Landmarks Illinois Hosts Cocktail Reception at Chicago Union Station to Honor Amtrak for Historical Restoration Projects
November 2, 2016
CHICAGO, IL – Landmarks Illinois, a statewide nonprofit advocating for the protection of historic and architecturally significant properties throughout the state, will present Amtrak with its 2016 Real Estate and Building Industries Council (RBIC) Award at a cocktail networking reception Wednesday, November 30, 2016 from 6-8 p.m. in the newly restored Burlington Room at Chicago Union Station, 500 W. Jackson Blvd.
The annual RBIC event honors a recently redeveloped building or place and the project team responsible for the transformation. This year’s event celebrates the grand opening of the Burlington Room, a 3,900-square-foot event space for up to 295 guests, located just off Union Station’s Great Hall. Named after one of the founding Chicago Union railroads, the Burlington Room formerly served as the Women’s Lounge, but has been closed to the general public for decades, used primarily as storage and office space. Amtrak’s restoration work in the Burlington Room included repairing water damage and deteriorating plasterwork as well as restoring the column capitals and four mural paintings. Historic bronze light fixtures have also been brought back into the space, returning some of its original glamour.
“Amtrak’s extensive restoration work in the Burlington Room and throughout Union Station is remarkable,” said Landmarks Illinois President and CEO Bonnie McDonald. “Through its financial reinvestment, and hiring top-notch designers, contractors and craftspeople, Amtrak has made it possible for people to wonder again at the grandeur and beauty of our iconic Chicago train station.”
Goettsch Partners served as the lead architect for the Burlington Room restoration project. Amtrak’s additional restoration work throughout Union Station included repairing the walls, roof and skylights in the Great Hall and transforming the former Union Gallery into the Legacy Club where, for a monthly fee, passengers can relax and connect to Wi-Fi. The RBIC event will feature tours of the Burlington Room, the Legacy Club and the redesigned 16,000-square-foot, two-story Metropolitan Lounge.
“Amtrak has made more than $60 million in improvements to the station since 2010, and we appreciate the recognition of our efforts by Landmarks Illinois,” said Mark Murphy, Amtrak senior vice president and general manager of the business line responsible for the station.
Tickets for the RBIC event are available at $100 (private sector) and $50 (nonprofits/public sector). Reservations are required, and space is limited. To purchase tickets, click here. For more information on the event, visit our events page at www.Landmarks.org or call 312-922-1742. Proceeds from this event benefit Landmarks Illinois.
Lead event sponsors of the RBIC event include: Berglund Construction; CBRE; Goettsch Partners; Golub & Co./CIM Group; Pepper Construction; Riverside Investment & Development; and Plante Moran. Additional sponsors include: Anderson Elevator; CharterSills & Associates; Clune Construction Company; Continental Painting & Decorating Inc.; Environmental Systems Design, Inc.; EverGreene Architectural Arts; HM Witt; J.P. Phillips, Inc.; Klein and Hoffman; Mark 1 Restoration; MTH Industries; OxBlue; Restoration & Preservation Enterprises, Inc.; St. Louis Antique Lighting Company; Sullivan, Goulette & Wilson Ltd.; and W.E. O’Neil Construction Company.
About Landmarks Illinois
Landmarks Illinois is a membership-based nonprofit organization serving the people of Illinois. We inspire and empower stakeholders to save places that matter to them by providing free guidance, practical and financial resources and access to strategic partnerships. For more information, visit www.Landmarks.org.
About Landmarks Illinois’ Real Estate and Building Council
RBIC hosts annual events recognizing individuals, firms and organizations demonstrating dedication to historic preservation through responsible development and planning and help Landmarks Illinois promote the restoration and adaptive reuse and of historic structures and places. Other restoration projects RBIC has honored in the past include the Chicago Athletic Association, the Chicago Board of Trade, the Wrigley Building and The Rookery. For more information on the RBIC, visit the RBIC events page on our website.
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