MATHER LIFEWAYS SENIOR CAFE GALEWOOD NEIGHBORHOOD CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 2000

Mather Lifeways, an Evanston based not-for-profit that advocates for the senior population, leased approximately 6,000sf of first floor storefront space in a far west neighborhood of Chicago for development of a prototype facility. The facility serves as a neighborhood based administrative outpost as well as a senior services center. The senior services, which include computer classes, medical assistance, financial counseling, and exercise classes, are offered in the context of a café. The facility is fondly referred to as a "Starbucks for Seniors".

The project won a Richard A. Dreihaus Foundation Award for Excellence in Community Design in 2002. A video presentation of the project can be viewed on this site.

Photos by Steve Hall, Hedrich Blessing unless otherwise noted. General Contractor was New England Builders.

Cafe Interior

Analine-dyed wood fiber clouds hover over cafe tables. The central wood floor serves as a dance floor for special occasions.

Cafe in Morning

Eastern light streams through the iridescent cafe drapery. Indigo colored plywood chairs offset the otherwise warm color palette.

Memory Tables

Custom made dining tables feature a shadow box surface. Tables are filled with meaningful artifacts specific to the neighborhood and the cafe membership.

Breakfast

Neighborhood seniors make themselves at home. The eating and serving counter is beyond.

Photo by Mike Kelly.

Exercise Room

An open area that abuts the cafe provides space for weekly exercise classes.

Photo by Mike Kelly.