Type: Retail
Project Name: 201 West Madison Self-Park
City: Chicago
State: Illinois
Client: Fifield Realty, L.L.C.

Features: 1,109-car spaces, three-bay wide parking structure on nine supported levels with 20,000 square feet of ground level commercial/retail space.

Description: The 201 West Madison Garage is one of Chicago Loop's mixed-use garages, with nine levels of structured parking for 1,109 cars, situated above approximately 20,000 square feet of ground level commercial/retail space. A Walgreen's drug store and other specialty shops will serve the buying needs for area office workers on one of the hottest pedestrian foot traffic corners in the downtown Loop area. With entrances/exits located on the north off of Madison Street and east off of Wells Street, the facility provides parking for short term and monthly parkers as well as special event parking for the nearby Civic Opera House. The facility is constructed of long-span, cast-in-place post tensioned concrete. Form liners were used for the highly rusticated cast-in-place concrete exterior spandrel panels. A concrete stain was applied to the exterior facade. Architectural detailing incorporates the entrance/exit ramps within the storefront facade. These entrance ramps lead to the entrance gates on the second level. To enhance the architectural characteristics of the facility, three of the visible elevations of the three bay wide double helix parking structure have level floors. Two elevator towers provide a total of five electric traction elevators servicing all levels and both elevator lobbies are heated and provide a graphic identity as a helpful reminder of the level used. Three exit gates are located on the second level that provides access to an exit route to both Madison Street and Wells Street. The parking manager's office monitors the call for assistance system which is an audio security feature as well as a closed circuit television system that monitors the entrance/exit lanes as well as the elevators. The protective systems provided include a dry standpipe sprinkler system for the retail/commercial areas. Parking floors above occupied areas are protected by means of traffic bearing waterproofing membrane. DESMAN served as the Architect and Structural Engineer of Record.