Formerly: The Fordham Spire Built: 2007-2012 Designed by: Santiago Calatrava Type: Skyscraper Stories: 150 Maximum Height: 2,000 feet / 610 meters Maximum depth: 80 feet Location: 400 North Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, United States
Description by Wayne Lorentz T he 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.
Designed by: Santiago Calatrava, who is also the lead architect and engineer on the project.
Architect of record is Perkins + Will.
Developer: Shelbourne Development Group
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. 20 caissons support the middle of the structure while 14 are arranged in a ring around the perimeter.
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 property formerly had the address 410-450 North Lake Shore Drive.
This property formerly had the address 420 East North Water Street.
The cost of the project is unknown. It was originally estimated at $2,400,000,000.00, however in May 2008 a representative of the developer said that figure is inaccurate. However, she refused to provide a corrected number to the Chicago Tribune.
There are structural transition floors every 30 to 40 stories to transfer stress to the core and help keep the building rigid.
In an unusual move the parking garage is being built from the top down instead of from the bottom up. This will help speed construction of the tower.
At the time of its completion, this building will be the world's tallest all-residential building.
At the time of its completion, this building will have the world's highest occupied floor; even higher than the highest occupied floor in Dubai's Burj Dubai, which will retain the overall title of world's tallest building.
Residences: 1,194
Levels above ground: 150
Levels below ground: 7
Building caissons: 34
Parking garage caissons: 98
Parking spaces: 1,500
Foundation concrete: 200,000 cubic yards
Foundation steel: 70,000 tons
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.
June 4, 2008: The Chicago Tribune reports this building will be completed in 2012. The same day, the lead engineer on the construction site told WGN Television 2011.
September 19, 2008: The Chicago Sun-Times reports that construction work on the Spire is expected to slow down, but still continue, because of recent economic turmoil in the American and global credit markets.
September 20, 2008: A group of people who purchased homes in this building signed their names on the foundation support rings deep below ground.
September 25, 2008: WGN-TV incorrectly reports that construction of this building is on hold. The television station cites a Chicago Tribune article. The Tribune article actually says that sales efforts are on hold during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan and reiterates that construction has slowed, which was reported by the Sun-Times the week before.
September 30, 2008: WGN Television reported that the 10,000 square foot two-level penthouse on floors 141 and 142 was sold to Ty Warner, the man who invented Beanie Babies. No selling price was disclosed, but the asking price was $40 million.
October 8, 2008: According to Crain's Chicago Business, architect of record Perkins & Will, filed a $4,850,000 lien against the developer for unpaid work.
October 17, 2008: Crain's Chicago Business reports that architect Santiago Calatrava stopped working on this project and filed a lien in the ammount of $11,340,000 against the developer for unpaid work.
August 14, 2009: Crain's Chicago Business reported that Bank of America sued the developer of this project to recover nearly $5 million in loans.
The landscaping will be watered with captured rainwater runoff.
Water from the Chicago River will be used in the building's cooling sytstem.
There is no observation deck. There is no public restaurant.
At the time of its completion, the residences in this building were between 534 square feet and 10,000+ square feet. However, that is expected to change over time as units are combined.
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.
Eman
Thursday, June 7th, 2007 @ 5:45pm
Rating: Five stars. Excellent design. BUILD IT!!! It would be nice to top it off with a spire. Hopefully Chi-Town will recap the title for "Worlds Tallest Building" again. Thank you.
Steve Noble
Wednesday, June 6th, 2007 @ 1:15pm
Rating: One star. Please bring back your original tapered design Mr. Calatrava! The Chicago 'Spire' is to be the United States most majestic structure; an inspiration to architecture enthusiasts; a beacon for the olympic torch!
brandon
Tuesday, June 5th, 2007 @ 9:32pm
Rating: Five stars. Wright once said something to the effect that Chicago will be the last great beautiful city in the United States. I believe wholeheartly his vision was correct and I also think he would approve of the Spire.
Damion Black
Monday, June 4th, 2007 @ 2:09pm
Rating: Four stars. Once again,Im here to say that I agree with Mr. Matt Witt. The building is awesome, but it is incomplete and missing something without the spire. Before it is too late, they should keep the current design and height, and add a beautiful spire to it. Then it will be a complete masterpiece.
Dorin Chudin
Thursday, May 31st, 2007 @ 5:48pm
Rating: Three stars. Looks amazing but something has to be done about the top 1/3 portion of the building in the previews version looked more pure and graceful
Matt Witt
Tuesday, May 29th, 2007 @ 11:39am
Rating: Four stars. Overall, this is a beautiful structure and will be a great addition to one of America's most captivating skylines. However, I am very disappointed that it will not be built to the original vision. Even though the changes to the top of the spire are subtle, it results in a stunted, less dramatic and certainly less regal appearance than the original concept.
freddy
Monday, May 28th, 2007 @ 11:41pm
Rating: One star. Somebody said it was a work of art.A tube with a twist in it is a work of art? I don't get it. It's lame. It's bacause it's such a terribly small piece of land to work with. This limits the creation of something worthwhile.
Emilio
Saturday, May 26th, 2007 @ 4:55pm
Rating: Four stars. I love this project, his beauty, his structure and his location in the city. This building sharpens the chicagoan skyline. I think that it contributes to order the urban volumes (Sears Tower, Eon Tower and John Hancock Center) since the center of the Down Town. Calatrava’s language has been exhausted in bridges and public spaces; now, he finds new opportunities in the skyscrapers.
Jordan Wright
Tuesday, May 22nd, 2007 @ 6:05am
Rating: Five stars. I especially plan to make a trip to the windy city just to see this building in 2010. Also to see the Trump Tower, of course, and the Sears Tower...... Okay so pretty much just see Chicago. I've always wanted to go, because Ohio stinks, I will finally come to see this spectacular piece of art in the most beautiful city in the world.
brandon
Monday, May 21st, 2007 @ 6:37pm
Rating: Five stars. A Second City masterpiece, amazing and incredible.
Vic
Monday, May 21st, 2007 @ 2:51pm
Rating: Five stars. This building belongs here. And to Eric Osbourne, who says it belongs in London or France, I do believe you are wrong. To call Chicagos Skyline boring is being either misinformed or Jealous. Come to Chicago and see for yourself. Besides, Paris doesn't allow taller buildings that the Eiffel Tower since a law passed in 1971 said so. Parisians hate skyscrapers but love cities like New York. Go figure.
Bonnie K Brennan Properties
Monday, May 21st, 2007 @ 3:23am
Rating: Five stars. The Chicago Spire an example of what makes Chicago the greatest city in world. A skyline filled with the spirit of our city Innovation, Imagination and Determination.
Vikas Ahuja
Thursday, May 17th, 2007 @ 6:02pm
Rating: Four stars. Inspiring design, cutting edge engineering. Choice of city and keen sense of neighborhood development also very good.
Alejandro Moreira
Thursday, May 17th, 2007 @ 2:38pm
Rating: Five stars. No other city like Chicago, I love Chicago and the beautifull lakefront, I used to live in this Town and I hope to be there when the building is ready
corvallis criss
Thursday, May 17th, 2007 @ 8:57am
Rating: Five stars. what a great idea for the city of chicago i cant wait to see the finishing product
Jimbo
Wednesday, May 16th, 2007 @ 10:26am
Rating: Five stars. Very cool looking building (The Spire) and I'm looking forward to seeing it's progress as it reaches for the stars. I would like to add though that I think developers should try to not only build tall skinny buildings as they have been doing for the past 5 years now, but mix it up a little bit with some 50-60 floor wider based buildings too. Tall skinny towers are nice, but if there are too many of them they will just blend one right into the next; for example Panama City has this situation now. Panama City basically looks like a big box of crayons pointing up in the air and actually is rather boring to look at. So, even though the cereal box metality of the 1960's and 70's seems rather boring to architecture enthusists around the world, if boxy buildings are mixed in properly with the surrounding skyline, then those buildings if nicley colored can be appealing to look at too and really mix up the skyline to make it more exciting.
Victor Fernando Tovar
Wednesday, May 16th, 2007 @ 3:02am
Rating: Five stars. In the 1880's the world's first skycraper was build here in Chicago, I can't wait for that era to come back to this wonderful city. I always bet for innovation and Chicago has a rich history of that, I have no doubt that Calatrava was the best choice to keep Chicago's remarkable architectural heritage. As always said, Chicago's skyline should be always on top of every other city's skyline as the beginning.
Zoolii
Tuesday, May 15th, 2007 @ 9:53am
Rating: Five stars. Very nice building. Look like a gigantic drill-bit.
Fabian Caro
Monday, May 14th, 2007 @ 12:38pm
Rating: Five stars. Excellent, that begins promptly the construction to be able to see since we go on from the paper to the reality
Aureliano Garcia
Sunday, May 13th, 2007 @ 5:17pm
Rating: Five stars. Esplendido proyecto felicito a la ciudad por haberlo aprobado. Enhorabuena
brandon
Sunday, May 13th, 2007 @ 4:58pm
Rating: Five stars. I think that once seen by those who have not given the city a second thought will be quite surprized at the grandeur of not just the spire but the city as a whole a truly great city and one that deserves to hold the 2016 oylmpics
J. Wesley
Sunday, May 13th, 2007 @ 10:09am
Rating: Five stars. Breathtaking! Being from Dallas, TX. I've seen the birth of a lot of highrise buildings, nothing as dynamic as the "Spire." Trump is a blowhard & I question whether his NY following will bail him out on his Chicago Bldg. He best stay in NY. My advice to Don "better thought a fool than open mouth & removes doubts!"
arquialvarez
Saturday, May 12th, 2007 @ 6:05pm
Rating: Five stars. chicago is a design catalogue of the most importants buildings.frank lloyd right,mies van der rohe ...amd all of our teachers...
lowell
Saturday, May 12th, 2007 @ 2:20pm
Rating: Four stars. That was Hemingway and he was talking about Oak Park, IL. and the quote was "wide yards and narrow minds." Chicago does not have wide lanes? and I dont get the context. Building seems pretty amazing. The 7 points seems a little disconcerting as it lacks semitry. But I think its that edge that really makes it unconsciencely intriguing.I thought the nine petals of the Lotus temple in Delhi fit well. I think 7 points of this tower will create just the right amount of disemitry as would the right amount dissonance in a symphony. Conflict and harmony.
Carlo Rampelli
Saturday, May 12th, 2007 @ 1:38pm
Rating: Five stars. Ho visitato Chicago nel settembre 2006.E' una citta' meravigliosa ed il Chicago Spire la rendera' ancora piu' bella. God bless America
brandon
Friday, May 11th, 2007 @ 10:49pm
Rating: Three stars. Wright was probably right when he proclaimed chicago city of wide lanes and narrow minds
Francisco Villegas
Friday, May 11th, 2007 @ 8:03am
Rating: Five stars. sera increible cuando visite nuevamente Chicago ver la nueva torre. Estoy esperando
Fran
Thursday, May 10th, 2007 @ 6:39pm
Rating: Three stars. Nice building, but I think all the Calatrava's projects are very similars. The constant use of white color becomes boring. In my opinion, Moneo is the best. You have to visite the Prado Musseum remodelation, it is great!!
juanjo barceló
Thursday, May 10th, 2007 @ 5:39pm
Rating: Five stars. another pearl for chicago city " bravo "
Rodrigo
Thursday, May 10th, 2007 @ 5:25pm
Rating: Five stars. amazing!.... the star wars empire is coming hehe I love how tall will be... and how Icon will be in the olympics of the 2016
José
Thursday, May 10th, 2007 @ 4:50pm
Rating: Five stars. Beautiful building! I am also curious about what those lake winds will do when they hit the tower. Tornado generator? ;-)
Alejandro Rivera
Thursday, May 10th, 2007 @ 2:27pm
Rating: Four stars. My Kind of DownTown. I Love it. What other city can take this beautiful tower? Sears.... I will be loving you.
Mark Hamilton-Smith
Thursday, May 10th, 2007 @ 8:29am
Rating: Five stars. What an "Amazing" pioneering building, in architecture it's a masterpiece!I can't wait to see it or even better live in it.
Fernando Sanchez
Thursday, May 10th, 2007 @ 6:59am
Rating: Five stars. Great !!! Good choice, Calatrava it's the new Miguel Angelo of our time, Incredible building !!!
JB
Wednesday, May 9th, 2007 @ 12:15pm
Rating: Five stars. I think the Chicago Spire displays a current trend, an architectural boom that’s going to transform the City of Chicago. Chicago is the birth place of skyscrapers; each building represents a timeline of architecture, from Frank Lloyd Wright’s early influences and visions such as (The Illinois a mile high skyscraper) a stunning resemblance to The Burj Dubai in Dubai. All the way to the “Skin & Bones, BLOCKY” Philosophy of Ludwig Mies van der RoheWhat the last reader stated “Boring & Blocky Chicago Skyline” different architectural eras, Now Santiago Calatravas introduces a “New Era of Architecture to hit Chicago”I couldn’t think of any better place than Chicago for this building, isn’t his inspiration & design of this building, Native Americans, arriving at the lake making a fire….. a column of smoke rising above Lake Michigan's shoreline.
Tim McQueen
Wednesday, May 9th, 2007 @ 4:45am
Simply stunning
Rodrigo
Tuesday, May 8th, 2007 @ 10:51pm
Rating: Five stars. defenitly calatrava heard my mind!!!!! (I was thinking about see the first proposed tallest than 400m) its great!!! I know chicago and has a magnificent view!.. I thing with this would be the famous and most beutiful skyline in america and also the world!!(Dubai wont do it.. America built for art..Asia just copy and do it for a record hehe) ... congrats!! Im waiting to see this calavantra's creation! = )
Marie
Tuesday, May 8th, 2007 @ 8:26pm
Rating: Five stars. A thrilling building for an exciting city that understands architecture.
brandon
Tuesday, May 8th, 2007 @ 1:53am
Rating: Five stars. I think the Chicago spire will be the center piece of the skyline and hopefully the inspiration to future generations of architechs. I also hope that it could play a role in bringing the olympics to the city. I think it would be a great inspiration to all chicago residents and the atheletes a well.
Christopher Macsurak
Monday, May 7th, 2007 @ 10:50am
Rating: Five stars. This looks to be an amazing building, and I'm in full support. With Chicago's architectural heritage, this is the perfect place to build it. To the guy who said build it in London or Paris...I think that was just an anti-American jab. Paris? Right, because you know how much Parisians love Tour Montparnasse, not. Skyscrapers are not really appreciated in Paris, and London only recently starting allowing skyscrapers in the city.
Tom Beal
Sunday, May 6th, 2007 @ 9:59am
Rating: Five stars. This latest design surpasses the previous. It appears more sophisticated as a whole building with its taper to the top losing the aggressive jab at the sky or blunted "Twizzler" end of previous renderings. This will be a handsome addition to the Chicago skyline. Donny Trump is eating his heart out since he acquiesced to quivers of the terrorism fear mongers at the time and decided to replace one of the better, earlier designs of his namesake building with the overpriced sky scraping trailer park on the river. (Side show mentality fosters bad haircuts and accumulation of lots of snazzy gold-plated objects but the illustrations of the Spire, as viewed from the lake, could have included his building in the background -unless the convention is only include completed buildings at the time of rendering.) It is unfortunate that the site for the Chicago Spire isn’t more city-centered to anchor the skyline of other tall buildings rather than compete on the edge. The concern of increased traffic of tourists and sightseers overwhelming the area residents is probably overblown since it is in such close proximity to Navy Pier and a very easy, pleasant walk. (The city somehow accommodates visitors to the Sears and Hancock Towers - both in more densely packed areas.) One can argue the Spire has an artistic sculptural appeal standing on its own. It's the building's attribute as art that gives it a pass on failing to include more obvious environmentally protective elements - if in fact this was fully addressed by Calatrava and the team at Perkins and Will. This country is still erecting thousands upon thousands of much more mundanely "designed" houses and buildings with meager effort or thought as to their environmental impact. It would be an incredible achievement if this icon of architecture could also stand as an icon for environmental protection and still be winning hearts into the future.
Eric Osborne
Saturday, May 5th, 2007 @ 2:48pm
Rating: Three stars. A stunning work of art. However such a stunning building would look out of place in a city like chicago with its tall boring square building. A building this pleasing to the eye simply belongs in London or Paris.
Lola R.
Friday, May 4th, 2007 @ 5:04pm
Rating: Five stars. Qué pasada! I love it. I think it will add glamour to the magnificent Chicago skyline. As an architect I can only say GO FOR IT CALATRAVA!!!!I think this tower will complete the city´s fame for pioneering in architecture. If a man can dream, others will follow.
mike
Thursday, May 3rd, 2007 @ 6:48pm
Rating: Five stars. i think the building is amazing nice look and everyting and to hal chaffee and the more dicriptive "spiral spire" name spire means spiral "the spiral spiral" does not catch the intellegent mind
Matt
Wednesday, May 2nd, 2007 @ 2:06pm
Rating: Two stars. The latest rendering is very unappealing, the previous renderings are much better. I do not like the new blunted top of the building(as shown in the March 2007 rendering). Why removed the previous pointed top that added a lot of architectural appeal? It now looks like a twisted Washington Monument with a dulled top.
mesohawny
Wednesday, May 2nd, 2007 @ 12:11pm
Rating: Two stars. looks like Bejing was drilling for oil and they got through to the other side of the world and hit Chicago's lakefront
David
Wednesday, May 2nd, 2007 @ 6:30am
A new jewel to Calatrava´s crown. Congratulations Chicago!
Jimbo
Tuesday, May 1st, 2007 @ 1:46pm
Rating: Five stars. I love it, and can't wait to be able to go up to the top of it (Spire)! It is so exciting to see the long time boring city of Chicago changing for the better. There are so many buildings being built downtown now and on the south Loop that it seems to look different to me everyday. Keep up the good work Daley!!! Chicago has never looked so good.
Hal Chaffee
Tuesday, May 1st, 2007 @ 11:21am
Rating: Five stars. I admire the Chicago Spire but I think a more descriptive name is The Spiral Spire!
Ben
Tuesday, May 1st, 2007 @ 1:00am
Rating: Five stars. As a Chicagoan I can't wait for this to get built. My parents saw the Sears, Hancock, and Standard/Amoco/Aon go up and while the skylines changed in my life, never anything as amazing as this. Combine it with Trump and all the other new stuff going up downtown and the brand new South Loop and this could be the most exciting time to ever live in Chicago. And then in 2016 when the Olympics come to town...
Anthony Perez
Monday, April 30th, 2007 @ 2:00pm
Rating: Five stars. Oh wow, hurry up and build this thing already! Stunning!
Jacob
Monday, April 30th, 2007 @ 10:53am
Rating: Five stars. This is a great addition and though it will raise traffic it will make this great city even greater.
Enric
Monday, April 30th, 2007 @ 7:36am
Rating: Five stars. Amazing building in an amazing city! Will match very well in the Chicago skyline plus is inspired in the the columns of the Llotja in Valencia. So a little bit from here in there. Looking forward to see it finished. Salutacions des de Barcelona!
George J Fedorko
Sunday, April 29th, 2007 @ 7:23pm
Rating: Five stars. Finally! A place to restore the old Lindberg Beacon! I wonder how far you could beam a light from this height? From afar it would look like a twinkeling star!! BRAVO
DONALD DICKS
Saturday, April 28th, 2007 @ 2:41pm
Rating: Five stars. This is one of the most impressive and beautiful building ever designed. I never been to Chicago but now I plan to come just to see the beautiful skyline
jose luis
Saturday, April 28th, 2007 @ 8:30am
Rating: Five stars. Me parece magnifica la torre, en espiral, hacia el cielo. Calatrava es un genio.
William Hopkins
Friday, April 27th, 2007 @ 10:08pm
Rating: Three stars. Kind of bad looking but better than another boring square building.
Wilbert NYC
Friday, April 27th, 2007 @ 3:38am
Rating: Four stars. great building for the chicago skyline it balance the skyline. the desigh is not inovative, the building;twisting torso in malmo started this trend.I hope that they make at least a spire towards the top not a flat roof, then Chicago will be known as the city with the largest drill bit in the world
Gregory Francis Bird
Thursday, April 26th, 2007 @ 6:14pm
Rating: One star. What's up with this? Mayor Daley talks about making Chicago the world's 'greenest' city, but I see no wind energy devices or photovoltaics or solar thermal. New York City seems to have totally missed the opportunity to do a 'Manhattan Project' for renewable energy with the WTC site replacement (which makes the new structures more, not less, of a future target), and now Chicago misses the opportunity. Chicago attacts Boeing, but can't engage Boeing's talents to capture atmospheric power at skyscraper's heights. There are thousands of tall buildings world-wide, many of which could be retrofitted to capture atmospheric flow - a huge market. But this spire, like all but a few proposed, misses the imperative of fully utilizing what can be done with tall structures. Another grotesque failure, another pretty Calatrava that shortchanges structures' potential to produce energy. Scratch my star - this deserves a negative as an energy 'sinkhole'.
Chris
Thursday, April 26th, 2007 @ 2:12pm
Rating: Five stars. The Spire IS a spire. There's no need for another spire on top. There is a certain dryness in the renderings that does not capture what will be breathtaking in real life. This isn't a building. It's a sculpture in which people will live. This will be our Eiffel Tower.
Louis
Thursday, April 26th, 2007 @ 10:37am
Rating: Five stars. This skyscraper will do nothing but add to Chicago's already sterling reputation as an architectural leader. With completion scheduled in 2010, this will give the 2016 Olympics bid a big shot in the arm. I'm really looking forward to the groundbreaking, and seeing this piece of history rise from the ground up.
Jimmy Ramirez
Wednesday, April 25th, 2007 @ 9:39pm
Rating: Five stars. yes yes for the spire !!!
James Brome
Tuesday, April 24th, 2007 @ 4:27pm
Rating: Five stars. This will definatly put Chicago on the International map.
Mehmet Unver
Tuesday, April 24th, 2007 @ 3:40pm
Rating: Five stars. I spent most beautiful moments of my life in Chicago. I love Chicago skyline. Salutes from Istanbul - TURKEY
Ashly Varughese
Monday, April 23rd, 2007 @ 3:16pm
Rating: Five stars. CHICAGO - Spire redesign...Great......i am proud to live in AMERICA.GOD BLESS AMERICA.
craig
Monday, April 23rd, 2007 @ 1:52pm
Rating: Five stars. I am currently living in florida and will be moving back to Chicago soon.This design is great and I think it will make a great addition to the city of Chicago
Carlos
Monday, April 23rd, 2007 @ 1:26pm
Rating: Five stars. The Turning Torso in Malmo is great, but the Chicago Spire will be greatest. Calatrava make the diference and surprise us again and again.
Jeff Martin
Monday, April 23rd, 2007 @ 12:45pm
Rating: One star. This doesn't appear to be one of Calatrava's more creative moments. The building's design is derivative and falls into the current skyscraper trend toward curving, twisting, figurative references. In a similar vein is Sir Norman Foster's glass addition to the London skyline with the Swiss Re Tower, (nicknamed "The Gherkin").
Ashly Varughese
Monday, April 23rd, 2007 @ 10:55am
Rating: Five stars. couple of days before i saw the new design of spire.150 stories.... amazing....The Proud of America.God Bless America.
Ron
Monday, April 23rd, 2007 @ 8:48am
Rating: Three stars. Looks like what you see on the backside of a fence when the screw has missed the mark. Another monument to the developer and the architect, but not much for the people living in it. Proves once again that just because you can, doesn't mean that you should. Is this really what Chicago needs? and are there really that many people (with money) who want to live that high in the air in this age of terrorism? Structurally, is probably a masterpiece, and financially, we'll see (I heard costs of up to $2.4 billion). Also, looks like if a developer pays off the city with enough money to fund a park, they can do what they want.
Adam
Sunday, April 22nd, 2007 @ 8:27pm
Rating: Five stars. Chicago needs another amazing building for the city and for the Olimpics.
George
Sunday, April 22nd, 2007 @ 7:26pm
Rating: Five stars. What a beautiful addition to the Chicago skyline. Congratulations Chicago.
Steve
Sunday, April 22nd, 2007 @ 3:53pm
Rating: Five stars. I like the shape and it will complement the Lake Shore. It kind of reminds me of a twizler licorice stick except in silver. It is an elegant design as well as a smart solution to the harsh blasts of air that come off Lake Michigan onto the Windy City.
Vic
Sunday, April 22nd, 2007 @ 2:19pm
Rating: Five stars. This is fabulous! 2016 Olympic games and development like this will make Chicago top world destination! Go for it!
Damion
Sunday, April 22nd, 2007 @ 11:09am
Rating: Four stars. Every thing is nice, but the Chicago spire shouldn't be named the Chicago spire without an actual spire. Let's keep the design, get rid of the 2000ft. height limit, and add a beautiful spire on top of it to cap it off. The spire should be able to change colors at night and shoot a narrow beam of light straight in the air so it can be seen from miles. That would give this building, the lakefront, and the city chicago of chicago an unbelievable excitement and atmosphere. Things like this only comes around every so often. Since the olympics are coming, there is no better way to showcase out awesome city by putting our best foot first. So let's get this one right and put a spire on top of the final design.
Alexander
Saturday, April 21st, 2007 @ 5:08pm
Rating: Five stars. When I saw this building on the news this morning I was blown away! This is truly a remarkable and unique structure. It really does remind you of a drill bit and I hope it does get built.A perfect building for the city of Chicago.
Gregory
Saturday, April 21st, 2007 @ 4:30pm
Rating: Five stars. I am so excited about this amazing building for Chicago which is an amazing city in my opinion. I lived there for 3 years and moved to New York and I will be returning there in 1 year. Hopefully I can live here or at least sell some of the beautiful residences that the Spire will offer. This will enhance the already and best city skyline.
James Frazier
Saturday, April 21st, 2007 @ 3:37pm
Rating: Five stars. Well I live in Chicago its a great city. This will really help the skyline and growth of Chicago.
Joe Rescignano
Saturday, April 21st, 2007 @ 10:48am
Rating: Five stars. Having once worked in Chicago for the firm founded by William LeBaron Jenny, the father of the skyscaper, I think it is only fitting that Chicago continue to be the home of exciting, innovative and masterly constructed architecture.
xBoomerx
Saturday, April 21st, 2007 @ 12:40am
Rating: Four stars. I wonder if people had the same complaints about a building. like the Sears tower, or even the World Trade Towers when they were first built...Had they been heeded.. we would still be living in sod houses.. I think the building will be a striking addition to the sky line...and more aesthetic than the "Freedom" tower.. .I look forward to seeing it grace the shore of Lake Michigan....
andy
Friday, April 20th, 2007 @ 11:00pm
Rating: Three stars. it looks like an icicle
rajesh chowdary
Friday, April 20th, 2007 @ 7:55pm
Rating: Five stars. the best architecture i have ever scene in my life.....I hope the plan would be successful....best wishes to all those involved in the project
Carlos Bemfica
Friday, April 20th, 2007 @ 4:57pm
Rating: Five stars. This building brings Chicago to the fore front of Architecture. I am from Brazil and Ihope I can visit or even live there one day.
Ted S.
Friday, April 20th, 2007 @ 3:36pm
Rating: Five stars. The building will be tall, but it's footprint is actually quite small. I believe Calatrava's design will usher in a new era of architectural design not just in Chicago, but everywhere. It's immense and gracefully delicate at the same time. I live right down the block from the proposed site, and I am all for it. Perhaps it will force the sad honkytonk that Navy Pier has become to somehow improve. Chicago has always been an architectural smorgasboard, and not only will this structure fit in, it will be one of it's centerpieces (if not "the" centerpiece). Let's get going!!!
shaun
Friday, April 20th, 2007 @ 3:24pm
Rating: Five stars. Beautiful building. Chicago is the perfect place for it!
vicky
Friday, April 20th, 2007 @ 3:15pm
Rating: Five stars. ole, ole y ole! great building in a great city!
Al Mahdi
Friday, April 20th, 2007 @ 3:00pm
Rating: Five stars. Great addition to a gem of a city! Can't wait to see it built. It's about time we built a new sky scraper to compete with the ever impressive Far Orient skylines. Chicago on the GO! Peace to all..
Ledus
Friday, April 20th, 2007 @ 2:38pm
Rating: Five stars. Incredible building designed by an a great spanish architect
Andrew
Friday, April 20th, 2007 @ 2:18pm
Rating: Three stars. A spiral? C'mon now Santiago, try harder you already did a nicer one with turning torso. And the building is almost as phallic as the Gherkin. i I don't mind tall buildings but a spiral is such a one-liner and he's capable of much more.
jake ripley
Friday, April 20th, 2007 @ 1:13pm
Rating: One star. wonderful. just what we need. another high-profile target. but, whatever mayor daley wants, he gets, regardless of the cost.
urbaneddie
Friday, April 20th, 2007 @ 12:43pm
Rating: Four stars. I am not sure about the present version, I must say I did like previous versions (2006) better (though only one of the many so far presented). What is with the bridge over the river? It looks cool, but is it a draw bridge? Or is it just something to distract people right now from the tower itself & will never be built.
Sue Klaus
Thursday, April 19th, 2007 @ 5:06pm
Rating: One star. This is not the structure that the lakefront needs - it is the antithesis of what the lakefront is. 1. We don't need the tallest building in the world here. The former tallest buildings in the US no longer exist because they became targets. We need no such target here. 2. The design does not clearly indicate aerodynamics and/or sturdiness under windy conditions, which exist at that point of the lakeshore on a daily basis, and can be very strong. 3. A shorter version, half the height, might work. But as it stands now, it stands ready to Screw Chicago from the get-go.
Esco
Wednesday, April 18th, 2007 @ 11:17pm
It's about time the United States is moving on after 9/11. Chicago is the perfect place for the worlds tallest building. The Chicago Spire will represent our country heritage and ingenuity.
LD
Wednesday, April 18th, 2007 @ 12:31pm
Rating: One star. It doen't fit the Chicago Skyline. It's very similar to the monstrosity that is Soldier Field whereas this new age design is smashed on top of a charming classic structure. Once this building is up, its going to look as though two huge UFO's landed in Chicago.
Michelle
Tuesday, April 17th, 2007 @ 11:25pm
Rating: Five stars. I think this building is going to look wonderful along the Chicago skyline. The architecture of this building is absolutly amazing and so different then the normal boxes we keep seeing today. I hope I can visit or even live there one day.
Patrick
Monday, April 16th, 2007 @ 6:24pm
Rating: Five stars. When I first saw this building I couldn't beleive my eyes, I am now really excited for this building to be built and I think it would work PERFECTLY in the UNIQUE Chicago skyline.
Salih
Tuesday, April 10th, 2007 @ 6:25pm
Rating: Five stars. It is amazingly beautiful. I am impressed and I wish I participated in the construction process of such a building as a civil engineer. It will definitely be a masterpiece and source of inspiration.
pat s
Tuesday, April 3rd, 2007 @ 9:56pm
Rating: Five stars. the chicago spire is what chicago needs. we are the birthplace of skyscrapers and we need to be back on top by improving our already perfect skyline
Enzo
Tuesday, April 3rd, 2007 @ 6:03pm
Rating: Five stars. Magnifico! What a beautiful is this building! Chicago is an amazing US city, I was very surprise when I visit it last year!
Andre Van Belkom
Saturday, March 31st, 2007 @ 8:28pm
Rating: Five stars. Hopefully this can put architecture in the right direction. Modernism Architecture is the majority make up of Chicago, but it is architecture with no soul. The machine has destroyed a profession that was seen as the ultimate form of art. Architecture needs to adapt the old tradition of making spiritual inducing space, and stop with this assembly line process of popping out boxes. People like Calatrava are trying to change the world for the better, whether people want to believe it or not. This is what Chicago, America, the World needs.
Stephen
Saturday, March 31st, 2007 @ 12:08pm
Rating: Five stars. After being dissapointed with some of the later design changes, I am re-excited with Calvatrava's most recent "final" design. I'm tired of hearing about it, I want to see it! I also like Calvatrava's idea of the park with the ped. bridge. Is the rising bridge feasable? Because I love it. Chicago is building itself to levels of beauty with projects such as this, Trump's, block 37, and others. I hope we get to invite the whole world to come see the new, awe inspiring face of Chicago in 2016.
Victor Fernando Tovar
Saturday, March 31st, 2007 @ 12:09am
Rating: Five stars. As I always say, Chicago, a city so rich in architectural heritage. No doubt this masterpiece from Calatrava will beutify our Chicago's skyline, which always should be just right beneath heaven. I bet you all!!! After it'll be done, we are all going to be enjoying this new jewel at our beutiful city of Chicago.
jonesteel
Friday, March 30th, 2007 @ 10:19pm
Rating: Five stars. wow
Bonnie K Brennan Properties- bonnieb kw
Wednesday, March 28th, 2007 @ 6:25am
Rating: Five stars. Let's not delay this project. Be INSPIRED- find a way to work out the details, resolve the problems, and MOVE FORWARD. Give us & the world something amazing and build our Chicago Spire.
Steve Zwick
Tuesday, March 27th, 2007 @ 3:09pm
Rating: Five stars. The latest iteration of this thing is truly amazing -- he's curled each floor so that it curls out before reaching the edge... truly stunning and even complex -- like a living organsm. And it's anchored to the ground, unlike most of the hideous boxes that have gone up in Streeterville this past decade. Bravo!!!!
James Prince
Tuesday, March 27th, 2007 @ 9:40am
Rating: Five stars. I like the design, it is not just another box on a grid. I think it will not only add to, but may become the focal point of, the already beautiful Chicago skyline.
Bonnie K. Brennan Properties-bonnieb
Monday, March 19th, 2007 @ 12:53am
Rating: Five stars. I can't wait for ground breaking to start. Hurry up Garrett and BUILD our CHICAGO SPIRE!!
Fernando F. Saiz
Sunday, March 18th, 2007 @ 12:12pm
Rating: Five stars. I think that this a building amazing in Chicago or any another place of the world.
bette
Thursday, March 15th, 2007 @ 1:52pm
Rating: Two stars. great design....BAD LOCATION. not enough land surrounding this monolith monument.
Eliyas
Thursday, March 15th, 2007 @ 10:45am
Rating: Five stars. excellent project i would love to see it in reality only time will tell??
Jason Steward
Thursday, March 8th, 2007 @ 7:06pm
Rating: Three stars. I gave the spire 5 stars at first, but without the spire,its has no essence,no style, no meaning...Its dry...and i think the spire should come back!!! chicago is know for thier wonderful anttenas,and spires
Brian
Thursday, March 1st, 2007 @ 3:41pm
Rating: Five stars. this is a great structure for the city i don't like the idea of it being all hotel an condo because there is a lot of those in the down town area already with the up coming trump tower and intercontental tower along with others but other then that i belieave chicago needs tall tower such as this one because other cities are upgradeing why not us not to mention that it is beautiful to look at this is just the start of a new skyline for this city and im befind it 100 percent good luck i can't wait till the construction beginns
Gennesis
Thursday, March 1st, 2007 @ 12:24pm
Rating: Five stars. I really want this building to be built. It would be a great addition to our beautiful skyline. I hope I can live there.
Frank Strama
Friday, February 23rd, 2007 @ 12:06pm
As a boy living in Chicago I would ride my bike along the lake front and watch new buildings going up and sometimes draw them. Fifty years later I still go Down Town several times a year to look at the new structures rising. While I have been to many of the worlds great cities, I have always felt that the Chicago skyline was the most imposing and somehow naturally monolithic grouping of tall buildings anywhere!Much like a necklace strung out along our wonderful lake. I think the Calatrava building would be an inapropriate imposition in that spot and would subtract from the beauty of our city by the lake. Shanghai or Hong Kong might be a good spot for it.
Terry
Sunday, February 11th, 2007 @ 12:04am
Rating: Five stars. This is an innovative architectural step forward for the Chicago. An incredible additon to our skyline. It will be an immediate icon for tourists and Chicagoans alike. Hope it happens.
Chi
Thursday, February 8th, 2007 @ 7:43pm
Rating: Five stars. this building should be build.it has a great design.
Hugo
Thursday, February 8th, 2007 @ 7:19pm
Rating: Five stars. Great Project!Absolutely what you would expect from one of the best architects in the world. Cannot wait to see it out there.
Theresa
Wednesday, February 7th, 2007 @ 11:38pm
Rating: Five stars. How incredible it would be to live next door and be able look out and see the SPIRE every day!
Dj
Sunday, February 4th, 2007 @ 12:30pm
Rating: Five stars. Well, the old design isnt coming back. Calatrava and the developer nixed the spire from the plans and it sounds like it may be a permanent move. Im not understanding the need for a spire by some anyway. And the roof height is 2,000ft. This redesign is beautiful and if executed right will be one of the most beautiful structures in the world.
John
Saturday, February 3rd, 2007 @ 10:41pm
Rating: Five stars. Great building in a great city, I can't wait for this building to be complete!
ryan
Saturday, February 3rd, 2007 @ 2:39pm
Rating: Two stars. In order for this piece of not so interesting skinny twisty twister to look great, the old design should come back with the attena and have its roof 2000ft not the roof 1550ft or something.i will regain excitment if its old design came back
Stevens
Wednesday, January 31st, 2007 @ 5:49pm
Rating: Four stars. Revolutionary! A refinement for Chicago.
varun
Wednesday, January 31st, 2007 @ 2:39am
Rating: Five stars. i never seen the tallest building like this with an amazing infrastructure.this will realy boost the tourism of chicago.
Proctor
Tuesday, January 23rd, 2007 @ 4:05pm
Rating: Five stars. I can't wait to see this building completed! I'm glad to see Chicago staying in the race for tallest.
Jay
Monday, January 22nd, 2007 @ 3:45pm
Rating: Five stars. Fantastic development, brings Chicago back to the forefront of Architecture. This type of innovation will be another bonus in the eyes of the International Olympic Committee when it decides on Chicago as the host of the 2016 Olympics.
Frank Sherman
Saturday, January 20th, 2007 @ 2:45pm
Rating: Five stars. I was born in Chicago and raised in the West Suburbs. I believe that this beautiful building will be a great vaddsition to Chicaog's already famous skyline.
Matt
Saturday, January 20th, 2007 @ 12:11am
Rating: Five stars. It's wicked awesome! Keep up the good work Chicago! Make America proud!. Show them that we're not scared of anyone!
Lawton Stefanik
Friday, January 19th, 2007 @ 2:45pm
Rating: Five stars. To call this project a mistake would be backward thinking. A building like this is a wave to the future, making Chicago the leader and front-runner in daring and innovative architecture. Plus with a growing world, new designs are a must in keeping cities like Chicago at the pinnacle of greatness. A design like this will give Chicago yet another reason to boast of its beauty and sophistication.
Ian Hall
Friday, January 19th, 2007 @ 12:17pm
Rating: Five stars. I am so excited by this forward thinking design. Ten of the worlds most recently constructed, cutting edge buildings and bridges have been constructed outside the United States. This project is a long awaited leap forward.
Pete
Tuesday, January 16th, 2007 @ 3:51am
Rating: One star. If I could rate this "structure" less than 0, I would. What a mistake. How can an architect be so stupid. Lets ruin the famous chicago skyline with this spiral thing in the middle of much smaller, totally different looking buildings. There is nothing about this structure that fits in with the surroundings. Kind of like putting a greek temple in the middle of Tokyo... What a shame for Chicago. I feel bad for all that will have to stare at this thing. Good luck.
Milos
Sunday, January 14th, 2007 @ 9:01pm
Rating: Five stars. It's a very nice tower ! Great project. Good luck!
Chris
Thursday, January 11th, 2007 @ 11:05am
Rating: One star. As a person from Chicago I will tell you it is going to ruin a beautiful skyline. It is ugly and looks like a drill bit. I hope that it doesn't get built in our wonderful city
BONNIE KATHLEEN (bonnieb) KW- River North
Tuesday, January 9th, 2007 @ 5:48am
Rating: Five stars. (first posting bonnieb-keller williams river north).. I've already had people ask how long it'll be to get on the Spire waiting list for a unit. So let's get started ASAP and BUILD !!
Mike Lall
Tuesday, January 9th, 2007 @ 4:44am
Rating: Five stars. So far it looks like an elegant building designed by an architect extraordinaire. It should light up the Chi skyline and will complement the Sears and Hancock. See you at the top.mkl
BONNIE KATHLEEN KW- River North
Monday, January 8th, 2007 @ 5:02am
Rating: Five stars. THANK YOU GARRETT for getting this back on track, and with the CORRECT NAME "CHICAGO SPIRE" is what it should have been called from the start. Chicago's the greatest city in the world. Our beautiful skyline will sparkle even brighter now thanks to you. So "spiral up" and start building !!
Matt
Monday, January 8th, 2007 @ 4:14am
Rating: One star. The new Spires unfurling design nicely symbolizes the unraveling of the whole aesthetic direction of the project. It reeks of compromise. Due to its massive scale it could irreparably SCREW UP the Chicago skyline! The bold yet elegant, (and contextually mindful) Trump tower will all but vanish from the skyline due to its close latitudinal proximity to the overpowering new Spire. Go back to the graceful original design, go back to the drawing board - or go someplace other than Chicago!!
jori krinsky
Sunday, January 7th, 2007 @ 4:13pm
Rating: One star. really interesting that those who are so in awe of this impending folly have not expressed a desire to live in it.shelbourne is proposing 160 floors and 1300 condo units.remember that this is a RESIDENTIAL highrise, not simply an architectural achievement.in an already congested area this will only add to the traffic and may cause considerable damage to the surrounding environment.the size seems to make the rest of the cityscape look insignificant.those who really care about chicago must realize that we have too many highrise units coming on the market 2007-2008 and this will only add to the oversupply.
Adam
Sunday, January 7th, 2007 @ 2:38pm
Rating: Five stars. A building re-zoning permit has been placed at the site December 16th 2006 (river and outer drive) making accomodations for the "Chicago Spire"...looks like it's on it's way.
Ian
Saturday, January 6th, 2007 @ 11:01pm
Rating: Three stars. I'm in between liking and disliking this. But I know this is a lot of work for whoever is behind it, and I can respect it getting this far. It's cutting edge but goes too far into the future that is unknown, so it would be hard to match that future when it comes, and this could be surpassed. However, it does seem to blend with the rest of the skyline. You need to ask at this point, what else would be there? It won't take away from the Chicago I know. There are so many places to see, and I may never find myself at this building. With the other tributes to Art Deco in the city, Chicago needs to contribute to that tradition, in my opinion.
David Humphrey
Friday, January 5th, 2007 @ 10:22pm
Rating: Five stars. As long as the spire up top is kept its a beautiful design, Chicago's lucky to have it; I live in Raleigh where great architecture goes up 40 floors. Be a leader Chicago
jori krinsky
Friday, January 5th, 2007 @ 5:42pm
Rating: One star. a calatrava would be a welcome addition to chicago architecture,however it does not have to be the tallest building in the world to be significant!! given the already overbuilt residential highrise market, this is definately a bad idea.potential structural problems and cost overruns make this a project courting disaster.a building this size is totally inappropriate in this location.chicago needs to stop being so insecure and realize that having the biggest building is a shortsighted attempt at greatness.
Jeremy
Wednesday, January 3rd, 2007 @ 6:15pm
Rating: Five stars. I'm rating the old design 5 stars. Living 2,00 feet up is kinda crazy. But the spire is or in this case was a great idea. The spiraling design is amazing. A beautiful building (with the spire). The new design is horrible compared to the old. It lacks the spiraling design that the old proposal has. But hey, skyscrapers were born here in the chi. It should stay here in the Chi and heck since we made it why not have the biggest. The U.S. needs to drop the 2,000 feet restriction, because we will need to build higher sometime in the future. But for now, get the spire back on there. I'd rather look at the bottom of a helicopter than actually wave at the pilot.
Dave
Wednesday, January 3rd, 2007 @ 4:23pm
Rating: One star. The new 1300 unit design now misses the mark. Going from 450 unit to 1,300 is all about profit. Go back to the first design the "Spire" or put the new " Drill Bit " in some other city. We don't need it here!
Jason
Monday, January 1st, 2007 @ 3:08pm
Rating: Five stars. Absolutely cant wait for this structure to be built. Chicago originated the skyscraper and now we get a building that almost signifies a "crown", so elegant. The Chicago skyline is the best...New Yawkers, is all you do hate on Chicago?
Roger
Saturday, December 30th, 2006 @ 3:52pm
Rating: Four stars. I'm giving this a four simply because of its height. I'm really glad that the United States is finally trying to take the initiative and build some tall buildings again. We can't let Dubai and Shanghai be bigger and better than Chicago and New York. However, the design on this could be a little better. And, actually, I think we should go taller. 2000 feet would be great if it was completed today. But for it to be competitive in 2010, it needs to be at least a couple of hundred feet taller. And by the way, I am a native New Yorker and the Big Apple would take Chicago anyday.
enzo borghetto
Saturday, December 30th, 2006 @ 12:36am
Rating: Five stars. unique and very attractive building to the eye. Thank you for keeping Chicago for the race for the tallest buildings in the world.
Paul
Friday, December 29th, 2006 @ 2:24am
Rating: Four stars. This will surely be an impressive addition to the already impressive Chicago skyline, and provide the prestige of adding a Calatrava to the collection; however, I just worry a bit that all these twisting buildings [two are either under construction or about to start here in Vancouver, by our Canadian starchitect, Arthur Erickson] will look dated in 30 years, and no longer unique.
Damion
Thursday, December 28th, 2006 @ 8:42pm
Rating: Three stars. First of all, I like the old design of the Chicago Spire better. I think it would be great if you kept the old design and made that 2000 feet without the spire. Then for good measure, put an awesome spire on top that shoots different color beams of light straight in the air according to the season. This project would then be totally complete! Imagine being able to see the spire and its light from any part of the city. That would be awesome!!!!!
jaime somoza
Thursday, December 28th, 2006 @ 1:29pm
Rating: Five stars. i think this is gonna be a good thing for the city of chicago. ilive in chicago and take a lot of pics of skylines and once that building goes up um gonna be takinmg mad pics of it cant wait
nwabu
Thursday, December 28th, 2006 @ 11:41am
Rating: Five stars. Used to live in chi-town and loved it. Great city. Great people. A city that shows what city living should be about. When this gets built will add to the amazing collection of signature Chicago buildings. New York has nothing on Chicago when it comes to architecture - never had. But Nou yawk got the edge when it comes to night life. Gotta say it like it is. :)
Matt
Friday, December 22nd, 2006 @ 4:56pm
Rating: Five stars. Just what america needs to get back in the game with Cina and Dubai.
Stephen Simpson
Wednesday, December 20th, 2006 @ 11:42am
Rating: Five stars. I don't live in Chicago, but I do love Chicago and I plan to live there in the near future. The design of the fordham spire is truly amazing, but at the same time I think it doesn't fit in with the skyscrapers up there. Looks like an unthesabe building, but it is being built and now that I think about, Chicago will keep the reign as the tallest building, surpassing the edon tower and the Las Vegas Tower. Chicago has the potential to the best city, better than New York, in my opinion it is, can't wait to see this project finished in 2010!!! 5 out of 5!!!!
Tim
Tuesday, December 19th, 2006 @ 3:33pm
Rating: Five stars. Go for it, I am looking forward to another tall building to look at from the Lake.
JC Sixtos
Sunday, December 17th, 2006 @ 6:01pm
Rating: One star. Chicago doenst need a "toothpick". We need classical looking scrapers not too modern.
scott
Saturday, December 16th, 2006 @ 5:50pm
Rating: Four stars. cool design, but reminds me too much of Calatravas residential tower in Malmo Sweden
Brian
Saturday, December 16th, 2006 @ 10:43am
Rating: Five stars. I love the redesign of the structure and it would really set off the Chicago skyline.
Kerem Arig
Friday, December 15th, 2006 @ 3:08pm
Rating: Four stars. [This will be my second posting for this project] Despite some changes such as design, number of floors and lack of spire / antenna, I still carry same thoughts and excitement. I am optimistic that despite delays and changes in ownership, project still is alive and there is talk about groundbreaking day. This project once started (even before its completion) will boost so many things for Chicago, i.e. its worldwide reputation, economic as well as architectural attraction are just few that I can count. And, this city is still ripe to many world-class projects and modern skyscrapers. I think, including Spire and Trumps’ project and other high rise constructions currently underway, Chicago’s is already experiencing a new area and its attraction only snowballs. I also think that it will be fun and an important happening especially for us living locally to witness this new landmark for the city as well as the nation being erected. (I just wish that I can have the same excitement for the future plans to solve the traffic torture around entire Chicagoland!!!)
Paul Shelton
Saturday, December 9th, 2006 @ 10:22pm
Rating: Five stars. I actually like the new design much better then the old. The height of the building will still be the same,2000 feet, just the spire will be taken out. I LOVE IT, cannot WAIT!!!
Stephen
Friday, December 8th, 2006 @ 3:45pm
Rating: Five stars. The latest changes to the Spire, as of December 6th, steal some of the awe factor. I understand the need for economic feasability, but the increased width will detract from the gracefulness of the tower. Also, the twisting element seems less sculpted. And my least favorite omission, the removal of the crowning spire from the roof. How much does this take away from the overall height? This is still Chicago, and for us, the taller, the better. Just ask Daley. Still a great design, just slightly less awesome.
Regi
Thursday, December 7th, 2006 @ 2:44pm
Rating: Five stars. Go Chicago!!!! I love it!!!
Michael
Monday, December 4th, 2006 @ 10:55am
Rating: Five stars. Gorgeous!!! America needs a building like this beautiful work of art!
Matt
Friday, December 1st, 2006 @ 11:32am
Rating: Five stars. No Need to fear. The building has been approved and 100% equity has been put up. I live on the same street, about 1 block from the site, and the news is here that the building is definately beginning construction in june 07. So, I guess I have some trucks and construction noise to look forward to.
John
Tuesday, November 21st, 2006 @ 12:57pm
Rating: Four stars. I think the structure is amazing, but what intrigues me most is the fact that it's so different than everything else in Chicago. If this is built, it will either redefine the Chicago skyline and help open the door for similar designs or will become sort of an ugly duckling and not fit in with it's surroundings. Unfortuntaley, I feel the city of Chicago will fear the latter rather than hope for the former and reject this proposal. Hopefully if this is not built in Chicago, it is built somewhere. It'd be a shame to see such a beautiful idea put to death.
Karen
Monday, November 13th, 2006 @ 8:40pm
Rating: Five stars. It's a beautiful, impactful structure.
Max
Sunday, November 12th, 2006 @ 2:19am
Rating: Four stars. Chicago's my homtown and i think the design of the tower do not fit with others towers in Chicago.The design is not that good , it looks like a twisted gum.Change the design and it will be parfect.
Subu
Wednesday, October 18th, 2006 @ 10:43pm
Rating: Five stars. "I just bought a condominium which I thought was five stars really, but compared with this Fordham Spire, I feel like I bought a toothpick. So five stars for The Fordham Spire is not enough, all aspects considered."
John
Sunday, October 15th, 2006 @ 5:55am
Rating: Four stars. If we don't push the bounds we won't progress. This will be beautiful.
Cojax
Saturday, October 14th, 2006 @ 8:44pm
Rating: Five stars. Chicagoan born and raised, I figured living downtown would make me dislike chicago, but it's made me love it more. I'd pick this city over any city in America to live in if only we'd get rid of Dailey. Really interesting and vibrant building, it'll really go well with all the artistic flair to the city, as well as fit in with Chicago's lust for taller and taller buildings. what'd be even more awesome is if that Tokyo skycity project ended up being made here as well. Though I'd be dead before that happened.
Anthony Thigpen
Saturday, October 14th, 2006 @ 12:38am
Rating: Five stars. If Chicago wanted to reclaim the title of having the tallest building in the world, it would have been much easier to add a 300ft spire atop the Sears Tower. But no, the Fordham Spire is more than just a claim to the tallest building. It is art and innovation and a breath of fresh design that will be an exclamation point to Chicago's gorgeous skyline. Hopefully it will get built.
Maurice
Friday, October 13th, 2006 @ 12:22pm
Rating: Five stars. This structure is going to bring tourism and the respect that Chicago needs
Steve
Tuesday, October 10th, 2006 @ 8:10pm
Rating: Five stars. I like this building, although I prefer the design of Wright's The Illinois, a mile-high building. I hope that the Fordham Spire is built, perhaps higher than presently proposed. Chicago's architectural heritage is amazing, and it would be fitting to have the world's tallest and, perhaps, most graceful building in the great city in which the first skyscrapers were built.
Lily W.
Tuesday, October 10th, 2006 @ 9:50am
Finally!! A needle that "stands out" in the stacks of Chicago. This needle won't be hard to find at all.
Louis-Philippe Pelletier
Saturday, October 7th, 2006 @ 6:14pm
Rating: Five stars. This is truely amazing!!! I wish Montreal would have such projects! This is what you need to get consider. Finally a project where the architect can express his creativity. Amazing
Kraig Blackwelder
Wednesday, October 4th, 2006 @ 8:48pm
Rating: Five stars. Fordham Spire is the most interesting and beautiful architectural project to come along a a very long time. I'm appalled that anyone would compare Calatrava's genius to Gehry's lame one-note designs. BTW, If the USA is so superior, why do we have to go all the way to Spain to find brilliant architects? Because American architecture is moribund and tedious. Thank God for Calatrava.
Luigi Perrone
Thursday, September 21st, 2006 @ 7:13am
Rating: Five stars. I am born and raised in Chicago and have spent my life in awe of my city's wonderous skyscrapers. The addition of this building would, undoubtedly, make Chicago the supreme skyscraper capital of the world.
Don Williams
Monday, September 11th, 2006 @ 11:18am
Rating: Five stars. If the objectof this unique and beautiful design is to dwarf the existing structures, it fulfills its purpose. Better to join the outstanding architecture of my city and enhance the total concept, perhaps a little shorter, why not a subtle statement rather than biggest, tallest, best, etc.Almost equal to Frank Gehry, or Antonio Gaudi design.
Aleks
Friday, September 8th, 2006 @ 3:07pm
Awesome design! I really hope they continue to expand the Chicago Skyline because I think that Chicago has the potential to be the best city in the US surpassing New York.
Kathy
Thursday, August 31st, 2006 @ 1:53pm
Rating: Five stars. It looks great! I love it. No place like downtown Chicago for this.
John
Wednesday, August 23rd, 2006 @ 3:45pm
Hey Miguel,The most important thing right now is that a building like this will diversify the somewhat monotonous structures and skyline of Chicago?Monotonous structures and skyline!?!? What rock have you been living under. I can't believe no one has commented on that sentence. Take another look!Love, John
Bahlakoana Sehloho
Monday, August 21st, 2006 @ 10:59am
Rating: Five stars. i just love the spire and turning torso design. i think Santiago is one of best modern designer.
Chen RongChang
Sunday, August 13th, 2006 @ 6:33pm
Rating: Five stars. Finally a structure not bound by grids. Unique!
Scott Hayes
Sunday, August 13th, 2006 @ 1:54pm
Rating: Five stars. I like how Calatrava describes the spire "like a twisting column of smoke when the indians first settled the area". The design is great. There is no way this will be the tallest in the world when compared to Burj Dubai, but is tallest really that practical anymore. Some of the comments already posted seem to seek bragging rights. I think you could knock 300 feet OFF of this building and STILL have bragging rights. The design is new and sexy. No other building like this exists in the world. I can't wait for completion. I'll be the first to drive down from Milwaukee and see it! Way to go, Chicago!
Jeremy
Friday, August 11th, 2006 @ 11:04pm
Rating: Four stars. Interesting design. Seeing how few of these "super skyscrapers" actually get built I am skeptical whether this building will actually be built. Seeing will be believing... Here's hoping...
Brian K
Monday, August 7th, 2006 @ 12:06am
Rating: Five stars. Wow, this is an amazing building, i've done my research on this project ever since i've heard about it, the designer is awesome, he knows his stuff, the cone design is great as far as being aerodynamic, and it's going to be a great addition to the skyline, and the location is great, from the pictures i've seen it bisects the 2 landmarks, the sears tower and hancock tower, thank god it's been approved.
Patrick Gonzalez
Saturday, August 5th, 2006 @ 6:21pm
Rating: Five stars. This is GREAT for Chicago. I love Chicago and all of its builings. This adds to the beauty of the Chicago skyline, and I cannot wait to see it built. 5 stars!!
joseph
Monday, July 31st, 2006 @ 3:20pm
Rating: Five stars. amazingly stylish, most gigantic structure on earth
Dave
Saturday, July 29th, 2006 @ 2:40pm
Rating: Five stars. Chicago should have the tallest skyscraper in the world. This design is beautiful, The condos will sell out in pre-sales. To live in this trophy building buyers will be willing to pay the premium.
carlos bernabe
Saturday, July 29th, 2006 @ 1:48am
Rating: Five stars. amazing and really exciting estructure, Calatrava is the one genuis in modern architecture.
Joan Q
Thursday, July 27th, 2006 @ 9:08pm
Rating: Five stars. Would be an extraordinary addition to our skyline. How exciting for my grandaughters who will enjoy it in the years to come!
Vanhattan
Thursday, July 27th, 2006 @ 1:18am
Rating: Five stars. I love Chicago, my hometown. I would love to live in this tower. I wish Vancouver would get a tower like this, but 600ft is the limit so far.
Horst Grimminger
Tuesday, July 25th, 2006 @ 4:30am
Rating: Five stars. The Fordham Spire is of outstandingquality in design. But businessmen mustcalculate, if there are enough squarefeet for sale in such a tall building.The Spire will be good for the skylineof Chicago.
Coray
Sunday, July 23rd, 2006 @ 12:17pm
Rating: Four stars. Chicago have to be the clean city in usa
Forrest Gillette
Thursday, July 20th, 2006 @ 2:15am
Bottom line...the United States should have the tallest building in the world. We are STILL the most important economy in the world.As such, CHICAGO should have the tallest building. I could care LESS about the design (which, as it turns out, is kinda cool). It's about HEIGHT. It's about bragging rights. It's about 'We're BIGGER, BADDER and BETTER than YOU!"Silly...yeah. So what?I'll bet it will get built, with enough height to not only make it the tallest building in the world, but to discourage others from making one any time soon. And when they do, we'll just have to build another one.
Dj
Tuesday, July 11th, 2006 @ 7:45pm
Rating: Five stars. ^Whats with the sense of entitlement? So what that it was born here. Quality over quantity. Carley (developer) has already been approved for the zoning requested. The height WONT change unless he feels the needs to compete, which would 1. make the project more expensive, 2. greatly decrease the chances of it being built, and 3. it would have to be redesigned. All of these things cost. Your greediness would kill this project. If this height (which I cant understand how you see height over design. Height is secondary with this project) cant satisfy you, I dont know what will. You dont build for the sake of building and money does not fall from the trees, as I sound like my parents. Lenders have to fund these things. We dont have uber-rich princes wanting to compete with other uber-rich princes on who can build the tallest towers. The city has a wonderful DESIGN with a height that compliments it very well. Thats hard to do in todays world of skyscrapers. Dont be greedy. But whatever...
Eddie
Monday, July 10th, 2006 @ 12:46am
Rating: Four stars. We are the United States! The "creators" of the first skyscraper and what better city in the USA than Chichago where it claims to have build the first skyscraper? We should at least keep the title of having the tallest one in the world...
Dj
Wednesday, July 5th, 2006 @ 3:50pm
Rating: Five stars. ^ Geez. Is it not tall enough already? When did 2,000ft become not tall enough? Plans wont change on the height. Im 99% sure the height is where it'll stay. You go higher, you have to tweak with the design and other technical crap (for lack of a better word lol). They dont have money just lying around waiting to be spent. So there's no such thing as "extra money". As of now, Carley is closing in on a deal for the land. Then the biggest hurdle will be the construction loan. Im very confident about this happening but things dont just happen because us scraper nerds want it. If the stats and DESIGN aren't enough to impress you, I dont know what is.
Eddie
Tuesday, July 4th, 2006 @ 1:07am
Rating: Four stars. Nice, new, and impressive. I only wish it would be a little taller. I think they should spend the extra money to make it just a few hundred feet higher to make it the tallest building in the world. None the less there's still time for the plans to change and make it higher.
Simon Lange
Saturday, July 1st, 2006 @ 1:07pm
Rating: Five stars. This tower is amazing and a new landmark for Chicago. It is one of my favorit structurs just like Chrysler Building in New York. I really hope that we will see more projekts like this in the US.
Adam
Monday, June 26th, 2006 @ 1:46am
Rating: Five stars. I believe Chicago has been deprived of it's constant construction of massive buildings for too long. This skyscraper will definatly revitalize what had died down over the years. The Burj Dubai in UAE will be just over 2300 ft. I don't think it would hurt for the architects to add another 310 ft of tower to it!
AB
Sunday, June 25th, 2006 @ 10:12pm
Rating: Five stars. This thing is going to be awesome. The Sears Tower is getting kinda old and we need a new building to express the modern era.
Eman
Five stars.
One star.
Four stars.
Dorin Chudin
Three stars.
Emilio
Vikas Ahuja
Alejandro Moreira
Victor Fernando Tovar
Zoolii
arquialvarez
Carlo Rampelli
Rodrigo
Mark Hamilton-Smith
Tim McQueen
Two stars.
Mehmet Unver
Vic
Carlos Bemfica
jonesteel
ryan
Stevens
Milos
nwabu
Matt
Regi
Subu
Aleks
Kathy
Bahlakoana Sehloho
Chen RongChang
carlos bernabe
Horst Grimminger
Coray