Ida Noyes Hall, University of Chicago, Midway Plaisance, Chicago, Illinois
About this story
Steven Holl Architects will lead the architectural renewal of Ida Noyes Hall, preserving the historic building while modernizing infrastructure, improving accessibility and creating new spaces for programs, events and informal gathering. The project is supported by a $50 million gift from University of Chicago Board of Trustees chair David M. Rubenstein. Ida Noyes Hall will retain its existing name, while new architectural elements and expanded activities will be known as David M. Rubenstein Commons. JLK Architects is serving as historic-preservation architect, and Workshop Architects is advising on student-life programming and campus operations.
Status and timeline
Steven Holl Architects was selected by the university board in May 2026 and publicly announced the commission on August 18. Planning, stakeholder engagement and design are underway; the university has not released a construction schedule or final design.
Design highlights
Contemporary spatial reuse within and potentially beyond the existing footprint; preservation of neo-Gothic character; modernization of HVAC and building infrastructure; accessibility; student-centered programming and informal gathering spaces.
