McCormick Square’s Premiere Event Space
The Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority (MPEA), DePaul University and Wintrust Financial Corporation invite you to check out the newest event center at McCormick Square – Wintrust Arena.
Designed by the internationally-renowned architecture firm Pelli Clarke Pelli, the new building is unique from an architecture standpoint and brings a renewed sense of excitement to the surrounding area. With 10,000 seats and 22 state-of-the-art suites, Wintrust Arena is the perfect venue for a myriad of events and a game changer for the South Loop.
Wintrust Arena is also home to a first-class NCAA basketball court that is the new home to DePaul University’s men’s and women’s basketball teams, as well as Chicago’s WNBA team – the Chicago Sky.
Part of a vibrant and walkable urban experience for convention goers, the Wintrust Arena is located in the heart of McCormick Square, making it a prime tourism destination for local residents and visitors alike. The arena will serve as a further catalyst for economic development of the historic Motor Row along South Michigan Avenue and other surrounding neighborhoods.
To sign up for news about the Wintrust Arena, visit www.WintrustArena.com. The Wintrust Arena is a public-private partnership between the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority (MPEA) and DePaul University.

Wintrust Arena Receives One of America’s Top Architecture Awards
Just eight months after opening its doors to the public, MPEA’s Wintrust Arena is being acknowledged for design excellence by the nation’s most prestigious architectural recognition program. Awarded the American Architectural Award for 2018 by the Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design and The Europeans Centre for Architecture Art Design and Urban Studies, Wintrust Arena joins a select group of 100 other projects, chosen by a distinguished group of architects and educators.
From its innovative rooftop featuring the Chicago flag, to its unique basketball court design, Wintrust Arena is a one-of-a-kind structure at McCormick Square and throughout Metropolitan Chicago. The team of outstanding architects at Pelli Clarke Pelli and Moody Nolan were outstanding partners, and MPEA was fortunate to have had them design this project for McCormick Square. Congratulations, team!
About the Award:
Now in its 24th year, the American Architectural Awards are the nation’s highest and most prestigious distinguished building awards program that honor new and cutting-edge design in the United States. This program also promotes American Architecture and design to our public audience in the U.S. and abroad.
This year, the Museum received a record number of projects for new buildings, landscape architecture, and urban planning from the most important firms practicing in the U.S. and globally. From a short list of 340 projects, the 2018 Jury for Awards was held in New York, and over 100 projects were selected by a distinguished group of New York architects and educators. A full list of winning projects for 2018 can be viewed at www.chicagoathenaeum.org