5 minute read
Chapter II: Goose Island
History
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Creating the Ogden Canal
Source: https://www. architecture.org/news/ retrofitting-buildings/gooseislands-industrial-past-andtech-future/ Goose Island’s story begins in the 1850s, when William Ogden, Chicago’s first mayor, spearheaded an effort to improve the navigability of the Chicago River’s north branch. A canal, known as the North Branch Canal or Ogden’s Canal, was dug from Chicago Avenue to North Avenue to circumvent the bend in the river and create more waterway frontage for industrial use.
Around the same time, Chicago emerged as the most important railroad center in the country. By the late 19th Century, railroad tracks radiated from Chicago in more directions than any other city. Industrial development boomed on Goose Island because of the city’s network of rail lines and canals.
Industrial Boom
Source: https://www. architecture.org/news/ retrofitting-buildings/gooseislands-industrial-past-andtech-future/ The same advantages that made Chicago a hub for grain and livestock industries also made the city a major furniture manufacturing and warehousing center. Wholesalers like Marshall Field and mail-order retailers like Montgomery Ward saw the benefit of using the network of railroads that brought grain and livestock into the city for processing as a distribution system. These rail lines delivered finished goods cheaply and efficiently to far-flung farming communities.
The extensive railroad network also provided access to lumber for furniture production, and the city’s German and Scandinavian immigrants provided a ready pool of skilled labor. As furniture manufacturing sprung up along the Chicago River, so did the number of furniture wholesalers that served as the critical link between manufacturers and consumers. By 1926, Chicago was home to 255 furniture wholesalers with sales totaling more than $58 million.
The Decline
The Great Depression halted the seemingly relentless expansion of Chicago’s manufacturing and wholesale operations. Though many companies closed their doors, Goose Island continued to be an important industrial center on Chicago’s north side through the 1970s.
In the early 1930s, the city began construction of a viaduct that would extend Ogden Avenue across Goose Island. Planners speculated that connecting the Island to the city’s limited-access highway system could help stimulate industrial development. Despite this effort, Goose Island’s industries continued to decline as manufacturers and wholesalers left the city. Today, only a handful of the 20th-century industrial buildings remain. Much of the historic industrial built environment, including the viaduct, has been demolished over the past 30 years.
Source: https://www. architecture.org/news/ retrofitting-buildings/ goose-islands-industrialpast-and-tech-future/
Aerial view of Goose Island looking South, Circa 1960
Source: https://www. architecture.org/news/ retrofitting-buildings/ goose-islands-industrialpast-and-tech-future/
Land Use Changes Over Time In North Branch and Goose Island
The pattern of land use in Goose Island over the last 40 years shows how it has transitioned from a light industry platform to a mix of residential, commercial retail, and offices as well as a diversified array of other uses. This pattern shows the potential of the area to host various users with completely different needs.
Source: Mayor Emanuel’s industrial corridor modernization - North Branch Framework
Character Buildings of Goose Island
Source: Mayor Emanuel’s industrial corridor modernization - North Branch Framework
Source: Mayor Emanuel’s industrial corridor modernization - North Branch Framework The North Branch’s distinctive urban character is distinguished by its namesake waterway, which fostered the area’s industrial development and nearby rail and expressway construction. The landscape is punctuated by material silos, large industrial equipment, rail lines, vehicular and railroad bridges and viaducts, sea walls, highway embankments, and many masonry industrial buildings.
Approximately 60 buildings, structures, and industrial features throughout the corridor have been identified as having unique historical, architectural, or another impact on the corridor environment. As the area transitions to a more mixed-use employment center, the corridor’s unique physical and natural assets can be integrated into a modern, functional job center.
R2
R2 is an integrated, private equity real estate firm with offices in Chicago, Milwaukee, and Minneapolis. They were founded in 2006 and “develop, operate and invest in real estate assets in high barrier-to-entry markets with favorable supply and demand fundamentals”. Among the 50 buildings that they own in Chicago, Louisville, Milwaukee, and Minneapolis, 4 of them are located on Goose Island and salt district. Two of these buildings have been chosen as test sites which will be explained later on.
Properties owned by R2 group on Goose Island which are considered character buildings
Map created by Pouya Hamedi Source: https://www. openstreetmap.org/#map=16/41.9040/-87.6545
Initial Development Plans Made by Owner
Image by R2 Source: https://r2.me/portfolio/1001-north-branch/
Image by R2 Source: https://r2.me/ app/uploads/2019/09/ R2_1001_Brochure.pdf The initial plan (currently in the work) proposed by the company owning these buildings is turning them into high-profile offices. There have been proposals by Gensler and similar architectural firms to renovate the buildings.
They plan to rent the building with prices of over $400/sqm/year, making these buildings only affordable for wealthier companies. Also, the spaces have only been divided into very large surfaces. As a result, even if individuals were able to afford the high rent and compensate by renting a smaller area, the option is taken from them.
In the coming chapters, I will go over how and why this trend has become an issue, especially with more popular sites and areas, and then proceed to introduce an alternative.
Image by R2 Source: https://r2.me/app/ uploads/2019/09/R2_1315_ SUITE_C_Brochure.pdf
1001 North Branch Existing condition The grid system and special columns are notable
1315 North Branch Existing condition
1315 North Branch Existing condition The high ceilings stand out as great potential 1001 North Branch Development plans made by R2, turning the building into high profile office space
1001 North Branch Inside view of the proposal
1315 North Branch Development plans made by R2, turning the building into high profile office space
Render created by R2 Source: https://r2.me/ app/uploads/2019/09/ R2_1001_Brochure.pdf
Render created by R2 Source: https://r2.me/ app/uploads/2019/09/ R2_1001_Brochure.pdf
Render created by R2 Source: https://r2.me/ app/uploads/2019/09/ R2_1315_SUITE_C_Brochure.pdf
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- Eva De Klerk
