REI opens along Chicago River

REI Lincoln Park celebrated the grand opening of its new riverfront location this past weekend. CallisonRTKL teamed with REI Co-op and R2 Companies on the new 40,000-square-foot store at North Kingsbury and West Eastman, on the banks of the North Branch Canal of the Chicago River.

“Together with REI Co-op and R2 Companies we are helping to transform Chicago’s Halsted Triangle from an industrial zone into a vibrant, mixed-use, live-work-play environment that emphasizes its relationship to the Chicago River,” said Keith Campbell AIA, CallisonRTKL vice president in Chicago.

CallisonRTKL is part of the team charged with developing REI’s store interior as well as the exterior architecture, outdoor patio seating and the series of ramps that will connect to riverfront activities. The new REI location was designed for easy access to the Chicago River and will rent kayaks and paddleboards.

“CallisonRTKL is proud to have had the opportunity to work on another of REI’s transformative projects, connecting the community with the outdoors, even in a dense urban environment,” said CallisonRTKL vice president, Roy Hague, who works in the firm’s Seattle office.

Since 2011, CallisonRTKL has partnered with REI on mainline, small-format and flagship stores including both the REI SoHo and Washington D.C. flagships.