Chicago Spire : 400 North Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60611, United States

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The city where the skyscraper was born just can't get enough of these supertowers. The Chicago Spire is the latest in a series of super-tall projects proposed and erected since the mid 1990's. Some, like the Trump International Hotel and Tower, come to fruition. Others, like 7 South Dearborn, do not. The opposition from NIMBY residents in Streeterville and scoffs from other parts of the city have mostly been quieted now that construction is well underway and proceeding swiftly.

This is the first Chicago project for Spanish architectural superstar Santiago Calatrava, though he has graced the shores of Lake Michigan before with the Milwaukee Art Museum's Quadracci Pavilion. Its position at the point where the Chicago River drains Lake Michigan puts it in the center of the city's skyline, and out in front of any of the thousands of photographs taken by tourists cruising the lake each day.

In its original form, this building lived up to its name. It was truly is a spire with a tapering form topped by a needle. The final design eliminated the needle piercing the sky and developed a more blunted, but still graceful, form. In a New York Times article about the building, it was compared to a drill bit, a blade of grass, and a tall twisting tree. Others have compared it to a lighthouse, which could end up being its nickname because of its location. The inability to quickly categorize the construction is what you come to expect from a Calatrava design -- something both geometric and organic. Something that take a simple form and twists it in the wind like so many of his other bridges and buildings. In this case, each of the building's floors are anchored to a central column, but offset. Then each floor is rotated slightly as the tower rises higher. The result is, indeed, something very much like a drill bit. The original plan called for the bottom 20 floors to be occupied by a hotel, while the rest of the building was to be filled with 1,200 luxury condominiums. The final configuration has this building entirely residential. Much to the disappointment of tourists and skyscraper fans, there are no plans for a public observation deck.

The biggest obstacle to completing this building was zoning. The parcel of land selected was only zoned for as 540-foot tall building and a 350-foot tall building. However, the developer managed to assuage the city, neighborhood groups, and local open space activists by developing a riverfront plaza with six stories of parking underneath. The developer is also going to put up $9 million to help create DuSable Park. The City of Chicago has wanted to create that park on a neighboring piece of disused industrial land for decades, but could never come up with the money. The developer will use the future parkland during construction, and then afterward turn it over to the city with the cash that will help it become public space.

> This building was designed by Santiago Calatrava, who is also the lead architect and engineer on the project.
> The architect of record is Perkins + Will.
> The structural engineer of record is Thornton Tomasetti.
> This building was originally commissioned by the Fordham Company.
> The building is designed to be made primarily out of concrete.
> The twisting exterior is designed to deflect wind.
> The building is designed with two emergency stairwells, in response to the 9/11 attacks in New York.
> The spire rests on 34 caissons drilled into the bedrock 110 feet underground.
> This plot of land was originally zoned for two towers: one 35 stories, and one 55 stories tall. Because of its height the Spire's density is less than the original zoning. It also appeals to bird rescue groups which say the single, taller, tower will have less of an impact on bird migration than two wider towers.
> The spire was originally planned with 250 hotel condominiums. This was reduced to 150 in order to reduce the impact on traffic in the area. The hotel was eventually removed from the plan in late 2006.
> The spire is expected to have up to 1,193 residences.
> The building's penthouse will be two-stories tall and have 10,293 square feet of space.
> The spire's penthouse will be the world's highest residence.
> Access to the tower will be from Lower Lake Shore Drive to reduce the impact on traffic in the neighborhood.
> Excluding hotel traffic, the tower is expected to add one car per minute to the local traffic pattern.
> As part of the development, riverwalks will be extended along the Chicago River and Ogden Slip. The developer plans to spend $500,000 on improving DuSable park.
> Within three months of its announcement, 800 people had contacted the developer wanting to buy condominiums in the building.
> A parking garage will be constructed to the building's north and will connect directly with Lake Shore Drive to reduce street level traffic congestion.
> Plans for townhouses to line the base of this building were scrapped in favor of a circular plaza and five-story glass atrium.
> The lobby atrium will have a ceiling 53-feet high.
> There is no sky lobby -- 14 passenger elevators connect directly from the main lobby to the residential floors.
> This plot of land formerly had the address 410-450 North Lake Shore Drive.
> This property formerly had the address 420 East North Water Street.
> January, 2006 - In revised documents filed with the City of Chicago, the roof height of this building was raised from 1,458 feet / 444 meters to 1,550 feet / 472 meters the top of the roof, and 1,600 feet / 488 meters to the top of the water tank.
> March 16, 2006 - Chicago's city planning commission approves the construction of the Fordham Spire.
> May 22, 2006 - The Chicago Sun-Times reports that buyers put $20,000 deposits down on 92 of the building's 300 condominiums in two weeks of promotion.
> July 20, 2006 - Following reports that the building's developer was having trouble securing financing, the property is sold to Garrett Kelleher, chairman of Shelbourne Development, for $64,000,000. Kelleher immediately doubled the building's cost estimate, and proposed groundbreaking for Spring of 2007. Kelleher's interest in Chicago goes back to his youth. He lived in the city for ten years after college.
> November 15, 2006 - It is announced that Shelbourne Development Group is taking over the project, and the building's name is changed to the Chicago Spire.
> March 15, 2007 - The latest version of the spire plan is presented to people who live in the neighborhood. It includes the development of an abandoned plot of land east of Lake Shore Drive into a manicured public space, and a potential bicycle and pedestrian bridge spanning the Chicago River east of Lake Shore Drive. The developers stated that they hope to have the project completed 40 months after construction begins.
> April 19, 2007 - The City of Chicago's Plan Commission recommends that this building be approved for construction by the city's zoning committee. The Chicago Tribune claims construction costs could top $2.4 billion.
> April 26, 2007 - The city zoning committee approved this building.
> May 9, 2007 - The Chicago city council approved the construction of this building. When completed, it will be the tallest building in North America. As part of the deal, the developer will kick in $9 million of the $12 million needed to construct DuSable Park.
> June 25, 2007 - Crain's Chicago Business reports that the contract for caisson work has been awarded to Case Foundation Company. This puts hope into backers of the project, and quiets some of its critics who didn't believe it would happen. The Crain's article states that Case will build 34 caissons 120 feet deep by the first quarter of 2008.
> July, 2007 - Construction of his building begins. There is no formal ribbon-cutting ceremony, just the arrival of crews and machinery on the site which are now busy working on the project.
> October 1, 2007 - Portions of Lake Shore Drive are closed while exit and entrance ramps are built to connect the Chicago Spire with the highway.
> November 7, 2007 - Crain's Chicago Business reports that neighboring townhomes will sink about two inches by the time the Spire is completed. The developer calls the damage cosmetic, but homeowners plan to sue.

Quotations:
"Nobody is saying it has to be the highest building in the country. The idea was to build a very slender, elegant building in this skyline." -Santiago Calatrava, New York Times, July 25, 2005.

"I don't think this is a real project. It's a total charade." -Donald Trump, New York Times, July 25, 2005.

"I know that Chicago is an Indian name, and I can imagine in the oldest time the Native Americans arriving at the lake and making a fire, with a tiny column of smoke going up in the air. With this simple gesture of turning one floor a little past another, you achieve this form." -Santiago Calatrava, Chicago Sun-Times, July 26, 2005.
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Last 50 Comments

engie hernandez age17 - Tuesday, May 6th, 2008 @ 12:30pm • Rating:

Five stars.

love Santiago calatrava's ideas. i'm doing a project on him right now. great sculptor/architact.you should check out his works,they are really awesome.

Hassan - Sunday, May 4th, 2008 @ 1:22pm • Rating:

Five stars.

I can’t wait till it’s finished, especially because I live near that area, it’s supposed to be the tallest residential building in the world, and it will surely put the sears to shame. The only problem with it is that the location makes look very odd in the fact that its many, many times taller than any buildings around it.

Chris - Friday, May 2nd, 2008 @ 3:35am • Rating:

Four stars.

I love the idea of giving Chicago a new focal point, and bringing some newer designs in rather than the international style dominating our tall buildings. I only wish they would have kept the dreamlike quality of the needle, rather than replacing it with the new phallic looking design.

sammy - Monday, April 28th, 2008 @ 12:38am • Rating:

Three stars.

Being born and raised in the great city of Chicago i truly can say that the architecture is more than just nice and modern but it does look a bit out of place. location is great but the height is a bit extreme.

Kim Shelton - Sunday, April 27th, 2008 @ 4:26am • Rating:

Five stars.

Very Good Idea, Very Good Location, Very Good Visionary, I like this whole concept, It's great to see my home town continue to bring new idea's to the forfront! Chicago Rules!!!

Bob - Wednesday, April 16th, 2008 @ 5:04pm • Rating:

Five stars.

Athena I have to disagree with you the sears is no where near the center of down town its actually in the south loop.... and the JHC is in the near north area. Looking at the chicago skyline the position of the chicago spire actually brings symmetry to the skyline by having a middle between the two extremes of the sears and the JHC, IMO.

Athena - Sunday, April 13th, 2008 @ 12:44pm • Rating:

Two stars.

I live in Chicago, and I must admit, this building is beautiful; however i feel the location is wrong. The sears tower seems to be the center of downtown and then to throw this building off to another side throws of that center point which makes the skyline so beautiful. The buildings that are close to the location of this new building are so small that the spire will just look like an odd giant. If it were closer to the sears tower i believe that it would be the most beautiful site in the world!

Melody Jordak - Monday, March 24th, 2008 @ 1:01pm • Rating:

Four stars.

Being originally from Chicago, it will be hard to see the old skyline go. However, this building will add a much needed new modern twist to the skyline that we know and love today. This rocks! Keep adding to our wonderful city!

mario peter bird - Thursday, March 20th, 2008 @ 4:22pm • Rating:

Five stars.

The most beautiful structure on the planet. The work of a genius.

John - Monday, March 17th, 2008 @ 2:01am • Rating:

Five stars.

If you don't like it, don't look. It appears to be a wonderful addition to a truly wonderful city and country. Just another example of freedom at its best. I love it and hope to see it first hand, some day. I tip my (Dodger) cap to you, Chicago.

Josh - Friday, March 14th, 2008 @ 12:23am • Rating:

Three stars.

The building itself is a great design. The location is totally wrong. Chicago architecture should not be based on architecture from Asia or the Middle East, it should be its own, just like always. Chicago does need a new futuristic skycraper, but it should continue to enhance the skyline, not dominate it.

WANJAMA KURIA - Wednesday, March 5th, 2008 @ 4:00am • Rating:

Five stars.

Wow this is a great master piece, great thinking and great imagination and more so A GREAT CHALLENGE TO FUTURE ARCHITECTS.I can wait to see it happen.kudos Chicago

David - Saturday, March 1st, 2008 @ 12:05am • Rating:

Five stars.

Excellent project! Another beautiful building in beautiful City! I like it!

Mark Ostruszka - Sunday, February 24th, 2008 @ 1:38pm • Rating:

Five stars.

I was born in Chitown and claim it as home .I think that as a world class city just a measly 2 hrs drive time and the ability to see it from Michigan is a great accomplishment. My Kinda Town.

Jose Chavez - Friday, February 22nd, 2008 @ 2:49am • Rating:

Five stars.

This is going to be the Crown Jewel to the Chicago Skyline. Several more buildings are on the rise and more are under blueprint development. This magnificent city is not stopping any time soon.

bob franko - Monday, February 18th, 2008 @ 10:09pm • Rating:

Three stars.

I think that this is a cool tower that fits perfect for the windy desine but I think that it being in chicago throws the whole city off balance, it just dosn't look right.

Sean - Thursday, February 14th, 2008 @ 7:25pm • Rating:

Five stars.

Wow! Some of you guys are crazy this building is amazing. I am going to be the future of the US and I believe that this is an amazing work of art. Cudos to the architect, and lets hope that Chicago continues to produce amazing buildings such as this. Amazing! Also, I believe that Frank Sinatro said it right, My kind of town Chicago is... My kind of town.

Zach - Sunday, February 10th, 2008 @ 10:55pm • Rating:

Five stars.

All I can say is wow...I love everything about this city...and nothing will say more to the world that Chicago is a world-class city than this crown-jewel and astonishing accomplishment. I'm even more impressed that this behemoth will be so environmentally friendly. Trump and now this? Chicago's here to stay

chris - Saturday, February 2nd, 2008 @ 3:35pm • Rating:

Five stars.

Truly amazing. I can t wait to see it...thumbs up for the architects.

Matt - Thursday, January 31st, 2008 @ 11:32pm • Rating:

Five stars.

Cant wait to see the accually building going up. Every day I can see work being done. The builing is going to be the most beatufull building in the USA. Love it!!!

John Burzynski - Tuesday, January 22nd, 2008 @ 2:59pm • Rating:

Four stars.

I do not think it is Calatrava's best, but it will be a beautiful, timely addition to Chicago's skyline. We need more artistic architecture such as this.

Jaime - Monday, January 21st, 2008 @ 8:47pm • Rating:

Five stars.

This building will not only change the way the world sees Chicago but it will go down in history as the begining of the modern/futuristic architecture era and what better place than where in past occasions architecture has had great innovation. I understand those who say that the Spire is very different from the architecture or style of every other building but I disagree on that being bad. We live in the 21st century so why are we going to build the same sh!t we built in the 20th? We are in times of great change and the Spire will only show that we aren't staying back in the 20th and that we are leaders in vanguardism. I am from Chicago and damn proud of my city!

jame ferguson - Sunday, January 13th, 2008 @ 10:52pm •
Looks like they got this one right

Railroadjames - Sunday, January 13th, 2008 @ 10:24pm • Rating:

Five stars.

I'm inclined to see this as a dynamic addition to the Windy City's skyline. Tis beauty to most and, of course, a sore thumb to others. So what's new? One man's folly is another's dream.

Dan Ferns - Friday, January 11th, 2008 @ 1:04am • Rating:

Four stars.

i think its a nice looking building..i was born and raised in chicago..good to see some new skyscrapers being built...think they accept section 8? hahaha

tommy - Thursday, January 10th, 2008 @ 11:30pm • Rating:

Three stars.

wow i have a thing for really big and tall buildings i just love looking up and seeing the heigth of these buildings in chicago ive only been there once but i just love walken down the busy street and you see these giant buildings but the only thing i dont like is the design i think of chicago as being a bold and strong city but this tower it dont have a muscular structure like the hancock or sears and it dont have a sky deck for tourist

paulius jurgutis - Friday, January 4th, 2008 @ 11:16pm • Rating:

One star.

This constuction looks like a giant drillbit that is screwing Chicago. I live in the neighborhood and this project is absurd. This area was just redeveloped as a residential part of the city with townhomes, mixed rise housing and the riverwalk. How does it make sense to build 130 floors in this area? Is Lakeshore drive not congested enough already? It's not like they are building any additional roads to service this monster. I have no idea how the city approved this project for this site. Horrible! This is not great chicago architecture, it is just ego and greed.

Shane Rische - Friday, January 4th, 2008 @ 9:43pm • Rating:

Five stars.

This is truly a beautiful structure that will add so much to Chicago. Chicago was the original skyscraper capitol, and it's nice to see the great city keep its title. As to the comments of it not fitting in with Chicago, well you couldn't be more wrong. It is the start of new eras as well as new architecture to represent the city. As you walk the city you see the different styles of architecture from the different times. In essence, Chicago doesn't have a specific "look," or "theme." The beauty of it is that it is different from all the rest of the buildings, as each building is different from every other building as well.

shawn - Wednesday, January 2nd, 2008 @ 12:04am • Rating:

Five stars.

There is no place like Chicago. I love This state and I have been to 27 out 50 states. Chicago, you rock!

Nicholas Pereira - Saturday, December 22nd, 2007 @ 8:24pm • Rating:

Five stars.

this building is so incredible. its a master piece. I cant wait until it is built its gonna look like a giant CHristmas tree at night. I cant imagine what it would like when the bears,or the bulls, or the sox or the cubs go into the finals or superbowl or world series iamgine what kind of font or message would b written on this 2000 foot building.

David P - Thursday, December 20th, 2007 @ 6:05pm • Rating:

Two stars.

No denying the genius of Santiago Calatrava but this building is too much. How many of these visonaries would live in it? Bigger (or in this case taller) does not mean better. I'm a 4th generation Chicagoan living elsewhere and I feel badly for my hometown.

Walter Fox - Wednesday, December 19th, 2007 @ 5:46am • Rating:

Five stars.

It will be sublime! A breathtaking addition to a city that isn't afraid of new heights!

Victor Gonzalez - Monday, December 17th, 2007 @ 10:36pm • Rating:

Five stars.

Awsome structure, this will definately take the title of being the center of attention in our beautiful international hub of Chicago. Chicago currently has the second most beautiful skyline in the world, IMHO. This 150 story giant will only add to that. Chicago gets more beautiful every year. We have alot to look forward to. Dubai watch out.

Josh B. - Monday, December 17th, 2007 @ 7:38pm • Rating:

Five stars.

The design is very interesting! Reminds me of numerous spires in Prague, Czech Republic. It will be a beautiful addition to the Chicago skyline and the nearby green space is great! Build up, not out. Cheers!

Ray M. Everitt - Sunday, December 16th, 2007 @ 12:21pm • Rating:

Five stars.

Super cool , eat your heart out Trump . This is a beautiful building that I would love to live in . This is the kind of beauty that architects havn't had the courage to build in the USA for a long time .

Michelle - Saturday, December 15th, 2007 @ 1:34pm • Rating:

One star.

I agree with Peter Vargas. It's a nice building and all, but it really doesn't fit in with the rest of the Chicago architecture. It looks about as horrendous as Could Gate and the renovation to soldier field.

just me - Thursday, December 13th, 2007 @ 10:10pm • Rating:

Five stars.

This is a beuatiful building i can not wait to see it done' i love Chicago!!

Justin - Tuesday, December 11th, 2007 @ 2:41pm • Rating:

Five stars.

I love the way this building looks. The spire belongs here in Chicago where the skyscrappers where first started. This will be a beatiuful addition to the skyline!

urbaneddie - Sunday, December 9th, 2007 @ 4:17pm • Rating:

Four stars.

I prefer the earlier versions with a more tapered top instead of the flat topped present version. Hopefully they will fine-tune that & once it's done it will be even better yet.Or, given the current real estste climate, it could end up a much shorter version of itself. They have already started construction of the foundation, but they can always lower the finished height if they can't sell enough units.

christina - Wednesday, December 5th, 2007 @ 2:59pm • Rating:

One star.

in theory, good idea. with chicago having a reputation for its historical landmarks, skyline and the like, not good. its an eye-sore in my city. shame.

Lynn Poupore - Wednesday, November 28th, 2007 @ 4:38pm • Rating:

Five stars.

Tremendous vision. Nice to see someone thinking outside of the box. What an asset to an already magnificent city !

JB - Tuesday, November 13th, 2007 @ 1:18pm • Rating:

Five stars.

This is one awesome building. Can't wait to see it completed. Chicago rules!

Chris - Friday, November 9th, 2007 @ 9:37pm • Rating:

Five stars.

I give it 5 stars for impact on the skyline ...very impressive height, but it kind of looks like a huge drill bit.

K Sanderson - Monday, November 5th, 2007 @ 7:33pm • Rating:

Five stars.

it will be interesting to see how the "city of the big shoulders" will encompass a building that seems more suitable for the "city of the tall skinny pointy cones." it is a beautiful building nonetheless, though.

liz rudolph - Sunday, November 4th, 2007 @ 2:53pm • Rating:

One star.

when i think of the skyline of the city i grew up in, i think of the classic balance of the sears tower at one end and the hancock building at the other. plopping this DRILL BIT in the center is an abomination and would only kill it.

Scott - Thursday, November 1st, 2007 @ 12:22pm • Rating:

Four stars.

I am glad and rather proud to have this structure in my 'back yard' however, I wish the spire or "needle" had been kept in the original design. It somehow (now) looks incomplete. Regardless, it is another affirmation of Chicago's long standing history of ground breaking architecture.

henk.slagman - Tuesday, October 30th, 2007 @ 12:59pm • Rating:

Five stars.

this is the real global magnificient city.Always friendly open minded.

Magda - Monday, October 29th, 2007 @ 8:15pm • Rating:

Five stars.

i think that the Chicago Spire is a great skyscraper with a great architecture. We should be really lucky that it's going to be in our windy city!!!!!

Travis from Judson - Monday, October 29th, 2007 @ 4:31pm • Rating:

Five stars.

Since i am a first year student in the western burbs of chicago i find this to be a great inspiration to be different. The chicago spire will never be confsed with any other structure in the world and may just be a major selling point of the 2016 olympics.

Mintchy House - Monday, October 29th, 2007 @ 3:39pm • Rating:

Five stars.

beautiful structure with a wonderful shape,marvelous architecture.great design for santiago calatrava & congratulation to chicago the homeland of skyscrapers

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