Signs of Life From Chicago's Failed Spire Project

Related Midwest, the current developer of the site of Santiago Caltrava's infamously failed Spire project, are finally making progress on the next iteration of plans for the site.

1 minute read

September 9, 2016, 1:00 PM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Chicago Spire

Forgemind ArchiMedia / Flickr

"Chicago development powerhouse Related Midwest has hired former SOM architect Michael Pfeffer to head the development of the failed Santiago Calatrava Spire site," according to an article by Matthew Messner.

Ryan Ori first reported the news for Crain's Chicago Business (possible paywall). Ori's coverage focuses on Michael Pfeffer's career and the unique business operations at Related Midwest, which includes a team of in-house architects.

Messner's coverage focuses more on the infamous site of the failed Spire project. "The site has laid vacant since 2008, leaving a circular foundation hole as the only evidence of the once highly anticipated tower," according to Messner. In the calendar year 206, Planetizen has picked up on news from the Spire several times, including in March when workers began moving dirt to block the hole from view. In June, the architecture firm Gensler hoped to start the conversation by releasing a speculative design for the project.

Now it's up to Pfeffer to finally move the project in a more positive direction.

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