Center on Halsted

Center on Halsted was designed to enable Chicago's wide array of LGBTQ organizations to come together to collaborate, grow and share resources. A intentionally visible symbol of LGBTQ pride, the three-story, 175,000-square-foot complex houses an entertainment venue, a Whole Foods grocery store, space for partners, a technology center, a gymnasium, a theater, a roof terrace, an underground parking structure and many other unique gathering spaces, all designed to be ADA compliant. Composed of the restored terra cotta and brick façade of a 1924 building wrapped by a new glass structure, Gensler's design creates a strong neighborhood presence for the community center. Transparency, color, pattern, and integrated historic elements reflect diversity while presenting a unified composition.