Goose Island: Ever Greener and Glossier

Chicago’s Goose Island--the island, that is, not the beer--has been undergoing a metamorphosis in the last few years. Once a manufacturing mecca, its sweaty, grimy old brick factories are, one by one, being turned from blue collar to white collar. Just across the Chicago River and less than a mile east of hipster haven Wicker Park, for example, sits the newest version of the former Burhop building at 1071 W. Division Street.

During its first century of life, the LEED Gold-certified structure housed a tannery and a cardboard box factory (see our previous blog post). Now, to the delight of chefs and restaurateurs, Boelter Superstore has recently moved in, along with the company's sales offices, plus an Event Center and Demo Kitchen.

Boelter, a purveyor of kitchen supplies, completed a gut rehab of the entire building. The main attraction is the airy first floor showroom. Visitors are greeted by row upon row of spanking new pots and pans, glassware, and appliances, all displayed against a background of reclaimed wood and brick.

The main entrance to the renovated building is on the south side, facing a parking lot of permeable pavers. To open up the south facade, architect SKJN enlarged the windows, but maintained an insulated barrier through the use of double-paned glass. (The roof too is superinsulated.) If you drive a hybrid or other alternative-fuel car, you can park in a premium space in the lot. And for those who arrive by bike there are bike racks too, of course!