West Lake Forest Metra

The goal of this new Metra station design was to spark commercial development and to set the architectural building quality and aesthetic in a newly formed Tax Increment Financing District.  In addition to creating the train station design, we studied the site holistically and decided to create a landscaped park that also served for commuter drop-off and pick-up.  Community residents affectionately named the park “Settler’s Square”. Once located in the middle of open farmland and spotty development, this station is now surrounded by a vibrant commercial district. 

 

We designed this classic English country style station to provide plenty of interior space and covered outside waiting areas.  The traditional materials of brick, limestone quoins and columns, and cedar shingle roof evoke a building of stature and prominence.