CHICAGO | Highrise Projects & Construction, v7 - Page 533

KWillChicago · #**10641** Posted **Feb 23, 2018, 4:09 PM**

All this glass exterior idea crap has to stop. This isn't Disneyland or Vegas. I do remember them years ago with the Aon roof observatory idea similar to Empire SB but with a cafe lounge.
A top floor resteraunt with a roof bar and lounge would be epic. A little windy on the roof, but surely jam packed nightly with views to die for.

Busy Bee · #**10642** Posted **Feb 23, 2018, 4:20 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chi-Sky21

Hey, DO NOT mess with my spicy chicken sandwiches!

Oh don't get me going...

left of center · #**10643** Posted **Feb 23, 2018, 5:19 PM**

Interesting idea, regarding the Aon skydeck. I've always thought Aon would have excellent views compared to Hancock or Sears, since both existing obs decks are both on the edge of the skyline. Aon (and Trump for that matter, had they put in an obs deck like they were considering during the planning process) is more central, and has great views all around, as opposed to the north side at the Sears and south side at the Hancock.

The elevator being out of view of Grant/Millennium Park (it will be on the NW corner) is a good idea too. It would throw off the pleasant balance of the south facade of the building, which is unarguably its most viewed side. Wonder how it will look. Guess we will have to wait for renderings to either pan or praise it.

BuildThemTaller · #**10644** Posted **Feb 23, 2018, 5:27 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by KWillChicago

All this glass exterior idea crap has to stop. This isn't Disneyland or Vegas. I do remember them years ago with the Aon roof observatory idea similar to Empire SB but with a cafe lounge.
A top floor resteraunt with a roof bar and lounge would be epic. A little windy on the roof, but surely jam packed nightly with views to die for.

Yeah, glass elevators like that are only in amusement parks, like Detroit.

https://youtu.be/ZseyJMFWiv0

Seems like a neat idea. I would like it if the views from the south are kept as is.

Kngkyle · #**10645** Posted **Feb 23, 2018, 6:53 PM**

I wonder if it could be done with just a track added to the outside of the building and then the only structure would be the elevator carriage itself. That way when not traveling between floors you wouldn't even be able to tell it exists.

Via Chicago · #**10646** Posted **Feb 23, 2018, 6:59 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by BuildThemTaller

Yeah, glass elevators like that are only in amusement parks, like Detroit.

https://youtu.be/ZseyJMFWiv0

Seems like a neat idea. I would like it if the views from the south are kept as is.

i mean theres an obvious difference between it being an original part of the design intention that the rest of the building accommodates , and a cheesy tack-on solution

The Lurker · #**10647** Posted **Feb 23, 2018, 9:16 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by BuildThemTaller

Yeah, glass elevators like that are only in amusement parks, like Detroit.

https://youtu.be/ZseyJMFWiv0

Seems like a neat idea. I would like it if the views from the south are kept as is.

Not sure what u meant by the amusement park reference but you can say what you want about it. The Ren-Cen elevator ride is a unique and breathtaking experience and it would be killer if there were something similar in Chicago, though I would rather it be incorporated into new construction as opposed to being taped to the side of AON

BuildThemTaller · #**10648** Posted **Feb 23, 2018, 10:04 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by left of center

I think he was sarcastically replying to a previous comment. The crux of his sarcasm is that Detroit is a serious, urban city, and far from an amusement park-esque Vegas or LA, hence the comparison with the RenCen elevator.

Precisely. My comment was in response to comparing this glass elevator to Vegas or Disneyland.

What cooler way to observe the built environment of downtown Chicago than a glass elevator? Plus, this serves a need of ferrying people to the observation deck without monopolizing the other elevators used by commercial tenants. It serves more than a tacky purpose.

Steely Dan · #**10649** Posted **Feb 23, 2018, 10:10 PM**

^ it still seems a little tacky to just tack it on.

get it?

but i suppose if it's invisible from the grant/millennium park vantage point, and it's done as discreetly as possible (like tucking it into the NW re-entrant corner), i suppose it might not be the end of the world.

i still don't like it on the surface, though. i'm generally not a fan of any of these gimmicky, tacky amusement park attractions being tacked onto some of our city's most noticeable skyline landmarks.

Mr Downtown · #**10650** Posted **Feb 23, 2018, 11:46 PM**

I'm not upset by the idea of an exterior elevator—but to me, Aon cries out for a symmetrical treatment. Obviously a tower up the middle of one side is a nonstarter for the office tenants, and one at two corners would be too expensive.

BVictor1 · #**10651** Posted **Feb 23, 2018, 11:58 PM**

For some reason, the scenic elevators from The Towering Inferno keep popping to mind.

HomrQT · #**10652** Posted **Feb 24, 2018, 2:15 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steely Dan

I still don't like it on the surface, though. i'm generally not a fan of any of these gimmicky, tacky amusement park attractions being tacked onto some of our city's most noticeable skyline landmarks.

I agree. Still don't like seeing the boxes stuck on the Sears tower. An elevator on the outside of Aon would be a big eyesore.

harryc · #**10653** Posted **Feb 24, 2018, 2:53 PM**

Feb 23

At first I thought this was just waiting the finishing flashing, but it looks like the gap is intentional - not sure how this will weather - a home for spiders - snow and ice will be interesting.

Insulation on the concrete