This article originally appeared in the Chicago TribuneTed GregorySeptember 9, 2004LISLE -- National-Louis University will open a west-suburban campus in January in Lisle, an estimated $13.5 million project that will include 42 classrooms, computer labs, library, conference rooms, a public cafe and student lounges, school officials announced Wednesday.
"This is an exciting new chapter in the history of National-Louis University," President Curtis McCray said in a statement. "The west-suburban campus in Lisle will be an outstanding example of modern college campus design that will accommodate traditional-age students and our busy adult learners."
The campus, constructed in two buildings at the Corporetum complex south of Interstate Highway 88 and east of Illinois Highway 53, will replace National-Louis' 5.6-acre campus in the former DuPage County Courthouse, jail and administrative building in downtown Wheaton. School officials said the cost of renovating the Wheaton campus to accommodate a growing enrollment was too high.
The Wheaton campus enrolled 2,500 students this year, up from about 700 when the school opened the campus in 1993.
National-Louis, a 119-year-old university, also has campuses in Chicago's Loop; Evanston; Wheeling; Elgin; Washington, D.C.; Florida and Poland.
West Chicago developer Airhart Construction and Focus Development Inc. of Northbrook are planning to convert the Wheaton campus into townhouses and condominiums. The Wheaton Planning and Zoning Board recommended approval of the project in August and the city attorney is drafting an ordinance that, if approved by the City Council, would authorize construction, said Brad Boese, Wheaton staff planner.
