Tall Tower in Chicago, Illinois
Chicago Tribune image
Tall Tower
Lake Shore Drive between Illinois and Grand, Chicago, Illinois, Near North Side 60601 United StatesPrint this page   •   Share this page

Planned as a broadcast tower along Chicago's lakefront, the Tall Tower would have a big impact on the skyline. Assuming it is built, it would be around the same height as the proposed Fordham Spire. Assuming both are built, they will be massive twin towers at the center of the city and a new icon for the home of the skyscraper.

The Tall Tower is envisioned as a building with three long legs connected at six points. Toward the top, the building comes together to form a pod for restaurants and observation decks. This would then be topped by a pair of thick antennae that are being compared to a tweezer or a pair of scissors. In a Chicago Tribune interview the architect, Cesar Pelli, preferred to compare it to a ship's mast, which is appropriate considering its proximity to Navy Pier, the Chicago River, and Lake Michigan.

Chicago Spire Condo Information
Quick Facts
Notes
    > If completed, this would become the tallest free-standing structure in North America, taking the title away from the CN Tower in Toronto, Canada.
    > The parcel of land this antenna is planned for is currently zoned for a 60-story building.
    > The project is being proposed by J. Paul Beitler and L.R. Development Company.
    > The Chicago Planning Department has been notified of the project, but there have been no formal approvals given by the city yet.

    > March 10, 2006 - The Chicago Tribune reports that plans for this tower have been put on hold. The tower may end up at another Chicago location while the site is used for a previously-planned 58-story condo block.
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There are 17 comments.

  i like the idea of this building but after reading some other comments it doesnt belong in chicago. what i would like to see is a building that can rival with all the buildings indubai. i want to bring the title of the worlds tallest building backto chicago. so someone should design a building that is around 3500 ft tall that would be a hard record to break

tommy - Friday, June 6th, 2008 @ 3:40pm  

  I think that it does belong here because Chicago is the city of the birth of the tallest skyscapers. And who cares about Chicago skyline!

christopher diaz - Thursday, May 8th, 2008 @ 9:17pm  

  I am Studing to become an Architect and i think the tower looks great. It would be great if more towers like this is made around the world and in the uk.

Anthony Matthews - Friday, December 14th, 2007 @ 8:43am  

  I think that it should be made on the count that it would be a good contrast to the Chicago Spire and I also think it has a unique futuristic look.

Tyler Ambrose - Wednesday, August 8th, 2007 @ 10:23pm  

  Actually, with its antennae, this structure fits the contours of Chicago's skyline even more than the Chicago Spire, which I also like. You find echoes here of the John Hancock and the Sears Tower. I agree: Chicago is a world-class city (I'm speaking with the bias of a Chicago native) and needs more iconic architecture. But it also needs architecture that is truly fresh. Unfortunately, some of the more recent buildings have not been original enough. Chicago has a great history, but it's also destined to enjoy a great future. Its architecture should reflect this fact.

David - Sunday, July 22nd, 2007 @ 12:19pm  

  This thing is a disaster. It looks like it belongs in Las Vegas or somethin. It would destroy the skyline!

Chris Litherland - Wednesday, July 18th, 2007 @ 8:02pm  

  This thing is a disaster. It looks like it belongs in Las Vegas or somethin. It would destroy the skyline!

Chris Litherland - Wednesday, July 18th, 2007 @ 8:02pm  

  I think that chicago will soon become the number one major city in the United States, And it gives a chance for chicago to host the summer olympics!

Ryan - Monday, November 27th, 2006 @ 5:19pm  

  I like it because it will be another TALL masterpiece in America.

Andrew szynskie - Tuesday, September 12th, 2006 @ 5:52pm  

  I would actually like to see this thing built, but NOT at the proposed location. It just wouldn't be able to compete with the more pleasant looking Fordham Spire nearby. And with two tall slender buildings really close to each other, the visual effect would be disastrous. Tall Tower should be built west or southwest of the loop, where it could stand out on its own. I think it would look great just south of Roosevelt Road and provide a more interesting looking skyline for people coming into the heart of the city from the south.

Thomas Semesky - Sunday, April 2nd, 2006 @ 7:57pm  

  I'm all in favor of adding new modern architecture to the Chicago skyline, but as a life long resident I must say, THIS BUILDING SUCKS! Certainly does not belong in Chicago. As a city we should recruit another great archetect like Daniel Libeskind to build something....and not interfere with his vision of the building,...like they did in NewYork

Redline - Wednesday, March 29th, 2006 @ 5:33pm  

  Good God! This is the most horrific Structure I have ever seen. Whoever proposed to place this must not be fond of Chicago. It is an insult to even propose this!

Nocturnal State - Thursday, March 23rd, 2006 @ 9:36pm  

  Terrible. It belongs on a wind-farm somewhere. Or in Vegas. This ugly thing pales in comparison to the Spire.

Tod - Friday, March 17th, 2006 @ 9:33pm  

  It looks like this project may be on its last leg according to a couple artciles in the paper and thank God. Just put it out of its misery.

Dj - Friday, March 10th, 2006 @ 6:34pm  

  Chicago needs more icons on the skyline. I'm certainly more particular to Calatrava's Fordham Spire, but this work does have a certain uniqueness that sets it apart as a work of architectural sculpture. This is an acceptable addition to Chicago's outstanding skyline.

Brett Haase - Thursday, February 23rd, 2006 @ 10:16pm  

  It reminds me of that evil eye tower thing from Lord of The Rings movie ...

urbaneddie - Wednesday, January 18th, 2006 @ 12:31pm  

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