Roosevelt University recently topped off its 32-story “vertical campus” building at 425 S. Wabash Ave.

The building’s upper floors will hold housing for more than 600 students; the lower floors will provide classrooms, lecture halls, science labs, and space for the Walter E. Heller College of Business Administration as well as administrative offices, conference areas, a student union, and dining and recreation centers.

At the topping off ceremony, held at Congress Parkway and Wabash Avenue, Roosevelt University President Chuck Middleton said, “This is a tremendous event for the university” and“an opportunity to make an important public statement about the vitality of Chicago and its educational institutions.”

James J. Mitchell III, chair of Roosevelt University’s board of trustees, also spoke, saying, “This is a collective effort of everyone who shared the dream. Next to the iconic Auditorium Building, there will soon be a 460 foot glass tower.”

Michael A. Toolis, CEO of VOA Associates Inc. architects for the projects, noted, “This achievement was based on great teamwork… of John Buck Company, Power Construction, Jones Lange LaSalle, the university’s board of trustees, and Roosevelt University administration.”

Alderman Robert Fioretti of the 2nd Ward said the vertical campus makes “an important contribution to Chicago. Roosevelt will become the premier university in the City as it is in the center of the Loop area and has a philosophy of inclusion.”

Terry Graber, executive vice president, Power Construction Company, also spoke and said construction is slightly ahead of schedule, with the building on target to open in March 2012.

Following the speeches, those in attendance signed the beam before workers hoisted it to the top of the steel structure.

The new facility will serve increasing numbers of full-time students at Roosevelt, which projects enrollment will continue to rise through 2017. The building will increase classroom capacity by 40%.

—Marie Balice Ward