CHICAGO — This summer, DePaul University will begin the process of transforming the first and second floors of what was once a Whole Foods into a brand-new university Welcome Center. The project, first announced in 2024, is now in the permitting and bidding phase, with the center scheduled to open late summer 2027.

Construction of the Welcome Center will be funded through the Independent Colleges Capital Investment Grant Program administered by the Illinois Board of Higher Education, which supports projects intended to promote academic success and improve student life.

Designed by Moody Nolan, the largest African American owned design firm in the U.S., the Welcome Center will be a key outcome of the Designing DePaul Strategic Plan by serving as a new front door to the university’s Lincoln Park Campus. The center will be a venue to build community for prospective students and their families during the day, and a gathering space for current students, faculty and staff after hours.

“The opening of a new Welcome Center will represent a pivotal moment for DePaul. It’s more than just a building — it’s a statement about who we are and where we’re headed,” said Sasha Ivanic, assistant vice president of enrollment management at DePaul. “The space will be our opportunity to inspire prospective students and their families, showcasing DePaul’s mission, values and the transformative experiences we offer. It’s designed to leave a lasting impression, one that says, ‘you belong here, and this is where your future begins.’”

A new front door to campus

During the day, the new Welcome Center will create a seamless visitor experience for prospective students. Currently, about 60-80 prospective students take DePaul campus tours on an average day, and the new Welcome Center will increase capacity for campus visits and tours.

In the evening, it will become a gathering space for the DePaul community. Its large multipurpose event space, lounges, and meeting rooms will support student organization meetings, special events, group work and informal gatherings.

The new center will also free up other buildings previously used to host prospective students. This includes more availability for Cortelyou Commons, one of the university’s largest on-campus venues for student, faculty and staff events.

Upon completion, the Welcome Center will serve a diverse range of people, from young siblings and parents to alumni and current DePaul employees. Every area within the Welcome Center has been thoughtfully designed to provide something unique and curated for everyone who walks through its doors, said Ivanic.

“We hope this new space is something we all can take pride in, where we capture the spirit and energy of our campus,” said Ivanic.

The first floor will feature a presentation space and various immersive displays that showcase DePaul’s strengths, including faculty research, community reach and student success stories. Visitors will follow a storyline woven throughout the space that highlights what sets DePaul apart from other universities.

Graduate students and transfer students will find areas on the second floor designed just for them. Smaller meeting spaces will offer prospective students and families a place to have important, private conversations regarding their college choice.

“We’re thrilled to have a new space that will redefine the student visit experience,” says Sally LaRowe, associate director of first-year recruitment and admission at DePaul. “The Welcome Center will allow us to showcase DePaul’s strengths in a way that’s immersive, engaging and memorable. From the moment they step inside, we want them to feel the energy, innovation and warmth that defines our university.”

Prospective students can schedule a visit to campus or apply to DePaul online.

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