CME.12 – Union Station Rehabilitation Project Scope 1

• Elly Lawson
• Nikki Patel
• Harsh Patel
• Alondra Santos
• Darshan Shah
• Eashan Vadakepurakal

The Union Station Power House is located off of Roosevelt Road, directly across the 78 development, facing the stunning Chicago skyline. This building currently stands abandoned, and Amtrak has been planning to destroy the structure for an estimated $13 million and replace it with a maintenance shed. The Power House has been out of operation since 2011, becoming an idle and derelict structure in one of the world’s most promising cities. The $13 million estimated to destroy the structure can be put into the current facility as an adaptive reuse project.

As an adaptive reuse option, our team proposed converting the existing structure into a luxury apartment building that meets the modern standards of urban living. This adaptive reuse project helps focus on the preservation of the existing structure while incorporating new elements and amenities that are desirable for luxury apartment living. The apartments are designed with a focus on open spaces, natural lighting, and sustainable materials, creating a comfortable living environment for residents. This project includes community spaces such as conference rooms and lounge areas, as well as a spa and meditation space, enhancing the quality of life for residents. The proposed reuse project is a unique opportunity to repurpose the existing building and create a high-end residential complex that meets the needs of a modern urban dweller.

This building will have a contemporary, functional, and innovative design providing amenities and features that are well-matched to its intended demographic. The design is focused on modeling the interior and exterior layouts with details and finishes that are most desirable to users. These changes would be made while ensuring that the façade and history of the building stayed intact. The team is also proposing solar panels as a way to allow energy harvesting. This energy can be used to run the building. AutoCAD and Revit was used to show the new space’s modeling of the interior and exterior designs. There are multiple layouts that have been modeled to show the three and four bedroom layout alongside the lobby space, parking space, and the beautiful refurbished exterior.

Overall, the proposed adaptive reuse project offers an innovative approach to repurposing the existing building to create a high-end residential building. This project emphasizes contemporary and sustainable design features, while also contributing to the ongoing revitalization of the neighboring urban area. The repurposing of this facility enables the Power House to continue contributing to the restoration of Chicago’s history and character that the building holds.