Historic West Loop Landmark Reimagined for the Future of Medical Education

The Chicago School is bringing new life to a historic West Loop landmark. Located at 400 S. Jefferson, the eight-story adaptive reuse project will serve as the university’s newest campus and the home of the Illinois College of Osteopathic Medicine (IllinoisCOM) — the first new medical school in Chicago in nearly 100 years.

Once home to printing presses and food industry headquarters, the building now supports a new purpose: preparing the next generation of healthcare leaders. The project is expected to generate more than $1 billion in economic impact over the next decade, strengthening both the institution and the surrounding community. RDG Planning & Design partnered with The Chicago School, Skender Construction and tradespeople throughout Chicago to transform the historic structure into a modern, student-centered learning environment. The team preserved the building’s natural light and architectural character while introducing flexible, high-performance spaces that support interdisciplinary teaching and collaboration.

Inside, the campus features cutting-edge classrooms, labs and simulation spaces, including one of the region’s most advanced simulation centers and standardized patient labs. These environments allow students to practice clinical skills in realistic settings designed to mirror today’s health care environments. Connection is central to RDG’s design, with rooftop gathering spaces, student lounges and collaboration zones that create opportunities for informal learning and community building. Each space is intentionally designed to support IllinoisCOM and The Chicago School’s expanding health sciences programs.

The result is a campus that embodies the university’s mission, shaping an environment where future physicians learn in ways that reflect the realities of modern healthcare.

Learn more about design and construction at The Chicago School’s new West Loop campus.