[bnk]

[QUOTE=a chicago bearcat;3047188][QUOTE=EarlyBuyer;3046232]Taken by EarlyBuyer 9/3/07
http://img211.imageshack.us/img211/345/dscn8266jf5.jpg

I seem to recall that there was going to be access down to the park from Columbus. ...


Can you elaborate on this access?

[honte]

^ There was a kind of switchback stair there, aligned with Lake Street. I'm having trouble seeing how it will be created, given the concrete that's already been poured, but I doubt they'll drop that part of the plan. I guess I just don't remember the specific placement that well.

In the plans, there was also another grand stair over by the Swissotel.

[honte]

is that construction of the townhomes along the park in this photo

Yes, I am nearly positive it is. I was there last night. The cantilevered floor slabs that will form the projecting bays of the townhouses have been poured. :tup:

[a chicago bearcat]

Yes, I am nearly positive it is. I was there last night. The cantilevered floor slabs that will form the projecting bays of the townhouses have been poured. :tup:

awesome.
as for the old switchbacking stair access ramp whatever it is, has there been a concrete slab poured, or only temporary work platforms placed over the columns poured, because some of those columns don't make it to the logical floor height, and then some at the back continue well above, like you might think a ramp would be built, but there is rebar sticking out of the top of all of these, implying columns that continue, so I'm befuddled

[EarlyBuyer]

I believe this rendering had previously been posted on this thread, however just clicked through every page (whew!), and could not locate it. I did find it on the Aqua Owners website which credited SSC as the source.

The switchback stair rendering:
http://img176.imageshack.us/img176/3826/aquabase2ek2.jpg

[bnk]

:previous:

Thanks for your search and post.:tup:

bnk

BTW those town homes will be a little in the dark when it comes to sunsets, obviously. Give something to get something I guess.

[honte]

^ Cool, thanks for the refresher. The stair from the Lake Street extension is much closer to the park and street than I thought it was, so from the sketch + Chicago Bearcat's post, it's clear that it is in the works. Good.

[Chitown]

^This project is so coo. It will have a lot of impact besides the awesomeness of the building itself.

[EarlyBuyer]

We're up and running again!

[EarlyBuyer]

These renderings were posted by Avery on Aqua Owners website

http://img520.imageshack.us/img520/2816/aqualevel2vx5.jpg


http://img293.imageshack.us/img293/4149/aqualevel3xq8.jpg


http://img207.imageshack.us/img207/2036/aquaterracerm8.jpg

[Dr. Taco]

^ wowzer dowzer, I like. Is there anything this thing won't have? i was gonna say 'golf course', but there's practically one of those up there, too

welcome back, ssp

[ATLksuGUY]

Some people wont agree, but i am almost as excited about this building as i am the spire. Its so unique!!!!!!!!! andSSP IS BACK, SHOW YOUR APPRECIATION! they surely worked hard to get it up and running again

[EarlyBuyer]

Photo's Taken by EarlyBuyer

http://img296.imageshack.us/img296/1058/dscn7069za1.jpg


http://img174.imageshack.us/img174/2290/dscn7071an5.jpg


http://img174.imageshack.us/img174/3104/dscn7088va5.jpg


http://img294.imageshack.us/img294/5092/dscn7093ve6.jpg


http://img503.imageshack.us/img503/7531/dscn7107ed7.jpg


http://img88.imageshack.us/img88/9673/dscn7129eb9.jpg


http://img483.imageshack.us/img483/1161/dscn8314ko6.jpg


http://img205.imageshack.us/img205/7564/dscn8344tb3.jpg


http://img483.imageshack.us/img483/6580/dscn8319rp0.jpg


http://img503.imageshack.us/img503/2281/dscn8322ai0.jpg


http://img296.imageshack.us/img296/1155/dscn8325ry9.jpg


http://img483.imageshack.us/img483/9800/dscn8328jo8.jpg

[Sir Isaac Newton]

This may be a dumb question, but is the site of Mandarin Oriental visible in these pictures of Aqua, and if so, exactly where will MO be?

[harryc]

Photo's Taken by EarlyBuyer


Thanks for the retrospective, I always like to put the buildings in the context of what was there before, a product of getting so old I remember everything as it once was.

[SolarWind]

September 11, 2007

http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/2020/dsc0138jq7.jpg

http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/7626/dsc0140nw7.jpg

http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/9030/dsc0019bk6.jpg

http://img206.imageshack.us/img206/9113/dsc0010uk6.jpg

[SolarWind]

September 11, 2007

http://img523.imageshack.us/img523/554/untitled4uu3.jpg

[honte]

^ Thanks for all the pics, Solarwind.

This may be a dumb question, but is the site of Mandarin Oriental visible in these pictures of Aqua, and if so, exactly where will MO be?

Since you haven't gotten a reply yet (unless PM), if you look in Early Buyer's photos above, the MO tower would be seen rising one block back, between the Fairmont hotel and the Park Millennium.

[Knightwing]

I dont know if anyone ever answered how the formwork will work seeing that each floor is different?

[Nowhereman1280]

^^^ They have some sort of flexible plastic formwork system or something like that and super precise GPS to find where to put it allowing them to make curved precise lines. In any case this should be a pretty unique if not groundbreaking process. Unless this tech is already in use, this could be a brand new form of construction that could be applied elsewhere allowing architects and landscape designers even more artistic freedom with their designs.

[Alliance]

Also, do we know if they'll be bouring the core and adding the floors later or will each abstract conctre floor be poured as in a traditional concrete building?

[newstl2020]

Wow you really get some perspective on how close this is to the Spire site in Solar's 9/11 set, second to last. That's going to be an extremely impression shot in about 2 years.

[Wheelingman04]

Thanks for the great updates guys.:tup:

[EarlyBuyer]

Great pictures SolarWind, thanks!

[aaron38]

I asked one of the construction guys today if he knew how the stairs were going to fit, but he didn't know. It's still a mystery to me how they're supposed to fit with what they've already poured.

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r86/aaron38/Chicago%209-17-07/Aquapodium.jpg

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r86/aaron38/Chicago%209-17-07/Aquapodium2.jpg

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r86/aaron38/Chicago%209-17-07/Aqua.jpg

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r86/aaron38/Chicago%209-17-07/Aqua2-1.jpg

[aaron38]

A couple people asked where Aqua was going to fit in the skyline. Hope this helps, it'll rise where the yellow crane is.
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r86/aaron38/Chicago%209-17-07/Aquasite.jpg


The LSE parkhomes
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r86/aaron38/Chicago%209-17-07/LSEparkhomes.jpg


And the bonus shot, the odd Segway procession through LSE park
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r86/aaron38/Chicago%209-17-07/LSEsegway.jpg

[Rocket1]

And the bonus shot, the odd Segway procession through LSE park


Does the LSE park get much use?

It always seems pretty empty in the photos I see of it.

[honte]

^ I always thought it was a rather strange place for a park. I mean, just one wall of buildings to the south, you have one of the largest and most developed parks in the city. One wall of buildings to the north, you have the river. One row to the east (for now), you have the lakefront parks. There were obviously other reasons the park was put here (preserve views and light into condos, dog park, etc).

I think it's going to be a while (maybe full build-out) before this park seems very busy. There aren't a lot of ways to get here yet either. However, I am pleased to see some nice retail things popping up around the base of the park, such as the Rom coffee house, which might draw some people.

In any case, I don't think every part of the city needs to be bursting at the seams at all times. I really enjoy a peaceful park.

[aaron38]

Does the LSE park get much use?
It always seems pretty empty in the photos I see of it.

It's never crowded, but there's always people there, just spread out.
There are usually a couple moms with kids at the playground, several dogs being walked, someone on a stroll, a dad and kid playing catch on the lawn, etc.

[Nowhereman1280]

^^^
Last time I walked through there it was a really nice saturday late afternoon and that place was pretty hopping. The playground was down right crowded and there were segways and a wedding party elsewhere in the park, in addition to the usual dog walkers. There were also a few people who appeared to be tourists that wondered in from millennium park and appeared somewhat lost...

[Alliance]

There aren't a lot of ways to get here yet either.

This is one of my problems with it. The first time I tried to get own there, I cou;dn't figure out how. Its not very accessible to the public at all, its way below the Grant Park, East Wacker pedestiral levels and people rarely venture out to this part of the city anyway unless thier taking pictures or going to the LSD bike paths.

[Nowhereman1280]

This is one of my problems with it. The first time I tried to get own there, I cou;dn't figure out how. Its not very accessible to the public at all, its way below the Grant Park, East Wacker pedestiral levels and people rarely venture out to this part of the city anyway unless thier taking pictures or going to the LSD bike paths.

Or picking up their car from the impound lot...

[Ataraxy]

This is one of my problems with it. The first time I tried to get own there, I cou;dn't figure out how. Its not very accessible to the public at all, its way below the Grant Park, East Wacker pedestiral levels and people rarely venture out to this part of the city anyway unless thier taking pictures or going to the LSD bike paths.

I think that this was probably done on purpose, the park at LSE was designed more for the local residents of the LSE community than a millennium park or even grant park for that matter. Not to say its a private park that can't be enjoyed by all but that its a park for people who know its there (locals) to get away from the crowds at millennium...once the development is fully up and running there will be more axcess points due to aqua, and I'm sure the park will be well utilized. Not to mention I believe they either already have or are planning to have free Wi-fi throughout the park....

[EarlyBuyer]

Thanks for the update photos aaron38!

[Dr. Taco]

I think that this was probably done on purpose, the park at LSE was designed more for the local residents of the LSE community than a millennium park or even grant park for that matter. Not to say its a private park that can't be enjoyed by all but that its a park for people who know its there (locals) to get away from the crowds at millennium...once the development is fully up and running there will be more axcess points due to aqua, and I'm sure the park will be well utilized. Not to mention I believe they either already have or are planning to have free Wi-fi throughout the park....

yeah, these are kind of my thoughts as well... You can't get to the park at all except down the stairs from randolph, and through the parking lot from the bike path section that goes along the south side of the river. But, it might be intended that way to make it sort of exclusive, without actually disallowing anyone from making use of it. There will be a lot of people living in LSE, and the size of the park might be good for solely LSE residents to make use of it, and thats probably what will happen anyway. The opening of aqua will encourage more to use it, but still, it seems to be an LSE resident park

oh, woops. this is the aqua thread...

[Nowhereman1280]

^^^ You could also go on Wacker and go down to the third level (not lower wacker, but the one below it, the dreaded service level Wacker) and walk past the impound lot to the park. That's how I always get there because I'm coming from the northwest...

Then again, walking on service level wacker isn't that great of an idea...

[BVictor1]

I went to the construction trailer last week and I'm happy to say that you can bump the height of this one slightly to:

822'-2"

[Dr. Taco]

^ for visualization purposes, just picture me standing on the roof of aqua balancing a ruler on its end on the top of my head. nice!

[SamInTheLoop]

I went to the construction trailer last week and I'm happy to say that you can bump the height of this one slightly to:

822'-2"


7 ft bump - I'll take it! - so it's the same height (from main entrance) as Legacy now?

[EarlyBuyer]

:previous:

Thanks BVic, good news!

[ToBuyOrNotToBuy.....]

......... The opening of aqua will encourage more to use it, but still, it seems to be an LSE resident park...........

Is anyone on this thread, other than me, old enough to remember that the so-called "LSE park" used to be a public golf course ? ......and whoever it was, connected to the city planning board/government, that negotiated with the developers and forced them to keep the space open for all-time is to be congratulated......you can believe it, the developers didn't do it out of the goodness of their heart. The place is not just for LSE residents, it is open to all of the public.

[EarlyBuyer]

......... The opening of aqua will encourage more to use it, but still, it seems to be an LSE resident park...........

Is anyone on this thread, other than me, old enough to remember that the so-called "LSE park" used to be a public golf course ? .

Here are links to a couple of photo's of the course:

http://http://tigger.uic.edu/depts/ahaa/imagebase/brubaker/images/45.jpg

http://http://terraserver-usa.com/addressimage.aspx?t=4&s=11&lon=-87.6157893643422&lat=41.8861272958438&alon=-87.62035777&alat=41.8842841&w=3&opt=0&qs=400+east+randolph+drive%7cchicago%7cil%7c&addr=E+Randolph+Dr%2c+Chicago%2c+IL+60601

http://http://terraserver-usa.com/addressimage.aspx?t=4&s=10&lon=-87.6157893643422&lat=41.8861272958438&alon=-87.62035777&alat=41.8842841&w=3&opt=0&qs=400+east+randolph+drive%7cchicago%7cil%7c&addr=E+Randolph+Dr%2c+Chicago%2c+IL+60601

[migueltorres]

Here are links to a couple of photo's of the course:

http://http://tigger.uic.edu/depts/ahaa/imagebase/brubaker/images/45.jpg

http://http://terraserver-usa.com/addressimage.aspx?t=4&s=11&lon=-87.6157893643422&lat=41.8861272958438&alon=-87.62035777&alat=41.8842841&w=3&opt=0&qs=400+east+randolph+drive%7cchicago%7cil%7c&addr=E+Randolph+Dr%2c+Chicago%2c+IL+60601

http://http://terraserver-usa.com/addressimage.aspx?t=4&s=10&lon=-87.6157893643422&lat=41.8861272958438&alon=-87.62035777&alat=41.8842841&w=3&opt=0&qs=400+east+randolph+drive%7cchicago%7cil%7c&addr=E+Randolph+Dr%2c+Chicago%2c+IL+60601

:previous: I fixed your links...

http://tigger.uic.edu/depts/ahaa/imagebase/brubaker/images/45.jpg

http://terraserver-usa.com/addressimage.aspx?t=4&s=11&lon=-87.6157893643422&lat=41.8861272958438&alon=-87.62035777&alat=41.8842841&w=3&opt=0&qs=400+east+randolph+drive%7cchicago%7cil%7c&addr=E+Randolph+Dr%2c+Chicago%2c+IL+60601

http://terraserver-usa.com/addressimage.aspx?t=4&s=10&lon=-87.6157893643422&lat=41.8861272958438&alon=-87.62035777&alat=41.8842841&w=3&opt=0&qs=400+east+randolph+drive%7cchicago%7cil%7c&addr=E+Randolph+Dr%2c+Chicago%2c+IL+60601

[Dan in Chicago]

7 ft bump - I'll take it! - so it's the same height (from main entrance) as Legacy now?

Actually the Legacy got bumped down :( . Its height will be 818'-9". For some reason Emporis had a higher height for Aqua (822'-6") so it got bumped down over there while getting bumped up over here.

[EarlyBuyer]

:previous:

Thanks Miguel.

[Knightwing]

Once you get above a certain height, a few feet becomes visually indiscernable so it's more for pride purposes than anything.

[Alliance]

Yeah. Legacy and Aqua are still intertwined as two FINE looking ladies in my mind.

[T-Mac]

Here are links to a couple of photo's of the course:

http://http://tigger.uic.edu/depts/ahaa/imagebase/brubaker/images/45.jpg

http://http://terraserver-usa.com/addressimage.aspx?t=4&s=11&lon=-87.6157893643422&lat=41.8861272958438&alon=-87.62035777&alat=41.8842841&w=3&opt=0&qs=400+east+randolph+drive%7cchicago%7cil%7c&addr=E+Randolph+Dr%2c+Chicago%2c+IL+60601

http://http://terraserver-usa.com/addressimage.aspx?t=4&s=10&lon=-87.6157893643422&lat=41.8861272958438&alon=-87.62035777&alat=41.8842841&w=3&opt=0&qs=400+east+randolph+drive%7cchicago%7cil%7c&addr=E+Randolph+Dr%2c+Chicago%2c+IL+60601

I think that Google Earth still shows the golf course.

[jjk1103]

....I remember when they used to store road salt and asphalt on the LSE site....but, then again, I'm old as dirt.....:D

[harryc]

....I remember when they used to store road salt and asphalt on the LSE site....but, then again, I'm old as dirt.....:D

... I have found memories of taking unsuspecting friends from Waukegan into downtown racing S on the Edens with the beautiful city laid out before them, getting closer fast, then a few turns, a wild spin down a ramp, and the green lights of lower Wacker zipping past at 40+ MpH, a sharp turn or 2 and then we would pass under LSD and into an old rail yard, with LSD towering to the W and N you couldn't see any of Chicago at all. One day soon the few of us who remain will have to stop by the park with a bottle of cheap vodka for the memories.

This was soooo long ago we wondered why build such big buildings when the Soviets were just going to blow us up anyways. Kids these days don't KNOW terror.

[Alliance]

This was soooo long ago we wondered why build such big buildings when the Soviets were just going to blow us up anyways. Kids these days don't KNOW terror.

And the old guys don't know the Soviets.

[ametz]

^ I always thought it was a rather strange place for a park. I mean, just one wall of buildings to the south, you have one of the largest and most developed parks in the city. One wall of buildings to the north, you have the river. One row to the east (for now), you have the lakefront parks. There were obviously other reasons the park was put here (preserve views and light into condos, dog park, etc).

I think it's going to be a while (maybe full build-out) before this park seems very busy. There aren't a lot of ways to get here yet either. However, I am pleased to see some nice retail things popping up around the base of the park, such as the Rom coffee house, which might draw some people.

In any case, I don't think every part of the city needs to be bursting at the seams at all times. I really enjoy a peaceful park.
I recall that the LSE park was a big selling point for the project- I think the city leaned on the developers to create some green space. Although Chicago is aggressively remaking itself as a green city, it’s remarkably bereft of parkland. I read a study that appeared in the Tribune this year that showed that Chicago is either the worst or second worst of all major U.S. cities in amount of park space, and by a good amount. I work near LSE, and the park is a terrific place to unwind (though probably not so right now with all the construction). With Aqua and everything going up, though, I wonder if the park will get any sun. In any case, the park should still prove a welcome oasis. Since it’s sort of walled off and below street level it’s oddly, and thankfully, quiet (again, without all the contruction).

[Steely Dan]

bring it back on topic people. if you want to discuss chicago parks in general, please take it to the general development thread, not here.

[SportsWorld]

Can someone explain to me how the base of this building will look like or how it will be made in the construction process?

[SolarWind]

September 25, 2007

http://img231.imageshack.us/img231/7355/dsc0052pk0.jpg

http://img231.imageshack.us/img231/1/dsc0051xq6.jpg

[Tom In Chicago]

Formwork is rising above upper Columbus sidewalk level. . . should start making a greater appearence from the west. . .

[MrLakepoint]

September 25, 2007

http://img231.imageshack.us/img231/7355/dsc0052pk0.jpg

http://img231.imageshack.us/img231/1/dsc0051xq6.jpg

Solar Wind....As usual you are the King...Thank You for your time in posting...:worship: :worship: :worship:

[FastFerrari82]

liftoff....and the Aqua has now set its sights on the sky!!!!!...another gym for Chicago

[the urban politician]

^ gym?

[Nowhereman1280]

^ gym?

Perhaps he meant "gem"?

[Dr. Taco]

^ well, there will be a small gym....;)

[Alliance]

One could interpret a tower crane as high-stakes monkey bars.

[Knightwing]

another gym for Chicago

:haha:

[Adam186]

I was wondering how they were going to cover up that building(firesation?) that's on the site. Looks like they going to lay rebar pour concrete soon. How will the building withstand the large span and weight of the concrete? Was the small building reinforced already?

[headcase]

I was wondering how they were going to cover up that building(firesation?) that's on the site. Looks like they going to lay rebar pour concrete soon. How will the building withstand the large span and weight of the concrete? Was the small building reinforced already?

It's actually a ComEd substation, the nearby fire station is two levels up on Upper Columbus.

From what I can see from my window, I have to assume they are going to span that building, not build on top of it. It has what look like air vents on the top and I have to assume that they can't be covered up.

SSDD

[harryc]

Not much of a view left from the lower levels.

http://lh6.google.com/harry.r.carmichael/Rv3Dpj6-WpI/AAAAAAAAHUM/kCP6YxkdDtE/P1040650.JPG?imgmax=720

Post Stress wires waiting the day they get stressed out.

http://lh6.google.com/harry.r.carmichael/Rv3Dkj6-WmI/AAAAAAAAHT0/FnfetEs7NjA/P1040643.JPG?imgmax=720

http://lh4.google.com/harry.r.carmichael/Rv3DmD6-WnI/AAAAAAAAHT8/qp7gE-5oB9I/P1040645.JPG?imgmax=640

http://lh6.google.com/harry.r.carmichael/Rv3Dnj6-WoI/AAAAAAAAHUE/xcnZbLR3jjY/P1040646.JPG?imgmax=640

[EarlyBuyer]

Thanks SolarWind and harryC for the great photo updates!

[jcchii]

gym posting hilarious

[Horio]

I was wondering how they were going to cover up that building(firesation?) that's on the site. Looks like they going to lay rebar pour concrete soon. How will the building withstand the large span and weight of the concrete? Was the small building reinforced already?

There will be some very large steel girders which will span the COMED substation to columns on the site and thru the columbus bridge. Very likely you will see these in the next couple months showing up on site. From upper columbus you won't even be able to tell there is a building below.

[Adam186]

Thanks horio, you answered question perfectly. Thanks again.

And thanks for the photo updates harryc and solarwind. I miss Chicago whenever I'm gone.

[EarlyBuyer]

Taken by EarlyBuyer 10/3/07

http://img186.imageshack.us/img186/8803/dscn8424bc7.jpg


http://img165.imageshack.us/img165/1461/dscn8392ll6.jpg


http://img502.imageshack.us/img502/5908/dscn8383ig9.jpg


http://img167.imageshack.us/img167/6149/dscn8384xf2.jpg


http://img339.imageshack.us/img339/5562/dscn8385ef2.jpg


http://img167.imageshack.us/img167/7412/dscn8396ne6.jpg


http://img72.imageshack.us/img72/7869/dscn8401tn6.jpg

[MrLakepoint]

:previous: :previous: Taken by EarlyBuyer 10/3/07

Thank you for the pictures. I live less than a mile away but I can never get over to see this area, but thanks to you I can see every week what progress that they have made on this project....:notacrook:
:banger:

[trvlr70]

Early buyer, I thank God for your perspective.

[EarlyBuyer]

MrLakepoint and trvlr70: you are most welcome!

[Sir Isaac Newton]

Great pics, EarlyBuyer!

This may be a dumb question that everyone else already knows the answer to, but will the tower portion of Aqua consist of the structure going up on the Northwest side of the site, the structure going up on the Southeast side of the site, or both structures?

Also, in the first couple pics, can we see the site where Mandarin Oriental will eventually be built on?

[EarlyBuyer]

Great pics, EarlyBuyer!

This may be a dumb question that everyone else already knows the answer to, but will the tower portion of Aqua consist of the structure going up on the Northwest side of the site, the structure going up on the Southeast side of the site, or both structures?

Also, in the first couple pics, can we see the site where Mandarin Oriental will eventually be built on?


Sir Isaac Newton, the tower will be on the Northwest side of the site (the yellow crane is next to the core). The larger lower part of the structure is the enormous podium, and that's not all of it. Other portions of the podium/related structures to be built East, North and Northeast of the tower have not yet been started, however below ground work is done.

The MO site cannot be seen in these photo's, however the tower will be on Stetson Avenue positioned behind and in-between (from a visual perspective in the first photo) the Fairmont Hotel and the Park Millennium condo tower.

[cbotnyse]

such a massive work site, must be seen in person to appreciate it!

great updates, thanks.

[GregBear24]

Sorry if this has been asked already: does anyone know if there will or will not be a tower south of this site? I know it's insanely narrow, but could the podium for aqua be incorporated into a future structure, b/c it was in the plans for lse not too long ago. Thanks.

[EarlyBuyer]

such a massive work site, must be seen in person to appreciate it!

You're right cbotnyse. The scale of the project demonstrates why Aqua will cost as much as The Legacy and 340 On The Park combined.

[Alliance]

Not to mention the giant 12' concrete balconies :rolleyes:

[BVictor1]

Sorry if this has been asked already: does anyone know if there will or will not be a tower south of this site? I know it's insanely narrow, but could the podium for aqua be incorporated into a future structure, b/c it was in the plans for lse not too long ago. Thanks.

There is supposed to be something there. what, remains to be seen...

[spyguy]

Many moons ago someone asked for a larger rendering of Aqua.
http://img237.imageshack.us/img237/9109/aquaresizedaw8.jpg

[Alliance]

Many moons ago someone asked for a larger rendering of Aqua.[/IMG]

FINALLY!

[cbotnyse]

Not to mention the giant 12' concrete balconies :rolleyes:wait, why the eye roll? do you not like the balconies?

[Dr. Taco]

I wonder if I'm gonna like this building...

[WonderlandPark]

I love the tower, but really hate the floor without any balconies, breaks up the beautiful organic flow. Why did they do that? Refuge floors aren't buildng code in Chicago like Hong Kong has.

[Rise To The Top]

I love the tower, but really hate the floor without any balconies, breaks up the beautiful organic flow. Why did they do that? Refuge floors aren't buildng code in Chicago like Hong Kong has.

Maybe they will put up balconies just so it doesnt look horrid, even though they wont be used. That break really BREAKS the design, LOL.

[NSawyer]

It's the sections of the building w/o the balconies that give the Aqua its "beautiful organic flow." If the building is well executed, the spaces between the balconies will look like a shiny jewel encased in weathered rock. On the other hand, it also might just give the building the appearance that it's molting.

[Nowhereman1280]

I actually like the break, It exposes the true shape of the building for a brief moment as your eyes follow the building up. I like that its so honest pointing out that this is indeed a building and that the wavy shapes are actually useful, not just decoration. And in spots where they aren't useful and would be decoration, they don't exist. Its definitely a taste of form follows function there.

No use for the wavy forms in that spot. The only reason this building isn't just a miesian box is because it needs balconies. Since there have to be balconies you may as well do something creative with them. But where you don't need balconies you shouldn't pretend you do. It violates modern aesthetics.

[Busy Bee]

Here's a quick job at photoshopping that "break" floor in with the balconies of the floor before:

http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q286/urbsinhorto/aquaresizedaw8redraw.jpg

[dallasbrink]

looks much better without the break

[WonderlandPark]

Yep, much better

[SolarWind]

October 3, 2007

http://img369.imageshack.us/img369/2973/dsc0100sx8.jpg

http://img502.imageshack.us/img502/8427/dsc0096ax5.jpg

http://img520.imageshack.us/img520/28/dsc0117fs5.jpg

http://img520.imageshack.us/img520/8979/dsc0112bf3.jpg

[Fabb]

^Was that really Oct 3 ? Such a beautiful day !

[cbotnyse]

^Was that really Oct 3 ? Such a beautiful day !you arent kidding...Highs in the mid to upper 80s and sunny for the rest of the week and weekend! not bad for October

perfect time to get out and take some pictures. I'll update every Chicago building in the downtown area this weekend. :notacrook:

[Daquan13]

Aaagh! Hideous!!

Looks creepy. Like it has huge fish scales or fungi growing on it!!!:yuck:

[harryc]

^Was that really Oct 3 ? Such a beautiful day !

Yes

http://lh3.google.com/harry.r.carmichael/RwTfXD6-kMI/AAAAAAAAJlA/tmnc8yxVHNE/P1050231.JPG?imgmax=800

[EarlyBuyer]

Thanks SolarWind, great update pics!

[Alliance]

wait, why the eye roll? do you not like the balconies?

Its a lot of added weight that someone needs to pay to hold up.

Also, hopefully Gang strong-armed Lowendburg into getting decent glass.

[oldpainless]

This is going to be one of those buildings whose popularity will be greatly affected by time. 25 years down the road this building will either hold up amazingly to the tests of time and be an incredible testament to the foresight of the architechs --- Or it will age very rapidly, become a huge eye sore and the source of much public angst like the Metlife building in New York. I just can't see it settling somewhere in the middle -- its too extreme for that. It all depends on where the trends in architecture go and how public opinion and taste changes.