Welcome to Wabash

Imagine simply riding an elevator a few floors down to get to class. Or receiving a text message letting you know your laundry is done. 

Now, thanks to the newest addition to Roosevelt, these are things you no longer have to imagine.  

The 32-story vertical campus, known simply as the Wabash building has officially opened its doors for the new semester in its debut year.

Housing student organizations, faculty offices, classrooms and a wide array of student services, the new facility is the tallest educational building in Chicago.

“I believe that a university’s facilities shape people’s impressions of what the university is like,” said Steve Hoselton, the associate vice-president of campus planning and operations. “My expectation is that people will begin to think of Roosevelt University as a modern, exciting place to come and learn.”

Located at 425 S. Wabash Ave, the 469-foot building will act as the main hub for all student needs on campus. The Wabash building has a bold zigzag structure, with blue and green tinted-glass façade. Wabash also connects to the Auditorium Building in three different locations. 

There will be two other passageways connecting the buildings from the first and second floor on the Wabash side of the new facility. 

A 300-person cafeteria is housed on the second floor where students can purchase anything from pizza to salads to the university’s own blend of coffee. Students can access the bridge from the cafeteria to Fainman Lounge in the Auditorium building without having to step outside.

The building is divided into three parts: floors one through five house different departments, such as the Registrar’s office, Financial Aid and Career Development. Above that, floors six through 13 contain classrooms, labs and staff offices. The final 17 floors are solely devoted to student housing.

First-year biology student Trevor Hempfling, 18, was drawn to living in the Wabash building due to the building’s environmentally friendly elements and sustainability.

“Of all the universities I looked at, it just seemed like it fit me best. None of the other universities really matched up with me,” he said.

After moving approximately 4000 boxes from the Auditorium building, Wabash will feature individual climate control in each room, a total of 633 beds, a remodeled fitness center and executive floor where students can gather.

Two years ago marked the start of construction for the new Goodman Center, an athletic facility that will allow student athletes to train, but also provide the university with a chance to host games on the Roosevelt campus. The project is estimated to be complete by December.

 “I know it will just be a great atmosphere for college with all of the beautiful views and how the buildings are connected,” said Manny Eudave, a first-year economics student. “The college is absolutely beautiful and also I’ve heard so much about the small class sizes so the academics will be fantastic.”

The cafeteria, the administrative offices, or the dorm rooms? Tweet and tell us your fave spot in the new building on @RUTORCH on Twitter.