Architect Plans New Hyde Park Teen Lounge

A new membership-based lounge for local students is set to open in a 3,400-square-foot space by the 2027-28 school year.

Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Teens

Architect Plans New Hyde Park Teen Lounge

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Should local businesses in your area provide dedicated spaces for teenagers to gather after school?

Architect Taylor Staten plans to open a teen lounge in Hyde Park for students aged 13 to 18 that will offer social space and wellness sessions. The facility aims to address the lack of welcoming third spaces for Chicago youth who are often banned from businesses during after-school hours.

Why it matters

The project addresses a shortage of unstructured social venues for students in the area, providing a secure environment for adolescents. By partnering with local organizations, the lounge intends to support mental wellness alongside recreational activities.

The proposed site occupies a 3,400-square-foot storefront, catering to students aged 13 to 18. Membership-based access will be complemented by weekly social events that carry a $5 entry fee for students with valid Chicago Public Schools IDs.

The players

Taylor Staten

Taylor Staten is an architect leading the development of a new youth-focused social space in the Hyde Park neighborhood.

Urban Growers Collective

Urban Growers Collective is a community partner involved in the development of the new youth facility.

Mental Health Meets Hip-Hop

Mental Health Meets Hip-Hop is a partner organization collaborating on the lounge to provide wellness support for teens.

The details

The facility will include an art gallery and a cafe, serving as a hub for both social interaction and mental wellness programming. The project features collaborations with community partners such as Urban Growers Collective and Mental Health Meets Hip-Hop.

A community meeting is scheduled for November 5, 2026, at the Sidney Agency.
Renovations for the project are slated to begin in early 2027.
The lounge is projected to open for the 2027-28 school year.

Culture Shift

The project represents a shift toward dedicated youth-only infrastructure in response to exclusionary commercial practices. It challenges the trend of youth-exclusion policies in after-school commercial spaces by creating a purpose-built environment for students.

Local families may see expanded social options for teenagers, helping resolve issues related to after-school business restrictions. Students will eventually be able to access the lounge using their Chicago Public Schools IDs for entry to organized social events.

The takeaway

Developing dedicated third spaces for teenagers can help foster community integration and provide a necessary outlet for student social development. Local residents are encouraged to participate in upcoming planning forums to ensure the final facility meets neighborhood needs.