The East River development connects the city and the lakefront. At its center is a 5.3-acre park, notable for turning the edge of the city into a destination in itself.
Prominently sited at the confluence of the Chicago River and Lake Michigan, this 28-acre development in the Loop was one of the last open parcels in the city. In consideration of the urban scale of its mixed-use program, the Park at Lakeshore East is the anchor and central amenity for the district. A strong, geometric organizational language with curving elements at the street edge help defines the district and denote welcome.
At the southern park entry, a grand staircase addresses a significant grade change and establishes an overlook terrace with expansive views. The northern entry is marked by long seating walls, a strong geometric pavement pattern, and sequenced landscape plantings that evolve into serene open spaces. Families of site furnishings and lighting, pavement in a variety of materials and colors, and the rich variation of Lannon Stone, granite, cedar wood, and metals meld into a contemporary composition that showcases a distinctive material vocabulary.
A dog park, with circular calming entry points and sculpted landforms for play, and three play pods in a large children’s playground are the active areas that strike a balance with the passive park features.
”Visitors entering the park at each terrace are met by a sequence of five pools separated by fields of decomposed granite and punctuated by specimen shade trees.
”A dog park, with circular calming entry points and sculpted landforms for play, and three play pods in a large children’s playground are the active areas that strike a balance with the passive park features.
