Plans have been revealed for the completion of the school building at 355 East Wacker Drive in Lakeshore East. Wedged between the Coast apartments to the west and the St. Regis to the east, the partially completed building was originally being developed by Dubai-based Global Education Management Systems (GEMS) before construction halted in 2019.
Site context map of Davis School Chicago via Google Maps
Previous GEMS (left) – Current Davis School (right) renderings
Founded in 2000, GEMS began building private schools around the world, opening its first U.S. location in Chicago in 2014, serving grades K–8. A few years later, they began preparing plans for a second building, intended to house a high school. However, due to financial issues, the unfinished building was surrendered to its lienholders, led by Power Construction, in 2024.
PREVIOUS elevation of GEMS by bKL Architecture
Construction of GEMS via bKL Architecture
Now, a new owner has been found. A venture led by various local benefactors has purchased the building for $17.5 million. They plan to complete the structure and open a new Jewish high school called the Davis School Chicago in 2027, according to Crain’s. A survey conducted by the development team indicated that 715 families, representing 1,500 students, expressed interest in enrolling.
PREVIOUS rendering of GEMS by bKL Architecture
PREVIOUS elevation of GEMS by bKL Architecture
PREVIOUS elevation of GEMS by bKL Architecture
That number aligns well with the building’s original design, which was planned to accommodate up to 1,400 students within its 154,000 square feet of space spread across 13 stories. While new plans have not yet been revealed, the original design included lower-level parking and drop-off, a cafeteria, a 500-seat auditorium, classrooms, labs, and a rooftop deck with sports courts.
PREVIOUS elevation of GEMS by bKL Architecture
Construction of GEMS via bKL Architecture
Details remain relatively preliminary, and it is still unclear which design firm will be tasked with completing the work. Previous marketing materials for the building estimated a roughly $20 million cost to finish the project as a school. The Davis School has also launched an official website, which can be found here.
It is worth noting that GEMS also closed its lower school at 350 East South Water Street earlier this year and has put that building up for sale.
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Are they removing colourful patterns to have less modern design because of budget constraints? What would it cost to keep the original more contemporary and aesthetically pleasing design?
It is not budget constraints, replacing already installed colored panels with the white highlight panels will be more expensive than continuing with the existing facade that has been largely installed already.
Probably to visually separate it from St Regis, right now with blue panels it looks like it’s a part of St Regis. My guess
Unrelated to the post above, but I see we may be back to 3 posts a day. I wonder if this is just due to summer or if volume is picking up again.