Some recent stunning imagery from Arch Daily of The Park at Lakeshore East, a new park in Chicago designed by The Office of James Burnett: “…the central amenity of the 28-acre Lakeshore East development in Chicago’s Inner Loop… The landscape architect was engaged early in the project by the master plan architects and helped produce the open space guidelines that would later guide the design and development of the park.”
“Two sweeping promenades of white pavers serve as the primary east-west circulation across the site. Each promenade features a series of five fountain basins activate the street edge. Forty-six species of ornamental plants celebrate the horticultural history of Chicago and provide changing seasonal displays of color. A series of botanical courts extend along the western water garden echoing the form and proportion of the promenades.” (via)
L+U is always conscious of use and misuse of copyrighted materials – which is attributed to the source we are linking from. However, due to a threat of legal action, images of the project were removed – so please go to the original source at Arch Daily
Like I said in the archdaily article, great project, weird part of the city. It is a strangly undeveloped area in the most developed part of the city. I would be interested to hear from the people that are moving into/living in the towers around the park how they feel about it. when i was there a year or 2 ago it was under construction and there were no stores or restaurants that fronted the park and i thought that was too bad. it does have a nice private feel though especially with the grade changes. I entered the park from street level which was above and you get a sweeping view of the area because of it. very nice.
Sounds kind of like our new South Waterfront neighborhood park (designed by Hargreaves), which will be a world-class design in a currently very dead place. Maybe it’s the ‘Field of Dreams’ model – build it and they will come.
Tanner Springs Park in Portland had a similar evolution – there was a few condos and other housing – but it was interesting to see how the park matured, and continues to do so, as the buildings filled in around it, and people reached a critical mass for this and Jamison Square to really work as a connected duo.
Refreshing use of materials in such a large public space.
We’re super excited to see this cross-posted and our office is working on getting more projects featured on ArchDaily.
The current economic situation has resulted in a delay of completion for the full Lakeshore East build-out; we anticipate that the park will continue to grow and develop as the community fills in. There is already a branch of the Chicago farmer’s market that sets up shop on the weekends; the developer also routinely has events out on the great lawn. The location of the project does present some challenges – especially due to the complexity of vehicular circulation – but the development has done a great job of building momentum in the area.
Wow! Sounds stunning.
I’m looking for other articles about the Lakeshore East park. If you know of any, please send the info my way. Many thanks.
R. Borges
Masters Candidate, Landscape Architecture
rborges@iit.edu
Other than those found on a quick Google search, I believe there was a print article in Landscape Architecture a few months back. I’d contact the designer Office of James Burnett (look at comment about by Nathan Elliot) for more info, JK