Chicago Spire's Final Design Released (Finished Tower Will Be World's Tallest Residential Building)

NBC5 ^ | December 7, 2006

[MinorityRepublican]

CHICAGO -- The development company that plans to build the new Chicago Spire released its final design on Thursday, and said it plans to apply for final approval with the city on Friday.

Architect Santiago Calatrava designed the 2,000-foot tower, which upon completion will be the tallest residential building in the world, according to a press release by the Shelbourne Development Group.

Calatrava said the building said he believes the final design is "more mature than it was initially."

The building will stand at 400 N. Lake Shore Drive, at the mouth of the Chicago River. The tower's final plan includes several changes from the original design, meant to enhance the building's integration with the riverfront and minimize traffic flow, according to the release.

It will not include a broadcast antenna, nor a hotel or retail space. The number of floors increased from 124 to 150, with a total of 1,300 residences. The design also includes a massive underground parking garage.

"We have taken what was a highly-innovative design and turned it into something even more desirable," said Garrett Kelleher, executive chairman of the development company. "We look forward to the city's approval and to breaking ground next year." Click here to find out more!

The Chicago Planning Department will begin its review Dec. 8. The earliest the city might approve the changes would be next month, the developer said.

[verum ago]

it's like pale licorice.... so hungry now...

[antiunion person]

I was being just a bit sarcastic. People who build tall buildings (WTC) never think about the firemen who have to use the stairs, during a fire, to get their equipment to the fire. Imagine yourself on the morning of 11 September, 2001, entering the WTC buildings with fires aburning on the 90+ floor and having to hump thousands of stairs and then fighting the fire. No, never mind Ramius, you can't imagine something terrible.

[RobbyS]

Looks like a drill bit.

[Ramius]

Ah, dinner at the Needle. You're right about that. It's a spectacular display. The rotating restaurant makes it just about the most unique place for a date, ever...

Some people badmouth the restaurant as being overpriced... well... duh. You don't go there for the Chef. You go there for the view. :-)

If you want the best Chef in Seattle, well, that's arguable but I'd have to submit either the Metropolitan Grill, or El Gaucho for that spot. Though, I'll also say that I've never had a less than perfect meal at Ivar's Salmon House or Stuart's, either.

[umgud]

with a total of 1,300 residences.......

I wonder if any of them will be Section 8?

[Ramius]

No, never mind Ramius, you can't imagine something terrible.

Of course I can. No need to talk down to me.

Perhaps they'd do it like they do in many tall buildings and that would be to put large water tanks at the top and at intervals down the structure, so that gravity feed can carry firefighting water to the fire even with the power out.

Or, we can just be too afraid and just not build tall buildings anymore.

[irishtenor]

Oh, there is a bathroom on the top floor of the Bank of America building in Seattle that is completely exposed to the world on one side.

[antiunion person]

I wonder if any of them will be Section 8?

I was drinking water when I read your post, umgud, and almost shot water onto the computer screen and keyboard.

[umgud]

Sorry about that.

[irishtenor]

Took my wife there on our first date. Way back in '74. As for the best chef in Seattle, it depends on what you are desiring. For clam chowder, the only place is Charlestown Cafe in West Seattle. It won the Newport, RI chowder cookoff four years straight. You may be right, if you want steak, although Ruth's Cris is good, too.

[ikka]

It will not include a broadcast antenna, nor a hotel or retail space.

They will hide the antennas but they will be there. When you are getting paid thousands per month, the landlord finds a way.

[Proud_USA_Republican]

Its a very unique design. Looks like a piece of modern artwork. Looks nice right there on the waterfront.

Trump is going to be pissed. He thought he was going to have the tallest residential tower in Chicago for some time.

Will be interesting how all these massive condo tower projects I've seen proping up all across the the US, like the Bravern project in Seattle, are going to complete as real estate prices continue to flatline or go lower.

[Species8472]

The obvious solution is to have firefighters stationed high in the building (water system/sprinklers a given). Population of the building has got to be 15 - 20 thousand. There are many towns that size that have multiple fire stations.

[Recon Dad]

I hope the wind hits it from the west so it lands in the lake!

[Recon Dad]

I hope the wind hits it from the west so it lands in the lake!

[robertpaulsen]

Not necessary. You simply slide down the spiral. Like this:

[BohDaThone]

windows on the world did not rotate. It was great though -- you could look right down on the Laguardia landing path and see planes almost right down to the tarmac. As a later poster said, at twilight it was particularly magical.

[Musket]

As a former Chicagoan, I must say, it looks tacky, and it's too tall for it's surroundings. But after what was done to Soldier Field, and the addition of the Pritzker Pavilion, I guess any abomination is permissible in Chicago now. The Trump Tower otoh, is classy.

[Godwin1]

Boy, is it ugly!
And you'd have to be nuts to buy an apartment there. Thanks to Chicago's relentlessly PC democratic rulers, the police are forbidden from inquiring about the immigration status of persons they have contact with. In the days and weeks following 911, the Chicago police publicly refused to cooperate with federal authorities in their attempts to verify the whereabouts of young Muslim men who had recently entered the USA on temporary visitors' visas. The Muslim population of Chicago and surrounding suburbs is large and growing. Combine these factors with a building that would be a high-profile "target" and you have a problem. Should the democrats complete their trifecta with a White House win in two years, goodbye Patriot Act and other aggressive anti-terror tools on the federal level. I like in-town apartment living. But, absent a change of attitude by Chicago politicians, I wouldn't live in or near this building while the terror threat facing our country continues.

[Musket]

And you'd have to be nuts to buy an apartment there.

That thing is gonna sway so much - you'd be constantly seasick.