In a city celebrated for its iconic skyline, the Obama Presidential Center is poised to make a lasting architectural statement. Crews are putting the finishing touches on the museum ahead of its official public opening on Juneteenth, more than a decade after the site was chosen. The roughly $850 million campus, particularly the conspicuous 225-foot tower at its north end, continues to divide opinions in Chicago, the birthplace of the modern skyscraper.
A Design That Sparks Debate
For some residents, the granite monolith, with its nearly windowless exterior, feels jarring in Barack Obama's hometown. It stands in a lakefront park where classical-style buildings are more common. Critics have compared it to a grain elevator, a spaceship from "Star Wars," and even a mausoleum. Brenda Nelms, who has lived in the area since the 1970s and leads a group advocating for nearby Jackson Park, said, "It doesn't fit in at all."
However, others see the design as a bold addition that will shape Chicago's skyline for decades. The Obama Foundation, which raised private funds, has embraced the mixed reactions. They even enlisted "Star Wars" actor Mark Hamill for promotional videos on May the 4th. Foundation CEO Valerie Jarrett said, "Part of the joy of the center is everyone is going to have their unique experience. The design of the building was intended to be inviting and opening to people whether they live across the street or around the world."
Chicago's Architectural Legacy
Chicago has a high bar for architectural design, from Louis Sullivan's modern skyscrapers after the Great Chicago Fire to Helmut Jahn's post-modern office buildings. Architecture critic Lee Bey calls design discourse in the city "a spectator sport." His initial impression of the Obama Center was that it looked more suited to a cemetery. However, he noted that the museum's striking design makes more sense in context with the campus's low-lying buildings, which include a basketball court, playground, public library, and works by prominent artists.
Bey pointed out that other renowned Chicago buildings also received mixed public responses. The former John Hancock Center, a black 100-story building with giant X's, was compared to an oil rig when built in the 1960s. Now known as 875 North Michigan Avenue, it houses stores, condos, and offices. "As we begin to experience buildings, we begin to imprint our own impressions," Bey said.
Unique Perspectives
Edward Keegan, a Chicago Tribune architecture columnist, called the museum "an un-Chicago building" due to its few windows and unusual shape. Yet, he acknowledged its unique perspective. The building features a glass-enclosed "Sky Room" atop the tower, offering panoramic views of Chicago, including north-facing perspectives of downtown that are uncommon from that height. "It doesn't feel like any other place in Chicago," Keegan said. "It does feel unique and unexpected."
Controversy Over Location and Impact
The road to the museum was fraught with challenges. Lawsuits to stop construction began after the location was announced in 2015. Concerns about displacement of low-income and Black residents near the museum grew, and community groups lobbied for housing protections. However, area residents say those protections don't go far enough as home prices have soared. Construction involved tearing up nearly 20 acres of park land and scrapping a section of a major thoroughfare.
Activist Robin Kaufman, 82, said she can no longer fully enjoy the bird sanctuary near the center. "Everywhere I go, you can see it, so you’re reminded of what’s going on and that’s distressing," she said. Shannon Bennett of the Kenwood Oakland Community Organization called the center a "Trojan horse," an extreme version of a scheme to transform communities for another population.
Design Choices and Community Benefits
Former President Obama worked with New York-based architects Tod Williams and Billie Tsien on the design. He chose a stone design and wanted a high tower for city views, not far from where he raised his family and taught law at the University of Chicago. The tower's design is meant to depict four hands coming together in solidarity. Wrapped around one side are 5-foot concrete capital letters with an excerpt from Obama's 2015 speech on the Selma-to-Montgomery march, beginning "You are America."
The Obama Foundation says they have widened roads, added a new field for local schools, and the campus includes a public library branch, basketball gym, playground, and landscaped gardens. Jarrett stated, "The benefit of having this extraordinary facility far outweighs any costs. It’s a symbol to the community of how important they are to us."
Adam Rubin of the Chicago Architecture Center called the project successful so far but noted lingering questions about whether the tradeoff of park land was worth it. "It really does have a sense of place," he said of the museum. "Time will tell how people utilize it."
