A 2,000-Foot Skyscraper Imagined for the Site of Chicago's Infamous Spire

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.

1 minute read

June 9, 2016, 7:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell

The design concept for the Gateway Tower. | Courtesy of Gensler

"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.

The Waterfront Tower design concept, as view from northbound Lake Shore Drive. (Image courtesy of Gensler)

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

Friday, June 3, 2016 in Curbed Chicago

Architecture Urban Development Illinois Chicago Chicago Spire Conceptual Design Gensler Related Midwest Santiago Calatrava View More

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

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