I visited the Obama Presidential Center, the most expensive presidential library in US history. Here are 15 things that surprised me most.

For over a decade, headlines have been written about the development of former US President Barack Obama’s $850 million presidential center in Chicago — from how it would impact the surrounding community to its visually striking design.

Located on the city’s South Side, the sprawling 19.3-acre campus opened to the public on June 19.

I visited the Obama Presidential Center during its opening week, expecting an experience akin to those at other traditional US presidential libraries.

Instead, the Center challenged my assumptions through an immersive experience featuring massive art installations, interactive exhibits, and panoramic views of Chicago.

Here are some of the most surprising things I saw at the Obama Presidential Center.