Union Station, Epiphany Church Projects Honored For ‘Creative, Inclusive And Sustainable’ Overhauls

WEST LOOP — Developers behind the restoration of Union Station and adaptive reuse of the former Church of the Epiphany in West Loop have earned a preservation award.

Landmarks Illinois recognized nine projects from across the state for the 2021 Landmarks Illinois Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Preservation Awards on Monday. The restoration of Chicago Union Station, 225 S. Canal St., and adaptive reuse of the Church of the Epiphany into the Epiphany Center for the Arts, 201 S. Ashland Ave., were among the honorees. 

“Our 2021 award-winning projects are models for what preservation can and should be: the creative, inclusive and sustainable reuse of our built environment promoting local job creation and community-driven economic development,” said Bonnie McDonald, president & CEO of Landmarks Illinois. 

“The courageous and visionary people behind these innovative projects deserve recognition for transforming places to serve as equitable housing, accessible art and education centers and lively gathering spaces that bring awareness to Illinois’ diverse history.”

The restoration of Union Station has been a decade in the making. Amtrak and Goesttsch Partners led the effort to restore the 96-year-old building designed by D.H. Burnham and Company.

Along with restoring Union Station’s Great Hall and vaulted skylight, the development group “masterfully overcame the challenges associated with properly maintaining and honoring the architectural integrity of the building while incorporating modern amenities,” Landmarks Illinois said.

Husband-and-wife developers David Chase and Kimberly Rachal converted the Episcopal church into an open performing art and private event space in West Loop.

The church, built in 1885 by architects Edward Burling and Francis Whitehouse, was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1998. Landmark Illinois called the adaptation of the church a “forwarding-thinking solution to an underused religious space.”

Other Chicago winners include Pullman Artspace Lofts and West Pullman School Senior Community.

The 2021 Landmarks Illinois Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Preservation Awards Ceremony takes place 6:30 p.m. Oct. 22 at the Davis Theater, 4614 N. Lincoln Ave.

The ceremony will also be available virtually.