Glen Ellyn Parking Structure

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The Village of Glen Ellyn is deeply committed to preserving its architectural heritage while thoughtfully expanding its urban fabric. When the village needed to add parking capacity in an otherwise undevelopable parcel immediately adjacent to the historic Glen Ellyn Civic Center, the challenge was clear: a conventional parking structure simply would not fit.

Shive-Hattery, in partnership with Walker Consultants, brought a design-build approach to the project through Mortenson Construction. The result is a five-level, 277-space parking ramp that earns its place in the downtown Historic District by looking like it has always belonged there.

Rather than defaulting to typical horizontal concrete spandrel garage design, the team pursued architectural continuity with the surrounding downtown. Thin-set brick cladding was selected to match existing downtown masonry, and the facade incorporates cornices, bullnoses, and fenestration patterns reminiscent of a turn-of-the-century streetscape. Architectural precast wall panels with dramatic cornices pay homage to the historic Civic Center and help the structure blend seamlessly into the carefully curated downtown aesthetic.

Shive-Hattery also contributed design expertise to a new pedestrian connector, known as the Pedway, linking the Main Street corridor to Metra access via Duane Street. A facade in the Pedway was reclad to align with the downtown architectural vocabulary, and a new patio environment was incorporated to allow adjacent restaurants to expand their outdoor dining options.

The parking structure works as both infrastructure and architecture. It addresses a critical community need while strengthening the visual identity of Glen Ellyn’s downtown Historic District. The Pedway improvements further connect people to transit, retail, and dining in a way that feels cohesive, intentional, and welcoming.

Awards

2022 Building Award: Best All-Precast Concrete Parking Structure
Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute (PCI)