McDonald's Cycle Center

Chicago, IL, United States

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McDonald's Cycle Center

Chicago, IL, United States

Firm

Muller2

Type

Hospitality + Sport › Sports Center
Transport + Infrastructure › Bicycles

STATUS

Built

YEAR

2004

SIZE

10,000 sqft - 25,000 sqft

BUDGET

$0 - 10K

The physical focal point of the Cycle Center is an atrium that introduces the two lower levels of facilities and provides an aesthetic above-ground presence. The atrium, which has been praised by Pulitzer Prize-winning architecture critic Blair Kamin more than once,[7][31] has a sloping solar paneled roof. The 120 solar panels produce 6.5 percent of the electricity supply required for the climate-controlled building.[20] The Cycle Center has an opaque design, with thin steel frames for its main windows. The interior design uses stainless steel and blond wood, and shade is produced by awnings.[7][32]

The Cycle Center includes parking for up to 300 bikes, lockers, an Internet station, a cafe, bike rentals, bike repair and private stall showers.[20][33] During business hours, the facility has 100 spaces set aside for first-come, first-served usage, but after hours the facility is limited to dues-paying members.[20] In addition to the riders, the Chicago Police Lakefront Bicycle Patrol Unit is stationed at the Cycle Center.[34] As the city's high-profile bicycle parking facility, it has served as a demonstration location for efforts to lobby for further bicycle accommodations for the Active Transportation Alliance, League of Illinois Bicyclists, and Illinois Lieutenant Governor Pat Quinn