Earlier this year when developers unveiled renderings of the Union Station redevelopment that depicted a seven-story building stacked on top of the historic station, the public's reaction wasn't positive. Rather than move forward with a design that was unpopular with the community, Riverside Investment & Development went back to the drawing board and presented the latest iteration of its plans for the West Loop building during a public meeting on Tuesday evening.
Crain's shared the updated designs this morning and unveiled the major change in the project: The 404-unit apartment complex that would have sat atop the existing Union Station structure has been nixed by the developer. In its place, the proposal now calls for the construction of a single “penthouse” floor on top of the station that would increase the number of hotel rooms in the building.
The presentation also revealed updated plans for an office building that is being planned south of that station. The latest renderings depict a 1.5 million-square-foot building with a 1.5-acre park public park that will be accessible via Jackson Boulevard and Clinton Street. According to a report from the Chicago Tribune, BMO Harris is in negotiations to anchor the new tower, consolidating its Chicago offices.
The new plan will still need to win the approval of 42nd ward Alderman Brendan Reilly before it goes before City Council, but the developer's willingness to listen and adapt to public feedback and criticism is likely a step in the right direction.
Take a look at some addition renderings of the Union Station redevelopment plan below.
Illustration: Courtesy Riverside Investment & Development
Illustration: Courtesy Riverside Investment & Development