the uptown market
DESCRIPTION
A new vision for Uptown, Chicago. In collaboration with CHICAGOSTUDIO and von Weise Associates.TRANSCRIPT
INTRODUCTION
The Uptown Market is the collaborative effort of three architecture students and one landscape architecture student through CHICAGO STUDIO and von Weise Associates. The project seeks to analyze and understand how multimodal transportation hubs can revitalize an area. Through our investigations, we gained a better understanding of Chicago, Uptown, and various transportation methods found within the area.
This project specifically investigates the renovation and adaptive reuse of the former Uptown Station. In 1922, Arthur Gerber designed the Uptown Station with a classical revival style. The ‘El’ brought tremendous growth to Uptown through its direct connection with Downtown, and as a result The Gerber Building became a central focus for the thriving entertainment district. Because of its placement under the tracks, the Gerber Building degraded with time. It currently lays vacant, aside from the still active Wilson Station. Our intent is to bring this site back to its former glory, becoming a catalyst for growth in the Uptown neighborhood.
By analyzing the site through our multidisciplinary lens, we realized the inherent opportunity in The Gerber Building and its sur-rounding block, and created an innovative and unique program for Uptown. What was once the Uptown Station is reborn as the Uptown Market. The Gerber Building becomes an open, dynamic space housing a mixed-market, restaurant, and cafe. Two vertical farm towers soar above, framing the existing Gerber facade, and supplying the Uptown Market. The central plaza becomes the public fabric that connects these unique spaces. The Uptown Market is about establishing connections: people connect to food, the growing process, the neighborhood, and The Gerber Building becomes the beacon of growth that connects Uptown and Chicago.
THE UPTOWN MARKET
Introduction
Concept
Idea Generation and Development
Design and Details
Extracurricular
4
12
16
32
52
SERGE 3
Markets
Community Based
Wilson
Broadway
Cornerstone Community Outreach
Uptown Farmer’s Market
Truman College
Inspiration KitchenInstitute of Cultural Affairs
Weiss Rooftop Garden
Institutions
Weiss Hospital
Entreatment
Uptown Theatre
Graceland Cemetery
Wilson Montrose Beach
SERGE 5
SERGE 6
Northwestern Elevated Railroad began operation.Located at the south of Wilson Av. Wilson was the North terminal with a station, yard, offices, and shops.Architect William Gibb initial design presented problems with height of the railroad.
1900 1907
Architect Arthur Gerber designed the “lower Wilson” which included the station’s headhouse, trainmen’s rooms and clerk’s office. The neighborhood of Uptown gains recognition due to the fast growth of “Wilson Shops” nearby the station. Chicago Daily published: Gerber’s extension would relieve some of the congestion at the terminal.
1908
The Northwestern Elevated opened its extension to Evanston over the electrified ground-level tracks of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway.Wilson is no longer the North terminal.Upper and Lower Wilson work simultaneously with local and express trains.
1910
Traffic assistant, Peter C. Stohr, hired Frank Lloyd Wright to design The Stohr Arcade Building at the north side of Wilson, between the elevated tracks and Evanston Avenue.The Stohr Arcade Building was merely commercial.
The Northwestern Elevated consoli-dated the upper and lower stations into one entrance.Also, the two-track line north of Wilson was expanded to four tracks.
1917 1922 1923
The Stohr Arcade Building was demolished.Arthur Gerber’s designed a Classical Revival building.Gerber’s new building was thought of as the joint between the Northwestern Elevated and the interurban train.
Uptown district became the largest and most popular commercial and entertainment area on the city's North Side.
1924
McJunkin Advertising Agency commis-sioned architects Marshall & Fox a large commercial building that resembled the new Wilson station across the street. The 465 feet long McJunkin Building is located at Broadway.
1947
The Chicago Transit Authority took control.
1949
The CTA discontinued terminating trains at Wilson.All trains from downtown serving Wilson ran through to Howard or beyond.
1957
The Lower Wilson station entrance was closed and demolished, leaving the stairs to the mezzanine and Upper Wilson exposed to the outside again at street level.A large portion of the lower yard was used to store out of service wood cars.
CTA’s renovation effort declared that the decorative terra cotta arched parapet at the station's corner entrance needed to be removed.CTA embarked on a $1.8 million project to reconstruct about 1,500 feet of right-of-way through Wilson station into a continuous four-track system.
1958
The North Shore Line ceased operations and vacated Wilson station.Only the "L" now using the station and only North-South Route trains stopping, the large waiting room and several platforms were no longer needed. The waiting room was converted into commercial space
19631960
The population of Uptown declined. Many apartments were subdivided into smaller units, rooming houses, and single-room occupancies more suitable for individuals than families or couples.
Tragedy struck at Wilson station when a CTA train collided with a North.Shore Line train. Initially, seven died and approximately 160 "L" riders were injured.
1956
"Chicago ''L''.org: Stations - Wilson." Chicago ''L''.org: Stations - Wilson. N.p., n.d. Web. 03 Sept. 2013.
SERGE 7
Northwestern Elevated Railroad began operation.Located at the south of Wilson Av. Wilson was the North terminal with a station, yard, offices, and shops.Architect William Gibb initial design presented problems with height of the railroad.
1900 1907
Architect Arthur Gerber designed the “lower Wilson” which included the station’s headhouse, trainmen’s rooms and clerk’s office. The neighborhood of Uptown gains recognition due to the fast growth of “Wilson Shops” nearby the station. Chicago Daily published: Gerber’s extension would relieve some of the congestion at the terminal.
1908
The Northwestern Elevated opened its extension to Evanston over the electrified ground-level tracks of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway.Wilson is no longer the North terminal.Upper and Lower Wilson work simultaneously with local and express trains.
1910
Traffic assistant, Peter C. Stohr, hired Frank Lloyd Wright to design The Stohr Arcade Building at the north side of Wilson, between the elevated tracks and Evanston Avenue.The Stohr Arcade Building was merely commercial.
The Northwestern Elevated consoli-dated the upper and lower stations into one entrance.Also, the two-track line north of Wilson was expanded to four tracks.
1917 1922 1923
The Stohr Arcade Building was demolished.Arthur Gerber’s designed a Classical Revival building.Gerber’s new building was thought of as the joint between the Northwestern Elevated and the interurban train.
Uptown district became the largest and most popular commercial and entertainment area on the city's North Side.
1924
McJunkin Advertising Agency commis-sioned architects Marshall & Fox a large commercial building that resembled the new Wilson station across the street. The 465 feet long McJunkin Building is located at Broadway.
1947
The Chicago Transit Authority took control.
1949
The CTA discontinued terminating trains at Wilson.All trains from downtown serving Wilson ran through to Howard or beyond.
1957
The Lower Wilson station entrance was closed and demolished, leaving the stairs to the mezzanine and Upper Wilson exposed to the outside again at street level.A large portion of the lower yard was used to store out of service wood cars.
CTA’s renovation effort declared that the decorative terra cotta arched parapet at the station's corner entrance needed to be removed.CTA embarked on a $1.8 million project to reconstruct about 1,500 feet of right-of-way through Wilson station into a continuous four-track system.
1958
The North Shore Line ceased operations and vacated Wilson station.Only the "L" now using the station and only North-South Route trains stopping, the large waiting room and several platforms were no longer needed. The waiting room was converted into commercial space
19631960
The population of Uptown declined. Many apartments were subdivided into smaller units, rooming houses, and single-room occupancies more suitable for individuals than families or couples.
Tragedy struck at Wilson station when a CTA train collided with a North.Shore Line train. Initially, seven died and approximately 160 "L" riders were injured.
1956
"Chicago ''L''.org: Stations - Wilson." Chicago ''L''.org: Stations - Wilson. N.p., n.d. Web. 03 Sept. 2013.
The City of Chicago issued a Request for Information pertaining to the redevelopment and renovation of the existing Gerber Building and Wilson Station. The Urban Land Institute submitted a report alongside the RFI analyzing the Uptown neighborhood and community, while also suggesting potential uses. It was suggested that The Gerber Building become a combination retail market while retaining its access to Wilson Station.
In response to the RFI, we explored ways to enhance the existing station. We embraced the idea of a mixed-market, but wanted to create an experience that was seamless throughout. Instead of investigating the separate Gerber Building and Wilson Station, we decided to design the spaces together: we knew that this proposal could be much more than just a train station and a market.
CONCEPT
Connecting people to a sustainable food system
Residents
StudentsM
erch
ants
Tourists
CommutersPlant
GrowHarvest
ProcessD
ispo
seEa
t
Serve
Cook
Prep
Supply
Emot
iona
l
Sensory
Circ
ulat
ion
Men
tal
Physica
l
PathwayEgressStatic
EnclosureWallsColumnsDensityWindows
DoorsStairsElevators
ArcadeRampPromenadePlaza
MaterialOpeningsColumns
GlassSteelWoodStructuralFunctions
WindowsDoorsHallways
WoodSteelStoneGlass
Furnishings
SeatingHandlesBarStations
BehaviorUnderstanding
SurpriseClarityDetailAtmosphere
Communication SignageAdvertisement
Interaction
TrainStreetInteriorMovingStatic
ExchangeConverse
VisualAuditorySmell
AreaPeopleKitchenProductsWasteMechanical
TrainPeopleTransitMechanical
ViewPerspectiveFrameTransparencyRhythmShadow/light
Touch
MaterialLightAirPeople
Atmosphere Enclosure
DensityLevel of Activity
ProximityPacePublicity
PeopleColumnsStations
SERGE 14
THE DESIGN PROCESS
Due to the collaborative nature of our studio, we actively worked together to address, investigate, and determine the best ways to bring our concept and design to life. While drawings and sketches were the dominant means of communication, the group also looked to renderings as a tool to help visualize an idea. An interactive dialogue was created: speaking through drawing.