Kellogg’s Next Act: A Global Hub 2.0 For The Hybrid Era

Northwestern President Michael Schill and Dean Francesca Cornelli (center), along with donors and supporters of the university, ceremonially broke ground on the new Kellogg building on May 14, 2025. Kellogg photo

The Kellogg School of Management has officially broken ground on a cutting-edge academic facility in Evanston — a project that aims to redefine hybrid learning and global collaboration in business education.

In a ceremony held on May 14, 2025, Northwestern University leaders, Kellogg faculty, alumni, donors, and trustees gathered to celebrate the launch of the ambitious new project. The building — which will be physically connected to Kellogg’s Global Hub via an underground corridor — is designed to serve as a cornerstone for the school’s Executive Education and MBA programs, creating a unified “One Kellogg” campus.

“This is a momentous occasion in Kellogg’s history,” said Dean Francesca Cornelli. “The new building will enrich the student experience across our programs and grow the impact Kellogg has on the world.”

‘A MILESTONE FOR NORTHWESTERN & KELLOGG’

The project replaces the long-serving James L. Allen Center and will double its capacity. Scheduled to open in fall 2027, the new facility will house advanced learning technologies to support hybrid instruction, foster real-time global engagement, and bring together students, faculty, and business leaders from around the world.

The new building serves as the centerpiece of Kellogg’s ongoing Full Circle Campaign, a $600 million fundraising effort to support scholarships, faculty research, and curricular innovation. So far, nearly 75% of the building’s cost has been covered through a mix of institutional funds and major donor contributions — many of whom were present at the groundbreaking.

Among those who turned soil during the event (see photo above) were Northwestern University President Michael Schill, board chair Peter Barris, and trustees including Bon French, Chris Galvin, Kimberly Querrey, Gordon Segal, and Michael Shannon. President Schill called the moment “a milestone for Northwestern and Kellogg,” praising the school’s leadership in shaping the future of business and society.

A VISION FOR GLOBAL LEARNING

The new building reflects Kellogg’s bet on the future of business education — one defined by collaboration, flexibility, and technology. Classrooms will be equipped to support interactive instruction across time zones, allowing Kellogg to expand its reach without sacrificing intimacy or rigor.

Executive Education, in particular, is expected to benefit from the expanded facilities, as the school continues to attract global professionals seeking continuous learning.

Construction is underway; the Allen Center was demolished ahead of schedule, its concrete reused to build construction roads and working pads, part of a broader effort to keep the project sustainable. The next stages include excavation, installation of underground utilities, and structural concrete work, including the setup of a tower crane and formation of elevator and stair cores. A team will also build out the tunnel that links the new structure to the Global Hub.

DON’T MISS FULL CIRCLE: ‘A NEW ERA’ FOR KELLOGG AS SCHOOL ANNOUNCES CAPSTONE FOR $600M CAMPAIGN