As part of the multibillion-dollar Red and Purple line modernization program, a slice of history will be removed from Chicago's Argyle Street L stop. The iconic "Asia on Argyle" sign and pagoda adorning the station will be placed in storage this week, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. This marks a temporary end of an era for the Uptown neighborhood's historical Asian district. The sign and pagoda are not expected to entirely vanish from the region—both are planned to be reinstalled at new locations after the Red Line renovations are completed in 2025.
The Red Line overhaul consists of the reconstruction and modernization of four North Side Red Line stops: Lawrence, Argyle, Berwyn, and Bryn Mawr. The renovations, which started in 2021, aim to introduce updated stations featuring wider platforms, brighter lighting, and elevators for passengers with disabilities, as previously reported by the Chicago Sun-Times.
The removal of both the sign and pagoda will temporarily close West Argyle Street from North Broadway to the CTA tracks. The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) has assured residents living near the station of the proper preservation and storage of the two cherished items during the demolition process. According to the Block Club Chicago, the “Asia on Argyle” sign will be stored in a facility secured by Walsh-Fluor, the contractor for the Red Line work, while the CTA will place the pagoda in one of its own facilities.
The origins of the Asia on Argyle sign and pagoda date back a few decades. Local businessman Charlie Soo, often referred to as the Mayor of Argyle Street, led the effort to install the pagoda on the station in 1991. Less than ten years later, the Chicago Department of Transportation added the “Asia on Argyle” sign in 2013, which was met with controversy over its design and the $260,000 price tag, as detailed in the Chicago Sun-Times.
The CTA plans to work closely with local authorities and agencies to identify appropriate new locations for both items. The Chicago Department of Transportation will confer with the CTA to determine the display location of the “Asia on Argyle” sign. Additionally, CTA spokesperson Stephanie Cavazos confirmed that the agency will collaborate with Ald. Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth’s 48th Ward office to find a proper home for the pagoda, according to Block Club Chicago.
The Argyle Street redevelopment is expected to include design elements that celebrate the area's Asian heritage, with the new Argyle Red Line station featuring fresh signs and red lattice. In 2021, the CTA announced that it would be working with local design firm Ink Factory and community members to develop artwork specific to the Argyle station that would draw on the area's culture. The new Argyle Station is on track for to completion in 2025, during which time the temporary stations at Foster Avenue and Winona Street will remain accessible.
