This time last year, there were three super-tall skyscrapers proposed for downtown Chicago. We asked several prominent local architects what they thought the chances were of any of them being built. The answer was universally skeptical. Most thought that just one would be built. The rest of the people we spoke with said none had a chance of getting off the ground.
Rendering of 113 East Roosevelt (Courtesy of Crescent Heights)
Today we’re delighted to report that the second of those three skyscrapers has received the necessary paperwork from the city to begin foundation work. It’s the Rafael Viñoly-designed tower at 113 East Rosevelt Road.
Architect Rafael Viñoly next to a model of 113 East Roosevelt
FOUNDATION ONLY FOR PROPOSED 76-STORY RESIDENTIAL TOWER WITH 792 DWELLING UNITS, GROUND FLOOR RETAIL AND 12 LEVELS OF PARKING.
Lately, construction teams have wasted no time between paperwork approval and pounding dirt. This means that in a few days, Chicago could have two the those three enormous skyscrapers under construction.
The other one under construction is, of course, the 1,186-foot-tall Studio Gang/bKL-designed Vista Tower at 363 East Wacker Drive in Lakeshore East. The tardy pupil right now is the 1000 South Michigan tower, which at one time was anticipated to be over 1,000 feet tall.
The new South Loop tower from developer Crescent Heights will be the neighborhood’s tallest, and continue the framing of Grant Park by landmark buildings.
Its first phase is anticipated to be 829 feet tall, with 12,000 square feet of retail space. Phase two calls for a sibling tower just to the east, several stories taller. A third phase is expected to involve townhouses. All three phases will fit in the empty lot bounded by Michigan, Roosevelt, Indiana, and the Sky55 tower. You can see that plot in the photo below from Joe Zekas at YoChicago!.
The future location of 113 East Roosevelt (Courtesy of Joe Zekas/YoChicago!)
Location: 113 East Roosevelt Road, South Loop
Editor founded the Chicago Architecture Blog in 2003, after a long career in journalism. He can be reached at chicagoarchitectureinfo@gmail.com.
October 17, 2016
But….. It’s just SO ugly. Such a terrible design, in its attempt to pay tribute to the Sears tower it gives the surrounding buildings, especially 1 Museum Park. God I hope they make changes I think this looks so bland and will ruin such a good thing that that corner of the loop had going for it
October 18, 2016
I’m a little conflicted about the design. I like the idea, but I think the grid is far too big. Makes it seem clunky and old. To me, anyway.
But I wouldn’t say that it ruins the corner. That corner was a vacant lot of weeds and empty concrete pads. It had nothing going for it.
October 17, 2016
The Townhouses will not be on the same lot as the towers fyi
October 19, 2016
Its not as interesting visually as it could potentially be. Its a space-filler at this point even though strong on height.
October 24, 2016
…I like it! (At least *someone* does, right?)