Last week Amtrak and Metra unveiled the newly restored great hall at Union Station just in time for a holiday lighting ceremony, showing off the hall painted in its original colors, made brighter by a restored skylight and improved lighting accenting the historic space that has been Chicago’s front door since 1925.

The Amtrak-funded $22 million project was largely completed in time for what are annually the most popular weeks of the year for Amtrak travel in the national network’s fourth busiest station. Alongsidearchitect Goettsch Partners, Berglund devised a creative solution to maintain usage of the Great Hall by using a suspended working deck for most of the last 12 months. The iconic skylight had been obscured by the deck until the last several days.

We are so proud of this project as its truly showcases a magnificent architectural Chicago landmark. Congratulations to our team, Mike Clarahan, Sarah Horton, Eric Dexter, Erich Stefans and Jack Tribbia. Additionally, thank you to our partners, Amtrak, Metra, CBRE and Klein and Hoffman.

To read more about the project from Amtrak, please click here.

Chicago Tribune Article:
Union Station's Great Hall is bright for holidays, after skylight repair

Amtrak Photos by Derrick James