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Loyola University Chicago has unveiled early plans for a new academic facility envisioned as a hub for nursing and science education on the Lake Shore Campus, slated for completion in fall 2028. Preliminary designs call for a state-of-the-art facility located on the former site of Campion Hall, which is set to be demolished this summer.
The building will create expanded and modernized academic space for programs from the Marcella Niehoff School of Nursing and the College of Arts and Sciences. Designed to address both current and future needs in nursing education, plans for the building feature specialized classrooms, research spaces, advanced simulation environments, and welcoming spaces for gathering, studying, and collaboration.
“In the rapidly changing, increasingly complex field of health care, the demand for highly skilled nurses has never been greater,” said Lorna Finnegan, dean of the School of Nursing. “This world-class facility will serve as a catalyst for innovation in nursing education and propel our nationally ranked program to the next level.”
The envisioned building will create the infrastructure needed to support projected growth of Loyola’s four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing program, ranked nationally at #26 by U.S. News and World Report. The planned expansion responds directly to the nationwide nursing shortage and reaffirms Loyola’s commitment to preparing nurses equipped to meet the needs of tomorrow—whether in hospitals, telehealth settings, or community-based care.
The facility will serve as the new academic home for the College of Arts and Sciences’ Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, as well as the interdisciplinary Forensic Science program. It will enhance the student experience through expanded research opportunities, foster innovation, and support the professional development of students preparing for careers in science, healthcare, and beyond.
“By bringing together our students and faculty in a modern, state-of-the-art science facility that will include Chemistry, Biochemistry, Forensic Science, and Nursing, we are creating a collaborative engine for interdisciplinary innovation,” said Peter J. Schraeder, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. “This project will enhance the student academic experience and promote collaborative, faculty-led research that addresses real-world challenges and strengthens our connection to the broader community.”
Located on Sheridan Avenue, the facility will serve as a northern gateway to the Lake Shore Campus. In 2024, as part of Loyola’s campus plan process, a comprehensive community engagement effort was conducted to share the long-term goals of the University as well as gather input and identify shared priorities with neighborhood residents. Through an interactive mapping website, multilingual surveys, and eight public events, themes emerged around environmental sustainability, community safety, and access to education.
Demolition of Campion Hall begins in mid-June following site preparation and abatement. Loyola continues to work with local residents and 49th Ward Alderwoman Maria Hadden’s office to keep the neighborhood community informed as the project moves forward. The University will continue hosting several neighborhood meetings and share updates about permitting milestones, traffic considerations, and construction timelines. Foundation work is expected to begin in December.
In keeping with Loyola’s Jesuit mission and the Ignatian value of caring for our common home, the project also prioritizes environmental stewardship. Through intentional building design and operation, the facility will help protect migrating birds, preserve the Lake Michigan shoreline, and reduce the University’s carbon footprint.
