VDTA Rocks with New Chicago Concert Pavilion

VDTA Rocks with New Chicago Concert Pavilion
Daniel Burnham, in one of his not little plans, envisioned Northerly Island as one of the northernmost points in a series of manmade islands.

His dream for this park embraced lagoons, harbors, beaches, recreation areas, a scenic drive, and grand stretches of green space that would offer breathtaking views of the lake and city skyline, according to the Chicago Park District.

This summer, Valerio Dewalt Train Architects, Chicago, harnessed this vision with the new Charter One Pavilion, which plays host for 8,000 people to enjoy live music events.

VDTA designed the temporary structure to be disassembled and stored at the end of each season over the three- to five-year contract between the Chicago Park District and promoter Clear Channel Entertainment.

After the Chicago World's Fair, throughout the 1930s and 1940s, Northerly Island featured paths and walkways, scattered trees and grass, a parking lot, and the 12th Street Beach.

In 1947, a small airport known as Megis Field was built.

After the 50-year lease granted by the Park District for Megis Field had long expired, Mayor Richard M. Daley, in a controversial move in the wake of September 11, 2001, had the runway bulldozed.

Now that the runways are all gone, it's a park, albeit just a prairie at this point, says VDTA Principal Mark Dewalt, AIA.