[Ryan81]

I am starting this thread with the intent of posting my composite renderings of the future skyline of Chicago as well as views of my proposed and under cosntruction Chicago Sketchup models.

When creating these composite images, I typically must start by using another forumer's picture as the base for my composite (as I do not live in Chicago and therefore have difficulty getting my own shots) and have tried to be very careful to credit the photographer. If I credit the wrong individual, or forget to credit please let me know so that I can rectify the situation. If I have used one of your images for my composites, I would be happy to remove your work should you ask.

Most of these composites are created using a combination of an original image and views of my sketchup models. I will credit other's work should I need to use someone else's sketchup models that I download from Google 3D warehouse.

My intent is to update renderings as new buildings are proposed and as I finish my sketchup models. Please have patience as I do not have models for all proposed and under construction buildings and will add them as they are finished. Therefore, there will be composites posted that do NOT include ALL proposed and under construction buildings. I do my best to accurately represent designs, relative heights, and locations of proposed and under construction buildings.

If you have any suggestions to make my renderings better, please let me know. I respond well to CONSTRUCTIVE criticism.

Please feel free to post your own composites of Chicago from various vantagepoints in the city.

I intend to post updates to the most recent composites as well as my current progress on Sketchup models I have created on this first post and will soon post more.

Enjoy!

MOST RECENT COMPOSITE / SKETCHUP MODEL PROGRESS:

Original Image by: Cbotnyse

http://img17.imageshack.us/img17/5628/26253148.jpg

Original Image by: Jibba at SSC

http://img15.imageshack.us/img15/4285/skylineoverwesttown5977.jpg

My Composite:

http://img17.imageshack.us/img17/4285/skylineoverwesttown5977.jpg

Ok...So it's not in Chicago's Future....but it was at one time - That's good enough for me for this forum. This is a rendering of my 7 South Dearborn Sketchup model. Chase Tower was not modeled by me, but was found on Google 3d Warehouse.

To view in Google Earth: http://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehouse/details?mid=55fe8358ee7fea4acd320fa450154686&prevstart=0

7 SOUTH DEARBORN

http://img366.imageshack.us/img366/6708/7southdearborncg1.jpghttp://img78.imageshack.us/img78/2553/7southdearborntb2.jpg

We can keep hoping cant we.....?

quick and dirty composite:

Original Image by: Cityofblindinglights

http://img110.imageshack.us/img110/3101/2868740347d4801fb564b1cen6.jpg

Original Image: hawkeye view

http://img376.imageshack.us/img376/3791/img1294bl6.jpg

My Composite:

http://img252.imageshack.us/img252/7169/legacy4fn8.jpg

Original Image: Wrabbit

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y150/wjcordier/050408_1338.jpg

My Composite:

http://img263.imageshack.us/img263/876/chicagoconstruction2008zw4.jpg

JUST got indigo renderer. I have a lot of settings to explore. With the right settings, I should be able to get it just right. This is my first attempt. My rendering from my sketchup model is on the left.

http://aycu34.webshots.com/image/44113/2005883335381398211_rs.jpg

Original Image: ezeffery - Flickr:

http://aycu07.webshots.com/image/41966/2003872472632916456_rs.jpg

My Composite:

http://aycu05.webshots.com/image/44924/2000466192488370639_rs.jpg


Sketchup model: Waterview Tower - Still need to add textures such as windows. Still needs a little finishing detail, but this one is almost done.

http://aycu31.webshots.com/image/45190/2000350244451937827_rs.jpg

Original Image: Aaron38 - Taken 01-19-08:

http://aycu31.webshots.com/image/41630/2003891932025830223_rs.jpg

My Composite:

http://aycu29.webshots.com/image/41428/2003880783965877836_rs.jpg

Original Image: Wickedestcity (SSC ON 05-18-07)

http://aycu31.webshots.com/image/41710/2005145989263365683_rs.jpg

My Composite: Note: The Sketchup Model for Aqua was downloaded from Google 3D Warehouse and created by "Columbian Models" I created a view of it and inserted into this composite.

http://aycu13.webshots.com/image/42412/2006375583338814183_rs.jpg

Original Image: Ambient (posted in Boom Rundown Thread?)

http://aycu30.webshots.com/image/41789/2001778931731347913_rs.jpg

My Composite: Note: This composite was created before the height increase for Waldorf=Astoria

http://aycu16.webshots.com/image/41535/2001732288439916809_rs.jpg

Original Image: Secondcity1 (SSC 03-23-07)

http://aycu06.webshots.com/image/42765/2000085716316615592_rs.jpg

My Composite:

http://aycu21.webshots.com/image/42580/2000011171178769699_rs.jpg

View in Google Earth: Note: The Aqua model was downloaded from Google 3d Warehouse. The Sketchup model was created by "Columbian Models"

http://aycu10.webshots.com/image/42089/2005955565581876942_rs.jpg

The original image I used for this composite was posted by Archytype some time ago in the Arquitectonica thread. Archytype is responsible for the insertion of the Arquitectonica buildings and Aqua.

My additions to his work include the Spire, Waldorf=Astoria, and Trump tower. They are views of my Sketchup models

Enjoy:

http://aycu02.webshots.com/image/39721/2002042782130852814_rs.jpg

My Composite: Note: I am really not sure where I got the original image. If you are the photographer, please let me know so I can credit you.

Also, This one has a ways to go - it's not the highest quality. I will probably redo it at another time.

http://aycu10.webshots.com/image/42169/2004126142667378473_rs.jpg

[davee930]

wow! that's amazing. such an awesome city

[Ryan81]

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[wrabbit]

!!! Great stuff

[Buck]

Amazing!

[cbotnyse]

excellent, thank you.

[Ryan81]

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[i_am_hydrogen]

Great work. Judging by the "composite" of Aaron's photograph, the skyline envisioned for Chicago in I, Robot doesn't appear to be as far off in the future as 2035:

http://img114.exs.cx/img114/2581/r6qxviditaiorobotdvd.jpg

[Ryan81]

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[Ryan81]

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[cbotnyse]

http://aycu13.webshots.com/image/42412/2006375583338814183_rs.jpg

ryan, I would like to see this shot with Legacy (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=176998) and these buildings (http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f21/cbotnyse/CentralStation-GrantParkSouthWall.jpg) in the South Loop added.

Obviously take your time, I appreciate your work. :tup:

[Ryan81]

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[KevinFromTexas]

I'm going to miss the three peaks, but holy hell that looks cool. That before and after is just nuts. The after rendering looks like Manhattan!

~Chicago kicking some butt.

[Dac150]

I have a question for Chicago forumers:

Is the area where which all the skyscrapers are centralized considered 'Downtown'?

[cbotnyse]

I have a question for Chicago forumers:

Is the area where which all the skyscrapers are centralized considered 'Downtown'?The boundaries of downtown are always debated by Chicagoans. I like to consider the Loop (defined by the elevated train that cirlces the central business district) our true downtown. However if you ask someone from the suburbs they will tell you Wrigley Field is "downtown".

I would consider North Ave on the north, Halsted on the west and Roosevelt on the south the downtown boundaries.

[CtrlAltDel]

I love how the Spire completely dominates the skyline, dwarfing Sears even.

Looks good Ryan81! I look forward to seeing more!

[Dac150]

The boundaries of downtown are always debated by Chicagoans. I like to consider the Loop (defined by the elevated train that cirlces the central business district) our true downtown. However if you ask someone from the suburbs they will tell you Wrigley Field is "downtown".

I would consider North Ave on the north, Halsted on the west and Roosevelt on the south the downtown boundaries.

Thanks. I always wondered what is considered Downtown and the Central Business District.

[DHamp]

I have a question for Chicago forumers:

Is the area where which all the skyscrapers are centralized considered 'Downtown'?

"Downtown" in Chicago is kind of a loose term that can refer to just "The Loop" which is a well defined community and our central business district. Or it may more broadly refer to the entire central area of Chicago, i.e. where most of the tall buildings are. That would include "The Loop" plus the Near North, Near South, and some of the Near West sides. Note however that Chicago has highrises lined up across most of the lakefront and satellite CBD-like areas like downtown Hyde Park on the South Side.

I would basically agree with cbot's boundaries for the idea of "downtown" bounded by North Ave. on the north, Halsted St. on the west, Roosevelt Rd. on the south, and Lake Michigan on the East. But I would add to that the idea of "downtown" may continue to expand, particularly further south and west, as the dense core of development spreads.

I made a Google map that shows the boundaries of Chicago's 77 community areas as defined by the University of Chicago. Click Here. (http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=101519563040973441290.00043cedcf12fd82cc9e0&ll=41.882087,-87.62455&spn=0.08563,0.129261&z=13&om=0) If you scroll the sidebar all the way to the bottom You'll see "The Loop" That area is properly "downtown". Cbot's definition includes most of the "Near North Side" and a sliver of the "Near West Side" -- hopefully those shouldn't be too hard to find.

And for my obligatory on-topic statement: Ryan, have you made models of the OMP, OMPW, and the Grant Park Towers? I'd love to see those from some different angles.

[Dac150]

^^ Thank you for the explanation. That clears much up.

[Nowhereman1280]

DAC150, in my experience I've found that most Chicagoans don't use the term "Downtown" very often if they actually live in the city. Its usually only used by those on the perhiphery who don't know the city very well. Most people who live here know the city well and usually refer to their destination by either neighborhood, landmark, or L stop.

For example, If I am going to go Loyola U's north campus, I'll tell people "I'm going to Roger's Park" but if I am going back to my apartment by the Hancock, I'll say "I'm headed back to Water Tower" since its near the Water Tower. Or if I am going to meet someone down in the loop, I'll say "I've gotta meet up with them in the loop".

I would say that Chicago's "downtown" is really too spread out for people who live here to use the term "downtown" for any reason. Its not like NYC where you have a long, relatively straight, island that clearly defines a central core, I mean look at the lakefront, we have a line of high rises that stretch for like 20 miles along the lake. Most people who don't know the city would consider any movement towards those buildings "going downtown".

However, we do have a very clearly defined "Uptown" in Chicago, it is its own neighborhood on the north side.

BTW, sweet thread Ryan!

[Ryan81]

...Ryan, have you made models of the OMP, OMPW, and the Grant Park Towers? I'd love to see those from some different angles.

No, The buildings you see in these renders are the only ones I have done at this point - some of which aren't completely done, but are complete enough to place into the views. I am really hoping to have those buildings done sometime in the future. I will probably not make a model for OMP since it will soon be finished and any future pictures I choose to make my composites from will include the finished OMP. I am however planning on making the others at some point.

Next on my agenda is to complete my waterview tower (the base), add finishing touches to my Trump tower base, and add details such as window textures to my arquitectonica building. I then want to tackle 300 N. La Salle - which shouldn't take too long.

[LucasS6]

I can't wait. It looks great Ryan.

[PuyoPiyo]

Really nice job, Ryan! :)

[KevinFromTexas]

Thanks for the info about what is downtown. I had always thought of it as only the area around the Sears Tower. I figured that the rest of "the skyline" had other names, other than "downtown". This is something I've always been interested in with cities. Where and what they consider to be downtown.

Anyway, great models. Keep it up!

[Alliance]

Can I post some additional composites (least while we're on the subject)? They're not Ryans, but mine.

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e399/delta2094/Spire-in-the-Clouds20.jpg

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e399/delta2094/Untitled-1.jpg

[bnk]

:previous:

I have seen your first render before and think it is awesome.

I think that you should sell it the the Spire group.

What better advertisment could you get for those worried about clouds.


PS

What is the provenance of the un-edited origional photos?

[sixo1]

I love the renderings! Keep up the great work!

[sixo1]

:previous:

I have seen your first render before and think it is awesome.

I think that you should sell it the the Spire group.

What better advertisment could you get for those worried about clouds.


PS

What is the provenance of the un-edited origional photos?

I agree!

[jcchii]

these are all great.

we need to send STR some gifts to get some of those axionometics updated

[Samwill89]

these are great renderings!

Before stumbling upon this thread I had assumed that the Spire would look very awkward in the Chicago skyline. I now see that Chicago's CBD skyline will look even more beautiful

[APPRAISER]

From the renderings, it looks like Chicago will possibly have 8 supertalls in the near future!

[Ryan81]

double post

[Ryan81]

Can I post some additional composites (least while we're on the subject)? They're not Ryans, but mine.

I encourage other's composites to be posted here.

[cbotnyse]

I have a request...if you could fill in Trump, 300 N., Waterview and 353 N. Clark. (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=318548) in this picture. and please take your time, thanks. :tup:


http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f21/cbotnyse/my%20photos/DSC_0060-2.jpg

[Ducov]

Those future skyline shots are great. And I agree, they demonstrate that from many angles the Spire does fit very well into the skyline.

[Grumpy]

:eek: amazing work !

[Sun]

Wholly talent batman! Nice thread and fantastic work.

[Ryan81]

JUST got indigo renderer. I have a lot of settings to explore. With the right settings, I should be able to get it just right. This is my first attempt. My rendering from my sketchup model is on the left.

http://aycu34.webshots.com/image/44113/2005883335381398211_rs.jpg

[Rail Claimore]

Yay!

[Dr. Taco]

Wow! you should be able to get some even more incredible renderings. I'm very excited

[Chi649]

Great work Ryan. Thank you.

[StevenW]

Awesome stuff!!!

[LaSalle.St.Station]

great thread Ryan. Your a driver.

[Imperar]

Great work. Judging by the "composite" of Aaron's photograph, the skyline envisioned for Chicago in I, Robot doesn't appear to be as far off in the future as 2035:

http://img114.exs.cx/img114/2581/r6qxviditaiorobotdvd.jpg

This is the exact screen shot I took to put on my desktop.

[M II A II R II K]

Truly spectacular work.

[Ryan81]

Original Image: Wrabbit

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y150/wjcordier/050408_1338.jpg

My Composite:

http://img263.imageshack.us/img263/876/chicagoconstruction2008zw4.jpg

[arlekin_m]

i don't like how the bcbs vertical expansion will block views of aqua looking from museum campus... :(

[Chicagoguy]

Yea I agree I am not a big fan of where they decided to build Aqua, it almost gets lost among the other skyscrapers its size or bigger. Does anyone know if they are planning anything for that empty lot acrossed the river from where the Spire is being built? Also does anyone know any new updated information on Park Michigan?

[brett7three]

What about the proposed Central Station Developments?

[Chicagoguy]

What about the proposed Central Station Developments?

I would love to see a rendering of the skyline after the South Loop skyscrapers are added to the picture. Also I would love to see the proposed Park Michigan and the approved Park 1000 added too. I think all of those will help add to the skyline tremendously! Thanks Ryan for all of your hard work...would just be cool to see the total effect!

[covertb]

There is some good stuff coming Chicago's way. I love the present and future pictures of Chicago at all of these different angles. Great work!

-Brandt from Denver

[aaron38]

Does anyone know if they are planning anything for that empty lot acrossed the river from where the Spire is being built? Also does anyone know any new updated information on Park Michigan?

The only information that's been released is an intention to build a supertall on that site. That's it.
And it's not iminent. LSE is sequential. They have to finish Aqua, then build Arquetectonica, then they'll do the supertall if the market supports it, if they don't do one of the smaller parcels first.

I would assume Park Michicgan is dead, and be pleasantly surprised if it's revised.

[dempsey hillman]

chi town is an amazing city but the rendering falls short no maglev trains no dry lake michigan no crazy robots attacking incredibly beautiful mega towers other than that its a beautiful rendering

[Chicagoguy]

The only information that's been released is an intention to build a supertall on that site. That's it.
And it's not iminent. LSE is sequential. They have to finish Aqua, then build Arquetectonica, then they'll do the supertall if the market supports it, if they don't do one of the smaller parcels first.

I would assume Park Michicgan is dead, and be pleasantly surprised if it's revised.

Another supertall there would be great! And as for Park Michigan I am hoping that one keeps trying and hopefully when the market gets back to normal they continue with the project. Did you hear anything about plans for the Wolf Point site? Also is Arquetectonica approved? I thought it was still just proposed. When might work begin on it?

[Ryan81]

Original Image: hawkeye view

http://img376.imageshack.us/img376/3791/img1294bl6.jpg

My Composite:

http://img252.imageshack.us/img252/7169/legacy4fn8.jpg

[LaSalle.St.Station]

nice work

[Ryan81]

We can keep hoping cant we.....?

quick and dirty composite:

Original Image by: Cityofblindinglights

http://img110.imageshack.us/img110/3101/2868740347d4801fb564b1cen6.jpg

[george]

Nice work! Incredible future vision of an awesome skyline.

[Jibba]

Yes, we can keep hoping. That photo makes it that much more apparent that it needs to happen.

[photolitherland]

What program do you use to do these renders? They are fantastico!

[Ryan81]

Ok...So it's not in Chicago's Future....but it was at one time - That's good enough for me for this forum. This is a rendering of my 7 South Dearborn Sketchup model. Chase Tower was not modeled by me, but was found on Google 3d Warehouse.

To view in Google Earth: To view in Google Earth: http://sketchup.google.com/3dwarehouse/details?mid=55fe8358ee7fea4acd320fa450154686&prevstart=0

7 SOUTH DEARBORN

http://img366.imageshack.us/img366/6708/7southdearborncg1.jpg
http://img78.imageshack.us/img78/2553/7southdearborntb2.jpg

[bnk]

Good work Ryan.


GD I hope that building gets built somewhere, anywhere, some day, with modern additions of course.

With the digital antenna and all of the work SOM put into it, it would seem to be an easy one to pick up if one is looking for a supertall broadcasting tower in which ever city it resides in regardless of city or country.

[Jibba]

Wow, way cool Ryan81! That rendering really shows just how tall that thing really would have been; Chase seems so tall to me already, and to think that 7SD was that much taller--wow. It would probably have been a beauty from street level too: the stacked massing and those subtle setbacks would have made it really soar. Nice job.

[Ryan81]

Original Image by: Jibba at SSC

http://img15.imageshack.us/img15/4285/skylineoverwesttown5977.jpg

My Composite:

http://img17.imageshack.us/img17/4285/skylineoverwesttown5977.jpg

[ethereal_reality]

Great work Ryan81

[Jibba]

Sweet man. I'm flattered that one of my shots made it onto one of your great works. It's almost sad to look at, but I'm staying hopeful that one day we'll have a view like that.

[flamesrule]

Nice work!

[Ryan81]

Original Image by 06wt in the Trump Tower Forum.

http://img21.imageshack.us/img21/8973/waldorf1.jpg

[flamesrule]

You are the man!:tup: :notacrook:

[Ryan81]

This is interesting I must say.

Found it here: http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.photosfan.com/images/future-city-of-chicago-20551.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.photosfan.com/chicago-future/&usg=__8r-zf1jCx9JKn5S0xu_7KfvkHTs=&h=812&w=1576&sz=1051&hl=en&start=18&um=1&tbnid=hnrZqN4dCs6KAM:&tbnh=77&tbnw=150&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dchicago%2B1950s%26imgsz%3Dxxlarge%26hl%3Den%26rlz%3D1T4GGIE_enUS266US266%26um%3D1

http://www.photosfan.com/images/future-city-of-chicago-20551.jpg

[Ryan81]

Original Image by: Cbotnyse

http://img17.imageshack.us/img17/5628/26253148.jpg

[westmc9th]

Can someone please please tell me if there is a future nyc 3d model like these if so please let me know

[photolitherland]

I love that star trek future render, its strange though that they never got around to covering up the railroad tracks in grant park after 100 years lol

[HomrQT]

Too bad a lot of these haven't materialized. I, like many people I'm sure, am ready to see the next evolution of Chicago.