Architectural Innovation: Fulton Market District

Once a landscape of meatpackers clustered around freight rail lines, the historic Fulton Market District is now Chicago’s hottest development zone. Huge investment in the last decade-plus has injected a new dynamism into the area and reoriented the dense commercial heart of the district around key anchors like the CTA Morgan Station and 1k Fulton office building. As the area booms and a new identity takes hold, design innovations have followed in lockstep—including important accommodations to health and safety in the workplace brought on by the pandemic. This short walk hits several stops that together tell the story of rapid neighborhood transformation. Audio commentary is provided by Andy Gloor, CEO at Sterling Bay and Brian Lee, Consulting Partner at Skidmore, Owings and Merrill. Audio engineering by Prize Beagle Recording.