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Northwestern Seeks Input On 3 Designs For New Biomedical Research Center

CHICAGO (CBS) -- After a long fight with preservationists, Northwestern University is now tearing down the old Prentice Women's Hospital in Streeterville, to make way for a new biomedical research building.

WBBM Newsradio's Regine Schlesinger reports the university is asking for public input as it chooses among three design proposals for the new high-rise.

Goettsch Partners and Ballinger
A rendering of Goettsch Partners and Ballinger's design for a biomedical research center on Northwestern University's medical campus in Streeterville. (Credit: Northwestern University)
Perkins+Will
A rendering of Perkins+Will's design for a biomedical research center on Northwestern University's medical campus in Streeterville. (Credit: Northwestern University)
Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture and Payette
A rendering of Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture and Payette's design for a biomedical research center on Northwestern University's medical campus in Streeterville. (Credit: Northwestern University)

Admirers of the old Prentice, designed by Chicago architect Bertrand Goldberg, fought long and hard to incorporate the old building into the new research center, but ultimately lost the battle.

Now, the university has narrowed down the design competition to three finalists, and is asking for the public's input.

Northwestern spokesman Alan Cubbage acknowledged the university is under pressure to involve the public.

"One of the things that was very important to the city of Chicago was to get good public input and obviously, that's what we're doing now," he said.

Cubbage said each proposed design is of a sleek glass-and-steel 30-story building - a 12-story base topped by a tower.

"All of the designs are very modern architecture, 21st century architecture," he said.
 
You can see more photos of the three designs, and find out how to offer your opinion by clicking here.

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