Chicago Hot BlogChicago Spire
The Chicago Spire is a new super high-rise building currently under construction near the mouth of the Chicago River. Upon completion in 2011, The Chicago Spire will be the tallest building in North America, surpassing the Sears Tower and several other projects that are currently under construction. The Chicago Spire will reach 2,000 feet into the sky, with 150 floors and will be the tallest all-residential building in the world.
Fashioned in the shape of a drill bit, the tower was first proposed in 2005 by Architect Christopher T. Carley and was to be named the Fordham Spire. Design revisions and changes in management have since taken place, but ground was broken in July 2007 and the distinctive “drill bit” design remains. Reaching into the sky just west of Navy Pier, The Chicago Spire will become a tourist attraction in its own right, and will forever transform the Chicago skyline.
The Chicago Spire promises to house some of Chicago’s most wealthy and influential people, if for no other reason than the outrageous prices being placed on the condos. A 530 square foot studio is said to be priced at $750,000 – while the 10,300 square foot penthouse checks in at a cool $40 million, dwarfing the Chicago record of $8.2 million for a condo. It is expected that if the two story penthouse sells, the rest of the units will follow quickly. I can think of a few Chicago area residents that might be able to foot the bill and could produce quite a buzz by choosing The Chicago Spire Penthouse as their future home.
Despite a $6 million pledge from Shelbourne Development for the redevelopment of the adjoining DuSable Park, recent discovery of radioactive contamination from the Lindsay Light Company has put this plan into question. To protect from possible contamination, a six inch bed of concrete would be required. This isn’t a problem when you’re building a 150 story condo building, but it may not work when you want to build a park. Future testing will determine if it is feasible to remove the contaminated soil, but in the meantime, make sure you stay inside The Spire.
Additional plans for The Chicago Spire include a circular plaza, a five story glass atrium, and transforming a nearby lot into a park with a possible bridge for pedestrians and bicyclers.
This will certainly be a project of interest as time goes on. If you have any additional information about The Chicago Spire, leave a comment and I will be sure to respond.
Visit The Chicago Spire website for more information.
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As a practicing structural engineer in the city, I am really excited to see the spire moving forward. Building on this scale always presents unique challenges. I am confident that Chicago architects and engineers will rise to the challenge and bring this amazing building to life. It will breath new life into the already amazing, classic Chicago skyline.