A community activator, designed to ignite the neighborhood.
The building’s distinct contemporary design draws from studies of the adjacent neighborhoods, placing it at the center of a redevelopment plan to transform the surrounding neighborhood into a vibrant entertainment district with new dining and performance venues, hotels, and streetscapes.
Home to DePaul University’s men’s and women’s basketball, the arena is a prominent venue for concerts, sporting events, and conventions. The facility boasts 22 suites, 479 club seats, two VIP club lounges, and the Demon Deck—a designated section for DePaul students with a close-up view of the on-floor action.
Elevating the energy
Four facades of varying transparency invite the city to join in the energy and excitement of the building. The event center’s main design feature is an inventive roof, or 5th façade, that swells upward over the arena seating, recalling some of Chicago’s great gathering spaces like Adler and Sullivan’s Auditorium Theater, the Navy Pier Grand Ballroom and Union Station.
The Wintrust Arena was designed to contribute to the national effort to enhance building performance, reduce waste, conserve resources and promote wellness. A high-performing exterior envelope – including low-e curtainwall glass, walls and hi-reflective roof systems was, designed to reduce the impact of energy used to heat & cool the building. Natural daylighting along the building perimeter offsets & reduces the need for electrical lighting demand.
Materials were specified with recycled content and low volatile organic compounds to reduce the consumption of natural resources as well as alleviate negative health affects due to off-gassing.
