Before the recent fire at Piper's Alley, the Second City was already moving ahead with an expansion to its Training Center, being built in 25,000 square feet of newly leased space. Amazingly, the expansion is still on track to be completed by January 2016 and will more than double the size of the existing facility. Additions will include a bar and restaurant featuring shareable plates, the 50-seat Harold Ramis Screening Room, a sound stage for video production, two 60- to 70-seat cabaret theaters, a communal workspace for students and seven new classrooms.
Renderings released by the Second City Training Center showcase new facilities that will make it easier for students to meet outside of the classroom, including communal bleacher seating and workspaces. The decor of the new space centers around famous names (and faces) that have trained at the Second City, including people like Tina Fey, John Belushi and Bill Murray. Much like iO's new digs, the expansion seems aimed at making Piper's Alley a place where students and audience members will want to spend their time, even where they're not taking a class or seeing a show.
Exterior view from Wells Street of the Training Center expansion
Courtesy the Second City
Entry to the Training Center expansion
Courtesy the Second City
Updated entry to Piper's Alley atrium
Courtesy the Second City
A new student workspace
Courtesy the Second City
New Training Center reception area
Courtesy the Second City