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Archives and Special Collections Building Construction Passes Midpoint

Heather Rae Murphy — Wed, 05 Aug 2026 17:34:36 +0000

Renovation work on the Archives and Special Collections Building continues to make steady progress. As of July 23, 2026, the project was approximately 53% complete and has passed the halfway point in its overall schedule.

Construction crews are making progress both inside and outside the building. Brickwork is continuing around the southeast plaza, and new walls are being prepared and built in several areas. Interior work is also moving forward, including installation of upper-level walls, insulation, and other building systems such as plumbing, electrical, heating, and cooling.

Additional milestones include preparation of the loading dock and generator area, installation of ductwork, completion of electrical work for the west entrance ramp, and installation of elevator door frames. Crews have also poured the concrete base for the west ramp, applied protective coatings to the plaza deck, installed equipment in the south mechanical room, and completed masonry work around the generator enclosure.

Throughout the building, work continues to prepare spaces for the next phases of construction as the renovation moves steadily toward completion.

In preparation for taking possession of the space in mid-2027, the university recently concluded a search for a qualified firm to assist with moving the collections into the facility. The first on-site planning meeting with the firm is being scheduled for this coming September.

West plaza concrete base installed.

Protective coating applied to additional portions of plaza waterproofing.

Framing, sheet metal blocking, insulation, and GWB (Gypsum Wallboard) or drywall installation ongoing throughout.

Brick installation ongoing at southwest plaza walls.

Forms being installed at north low walls (rebar installed).

Construction at 35% Completion and Opening Date Announced

Heather Rae Murphy — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 19:35:39 +0000

Construction is progressing steadily on the new Archives and Special Collections Building, with the project now about one-third complete. Crews are continuing waterproofing work around the plaza and courtyard areas, including installing protective walkways to keep those surfaces intact. Inside the building, walls and door frames are being built on the upper level, while major systems such as plumbing, electrical, and heating and cooling are being installed throughout.

Work is also advancing on key structural features. This includes installing ductwork, continuing below-ground plumbing on the lower level, and adding conduit for electrical systems. Crews have begun work on the roof over the west pavilion, are making progress on a new elevator, and have partially installed new stairways. Additional work includes masonry walls, equipment foundations, and ongoing site cleanup and grading.

The building is expected to be completed in July 2027. Following construction, the Library will coordinate the move of the Rare Book & Manuscript Library, University Archives, and Illinois History and Lincoln Collections, along with their staff and collections, into the new space. A grand opening is planned for Spring 2028.

Experience the build as it happens—check out live construction of the new Archives and Special Collections Building through the Morrow Plots Cam on the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign’s YouTube channel.

Below are photos taken on March 26, 2026, highlighting the developments on site.

Building roof on the west pavilion.

Development of east addition and loading dock.

Framing walls for staff break room on first floor.

North vault on the lower level.

Construction Milestone: Over 25% Complete

Heather Rae Murphy — Mon, 23 Feb 2026 21:06:00 +0000

Associate University Librarian Tom Teper, Provost John Coleman, University Librarian and Dean Claire Stewart, Chancellor Charles Isbell, Assistant Dean of Library Facilities Tim Newman.

Construction on the new Archives and Special Collections building continues to move forward, with the project now more than 25% complete. Recent work has focused primarily on interior progress due to winter weather, including installation of ductwork, wall construction, ceiling preparation, and ongoing waterproofing.

In the coming weeks, weather permitting, crews will continue exterior structural work, including progress on the elevator shaft and roof elements, while interior construction advances with framing, electrical and mechanical systems, and additional finishing work.

Below are photos taken on January 14, 2026, highlighting the developments on site.

Walls for the loading dock and elevator shaft excavation.

First pieces of limestone being reinstalled.

View from the west stairway into what will be the gallery and reading room.

Ductwork and electrical conduit being installed above instructional rooms.