“Construction has begun on the redevelopment of the former Tyson Foods building at 400 S Jefferson Street in West Loop Gate. Located at the corner of W. Van Buren Street and bounded by Interstate 290 to the south, the former industrial building was purchased by The Chicago School late last year to serve as its new consolidated campus.

“The Art Moderne-style, four-story structure was built in 1946 for a local lithographing company and designed by Alfred S. Alschuler, who is also known for designing the current London House building. It was eventually vacated and redeveloped by Sterling Bay in the 2010s for Hillshire Farms. Their work included adding rounded-corner windows, a roof deck, a lounge, and community rooms.

“The Chicago School, a nonprofit university that is part of a larger national network, is now working to convert the 247,000-square-foot building into its new campus. The space is larger than all three of its current locations across the Loop. It will also house the new College of Osteopathic Medicine, which has received preliminary accreditation.” (Achong, Chicago YIMBY, 5/26/25)

This is a great adaptive reuse and another good example of the economic benefits of historic preservation. This important Art Moderne building by Alfred Alschuler would make an excellent Chicago Landmark as we encourage the Chicago School’s Illinois College of Osteopathic Medicine to pursue designation.

Back in 2012, Preservation Chicago worked hard to ensure that the Hillshire Brands development team appreciated and respected Alfred Alschuler’s 1946 Art Moderne design intent for the former Sara Lee Building. It was a highly successful effort and the original curved entry and historic windows were retained.

Rows of curved ribbon windows were added which reinforced the original design intent. The new windows were essential to allow new uses for the building which previously had been mostly solid masonry. It was a long and challenging effort, but it was well worth it as the outcome was and remains excellent.

The success of the 2012 redesign is confirmed by the decision of the Chicago School’s Illinois College of Osteopathic Medicine. If the original nondescript office building recladding plan went ahead, it’s unlikely that the medical school would have selected this building 13 years later.

Read the full story at Chicago YIMBY

• Construction Begins On Redevelopment Of Former Tyson Foods Building In West Loop Gate, Ian Achong, Chicago YIMBY, 5/26/25
• First medical school to open in Chicago in nearly 100 years takes aim at physician shortage; The Chicago School is accepting applications for the Illinois College of Osteopathic Medicine, which is set to begin classes in fall 2026, Shannon Tyler, Chicago Sun-Times, 6/5/25
• Chicago’s first new medical school in 100 years taking shape in former Tyson building, Jon Asplund, Crain’s Chicago Business, 5/28/25
• Vacant Former Tyson Foods Office in Chicago To Become Medical School; Community Solution Education System, Chicago School Pay $38.5 Million for Building at 400 S. Jefferson St, Ryan Ori, CoStar News, 3/28/24