Union Station Transit Center

The Chicago Department of Transportation faced the challenge of transforming an underutilized ground-level parking lot immediately south of Union Station into a vital transit hub. The existing setup scattered bus stops across nearby streets, causing inefficient traffic flow and increasing commuter travel times. The project required a solution that consolidated bus operations and improved intermodal connections to Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), Amtrak, Metra, and the newly launched Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) in the South Loop. Additionally, the design needed to integrate seamlessly with the city’s historic and urban landscape while addressing the functional demands of high-volume transit operations. 

Muller2, now part of GFT, provided architectural services as the prime consultant for Phases I and II of the Union Station Transit Center (USTC) project. The design repurposed the parking lot into a dynamic transit center featuring three off-street dedicated bus lanes and a fully accessible underground pedway extension, directly connecting to CTA, Metra, and Amtrak trains. The facility centralizes bus stops, reducing curb-side clutter and improving traffic flow. A sophisticated layout accommodates large sweeping bus movements, creating efficient operations, and minimizing travel times.

The design integrates butterfly-like canopies over the loading platforms to maximize functionality and aesthetics. These structures incorporate lighting, cameras, and speakers while framing the space with urban edges defined by taller canopies at the east and west ends. A striking glass enclosure at the northeast corner anchors the design, serving as the entryway to a winding staircase that leads to the pedway and train station below.