222 South Riverside Plaza Restoration

The entrance plaza at 222 South Riverside is located at the North end of the office building adjacent to Adams Street. The plaza provides an aesthetic main entrance to the building as well as access to the Union Station mezzanine below. Plaza features include planters and hardscape consisting of brick pavers with a canopy above. Originally constructed in 1970, a major plaza renovation was performed in 1986.

The plaza exhibited leaking in multiple locations into the Union Station mezzanine and plenum space below. The Owner required a solution that would address the areas of leaking on a fixed budget while maintaining access to the building at all times.

WGI designed a repair program to address areas of leaking and deterioration of the structural slab. Repairs included structural slab concrete repair, removal and replacement of planter membrane waterproofing, localized replacement of deteriorated flashing and membrane adjacent to the Union Station escalator kiosk, and replacement of membrane waterproofing below the paved walkway. The existing brick pavers were reinstalled following completion of the repairs to preserve the look of the plaza.

This project provided many challenges, including work over occupied spaces, phasing/access requirements, cold weather protection, and protection of existing landscaping to remain. These challenges were met through a combination of prior planning and close coordination with the Owner, Union Station representatives, and the Contractor.