The $22-million Amtrak-funded project was celebrated Thursday with the lighting of a Christmas tree adorned by ornamental signs with the logos of dozens of railroads, past and present. Pulling the authentic railroad switch were Amtrak Senior Director Ray Lang, Regional Transportation Authority Chairman Kirk Dillard, and Chicago Transportation Commissioner Rebekah Scheinfeld. The RTA and city of Chicago have partnered with Amtrak in the station’s redevelopment.
The 93-year-old facility has been repainted in its original buff colors and plaster details have been repaired after decades of water damage. New lighting illuminates intricate designs for the first time, says Leonard Koroski, a principal at Goettsch Partners Inc., the architects who have worked with Berglund Construction on the project.
The highlight is the 219-foot-long skylight, which had badly deteriorated over the decades and famously leaked. Flaws in the original design had allowed water to damage the skylight and infiltrate the walls of the Great Hall, Koroski said. A unique suspended work deck that was built for the skylight’s restoration has been removed for the first time in 12 months, says Amtrak spokesman Marc Magliari.
The skylight’s 2,052 pieces of glass were replaced. An additional modern skylight was built five feet above the original skylight with 858 panes of clear, high-efficiency glass to protect the structure. The result is that the Great Hall is 50 to 60 percent brighter than it ever was, Koroski says.
Other improvements to the Great Hall include: a new elevator from Canal Street, affording Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant access; the famous Henry Hering figural statues, representing day and night, that are perched above the hall have been restored and are newly illuminated; 24 ceiling chandeliers have been restored and re-hung; and 27 reproduction light fixtures have been installed.
“The splendor of the Great Hall reminds us of what a great architectural gem Union Station is, just as Amtrak is launching the next phase of the project that will renovate and activate the west side of the room to provide more food service and retail space,” Scheinfeld said in a statement.
I’m sure this is quite beautiful but I wonder what would attract more passengers, a newly renovated station or trains that are clean and comfortable and running on time.
Every station on the Hiawatha (new or rebuilt) is an architectural gem. Every one of them is an inspiration.
Yep, there’s gotta be a way to erect a cloud around this one silver lining . . .
I always loved Chicago Union Station. It is a real gem. Beautiful staircases and now the great hall is really a Great Beautiful Hall.
Not only has this beautiful Great Hall been restored to it’s original beauty, it is being used for it’ original intent. When I came thru in late Sept., it was being used by “waiting passengers”, who were then escorted at boarding time to the appropriate train. It certainly was a major improvement , to see 200/300 passengers going to their train in a very organized style. A real improvement to the “old waiting/boarding area down under”. This waiting area is now for handicapped passengers only. Also, the new area for sleeper/first class passengers is fantastic! When the next phase of “food service & retail space ” is completed, it should be a “first class” station. Lets hope we can get rid of “airline Anderson’ and improve and expand the trains!!!!!!!
I still remember the bad old days of the 70’s when the glass panels were still blacked out from WWII.