Obama Presidential Center Ultimate Construction Recap Update: A look at 2025 so far

An upward image of the Obama Presidential Center Museum building during construction. The building is made of granite and stone. In the center of the building is "Uprising of the Sun," an art installation created by artist Julie Mehretu. Around the building are large scaffoldings. Behind the building are clouds.

Picture this: It’s August 2026, and you've just arrived at the Obama Presidential Center. As you walk across the campus, you look ahead and see children laughing as they enjoy a game of tag on the Great Lawn. As you wind through new walking paths among lush landscape, you hear the vibrant sounds of a card game being played at a table on the John Lewis Plaza. And as you round the corner of the Playground you can just make out a group of teenagers shooting hoops at Home Court as the sun reflects off the building’s metal panels. 

This is the Obama Presidential Center vision and we can't wait to share it with you. 

We’re eight months into 2025 and gearing up to welcome visitors to the 19.3-acre South Side Chicago campus. As we inch closer toward opening, construction crews are working tirelessly to build a new home for hope. From winding pathways through lush native landscaping to an inclusive playground, the Presidential Center is taking shape in real time. Read below to learn about progress in 2025. 

The Obama Presidential Center Museum Building

At the heart of the Obama Presidential Center campus is the Museum Building, an immersive space where visitors will have the opportunity to dive into the history of the Obamas and the extraordinary people who helped shape their legacy. The construction team has made exciting strides on the Museum Building, continuing granite and glass installations on the exterior of the building. The exterior also features a one-of-a-kind glass art installation by Julie Mehretu, entitled “Uprising of the Sun (Opens in a new tab).”

The image is a candid image of construction of the interior of the Obama Presidential Center Museum. In the image is an interior scaffold. The interior scaffold will eventually become an escalator. To the left of the scaffolding is the interior of "Uprising of the Sun" an art installation located on the Presidential Center building.
The interior view of “Uprising of the Sun” by Julie Mehretu located in the escalator well that will carry visitors through the Exhibition floors of the Obama Presidential Center Museum Building.

Inside, contractors have begun exhibition installations across several floors. When open, the Museum will feature exhibits showcasing important moments in President Obama’s administration, memorabilia from his campaigns, and stories from inside the White House. Work across other levels of the Museum will feature films, interactive displays, and an 88 foot tall media installation, Power of Words (Opens in a new tab). 

At the very top of the Museum building sits the Sky Room, which is free and accessible to all. There, visitors can take in views of Jackson Park, the Museum of Science and Industry and Lake Michigan. Construction crews are currently framing the walls around the sloped cone ceiling while completing granite installation around windows in the adjoining Sky Room Vista. Stay tuned for a tremendous art installation in this space!

The Forum Building

The Forum Building, a bright and buzzing hub of community activity, includes several spaces designed to promote connection, conversation and innovation, such as the Hadiya Pendleton Atrium, a state-of-the-art Media Suite, and the Democracy In Action Lab. Right now, the Center’s construction team is installing interior granite work while lighting work continues overhead. Wood ceiling panels have been installed in the Elie Wiesel Auditorium and perforated wood panels are being added to mask audio equipment, providing a warm, decorative backdrop for the exciting programming expected in this space.

An image of the construction of the Elie Weisel Auditorium located in the Forum Building on the Obama Presidential Center campus. The picture features wood panels across the walls and on the ceilings. In the center of the floor are wood planks that will become the seating area of the auditorium.
Inside the Elie Weisel Auditorium, wood panels are being installed in the Forum Building.
An image of the construction of the Hadiya Pendleton Atrium located in the Forum Building on the Obama Presidential Center campus. The picture features the long windows that will be featured in the Atrium. On the ceiling are white panels with lights.
Light and ceiling installation continues in the Hadiya Pendleton Atrium in the Forum Building.

Eleanor Roosevelt Fruit & Vegetable Garden

Hear from members of the South Side as they share excitement about the upcoming Presidential Center

Atop the newest branch of the Chicago Public Library will be the Eleanor Roosevelt Fruit and Vegetable Garden, a community-centered space named after one of the country’s most beloved First Ladies. Last month, the hardscape for the Garden took shape, with new retaining walls outlining the garden planting zone and picnic area. Gravel beds were laid nearby to connect the Garden walkways with 3.5 miles of new walking paths across the campus. Additionally, solar panels on the roof of the Garden Pavilion are set and ready to help power the campus.

Home Court at the Obama Presidential Center

A sneak peek at what’s to come at Home Court

At Home Court —a center for sports and play— drywall is nearly complete, and in the building’s two-story entry lobby, temporary handrails have been added to the stairs. The lobby also features a steel staircase: once completed, these stairs will be painted and finished with terrazzo tile. Inside Main Court, our NBA regulation-size gymnasium, the ceiling and walls are getting their first coats of paint. 

Outdoor Spaces on the Presidential Center Campus

Outdoor spaces are an important feature of the Presidential Center campus. Areas such as the Wetland Walk and the Great Lawn are fully accessible and will become go-to locations in the summer months.  

The image is a picture of the external landscape of the Obama Presidential Center campus. In the image are trees being planted and small green bushes. This area will become the Wetland Walk once completed.
Trees planted at the Wetland Walk at the southeast end of the Obama Presidential Center campus.
The image is an aerial view of the external Wetland Walk on the Obama Presidential Center campus. The image features several trees across the landscape and walking paths across the picture. To the left of the landscape is a body of water.
An aerial view of the Wetland Walk landscape at the Obama Presidential Center

On the southeast corner of the campus, concrete has been poured to create a picnic area at the foot of the Great Lawn. This will be the largest of the new picnic areas onsite, complete with permanent barbecue grills for community use.  

Earlier this year, a section of a round retaining wall was poured around the perimeter of the revitalized Women’s Garden. This design makes the space more environmentally sustainable and accessible for people with different abilities.

An image of construction on the Obama Presidential Center Playground. In the image, several construction workers are working on a large green playset installation. The playset installation includes several tall green pillars, netted hideaways for children to play, and a long netted "bridge" for children to walk and crawl through.
Construction on the Obama Presidential Center Playground.
An image of construction on the Obama Presidential Center Playground. In the image, several construction workers are building two large silver slides. They are surrounded by gravel and dirt. There is a crane in the center of the image. In the background is downtown Chicago.
Construction on the Obama Presidential Center Playground.

Finally, hard work continues on the Playground where planters, seating areas, and stairs have been formed. Elements of the Playground include split logs made from trees on-site and two slides that will run from an upper tree-themed part of the playground to the lower lagoon-themed area. The perfect landscape for children to explore! 

A map of the various buildings and outdoor spaces of the Obama Presidential Center Campus. Green space and paths weave between them. The area is bordered by city streets and, on the opposite side, a lagoon.
Map of the Obama Presidential Center campus

This is a little sneak peek into what’s happening across the campus today. Keep an eye out for more updates as we build the Obama Presidential Center! 

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The Barack Obama Foundation is registered as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (EIN 46-4950751).

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