Wow that is really impressive. That would be a way awesome conciliation prize for the site.

Even though this design is not likely in any way being considered by Related Midway as an actual proposal (disclaimer), I think if it were a real proposal it would never be considered a conciliation prize because it is, in my opinion, a better, more fitting design than the Chicago Spire ever was. The stiletto needs major refinement or removal to be honest.

Yeah, the color/texture/material difference rubs me the wrong way. And I think the fact that it goes over LSD means that there's a lot of untapped potential


Edit: and I'll repeat my seemingly deleted sentiment that the form could use refinement and looks quite basic at the moment. I suppose it complements Aon and Vista well in this iteration's blockiness though (and Trump too in that panoramic lake render)

Hey I got to say I got a good laugh out of the Friends of The Pit talk and other talk like that

I doubt the Calatrava design's caissons can handle lateral loads like this, so there would presumably need to be some very significant work below grade.

But the outboard piers would probably be a terror risk anyway, so, yep, "conceptual."

A great neighborhood for an observation deck though, so I hope they keep going down this track.

The 14 main/super caissons that were to support the Spire are 10-12' diameter and go down about 120' into bedrock. The remaining caissons go down about 90' into hardpan clay.

For memories and references...

• Video Link
• Video Link

Leaving aside whether they could build in DuSable park, how can a tower be built over LSD? An active construction site over an expressway? What if something fell?

I know this is a thought exercise, but isn't that part of it?

5/19
 

Let's all be real. The only thing that will ever be built on this site will be some generic 500' apartment building. Just look at Related's portfolio (some of the worst buildings in the city).
[UNSOURCED IMAGE REMOVED]

So let's not get big dicks over a fantasy (albeit AMAZING) design.

^^^^

Am I the only one on ssp who actually likes the Park Tower and One Bennett?

Both are stunning designs IMO. Especially One Bennett Park.

But I will say this, a 500' tower on this plot is a sacrilege. A monumental waste of space. This location hopefully in time will host something iconic. :fingerscrossed:

SSP has a hate boner for One Bennett, but yeah, I like Park Tower and One Bennett does have potential to look great. I also like 111 Wacker, as quirky as it is. Nonetheless, it's totally silly to call those buildings (above) some of the worst in the city (OMP's crown is it's own discussion).

If the economics line up, there's no reason why they should have to think small or be gimmicky.

not trying to defend related, but they weren't the original developer of the three buildings on the right.

* moderator edit *

the off topic city vs. city crap has been deleted.

off topic city vs. city crap will always be deleted.

Yes I agree Related can build decent towers.

The two tower proposal looks ok because there is nothing it can really mess up on, its way too safe. this lot is the perfect opportunity to create a landmark tower, or even THE landmark tower of Chicago.

From Today:

http://www.dezeen.com/2016/06/07/gen...go-spire-site/

Clearly the writers of those articles neglected to mention that the design is not a concrete proposal......

The more I see the crutches the more I hate the idea, too gimmicky and doesn't deserve to be included on an otherwise potentially iconic structure.

it's even less than that.

it's not a proposal at all.

it's an in-house design exercise.

If the crutches were just crutches, I may agree...but as they are integral to the idea of activating the structure and are integral to the idea of bringing revenue in from multiple sources, I think they are pretty cool. Certainly a lot better than whatever will eventually be built on the site.

SSDD

If the carnival ride was enclosed and more elegant I would be for it, but since it probably would not be feasible anyways, I would prefer perhaps an elegant trench or tunnel under Lake Shore Drive with some sort of screening for the Drive itself.

https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/20...1-899x1024.jpg
dezeen

Ugh. If only. :(

yeah that's pretty insanely cool in that spot

hopefully that kind of pie-in-the-sky exercise helps reinforce to Related that the section of the populace that is knowing and caring on such matters expects a signature structure there.

at least they have said they wish to do something architecturally significant, whatever it is that means to them...

Yes...plus they seem to have forgotten to use blue glass. Insanity.

6/10




Not just a hole - the site has a 70-80' deep wall around the perimeter - here a bit of the Northern secant wall pokes up.

Extra Diagrams:

https://cdn1.vox-cdn.com/uploads/cho...y%20tower1.png

https://cdn3.vox-cdn.com/uploads/cho...20gateway1.png

https://cdn2.vox-cdn.com/uploads/cho...20gateway3.png

https://cdn3.vox-cdn.com/uploads/cho...20gateway4.png
Credit: Chicagocurbed

I didn't realize the site looks like that now. Thanks for the update HarryC.

Seems Gensler wasn't invited to the big boy table for real proposals then. Good on them for trying to get their foot in the door though. :cheers:

Just in-house fun by the firm.

^ Yes, but I also think it was a concerted effort to get Related's attention and perhaps a commission.

Gensler's far too corporate for my tastes, however that is not to say they don't also put out some nice work.....

So this proposal wasn't real?

It's real in that it has been thought up, but it is not backed by Related(yet)

It's actually almost 50% complete now, didn't you notice the huge 20 story beams they were hoisting over LSD a couple of weeks ago?

July 11
 

Well whats reality anyway? I mean Donald Trump... Donald Trump forchristsake.

love how the gateway tower is listed as proposed on the diagrams and database :haha:

What's the chance of this getting built?

^ one in a million

Wait so they are finally completing the original Spire? Sweet.

Locking this thread. . . nothing to see here. . .

. . .

Coincidentally, this tower will prevent 400 N LSD from being a supertall.

huh?

explain.

I would think this project puts a nice dent in demand?

Now that this has officially broken ground, and Related Midwest hasn't finalized a design, I would imagine they're re-thinking things.

it certainly could, but that is by no means a forgone conclusion.

who knows how long related is going to sit on that land for? they might just sit this entire cycle out.

until related actually releases a plan for what they propose to do with that plot, it's ALL just speculation.

there is nothing that i am aware of that would automatically prevent 400 N LSD from being a supertall.

Related will not be allowed to build some crap "luxury" rental tower there.

I don't remember where I read it, but if I remember correctly Related will be revealing their preliminary plans for 400 N LSD and the huge field south of Riverline in early 2017.

There was recently a news blurb about Related hiring a senior partner from SOM (?) who has experience working on supertall projects, and will oversee design/coordination with both the Spire site and the massive site south of Roosevelt. I think they'll looking for both quality design AND something pretty tall, for the Spire site...especially considering that the existing foundation was completed, and can support a pretty tall high-rise.

I can't find that article, I think it was from Crain's...help?

^Ask and you shall receive, sir

http://www.chicagobusiness.com/reale...uth-loop-sites

That's it, thank you!

The value of the foundation work on this site is probably more than the land value, maybe two or three times it. As much as I think Related Midwest are a bunch of pansies, I also think they are shrewd businessmen and know that 25% of a very large and tall building is already in the mud. They are going to max the far out on this site whether it's via a 1200, 1500 or 2000' building.

Id love to see them grow some balls and make a real statement here, but that's probably too much to ask. Maybe Stephan Ross is getting blue balls not being able to go as tall as he wants in NIMBY York City and will use this site as an outlet for his ego.

If that was the case why didn't they finish going supertall at 111 W Wacker? Not only was the foundation in place, but 1/4 of the building was out of the mud. I hope I'm wrong, but I'm not holding my breath for something earth shattering here.

Very different economic times though, which can be easy to forget (possibly deliberately, as I'm sure no ones wants to remember that time in history..)

Personally, I would be very happy with a beautifully designed 1,300 - 1,500', mixed-use megatall.