CHICAGO – For GlobeSt.com's 2019 ADAPT awards, we took a closer look at projects throughout the nation. This year, we are pleased to recognize Union Station Great Hall in Chicago as the winner for overall transformation of the year. We honored the project at our awards ceremony earlier this week in Baltimore. Chicago's Union Station, built in 1925, serves as Amtrak's Midwest flagship station and the fourth busiest rail station in the US. The station's ornate Beaux-Arts Great Hall waiting area features an iconic 18,000-square-foot vaulted skylight. The 219-foot long cast-iron skylight had suffered extensive deterioration over the years, leading to leaks, stains and damage to the interior architecture and sculptural artwork. Considering additional flaws in the original design, many unsuccessful secondary repairs had been attempted over the years, resulting in exterior coverage which dramatically reduced the intended natural light in the Great Hall. Amtrak funded the $22 million project as Goettsch Partners led the transformation in August 2015 to restore the skylight, while maintaining its historic appearance with plans to create an energy-efficient, modern alternative skylight to be installed five feet above the original (view pictures in slideshow above). The partners worked with Berglund Construction on a variety of additional renovations, such as structural improvements, new plumbing, plaster repair, new lighting and restoring original 1925 works of art. The teams directed work to install a new elevator on Canal Street for improved accessibility, they restored 24 original chandeliers and added 27 new light sources to improve interior illumination and they worked to remove paint layers, revealing original plasterwork. The teams worked to maintain the historical integrity of the hall while stabilizing the landmark with state-of-the-art technological advancements. The suspended work deck and swing stages devised by the project team, allowed full operability of the Great Hall while ensuring minimal disruption to the flow of 120,000 daily commuters. Construction was completed within 16 months, in January 2019, celebrating the station's 93-year history. The new, high-performance steel and glass skylight brightens the Great Hall with 50% more natural daylight, a 60% reduction in electrical consumption and 60% reduction in HVAC energy use. The project team was able to create an inviting, enjoyable experience for Chicago Union Station travelers, reinvigorating the space and restoring the landmark back to its original charm. To view a short, documentary video on the Union Station restoration project, click here.