Touring a new Illinois Tollway Oasis
 

There has been a lot of talk in the Chicago area lately about the increase in tolls on the Illinois Tollway system starting in the new year. While it's never fun to pay more money to drive the roads (Get an I-PASS!), I think one thing that the our tollway system has done right lately is the reconstruction of the distinctive Oasis locations.


In a project that started in 2003 and should end in 2005, all the over-the-road Oasis buildings are being gutted and rebuilt at a cost of $100 million, paid for by Los Angeles-based Wilton Partners teamed with ExxonMobil at no cost to the tollway authority. Wilton Partners leased the properties for 25 years and will receive rental fees from vendors. There are 7 Oasis locations in the tollway system and they are each being converted systematically.


The original restaurants were run by the Fred Harvey Company starting in 1959 (with the gas stations being Amoco). This was a nice sit-down eating environment where it used to be a big deal to dine on the tollway.


Later in 1975, Howard Johnson's took over with their own take on the restaurants, adding the signature orange roofs to all the buildings.


But alas, the novelty and needs of the traveler changed, thus in 1984 fast food chains took over at all 7 Oasis locations (and Mobil booted out Amoco as the fuel provider). The 2 Oases on I-90/Northwest Tollway were operated by McDonald's, with the 4 on I-294/Tri-State Tollway being split between Burger King and Wendy's. The Lincoln Oasis also had a Popeye's Chicken, while the O'Hare Oasis added Connie's Pizza. Oasis #7 was built near DeKalb in 1972, but it looks nothing like the other over-the-road locations. It was built on one side of the road with a ramp over the tollway to provide access from both locations. Its fast food operations were run by McDonalds.


Not too long ago, Amy and I got the chance to tour one of the two recently reopened Oases (both had their grand relaunch on June 30). This one was located in Belvidere, IL -- pretty much in the middle on nowhere on I-90 between Rockford and Chicago. The only other location currently open is the O'Hare Oasis, located near -- yes, you guessed correctly, O'Hare International Airport.


In rebuilding these large structures, the old buildings were removed down to the base bridgework that extended over the tollways. To accommodate travelers' needs during construction, the first thing to be replaced were the gas stations, run by Mobil. Previously, these were just standard pumps with a place to pay. Now they had been expanded to include a fully stocked food mart (with bathrooms) and car wash as well.


The main over-the-road building was built taller and utilized a lot of glass, featuring a white and tan color scheme with 30-foot ceilings. This harkened back to the original building design intended to be a large restaurant. Over the decades when fast food operators and smaller tenants moved in, the feeling at the Oases was one of dark, cramped areas that didn't seem very welcoming.


The designers of the new Oases modeled their look on the food court/mall style of architecture. Big open spaces, high ceilings, and multiple vendors to purchase your food or travel items from. Instead of having just one restaurant, many options are available.


For example, while there will be a McDonald's at every new Oasis location, they will be complimented by other tenants, such as Subway, Panda Express, Krispy Kreme, Stonebridge Gyros, Tropicana Smoothies, and Starbucks. Travel stores, bank locations, and music retailers are also a vital part of the redevelopment.


I think the idea of food options was a very good move for the Oasis. It gives travelers more choice to eat what they want, and also spreads around the leasing needs and rents to many organizations when viewed from the perspective of the Tollway Authority.


With the new glass atrium approach, tables are scattered throughout the center of the building, with great views over the tollway. Previously, the food/restaurant operations were centrally located, taking up prime space.


In the redesign, all the food vendors have been moved to opposite sides of the building, bunkered in the anchors that touch land. This really opened up the design in the middle and it's a great feeling.


The planners also have taken the historical name of "Oasis" to heart in their interior design. Signage throughout the building play up the desert oasis theme among an urban environment. I really liked the design emphasis here; someone was doing some serious thinking about that one.


Continuing this theme, exotic plant life was spread throughout the building in various planters. It added a warm, natural feel to a place that historically has been cold and somewhat gloomy. Overall, Amy and I were very impressed with the way this Oasis was transformed. Hopefully they can maintain the nice looks in the future as these buildings experience much wear and tear.

(Special thanks to the Illinois Tollway Oasis History website for additional information regarding the background on these buildings)

I have been there a couple of times, prior to the redesign. The place looks really nice.

While I dislike the tollway in general, I was pleasantly surprised when we stopped at one of the redesigned oases this summer. They look beautiful. The glass and greenery and the open space really lend themselves to taking a relaxing break from driving. The variety of food vendors was also nice, Jen was able to go to one restaurant and get the sandwich of her choice, while I went to Stonebridge Gyros and got a great Italian sausage (not an item that I would have anticipated getting when we stopped at the oasis initially). It was much better than jsut having McD's to choose from. As an added plus, the prices were reasonable, not what I expected from a newly designed facility on a limited access road (compared especially to the Indiana or Ohio tollways that have mediocre food that is outrageously overpriced because they have a captive hungry audience.)

Now there is something to look forward to when driving on the tollway and I am hungry! :)

I warmly remember those nostalgic days of Howard Johnson's. Seems almost like yesterday.

Quote from Wally: "As an added plus, the prices were reasonable, not what I expected from a newly designed facility on a limited access road (compared especially to the Indiana or Ohio tollways that have mediocre food that is outrageously overpriced because they have a captive hungry audience.)"

I can't find the source for this, but as I recall I believe there was a law passed a few years ago stating that food and gas prices at an oasis need to be in line with the prices in the surrounding area (assuming you had access to them, which you don't because the tollway is limited access).

I miss the past, but the present makes the most sense. I rarely stop at them, mainly drive under them.

It wasn't a law, but it was included in the agreement that the tollway had with the developers before the rehabs started taking place.

Regarding the limited access issue, over the summer the O'Hare Oasis was getting a lot of nearby foot traffic from a local community because of all the stuff they offered that wasn't available nearby. Plans were put in place to install a sidewalk to the Oasis.