December 7th 2006
Green Exchange Coming Soon to Chicago
Filed under: buildings and construction, events: chicago, interviews, shopping — rebecca @ 11:02 am
Chicago: It is the city paving the way towards a greener America, and today is no different. Last week Baum Development announced the Green Exchange project. Soon to be the first green shopping mall in America, we also expect it to be added to the list of places to spot celebrities in Chicago. If Oprah (aka Queen of Chicago) happens to mention it on her show, expect to wait in line for your “hybrid car priority parking” spot.
Green Exchange will be located in an existing 250,000 sq. ft. building that was formerly the Frederick Cooper Lamp Company, in a neighborhood known as Logan Square. The building will be revamped to hopefully achieve a LEED Silver rating. It will house retailers of everything green, making it convenient (finally) to buy eco-friendly products.
We talked with Joanna Salmen of Baum Realty, who told us that the green retailers should be, “trying to expand the marketplace” and really pushing the green movement. She says the project really has both the Alderman’s and the communities support, as it is expected to replace the jobs lost with the lamp company closing last year.
It doesn’t look like they’ll open soon enough for Vince Vaughn & Kevin Spacey to have some lunch at the planned organic restaurant & cafe. However, I’m sure Chicagoan Daryl Hannah is planning on stopping by to catch the green ribbon cutting on tape in (hopefully) Fall 2007.
So what else can you expect when you visit the Green Exchange when it (hopefully) opens in Fall 2007? Well, tenants are still signing up, but those currently on board include an eco-friendly printer, a sustainable furniture store, an eco-clothing store, a car sharing service, and a bike shop. Plus, I love this part, a bike room and showers. They’ll also have a green roof and priority hybrid parking.
The zoning permits haven’t passed on this project yet, but should by the end of this year. We hope it’s in the bag. Green Exchange also hopes to have some incubator lofts for people that wish to live and work in one spot. (Click the images below for a larger view)
Green Shopping Mall Coming Soon: Chicago…
The Green Exchange is on track to be the first green shopping mall. Formerly a lamp factory, the space will be renovated to LEED (hopefully) Silver standards and include a bike shop (plus bike room & showers), green printer, organic cafe, sustainable f…
Don’t forget to mention Greenmaker, Chicago’s green building supply company (pictured in rendering!). http://www.greenmakersupply.com
[...] The Green Exchange is on track to be the first green shopping mall. Formerly a lamp factory, the space will be renovated to LEED (hopefully) Silver standards and include a bike shop (plus bike room & showers), green printer, organic cafe, sustainable furniture store, and more. Yes! This is exactly what we’ve been waiting for. I wish I lived in Chicago. » original news [...]