The subway station at Chicago and State, in service since 1943 with no major rehabilitations while serving its 20,000 passengers a day, received a renovations package that included new lighting and architectural finishes, elevator capabilities to meet ADA compliance, escalators, and electrical communications and signage systems. Work consisted of the partial demolition of the existing mezzanine, a 5,000-square-foot addition; three new elevators; three new escalators; new electrical, lighting and signage; and new mechanical and plumbing systems. Also included were 18,500 square feet of granite pavers, new street-level entrance and exit kiosks.
A unique challenge faced during this project was that all work, including excavation, earth retention, demolition and all finishes, occurred while the station remained fully operational.