[Adam186]

You know what? I just found another hole in the lower left.

[Untitled]

I think we reached a consensus earlier that "construction" as far as we are concerned will begin when steel appears on the roof.

Is this still the consensus?

[SlatsGrobnik]

why is this still in the proposals section? they've been doing construction on this for like a week. :sly:

They've been doing deconstruction for a week. They're taking stuff off, not putting stuff on.

[Knightwing]

http://img267.imageshack.us/img267/8137/bestlocationinchicagorejb4.jpg

How much view will this building block from south LSD?

[IWSteve]

Hello. I'm an ironworker on this job and can give you some insight on whats happening there.
On March 24 we started three nights of demo work to prepare for the new iron in the atriums.
On April 2 we started installing iron in the two atriums that will be the new elevator shafts. That's being done at night so as not to disrupt the office operations.
On July 16 I started on the day shift and we began beefing up some of the existing iron just below the roof to support the weight of the derricks. That's why "HOLES" have been cut in the roof, (they go through the rubber, insulation and pre-cast concrete slabs) to get access to those beams that need to be strengthened and to add the pedestals that will support the derricks.
The first derrick is small enough to be brought up in pieces on the freight elevator to the low roof. It's then brought up to the high roof with a chain hoist thats by the "HOLE" at the top of the picture. We're in the process of assembling that derrick now.
This derrick will reach over the NW corner to the street and bring up a larger derrick. That one will set some of the iron that was left out in the area around the cooling units, and then it will assemble the first of two tower cranes on some of that iron.
That tower crane will then set some more iron and then the second tower crane. I heard that the iron for the additional stories won't start going up til sometime in November.
If you look in the picture from museumparktoms' post, you'll see small white squares around the perimeter and grey square boxes in the interior of the roof. Those are the covers for the original columns that are sticking up through the roof about a foot and were put there to protect them and the floors below from rain and weathering.
Hope this answers some of your questions. I hope they do set up a webcam for the job, it will be interesting. We were told there are surveillance cameras on some of the surrounding buildings but I don't know if they will ever be available on the web.

[Tom Servo]

Hello. I'm an ironworker on this job and can give you some insight on whats happening there.
On March 24 we started three nights of demo work to prepare for the new iron in the atriums.
On April 2 we started installing iron in the two atriums that will be the new elevator shafts. That's being done at night so as not to disrupt the office operations.
On July 16 I started on the day shift and we began beefing up some of the existing iron just below the roof to support the weight of the derricks. That's why "HOLES" have been cut in the roof, (they go through the rubber, insulation and pre-cast concrete slabs) to get access to those beams that need to be strengthened and to add the pedestals that will support the derricks.
The first derrick is small enough to be brought up in pieces on the freight elevator to the low roof. It's then brought up to the high roof with a chain hoist thats by the "HOLE" at the top of the picture. We're in the process of assembling that derrick now.
This derrick will reach over the NW corner to the street and bring up a larger derrick. That one will set some of the iron that was left out in the area around the cooling units, and then it will assemble the first of two tower cranes on some of that iron.
That tower crane will then set some more iron and then the second tower crane. I heard that the iron for the additional stories won't start going up til sometime in November.
If you look in the picture from museumparktoms' post, you'll see small white squares around the perimeter and grey square boxes in the interior of the roof. Those are the covers for the original columns that are sticking up through the roof about a foot and were put there to protect them and the floors below from rain and weathering.
Hope this answers some of your questions. I hope they do set up a webcam for the job, it will be interesting. We were told there are surveillance cameras on some of the surrounding buildings but I don't know if they will ever be available on the web.

so would you say you guys have started 'construction' yet; should this thread be moved? or should it not be moved untill nov when the new floors begin to rise?

[IWSteve]

I would say construction started when the iron for the new elevators started going in on April 2.

[trvlr70]

I would say construction started when the iron for the new elevators started going in on April 2.

Awesome!

And thanks for all the infomation.

[Untitled]

I would say construction started when the iron for the new elevators started going in on April 2.

Thank you very much for the info. We're gluttons for raw knowledge ...

[i_am_hydrogen]

Thanks for the info, IWSteve. It looks like we can move this one into the u/c column.

[IWSteve]

My pleasure. I wish I had found this site sooner. This is my first time in a blog. Will they post a notice when it's moved to the u/c column?

[Untitled]

Actually, the notice is where you find the thread, which is now in the u/c category. So your post led to it being moved.

[BVictor1]

Thanks for the info, IWSteve. It looks like we can move this one into the u/c column.

We'll see.

It might just be considered building prep.

[Untitled]

This is being treated like any other project when in fact, it's fundamentally different.

With your typical building, site prep only means so much, because the project could still easily fall through and something could be built.

But with this, prep work takes on a different meaning because it's so much more of a commitment than your average project. They're not going to build a parking garage or a park up there.

I think it's foolish consistency to label this as anything other than "under construction."

[BVictor1]

This is being treated like any other project when in fact, it's fundamentally different.

With your typical building, site prep only means so much, because the project could still easily fall through and something could be built.

But with this, prep work takes on a different meaning because it's so much more of a commitment than your average project. They're not going to build a parking garage or a park up there.

I think it's foolish consistency to label this as anything other than "under construction."

It might be considered under-construction here, but I wonder if the people at Emporis are willing to change the status?

[IWSteve]

Who is Emporis?

[left of center]

Who is Emporis?

http://www.skyscrapers.com

[honte]

IWSteve, glad to have you with us!

[IWSteve]

IWSteve, glad to have you with us!

Thanks. I'll keep you updated from time to time.
This will be different from any other job I've worked on mainly because of the extra precautions. For instance, we're not allowed to leave the cutting torch carts (oxygen/acetylene tanks) anywhere on the building at the end of the shift and we won't be using propane heating torches to pre-heat the columns before welding. This is to lessen the chance of a fire or explosion that could panic the office workers below.

[BVictor1]

Who is Emporis?

www.emporis.com

It's worldwilde skyscraper database. You can look up statistics on mist highrises around the world on Emporis.

[bnk]

www.emporis.com

It's worldwilde skyscraper database. You can look up statistics on mist highrises around the world on Emporis.

I myself found emporis at least a year before I found SSP and then later SSC.

I was amazed to see that that some of our Chicago fourmers contribute big time to emporis and the also the photo credits I think.

Those who do, do an incredible job.


:tup:

[lalucedm]

Wow, that brings us to 66 highrises under construction in the city. Reedokulus.

[APPRAISER]

I believe that it was the right choice to move this building to U/C.
You don't just cut into the integrability of the building's roof without finishing what you started, but who knows!
This building is a one-of-a-kind in Chicago.

[Tom Servo]

i think that if ANY building in this city should be on one of those 'extreme engineering' shows on discovery and what not, it should be this one. i mean, how often does a skyscraper double in size? you know? a fully functioning building with a 25 floor addition? this may not be the most architecturally stunning building in the city, but it is imo the most intriguing.

[trvlr70]

^^^^^^
I agree. I'm only adding a single story on an existing one-story house and the experience is miserable. Uggghhh! Renovations are a bitch.

[aluminum]

This is the first time I've seen vertical expansion happening in Chicago.

Why didn't they expand the Aon ? [ just kidding :jester: ]

[bnk]

i think that if ANY building in this city should be on one of those 'extreme engineering' shows on discovery and what not, it should be this one. i mean, how often does a skyscraper double in size? .


I am getting off topic here and I know it but if Ext Eng from the discovery channel or the History channel does not grab on to this recent Chicago boom than I will have nothing to say anymore to those folks.

For I have pressed and e-mailed them repedadly to respond mostly to the CS and other future projects around town. I mean they have already done the turning tower in Sweden with Calvatra as a feature of the show. If they do not get what is going on by now than there is nothing more that I can do personally.

I would recommend other more influential forumers to press this issue for our and their benefit.

Perhaps they are way a head of me but I do not know for I get very little feedback one way or the other.

Anyone in the know, if you know, about any series, stories, bios, ect. let me know, for I am knocking my head around why there seems to be no international, even local press on the largest building in North America that is currently under U/C as we speak.

[Rocket1]

I am getting off topic here and I know it but if Ext Eng from the discovery channel or the History channel does not grab on to this recent Chicago boom than I will have nothing to say anymore to those folks.



"Build it Bigger" is doing an episode on the Trump Tower that'll be airing in September.

From the Trump Tower thread:

For those of you that are interested, JReb originally mentioned that Discovery Channel's 'Build it Bigger' was on site filming and would air sometime in September. Here is the info from Discovery Channel.com

Sep 11, 10:00 pm

(60 minutes)
Build It Bigger
High Risk Tower
TV-PG (L)

Host Danny Forester goes inside the building of Trump's Tower in Chicago, not your ordinary super-skyscraper. This one is made entirely of reinforced concrete, making it the tallest formwork structure on the planet.

[biophilic]

Can somebody grab a photo of the crane-ish looking structure sitting on top of the Blue Cross building?

I guess this means the thing is officially, officially under construction (and not unofficially officially under construction)?

[cbotnyse]

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f21/cbotnyse/trump/Picture022-1.jpg


http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f21/cbotnyse/trump/Picture037.jpg

[cbotnyse]

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f21/cbotnyse/trump/Picture039.jpg


http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f21/cbotnyse/trump/Picture040.jpg

[jjk1103]

......there is a crane (or some form of construction equipment) going up on the roof of BCBS.....

[SamInTheLoop]

Sorry if this is covered ground, but the existing core - is it concrete or steel?
I had been just assuming it was steel...

[IWSteve]

Its a steel core.

[IWSteve]

......there is a crane (or some form of construction equipment) going up on the roof of BCBS.....
Its a derrick for the new construction. I'll try to get a picture and post it.

[biophilic]

Its a steel core.

Its actually a set of concrete cores until you get up close to the top of the building. Then it turns into a braced-steel core for the last couple of floors.

[SolarWind]

August 22, 2007

http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/4012/dsc0227copyxr5.jpg

[Alliance]

hehe....its so cute.

[i_am_hydrogen]

Taken today:
http://img175.imageshack.us/img175/7375/bcbs823uf9.jpg

http://img175.imageshack.us/img175/3343/bcbs8231fs5.jpg

http://img340.imageshack.us/img340/6738/bcbs8232gi2.jpg

http://img171.imageshack.us/img171/8046/bcbs8233rl8.jpg

[SolarWind]

Wow, great shots! Thanks, i_am_hydrogen. :cheers:

[biophilic]

super awesome Hydrogen,
you're going to have to post photos every week at least.

[WonderlandPark]

So, are they actually going to relocate the cooling plant on this? Or is the expansion on just the narrower front part of the building?

[Lecom]

What a crisp, clean building with great attention to detail. Chicago is lucky to be getting a bulky tower of such size and height that manages to maintain such higl level of quality (which is not always the case when it comes to big bulky boxes).

[Marcu]

So, are they actually going to relocate the cooling plant on this? Or is the expansion on just the narrower front part of the building?

I believe they are indeed relocating it as the addition will be the same as the bottom. Here's an image I found on google. Looks like they're moving the bcbs logo to the top as well.

http://img359.imageshack.us/img359/9717/bcbsfz2.jpg

http://img359.imageshack.us/img359/9717/bcbsfz2.jpg

[ambient]

These are from today, kinda crummy out. Granted, this is not nearly as good of an angle as i_am_hydrogen, but it does show more workers on the roof again today...

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1327/1224668908_bf2787aa57_o.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1078/1223807605_6915fa758c_o.jpg

[Rocket1]

These are from today, kinda crummy out. Granted, this is not nearly as good of an angle as i_am_hydrogen, but it does show more workers on the roof again today...

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1327/1224668908_bf2787aa57_o.jpg


Love this photo, ambient.

Looking at it, it's amazing to think BCBS will be a fair amount taller than that nice looking building to its right.

[headcase]

Love this photo, ambient.

Looking at it, it's amazing to think BCBS will be a fair amount taller than that nice looking building to its right.

Yeah it will be, but it will be better looking than 340 on the Park (aka the nice looking building).

SSDD

[harryc]

Crane seen from the more pedestrian angle.

Will it be turned around when it is put in use ?
Looks like the ones I've seen pictured constructing the Empire State bldg.

http://lh3.google.com/harry.r.carmichael/Rs-u0m-1lzI/AAAAAAAAE4k/geLnqPolxKY/P1010909.JPG?imgmax=576

[Alliance]

Yeah it will be, but it will be better looking than 340 on the Park (aka the nice looking building).


EEW, no way.

[IWSteve]

Crane seen from the more pedestrian angle.

Will it be turned around when it is put in use ?
Looks like the ones I've seen pictured constructing the Empire State bldg.

http://lh3.google.com/harry.r.carmichael/Rs-u0m-1lzI/AAAAAAAAE4k/geLnqPolxKY/P1010909.JPG?imgmax=576

When the boom is raised up (that's the part laying down, pointing east) it will be able to swing between the two diagonal braces. I've been helping to assemble it (I'm the guy in the green t-shirt in hydrogens pics). We'll be swinging over the NW corner to bring up the iron thats going to be on the ground on the north side plaza. That won't be until early October though.

[Kngkyle]

When the boom is raised up (that's the part laying down, pointing east) it will be able to swing between the two diagonal braces. I've been helping to assemble it (I'm the guy in the green t-shirt in hydrogens pics). We'll be swinging over the NW corner to bring up the iron thats going to be on the ground on the north side plaza. That won't be until early October though.

Any idea how long until an actual tower crane will be set up? I love how 300N LaSalle, Trump, and now this project all have workers who share info with us here. You don't see that often for other cities. :tup:

[IWSteve]

Its actually a set of concrete cores until you get up close to the top of the building. Then it turns into a braced-steel core for the last couple of floors.

You're right. I had only seen the atrium and the top two floors so I asked a guy I'm working with who was on the original project. It's different than some, with the two concrete cores about 50 feet apart. Have you worked in the building?

[IWSteve]

Any idea how long until an actual tower crane will be set up? I love how 300N LaSalle, Trump, and now this project all have workers who share info with us here. You don't see that often for other cities. :tup:

Probably November at the earliest. First we have to set some iron and then a larger derrick will be built on that steel. Then that derrick will put up the first of two tower cranes.

[honte]

I've been helping to assemble it (I'm the guy in the green t-shirt in hydrogens pics).

That's pretty cool! It's still a small world in some ways, isn't it?

Thanks again for your posts - very interesting.

[IWSteve]

That's pretty cool! It's still a small world in some ways, isn't it?

Thanks again for your posts - very interesting.
Thats true. I was looking for a webcam for this job when I found this site. I hope hydrogen keeps the pictures coming, they're the next best thing. I'll try taking some pictures on the job and posting them, but for perspective his are about as good as it gets.

[Ecker]

http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb167/EckerTallness/Construction%2010-15/IMG_4006.jpg

http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb167/EckerTallness/Construction%2010-15/IMG_4007.jpg

[harryc]

...

Nice job on the black beam in front of the dark glass.

We need an overhead shot - somebody.....

[museumparktom]

I am hydrogen - can you get a shot of the BCBS roof top from the AON building looking down

[Northwest]

I am hydrogen - can you get a shot of the BCBS roof top from the AON building looking down

I love this projet! I observered this one U/C in the 90's and at the I time I thought the struture looked overly beefy for its height, leading me to believe it would be expanded someday. I hope to post my B&W pics of the initial progross back in the day.

Wide and fat, but a beautiful building, with a choice location. First post, and I love the forum! I hope to contribute more soon! Chicago rules! :tup:

[Steely Dan]

^ welcome to the forum.

if you've got any old pics of the original construction of this tower, i think i can speak for everyone here in saying that we'd love to see them.

[Northwest]

^ welcome to the forum.

if you've got any old pics of the original construction of this tower, i think i can speak for everyone here in saying that we'd love to see them.

Thanks Steely! I've been lurking here forever. I have old B&W film pics of this building U/C, I just need to scan them. Thanks for the warm welcome! :) I love this forum!

[FrancoRey]

I'm sorry, I haven't dug much on this forum and have yet to visit on this building:

Are they building an already built building to go higher!?!? :omg:

You crayzay, Chi-town. Hella crayzay. :koko:

Why can't Denver put another 450 feet on our Republic Plaza box, and make it as tall as Aon? :D

BTW, WHEN was the building 'finished' per say? (the first half, lol)

[Nowhereman1280]

Welcome! Can't wait to see you pictures!

Speaking of pictures... HYDROGEN, where are you? I want to see what it looks like on top!

[Northwest]

Ok I tried, but I messed up. This scanned B&W negative pic sucks. Please help me!
I have a HP all-in-one 5510v. I probably need a real film scanner to do this right!
Do I need to host the image elsewhere to post pics on this forum? Sorry for the dumb ass questions! I just want to share my images with the other skyscraper enthusiaststs out there!

[Fabb]

BTW, WHEN was the building 'finished' per say? (the first half, lol)

I saw it U/C in 1996, so, I guess it was competed in 1997.

[Dr. Taco]

hey

uhm...

anything new?

[laro3]

this morning i noticed that on the front of the building they were taking out those silver poles on top.

[forumly_chgoman]

Ok I tried, but I messed up. This scanned B&W negative pic sucks. Please help me!
I have a HP all-in-one 5510v. I probably need a real film scanner to do this right!
Do I need to host the image elsewhere to post pics on this forum? Sorry for the dumb ass questions! I just want to share my images with the other skyscraper enthusiaststs out there!
use something like photobucket.....once there uploads and they will provide the code you ncan copy into post and voila'

[Northwest]

use something like photobucket.....once there uploads and they will provide the code you ncan copy into post and voila'

Thanks for the advice... now I just need to get access to a proper B&W negative film scanner to capture the detail on these films. In the 80s - 90s I was very much into the do it yourself 35 mm B&W photography. The digital camera age has swiftly killed all of that!
The results with the all-in-on printer, copier, fax, scanner were simply awful. Even at super high DPI. Not good enough to share! :(

[IWSteve]

Here's an update. We started putting up the 35 ton derrick this week. We used the 17 ton derrick to bring the pieces up from the plaza and assemble it. You can probably see the bigger boom from the ground now, pointing east (for now). After we run the boom and hoist cables for the new derrick we'll use it to take down the 17 ton.
I was going to take some photos and post them, but our bosses with Walsh said they don't want anyone on the job doing that. Probably have some liability issues or something, which is ironic since they're taking pictures constantly.

I am hydrogen, where are you!

[SamInTheLoop]

Here's an update. We started putting up the 35 ton derrick this week. We used the 17 ton derrick to bring the pieces up from the plaza and assemble it. You can probably see the bigger boom from the ground now, pointing east (for now). After we run the boom and hoist cables for the new derrick we'll use it to take down the 17 ton.
I was going to take some photos and post them, but our bosses with Walsh said they don't want anyone on the job doing that. Probably have some liability issues or something, which is ironic since they're taking pictures constantly.

I am hydrogen, where are you!


Many thanks for the update IWSteve! Just a couple quick questions if you don't mind: 1) When is erection of the first tower crane scheduled to begin? 2) Where will it be placed? Thanks again!

[IWSteve]

It will probably be around the end of this month. After we take down the 17 ton derrick, we'll set some iron in that area and that will be the base for the first tower crane.

[Tom In Chicago]

Unfortunately my office is just short of the roofline by a few floors so I can't see what's going on atop the BCBS site. . .

[kayosthery]

Here's an update. We started putting up the 35 ton derrick this week. We used the 17 ton derrick to bring the pieces up from the plaza and assemble it. You can probably see the bigger boom from the ground now, pointing east (for now). After we run the boom and hoist cables for the new derrick we'll use it to take down the 17 ton.
I was going to take some photos and post them, but our bosses with Walsh said they don't want anyone on the job doing that. Probably have some liability issues or something, which is ironic since they're taking pictures constantly.

I am hydrogen, where are you!


Nobody can tell what you can or can't do during your lunch break. As long as you're using your own camera, you should be okay. PM the name of the people giving you a hard time. Maybe I'll see if I can pull a few strings.

[IWSteve]

Thanks for the offer. I'm going to try talking to the Superintendent to see how firm they are on it. It was passed down after someone said they saw some pictures on a blog. I assumed they were talking about this one, but since I hadn't taken any pictures yet I wasn't sure.

[harryc]

http://lh4.google.com/harry.r.carmichael/Ry9RKOpInwI/AAAAAAAAMT8/eE_cwI9DBMg/P1100979.JPG?imgmax=800

http://lh3.google.com/harry.r.carmichael/Ry9RK-pInxI/AAAAAAAAMUI/LGUkTBXHDDM/P1100982.JPG?imgmax=640

[Western Spaghetti]

That building is looking really good.

[Nowhereman1280]

That building is looking really good.

That building has been looking good since the 90's, its just now showing the first signs of construction as they get ready to add 25 stories to the roof. We'll see if they match the facade correctly, that will decide this project.

[biophilic]

That building has been looking good since the 90's, its just now showing the first signs of construction as they get ready to add 25 stories to the roof. We'll see if they match the facade correctly, that will decide this project.

Knowing Goettsch, they've probably got 20 guys just making sure the stone comes from exactly the same location in the same quarry at the same hour of the same day it was quarried last time.
It probably also helps that you're never going to get closer than a couple hundred feet away to look at the joint between the two.

[Lecom]

Can't wait for this to pick up pace.

[i_am_hydrogen]

Taken 11/7/07:
http://img457.imageshack.us/img457/16/bcbs3jc4.jpg

http://img228.imageshack.us/img228/7584/bcbs4ei8.jpg

http://img266.imageshack.us/img266/9276/bcbs5bv5.jpg

http://img216.imageshack.us/img216/5461/bcbs6om4.jpg

http://img216.imageshack.us/img216/7258/bcbs9bs2.jpg

http://img216.imageshack.us/img216/1660/bcbs10bl1.jpg

[djvandrake]

It's going to be very interesting to watch this process and see how they add 20+ floors to a functioning building. The amount of prep work to keep the building below intact (and water tight) has to be incredible.

[harryc]

Taken 11/7/07:


Thx

[Chitown]

Taken 11/7/07:
http://img216.imageshack.us/img216/5461/bcbs6om4.jpg
That is so cool.

[MrLakepoint]

Probably November at the earliest. First we have to set some iron and then a larger derrick will be built on that steel. Then that derrick will put up the first of two tower cranes.

IWSteve, Can you tell me what they will do with all of the vents and the other equipment on the roof while you guys start to build up? I guess what I am asking how does that roof equipment (Vents, etc...etc..) still function when the new floors start to actually be installed?:koko:

[Fabb]

The metamorphosis is about to begin.
It'll be fun to watch.

[Lecom]

I guess this is one of the strengths of Modernism and its derivatives - the design, with its repetitive lines and grids, can usually be easily extended outward without major aesthetic clashes. Try doing that with an Art Deco building as easily.

[Rocket1]

IWSteve, Can you tell me what they will do with all of the vents and the other equipment on the roof while you guys start to build up? I guess what I am asking how does that roof equipment (Vents, etc...etc..) still function when the new floors start to actually be installed?:koko:

I was wondering that myself.

Maybe they convert the current roof to a mechanical floor and leave the equipment in place?

[myshtern]

I think the easiest thing to do is it build a steel frame above the roof and use that as a large mechanical room. Bringing the elevators through will probably be the biggest challenge (my guess).

[headcase]

I think the easiest thing to do is it build a steel frame above the roof and use that as a large mechanical room. Bringing the elevators through will probably be the biggest challenge (my guess).

You are probably correct, and since this was planned for from the beginning of construction I don't think it will be nearly as difficult as everyone thinks. Different? Yes. But things like space for the elevator shafts were planned into the original design.

SSDD

[Steely Dan]

11.10.2007

http://img112.imageshack.us/img112/416/bcbszi8.jpg

[IWSteve]

IWSteve, Can you tell me what they will do with all of the vents and the other equipment on the roof while you guys start to build up? I guess what I am asking how does that roof equipment (Vents, etc...etc.'.) still function when the new floors start to actually be installed?:koko:

They're going to leave part of this floor exposed in order to vent the steam from the chiller units. Then when the addition is complete they'll build an identical set of chillers on the new roof. Once those are up and running, the old chiller units will be scrapped out. An engineer was telling me the other day that these units provide chilled water to about a dozen buildings downtown.

We're supposed to start getting pieces of the first tower crane next Monday.

Great pictures Hydrogen!

[Nowhereman1280]

They're going to leave part of this floor exposed in order to vent the steam from the chiller units. Then when the addition is complete they'll build an identical set of chillers on the new roof. Once those are up and running, the old chiller units will be scrapped out. An engineer was telling me the other day that these units provide chilled water to about a dozen buildings downtown.

We're supposed to start getting pieces of the first tower crane next Monday.

Great pictures Hydrogen!

Wow, that's really interesting. I love when you answer questions and let us in on what is going on! You are a great asset to this forum, please stick around! I can't wait to see a full fledged crane on this puppy, that will probably make a lot of people downtown go "WTF? why is there a crane on that building that has been done forever?" I mean they could pass the derecks off as maintenance equipment, but a full crane will rouse some interest I'm sure!

Its interesting that those chillers cool buildings other than BCBS, its like the Chiller (Jahn?) down on Madison, but on the roof of a building instead.

[harryc]

Roosevelt & Congress (near)
http://lh4.google.com/harry.r.carmichael/Rzu1QaJbwOI/AAAAAAAANtw/RTsWrjtjK-s/P1120350.JPG?imgmax=640

LSD & river
http://lh6.google.com/harry.r.carmichael/Rzu1R6JbwPI/AAAAAAAANt8/HCH2exCfMFY/P1120417.JPG?imgmax=640

By the water cannon thing on the riverwalk.
http://lh4.google.com/harry.r.carmichael/Rzu1TaJbwQI/AAAAAAAANuI/Jg-cPttzL1Y/P1120478.JPG?imgmax=640

Lower North East Water
http://lh4.google.com/harry.r.carmichael/Rzu1UaJbwRI/AAAAAAAANuU/ORWeBe6trrY/P1120484.JPG?imgmax=800

[IWSteve]

Wow, that's really interesting. I love when you answer questions and let us in on what is going on! You are a great asset to this forum, please stick around! I can't wait to see a full fledged crane on this puppy, that will probably make a lot of people downtown go "WTF? why is there a crane on that building that has been done forever?" I mean they could pass the derecks off as maintenance equipment, but a full crane will rouse some interest I'm sure!

Its interesting that those chillers cool buildings other than BCBS, its like the Chiller (Jahn?) down on Madison, but on the roof of a building instead.

Yeah, it supplies water for the Aon and Prudential buildings among others. The biggest job for them will be replacing the main line that goes from the basement to the roof because it wasn't designed to hold the pressure of an additional 25 floors of water.
In a few months, there's gonna be two tower cranes up there. That'll get their attention!

[Nowhereman1280]

Two cranes? Really? What kind will they be? The bendy ones like Waterview or the straight ones like Trump? Probably bendy because they will be working with steel right?

[forumly_chgoman]

I forgot what is the timeline on this?

[IWSteve]

Two cranes? Really? What kind will they be? The bendy ones like Waterview or the straight ones like Trump? Probably bendy because they will be working with steel right?

That's right. They call them luffers. They'll be just like the white one that's on the job just to the north of ours. The erection on this job was scheduled to be completed around July of 2008, but that was if both cranes were up and running this month.

[Dr. Taco]

That's right. They call them luffers. They'll be just like the white one that's on the job just to the north of ours. The erection on this job was scheduled to be completed around July of 2008, but that was if both cranes were up and running this month.

wow, even if both towers had been already up, that is really realllly fast! I'm guessing that has to mean you would have had all the structural steel up by then? (as opposed to expansion completion)

[nequidnimis]

I guess this is one of the strengths of Modernism and its derivatives - the design, with its repetitive lines and grids, can usually be easily extended outward without major aesthetic clashes.

Yes, they expanded Dulles airport that way...