THE UPTOWN MARKETWILL SERGE - FALL 2013

IN COLLABORATION WITH

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

SERGE 4Site and Context

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.

SERGE 8The Gerber Facade

SERGE 9

SERGE 10Wilson Avenue

North Broadway

SERGE 11

Shifting CTA Tracks

Figu

re 4

. Str

eet a

nd P

latf

orm

Lev

els

TRAC

KS: N

ew

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

SERGE 13

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

SERGE 15

Inspiration Images

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.

SERGE 17

Cafe - Prepared Foods

SERGE 18

Community Restaurant

SERGE 19

Open, Mixed Market

SERGE 20

Public Plaza and Corridor

SERGE 21

The Atriums Potential: Light, Energy, and Public Life

SERGE 22

Exploring the Corridor: Movement, Sight, and Mystery

SERGE 23

A Pedestrian Bridge: Connecting Sites, Connecting People

SERGE 24

The Glimpse: Nature in the CIty

SERGE 25

Shifting Infrastructure: Opportunity and Adaptability

SERGE 26Understanding the Plaza

SERGE 27

Verticality: Realizing the Grow Towers

SERGE 28

Market Development

SERGE 29

The Corridor: Connecting Site to Sidewalk

SERGE 30

The North End: Creating Public Spaces

SERGE 31

Growing Infrastructure: Aquaponics and Water FIltration

SERGE 32

SERGE 33

The Gerber Building and Wilson Station

SERGE 34

SERGE 35

The Uptown Market

SERGE 36

Revisiting Concept

SERGE 37

Axonimetric and Program

SERGE 38

Section: Broadway

SERGE 39

Section: Wilson

SERGE 40

Vertical Farming: Scenes

SERGE 41

Veritcal Farming: Structure

SERGE 42 Vertical Farming: Details and Aquaponics

SERGE 43

Architecturalizing Water Flow

SERGE 44

Site Plan and Diagram

SERGE 45

Street Section: Broadway

SERGE 46

SERGE 47

Aerial Plan and Platform Detail

SERGE 48

Neighborhood Context

SERGE 49

Public Open Space: North Broadway

SERGE 50

SERGE 51

The Uptown Market