In their public showcase “Between States – 50 Designers Transform Chicago’s Neighborhoods”, the Chicago Architecture Center challenged local firms to develop design solutions reimagining areas of the city. Our team contemplated the transformation of the area surrounding Guaranteed Rate Field (home of the Chicago White Sox) into a vibrant, sports-oriented urban destination.
Our proposal – titled “Comiskey Commons” in recognition the stadium’s heritage – converts the existing parking lots into textured multi-use city blocks of flexible modular units. The stadium’s outer perimeter has been reimagined as a pedestrian-friendly buffer to adjoining streets and public spaces. The stadium’s parking has been adjusted to meet demand while being adaptable to other uses in the future.
An attractive and highly visible public space is positioned adjacent to the stadium, imparting a sense of local identity throughout the year. Our plan also provides for an iconic high-rise residential tower to accentuate this identity both within the neighborhood and at a distance.
Comiskey Commons proposes a contextually relevant but neighborhood-oriented development, positioning the stadium as the central feature of a broader, functionally integrated community.
