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Queen’s Landing
Chicago, Illinois
The preliminary study was produced with input and participation from the Chicago Department of Transportation, the Grant Park Advisory Steering Committee, the Landscape and Streetscape Committee, the Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities, and the Chicago Park District.
Epstein performed analysis and design of a pedestrian bridge that would cross Chicago’s Lakeshore Drive between Buckingham Fountain and Queens Landing. The project also looked into the reconstruction of Lake Shore Drive between Monroe and Balbo. Epstein teamed with world renowned Architect Santiago Calatrava on the design and engineering of this proposed pedestrian bridge.
The challenges of this project primarily center on its historic and highly visible location in downtown Chicago. In addition to reinforcing the classical symmetry of the Burnham Plan, the Twin Bridge scheme preserves the historic stairs and leaves the historic template untouched.
The twin pedestrian overpass design provides for two overpasses centered at Buckingham fountain. As viewed from the Lakefront, the entire composition frames the Fountain and preserves the open character of the Burnham axis. This axis extends to the horizon to the west and proceeds east throughout the Congress Plaza Statues, Buckingham Fountain, along the "water street" in Burnham Harbor, and out through the opening in the breakwater. By developing twin overpass centered on the Fountain, the strength of this axis is reinforced. The Fountain from the Lakes is to be preserved as the view of the Lake from the Fountain.
In addition to reinforcing the classical symmetry of the Burnham Plan, the Twin Bridge scheme preserves the historic stairs and leaves the historic template untouched.
On an urban scale, the view corridors discussed previously have been preserved. The off center placement of the Mast and cables maintains the primary north south axis and the view of the Field Museum. The position and scale of the Masts also provides a "marker" of the Burnham axis that can be seen from Navy Pier as well as the planetarium. The classical composition is completed by the placement of the bridges, which align perfectly, with the edges of the water street in Burnham Harbor and the breakwater opening in Lake Michigan. The twin bridge overpass successfully fulfills a functional need while at the same time providing a classically symmetrical solution complementing the intention of the 1909 Burnham Plaza.
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