The David Rubenstein Forum

Convening the Power of Ideas

The Forum is a physical expression of the University of Chicago’s academic character, and it was born from a collaborative process that included UChicago faculty, staff, administration, and board members. The facility offers a bold and inspiring alternative to uninspiring hotel ballrooms and traditional conference center meeting rooms. It is thoughtfully designed to host events that promote inquiry, the open exchange of ideas, and the power of convening.

A distinctive modern tower rising on the south side of the Midway Plaisance, the Forum serves as a hub for the broad range of people and activities at UChicago: visiting foreign dignitaries, academic symposia and corporate partner exchanges, prominent speakers and performers, and board meetings. Its over 36,000 square feet of flexible event spaces, which can accommodate formal and informal gatherings of 75 to over 600 people, will also be a resource for the community and institutions across Chicago.

The Forum’s ground floor houses a gracious lobby and BARDAVID, an elevated wine bar and café, as well as a semiprivate dining space overlooking an illuminated bosque of trees and outdoor event space to the south of the building. Other highlights include Friedman Hall, which sets lectures and performances against the backdrop of Rockefeller Chapel and the Midway Plaisance, and the penthouse‑level City View Room, providing a panoramic view of campus, the surrounding neighborhoods, downtown Chicago, and Lake Michigan.

A celebration of the people and ideas of the University of Chicago, the David Rubenstein Forum is designed to strengthen the University community’s connections to Chicago and the world.