Exelon Pavilions
| Company type | Facility/Structures |
|---|---|
| Industry | Renewable energy, Architecture |
| Founded | January 2001 |
| Headquarters | Chicago , United States |
Area served | Millennium Park, Chicago |
Key people | Thomas H. Beeby (North Pavilions architect), Renzo Piano (South Pavilions architect) |
| Products | Solar energy generation, public park access pavilions |
| Owner | Exelon (energy provider), subsidiary Commonwealth Edison (ComEd) |
| Parent | Exelon |
The Exelon Pavilions consist of four structures located in Millennium Park, Chicago, designed to harness solar energy for electricity generation while also facilitating access to the underground parking facilities. Positioned along the park’s northern boundary on Randolph Street, the Northeast and Northwest Exelon Pavilions (referred to as the North Pavilions) flank the Harris Theater. Meanwhile, the Southeast and Southwest Exelon Pavilions (known as the South Pavilions) are situated on the southern edge along Monroe Street, adjacent to the Lurie Garden. Together, these four buildings produce approximately annually, with an estimated annual value of $2,350.
The total investment for these pavilions was about $7 million. Their design phase commenced in January 2001, followed by construction beginning in January 2004. The South Pavilions were completed and opened in July 2004, with the North Pavilions opening later in November 2004. A formal grand opening event took place on April 30, 2005. Out of the four pavilions, three provide entry points to the subterranean parking garage beneath the park, while the remaining pavilion functions as the park’s welcome center and administrative office.
The project received a $5.5 million donation from energy provider Exelon, which distributes power through its subsidiary Commonwealth Edison. Architecture critic Blair Kamin praised the South Pavilions as "minor modernist jewels," whereas he described the North Pavilions as "nearly all black and impenetrable." The North Pavilions have achieved a silver certification under the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program from the United States Green Building Council and have been recognized with an award from the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE).
Background
Situated between Lake Michigan and Chicago’s Loop district, Grant Park has served as Chicago’s prominent public space since the mid-1800s. The northwest section of Grant Park, once occupied by Illinois Central rail yards and surface parking lots until 1997, was transformed into what is now known as Millennium Park. By 2009, Millennium Park had become one of Chicago’s leading tourist destinations, second only to Navy Pier.
In 1836, prior to Chicago’s official incorporation, city lots were auctioned by the Board of Canal Commissioners; however, they reserved land east of Michigan Avenue between Randolph Street and Park Row as "Public Ground—A Common to Remain Forever Open, Clear and Free of Any Buildings." This protection has been upheld through legislation reinforced by four rulings from the Illinois Supreme Court. In 1839, Secretary of War Joel Roberts Poinsett declared that land east of Michigan Avenue between Randolph and Madison Streets was designated as "Public Ground forever to remain vacant of buildings."
Aaron Montgomery Ward, known for pioneering mail order retailing, filed two lawsuits against Chicago authorities to preserve Grant Park’s open space by preventing building construction within its boundaries. His efforts successfully blocked developments such as the Field Museum of Natural History from being built inside Grant Park. The Illinois Supreme Court has consistently upheld restrictions prohibiting structures taller than in Grant Park, with exceptions granted only for bandshells.
Within Millennium Park itself, certain height limitations have been waived for artistic installations like the Crown Fountain and Jay Pritzker Pavilion. The Harris Theater was primarily built underground to adhere to these height constraints. The park’s pavilions range from one to three stories in height, balancing compliance with height regulations while supporting cultural venues and commercial functions.
Design and construction
The pavilions bear the name of Exelon, an energy firm headquartered in Chicago, whose subsidiary Commonwealth Edison (ComEd) is the local electricity provider. The city of Chicago has collaborated with Exelon and ComEd on various environmental efforts, such as implementing solar energy systems, advancing sustainable architectural designs, supporting renewable energy initiatives, and raising awareness about eco-friendly building practices. The total investment for the pavilions amounted to $7 million, with Exelon and ComEd contributing $5.5 million in donations.
The North Pavilions were designed under the direction of Thomas H. Beeby from Hammond Beeby Rupert Ainge Architects, who ensured their aesthetic harmonizes with the nearby Harris Theater, Millennium Park’s indoor performing arts venue.
Renzo Piano of Renzo Piano Building Workshop was responsible for the design of the South Pavilions. He is also known for designing the Art Institute of Chicago’s Modern Wing across Monroe Street, which opened in 2009. Although the South Pavilions were completed several years earlier, their limestone and glass exteriors complement the Modern Wing’s appearance. Additionally, Piano designed the Nichols Bridgeway, which links Millennium Park to the Art Institute adjacent to the Southwest Pavilion.
Design work commenced in , with construction initiated in . Walsh Construction acted as the general contractor. The South Pavilions were ready by for Millennium Park’s grand opening on , while the North Pavilions reached completion in November 2004. The four pavilions formally opened together on , 2005.
Structures
The North Pavilions consist of minimalist black cubic structures that collectively generate annually. Their exteriors feature a curtain wall constructed from recycled aluminum, integrated with "mono-crystalline photovoltaic modules and insulated glass." Air circulation is facilitated by convection within cavities beneath these photovoltaic panels, driven by solar heat gain. The roofs are sealed using a "highly heat-reflective thermoplastic membrane," which also contributes to mitigating the urban heat island effect.
These photovoltaic cells supply power for much of the pavilion lighting. The North Pavilions represent Chicago’s first buildings to incorporate building integrated photovoltaic technology—solar energy systems embedded directly into building components. This marked the debut of electricity-generating curtain walls in the Midwest region.
Northwest Pavilion
Situated at 151 E. Randolph Street, the Northwest Pavilion accommodates the Millennium Park Welcome Center, an Exelon energy exhibit, Millennium Park administrative offices, and public restrooms. Covering , it is the largest among the four pavilions and is unique in not providing access to an underground garage. Equipped with 460 photovoltaic modules, it also includes recycling stations and utilizes interior materials sourced from renewable origins.
The Welcome Center provides visitors with park information guides, wheelchairs, and displays focused on parks and energy topics. Interactive exhibits explain solar panel technology and Chicago’s renewable energy initiatives. Within its atrium is displayed Heliosphere, Biosphere, Technosphere, a sculpture created by Chicago artists Patrick McGee and Adelheid Mers. This piece consists of three backlit two-way mirrors symbolizing relationships between Earth’s atmosphere, the solar system, and scientific concepts. It stands as the sole permanent artwork by Chicago artists installed within the park.
Northeast Pavilion
Positioned at 201 E. Randolph Street, nestled between the theater and McDonald's Cycle Center, this two-level pavilion features the Chicago Shop on its upper floor, which provides audio tours of Millennium Park along with official merchandise. Ranking as the second-largest pavilion with of available area, it is equipped with 460 photovoltaic panels that produce solar power.
South Pavilions
Located to the east and west sides of the Lurie Garden along Monroe Street, the South Pavilions showcase glass façades that overlook the garden and offer entry to the parking garage. The Southwest Pavilion, covering , is the smallest and includes 16 solar panels on its roof. Meanwhile, the Southeast Pavilion spans and contains 24 photovoltaic modules. Together, these structures generate roughly of electrical energy each year.
Reception and recognition
Blair Kamin, the Pulitzer Prize-winning architecture critic for the Chicago Tribune, commended the decision to engage architects in designing the pavilions, labeling it an "inspired stroke" that avoided creating "blunt utilitarian huts." He referred to Piano’s South Pavilions as "minor modernist jewels," noting their limestone walls harmonize beautifully with glass and foreshadow Piano’s forthcoming extension to the Art Institute of Chicago Building. Kamin awarded the South Pavilions a rating of three out of four stars, describing them as "very good."
Conversely, Kamin expressed less enthusiasm for Beeby’s North Pavilions, describing them as "almost entirely black and impenetrable," drawing a comparison to Darth Vader’s helmet. Despite this critique, he recognized their cutting-edge technology and their function as architectural wings for the Harris Theater, which allows it to stand alongside Frank Gehry’s Pritzker Pavilion. Since these pavilions were incomplete at the time of his July 2004 review, he withheld a final rating but hoped for a more visually appealing outcome.
The pavilions have been acknowledged for their sustainable energy integration and environmentally conscious design. In 2005, the North Pavilions achieved a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) silver certification from the United States Green Building Council. They also earned an Honorable Mention in Alternative/Renewable Energy Use – New Construction from the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE). The United States Department of Energy included all pavilions in its Million Solar Roofs Initiative. In that same year, Chicago ranked fourth nationwide in solar panel installations; completion of the Exelon Pavilions increased the city’s total photovoltaic capacity to . Collectively, these installations produce annually, generating an estimated value of $2,353 per year based on Illinois electricity rates from 2010. This output supplies power equivalent to approximately 14 Chicago residences rated highly by Energy Star standards.
Image map
- Exelon Pavilion Northwest
- Exelon Pavilion Northeast
- Exelon Pavilion Southwest
- Exelon Pavilion Southeast
References
