Story

Redefining Creighton University’s East Campus

Several years after the 2008 completion of the 220,000-square-foot Harper Center, a project that redefined the east side expansion of the Creighton University campus, Creighton sought Opus’ expertise to create one centralized location for the Heider College of Business. The university also wanted to reorganize student support and academic department office locations to more efficiently use the buildings on campus.

To achieve these goals, Opus Design Build, L.L.C. and Opus AE Group, L.L.C. partnered with the university to move the Heider College of Business to the Harper Center and transfer some of the activities and departments previously housed in the Harper Center to four buildings across campus. In total, 13 departments were moved. The Heider College of Business is now conveniently located on the main pedestrian path along the length of the campus, providing easy access for staff, students and visitors.

Opus used its uniquely integrated design-build approach and coordinated closely with the university to develop a detailed construction timeline to complete moves with the least amount of disruption to academic activities and to design a new college of business with high-tech classrooms and learning areas.

Delivering Unique Spaces for Educational Achievement

The Harper Center now features a glass enclosed rotunda to showcase the new entryway and lobby, establishing a unique identity and a welcoming atmosphere for students and faculty. Opus AE Group, L.L.C. worked with the University to design a new signature classroom with glass walls visible from the lobby for the College of Business. The high-tech classroom design incorporates flat panel TVs, a digital stock ticker and the latest stock trading terminals. Ample seating areas in the building allow students to collaborate in an informal setting.


In addition to housing the College of Business, the Harper Center includes the FanATTIC bookstore, the Financial Aid and Admissions departments, a convenience store, the Billy Blues Alumni Grille and more. The newly renovated area also includes the iJay store, a student-run Apple retail store featuring the latest of Apple tech products, on-site service technicians and a lounge area where students hold technology workshops demonstrating the latest tech products and discussing ways to better utilize the technologies on campus.

Repurposing the Harper Center is key to the College of Business' plan for strategic transformation. Opus has been a tremendous partner, understanding our underlying goal of making the facility an integral part of the transformational plan. Architectural plans reflect our strategy. To them, as well as us, this is much more than a construction project, it is a renaissance of our purpose.

Tony Hendrickson
Dean of the College of Business
Creighton University