Green, Red, White and Blue (stones)
The University community said goodbye to old Loyola this past summer to make way for a new campus green. As the final brick was cleared away in front of the Estate in early fall, a new stone archway was completed near the library, three flags were raised atop a terrace and bluestones replaced z-brick pavers on the Commons pathway.
In addition to new flagpoles, the Commons Flag Terrace includes seating areas, lighting, landscaping and an archway. Consistent with landscaping elsewhere on campus, the project incorporates bluestone and granite pavers with intermittent, low limestone seating walls. The design also integrates into the seating walls the existing statue of Christ the Teacher.
“Foremost is our country’s flag. It symbolizes the freedom we celebrate daily and the obligation we have as citizens to nurture that freedom and pass it to future generations.”
– University President Kevin P. Quinn, S.J., at the flag-raising ceremony
The Commons
Up next?
Another phase of work to the Estate grounds and entrance, a second phase of work to the Commons and a $14 million renovation to the athletic fields and facilities known as the South Side Athletics Campus, which is owned by the University and continues to receive philanthropic support.
The Estate
The next phase of the Estate work, which begins this spring, includes a restored entrance to the building (the original door will stay!), a new bluestone terrace and a contemplation walkway from Monroe Avenue.
The improvements are intended to make the Estate more visible to visitors, as well as historically accurate.
Fun fact: Contemplation walkways were common when the Estate was designed in 1864, but the original design did not include
The South Side Athletics Campus
Plans for the new South Side Athletics Campus include NCAA regulation baseball and softball fields and a multipurpose field that meets NCAA standards for soccer, lacrosse and field hockey. Plans also include a community basketball court, a children’s play area, field house, bleacher seating and parking.
“The new facilities will dramatically improve the quality of life for each and every student on our campus.”
— David L. Martin, director of Athletics at the University
See a video here.
Get more photos and video of campus updates here.
