Chicago Spire

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 This article contains information about a building currently under construction.
It may contain information of a speculative nature, and the content may change dramatically and frequently as construction progresses and new information becomes available.
Chicago Spire

Information
Location 400 N Lake Shore Drive
Chicago, Illinois
Status Under construction[1][2]
Groundbreaking June 25, 2007[1]
Estimated completion 2011 (est.)[3]
Opening 2011 (est.)[3]
Use Residential[4]
Height
Roof 2,000 feet (609.6 m)[4][5]
Technical details
Floor count 150[7]
Floor area 3,000,000 square feet
(278,709 sq. m)[6]
Companies
Architect Santiago Calatrava[8]
Perkins and Will[8]
Structural
Engineer		 Thornton Tomasetti[8]
Contractor Case Foundation[9]
Developer Shelbourne Development[9]

The Chicago Spire is a supertall skyscraper under construction in Chicago, Illinois. The building was designed by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava and is being developed by Garrett Kelleher of Shelbourne Development Group, Inc.[4][5][10] At 2,000 feet (610 m) and with 150 floors, the building is likely to be the second tallest in the world when completed in 2011. It will stand taller than Chicago's Sears Tower and New York's upcoming Freedom Tower, as well as Toronto's CN Tower, thereby becoming North America's tallest free-standing structure and the world's tallest all-residential building.[4][5][7][9][3]

Originally announced in July of 2005 by Christopher T. Carley of the Fordham Company, the project was supported by many Chicagoans and city officials.[11][12][13] After several months of development, Carley failed to acquire necessary financing and the project was taken over by Garrett Kelleher of the Shelbourne Development Group. Since that time, three major revisions were made to the design.[14]

Contents

[edit] History

[edit] Fordham Spire

Originally proposed as "Fordham Spire" in July of 2005, the design called for 115 stories.[15] Chicago developer Christopher T. Carley of the Fordham Company was spearheading the project. The building was planned to include a hotel and condominiums and also featured a tall broadcast antenna mast. On March 16, 2006, the initial design of the building passed unanimously during that day's meeting of the Chicago Plan Commission and on March 23, 2006, the same happened at the city's Zoning Committee meeting.[16] On March 29, 2006, The Chicago City Council also approved that design.[17] As part of the approval process, the council passed a measure that raised the height limit on structures at the site to accommodate the 2,000-foot (610 m) tower.

There was widespread support for the original design of the building among both the residents of the immediate neighborhood and the city of Chicago as a whole, partly because the building would block less sunlight and obscure less of the skyline than would the uses for which the land was originally zoned. Chicago Mayor Daley said he approved of the design, stating that it was environmentally friendly. Chicago's 42nd Ward Alderman Burton F. Natarus, who was the local ward alderman when the building was announced, said: "This is a very unique opportunity for the city of Chicago. This building belongs to Chicago and should be in Chicago."[12]

Opposition from some neighborhood residents originated from concerns with increased congestion. Donald Trump immediately voiced opposition to the building, stating that the structure would be a target for terrorists and did not seem to even be a project.[18] His current project, however, the Trump International Hotel and Tower, is also a skyscraper that is currently under construction just a few blocks west of the Chicago Spire site and would be in direct competition with the Chicago Spire as the tallest residential structure.

[edit] Financial problems

After several months of development, Carley failed to obtain sufficient financing for the construction of the building.[19] Irish developer Garrett Kelleher, executive chairman of Shelbourne Development Group, Inc., stepped in and acquired the land, at 400 North Lake Shore Drive. It was announced that he would fund the development with the assistance of financing from Anglo Irish Bank.[19] With Kelleher taking over the project, much of the uncertainty of its development was greatly diminished because he was putting up 100 percent of the equity, something Carley had been unable to do.[20] He also had financial backing to acquire the land, something Carley lacked. Kelleher stated he would consider using Carley's services on the development and that "Carley will be paid an unspecified sum for his involvement in the deal so far."[21] Kelleher later renamed the project "Chicago Spire" after shortly going by "400 North Lake Shore Drive", as it was no longer a Fordham project.[21]

[edit] New designs

Garrett Kelleher
Garrett Kelleher

In the final quarter of 2006, Shelbourne Development issued two separate press releases regarding the construction and design of the spire. In a November 2006 press release, it stated that construction of the Chicago Spire would begin in June 2007.[8] In early December 2006, Shelbourne Development issued another press release stating that the design of the building had been revised. This included the removal of the hotel and antenna mast, making the building all condominiums. The design change altered the twist to be consolidated towards the base of the building, which was also wider than the original plan. Additionally, the spire no longer tapered at the top, resulting in increased floor space and more total floors. Finally, the revision removed the separate parking structure from the original plan, instead incorporating underground parking into the spire itself.[4] This first major redesign of the Chicago Spire was criticized by architectural critics and city officials.[22]

In late December 2006, the Chicago Tribune reported that the developer was soliciting opinions on a further revision from community leaders.[23] Several weeks following that report the Chicago Tribune held an exclusive interview with Santiago Calatrava, the architect, and Garrett Kelleher, the lead developer. During the interview, Calatrava drew out design ideas restoring the rotating design of the building and showcasing his vision for the Chicago Spire's lobby.[24] On March 26, 2007, further revisions were shown during a public presentation by Shelbourne Development showcasing the most current design.[25]

[edit] Approval

Following the March 26, 2007, public presentation by Shelbourne Development, residents showed favorable reaction to the newest design of the Chicago Spire.[26][27] The Chicago Plan Commission approved the final plans of the Chicago Spire on April 19, 2007.[26][14][28] Chicago's zoning committee also approved the tower, on April 26, 2007. On May 9, 2007, the Chicago City Council approved the final design of the Chicago Spire.[14][10]

[edit] Location

A factory at the Chicago Spire site in 1963.
A factory at the Chicago Spire site in 1963.
Chicago Spire site and DuSable Park prior to construction in 2007.
Chicago Spire site and DuSable Park prior to construction in 2007.

The skyscraper is being constructed along Chicago's lake front west of Navy Pier, located northeast of Chicago's Loop, in the Streeterville neighborhood of the Near North Side community area. The construction site is at the junction of Lake Michigan and the Chicago River. The site is bordered by the Ogden Slip of the Chicago River to the north, North Lake Shore Drive to the east, the Chicago River to the south, and existing residential property to the west. The site was originally zoned for two 35- to 50-story buildings.[11] Originally, it was to be sold by a joint venture of LR Development Company of Chicago and JER Partners of Virginia for $64 million to Christopher Carley of the Fordham Company.[29] After numerous short-term extensions, and later Carley's failure to obtain financing, Kelleher of Shelbourne Development purchased the land instead and pledged to finance the rest of the project.[19]

[edit] DuSable Park

Main article: DuSable Park, Chicago

When the project was first announced, the Fordham Company pledged almost $500,000 to assist in the development of the city's proposed DuSable Park, which would adjoin the property of the Chicago Spire.[12] DuSable Park would sit on 3.24 acres (1.3 ha) and has a $11.4 million budget for its renovation.[30] On March 26, 2007, Shelbourne pledged to pay $6 million toward the development of the park, making up the deficit left over from the city's own initial pledge of $6 million and far exceeding the Fordham Co's initial offer.[31] In May of 2007 Shelbourne's pledge jumped to $9.6 million.[32]

Soil tests performed in December of 2000 on the property of the proposed park, adjacent to the building site, showed contamination of radioactive thorium.[33] Thorium was used by the Lindsay Light Company which operated a location nearby. After the closing of the location in the 1930s, contaminated soil was dumped on the location of the proposed park. In March 2003, the Chicago Park District stated that the thorium clean-up on that land was incomplete.[34] Hazards of contamination can be avoided by laying a minimum of 6 inches (15 cm) of concrete over any affected soil, a process which would be more feasible for the site of the Chicago Spire than compared with the development of the adjacent park.[33]

[edit] Architecture

[edit] Design

An early design of the building.
An early design of the building.

As with many of his designs, Calatrava has been inspired by themes and designs in nature for the tall, twisting skyscraper.[35] For the design of the building, he likened the structure to an imaginary smoke spiral coming from a campfire near the Chicago River lit by Native Americans indigenous to the area,[36] and also related the building's newly designed pinnacle to the "graceful" and "rotating forms" of a snail shell.[24]

Standing at 2,000 feet (609.6 m), the Chicago Spire will further transform the already changing Chicago skyline.[37][4][5] Plans for the tower include 1,193 condominiums with each of the building's 150 stories rotating exactly 2.44 degrees from the one below for a total 360 degree rotation.[38] In February of 2008, prices for the condominiums were announced as ranging from "$750,000 to $40 million" USD.[39] For supplemental structural support, each floor would be surrounded by cantilevered corners and four concave sides.[40] Similar to the Sears Tower and John Hancock Center skydecks, the Chicago Spire will house a community room at the top floor offering residents a view of four states.[41][42][43] The soaring four story lobby of the skyscraper will have translucent glass walls and be framed by arching, steel reinforced concrete vaults.[24][44] The building has been labeled as a giant "drill bit" by the public and others in the media have likened it to a "tall twisting tree" and a "blade of grass".[45][22]

The curved design, similar to that of Calatrava's Turning Torso in Malmö, Sweden, may provide two major benefits to the structure of the building. First, curved designs have a tendency of adding to the strength of a structure.[46] A similar principle has been applied in the past when building curved stadium roofs. In addition to structural support, the curved face of the exterior will minimize wind forces. In rectangular buildings, a fluid wind flow puts pressure on the windward face of the building, while as air moves around it, a suction is applied to the leeward face. This often causes a sway in tall buildings which can be counteracted, at least partially, by stiffening the structure or by using a dynamic wind damper.[46] Although the curved design of the Chicago Spire will not completely negate wind forces, a tapering concrete core and twelve shear walls emanating from it are installed to counteract these forces instead.[40]

Additionally, the Chicago Spire will incorporate world-class sustainable engineering practices to meet Gold standard of Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification. Sustainable features include recycled rainwater, river water used for cooling, ornithologically-sensitive glass to protect migratory birds, intelligent building and management systems, waste storage and recycling management, and monitored outdoor air delivery.[38]

[edit] Height

Caisson being installed.
Caisson being installed.

The Spire will surpass Chicago's own Sears Tower, currently at 1,450 feet (442 m) tall, and New York's upcoming Freedom Tower, planned to be 1,776 feet (541 m) tall, to become North America's tallest tower.[4][5] The current design also will surpass the height of the CN Tower in Toronto to become North America's tallest free-standing structure. The Chicago Spire would also surpass the Q1 in Queensland, the Eureka Tower in Melbourne, and the Princess Tower in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, to become the world's tallest all-residential building.[8]

[edit] Construction

Following the city approval, it was announced that construction of the Chicago Spire was to begin in summer 2007 with caisson scheduled to begin as early as June 2007.[47] DuSable Park was designated as a staging area for the construction of the tower.[48] On January 14, 2008, the sales center for the Chicago Spire opened.[49]

[edit] Underground phase

Crane parts and construction equipment arrived at the site on June 25, 2007.[50] The following day Shelbourne Development officially announced the first construction contract.[9] In preparation for construction, 34 concrete and steel caissons will be drilled 120 feet (37 m) into bedrock underlying the Earth's surface.[9] A cofferdam with a 104 foot (31 m) diameter and 78 foot (24 m) depth will be installed to create a work environment and will later act as a foundation for the building's core.[9] The underground portion of the construction is expected to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2008.[9] As of May 30, 2008, 30 of the 34 large caissons are complete. The parking garage bell caisson work continues. The outer "bathtub" walls should be completed in June. The next big phase will be the top down construction of the parking garage. This underground phase will be completed first before the structure rises.

[edit] Images

Chicago Spire

Months before construction on April 13, 2006

The construction team assembles on June 30, 2007

Bedrock being drilled on August 22, 2007

Closeup of base excavation Jan 12, 2008

May 25th 2008

[edit] See also

[edit] References

[edit] Further reading

  • Keegan, E. (2005). Calatrava designing massive tower in Chicago. Architectural Record, 193, 29.
  • McKeoug, T. (2006). Artist at work: Santiago Calatrava. Azure, 22, 56-61.
  • Nobel, P. (2005). Onward and upward? Four years after 9/11 - at perhaps the peak of the real estate bubble - very tall has never been hotter. Metropolis, 25, 66-72.
  • Pridmore, J., & Larson, G.A. (2005) Chicago Architecture and Design : Revised and expanded. Harry N. Abrams, Inc.: New York.

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ a b NewcitySkyline. (2007, August 1). The Chicago Spire is officially under construction. Retrieved August 03, 2007, from http://www.newcityskyline.com/TheChicagoSpireisofficiallyunderconstruction.html
  2. ^ Chicago Spire. SkyscraperPage.com. Retrieved on 2007-08-03.
  3. ^ a b c Shelbourne Development. (2007, September 27). The Chicago Spire Officially Launched. Retrieved September 28, 2007, from http://www.shelbournedevelopment.com/press_release.php?id=82
  4. ^ a b c d e f g Shelbourne Development Group, Inc. (2007-12-07). "Shelbourne Development Files New Design of The Chicago Spire with the City of Chicago". Press release.
  5. ^ a b c d e Baeb, E., & Gallun, A (2006, December 06). Calatrava tower to drop spire. Crain's Chicago Business. Retrieved December 11, 2006, from http://chicagobusiness.com/cgi-bin/news.pl?rssFeed=news&id=23109
  6. ^ Repeat. (2006). Calatrava's Latest Twist from Spire to Licorice Stick Retrieved December 11, 2006, from http://lynnbecker.com/repeat/calatravachicago/calatravachicago.htm
  7. ^ a b Maxwell, T. (2007, January 15). Tallest tower will be built, developer pledges. Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 2007-01-18 from http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/custom/newsroom/chi-070115spire,1,1024654.story
  8. ^ a b c d e Business Wire (2006, November 15). Shelbourne Development Group, Inc. Announces Global Team to Build 400 North Lake Shore Drive. Press release.
  9. ^ a b c d e f g Shelbourne Development. (2007, June 26). Shelbourne Development Awards Contract to Build Foundation of The Chicago Spire. Press release.
  10. ^ a b Spielman, F. (2007, May 10). City Council Spired up. Chicago Tribune. Retrieved May 11, 2007, from http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/379493,CST-NWS-council10.article
  11. ^ a b Chicago Architecture.info. (2006) Chicago Spire : 420 East North Water Street, Chicago, Illinois 60611, United States Retrieved December 11, 2006, from http://www.chicagoarchitecture.info/ShowBuilding/357.php
  12. ^ a b c Bush, H. (2006, March 22). The coronation of Calatrava. Chicago Journal. Retrieved December 11, 2006, form http://www.chicagojournal.com/main.asp?SectionID=1&SubSectionID=60&ArticleID=1507&TM=83215.53
  13. ^ Associated Press. (2005, July 27). Tallest U.S. skyscraper proposed for Chicago. MSNBC. Retrieved 2007-01-29 from http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8715644/
  14. ^ a b c Diesenhouse, S. (2007, April 20). Financial questions tower over Spire's political win. Chicago Tribune. Retrieved April 21, 2007, from http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-070419spire,0,7866.story?coll=chi-business-hed
  15. ^ Corfman, T., & Kamin, B. (2005, July 26). Tallest tower to twist rivals: Trump blasts iffy edifice that would put his in shadow. Chicago Tribune, pp. 1, news.
  16. ^ McHugh, M. (2006, March 16). Planning commission approves Fordham Spire. Crain's Chicago Business. Retrieved December, 11, 2006, from http://chicagobusiness.com/cgi-bin/news.pl?id=19877
  17. ^ Yue, L. (2006, March 29). City Council OKs Fordham Spire. Crain's Chicago Business. Retrieved December 11, 2006, from http://www.chicagobusiness.com/cgi-bin/news.pl?id=20016
  18. ^ Slevin, P. (2005, July 25). Chicago Developer Wants to Erect Tower With a Twist. The Washington Post. pp. A.03
  19. ^ a b c Marin, M. (2006, July, 20). Irish Developer Will Build North America's Tallest Building in the Windy City. Multi-Housing News. Retrieved 2006-12-11 from http://www.multi-housingnews.com/multihousing/headlines/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1002876823
  20. ^ Comerford, M. (2006, July 20). New developer in works for site of Fordham Spire. Daily Herald, pp. 1, Business.
  21. ^ a b Roeder, D. (2006, July 20). New twist in spire project. Chicago Sun-Times, pp. 51, Front.
  22. ^ a b Jacobs, S. (2007, January 14). Spinning politics with the Spire. Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved January 22, 2006, from http://www.suntimes.com/news/otherviews/210600,CST-CONT-spire14.article
  23. ^ Kamin, B. (2006, December 21). Controversial skyscraper plan gets new look. Chicago Tribune. Retrieved December 21, 2006, from http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/custom/newsroom/chi-061221tower-story,1,6758570.story?coll=chi-news-hed&ctrack=1&cset=true
  24. ^ a b c Kamin, B. (2007, January 21). New twists for lakefront skyscraper. Chicago Tribune. Retrieved January 22, 2007, from http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-0701210430jan21,1,6381991.story?track=rss
  25. ^ Kamin, B. (2007, March 26). Calatrava unveils tower's latest twist. Chicago Tribune. Retrieved March 27, 2007, from http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-070326spire-story,1,3528709.story?track=rss
  26. ^ a b Kamin, B. (2007 March 8). Final Chicago Spire plans set to be revealed. Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 2007-03-08 http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/chi-0703080014mar08,1,5362325.story?track=rss
  27. ^ Noel, J., & Maxwell, T. (2007 March 26). 3D view of proposed skyscraper released. Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 2007-03-27 from http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-070326skyscraper,1,385264.story?track=rss
  28. ^ Baeb, Eddie. (2007, April 20). Chicago Spire gets Plan Commission OK. Crain's Chicago Business. Retrieved April 20, 2007, from http://chicagobusiness.com/cgi-bin/news.pl?id=24658
  29. ^ Corfman, T. (2006, July 19). Carley’s back finds familiar wall in bid to build Fordham Spire. Crain's Chicago Business. Retrieved 2007-02-06 from http://chicagobusiness.com/cgi-bin/news.pl?id=21390
  30. ^ Herrmann, A. (2006, September 18). A DuSable park at last? Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved February 6, 2007, from http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4155/is_20060918/ai_n16733817
  31. ^ Yue, L. (2007, March 26). More twists in final plans for Chicago Spire. Crain's Chicago Business. Retrieved March 26, 2007, from http://www.chicagobusiness.com/cgi-bin/news.pl?id=24369
  32. ^ Spielman, F. (2007, May 9). City approves Chicago Spire design. Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved May, 27, 2007 from http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/377686,CST-NWS-spire09.article
  33. ^ a b Palmer, L. (2002, August 8). DUSABLE PARK PROJECT Retrieved February 6, 2007, from http://www.saic.edu/~lpalmer/index.html
  34. ^ Palmer, L. (Unknown Last Update). 3 acres on the lake : dusable park. Retrieved February 6, 2007, from http://www.laforum.org/forum_issue_5_parks/3_acres_on_the_lake_dusable_park_chicago_by_laurie_palmer
  35. ^ Tzonis, A. (2004) Santiago Calatrava : the complete works. Rizzoli: New York.
  36. ^ Exoo, T. (2006, September 22). Ask Chicagoist: A-spire-ing Tower? Message posted to http://www.chicagoist.com/archives/2006/09/22/ask_chicagoist_aspireing_tower.php
  37. ^ Pridmore, J., & Larson, G.A. (2005) Chicago Architecture and Design : Revised and expanded. Harry N. Abrams, Inc.: New York.
  38. ^ a b Matlock, K. (2007, September 27). Calatrava leads tour of Chicago Spire Sales Center. Retrieved September 28, 2007, from http://www.newcityskyline.com/CSSalesCenter.html
  39. ^ Financial Times (London), Feb.23-24, 2008, p. 3 of "House & Home"
  40. ^ a b Hampton, T. (2006, March 27). Chicago Builders Ride Next 'Supertall' Wave - Developers in the Windy City have their eyes set on luxury residences climbing over. Retrieved February 15, 2007, from http://www.empireprojects.com/Articles.3-06-Construction.com.Chicago-Supertall.htm
  41. ^ Baeb, Eddie. "Chicago Spire gets Plan Commission OK", ChicagoBusiness, Crain Communications, Inc., 2007-04-20. Retrieved on 2007-04-20. 
  42. ^ Hancock Observatory. (2002). The New Hancock Observatory. Retrieved July 01, 2007, from http://www.hancock-observatory.com/index.asp
  43. ^ Sears Tower Skydeck. (Unknown last update). Visitor information. Retrieved July 01, 2007, from http://www.the-skydeck.com/info.asp
  44. ^ Associated Construction Publications. (2007, June 25). Editor's Report. Retrieved June 25, 2007, from http://www.acppubs.com/index.asp?layout=articlePrint&articleID=CA6450756
  45. ^ Kamin, B. (2006, December 7). Major redesign is latest twist in plan for spire. Chicago Tribune. Retrieved January 29, 2007, from http://www.bdcnetwork.com/index.asp?layout=articleXml&xmlId=543234652&nid=2073
  46. ^ a b Salvadori, M. (1982). Why Buildings Stand Up: The Strength of Architecture. New York: McGraw-Hill.
  47. ^ Associated Press. (2007, May 10). City council OKs plan for Chicago Spire building, would be nation's tallest. Chesterton Tribune. Retrieved May 11, 2007, from http://www.chestertontribune.com/Northwest%20Indiana/5102%20city_council_oks_plan_for_chicag.htm
  48. ^ http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-070509spiremay09,1,3015793.story?coll=chi-news-hed
  49. ^ Baeb, E. (2008, January 14, 2008). Spire sales office opens today. Crain's Chicago Business. Retrieved January 15, 2008, from http://www.chicagobusiness.com/cgi-bin/news.pl?id=27745&seenIt=1
  50. ^ Butler V. Adams. (2007, June 25). Re: CHICAGO: Chicago Spire - 2,000' roof/150 floors v4 - site prep. Message posted to http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=124368&page=110

[edit] External links

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Future Chicago skyscrapers
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See also: Chicago Skyscrapers

Coordinates: 41°53′23.32″N, 87°36′52.91″W