Global architecture firm Gensler is doing its job to get the ball rolling on the dormant former site of the Spire project designed by Santiago Calatrava.
"Global firm Gensler has proposed an alternative skyscraper concept for the waterfront site in Chicago where a spiralling, supertall condominium tower by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava was slated to rise," according to an article by Jenna McKnight.
Just a few months ago, the Chicago Tribune was doing a post-mortem of the failed previous effort to develop the project site. Now there's a fresh batch of renderings to ponder for the potentially iconic location in the Chicago skyline. The designs, however, are purely conceptual and developed without any collaboration with the site's developer, Related Midwest. Planetizen contacted Related Midwest about its future plans for the site, and a spokesperson responded by saying the company is "working through an internal process for the development of 400 N. Lake Shore Drive and will share details when they become available in the coming months." Gensler's design certainly starts the conversation in a more aspirational direction, however.
Jay Koziarz broke the news about the design concept, providing design renderings as well as digging into the pages from the design brief describing the ambitions of the project. Koziarz is also careful to reference existing plan approvals and land use regulations for the project site and the surrounding area.
Alissa Walker also picked up on the news of the design concept, noting the its ambitions for becoming a tourist attraction in the city.
FULL STORY: A Look at Gensler’s 2,000-foot Conceptual Design for the Chicago Spire Site
Chicago's Never Built Skyscraper—Now a Hole in the Ground and a Pile of Dirt
The high-water marks showing where the last boom broke under the pressure of the Great Recession are still visible in cities all over the country. The Chicago Tribune recently checked on a particularly poignant example in Chicago.
Two Skyline Changing Apartment Towers Proposed to Rise on the Site of Chicago's Failed Spire
An infamous site has new development life after developers returned to the public with a revised project proposal.
Two Skyscrapers Will Finally Rise Above the Failed Location of the Chicago Spire
Two towers, one reaching 1,100 feet and the other 850 feet, will take their place in the Chicago skyline.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
San Francisco's School District Spent $105M To Build Affordable Housing for Teachers — And That's Just the Beginning
SFUSD joins a growing list of school districts using their land holdings to address housing affordability challenges faced by their own employees.
The Tiny, Adorable $7,000 Car Turning Japan Onto EVs
The single seat Mibot charges from a regular plug as quickly as an iPad, and is about half the price of an average EV.
Seattle's Plan for Adopting Driverless Cars
Equity, safety, accessibility and affordability are front of mind as the city prepares for robotaxis and other autonomous vehicles.
As Trump Phases Out FEMA, Is It Time to Flee the Floodplains?
With less federal funding available for disaster relief efforts, the need to relocate at-risk communities is more urgent than ever.
With Protected Lanes, 460% More People Commute by Bike
For those needing more ammo, more data proving what we already knew is here.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Smith Gee Studio
City of Charlotte
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
US High Speed Rail Association
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)