Frank Lloyd Wright. E.E. Roberts. Oak Park Volvo?
Oak Park Volvo has begun building a landmark “car tower” to show off the Swedish carmaker’s models to drivers on the Eisenhower Expressway.
“The tower was not part of original plan but being done in full compliance with all existing zoning standards applicable to that property,” said Bob Clements, village redevelopment manager.
The all-glass tower will display seven new Volvo cars stacked on top of one another and show Volvo signage on all four sides. On the east and west sides of the top section, Volvo’s name will be written, while the north and south sides will depict the Volvo logo.
Additionally, the north side will say “Oak Park.” The entire structure will be lighted.
The cars can periodically be changed using magnets that will lower them to the ground. The tower will be one of the first of its kind to be built in the country.
Carmen Scalzo of Oak Park Volvo thought of building the tower after learning of a similar one using Mercedes-Benz cars in Berlin, Germany. The company that built the Berlin tower will also build the Oak Park version.
Scalzo said the intent of the tower is to provide Oak Park with another landmark and to provide exposure for Volvo products. The tower should be finished by the end of July.
When it is completed, there will be a re-grand opening. Oak Park Volvo is located at 1140 Garfield St. and the dealership can be seen when exiting the expressway at Harlem.
