The Obamalisk is now getting an official explanation after years of criticism, as the Obama Foundation is publicly addressing concerns over the striking design of the Obama Presidential Center on Chicago’s South Side. Construction began in 2021, but the 225-foot-tall, gray, mostly windowless structure has drawn controversy from nearby residents and architecture critics alike.
Foundation Deputy Director Kim Patterson told CBS News that the design choices behind the Obamalisk were deliberate, especially the lack of windows. “There are not a lot of windows on the building, but that’s intentional, because sunlight is just not a friend to the artwork and the artifacts that are going inside of the building,” Patterson said during a tour.
Patterson also defended the building’s unconventional appearance, saying, “The shape of the building was actually meant to mimic four hands coming together to show the importance of our collective action.” Critics, however, have not been convinced. The New York Post reported that locals have dubbed the structure “The Obamalisk,” a nod to its imposing, brutalist style.
Opposition to the project has extended beyond aesthetics. A 2018 lawsuit accused the city of illegally transferring parkland to the Obama Foundation, though the case concluded in 2022. Protesters have also objected to infrastructure plans surrounding the site. Patterson cited concerns about sunlight and gardens when explaining why the foundation moved a proposed parking garage underground. “If the parking garage was here, it could possibly block sunlight coming to their area, their gardens,” she said.
Since 2017, the project’s estimated cost has surged from $500 million to roughly $850 million in 2025. The Obama Presidential Center is scheduled to open in June 2026, ensuring the Obamalisk will remain a focal point in Chicago’s civic debate.
