LASALLE STREET BUSINESS SUPPORT STUDY

Urban Design 

KOO provided analysis and redevelopment visioning for this study commissioned by the Department of Planning & Development. The planning team provided economic analysis for this portion of Chicago’s Loop that has seen high vacancy rates as the traditional financial firms have migrated away from this corridor. The City wanted to understand the kind of incentives that would be necessary to create multi-use development including affordable housing along LaSalle Street. The study focused on three buildings along the corridor which represented a cross-section of the types of properties in the area. Some of the buildings are more or less suitable to convert to cultural, hotel, or residential uses based on their unique design. Part of KOO’s services included feasibility analysis and test fits for adaptive re-use. The design team also explored the ways in which the LaSalle Street infrastructure could be augmented to support a mix of uses.