Construction on the exterior walls of Bennett Day School, located at 955 W Grand Avenue in West Town, is progressing as the school undergoes its second campus expansion. The expansion, known as ‘Phase 3’, will nearly double the size of the independent PreK-12 school from 50,000 to approximately 100,000 square feet and aims to increase student capacity from 320 to 600.
Bennett Day School Phase 3. Photo by Jack Crawford
Bennett Day School Phase 3. Photo by Jack Crawford
Bennett Day School Phase 3. Photo by Jack Crawford
Bennett Day School Phase 3. Photo by Jack Crawford
Bennett Day School Phase 3. Rendering by Filoramo Talsma Architecture
The project includes a new four-story addition, designed by Filoramo Talsma Architecture and integrating the Reggio Emilia approach, which emphasizes natural lighting and flexible communal spaces. Features of this expansion include a rooftop playground, a Tinkering and Engineering space, and an additional 20,000 square feet for sports and assembly areas. Filoramo Talsma Architecture also designed a previous wing of the school to the northeast. Meanwhile, BLDD Architects, Inc. was responsible for renovating the original brick building, known as the Chicago Commons building, located at the northwest corner of the campus.
Bennett Day School Phase 3. Photo by Jack Crawford
Bennett Day School Phase 3. Photo by Jack Crawford
Bennett Day School Phase 3. Photo by Jack Crawford
Bennett Day School Phase 3. Rendering by Filoramo Talsma Architecture
Bennett Day School Phase 3. Rendering by Filoramo Talsma Architecture
The campus, located at Grand & Morgan, offers adjacent access to Route 65 bus service. Additionally, bus services for Routes 8 and 56, as well as the Blue Line’s Grand Station, are available within a five-minute walk east of the school.
Bennett Day School Phase 3. Photo by Jack Crawford
Bennett Day School Phase 3. Photo by Jack Crawford
Bennett Day School Phase 3. Photo by Jack Crawford
Bennett Day School Phase 3. Rendering by Filoramo Talsma Architecture
The project, which has a budget of $6 million as indicated by a permit issued in 2022, is being managed by Property Adventures Corporation as the general contractor. The new wing is expected to be completed and opened this fall.
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I question the wisdom of the exposed staircase in Chicago’s winters, although I don’t see it in the actual building.