North Central College Is Building a New 60,000-Square-Foot Student Commons in Naperville

North Central College is making a major investment in its Naperville campus.

The college is moving forward with a new 60,000-square-foot Student Commons at the southwest corner of Chicago Avenue and Brainard Street — bringing dining, student activities, meeting spaces and gathering areas together in one new campus hub.

Construction is being divided into two phases, beginning with a 30,000-square-foot dining center expected to open in fall 2027.

And this isn't simply a replacement dining hall.

Once both phases are complete, the Student Commons is designed to become one of the main gathering places on North Central's campus.

Where Is the New Student Commons Going?

The Student Commons will be built at the southwest corner of Chicago Avenue and Brainard Street in Naperville.

It's an important location because it sits where several major parts of campus come together — academic buildings, residence halls and North Central's athletic facilities.

The location will also solve a practical problem for hundreds of students.

More than 800 students live in residence halls south of Chicago Avenue, and student-athletes regularly use the nearby athletic complex.

Right now, those students have to cross Chicago Avenue to reach the college's primary dining facility.

Once the new dining center opens, they won't.

Phase One: A New 30,000-Square-Foot Dining Center

The first phase will focus entirely on dining.

Plans call for a 30,000-square-foot facility capable of seating as many as 500 students at one time.

The dining center will include:

• A modern servery for daily meal service

• Multiple seating options

• Grab-and-go food choices

• A quick-service college grill

• Coffee and other beverages

• Gathering space where students can eat, meet and spend time between classes

North Central expects the dining center to open in fall 2027, with November 2027 identified as the targeted opening in the college's project announcement.

It Will Replace Two Existing Dining Options

The new dining center will eventually replace Kaufman Dining Hall and The Cage grill.

Kaufman currently serves as North Central's traditional dining hall at 221 S. Brainard Street, while The Cage operates inside the Harold and Eva White Activities Center.

Students won't lose those dining options while the new facility is being built.

Both Kaufman Dining Hall and The Cage are expected to remain open throughout construction.

That's particularly important because Kaufman has been part of campus life for generations.

College officials previously noted that the existing dining facility is nearly a century old, making a modern replacement one of the priorities identified through North Central's long-term campus planning.

Phase Two Will Add Another 30,000 Square Feet

The dining center is only half of the project.

Once North Central completes the necessary capital fundraising, the college plans to move forward with a second 30,000-square-foot Student Activities Center connected directly to the dining facility.

This portion of the Student Commons would include:

• Casual seating for studying and gathering

• Small-group breakout rooms

• Larger conference rooms

• Meeting spaces for student organizations

• A new campus store

• A kitchenette

• A central social area with large monitors

• A large multipurpose event space

That multipurpose room is planned to accommodate as many as 350 people.

It could host college functions as well as larger events including banquets and wedding receptions.

Once both phases are finished, students would have dining, meetings, activities, studying and social spaces concentrated under one roof.

Why North Central Is Building It Now

The project didn't appear overnight.

North Central's 2024 Master Land Use Plan identified future facility needs as the college looked at how its campus should evolve over the next decade.

That plan was unanimously approved by the Naperville City Council in September 2024 and now serves as a guide for campus development through 2034.

A new dining facility and student activity space emerged as priorities.

North Central has also said modern campus amenities play a role in attracting future students.

Colleges aren't competing solely on academics anymore.

Residence halls, recreation facilities, dining options and places where students can build community are all part of the campus experience prospective students consider.

The Location Could Make Campus Life Easier

One of the most practical benefits may simply be where the building is located.

With more than 800 residential students living south of Chicago Avenue, putting dining on that side of the street means fewer students crossing one of the roads running through campus multiple times each day.

The location also puts the Student Commons closer to the athletic complex.

For student-athletes moving between residence halls, practices, games and meals, that could make daily campus life considerably more convenient.

It's a small geographic change that could affect hundreds of trips across Chicago Avenue every day.

A New Gathering Place Near Downtown Naperville

North Central College already has an unusual advantage compared with many suburban campuses: it's just steps from Downtown Naperville.

Students can walk from campus to restaurants, shops, the Riverwalk and downtown events.

The new Student Commons won't replace that connection.

Instead, it gives students another major gathering place directly on campus while continuing North Central's investment in the area surrounding Downtown Naperville.

The building is being designed as more than somewhere students stop for lunch.

The larger vision is a place where students can eat, study, attend meetings, participate in organizations, socialize and attend events throughout the day.

Construction Is Already Moving Forward

North Central has officially broken ground on the Student Commons project.

The college is also planning a ceremonial groundbreaking at 2 p.m. on Saturday, October 10, during its Homecoming Weekend.

Construction partner Bulley & Andrews has created a project dashboard that will provide updates on construction schedules, site logistics and milestones as work progresses.

Phase I is currently targeted to open in fall 2027.

Phase II will follow once the college completes the capital fundraising needed to move forward with the Student Activities Center.

What Happens to Kaufman Dining Hall?

North Central has said Kaufman Dining Hall will continue operating while the new dining center is under construction.

The college has previously indicated that it is still considering how the existing building could be repurposed after dining operations move into the Student Commons.

That means the new project could eventually trigger additional changes elsewhere on campus as existing spaces take on new uses.

FAQs

What is North Central College building in Naperville?

North Central College is building a new 60,000-square-foot Student Commons that will eventually include a dining center and Student Activities Center.

Where will the Student Commons be located?

The building will be at the southwest corner of Chicago Avenue and Brainard Street on North Central College's Naperville campus.

When will the new dining center open?

North Central currently lists the Phase I dining center as opening in fall 2027. The college's detailed project announcement identifies November 2027 as the expected opening.

How large will the dining center be?

Phase I will contain approximately 30,000 square feet and provide seating for up to 500 students at a time.

What will happen to Kaufman Dining Hall and The Cage?

Both existing dining locations will remain open while the new dining center is under construction. The new facility will eventually replace them.

What is included in Phase Two?

The second 30,000-square-foot phase is planned as a Student Activities Center with study and meeting rooms, social spaces, a campus store, kitchenette and a multipurpose room capable of accommodating up to 350 people.

When will Phase Two be built?

North Central has not announced a construction date for Phase II. The college says construction will move forward after its capital fundraising effort is completed.

Final Thoughts

North Central College's newest project isn't just another building going up in Naperville.

The 60,000-square-foot Student Commons is designed to change how students experience campus every day.

Phase I will move dining closer to hundreds of students living south of Chicago Avenue while creating a modern space capable of serving up to 500 students at once.

Eventually, Phase II could bring even more student life under the same roof — from clubs and meetings to studying, shopping and large campus events.

With construction moving forward and the first 30,000-square-foot phase targeted for fall 2027, this corner of North Central College's campus is about to look very different.