Prairie Shores Clubhouse Tops Out at 2937 S Martin Luther King Drive in Bronzeville

Structural work has reached full height for a new amenity clubhouse, located within the Prairie Shores apartment complex in Bronzeville. Nested between two of the apartment towers, the building will replace former surface parking and reside under the address 2937 S Martin Luther King Drive.

Prairie Shores clubhouse. Photo by Jack Crawford

Prairie Shores clubhouse. Photo by Jack Crawford

Prairie Shores clubhouse. Photo by Jack Crawford

Prairie Shores Clubhouse. Rendering by Gensler

Developers Golub & Company and Farpoint Development, alongside Goldman Sachs Urban Investment Group, purchased the five-building Prairie Shores for $180 million in 2019. The new owners have spearheaded a range of renovations for the existing 1,675 units, as well as the additional common space and landscaping improvements. The clubhouse portion serves as the most visible undertaking amongst these upgrades, set to provide 17,000 square feet of programming oriented around socialization and resident well-being.

Prairie Shores Clubhouse interior. Rendering by Gensler

Prairie Shores Clubhouse interior. Rendering by Gensler

2937 Martin Luther King Drive rooftop terrace. Rendering by Gensler

Prairie Shores Clubhouse rooftop deck. Rendering by Gensler

One of the anchoring functions within the building will be a new state-of-the-art fitness center, with strength training on the first floor and yoga and cardio on the second level. Within its interior, the clubhouse will also provide a common room, a game room, a kitchen/bar, and a co-working center with both collaborative and private spaces. Attached to the second level is also an expansive terrace area that will be accompanied by grilling stations, a bar/lounge area, fire pits, open turf space, and media walls. The terrace will be accessible via either the second floor interior or via a rear outdoor staircase.

Prairie Shores clubhouse. Photo by Jack Crawford

Prairie Shores clubhouse. Photo by Jack Crawford

Prairie Shores Clubhouse. Rendering by Gensler

Prairie Shores Clubhouse. Rendering by Gensler

With Gensler as its architect, the curvilinear design is grounded by a masonry exterior on the first floor. The second floor, meanwhile, takes on a more ethereal appearance with a translucent glass curtain wall. As noted in a prior interview with Gensler principal Sasha Zeljic, this foggy appearance not only helps to diffuse interior light, but also aims to mitigate disruption of bird migration. Zeljic conveyed that the thinking behind the design strived to create a beacon when approaching the site along Martin Luther King Drive. Inside, Stanton Interior Concepts has further incorporated this beacon-like mission, by envisioning open and light-filled spaces that draw in residents to relax and gather.

Prairie Shores Clubhouse interior. Rendering by Gensler

Prairie Shores Clubhouse. Rendering by Gensler

While Prairie Shores offers a myriad of on-site parking, various public transit options are also close by. Closest bus service is accessible for Route 3 via several paces north to King Drive & 29th Street. Closest CTA L service is available for the Green Line at 35th-Bronzeville-IIT station, a 22-minute walk southwest.

Prairie Shores clubhouse. Photo by Jack Crawford

Leopardo Construction is serving as general contractor, with a full completion penned for summer 2022.

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