Confluence | Detail

700 at the River District

Client

Riverside Investment and Development Company

Size

7 acre site / 4.5 acre park / 4 towers / $700M

Collaborators

Goettsch Partners (Architect)

;

700 at the River District

Chicago, Illinois

Located on seven acres of former industrial riverfront along the Chicago River, this is the first major development project subject to Chicago’s new North Branch Framework plan.

Our team led the design of 4.5 acres of park, open space, and a public riverwalk that knits together three office buildings and one residential high-rise tower. All park spaces are placed atop below-grade parking structures that are hidden from view. The sweeping curve of the river defines the shape of the dock-level riverwalk and inspired the use of organic forms carrying throughout the site. This also serves as a counterpoint to the rectilinear geometry of the buildings.

The riverwalk design consists of two parallel paths separated by a gracious, sweeping, seat-height planter. An 8-foot wide pedestrian promenade along the river is separated from a 12-foot wide multi-use trail accommodating cyclists, roller-bladers, and others - providing connectivity to the adjacent City-wide Riverwalk system.

A monumental stair gracefully connects the dock and street levels, with seating terraces oriented toward the river, flexible lawn spaces, lounge areas, gardens with native landscape plantings, and a raised performance stage at the river's edge. Upper-level passive open spaces and terraces overlook the river, with outdoor dining areas also capitalizing on wide river views.

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