The University of Illinois in the US and American Campus Communities has started construction of a new academic and residential complex at the university.

The development plan is currently in the final stage.

Designed by SCB architects, the ten-storey building will provide residential and academic spaces for students. It will be located along I-290 next to the Chicago Transit Authority’s recently renovated Peoria Street Bridge and Blue Line Station.

The new $100m facility houses 83,000ft2 of residence space with 550 beds combining traditional dorm rooms and suite-style units.

“The new academic and residential complex will give our students a place where they can engage and interact with their peers in an inviting, welcoming environment.”

Approximately 16,000ft2 of public space will include lounges, offices, a fitness centre, a 10th-floor sky lounge and 1,600ft2 of retail space.

The 51,000ft² academic facility features three large lecture halls, four classrooms, several small group study rooms, a tutoring centre, computer stations and group study areas.

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University of Illinois chancellor Michael Amiridis says: “This new facility will revitalise campus housing and provide much-needed amenities to our students.

“By creating innovative public-private partnerships we are able to address our capital infrastructure needs in the current fiscal environment.”

The planned project is financed through a tax-exempt bond issuance with Collegiate Housing Foundation, a non-profit organisation.

University of Illinois vice-chancellor for student affairs Rex Tolliver says: “The new academic and residential complex will give our students a place where they can engage and interact with their peers in an inviting, welcoming environment in the heart of Chicago and the West Loop neighbourhood.”