Two-tower planned-development set to rise on site of failed Chicago Spire project
Published: 8/21/18
Related Midwest unveils plans to build two towers on the site of former 2,000-foot-tall Chicago Spire project. World-renown architect, David Childs of Skidmore, Owings and Merrill, designed the new proposal for 400 N Lake Shore Dr.
The towers will feature glass, detailed metal and terra-cotta exterior construction. Sweeping setbacks and wide outdoor terraces create rippling effects reminiscent of waterfalls, across the two towers.
At 1,100 feet tall, the development’s south tower will qualify as a, ‘supertall’ skyscraper and have a big impact on the Chicago skyline. At 850 feet, the north tower will be nearly as tall as nearby One Bennett Park and still be among Chicago’s taller skyscrapers. While the south tower will offer for-sale condo units and include a 175-room hotel component, the north tower will have 550 rental units.
Developers will utilize a retaining wall already in place from the Spire project for part of the 400 N Lake Shore Dr. foundation. The two towers will offer a total of 750 parking spaces and be connected by a four-floor amenity podium.
As part of the proposal, Related Midwest will commit $10 million to help complete the three-acre DuSable Park parcel just east of Lake Shore Dr and make it accessible to the public. The park will be used as a temporary staging area for construction equipment until completion of the two towers. This project could begin as early as spring, 2019 and take several years to complete.
