On July 18th, construction began on a 48-story luxury residential tower in Chicago. Part of a larger master plan designed by Pelli Clarke Pelli Architects, the tower is being developed by Hines and Magellan Development Group. All told, three towers will be built as part of the larger project, called Wolf Point.
The three buildings are:
- West Tower (under construction) - a 50-story, 500-foot-tall apartment building with 500 luxury rental units
- South Tower - a 950-foot-tall mixed-use building that will be the city's eighth-tallest tower
- East Tower - a 750-foot-tall mixed-use building.
The development is located at the Y-shaped intersection of the Chicago River's northern, southern, and western branches. As a whole, the project has been contentious for local residents. It was strongly opposed when the developers first introduced it, and the current plan is a revised version of the original. Residents were worried that the original plan would block views of the skyline and increase traffic in the area.
Pedestrian areas, 100,000 sf of park space, and a river walk will be part of Wolf Point. The developers plan to pursue LEED Silver Certification for the development.
A view of Wolf Point from the west. Renderings courtesy of Hines.
A view of Wolf Point from the north. Renderings courtesy of Hines.
A view of the west garden at Wolf Point. Renderings courtesy of Hines.
Related Stories
| Jul 1, 2013
LEGOLAND builds 12-foot replica of One World Trade Center
The LEGOLAND Discovery Center Westchester in Yonkers, N.Y., celebrated the completion of a LEGO replica of One World Trade Center by lighting the 12-foot-tall, 100-pound model.
| Jun 25, 2013
Mirvish, Gehry revise plans for triad of Toronto towers
A trio of mixed-use towers planned for an urban redevelopment project in Toronto has been redesigned by planners David Mirvish and Frank Gehry. The plan was announced last October but has recently been substantially revised.
| Jun 25, 2013
First look: Herzog & de Meuron's Jade Signature condo tower in Florida
Real estate developer Fortune International has released details of its new Jade Signature property, to be developed in Sunny Isles Beach near Miami. The luxury waterfront condo building will include 192 units in a 57-story building near high-end retail destinations and cultural venues.
| Jun 17, 2013
First look: Austin to get first high-rise since 2003
Developer Cousins Properties broke ground on the 29-story Colorado Tower in downtown Austin, Texas, the city's first high-rise building since Cousins' completed the Frost Bank Tower a decade ago.
| Jun 11, 2013
Vertical urban campus fills a tall order [2013 Building Team Award winner]
Roosevelt University builds a 32-story tower to satisfy students’ needs for housing, instruction, and recreation.
| Jun 11, 2013
Finnish elevator technology could facilitate supertall building design
KONE Corporation has announced a new elevator technology that could make it possible for supertall buildings to reach new heights by eliminating several problems of existing elevator technology. The firm's new UltraRope hoisting system uses a rope with a carbon-fiber core and high-friction coating, rather than conventional steel rope.
| Jun 4, 2013
SOM research project examines viability of timber-framed skyscraper
In a report released today, Skidmore, Owings & Merrill discussed the results of the Timber Tower Research Project: an examination of whether a viable 400-ft, 42-story building could be created with timber framing. The structural type could reduce the carbon footprint of tall buildings by up to 75%.
| May 23, 2013
Supertall 'Sky City' will house 4,400 families in Changsha, China
Broad Sustainable Building has completed a long and arduous approval process, and is starting excavation and construction on Sky City in June, 2013. The proposed "world's tallest building" will be a mixed-use project that could accommodate life and work needs of up to 30,000 people.
| May 7, 2013
First look: Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill skyscraper designed to 'confuse the wind'
The 400-meter-high, 116-story Imperial Tower in Mumbai will feature a slender, rounded form optimized to withstand the area's strong wind currents.
| May 6, 2013
7 major multifamily residential projects in the works
A $140 million redevelopment of a landmark, 45-building apartment complex in Los Angeles is among the nation's significant multifamily developments under way.
