Throwback Thursday – Chicago Medical School Institute for Medical Research

For this weeks Throwback Thursday we visit Chicago in May of 1962 for the opening of the Chicago Medical Schools Institute for Medical Research located at 2020 W. Ogden Avenue. This 10-story, modern, marble and glass structure housed the laboratories for intensive research in biophysics, behavioral sciences, infectious diseases, allergy, arthritis, experimental surgery and medicine, metabolism, endocrinology, biochemistry, hematology, cardiology and cancer. (So, basically every medical malady known to man in 1962!) In addition, the building provided a home for over 400 scientists, doctors, technicians, and post-graduate students.

The building featured the use of Vermont Imperial-Danby marble which was used on the two main facades, including columns, mullions and spandrels. Additional design features included air conditioning throughout the building, glazed tile walls, stainless steel laboratory equipment, and automatic elevators. Lastly, the building featured large seminar rooms and exhibition halls in order to attract international recognition for the Institute.

The Chicago Medical School (now known as the Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science) moved from this facility in the mid-70s because it needed more room to expand its campus. The School found a new home in North Chicago when the Downey VA Hospital offered the School 100-acres to develop.

Sadly this building was eventually demolished, but Epsteins involvement in this site actually continues to this day. We are the master architects for a planned mixed-use development for the Illinois Medical District which will provide facilities for research, residency and hospitality options for professionals and students from the IMD as well as the surrounding medical institutions. This massive project is current in the beginning stages of design.