[Chicago2020]

I'd say build it, but somewhere else

[Chi-town]

I don't even wanna see it built. I'd rather see Fordham Spire add the broadcast equipment and improve the economics of the project, so that it'll actually get built.

[Xing]

I like it. I mean, it reminds me of something... cant figure out what, but it's interesting for some reason.

[STR]

^You're probably thinking of this:

http://www.popartuk.com/g/l/lgmp0298.jpg

[spyguy]

From the Tribune:

Part of a Blair Kamin piece you can read tomorrow.

http://img369.imageshack.us/img369/8153/fordhamtrib16nj.jpg
http://img369.imageshack.us/img369/5866/fordhamtrib1lk.jpg

[sentinel]

Gee, I wonder how many more times in how many more threads this image from the Tribune will be posted?? I'm guessing....7.

[spyguy]

It includes Tall Tower, correct? So then it fits here.

[Brandon716]

It looks very futuristic, I think it would be a great addition. I don't know if the location is truly that horrible, its most likely to be a tourist thing so being near the Pier would work.

Especially if Fordham Spire is built nearby, this would be balanced quite well.

[ComandanteCero]

i think the tower is cool looking, but i think the location is wack. Let that area be dominated by one structure (the fordham). Personally, i think it would be much cooler if it were farther west near or at the area where the river divides. There seems to be plenty of former industrial land around there that could be put to good use with a high profile, investment attracting (?) project such as this tower.

[Brandon716]

Maybe the Fordham and Tower are why Daley scrapped the airport. It was a conspiracy! ;)

[Chi-town]

This thing still alive? Damn...

[spyguy]

Yeah, it didn't die in one month like a lot of you guys said.

[Marvel 33]

I just hope they would change the location if they actually end up building it. I really don't like the way it looks next to the FS :no:

[Chi-town]

Yeah, it didn't die in one month like a lot of you guys said.
I want it to die. There's no fucking way that both this and FS will be built, and FS is inarguably the superior tower of the two. All this proposal can possibly achieve is to kill FS in its tracks.

[AJphx]

they should build this out in the lake.

[Chicago2020]

I say Build it next to the Merch. Mart, that empty lot next to the river where the Sun Times building is!!!!!!!!!

[spyguy]

Wolf Point? Let's see what the Kennedy's think about that.

[Brandon716]

Chi, why do you think they won't be built together? Why would it be economically infeasible?

[spyguy]

Tall Tower probably limits Fordham's views and might dampen sales?

[Brandon716]

Highly doubt that.

[spyguy]

It will block views to the north though, that's for sure. Whereas if it's built at Wolf Point of something there s no view in that direction already so it doesn't matter.

[Chi-town]

Highly doubt that.
I think it'll absolutely hurt Fordham's sales. It'll also reduce the chance of it getting past SOAR or the city council. And the absence of broadcast equipment on FS could hurt the economics...

Frankly, I don't like standalone broadcast towers anyway, and this is a particularly awful location for one. And the two look awful together - at least to anyone who isn't a fan of Shanghai's preposterous looking skyline.

[Tom In Chicago]

I would rather see this built at Wolf Point than at its current location. . . but they haven't called me yet to ask for my opinion on the matter so we'll just have to wait and see. . . ;)

[Jularc]

I still think that is a good looking tower but I think it should be built in another location aswell. Yeah maybe back there where the river splits.

[HK Chicago]

Stick it in the center of the Wacker/Michigan/Water cluster.

[Steely Dan]

Is anyone tuning in to Beitler's TV tower plan?

November 16, 2005

BY DAVID ROEDER SUN-TIMES COLUMNIST

Since developer J. Paul Beitler detailed plans last month for a 2,000-foot-tall tower for TV antennas on the Chicago lakefront, the hand he's holding in the deal has been a mystery.

Beitler, known for office skyscrapers and an unrealized plan in the 1980s for a "world's tallest building,'' has said he's advancing the antenna tower based on an agreement with Chicago TV stations. The nature of that agreement and whether it binds the stations to negotiating through him are points he won't discuss, citing confidentiality pledges. It was, however, enough to convince LR Development Co. to let Beitler propose the tower on land it owns at Peshtigo and Illinois in Streeterville.

But other sources say Beitler has no deals with any station. They say the Beitler plan is probably just a phantom conjured by the stations to force better terms from Sears Tower and John Hancock Center.

An architect of the Beitler feint is said to be Joe Ahern, general manager of WBBM-Channel 2. In an interview at Tuesday's lavish "groundbreaking'' for the CBS building on Block 37, Ahern said he has made no commitments to Beitler. "We've talked to a couple of developers. We remain interested and we'll see what happens,'' Ahern said.

Informed of those remarks, Beitler replied, "He should not have said that to you. He has violated the agreement and I don't want to get myself caught up in a violation of the confidentiality.'' He emphasized that the slender tower is more than just a TV mast, that it will be a new attraction for crowds drawn to Navy Pier.

So will this giant get built? If it's anything like the TV interests' plotting of the late 1990s, the notion will be dropped as soon as Sears and Hancock come down in price. As one source said, "Nobody's kidding anybody on this. If the TV stations don't want to deal with Beitler, they can get out of it.''

[Beyond 1000]

With the above report, it sounds like TT is somewhat Pie in the Sky. I'm sure there's no shortage of politics involved here and strongarming among the tv broadcasters and existing sites like Sears and JHC.

Still, however, Fordham needs much improvement in my humble opinion. At 900,000 sq ft, it is too small for that height. If Chicago doesn't need the TT, then the city should give public access to Fordham in terms of an observation point at the top. Ideally, Fordham should be taller to the roof equalling 7SD. This will give it real prominence over the existing skyline including Sears and a more balanced look of and antenna/spire to 2k.

In otherwords, a 450 ft mast should be the maximum above the roof. Any higher looks out of proportion to the rest of the building.

Built FS but build it right.

[LostInTheZone]

i like the newspaper renderings. i don't think the buildings are too close together at all. and when you add in the trump tower, they all work together to be really dramatic. with the lakefront locations, they really stand out, not too much else to obscure them.

[plinko]

Construction companies exist because paying customers have structures they cannot build themselves. Like I said earlier, I'll build a concrete block in the middle of Millenium Park if someone pays for it. I may not understand why, but if it gets approved, I guess we'll build it. Beitler wants to build a three legged broadcast pitchfork next to a drill bit and I want to work on it no matter what it looks like.

Wow. I for one hope that any contractor I either hire or work with understands WHY my design is a particular way. At least that way when we have a discussion about the way certain things might be done better, faster, or more importantly...cheaper, I know that he's coming from a place of merit and trying to do a BETTER job, not just a more monetarily rewarding job.

I guess that's the difference between someone who actually writes the instructions vs someone who simply executes them without care or attachment.

[emoney]

I'd say that this project is dead or near dead now that FS has designed for TV masts. Steely I would say that your initial thought is right they used this project as leverage against carley (to get a better price). Anyway this one didnt ever have a real chance.

[Steely Dan]

I'd say that this project is dead or near dead now that FS has designed for TV masts. Steely I would say that your initial thought is right they used this project as leverage against carley (to get a better price). Anyway this one didnt ever have a real chance.


i agree. and good riddance. i liked the bizzaro sci-fi malevolence of this thing, but i think just about everyone can agree that the lakefront site was the wrong place for it.

[rgolch]

Again, its begs the question if this was ever a serious proposal.

Both were coming from the fordham company, right? I think they threw it out there, and wanted to see if there was interest in a 2000 ft antenna. When they saw some interest, they found a way to incorporate it into the fordham spire. You guys agree?

[rgolch]

Go to Emporis for those unbuilts.
http://img356.imageshack.us/img356/3302/chicago20359hp.png

Love that image. Slowly but surely, we'll get there.

[Chicago Shawn]

Again, its begs the question if this was ever a serious proposal.

Both were coming from the fordham company, right? I think they threw it out there, and wanted to see if there was interest in a 2000 ft antenna. When they saw some interest, they found a way to incorporate it into the fordham spire. You guys agree?

No, the Telicom Tower was being pushed by a joint agreement between Beitler and LR Development, the later of which already owns the site and for a year proir to the telicom tower announcement was planning a rather nice 58 story condo tower there. Beitler simply recycled an older plan by Cesar Pelli whom originally designed this tower for 300 N. Lasalle, ya know the ass-ugly parking garage with red neon and the future site of our next big daddy office building (which by chance is being designed by Pickard Chiltion, a former associate of Cesar Pelli).

Honestly, I don't think this tower was ever a serroius proposal. I think it may be a ploy for LR to amended the existing Planned Development zoning of this site for a taller residential tower, which of of course will not be 2,000 feet, and thus win over SOAR and Alderman Naturas will call it "much better suited for the site". Meanwhile, the broadcasters will look for additional space on Sears, Big John or the Fordham. Its a win-win-win situation. Of coarse, that's just my speculation, I could be wrong. :)

[Spooky873]

Love that image. Slowly but surely, we'll get there.

if thats chicago, i wonder what new york is.

[rgolch]

if thats chicago, i wonder what new york is.

Maybe brooklyn would be the "new manhattan." If you hadn't figured it out, that image is from the movie i-robot.

I guess miami would also be a sight to see by that time.

[kayosthery]

Wow. I for one hope that any contractor I either hire or work with understands WHY my design is a particular way. At least that way when we have a discussion about the way certain things might be done better, faster, or more importantly...cheaper, I know that he's coming from a place of merit and trying to do a BETTER job, not just a more monetarily rewarding job.

I guess that's the difference between someone who actually writes the instructions vs someone who simply executes them without care or attachment.

Get off your high horse buddy. How many times has a careless and unattached contractor found mistakes in your "instruction." Guys like me make your vision a reality. Have a little respect.

At the time of my post you're refering to, I was excited that there might be the chance to work on a structure of this size. I think the consensus is that this proposal is dead, and there will be no disconnected contractors involved in this project only for the money.
I promise you though, I am extremely attached to the highrises I build and I take great care in what I do.

[Marino33]

Since the FS is adding the antenna to its spire, should we consider this project dead? :drowning:

[Steely Dan]

^ there has been no official word, but i think it's safe to say that the consensus around this forum is that this one is dead in the water.

it was an extremely suspicious proposal from the very start.

[jcchii]

I'll just say I was less than stunned when the latest FS workups had integrated an antenna in its spire

[some_stupid_nut]

Love that image. Slowly but surely, we'll get there.

Here are some bigger ones from that thread I had a long time ago.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v616/stupid_nut/irobot/irobot23.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v616/stupid_nut/irobot/irobot.jpg

I wish they wouldve built 7SD instead if they wanted a TV tower. I've said that a billion times already though.

[Adam186]

why would someone sue over being cut out the deal if this project has no chance?

Breach of Contract = Money (they are greedy)

[MolsonExport]

http://freemasonry.bcy.ca/anti-masonry/all_seeing_eye/sauron.jpg

http://skyscraperpage.com/gallery/data/554/6324beitler_telecom_tower.jpg

[Steely Dan]

well, this one sounds less likely than ever.

does anyone else agree with me that i should take this one off of the chicago boom rundown list? i'll wait to hear some opinions before i decide to remove it or not.

[Adam186]

Might as well. There is no chance at ALL this thing is getting built.

[Metranite]

Well, this structure should only be built with the eye of Sauron. The eye would totally make the tower. That coupled with the evil Sears tower would make Chicago officially the evilest city on Earth.:hell:

[BVictor1]

I think that I should stay until we know that it's officially dead. Besides there might be more articles or renderings released in the future.

[Marvel 33]

^ I agree with Victor. It ain't over 'til it's over!

Although I agree with most of you and I don't really think this thing will actually be built. You never know what destiny might bring us. Stranger things have happened! :stunned:

[Tom In Chicago]

^Yeah. . . stranger things HAVE happened. . . for better or worse. . . too bad they can't put this thing out on the southern tip of Northerly Island. . .

[Steely Dan]

alright, i'll go ahead and leave it on the list for now.

[FlyersFan118]

So this is unlikely now?


Thank GAWD. This sore thumb sticks out like a sore thumb. It would've really hurt the skyline. I'm not big on Fordham either, but between the two...I'd be forced to take Fordham. What a shame.


You have towers that are a lot shorter than this that are gems. Bigger isn't always better, obviously.


Rock on, Chi-town.

[some_stupid_nut]

Is this the same Beitler from the Miglin-Beitler? They should just build that skyscraper instead cause the Telecom Tower is ugly.

http://archiv.neviditelnypes.zpravy.cz/architek/0805b.jpg

[Rivernorth]

alright, i'll go ahead and leave it on the list for now.

when its officially canceled, you should merge it with the Boom Rundown Thread... so the record of all this isnt lost. Plus, the bigger that thread gets, all the better i say ;)

[STR]

Is this the same Beitler from the Miglin-Beitler?

The one and only.

[Steely Dan]

They should just build that skyscraper instead cause the Telecom Tower is ugly.


and scott toberman should just go ahead and build 7SD too. :koko:

chicago is not dubai. we don't have oil shieks who walk around with billions of dollars of cash in their wallets, throwing it at every whimsical fantasy that crosses their path. projects in chicago have to meet market demands, or they fail. Beitler would very much indeed rather build his skyneedle project, but he knows that the current office market in chicago could in no way support 2,000 more vertical feet of commercial office space. this telecom tower idea of his is a way to make money off of broadcasting, without the near impossibility of trying to pre-lease a couple million sq. feet of office space.

perhaps the skyneedle design could be retooled into a residential project, but that would be another deal altogether.

[spyguy]

http://www.crainschicago.com/cgi-bin/news.pl?id=19520

Reschke says he and developer Beitler make amends
Two had disagreement over Beitler's proposed TV tower
By Alby Gallun

Michael Reschke says he has made amends with fellow real estate developer J. Paul Beitler after threatening to file a lawsuit over Mr. Beitler’s plan to build a 2,000-foot-tall broadcast tower near Navy Pier.

“Using a metaphor, we sort of kissed and made up,” Mr. Reschke said Monday.

Mr. Reschke felt anything but affection toward Mr. Beitler earlier this month, when he charged that the developer cut him out of a written agreement to build the tower together as equal partners. Mr. Beitler argued that the two had agreed to develop the tower on a parcel at 300 N. LaSalle St. owned by Mr. Reschke, but that deal terminated when Mr. Reschke sold the property last year.

Mr. Beitler found a new site, at Lake Shore Drive and Illinois Street, and reached a handshake agreement with property’s owner, a joint venture of Chicago-based LR Development Co. and Virginia-based JER Partners, to build the broadcast tower there.

That didn’t sit well with Mr. Reschke.

Calling Mr. Beitler “delusional,” he contended that the earlier agreement allowed for the sale of 300 N. LaSalle and the construction of the tower on another site. He warned that he was preparing to go to court to enforce the pact.

To hear Mr. Reschke tell it, it appears he has won the argument.

“I think Paul has come around and is acknowledging that we are partners and have been partners,” he said. “I never wanted anything other than to live by the documents.”

Mr. Beitler was not immediately available for comment.

The developers still need to sign leases with local television stations, win the approval of city officials and secure financing for project, which will double as a tourist attraction.

“Whatever option we pursue,” Mr. Reschke said, “we’re not going to fight between us.”

[STR]

^How nice. I still don't think this one is going to be built. Therefore I won't be modelling it. Besides, with Fordham right next door, it ruins the skyline.

[Dracmus]

i really hope this building doesn't get built. it really would throw off the FS (if that gets built. i know i saw it before but both of them getting built would make me feel like kicking a field goal.

[Marvel 33]

^^^ Beautiful indeed! :hug: :thankyouthankyou: :eviltongue:

[Tom In Chicago]

I lifted this from the Crain's article:

http://chicagobusiness.com/images/random/og020606m.gif

[rgolch]

I actually think that looks kinda cool.

[Adam186]

I wonder what it would look like if they twisted everything counter-clockwise. The opposite direction of FS to complement the Spire. Does anyone else think that would be kinda cool?

[GuitarAce]

I actually think that looks kinda cool.I wouldn't mind if they build it...

As long as it isn't anywhere near Fordham Spire. This thing belongs somewhere just northwest of the Loop across the river.

[jpIllInoIs]

What if the FS doesn't get built? The FS is far more speculative than this tower. Then would you want to see the MB Tower built? It would have a major impact on the skyline. Good or bad.:shrug:

[Adam186]

Well if this get's built along with FS, imagine how good their HD signal will be for FS resididents.

[budman]

I say move it somewhere else, not near FS. It will never be built anyway, so who cares. I bet 5 bucks it never makes it...any takers?:whatthefuck:

[spyguy]

It would also count as a skyscraper then, wouldn't it?

[Chicago2020]

You know after looking at that rendering, Im starting to have second thoughts about this project, but lets see what happens with the Spire

[Metranite]

^I agree. The second rendering makes the tower look much more appealing. I still dislike the location very much but now I don't think I would mind this getting built as much as I did before.

[Marvel 33]

I actually never disliked it. I just don't think Navy Pier is a good location for it! Especially if they build the FS.

I don't think they'll build it anyway!

[Chi_Coruscant]

** Deleted for copyright infringement **

- Dylan Leblanc

[Steely Dan]

Buh-bye, Beitler Tower! It is time to close this thread.


it ain't over til it's over. they're just talking right now, which is a definite positive, but let's not jump the gun.

[trvlr70]

Regular posters on the Chicago threads predicted this exact scenario to occur. However, I am a wee bit surprised that Beitler is considering being an investor in Fordham Spire. I'm curious to understand in what way here....

[Wild Onion Mike]

Wait a minute... is that "Taps" I hear playing in the distance?

[Steely Dan]

^ why would there be anything going on at the site? this is essentially a dead project at this point in time.

[kayosthery]

Hey, what are those things you see blow down the street in the old western movies? I think I just saw one go by...

[Pandemonious]

^tumbleweeds?

[Steely Dan]

Developer drops plan for lakefront TV tower

May 24, 2006

BY DAVID ROEDER Business Reporter

The plan for a stand-alone lakefront tower some 2,000 feet tall for digital broadcast antennas is officially dead. So says the man in charge of the property for which it was proposed.

Thomas Weeks, president of LR Development CoLa. LLC, said the TV tower "is not something we are pursuing'' for the site at 515 N. Peshtigo Ct. Instead, his firm is planning a 57-story condominium building on the vacant parcel.

LR already has zoning authority for the building, which Weeks said is being designed by architect Ralph Johnson of the firm Perkins & Will. Marketing of the 350 high-end units should start later this year, Weeks said.

Last year, LR formed a partnership with developer J. Paul Beitler, who represented Chicago's TV stations. Beitler proposed a huge antenna mast that was supposed to double as a tourist attraction. It would have contained a restaurant for crowds drawn to nearby Navy Pier.

It was never clear that the stations would finance such a tall structure. But other problems with the plan surfaced quickly.

The land is only about a block north of the site of the celebrated "Calatrava spire," the 124-story building due to go up at E. North Water Street and Lake Shore Drive.

Its slender, seemingly twirling profile is the work of Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava.

Sources said city officials didn't want structures of such extreme height so close together. And the Daley administration made it clear it wanted Calatrava on the skyline.

Other real estate experts said the TV stations never seriously pursued the antenna tower. The broadcasters want alternatives so they get negotiating leverage when it's time to renew leases on the roofs of the Sears Tower and the John Hancock Center.

They have one possibility in the Calatrava building. Its developer, Christopher Carley, has said the design can be modified to accommodate antennas within a spire that would be there anyway,

Also, the real estate firm Staubach Co. has consulted with the stations on potential antenna sites in the South Loop.


http://www.suntimes.com/output/business/cst-fin-tower24.html

[Chi_Coruscant]

South Loop is a better location than being shoulder-to-shoulder by Fordham Spire.

[Tom In Chicago]

Perhaps another architect has plans for south-loop super-tower (?). . . shouldn't surprise anyone that it's not going to happen anyways since FS is the only thing worth banking on these days. . . good riddance to this sky-pie. . .

[aaron38]

Maybe this is a dumb question, but unless the plan was to broadcast to the Michigan shoreline, why would you put a broadcast tower in the Loop where half the coverage goes out over water?

Wouldn't it be better to put a 2000 foot broadcast tower in say Schaumburg or Naperville, considering the growth of the exurbs out in the collar counties?

[Steely Dan]

^ that might be true, but i'm certainly no expert in broadcasting technology.

in any event, if schaumburg or naperville or any other burb ever had the sheer audacity to one-up the city like that, we would have to blow that shit up ;)

[HK Chicago]

Maybe this is a dumb question, but unless the plan was to broadcast to the Michigan shoreline, why would you put a broadcast tower in the Loop where half the coverage goes out over water?

Wouldn't it be better to put a 2000 foot broadcast tower in say Schaumburg or Naperville, considering the growth of the exurbs out in the collar counties?

Coverage is directional, rest assured the broadcast is focused west.

[Lecom]

** Deleted for copyright infringement **

- Dylan Leblanc

[some_stupid_nut]

No point in shooting me down. I know its never gonna happen, but I like the Miglin-Beitler Skyneedle, hehe. Beitler should think about that again.

[BVictor1]

It's baaccckkkkk..........

http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-0611290070nov29,0,7008642.story?coll=chi-business-utl

INSIDE COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE

Broadcast tower plan off the ground again
BY SUSAN DIESENHOUSE. Tribune staff reporter Blair Kamin contributed to this report
Published November 29, 2006

Developer J. Paul Beitler's long struggle to build an ultratall, iconic Chicago tower just got a new lease on life.

For years, Beitler has been trying to develop a $325 million, 2,000-foot-high broadcast tower designed by star architect Cesar Pelli to serve a new generation of digital broadcast technology.

By 2009, the federal government will require television broadcasters to transmit signals digitally. Today, analog technology pervades the airwaves.

In 2005, Beitler proposed building near Navy Pier the tower he touted as one of the world's tallest structures. It would have been close to another possible Chicago icon: the proposed $1.2 billion, 2,000-foot-high lakefront residential spire designed by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava that would rise above Chicago's tallest building, the 1,450-foot-high Sears Tower.

But having two soaring structures dominate the shoreline didn't seem to fly with city officials or Streeterville neighbors. So, Beitler started talking to spire developer Christopher T. Carley about mounting the broadcast equipment atop his tower.

Last summer, however, Irish developer Garrett Kelleher, intent on building the Calatrava design, bought the spire site from Carley.

Now, the tower's top seven floors most likely will house luxury condominiums rather than digital broadcast facilities, a Kelleher spokesman, Chicago attorney Thomas J. Murphy, said Tuesday.

"We're 99 percent sure we won't do a broadcast tower," Murphy said in an interview. It's a "business that we don't know anything about."

Also, he added, broadcasters can now use antennas on the Sears and Hancock towers.

In addition, for aesthetic reasons, the proposed Calatrava spire will have underground, rather than surface, parking, Murphy said. Without a separate garage, Kelleher could more closely conform to Calatrava's vision of a design that focuses on one elegant high-rise, Murphy explained.

That decision clears a path for Beitler to again seek to build a separate 2,000-foot-high broadcast tower elsewhere.

In September, he agreed to take a 99-year ground lease from Sunbelt Management Co. of Delray Beach, Fla., on a 50,000-square-foot site at Illinois Street and Columbus Drive.

Beitler said he has financing commitments, and next month expects the city's major English- and Spanish-language broadcast outlets to sign lease agreements. By April, he plans to seek City Hall approval.

"Current broadcast facilities are adequate but antiquated," he said.

[Chi_Coruscant]

That decision clears a path for Beitler to again seek to build a separate 2,000-foot-high broadcast tower elsewhere.
In September, he agreed to take a 99-year ground lease from Sunbelt Management Co. of Delray Beach, Fla., on a 50,000-square-foot site at Illinois Street and Columbus Drive.

Beitler said he has financing commitments, and next month expects the city's major English- and Spanish-language broadcast outlets to sign lease agreements. By April, he plans to seek City Hall approval.

I am not sure if my brain is functioning properly but is he planning to plop down 2,000ft broadcast tower on that lot?

[SamInTheLoop]

It's baaccckkkkk..........

http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-0611290070nov29,0,7008642.story?coll=chi-business-utl

INSIDE COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE

Broadcast tower plan off the ground again
BY SUSAN DIESENHOUSE. Tribune staff reporter Blair Kamin contributed to this report
Published November 29, 2006

Developer J. Paul Beitler's long struggle to build an ultratall, iconic Chicago tower just got a new lease on life.

For years, Beitler has been trying to develop a $325 million, 2,000-foot-high broadcast tower designed by star architect Cesar Pelli to serve a new generation of digital broadcast technology.

By 2009, the federal government will require television broadcasters to transmit signals digitally. Today, analog technology pervades the airwaves.

In 2005, Beitler proposed building near Navy Pier the tower he touted as one of the world's tallest structures. It would have been close to another possible Chicago icon: the proposed $1.2 billion, 2,000-foot-high lakefront residential spire designed by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava that would rise above Chicago's tallest building, the 1,450-foot-high Sears Tower.

But having two soaring structures dominate the shoreline didn't seem to fly with city officials or Streeterville neighbors. So, Beitler started talking to spire developer Christopher T. Carley about mounting the broadcast equipment atop his tower.

Last summer, however, Irish developer Garrett Kelleher, intent on building the Calatrava design, bought the spire site from Carley.

Now, the tower's top seven floors most likely will house luxury condominiums rather than digital broadcast facilities, a Kelleher spokesman, Chicago attorney Thomas J. Murphy, said Tuesday.

"We're 99 percent sure we won't do a broadcast tower," Murphy said in an interview. It's a "business that we don't know anything about."

Also, he added, broadcasters can now use antennas on the Sears and Hancock towers.

In addition, for aesthetic reasons, the proposed Calatrava spire will have underground, rather than surface, parking, Murphy said. Without a separate garage, Kelleher could more closely conform to Calatrava's vision of a design that focuses on one elegant high-rise, Murphy explained.

That decision clears a path for Beitler to again seek to build a separate 2,000-foot-high broadcast tower elsewhere.

In September, he agreed to take a 99-year ground lease from Sunbelt Management Co. of Delray Beach, Fla., on a 50,000-square-foot site at Illinois Street and Columbus Drive.

Beitler said he has financing commitments, and next month expects the city's major English- and Spanish-language broadcast outlets to sign lease agreements. By April, he plans to seek City Hall approval.

"Current broadcast facilities are adequate but antiquated," he said.


Folks, don't believe this for a second. Mr. J. Paul Beitler apparently is a desperate, desperate man. The Daley administration, SOAR and Natarus will undoubtedly laugh him out of Streeterville once again...

[Steely Dan]

Folks, don't believe this for a second. Mr. J. Paul Beitler apparently is a desperate, desperate man. The Daley administration, SOAR and Natarus will undoubtedly laugh him out of Streeterville once again...
yep. that was my reaction as well.

[X-fib]

Is Beitler proposing another 2000 foot super building or just some fancy broadcast tower? How are the Streeterville neighbors going to receive this?

[ih8spires]

I think Beitler's tower would be great in River North. Maybe near Ed Debevicis, Hooters, Coyote Ugly, and Hard Rock. It would spread out the skyline. I do not want it anywhere near the Chicago Spire.

[SimbyHeart]

That new broadcast tower proposal would be great along the L on Wabash lining up with Legacy and the 800+ Michigan avenue proposal.

[Rocket1]

Is Beitler proposing another 2000 foot super building or just some fancy broadcast tower? How are the Streeterville neighbors going to receive this?

Am I correct in thinking it's just a broadcast tower?


But is it hopefully something like Toronto's CN Tower? :)

Rather than some 2000' tall mast? :yuck:

[VivaLFuego]

Am I correct in thinking it's just a broadcast tower?


But is it hopefully something like Toronto's CN Tower? :)

Rather than some 2000' tall mast? :yuck:
It would be "like" CN Tower in taht it would have an observation deck . . .
http://www.chicagoarchitecture.info/Images/NearNorthSide/TallTower-001.jpg

[Rocket1]

It would be "like" CN Tower in taht it would have an observation deck . . .
http://www.chicagoarchitecture.info/Images/NearNorthSide/TallTower-001.jpg

Not a very appetizing design, IMHO.


Worthy of 1/2 a :yuck:

[ComandanteCero]

bump?

[CGII]

bump?
Dead. DEAD DEAD DEAD.

[Steely Dan]

oh shit, i forgot about this thread. i guess i'll have to move all the posts over here.

[SamInTheLoop]

Dead. DEAD DEAD DEAD.

deader than dead. this thing has a negative % chance of gaining city approval - there will be rampant neighborhood and natarus opposition, and additional pushback from daley and dpd. and, i can't say i blame them - i think it's a bad location for a bad structure...i think beitler is totally nuts...

[Steely Dan]

^ perhaps this thing is deader than dead at this location, but this is now the 4th proposed location for this tower, and those are just the locations i'm aware of. beitler just keeps fishing it around on different pieces of land. maybe the city will eventaully bite on one of them.