Barack Obama reveals revised plans for Presidential Center
POSTED 11 Jan 2018 . BY Tom Anstey
Designs show more trees in Jackson Park and a sleeker design for the main building Credit: The Obama Presidential Center
While this centre may have my name on it, it will be a place open to everybody dedicated to informing and inspiring the leaders of tomorrow – Barack Obama
Former US president Barack Obama has provided an update on his Presidential Center, promising to “create a campus for active citizenship in the heart of Chicago’s South Side”.
The design, which was unveiled in May last year, has been created by Tod Williams Billie Tsien Architects in partnership with Interactive Design Architects (IDEA).
According to Obama and his wife, Michelle, the US$350m (€293m, £259.5m) Presidential Center – which is now taller and sleeker in appearance – will act as part of a living, working campus.
“While this centre may have my name on it, it will be a place open to everybody dedicated to informing and inspiring the leaders of tomorrow,” said Obama.
“Michelle and I want this to be more than just a building. We want to create an economic engine for Chicago – a cultural attraction that showcases the southside to the rest of the world.
"We want it to be a gathering place – somewhere for all kinds of people to come together and learn.”
The centre’s campus – which sits on the banks of Lake Michigan – is intended to “energise” the Jackson Park site, with a proposed promenade running along the site’s east side, leading to the Museum Building and the Museum of Science Industry.
The Museum Building is designed to become a landmark for the South Side.
“We want this to be a place that helps all of us to build our collective futures,” said Obama. “This centre, most importantly, is for the leaders of tomorrow.
"We want this place to inspire them, to lift them up, to give them the tools they need to succeed.”
After submitting plans to the city of Chicago yesterday (10 January), ground is expected to be broken on the project later this year, with its doors officially opening in 2021.
The centre is expected to draw upward of 760,000 visitors a year, generating US$3.1bn (€2.6bn, £2.3bn) for the local economy in its first 10 years.
The park will play a role in inspiring the 'leaders of tomorrow', says Obama Credit: The Obama Presidential Center
The park is envisaged as 'a campus for all seasons' Credit: The Obama Presidential Center
The Presidential Center will act as part of a living, working campus Credit: The Obama Presidential Center
PROJECT PROFILE: Barack Obama's Presidential Library Barack Obama’s US$500m (€419.5m, £329m) presidential library – a repository for preserving and making available the papers, records, collections and other historical materials of every President of the United States since Herbert Hoover in 1929.
Location: United States
Abu Dhabi-based investment firm Mubadala Capital has made a binding, fully financed
€1 billion
offer to acquire Pierre and Vacances SA, the European holiday resort operator behind the
continental European Center Parcs business.
Expo 2030 Riyadh is being planned as a permanent visitor destination, with organisers
confirming the six-million-square-metre site will become a Global Village after the event closes.
The owner of one of Australia's best-known waterparks has acquired a major competitor,
creating a new attractions business spanning two of the country's largest visitor destinations.
Barack Obama reveals revised plans for Presidential Center
POSTED 11 Jan 2018 . BY Tom Anstey
Designs show more trees in Jackson Park and a sleeker design for the main building Credit: The Obama Presidential Center
While this centre may have my name on it, it will be a place open to everybody dedicated to informing and inspiring the leaders of tomorrow – Barack Obama
Former US president Barack Obama has provided an update on his Presidential Center, promising to “create a campus for active citizenship in the heart of Chicago’s South Side”.
The design, which was unveiled in May last year, has been created by Tod Williams Billie Tsien Architects in partnership with Interactive Design Architects (IDEA).
According to Obama and his wife, Michelle, the US$350m (€293m, £259.5m) Presidential Center – which is now taller and sleeker in appearance – will act as part of a living, working campus.
“While this centre may have my name on it, it will be a place open to everybody dedicated to informing and inspiring the leaders of tomorrow,” said Obama.
“Michelle and I want this to be more than just a building. We want to create an economic engine for Chicago – a cultural attraction that showcases the southside to the rest of the world.
"We want it to be a gathering place – somewhere for all kinds of people to come together and learn.”
The centre’s campus – which sits on the banks of Lake Michigan – is intended to “energise” the Jackson Park site, with a proposed promenade running along the site’s east side, leading to the Museum Building and the Museum of Science Industry.
The Museum Building is designed to become a landmark for the South Side.
“We want this to be a place that helps all of us to build our collective futures,” said Obama. “This centre, most importantly, is for the leaders of tomorrow.
"We want this place to inspire them, to lift them up, to give them the tools they need to succeed.”
After submitting plans to the city of Chicago yesterday (10 January), ground is expected to be broken on the project later this year, with its doors officially opening in 2021.
The centre is expected to draw upward of 760,000 visitors a year, generating US$3.1bn (€2.6bn, £2.3bn) for the local economy in its first 10 years.
Abu Dhabi-based investment firm Mubadala Capital has made a binding, fully financed
€1 billion
offer to acquire Pierre and Vacances SA, the European holiday resort operator behind the
continental European Center Parcs business.
Expo 2030 Riyadh is being planned as a permanent visitor destination, with organisers
confirming the six-million-square-metre site will become a Global Village after the event closes.
The owner of one of Australia's best-known waterparks has acquired a major competitor,
creating a new attractions business spanning two of the country's largest visitor destinations.
The Toverland theme park in the Netherlands has announced a €98m expansion programme
that will add a resort, new attractions and staff facilities as it pursues plans to become a multi-
day destination.
Hotel de France, located on the British Isle of Jersey, has created a wellness retreat package
that includes a hot yoga session that will take place in Jersey Zoo’s butterfly sanctuary.
