1 Blending into the Skyline Context
The tower element was designed to be visible from the highway
Box Shops by Related
Project Description
Box Shops unboxed a new way to shop and socialize in the West Loop in 2018. With a rotating roster of local retailers and exciting partners showcased by Related Midwest, Equinox, the project was implemented by Boombox a company founded by Katherine Darnstadt.
The West Loop is a dynamic, fast-growing neighborhood with 112% population growth over the past 5 years, and with a $132,250 average household income. The area is well served by public transit, with the site served by the 8 Halsted CTA bus and the nearby Morgan and Lake Green/Pink Line Stations seeing 8,800 annual riders.
Located at the east end of Restaurant Row on the corner of Randolph and Halsted, near the Kennedy expressway, which includes restaurants owned and operated by world-renowned chefs, such as Stephanie Izard’s Girl & The Goat and Rick Bayless’s Cruz Blanca and Leña Brava. Haymarket Pub and Brewery, a restaurant and brewery next to the site, partnered with Box Shops to service our beer garden in the market.
Project Details
- Location
- Chicago, IL
- Area
- 1,500 sf
- Typology
- Boombox Retail
Partners
Client Related Midwest, Partner Equinox, Fabricator McKinley Studios, Food and Beverage Haymarket
Project Gallery
2 Site Plan
The concept was to activate the future tower site temporarily with a pop-up retail court facing Randolph and full court basketball
3 Overview Plan
Seven rental units formed a courtyard with a beer garden run by Haymarket Brewery
4 Typical 20ft Unit
The 160sf 20ft units featured 1 skylights and glazing on 1 or 2 ends
5 Central 40ft Unit
The 320sf central unit featured 2 skylights and a mural by @leftyoutthere
6 Monthly Vendors and Special Events
The venue hosted a wide variety of tenants from small startup businesses to large scale events
