While improvement plans are in the works for the plaza of the John Hancock Center, the Chicago Tribune's Blair Kamin reports that the city's Department of Planning and Development is pushing to make the building a protected landmark, which would delay or halt the revamp plans.
Owners of commercial portions of the tower envision adding tall triangular prisms, glass walls, and video screens to the skyscraper's sunken plaza. The goal of the estimated $8 million to $10 million project would be to reestablish the Hancock Center as an attraction at the north end of the Magnificent Mile, in counter balance to Maggie Daley Park and Millennium Park a little over a mile south.
Landmark status, though, would give city officials the legal authority to control alterations to the exterior (and possibly parts of the interior) of the Hancock Center.
The building was opened in 1969, and while the National Park Service suggests that additions to the National Register of Historic Places be at least 50 years old, it's not an absolute rule. The 860-880 N. Lake Shore Drive apartments (designed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe) achieved Chicago Landmark status in 1996 despite being open for only 45 years at the time.
The 100-story Hancock Center could follow Marina City’s lead. The complex with the corncob-shaped residential towers near the Chicago River was granted preliminary landmark status on July 9. The landmarks commission will consider a final proposal next year for Marina City, after which the City Council would vote on it.
Hancock Center is the fourth tallest building in Chicago, the seventh tallest in North America, and the 36th tallest in the world. If the tower does become an official landmark, it would be Chicago’s tallest protected structure.
Related Stories
High-rise Construction | Oct 5, 2016
Plans for Hudson Yards skyscraper from Bjarke Ingels have officially been filed
The 65-story tower will be primarily office space and has an estimated development cost of $3.2 billion
Sustainability | Oct 4, 2016
One World Trade Center officially awarded LEED Gold certification
The skyscraper received the certification despite a setback caused by Hurricane Sandy.
High-rise Construction | Sep 23, 2016
A massive redevelopment in Tokyo reunites developer and architect
Mitsui Fudosan and SOM join forces to create OH-1, a mixed-use complex with a prominent public square.
High-rise Construction | Sep 12, 2016
Bangkok’s tallest tower is also one of its most unique
At 1,030 feet tall, MahaNakhon Tower’s height is only outdone by its arresting design.
Mixed-Use | Sep 9, 2016
Rolled book scroll-inspired mixed-use project from Aedas planned for Chongqing, China
With a bookstore at the heart of the development, the project looks to exemplify an ancient Chinese proverb that says “knowledge brings wealth.”
Office Buildings | Sep 8, 2016
Taipei’s Lè Architecture, designed by Aedas, is almost complete
The 18-story building is designed to resemble a moss-covered river pebble in Taipei’s Nangang District.
High-rise Construction | Sep 8, 2016
Construction on the tallest residential tower in western Europe could start early next year
China’s Greenland Group is the developer of four of the world’s 10 largest skyscrapers
High-rise Construction | Sep 8, 2016
Lendlease to build Aykon London One Tower
Damac, the Dubai-based developer of the project, selected the Australian property construction and development company to build the tower.
High-rise Construction | Sep 7, 2016
Shenzhen Kingkey Group submits re-planning package for what could become China’s tallest tower
The high-rise, H700 Shenzhen Tower, is one of a group of towers being built in Shenzhen’s Caiwuwei financial and commercial area.
High-rise Construction | Sep 6, 2016
Peddle Thorp Architects' solar-powered Melbourne high-rise looks to go off the grid
The skyscraper would be the first in Australia to incorporate solar cells in its façade.
