Chicago Construction News staff writer
The Community Solution Education System and The Chicago School have broken ground on their newly acquired co-location at 400 S. Jefferson Street in Chicago’s West Loop. The building will also be home to The Chicago School’s proposed Illinois College of Osteopathic Medicine (IllinoisCOM).
Construction will transition the site from the former headquarters of Tyson Foods to an educational hub and medical school.
The 247,000 sq. ft. building is expected to open in 2026 and will accommodate approximately 1,800 students, faculty, and staff from the two organizations.
It will include lecture halls, classrooms, laboratories, and areas for collaborative learning and working. Additionally, it will be re-designed to host large public events and serve as a hub for convening community leaders in mental and physical health. The campus is also expected to increase pedestrian traffic, enhancing business growth opportunities in the district.
“Congratulations to The Community Solution Education System and The Chicago School on the acquisition of 400 S. Jefferson Street and their unwavering commitment to our great city,” Mayor Brandon Johnson said in a statement. “I am especially excited about plans to transform spaces for community leaders in mental and physical health and plans dedicated to addressing inequities. We look forward to welcoming the nearly 2,000 students, employees, and guests in the years ahead.”
