Inside a tiled subway passageway, light blue and red accents curve along the walls, leading commuters toward the platform below. The design is distinctly retro, with polished tiles and fluorescent lighting evoking a mid-20th-century aesthetic found in older metro systems. The turn of the corridor reveals a glimpse of signage and station names, grounding the space in the everyday flow of city life.

A stairway leads down to the platform at the Chicago Transit Authority’s Grand Station on the Red Line. The tiled corridor—lined with blue ceramic panels and stainless-steel railings—reflects the late-20th-century design style common to CTA subway renovations, emphasizing functionality and durable materials. The bright fluorescent lighting and tiled curvature guide commuters from street level into the subterranean rail network that connects Chicago’s North Side, Loop, and South Side neighborhoods. The subtle skyline motif on the tiles pays homage to the city’s architectural identity while marking one of the Red Line’s busiest downtown access points.

Passengers purchase tickets inside the Grand/State train station in Chicago.