahead of projects like this—where construction meets next-gen tech—subscribe to the Under the Hard Hat newsletter at underthehardhat.org/join-us. You’ll get insider details on where work is booming and what’s coming next.

  • Ontario’s $955M skills development fund aims to protect trades jobs

    Ontario’s $955M skills development fund aims to protect trades jobs

    Ontario is expanding its Skills Development Fund by another $955 million, bringing the total investment to $1 billion. The move comes as rising U.S. tariffs put pressure on key industries, including skilled trades and manufacturing. The fund is designed to give workers and businesses quick access to training support, focusing on upskilling, reskilling, and job placement. It targets sectors feeling the heat from trade disruptions, where layoffs and contract slowdowns have already started.

    The Ontario Skill Development Fund will back sector-specific training programs offered through unions, private training centers, and community colleges. It also supports employer-led projects that provide on-the-job learning, mentorship, and fast-track certifications. To apply, interested applicants should submit their application through Transfer Payment Ontario.

    Carpenters are working together at workshop to develop their skills. Small business and craft product.

    Photo sourced from Shutterstock

    The timing is no accident. Ontario’s government flagged the tariffs as a threat to economic stability. The tariffs on steel, aluminum, and lumber drive up costs for builders, threatening the stability of local projects.

    The province has said that getting ahead of potential layoffs by giving workers a pathway into high-demand roles is cheaper and more effective than waiting for job losses to mount.

    Unlike past workforce programs, this fund is designed to move fast. Applications for the latest funding round opened immediately, with approvals promised in weeks, not months. The goal is to give employers the confidence to hold onto workers and to help displaced workers get into new roles before their skills erode.

    For workers, the Ontario Skill Development Fund provides options. Instead of waiting out a market slump, trade workers can tap into training that puts them back on solid footing. Whether that’s welding certifications, safety retraining, or switching to industries seeing growth, the funding is there to help them make the switch.

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  • Project abandonments spike in 2025 with private sector hit hard

    Project abandonments spike in 2025 with private sector hit hard

    A sharp rise in abandoned construction projects is hitting the industry hard this spring. According to ConstructConnect’s latest Project Stress Index (PSI), March 2025 saw a 9.5% increase in project abandonments, the highest jump in over a year. The data suggests that although some projects are moving forward, a troubling number are being shelved altogether, leaving contractors, designers, and suppliers reeling.

    Unfinished construction of a multi-storey residential building and a tall crane.

    Unfinished residential high-rise construction with crane. Photo via Shutterstock.

    Private sector project abandonments hit all time high

    Not all sectors are being impacted equally. The report shows that for every public project abandoned in March, nearly two private ones were scrapped. That imbalance points to deeper uncertainty among private developers, who may be more sensitive to interest rate pressure, financing limitations, and shifting demand in commercial real estate.

    ConstructConnect’s Chief Economist, Michael Guckes, pointed to rising construction loan costs and economic uncertainty as likely culprits. While interest rates have held relatively steady in early 2025, the lingering impact of past hikes continues to echo throughout the market.

    Commercial projects are proving especially vulnerable. Office construction continues to decline, and warehouse development is slowing after several years of explosive growth. Retail projects are also on shakier ground, particularly in areas that saw overbuilding during the pandemic recovery.

    A mixed picture: fewer delays, more cancellations

    March brought a curious contradiction: while project abandonments surged, the number of delayed and paused projects dropped. Delayed projects fell by 0.7%, and on-hold projects dropped by 8%. On the surface, that might sound like good news. However, when coupled with the abandonment spike, it suggests that many projects previously paused or delayed are now being canceled outright rather than revived.

    In other words, some developers may be done waiting. Instead of pushing timelines further into 2025 or 2026, they’re pulling the plug. It’s a decision that sends ripples across the trades, affecting everyone from engineers and architects to framing crews and suppliers who rely on steady pipelines of work.

    What this means for contractors in 2025

    Construction professionals on active job sites might not feel the effects immediately. But planners, estimators, and anyone responsible for business development or preconstruction should take note. When projects vanish from the pipeline, competition for remaining work intensifies. Margins also shrink with resources tied up in preconstruction that may never convert to revenue.

    That means contractors need to adjust bidding strategies, watch market signals more closely, and strengthen their client relationships to ensure early involvement in the projects that do go forward.

    There’s no clear signal yet that this spike will continue through Q2. But the fact that abandonment rates jumped at the same time delays and pauses declined is worth watching. It could mark a shift in developer behavior. That can help with planning, but also means less time to prepare when projects disappear.

    If federal interest rate cuts materialize later in the year, as some predict, it could breathe new life into some dormant plans. But for now, the pressure is on for anyone working in planning, preconstruction, or business development to adapt quickly.

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  • The Obama Presidential Center is nearing completion in Chicago

    The Obama Presidential Center is nearing completion in Chicago

    In Chicago’s historic Jackson Park, a transformative project is taking shape. The Obama Presidential Center, envisioned by former President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama, aims to be a community hub and educational space for the South Side of Chicago.​ The Center is designed to inspire civic engagement and leadership.

    It will house a museum chronicling the Obama presidency, a branch of the Chicago Public Library (currently known as the Michelle Obama Neighborhood Library), and spaces for community programs and events. The goal is to create a place where people can learn about history, engage in dialogue, and develop solutions for the future.​

    Obama presidential center under construction

    As a former Illinois senator and longtime Chicago resident, the city holds deep personal meaning for President Obama. When the plans for the Obama Presidential Center were first announced, the Obamas shared, “We are proud that the center will help spur development in an urban area, and we can’t wait to forge new ways to give back to the people of Chicago who have given us so much.” Though other locations were considered—including Hawaii, where Obama was born, and New York, where he went to college—Chicago ultimately won out as the Center’s permanent home. 

    The architectural design is led by Tod Williams Billie Tsien Architects | Partners, known for their thoughtful and enduring institutional projects. They are collaborating with Chicago-based Interactive Design Architects (IDEA), headed by Dina Griffin, who brings local expertise and a commitment to community engagement.

    Construction is managed by Lakeside Alliance, a joint venture comprising Powers & Sons Construction Company, UJAMAA Construction Inc., Brown & Momen, Inc., Safeway Construction Company, and Turner Construction Company

    Construction began in August 2021, with significant milestones already achieved. By June 2024, the Museum Building reached its full height of 225 feet. The Home Court, a 45,000-square-foot athletic and events space, was topped out in December 2024, with its steel framework completed. As of early 2025, exterior work, including the installation of glass and granite panels, is ongoing. ​

    The Center’s design incorporates durable and locally sourced materials. The Museum Building features “Tapestry” granite cladding, providing a unique aesthetic. The structures utilize all-steel construction for strength and flexibility. The Home Court’s design includes basketball hoop-shaped exterior wedge walls, reflecting the community’s spirit and the Obamas’ connection to Chicago. ​

    While the Center was initially slated to open in late 2025, the opening has been rescheduled to spring 2026 to ensure all aspects meet the project’s high standards. “More than a library or museum, it will be a living, working center for citizenship,” said Obama.

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