Iconic plaza reimagined

Tribune Tower Pioneer Court

Location	Chicago, Illinois
Client	Golub & Company, The CMI Group, and Solomon Cordwell Buenz
Expertise	Research & Design Innovation, Horticulture & Arboriculture, Resilience & Sustainability
Size	3 acres
Completion	2022

Tribune tower pioneer court night cityscape site design group

The Tribune Tower, one of Chicago’s most treasured landmarks, anchors a prominent site at the junction of the Chicago River and North Michigan Avenue. As the historic building was converted into luxury residences, the former printing plant frontage was reimagined as flagship retail and boutique spaces, transforming an adjacent three-acre pedestrian corridor into a vibrant, publicly accessible plaza for residents and visitors alike.

Explore

Legend

Entry Lawn

Terraced Seating

Pioneer Path

Outdoor Café

Sloped Planting Area

Plaza

Promenade + Pause

The design features a formal promenade along the Tribune Tower, as well as the Pioneer Path, which guides visitors through a series of raised planters with lush, four-season plantings that complement the historic architecture. A central lawn and terraced seating areas provide flexible space for gathering or a quiet pause, encouraging people to move through, linger, and return throughout the year.

From stark plaza

To rich landscape

Balancing Restraints

Because the plaza is built over structure, the design relies on lightweight engineered soils and carefully managed soil volumes. Tree and understory plantings were strategically selected and sited to balance structural constraints with hardiness, adaptability, and year-round visual diversity.

Site Analysis

Given the surrounding building density and varied heights, detailed shade studies were conducted to map microclimates and inform plant selection. Sunlight conditions shift dramatically across the site and throughout the seasons; this analysis directly shaped the planting strategy and layout to support long-term plant health and performance.

Purposeful Planting

The final composition includes nearly 100 plant species and more than 40,000 spring-flowering bulbs, creating a richly layered and seasonally dynamic garden in the heart of the city. Designed to support cultural programming and everyday use, the landscape fosters curiosity and a sense of discovery, strengthening connections between residents, visitors, and this historic place.