University of Illinois Philanthropy Center Recognized as Finalist for the Chicago Building Congress 2025 Merit Award
May 23, 2025 09:35 AM
The University of Illinois Philanthropy Center was honored as a finalist for the Chicago Building Congress 2025 Merit Awards which were held in early May 2025. The UI Philanthropy Center, which opened in February 2024, was honored as a finalist in the category “Commercial Construction Under $50 Million.”
Since 1956, the Chicago Building Congress Merit Award program has celebrated the building industry annually by recognizing outstanding projects in the Greater Chicago area. Merit Awards are presented in nine categories and based on such criteria as distinctive, functional or innovative design, quality of construction and impact on the community.
The University of Illinois Philanthropy Center is home to the University of Illinois Foundation, the official fundraising and private gift receiving provider for the University of Illinois System and its three universities. The Philanthropy Center was designed to celebrate the rich history of donor generosity at the University of Illinois and bring University of Illinois Foundation staff together in a single location.
The UI Philanthropy Center is a refined and functional three‑story brick and glass building with more than 60,000 square feet of office, meeting, and workspaces including an open atrium, an employee wellness studio, a café, a conference center, a professional development and learning center, a media studio, a learning lab, an innovation center, meditation spaces, a dining room, and an outdoor terrace.
The UI Philanthropy Center has obtained LEED Gold Certification and is striving for WELL Platinum Certification.
Perkins Eastman and Berglund Construction were the design/build partners on the project. Project Management Advisors (PMA) was retained by the Foundation to provide consulting services. Berglund and Perkins Eastman have worked together on projects of similar scope before and have collaborative experience with the design/build project type.
