Hyde Park Center

The first time I stood in the Rothman Gardens at Chicago GSB’s HPC, staring up through the brilliant skylight I was suddenly transported back to the Paul G. Allen Center for Computer Science & Engineering where I would sit enjoying my daily muffin in the Microsoft Atrium.

Though very different in space as HPC covers 415,000 sq ft at $125 mil while the Allen Center at the University of Washington only covers 85,000 sq ft at $72 mil, both look 6-stories up and are similar in effect with the glass ceilings.

Heading down into the basement of Allen, the computer lab became my second home. Many all-nighters were spent there with fellow CSE-ers rushing projects at the very last second. "It's due in 10 seconds! Hit Submit! HIT IT NOW!!"

And when breaks were needed, we scampered into the lounge for a Halo battle on our Microsoft-donated Xboxes. For a breath of fresh air, we rode the elevator up to the 6th floor, headed through the Bill & Melinda Gates Commons, and enjoyed the Lake Washington view from the Alberg Terrace.

I can only imagine what the view is like from the top of the HPC. If it's overlooking Lake Michigan, it has to be amazing.