Its bold, bright walls provide a safe and flexible space for a wide range of youth activities. Its innovative design and community programs won it global acclaim as a model for enriching the lives of young people in the city.
Hope in Pocket Town
Pocket Town is a tough Southside neighborhood. This isolated section of Grand Crossing is bounded by railroad tracks and a cemetery. Because the area lacks significant community institutions, the neighborhood youth have few good options for activities.
Gary Comer, founder of clothing retailer Lands’ End, was born and raised in Pocket Town. In his later years, he donated a portion of his considerable wealth back to the community. In 2004, he set about building a new home for the South Shore Drill Team, which was one of the few strong youth programs in the neighborhood at the time.
Designed to Make Change
Comer hired architect John Ronan, and the two began to collaborate on a project that grew dramatically. Their building ultimately cost $30 million and today provides far more than just a home for the South Shore Drill Team.
The boxy, cantilevered masses and colorful walls of the Gary Comer Youth Center enliven the area. Since it opened in 2006, hundreds have benefited from its programs.
The Youth Center’s welcoming exterior includes:
- Brightly colored concrete panels that are cheerful and easily replaced if damaged, though to date none have needed repair.
- An 80-foot tower supports an LED sign announcing upcoming programs.
- Ample windows above the ground floor give the building an open appearance and plenty of interior light, while maintaining security.
The building is wrapped around a flexible interior space that can be used as a gym, a practice space or a performance hall. The cafeteria, classrooms, community center and library are all designed to easily adapt to meet future needs. The building’s rooftop garden mitigates its environmental impact, serves as an outdoor classroom and provides both work and produce for participating youth.
In 2007, the Center and Ronan won a Distinguished Building Award from the Chicago Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA).
Did you know?
Architect John Ronan also designed a similarly striking building next door to house Gary Comer College Prep, a campus of the Noble Network of Charter Schools.
Did you know?
The South Shore Drill Team was established in 1980. Of its 300 members each year – 99 percent graduate from high school on time.
Did you know?
Gary Comer Youth Center put architect John Ronan on the map as a designer of schools and other buildings for youth.
Watch: Image Identity - Gary Comer Youth Center
Docent perspective
The building is a beacon for the neighborhood. Its tower and LED sign is the town crier, announcing the programs of the day. The colorful checkerboard panels decorating the facade encourage and reflect the energy of participants in the activities within the center: South Shore Drill Team, art and ceramic studios, sewing and cooking centers, basketball, neighborhood meetings and exciting theater and dance performances.
Nancy CookCAC Docent, Class of 2001
