HARPER COURT
BRINGING FUN BACK TO HYDE PARK
Jane Jacobs pointed out in The Death and Life of Great American Cities that urban renewal eliminated more than 50 bars and clubs from commercial streets in the Hyde Park neighborhood. A street called South Lake Park was one of the most egregious examples, where a public street was moved about 150 feet east to eradicate most of a mile of commercial and mixed-use buildings. This was by no means an even trade, as the developable blocks created by the new street were so deep they required a resubdivision.
In 2009, the City of Chicago issued an RFP to select a development team to master plan an underutilized area at the corner of 53rd and South Lake Park. Vermillion Development recruited Farr Associates to join the team to add needed expertise in master planning and sustainability. Farr’s master plan called for an L-shaped internal street that aligned with the central arch of the Hyde Park Bank Building and an existing apartment building to the west. The master plan located a taller building comparable in height to the bank, and with an occupiable rooftop, to create a gateway along 53rd street. Retail shops lined both South Lake Park and the newly aligned Harper Court. The City of Chicago stated that this was the best master plan submitted, which along with strong financials and relationships, was key to our team’s selection.
After our team’s selection, Farr’s role focused on sustainability and street design. Farr led an Integrated Design Workshop that used both LEED-ND and LEED-NC for reference. LEED-ND prompted a look at opportunities for adding walk-to amenities and green infrastructure, while LEED-NC prompted design studies for the office building to evaluate envelope and MEP innovations.
While Farr Associates prepared conceptual studies for the office building, the final architectural design for the built Phase One was prepared by Architect of Record Hartshorne Plunkard.
Upon its completion, the project is arguably one of the most sustainable urban projects as one of the first in the country to have earned four separate LEED certifications.
Client: Harper Court Partners
Year: 2014
Certifications:
LEED-ID+C (Commercial Interiors) Platinum
LEED-BD+C Gold
LEED-ND Gold
LEED-ID+C (Retail) Certified
Awards:
2012 CNU Illinois Charter Award
