Chicago Lakeside Master Plan

Chicago Lakeside Master Plan
Chicago Lakeside Master Plan
Chicago Lakeside

Seeking to revitalize a vast, formerly industrial site on the South Chicago lakefront, SOM developed a vision for sustainable community that foregrounds renewable energy, zero waste, and biodiversity.

Project Facts
  • Design Finish Year 2013
  • Size Site Area: 800 acres Building Gross Area: 12,000,000 square feet
  • Sustainability Certifications LEED ND Certified
  • Collaborators
    Sasaki CCS International, Inc. WSP Ramboll Danmark A/S Shaw Environmental & Infrastructure Group Kenig, Lindgren, O'Hara, Aboona, Inc./Kloa Inc. Spaceco Inc. Cisco Chicago Lakeside Development Llc
Project Facts
  • Design Finish Year 2013
  • Size Site Area: 800 acres Building Gross Area: 12,000,000 square feet
  • Sustainability Certifications LEED ND Certified
  • Collaborators
    Sasaki CCS International, Inc. WSP Ramboll Danmark A/S Shaw Environmental & Infrastructure Group Kenig, Lindgren, O'Hara, Aboona, Inc./Kloa Inc. Spaceco Inc. Cisco Chicago Lakeside Development Llc

A new anchor for Chicago’s South Side

Developers and community leaders have long discussed what to do with the vacant South Works steel mill site along Lake Michigan in South Chicago. Once the largest producer of structural steel in the world, the 600-acre site has remained a vacant brownfield for nearly 30 years.

Working with an international team of experts starting in 2004, SOM conceived an ambitious plan in 2010 to transform the property into a sustainable mixed-use community that foregrounds renewable energy, zero waste, and biodiversity. The resulting Lakeside master plan serves as a model for development within the City of Chicago and for future LEED ND developments.

Chicago Lakeside
Before
Chicago Lakeside
Proposed Site Plan

Envisioning an expansive mixed-use neighborhood

SOM’s scheme, which incorporates LEED standards, proposes energy-saving systems to harvest solar and wind power, treat stormwater, recycle grey water, and protect natural resources. Organized around a walkable compact grid and accessible public transportation, the plan includes new landscaped boulevards, sidewalks, bike paths, a continuous lakefront park, smaller neighborhood parks, residential buildings, commercial and civic districts, and connections to the area’s existing transit stations.

Lakeside connects South Chicago neighborhoods to the water with more than three miles of new public lakefront parks. Additionally, a network of parks throughout the site places all homes within a three-minute walk to a green space. The plan also calls for extending a pedestrian and bike path from downtown to the Lakeside development and rail service improvements to strengthen connections to the city and the surrounding region.

Chicago Lakeside Master Plan
© SOM

Building a thriving green community

The plan proposes a neighborhood utility to operate district energy systems, as well as a “living lab” prototype to promote new green technologies. Each building will plug into district infrastructure, eliminating the need for chillers and boilers. High-efficiency building envelopes and MEP systems further outline energy, water, and waste reduction goals.

Clean electricity sources, a smart-grid delivery system, and advanced stormwater and wastewater management strategies achieve a net-positive water balance. Additional sustainability strategies include water recycling, native landscaping programs, and utilizing renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power.

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Lakeside will connect the South Chicago neighborhood to the lakefront for the first time, with over 3 miles of new public lakefront parks. Image © SOM
U.S. Steel’s South Works, a steel mill on Chicago’s southeast lakefront, was once the largest producer of structural steel in the world.The nearly 600-acre lakefront site has been vacant for over 20 years. Photo © SOM
Lakeside is at the center of a global business capital – North America’s most connected region. Image © SOM
Image © SOM
The Lakeside Master Plan, approved by the City of Chicago in 2010, provides a strong framework to build a neighborhood to live, work, and play. Image © SOM
The lakefront site present an unique opportunity to build 21st-century infrastructure that conserves water and energy. Image © SOM
Lakeside’s parks and wildlife habitat under construction contribute to the Calumet Region’s rich series of biodiversity sites. Image © SOM
Lakeside is designed as place to live, work, and play with parks, schools, offices, retail, and more within walking distance of all homes. Image SOM| © MIR
Proposed rail service improvements will strengthen the connections to downtown Chicago and across the region. Image © SOM
Existing rail infrastructure connects Lakeside’s adjacent neighborhood directly to downtown Chicago. Image © SOM
The existing railway can be integrated with other accessible rapid transit to improve mobility across the city. Image © SOM
Small and large parks are integrated throughout the Master Plan, with every home within a three-minute walk to a park. Image © SOM
Lakeside is based on a bold vision for transformation that will be realized in the coming decades.Image SOM| © MIR

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