Northwestern University officials reviewed plans for its $155 million lakefront athletic complex with Evanston city officials Wednesday.
The concept review for the project was held by the city’s Design and Project Review Committee. The $155 million figure doesn’t include foundation work for the structure that’s already been approved.
The height of the building to the top of the steel dome covering the practice field will be 119 feet. Most of the exterior will be sheathed in glass, with the rest largely covered with metal panels, although the design also includes some limestone at the south entrance to the buiding.
A fire lane around the east and north sides of the building will also serve as an extension of the lakefront pedestrian and bicycle path through the campus.
The big “N” in this rendering looking east is expected to require a sign variance from the city.
Kory Burton, a construction project manager for the university, said the plans also include a restroom and shower facility for beach users as well as access stairs and a ramp to the beach from the lakefront path. But he said there’ll be no access to the beach while the buiding is under construction.
Construction access to the site will be off Lincoln Street, which will also be the scene of major construction by the city soon as it replaces a five-million gallon water reservoir beneath an NU parking lot at Lincoln Street and Campus Drive.
Pending final city approve of the construction plans, work is expected to start on the building this summer, with completion in mid-2018.