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.
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.
James Asbury
Sunday, June 25th, 2006 @ 8:34am
Rating: Five stars. We are all looking forward to visiting this beautiful building when it is finished, hopefully construction will begin soon.
Miguel
Thursday, June 15th, 2006 @ 8:45pm
Rating: Four stars. I've read the other posts and it seems like people are more concerned about having the tallest building in Chicago rather than the actual design of the building itself. I think its a really interesting structure in that its taking into account current technological developments in the field, and in the long run, thats probably the most important aspect of this project. People have to realize that holding the title of "world's tallest building" is short lived and temporary. Chicago is already a household name in the architectural community, with or without the Sears tower. This city gave birth to the skyscraper after all. Eventually, even the tallests buildings will be surpassed--the Burjs Tower in Dubai--and the Fordham Spire, should it get built. The most important thing right now is that a building like this will diversify the somewhat monotonous structures and skyline of Chicago. This building--if built--probably will mark another milestone in Chicago's history. But it wont be because it will be one of the worlds tallest buildings, but because it could inspire a change in the architectural language of this great city.
Damion Black
Wednesday, June 14th, 2006 @ 2:10am
Rating: Four stars. I think this building is amazing and I hope that it gets built. I know that it will fit my home city of Chicago just fine. However, I just wish that they will increase the height of the building from the ground to the roof because without the spire it will be just a little bit taller than our very own Sears Tower. Im not a big fan of claiming world's tallest because of a long spire. That's why no one's talking about Trump's building around here.So keep the spire but make the actual building 2000ft.then put the spire on top of it. Let's really make a statement to the world that Chicago really is the city of big shoulders.
Hollister.
Tuesday, June 13th, 2006 @ 8:55pm
Rating: Five stars. What you peolpe need to realize critisizing the Fordham Spire project is that it will not look EXACTLY like that. They take time to re-evaluate the design. Who knows, maybe it will be another black tower, along with the Sears Tower and John Hancock Center.I think it is a wonderful idea. It will not only keep Chicago as holding the tallest building in all of North America, but possibly the tallest building in the whole world, depending on the height of that other building in the United Arab Emirates.
Dmitry
Monday, June 12th, 2006 @ 1:55am
Very applicable for Chicago. Start!!!
Elton Alwine
Wednesday, June 7th, 2006 @ 11:00am
Rating: Five stars. I've just come back from visiting Chicago and I've never been to a finer city. And I've been everywhere, man... This building is beautiful - poetry like someone's said - and a perfect landmark for the new generation. I'm sure I'll be visiting many more times until 2010.
- Chicago Resident
Sunday, June 4th, 2006 @ 10:19pm
Rating: Four stars. I love the idea, but the height dwarfs everthing around it. It becomes a distracting focal point rather than blending into the rest of the beautiful Chicago skyline.
Jonathan
Saturday, June 3rd, 2006 @ 11:49am
Rating: Five stars. I think this is a wonderful building and it is about time the world's most prominent architects realize that there is a tremendous amount of opportunity for cutting edge architecture outside of Europe.
Justin M
Friday, June 2nd, 2006 @ 4:12am
Rating: Five stars. A magnificent building which compliments Chicago's unique high-rise architecture. Can't wait till it's finished!
Jack
Friday, May 26th, 2006 @ 10:42am
Rating: Five stars. This building will get built, with all the hype surrounding this structure and with the man who designed it, why wouldn’t you want to live in great modern architecture. One thing that is true, Chicago has a very powerful Mayor, and what Mayor Daley wants, Mayor Daley gets, and he wants this building built and so does the Chicago City Planning Commission and they understand the immediate impact the Fordham Spire will have on the City of Chicago. Chicago’s a city where architects can push the envelope of creativity, Frank Lloyd Wright, Helmut Jahn and now Santiago Calatrava.
Alicia
Wednesday, May 24th, 2006 @ 2:46pm
Rating: Five stars. This structure will be a beautiful addition to Chicago!!! Chicago is already on the map for it's architecture, this would be another step forward.
Dave S
Wednesday, May 24th, 2006 @ 1:55am
Rating: Five stars. I live across the street from the proposed Fordham Spire (Lake Point Tower) and I already have my name on the waiting list for this beautiful building. I want to move in today! I hope you build it!
T.Global
Tuesday, May 23rd, 2006 @ 7:16pm
Jaw-dropping, eye-popping, heart-stoppingly beautiful. Build it, Chicago...build it and the world will thank you. And we Michiganders across the lake will, once again, be shamed by our own urban failures, and also a little saddened, that Lake Michigan is too wide to see across! Build it; call it Inspiration Tower. But build it.
Dave W
Tuesday, May 23rd, 2006 @ 7:02am
Rating: Five stars. That's not just a building- it's poetry: a coil of Indian smoke to the sky, marking the mouth of the Chicago River. Responding to nature and the spirit of place like that makes it a truly great building. I'm even happier it'll be the tallest skyscraper in America. New York's Freedom Tower now looks fugly, corporate and totally uninspired, now that all of those comittees have messed with the plans. Fordham Spire, in true Chicago style, would be a science fiction vision come to life. It was foreseen in the film I, Robot, which put the futuristic USR corporation in Chicago's tallest building, a Calatrava-inspired skyscraper! Get behind this project, Chicago! I'd come all the way from Sydney just to see it. And I hope you get the 2016 Olympics too...
Lukas
Saturday, May 20th, 2006 @ 7:40pm
Rating: Five stars. I believe its very good idea to build such a stunning building.
Mario
Friday, May 19th, 2006 @ 12:23pm
Rating: Five stars. I have to say that this tower is going to be the best building in the world , and what better than building it in my hometown chicago illinois. good job chicago , it is also better for the city because it will surpass new york city's skyline easily , and it will attract celebrities and more and more tourist.
enriklopez
Wednesday, May 17th, 2006 @ 11:05am
Rating: Five stars. It's the best building that Calatreva has designed EVER. I hope it will be build
John
Tuesday, May 16th, 2006 @ 9:50pm
Rating: Five stars. Build it!!! It will be a wonderful addition to best skyline and the great city of Chicago.
jerry
Wednesday, May 10th, 2006 @ 5:46pm
it will be interesting to see final cost estimates and financing plans and if the Donald is just marketing his property or knows what he's talking about. Building is beautioful.
Thomas
Wednesday, May 10th, 2006 @ 10:40am
Beautiful. Bet it will never be built, though, too bad.
Chris D.
Wednesday, May 10th, 2006 @ 1:06am
Rating: Five stars. The skyscraper is NOT dead. This design is just what one would expect from Chicago architecture...orginal, edgy, but tasteful and cool. Get 'er done!
Mike
Tuesday, May 9th, 2006 @ 10:52am
Rating: Five stars. It's beautiful. It's sublime. It's the future. I look forward to the day when Chicago can again claim to be home to The World's Tallest Building.
Akhil Yamdagni
Friday, April 28th, 2006 @ 11:44am
Rating: Five stars. I have been listening about this eventful building project for long time. Hopefully no more squabbling will delay, adjourn or abandon this reputable project for Chicago. Though change is the only constant in the world still for quit some time Chicago will enjoy the title of owning a building 2000 ft high.
Zimbo Click
Friday, April 28th, 2006 @ 9:51am
Rating: Five stars. Umpa! I Love What Chi-Ca-Go is doing! Yay for Mr. Chrisman! I Love THe SPire!-Zimbo Click.
Antonio Romero
Friday, April 28th, 2006 @ 8:09am
Rating: Five stars. Los españoles tenemos la suerte de poder disfrutar de la arquitectura de Santiago Calatrava en muchos lugares de nuestro pais y creo que sería magnifico que en una ciudad como Chicago pudieran tener esta gran obra de un genio de la arquitectura moderna
Adam Ostman
Thursday, April 27th, 2006 @ 10:58pm
Rating: Five stars. Santiago Calatrava is one of the greatest modern architect of our time. He really thinks outside to box and designs with a nice futuristic taste. Any project done by this man is truely amazing.
Ben
Tuesday, April 25th, 2006 @ 4:28pm
Rating: Four stars. I think the design is inspiring. However, I have seen little on how it will be incorporated into the area. Is this just going to be another building added to the sterile neighborhood of Streeterville? This is a great opportunity to re-evaluate the needs of the neighborhood, and build a dynamic community.
Andrew
Monday, April 24th, 2006 @ 8:30pm
Rating: Four stars. Great design, not great location. Way too expensive to build. Market is flooded with $2million condos. Only way is if hotel and HDTV tower finance the condo part. Would love to see it built.
bonnieb-Keller Williams River North
Monday, April 24th, 2006 @ 1:21am
Rating: Five stars. A beautiful addition to our skyline. We anticipate this will become a great destination for living and working. Let your spirit soar while your mind dances in "the spire".
Manny Chavez
Saturday, April 22nd, 2006 @ 1:21pm
Rating: Five stars. An absolute gem. We weren't able to get 7 S. Dearborn but we (City of Chicago and it's residents) will now watch this elegant and majestic jewel go up and grace our wonderful skyline. Visitors already enjoy our city immensely. This will have them leaving Chicago wishing they could spend more time here.
Andy
Saturday, April 22nd, 2006 @ 1:18am
Rating: Five stars. I am proud to be a Chicago resident.
matthew
Friday, April 21st, 2006 @ 8:30pm
Rating: Five stars. I love it! its briging chicago into the 21st century with high style :) eveyhing about chicago is becomming much bigger and high tech.
Elizabeth
Friday, April 21st, 2006 @ 5:10pm
Rating: Five stars. I am so excited! it looks phenomenal and will forever alter (in a good way!) the chicago skyline.
Steve
Friday, April 21st, 2006 @ 9:41am
Rating: Five stars. Like the hood ornament on a fine automobile, this building will stand out front and center as a commanding and powerful statement of how great and influential Chicago is on the rest of the world. Well done with a great design that finally breaks the square box routine that other boring buildings have become. Thank you Mr. Calatrava for this wonderful gift that you have given to the people of this city. Bravo!
Ken
Wednesday, April 19th, 2006 @ 7:17pm
Rating: Four stars. Now that the zoning has been changed for this building it seems more likely to be built. At first, I wasn't so fond of the design, but the more I see it, the more I like it. My initial drill bit vision of this tower changed once I thought of it as a smoke plume sprialing upwards. It is certainly different and exemplifies the ingenuity and world class status of Chicago.
Richard Walker
Wednesday, April 19th, 2006 @ 11:28am
Rating: Five stars. Love it! Can't wait for it to start being built in my home City! Imagine the skyline view from the Lake! As far as the Tokyo comment, there are only a handful of towers in Tokyo higher than 50 stories -- it'd look ridiculous there @ 126 stories. . . Plus the frequent earthquakes. . .
Kent
Saturday, April 15th, 2006 @ 9:38pm
Rating: Five stars. Stunning, inspireing, there is so much buzz about this building most everyone loves it and is excited to see it built. Hopefully the largest of many projects proposed for Chicago will get built. Lets hope the economy hangs in there
Ben
Saturday, April 15th, 2006 @ 1:44am
perfect for the chicago skyline
Karen
Tuesday, April 11th, 2006 @ 10:24am
Rating: One star. God, this is too clean and corporate for me. It belongs in Tokyo. I prefer Chicago's simple homely feel as is. I live right downtown.
ABJ
Tuesday, April 11th, 2006 @ 9:15am
Rating: Five stars. This is a GREAT and exciting accomplishment for both Mr. Calatrava and the City of Chicago! The Fordham Spire, along with other 1000+ foot buildings going up is creating an exciting time for both Chicago and the US. Many people are claiming this will be the "world's tallest", which is not true. Burj Dubai (UAE) will be much taller than 2000 feet; perhaps up to 3000 feet. Nonetheless, I believe that Chicago will long surpass Dubai and many other quickly developing global cities as one of the world's great skylines and cities. ABJ-Chicago, IL, USA
alex
Monday, April 10th, 2006 @ 8:50pm
Rating: Five stars. this is awsome i just found out that chicago has accepted the proposel of the fordham spire.
Lawrence LaVanway
Monday, April 10th, 2006 @ 5:57pm
Rating: Five stars. I think that so far Kerem from Turkey (?) said it best: **********"This is a pretty brave project and challenging design, not a project of a mere tall building. If built, this would be building to add furthermore onto Chicago's worldwide image and its attraction in many ways. I love this city and I am pretty excited with this project as well as Trumps, which I believe that both are to be landmark additions to Chicago's skyline that we have not seen of these kinds since 70s."*****I'm an optimist at heart. I love big projects. The Chicago skyline is one of the many reasons why I moved here. It's elegant, tall, far-reaching, but not gaudy/pretentious/ostentatous, etc. This is a city of Big Shoulders. It's a great blend of being able to put in the hard work & erect massive buildings, yet still have the refinement of appreciating the details and finer things in life. But most of all, as cold as Chicago can get in the winters, I think that we are VERY warm & welcoming hosts. One of my favorite things to do is to help obviously lost tourists on Michigan Ave. find what they're looking for. It's that corn-fed Midwestern attitude that helps build Chicago into both a world-class city, but also an ultimately accessible place to live, work & visit. I look forward to seeing BOTH the Trump & Fordham Spire added to our skyline. I also hope to see them added before we (hopefully) host the 2016 Summer Olympic Games.But we'll see about all of that in the future. In the meantime, I want to say THANK YOU to the brilliant architects that designed these buildings, the crafty (*gasp*) politicians (Yes, they ARE necessary sometimes) who allowed the zoning to happen, and the hard-working guys who pour the concrete & glass that actually but the meat on the bones of these incredible structures.Larry LaVanwayChiago, IL
Thomas Semesky
Monday, April 10th, 2006 @ 12:44pm
Rating: Five stars. Like the Lighthouse of Alexandria guiding travelers to that ancient city, the Fordham Spire will act as a modern day lighthouse welcoming the world to Chicago. This is the right design and the right location for this building. Chicago and the state of Illinois should do everything in its power to see that this is built. This is a magnificent building adding another monument to a gorgeous skyline.
Dan
Sunday, April 9th, 2006 @ 8:53pm
Rating: Five stars. From my living room I look over the plot of land this building will some day rest, and assure you all this building and that plot of land couldn't be a better match for each other... period.
Sam
Sunday, April 9th, 2006 @ 4:19am
Rating: Five stars. Awesome, a new step into the world of architecture. With its unique design its a sight to rival the look of the Sears Tower.
Jeremy
Sunday, April 9th, 2006 @ 1:58am
Rating: Five stars. Chicago must build this tower. It would fit so perfect in the amazing skyline. I live here and think chicago is the best city world. We deserve this building, it is truly a work of art
David Woods
Friday, April 7th, 2006 @ 8:11pm
Rating: Three stars. I think this building is a stunning architectural and engineering achievement, however, it looks like a giant twisted candle. The spire on top even looks like a candle wick sticking out! Ugly Ugly Ugly. If it gets built I do hope they add a little more height so that the supertall Burj Dubai building in the United Arab Emirates does not surpass it as the world's tallest building. I want the U.S. to have the tallest and where better than in Chicago.
Victor
Friday, April 7th, 2006 @ 1:51pm
Rating: Five stars. This is one of the most exiting events in the history of Chicago Architecture since the construction of the Sears Tower.
Thomas
Friday, April 7th, 2006 @ 4:40am
Rating: Five stars. Breathtaking! Chicago, as always, continues to lead the nation in innovation and splendor. Our city is now perhaps the crown jewel of US skylines and the Fordham spire will only further our history into the 21st century. Culture, history, architecture, food, and people are all the major buzzwords of Chicago and, I think 'Fordham Spire' just might become synonomous with them! Chicago is a city that has never quit from reaching for the sky!
Michael the Phuture
Thursday, April 6th, 2006 @ 10:44am
Rating: Five stars. I've read all your comments and my opinion is that this building can be a new start to the future itself, and we are like the starters of bringing the next-generation,...so i think that this is a pretty good idea, because we are kinda boring..ya think :)
Kris
Tuesday, April 4th, 2006 @ 10:03pm
Rating: Five stars. I just love the idea of a new skyscraper in Chicago. It's been a while since Sears Tower was built and I think its time to add a new landmark to Chicago's skyline.
Ryan
Tuesday, April 4th, 2006 @ 2:14pm
Rating: Three stars. I'm torn on this...a beautiful building, but I don't know that it fits so well in the "city of broad shoulders" This building looks to be very thin - great for not obstructing views, but I feel it may look out of place with the other more robust buildings to share the skyline with. Perhaps this will not be an issue once its built, just because of its sheer size alone.
JR
Saturday, April 1st, 2006 @ 11:35pm
Rating: Five stars. Finally again Chicago will be on top of the list for the home of the world's tallest skyscraper. Chicago needs to attract more celebrities and people and this is a wonderful way. Next I'd like to see casino hotels right up next to the lake. Chicago could be the mini Las Vegas lakeshore strip.
apollo
Saturday, April 1st, 2006 @ 10:10pm
Rating: One star. This building is absolutely ugly! It looks like a big drill bit pointed at the sky, or like one great lightning rod. I love Chicago with all my heart, but this building will be a disgrace to the city if it is built.
Daniel walter Quick
Wednesday, March 29th, 2006 @ 5:29pm
I must agree this is one of the most beautfull buildings i have ever seen!!!the strange thing is i have been drawing pictures of this building for 20 years!!! Please build it. im just a contry boy from nor calif,But i will be moving to chicago real soon, Ameture archetec 5 stars plus!!!!
Arthur
Tuesday, March 28th, 2006 @ 3:54pm
Rating: Five stars. This building would look so elegant on the chicago skyline. I really hope that it is built, it would add to chicago's charm.
Marshall and Kerri
Friday, March 24th, 2006 @ 4:55pm
Rating: Five stars. We love this building.......we're totally moving to chicago for residency! We're going to get a group of people to live in it so we can afford it!
Seymour N. Lotsoff
Friday, March 24th, 2006 @ 3:39pm
Rating: Five stars. Beautiful plan. Great design. Small footprint is terrificly better thatn the alternative of two short, fat towers.
Ray S
Thursday, March 23rd, 2006 @ 3:27pm
Rating: Five stars. Fantastic....hoping this plan will be successfull...as a resident of the chicago area,,,we love our tall buildings....
Craig
Thursday, March 23rd, 2006 @ 1:08pm
Rating: Five stars. This is the most beautiful structure ever designed be a human being! I hope this gets built.
Dean
Monday, March 20th, 2006 @ 9:29pm
Rating: Five stars. This tower SHOULD be a GREAT addition to the Chicago skyline. Sort of like what the Sydney Opera House does / did for Sydney, Australia. I lived in Australia while the Opera House was being built and there were plenty of nay sayers to that project, too! But, think about it, just about any picture one sees of Sydney / Australia includes, in the background, either the Opera House or "the Coat Hanger"!(e.g. Sydney Harbour Bridge) And yes, there was plenty of doubt about the bridge, too! GO FOR IT!!!
paul trewin
Monday, March 20th, 2006 @ 7:44pm
Chicago has been my favourite since I first saw marina city being built....Fordham spire is just one more reason to come back...
Elyse
Friday, March 17th, 2006 @ 3:31pm
Rating: Five stars. This will be a fine addition to the Chicago's sky line. It is a very futuristic kind of building. But it seems as if the pin part of it is half of the building itself....
Johnny
Friday, March 17th, 2006 @ 2:19am
Rating: Five stars. Way to go Chicago! Would be worth a return visit when its completed.
Paul Kubina
Thursday, March 16th, 2006 @ 5:20pm
Rating: Five stars. 5 Stars......Magnificent.... Chicago has remained and will continue to bring out the best in world-class architecture! All parties involved should get this project up and out of the ground as soon as possible. Absolutely magnificent!
Vidal
Thursday, March 16th, 2006 @ 4:59pm
Rating: Five stars. I´ve been in Chicago for Holiday and I can tell you that its skyline is already amazing, but I also agree that if the Fordham Spire is built, chicago will have the most impressive and beautiful skyline in the world. Build it!!!
Mark Ciesielczyk
Wednesday, March 15th, 2006 @ 1:31am
Rating: Five stars. A fantastic location. This structure would balance the skyline, fixing the problem the Sears Tower creates. Now the Aon, Sears, Trump, Hancock and hopefully Fordham will contribute to the most aesthetically pleasant and impressive skyline in the world, and a mark of Mankind's motives and accomplishments in this universe.
Lachlan
Monday, March 13th, 2006 @ 3:40am
Rating: Five stars. An amazing architectural feat, truly original. This skyscraper just simply must be built. If not in Chicago then bring it to Australia!
Joel K
Friday, March 10th, 2006 @ 1:51pm
Rating: Five stars. A breathtakingly innovative design. This building overwhelmignly reasserts the city's global reputation for unique and imaginative architecture. This structure will make the Chicago skyline nearly impossible to overcome for stature and beauty.
Brent Kampert
Friday, March 10th, 2006 @ 12:58pm
Rating: Five stars. We need this skyscraper, so we can say "this was built in Chicago.
Derek
Thursday, March 9th, 2006 @ 11:54pm
Rating: Five stars. I think this skyscraper would look amazing in the already beautiful Chicago skyline. BUILD IT!!!!
SAM
Thursday, March 9th, 2006 @ 7:11pm
Rating: Five stars. Not only is Chicago (where i live) a city of many skyscrapers but a city of art and if you have not been to chicago it has to be one of the most beautiful cities I know of. I think you will too.
Julian Hernandez
Sunday, March 5th, 2006 @ 10:57am
Rating: Five stars. If we do not build this buiding what will we be saying? We will be saying that we are afraid, this is not what is intended especially by US Citizens. We need to stand up we cant just hide like a small building in front of a big one, we need to rise and be courageous like the Spire.
John Kuetemeyer
Thursday, March 2nd, 2006 @ 11:09am
Great building but it would be better situated on northly side of property to allow more usage/openness of river walk area for the public.
Andy
Saturday, February 25th, 2006 @ 6:55pm
Rating: Five stars. Teriffic! A fitting monument for Chicago, and exactly in line with foreword-thinking Chicago architecture.
Kerem Arig
Friday, February 10th, 2006 @ 2:49pm
Rating: Four stars. This is a pretty brave project and challenging design, not a project of a mere tall building. If built, this would be building to add furthermore onto Chicago's worldwide image and its attraction in many ways. I love this city and I am pretty excited with this project as well as Trumps, which I believe that both are to be landmark additions to Chicago's skyline that we have not seen of these kinds since 70s.
Stu, Downers
Wednesday, February 1st, 2006 @ 9:50pm
Rating: Five stars. I was vertually raised in the city of chicago, and i beilive this building will be a buitiful addidtion to our skyline. This structure will continue on the inovation into the 21st centery that our city is famous for.
Michael
Wednesday, August 10th, 2005 @ 12:05am
Rating: Five stars. What a tremendous architectural addition to Chicago's already outstanding skyline. The building is very elegant and powerful at the same time. The tower's presence will continue what Chicago started over 100 years ago as the birthplace of modern architecture and technology for the world to follow.
Jade Doel
Tuesday, August 9th, 2005 @ 12:38pm
Rating: Five stars. I love skyscrapers and towers and how an architect can creat a structure that goes beyond what seems logical. You take one look at what Santiago Calatrava has created and you know it would be a special addition to not just Chicago but to all of humanity. It makes you feel free some how.
Christopher G. Morgan
Thursday, August 4th, 2005 @ 1:38pm
Rating: Five stars. I think that this building is great. It has a very nice color, and a nice shape. This tower will fit in with the Chicago skyline perfectly. Hey the Chicagoland & Northwest Indiana Area has another building to look at from far away and I think that the city of Chicago should not turn this down because of what happen on 9/11
Wilbert NYC
Wednesday, August 3rd, 2005 @ 12:49am
Rating: Three stars. very nice ,but not a inovative design there is already a building similar be built northern europe also the last occupational floor is around or below the height of the Sears tower(which truly is the tallest building in the world for decades)but its great for Chicago, with experimental architectural designs,I believe the final occupational floor should be higher to really set a record. it will sure be a nice asset to the chicago skyline the unicorn horn of the north!
matt
Tuesday, August 2nd, 2005 @ 11:32pm
Rating: Five stars. awesome! I dont care about what ppl say about it being cliqued, it would bring a new, unique feel to the Windy City
Jorgito
Tuesday, August 2nd, 2005 @ 12:53pm
Rating: Five stars. If Chicago turns this great building down, let's move it to New York as the Freedom Tower instead of that bureaucratic monster now planned to occupy the nation's most sacred site.
Scott
Saturday, July 30th, 2005 @ 9:34pm
Rating: Three stars. Great height, great location, not so great design. I think it's clever to have the twist, but not on the entire building. It doesn't blend in. In my opinion, it would look better if the base were rectangular, then half-way up the building the twist begins.
Simon Lange
Saturday, July 30th, 2005 @ 11:01am
Rating: Four stars. Here we go! The next Tower! Fantastic light effect at night...
Ray S
Friday, July 29th, 2005 @ 11:26am
Rating: Five stars. The architecture is a materpiece of art. The building will add great magnificence to the Chicago Skyline.
Brad
Thursday, July 28th, 2005 @ 6:29pm
Rating: One star. Building with little innovation and terrible design for its location.
nick
Thursday, July 28th, 2005 @ 4:10pm
Rating: Five stars. I traveled all around the world,I have seen all the new asian buildings going up,this would now compete,and blow them away.this is the home of the skyscrapers,have we forgotten that we are americans,that building is who we are not only in chicago,but to the world
Nik
Thursday, July 28th, 2005 @ 12:25pm
Rating: Four stars. I like it, even though it might be a bit too slender to contend with the Sears, Aon and John Hancock towers in Chicago's skyline if built. I've heard that Donald Trump accused it of being irresponsible to build so high after 9/11, but wasn't he in favour of rebuilding the twin towers? The Trump building in Chicago under construction is not exactly 'tiny' either. Me thinks he just doesn'twant anyone to out do him in the real estate market.
Steve
Thursday, July 28th, 2005 @ 11:09am
Rating: One star.
Ever since they came out with the new Autocad software feature allowing you to rotate each floor incrementally, almost every major city has come up with a proposal for an "incredibly clever" twisted skyscraper.
EG. the scrapped NY Freedom Tower plan.
We get it, you can stop now.
This gimmick resembles, and is becoming as cliched as, the huge jars stuffed with peppers in Walmart. Looks cool the first time... then people would look at Chicago and say -"Oh.. you actually bought one of those? Who ate all
the peppers?!"
Billy
Thursday, July 28th, 2005 @ 1:07am
Rating: Five stars. This Will be a Fabulous Building for Chi-Town. it its time for a change for the Skyline and i Hope the Plan is Succesful.
AB
Five stars.
Four stars.
Dmitry
Justin M
Alicia
Lukas
enriklopez
John
Zimbo Click
Richard Walker
Ben
One star.
Three stars.
Victor
paul trewin
Johnny
Kerem Arig
Jade Doel
Simon Lange