Gensler leads the transformation of North Michigan Avenue in Chicago

Michigan Avenue is a Chicago thoroughfare, figuratively and literally, stretching for more than 12 miles from the shores of Lake Shore Drive to the southern suburb of Dolton. Despite an impressive number of luxury stores and hotels—Saks Fifth Avenue, Chanel, the Ritz Carlton—the street faces financial and safety concerns. The global architecture firm Gensler These challenges are to be met by a comprehensive renovation of the road, which has not been modernized since the 1990s.

COVID-19 has had a significant impact on North Michigan Avenue. According to Gensler, the impacts included nearly seven million fewer visits per year, a 74 percent increase in crime and a 25-35 percent drop in property tax revenue. While the street is making progress toward pre-pandemic levels, the retail vacancy rate is still over 30 percent. A recent commentary in the Chicago Sun Times The declared Michigan Avenue is an exhibition of “Homelessness, mental illness, crime.”

To realize the street’s full potential, Gensler is working with Bob Wislow and Camille Julmy, founders of Chicago real estate agency Parkside Realty and the driving force behind some of Chicago’s largest projects, including One Financial Place. Gensler plans to tackle a northern portion of the main thoroughfare between Chicago Avenue and Oak Street Beach with a pedestrian-friendly approach. Sidewalks will be widened to make room for food and drink kiosks, lighting installations, interactive public art, green space and stages for street performances.

The company also plans to enhance the visitor experience at Jane Byrne Park. A canopy of trees will provide shade for a series of colorful tables. There is a geometric water feature called “The Water Feed.” A new cafe, Jane’s, will house the park’s main feature, its historic water tower. Projection art will illuminate the water tower and fountains at night, adding to the consistently creative spirit of the renovations.

The design invites movement along North Michigan Avenue. The outermost lane bordering the park will be removed to create a walkway so pedestrians can continue their journey past the various attractions along the street. Among other things, a new “arts district and restaurant row” will be created in Seneca Park adjacent to the park and just east of the avenue toward the Museum of Contemporary Art. The amount of parking will be reduced in favor of public art, while the Eli M. Schulman Playground will be preserved and enhanced.

Finally, Gensler intends to transform the street’s northern anchor point: Oak Street Beach and the Drake Hotel. A bridge will connect the luxury hotel to the sandy summer hotspot. Awnings and trees will be placed on the hotel’s avenue-facing facade, while a rooftop terrace will offer lake views. Beach additions include new sand, a waterfront restaurant set on a wooden deck, and beach amenities such as cabanas, lounges and umbrellas, as well as a parasailing lodge. A pedestrian tunnel leading to the beach under Lake Shore Drive will be lined with LED artwork.

Gensler is not taking this renovation lightly. In a statement, the company said North Michigan Avenue is “urgently ready for a redesign” because “Chicago’s economy, job market, global reputation and culture depend on it.”

Although renderings have been released, Gensler has not provided a timeline for the urban development project.