Washington University and Clayco Break Ground on the Neil S. Hirsch Center
ST. LOUIS, MO — October 27, 2025 — Washington University in St. Louis and Clayco officially broke ground on the new Neil S. Hirsch Center, a more than 30,000-square-foot facility designed to foster meaningful, real-world connections between students, alumni, and employers.
Designed by St. Louis–based Christner Architects, the three-story building will be built by Clayco and will serve as a central hub for career development and alumni engagement on the university’s Danforth Campus.
“Preparing students for fulfilling and successful careers after graduation is one of the most important things we do at WashU. But that doesn’t just happen inside the classroom, and it doesn’t stop when they receive their diploma,” WashU Chancellor Andrew D. Martin said.
“The Neil S. Hirsch Center is an investment in the futures of our students and alumni. It will better enable us to facilitate successful student career outcomes and continue to support alumni as they progress through their career journeys. We believe it will also be a compelling feature for prospective students and their families as it communicates the comprehensive professional development services we provide,” said Martin.
The building will be named the Neil S. Hirsch Center in recognition of a pledge from Hirsch’s widow, Laura DeLuca Hirsch, through the Neil S. Hirsch Foundation. The center honors the late Neil S. Hirsch, an entrepreneur and pioneer in the financial information sector.
The interior is designed to facilitate spontaneous interaction and cross-generational connection. It will feature:
- A dedicated employer lounge
- Interview and career coaching rooms
- Flexible, mixed-use spaces for students and staff
- A student lounge
- A library of alumni memorabilia
- A professional clothing closet to support students preparing for job interviews
A large, shared event space on the third floor will host career workshops, networking panels, and alumni gatherings. The building’s first floor opens onto a tree-lined courtyard, reflecting the openness and natural beauty of the broader campus.
“We’re proud to be part of a project that will serve generations of students and alumni built right here in St. Louis by an all-St. Louis team,” said Elizabeth Zucker, President of Clayco’s St. Louis region. “This is exactly the kind of impactful work we strive to deliver: thoughtful design, high performance, and lasting value for the community.”
Construction is underway, with the center expected to open in 2027.
About Washington University
Washington University in St. Louis is among the world’s leaders in teaching, research, patient care and service to society. WashU is distinctive in its purpose-driven scholarship across a wide range of academic disciplines, its highly supportive residential undergraduate experience and its world-class research enterprise, which addresses scientific, social and economic challenges locally, nationally and globally.
WashU draws students and faculty to St. Louis from all 50 states and more than 100 countries. The total student body is over 17,000 and about 4,500 faculty teach in nine schools: Arts & Sciences; Brown School; McKelvey School of Engineering; Olin Business School; Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts; School of Continuing & Professional Studies; School of Law; School of Medicine; and the newly launched School of Public Health, WashU’s first new school in 100 years.
The university offers more than 90 programs and some 1,500 courses leading to bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in a broad spectrum of traditional and interdisciplinary fields, with additional opportunities for minor concentrations and individualized programs.
The work and research of 26 Nobel laureates has been associated with WashU. The university is deeply rooted in St. Louis, a city with a rich history and contemporary vibrancy. Learn more about WashU by visiting washu.edu.
About Clayco
Clayco is a full-service, turnkey real estate development, master planning, architecture, engineering, and construction firm that safely and sustainably delivers the highest quality solutions to clients across North America on time, on budget, and above and beyond expectations. With $7.6 billion in revenue for 2024, Clayco specializes in the “art and science of building,” providing fast track, efficient solutions for industrial, commercial, institutional and residential-related building projects. For more information, visit www.claycorp.com.