Historic Lake Shore Drive Building Landscape Improvements

Historic Lake Shore Drive Building Landscape Improvements

CLIENT

Confidential

ADDRESS

Confidential, Chicago, IL

PROJECT OVERVIEW

Extensive landscaping and hardscaping improvements to a historic high-rise building

PROJECT SIZE

10,000 SF

COMPLETION DATE

2022

ARCHITECT

Design Workshop (Landscape Architect)

ENGINEER

Primera Engineers, Ltd.

A historic high-rise in the Gold Coast neighborhood wished to create an elegant new landscape that fits in with the area’s character and provides an aesthetically pleasing space to live.

The client hired Helios to manage the restoration of pedestrian access to the buildings’ private entrances along Lake Shore Drive and both pedestrian and vehicular access to the main entrance down a side street. With the building as the center point, the landscape design was inspired by French gardens and the surrounding neighborhood’s Renaissance Revival architecture, incorporating granite, iron, simple planters, and hedge-bordered walkways.

The work included plant protection and erosion control, site demolition, limited grading work, new pavement, curbs, granite steps & walkways, precast planter & retaining walls, railings, lighting, and associated electrical system, planting, soil, and an irrigation system.
.

Key Features

  Significant landscape and hardscape improvements to a historical building site

  Building residents remained undisturbed during construction activities

  Lighting controls system added to save energy

  Methodical excavation around one of Lake Shore Drive’s oldest American Elm trees

  Vintage replica railings & private entry doors to preserve the historic elements of the building façade

Related Projects