Kellogg breaks ground on state-of-the-art education facility
The Kellogg School of Management community gathered on May 14, 2025, for a groundbreaking ceremony for a new state-of-the-art building that will offer seamless hybrid instruction and global engagement through cutting-edge technology. The building, designed to integrate students, faculty, alumni and business leaders around the world, will cement Kellogg’s position as a world-renowned business school and leader in innovative education for MBA and Executive Education programs. The ceremony marked the beginning of an exciting new chapter for Kellogg, bringing together leadership, donors, alumni and dignitaries to turn the soil and celebrate.
The new building is an important addition to Northwestern and will establish a Kellogg campus for the institution in Evanston. Connecting through an underground corridor to the Kellogg Global Hub, the new building will create a “One Kellogg” experience, uniting Kellogg’s portfolio of degree and Executive Education programs.
“This is a momentous occasion in Kellogg’s history. The new building will enrich the student experience across our programs and grow the impact Kellogg has on the world,” said Dean Francesca Cornelli. “Not only will it be a beautiful structure, but it will introduce new opportunities for innovation in business education and embody our vision and strategy as a premier business school."
The building is the centerpiece of and funded by Kellogg’s Full Circle Campaign, an ambitious $600 million fundraising initiative that will also support faculty research, student scholarships and curricular innovation. To date, the building is nearly 75% funded, through a combination of allocated funds and gifts from generous Kellogg supporters, many of whom attended the ceremony on campus.
“Today’s event marks an important milestone for Northwestern and the Kellogg School of Management,” said President Michael Schill. “We are driving critical research and teaching that will have a profound impact on business and society. This new building will enhance our ability to support important initiatives and will elevate Kellogg’s profile even further.”
Northwestern and Kellogg leadership, University trustees, members of Kellogg’s Global Advisory Board, and Full Circle Campaign donors attended the ceremony. Supporters of the University, Kellogg and the new building shared remarks and participated in the ceremonial turning of the soil, including chair of the Northwestern University Board of Trustees Peter Barris ’74 (’11, ’18 P); and his wife Adrienne Barris (’11, ’18 P); Trustee Bon French ’75, ’76 MBA (’07, ’21 P); Trustee Chris Galvin ’73 ’77 MBA (’11 P); Trustee Kimberly Querrey (’22, ’23 P); Stephen Reyes ’13 JD, MBA; Kathryn Park Schuldt ’91 MBA; Trustee Gordon Segal ’60 (’93 P); and Trustee Michael Shannon ’83 MBA (’10, ’15 P).
Vision for the new building
The state-of-the-art facility will replace the James L. Allen Center on the Evanston campus. Built with global collaboration in mind, the building’s technology and classrooms will bring together students, industry leaders and alumni from around the world. It will double the seating capacity of the Allen Center and is expected to open its doors in fall 2027.
Construction progress to date
Significant milestones have already been achieved in the construction process. The demolition of the Allen Center was completed ahead of schedule and sustainably, with concrete from the foundations, slabs, and walls processed and reused to make construction roads and working pads.
Local workforce: Many Evanston residents have begun working on the project in these first months, and the project will continue to seek out Evanston labor throughout its completion. About 250 workers will be present on-site during the height of construction.
Sustainability efforts: The project has reused 5,807 tons of crushed concrete, saving 291 truckloads of material from being hauled in or off-site.
A firm foundation: A total of 107 caissons have been drilled, reaching depths of approximately 80 feet each. That totals 8,560 feet of drilling — long enough to reach from the Kellogg Global Hub to Ryan Field!
Next phases of construction
As the project moves forward, construction will focus on earth retention and de-watering, mass excavation and the completion of underground utilities. After that, the concrete structure buildout will begin, including the erection of a tower crane and the shaping of elevator and stair cores. A dedicated crew will connect the Kellogg Global Hub to the new building through the underground corridor, connecting Kellogg's flagship buildings.
We invite the Kellogg community to stay engaged and support the project as we build a future that will redefine business education.