The Obama Presidential Center has officially welcomed visitors for the first time, unveiling a part of the center that has sparked widespread discussion. This initial opening provides an inside look at the center’s modern architecture and amenities.

Known as Home Court, the 60,000-square-foot facility is distinguished by its sleek, gray, and contemporary design, a feature that has captivated the public’s attention since the library complex was first announced.

In celebration of the opening, the center hosted a select group of guests for an exclusive preview of the newly completed structure. The building was crafted by Moody Nolan, an architecture firm renowned for its work and noted for being Black-owned.

Among its highlights, Home Court includes an NBA-regulation basketball court, along with seating and meeting areas, catering to various community and event needs.

The centerpiece of the court is an emblematic ‘O’, with President Obama’s well-known campaign slogans, “Hope” and “Yes We Can”, prominently displayed on the court floor, capturing the spirit of his presidency.

Even the metal outside is adorned with a basketball net pattern to keep in line with the theme, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. 

According to the website, the 60,000 square-foot-building serves as ‘a place for health and wellness activities, events, and a wide range of opportunities for community engagement.’

Outside the building are play areas, a walking trail, and even a hill designated for sledding. 

The long-awaited Obama Center will offered the public its first sneak peak at the Home Court, a state of the art activities center

The Obama foundation welcomed guests to experience Home Court

The presidential library sprawls across 19 acres

 The angular structure is powered by solar panels which adorn the roof and features a snow melting system. 

Home Court is already available for booking and held events as recent as December 8, when all manner of Obama supporters made the journey to Chicago to get a glimpse. 

Illinois state representative Marcus C. Evans, Jr. attended the event, calling the space ‘an incredible new space focused on giving our young people safety, support, and opportunity,’ on social media.

Barack Obama’s Senior advisor Valerie Jarrett posted pictures from inside the newly minted facility. 

‘I was overjoyed to welcome dear friends from almost every chapter of President Obama’s story at Home Court, our newly completed athletic center,’ she wrote on Instagram. 

The Obama Foundation held an event at the newly completed activity center and gave guests a sneak peak

The newly completed building includes several meeting spaces and gathering centers

However, outsiders and Chicagoans weren’t quite so supportive. 

The $850 million library campus has been ridiculed as an ‘eyesore’ and even compared to a bunker.

Fox32 Chicago reported that residents protested the library over fears that the new tourist attraction would cause Jackson Heights’ cost of living to skyrocket.

Now even the sprawling activity center is receiving complaints. 

‘How many buildings does Obama need,’ one commenter ridiculed on social media.

‘He’s just done soooo much for Chicago. Wow!! (Sarcasm intended),’ another ridiculed.

Some even worry the building will attract homeless residents to use the lockers rooms for public access.

‘Is anyone going to use it,’ another added.

It is unclear whether the center will be accessible to everyone. 

Others have referenced the basketball court that the former president had installed in the White House by adapting the pre-existing tennis court. 

The main building has been ridiculed as an ‘eyesore’ and ‘monolith’

The NBA-regulation basketball court includes emblems of Obama’s slogans ‘Yes we can’ and ‘Hope’

Original mock-ups for the basketball court came out earlier this year 

‘Did he put a basketball court in both buildings,’ someone joked.

Home Court is the first of the buildings to open. 

The campus in Chicago’s South side will also feature a Chicago Public Library, a Forum building, a Garden pavilion, and the star of the show – the museum – which will house digital files from Obama’s presidency.

Last week, the former president announced that the long-awaited library would finally open its doors in June 2026. 

The project was originally projected to open in 2021 but a slew of lawsuits, protests, and construction hold ups continued to delay it. 

The Daily Mail contacted the Obama Center for comment.