The station, designed by Chicago-based Ross Barney Architects and engineered by Primary Consultant T.Y.

Lin International, is located at Cermak Road and State Street on the Near South Side of Chicago.

The station's signature element is the structural steel tube that serves as a windbreak for passenger boarding areas.

On January 17, 2012, Chicago mayor Rahm Emanuel announced at a press conference that the Cermak station would be rebuilt in order to serve McCormick Place.

[5][6] The $50 million investment was also intended to boost the development of residential neighborhoods in the City's Near South Side and revitalize the adjacent historic Motor Row District.