DePaul Secures Permit for $42.4M Basketball Training Complex

• DePaul University has received a caisson permit for its new $42.4 million basketball practice facility in Chicago's Lincoln Park neighborhood.
• The project will replace four historic row houses and a 1925 courtyard apartment building near the university's athletic campus.
• The facility will include dedicated practice courts, locker rooms, sports medicine spaces, team lounges, and training areas.
• Construction is expected to advance following demolition approvals, with the facility targeted to open in 2027.

What Is Planned for the Lincoln Park Site

DePaul University is taking another step toward construction of its new basketball practice facility after securing a caisson permit for the project. The development will rise at the northwest corner of Belden Avenue and Sheffield Avenue, directly across from the Sullivan Athletic Center in Chicago's Lincoln Park neighborhood. To make way for the new facility, four row houses dating back to the 1890s and a courtyard apartment building built in 1925 will be demolished once permits are approved. The project received approval from the Chicago Plan Commission in late 2025 and is now moving into the next phase of construction preparation.

What the Facility Will Include

The $42.4 million facility has been designed by HNTB and Antunovich Associates and will stand approximately 72 feet tall. The ground floor will include athletic support spaces such as locker rooms, strength and conditioning areas, sports medicine facilities, nutrition services, meeting rooms, and recovery spaces that can be utilized by multiple athletic programs. The second floor will primarily serve DePaul's men's and women's basketball teams with coaching offices, team lounges, locker rooms, and additional meeting spaces. The upper portion of the building will feature two dedicated basketball practice courts for the men's and women's programs, along with additional training and wellness spaces. Earlier project plans also included a central mezzanine lounge overlooking the practice areas.

What the Design Brings to the Neighborhood

Project architects incorporated several design changes following community feedback.

The facility will feature a brick exterior intended to blend with the surrounding Lincoln Park streetscape while incorporating a pitched roof inspired by Alumni Hall, DePaul's former basketball arena. Large windows will provide views into the practice courts and create a stronger visual connection between the facility and the neighborhood. Plans also include wider sidewalks, landscaping improvements, and public seating areas around the site. Sustainability features include rooftop solar panels and bird-friendly glass designed to improve environmental performance and reduce energy consumption.

What Happens Next for Construction

With the caisson permit now issued, the project can move closer to active construction once demolition permits are finalized. Bulley & Andrews has been selected as the general contractor and is expected to oversee construction of the facility. DePaul has previously indicated that work could begin during 2026, with the goal of opening the facility in fall 2027. The university has stated that the project will be funded through external and corporate contributions rather than operational university funds.

What This Means for DePaul Athletics

The new facility represents one of the largest athletic investments on DePaul's Lincoln Park campus in recent years. By creating a dedicated home for the men's and women's basketball programs, the university will be able to free up space within the Sullivan Athletic Center for other athletic programs, student recreation, university events, and community activities. The project is expected to strengthen recruiting efforts, enhance student-athlete development, and provide modern training facilities that support the long-term growth of DePaul Athletics.