[wrab]

:shrug:

Corrected. More from 9/7

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y150/wjcordier/2008-09-07hdr20.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y150/wjcordier/20080907_0313b.jpg

[denizen467]

Corrected. More from 9/7
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y150/wjcordier/2008-09-07hdr20.jpg

Wow, the waves in the latest couple floors are some of the most pronounced we've seen yet. I guess the seas get rougher as you sail deeper into the atmosphere!

Someone's going to be able to fit about 1 grill on their balcony, and not much more.:haha:

[hawkeye view]

Remember the first 20+ floors are hotel rooms, so no grills until the deeper balconies higher up.

I saw a printed sales brochure from magellan last weekend. It showed 3 different floor plans and 1 penthouse unit as well. It is a northeast facing unit of just over 2000 sf, 3br+3ba. Interestingly the penthouse floor plans did not show access to the balconies(?) I cannot imagine paying for that level and not getting access to the most unique part of your unit. The floorplans on lower levels did show balcony access points, even more puzzling. (Maybe they leave these details to the customization process done with the penthouse owner ?)

Just visited the aqua website where multiple penthouses are still advertised(?) They are smaller than I expected with several 1&2 BR options (1000-2000 sf) available. They must be asking quite a bit per sq foot as these should be the most sought after views. I mean if I have a choice of floor 75 vs 80 it seems a no brainer to choose 80.
In every building penthouse I've seen, the units at the top are usually at least 3-4 BR and and rarified pricing due to enourmous square footage. Aqua's penthouse units are not so large, so I wonder if pricing is getting close to the spire crossover points?

I love the building, just found these points curious...

[denizen467]

Remember the first 20+ floors are hotel rooms, so no grills until the deeper balconies higher up.

Well I was obviously talking about the 50th+ floor.

Just visited the aqua website where multiple penthouses are still advertised(?) They are smaller than I expected with several 1&2 BR options (1000-2000 sf) available. They must be asking quite a bit per sq foot as these should be the most sought after views. I mean if I have a choice of floor 75 vs 80 it seems a no brainer to choose 80.
In every building penthouse I've seen, the units at the top are usually at least 3-4 BR and and rarified pricing due to enourmous square footage. Aqua's penthouse units are not so large, so I wonder if pricing is getting close to the spire crossover points?

Okay, here's some more terminology that might be worth debating on SSP. What the hell is the definition of "penthouse"? At least what does it mean in modern-day Chicago? In my head, it generally means something like "lofty exclusive perch", whether it's residential or office. So then just what does "exclusive" mean? I figure if there are more than 2 or 3 units sharing a floor, or if it's not much more expensive than lower floors, then it's not really so exclusive. So as hawkeye suggests, having lots of 1BR units as penthouses is real estate sales office bull$hit. What do people think should be the boundaries of the concept of a "penthouse"?

[Ryan81]

http://img122.imageshack.us/img122/576/aquaresizedaw81copynb7.jpg

[wrab]

^ Great job. Still a ways to go. This is gonna be one tall drink of water.

[trvlr70]

^ Great job. Still a ways to go. This is gonna be one tall drink of water.

good one;)

[Northwest]

Getting close to the mechanical floor too. I think we are going to get a lot more "wows" as this one climbs. Looking good!

[Mojava]

Just visited the aqua website where multiple penthouses are still advertised(?) They are smaller than I expected with several 1&2 BR options (1000-2000 sf) available. They must be asking quite a bit per sq foot as these should be the most sought after views. I mean if I have a choice of floor 75 vs 80 it seems a no brainer to choose 80.
In every building penthouse I've seen, the units at the top are usually at least 3-4 BR and and rarified pricing due to enourmous square footage. Aqua's penthouse units are not so large, so I wonder if pricing is getting close to the spire crossover points?

I love the building, just found these points curious...

How much of a premium is it to live on 80 vs. 75 and what are you getting for it. The view is pretty much the same. The "penthouse" label should carry several added features including higher ceiling heights and higher end finishes. Some penthouses are also sold "raw" as most of these owners want to custumize their space.

[wrab]

Technically, the "penthouse" is the structure on the roof of the tower that houses the mechanicals, etc. When you put a residence in there, it becomes a "penthouse apartment" (not redundant) and the surrounding vacant rooftop becomes a wraparound terrace. But in the rarified world of real estate lingo, where you can never have too much of a good thing, buildings now have multiple penthouses, on multiple floors, below the roof, without terraces.

[BVictor1]

https://community.emporis.com/images/6/2008/09/646301.jpg

https://community.emporis.com/images/6/2008/09/646303.jpg

[NYC4Life]

This tower could be used to host any "aquatic" events, should Chicago get the 2016 Summer Olympics.

[Chitown]

Is it possible to get a photo from the position seen in the render that Ryan edited above? I don't know if you're able to stand where you need to be to get that perspective or not, but if you can, it'd be great if someone could take such a picture.

[Dr. Taco]

Is it possible to get a photo from the position seen in the render that Ryan edited above? I don't know if you're able to stand where you need to be to get that perspective or not, but if you can, it'd be great if someone could take such a picture.

good luck. there is a building in the way that appears to be left out in the render

[EarlyBuyer]

Is it possible to get a photo from the position seen in the render that Ryan edited above? I don't know if you're able to stand where you need to be to get that perspective or not, but if you can, it'd be great if someone could take such a picture.

It could be done with an extreme wide angle lens or by stitching a pano together. I'm still out of town for another 2-3 weeks.

[ardecila]

^Yea, stitching plus Photoshop (for perspective correction) should give you what you want.

[jbr12]

Does anyone have the elevation diagram that showed the 'topography' of an elevation with arrows pointing to various views, etc?

[wrab]

Does anyone have the elevation diagram that showed the 'topography' of an elevation with arrows pointing to various views, etc?

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y150/wjcordier/STUDIOGANG1.jpg

http://www.studiogang.net/site/projects_e1.htm

[johnandahalf]

I was in Chicago on Labor Day weekend & took a few pics. I took this one of Aqua, and then cropped it to my screen size when I got home (1920 x 1200). It's DEFINITELY my new wallpaper. I love the way it's darker on the left (where my desktop icons accumulate).

Enjoy!

http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn277/johnandahalf/aquaback-1.jpg

ô¿ô

P.S. The railings are awesome now...not at all like the awkwardly disjointed demo they installed earlier this summer. Yay :banana:

[EarlyBuyer]

Nice work johnandahalf!

[andydie]

Hello Aquafriends and Aquafans,

another month has passed and the beautiful Aqua has risen once again as is shown in my latest video:

http://de.youtube.com/watch?v=hYm7HHWeZ58

Music: Fei Fei - Everglow ( Original Mix )

Enjoy!

[EarlyBuyer]

Good one Andy as always. Thanks for your work on this!

[Aqua Plumber]

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r110/phd3746/Imagejkjhk-1.jpg

[andydie]

thanx early and also thanx to aqua plumber for your amazing views up and down the tower:tup:

[harryc]

As seen from Lower East North Water
http://lh4.ggpht.com/harry.r.carmichael/SMwZaAanYpI/AAAAAAAAycw/dqwh7Vf0qbI/s720/P1040993.JPG

From the N bank of the river
http://lh5.ggpht.com/harry.r.carmichael/SMwZb_g9Q2I/AAAAAAAAyc8/bZY-qWLHzwk/s720/P1050011_09_10.jpg

The morning sun
http://lh3.ggpht.com/harry.r.carmichael/SMwZd6R3SMI/AAAAAAAAydo/m_IMFN2QVU4/s720/P1050017_5_6.jpg

[harryc]

http://lh3.ggpht.com/harry.r.carmichael/SMxaUoRwXxI/AAAAAAAAyeY/GAmuiDfCOrI/s720/P1050130.JPG
.
http://lh4.ggpht.com/harry.r.carmichael/SMxaZ4JEy3I/AAAAAAAAyeo/HY4g1W83E9o/s720/P1050152.JPG
.
http://lh5.ggpht.com/harry.r.carmichael/SMxadZ9jyJI/AAAAAAAAye0/hwanQnmKMTc/s800/P1050153.JPG
.
http://lh5.ggpht.com/harry.r.carmichael/SMxakdmXjTI/AAAAAAAAyfA/-OoL_-7xH7o/s800/P1050182_0_1.jpg
.
http://lh6.ggpht.com/harry.r.carmichael/SMxavr6roTI/AAAAAAAAyfY/x-_t9VUaOtE/s800/P1050188.JPG
.
http://lh3.ggpht.com/harry.r.carmichael/SMxarBOuW9I/AAAAAAAAyfM/k1qEWoNCOuA/s720/P1050202.JPG
.

[honte]

^ Harry, you've been on fire lately. Pretty sweet shots from you in all the threads... How much does a license to Photomatix cost? I think the good people of the Republic should chip in to buy you a license.

_____

The shadow lines on Aqua are really the unexpected treat for me. They are almost as interesting as the balconies themselves. :tup:

[ChicagoSpire2000]

Im sorry that I havent kept up with the entire project.
But I have scimmed through the last few pages.
And those pictures above, are those really construction pictures or are they "construction renders"?

Basicaly, what Im trying to ask is how far they are on this building. It looks amazing

[bnk]

.



Harry that is just sick, keep up your pics of this masterpiece.

[honte]

Im sorry that I havent kept up with the entire project.
But I have scimmed through the last few pages.
And those pictures above, are those really construction pictures or are they "construction renders"?

Basicaly, what Im trying to ask is how far they are on this building. It looks amazing

:) You are looking at the genuine article.

[denizen467]

Jenny G should be proud as I am of her.
How can you be proud of her if you don't even bother learning her correct name? Just misspelling would be a small thing, but you completely strike out on her actual first name.

[StatenIslander237]

How can you be proud of her if you don't even bother learning her correct name? Just misspelling would be a small thing, but you completely strike out on her actual first name.

No need to nit-pick. I think he was just being clever, I thought it was cool. :tup:

Should he have said Jeanny G?

I dream of Jeanny G. :haha: :haha: :haha:

[photoLith]

So how many floors left?

[EarlyBuyer]

:previous:

Roughly 25.

[denizen467]

No need to nit-pick. I think he was just being clever, I thought it was cool. :tup:

Should he have said Jeanny G?

I dream of Jeanny G. :haha: :haha: :haha:

Not nitpicking about spelling - instead I am being picky about a big fan not knowing somebody's actual name. Her first name is Jeanne. Just by looking at it, it's not possible to be sure whether that's pronounced "Jeanie" or "Jean". So either of those attempts at spelling would be fine. However, "Jenny" is about as in the ballpark as Jane or Julie or whatever. Anyway, sorry to get over-protective about the city's star architects. (Actually, the world's - this is now the tallest edifice on earth designed by a woman, I believe we established last year, with a tip of the hat to Hadid.)

Anyhow, it's really crossed a threshold in the last month where you get a sense of how it will look when finished. It very much entices the eye.

[bnk]

:previous:

Crips sake man get a life.:koko:

[denizen467]

Mm-hmm, mkay.

Lookit, an unwrapped balcony railing, partially seen below.

http://lh5.ggpht.com/harry.r.carmichael/SMxakdmXjTI/AAAAAAAAyfA/-OoL_-7xH7o/s800/P1050182_0_1.jpg


It doesn't look bad so far, but since it's cut off in the photo, need to wait a couple more days or weeks before we get a good idea of how they look en masse.

[jc5680]

Photos from 9/16:

http://www.j-carlson.com/ancilary/aqua916a.jpg

http://www.j-carlson.com/ancilary/aqua916b.jpg

http://www.j-carlson.com/ancilary/aqua916c.jpg

[ardecila]

^^ Wow, it's not often we see stucco on a high-rise.

[aaron38]

This just keeps looking better and better as it gets taller. I think one of the things that's going to make it look huge from ground level is how the waves will shrink in size as you look up, as the waves get farther away from you.

[sentinel]

I asked the GC yesterday when they expect to top-out and he said that originally they expected it to be sometime around April 2009 but they are ahead of schedule, so (mild-winter permitting) he expected they should be T/O by Feb. 2009.

[Alliance]

Are the upcoming mechanical floors just mechanical or are they also a transfer floor?

[sentinel]

There is no steel in the building structure (other than linked transfer beams at the structural door headers, which are themselves encased within concrete), the main structure is the "H"-shaped concrete shear wall system, with 3'-4' thick walls that is the backbone of the whole building. The 57th floor (which I believe is currently what they are working on?) is the Mechanical floor, but there are also condo units on the East and West areas of the building on those floors (2 units on each side).

[honte]

^^ Wow, it's not often we see stucco on a high-rise.

For good reason, too. :yuck:

[alsajano]

Edit. Sorry, not appropriate.

[Taft]

It could have been well.

http://img391.imageshack.us/img391/1962/frikitempokk001ff3.jpg

:D

What in the world is that thing?? Did somebody hack up a render of a perfectly nice building or is that an actual proposal?

Taft

[alsajano]

Sorry, the comments are no longer needed.

[Dr. Taco]

^^ It's only a own design. Nothing more than that, though inspired by Aqua, of course. :D

I think it's a very cool design, even though it seems borderline plagiarism ;)

[Alliance]

Regardless, not appropriate for this thread.

[i_am_hydrogen]

Taken today:
http://img87.imageshack.us/img87/5118/aqua920mo4.jpg

[SolarWind]

September 15, 2008

http://img180.imageshack.us/img180/6324/dsc0177xh7.jpg

http://img220.imageshack.us/img220/5474/dsc0164nc1.jpg

http://img60.imageshack.us/img60/9599/dsc0169bb9.jpg

http://img220.imageshack.us/img220/1277/dsc0171rf2.jpg

[Nowhereman1280]

^^^ What are those wood forms doing on the lower balconies? They aren't making concrete balcony rails there are they?

[denizen467]

^ Wow, they are everywhere...
The plot thickens.

[[SP]Neo]

^^^ What are those wood forms doing on the lower balconies? They aren't making concrete balcony rails there are they?

no, there are no concrete rails in the renders.

[Nowhereman1280]

^^^ I'm well aware of what is shown in the renders, but renders are not always indicative of the final product. I only ask that because it sure looks like they are pouring concrete on those balconies or something weird like that with that strange curvy formwork on there.

[BVictor1]

09/21/08

https://community.emporis.com/images/6/2008/09/649341.jpg

https://community.emporis.com/images/6/2008/09/649344.jpg

[denizen467]

Based on recent floor counts, they must be finishing up the mech floor right around now (will be the only floor in the tower portion without any balconies).

[harryc]

Sept 12 - from Lower Kinzie
http://lh4.ggpht.com/harry.r.carmichael/SNqrSa04MFI/AAAAAAAAzC4/MzL7UVAtxpg/s800/P1050499.JPG

http://lh5.ggpht.com/harry.r.carmichael/SNqrSvLUTPI/AAAAAAAAzDE/og8kOt6HySI/s800/P1050502.JPG

Sept 15 - across da river
http://lh3.ggpht.com/harry.r.carmichael/SNqrS6NJV1I/AAAAAAAAzDQ/LMLWkptt9PM/s720/P1050612.JPG

Sept 24 - wtf ?
http://lh6.ggpht.com/harry.r.carmichael/SNqrTJHjqII/AAAAAAAAzDc/sdvi0BwcgtM/s720/P1060901.JPG
http://lh3.ggpht.com/harry.r.carmichael/SNrILVtflbI/AAAAAAAAzEo/X5-bxnLIYkw/s576/P1060901-1.JPG

while on LSD
http://lh4.ggpht.com/harry.r.carmichael/SNqrTc-45TI/AAAAAAAAzDo/s8oNxRMrjkI/s720/P1060915.JPG

[denizen467]

wtf ?
http://lh6.ggpht.com/harry.r.carmichael/SNqrTJHjqII/AAAAAAAAzDc/sdvi0BwcgtM/s720/P1060901.JPG


Ditto. Inquiring minds really want to know.

Separately, notice there is one floor (probably the top of the hotel portion) with a higher floor height (see the fenestration) than the ones below it.

Actually, the other day when walking by I noticed that all of the hotel floors seemed to be taller than the residential floors. Is this really the case?

[wrab]

..... Sept 15 - across da river
http://lh3.ggpht.com/harry.r.carmichael/SNqrS6NJV1I/AAAAAAAAzDQ/LMLWkptt9PM/s720/P1050612.JPG.....

Splendid perspective.

[honte]

^ Yeah. And when the change in reflectivity of the glazing works, it really works. :cool:

[Nowhereman1280]

^^^ I really like the glazing change, it makes kinda a pixelated effect. Also, it emphasizes the curves from a distance.

I asked about those wood form things a couple days ago but no one seemed to notice. I guess they just ran out of money and are now going to use wood railings for the rooms.

Also, as I predicted, the effect of the waves is now becoming more obvious from a distance on the higher floors as they are at a greater angle to a far viewpoint. This is especially noticeable as Aqua begins to rise over the end of Fairbanks. See the top right side of Aqua in Harrys las photo, you can notice it even from the spire site...

[EarlyBuyer]

Photos taken by EarlyBuyer 9/27/08

Dark and grainy pictures due to not being able to get close to work due to barricades and a speed flash only throws so far.

Talked with one of the construction workers, he said the target is to have this pedway complete in a week or so.


http://img265.imageshack.us/img265/5717/dsc0151ra2.jpg


http://img88.imageshack.us/img88/9440/dsc0150xh0.jpg

[EarlyBuyer]

Photos taken by EarlyBuyer 9/27/08


http://img521.imageshack.us/img521/9479/dsc0002tk4.jpg


http://img88.imageshack.us/img88/162/dsc0003jj0.jpg


http://img219.imageshack.us/img219/5503/dsc0007hj6.jpg


http://img525.imageshack.us/img525/6862/dsc0016dx3.jpg


http://img88.imageshack.us/img88/4485/dsc0014lg8.jpg


http://img521.imageshack.us/img521/2116/dsc0018ks7.jpg


http://img297.imageshack.us/img297/3373/dsc0019nr1.jpg

[EarlyBuyer]

Photos taken by EarlyBuyer 9/27/08


http://img405.imageshack.us/img405/6397/dsc0021tj4.jpg


http://img527.imageshack.us/img527/8254/dsc0023gv9.jpg


http://img527.imageshack.us/img527/7603/dsc0059ik3.jpg


http://img264.imageshack.us/img264/4641/dsc0033au0.jpg


http://img267.imageshack.us/img267/5696/dsc0034oq8.jpg


http://img527.imageshack.us/img527/3198/dsc0035au5.jpg

[EarlyBuyer]

Photos taken by EarlyBuyer 9/27/08


http://img264.imageshack.us/img264/7470/dsc0038ug0.jpg


http://img264.imageshack.us/img264/5425/dsc0040gt3.jpg


http://img101.imageshack.us/img101/6744/dsc0041oj5.jpg


http://img522.imageshack.us/img522/3659/dsc0048pc1.jpg


http://img229.imageshack.us/img229/7009/dsc0043xv6.jpg


http://img264.imageshack.us/img264/975/dsc0049gp2.jpg


http://img267.imageshack.us/img267/943/dsc0052bx3.jpg

[EarlyBuyer]

Photos taken by EarlyBuyer 9/27/08


http://img522.imageshack.us/img522/3449/dsc0060bs1.jpg


http://img525.imageshack.us/img525/128/dsc0071sd4.jpg


http://img528.imageshack.us/img528/182/dsc0065wf4.jpg


http://img337.imageshack.us/img337/4199/dsc0067hf0.jpg


http://img525.imageshack.us/img525/8978/dsc0068vw8.jpg


http://img205.imageshack.us/img205/2194/dsc0074ve2.jpg


http://img337.imageshack.us/img337/8161/dsc0077pf2.jpg


http://img267.imageshack.us/img267/8141/dsc0080pa9.jpg

[EarlyBuyer]

Photos taken by EarlyBuyer 9/27/08


http://img530.imageshack.us/img530/9823/dsc0081hg1.jpg


http://img521.imageshack.us/img521/4567/dsc0099fi8.jpg


http://img215.imageshack.us/img215/4126/dsc0093fv6.jpg


http://img337.imageshack.us/img337/5708/dsc0094xm5.jpg


http://img220.imageshack.us/img220/3360/dsc0097sw1.jpg


http://img215.imageshack.us/img215/3216/dsc0106hn0.jpg


http://img265.imageshack.us/img265/992/dsc0108bh8.jpg


http://img220.imageshack.us/img220/3509/dsc0110rw3.jpg


http://img265.imageshack.us/img265/5579/dsc0112bw0.jpg


http://img525.imageshack.us/img525/3960/dsc0115pa3.jpg

[EarlyBuyer]

Photos taken by EarlyBuyer 9/27/08


http://img403.imageshack.us/img403/5083/dsc0117os9.jpg


http://img296.imageshack.us/img296/7928/dsc0118sn6.jpg


http://img243.imageshack.us/img243/5277/dsc0121xa6.jpg


http://img296.imageshack.us/img296/4691/dsc0125bk6.jpg


http://img243.imageshack.us/img243/6366/dsc0126ip0.jpg


http://img243.imageshack.us/img243/9869/dsc0128lh2.jpg


http://img243.imageshack.us/img243/5512/dsc0136os1.jpg


http://img516.imageshack.us/img516/8278/dsc0137gi9.jpg


http://img243.imageshack.us/img243/5086/dsc0147rj4.jpg


http://img296.imageshack.us/img296/8937/dsc0145no0.jpg


http://img228.imageshack.us/img228/3326/dsc0131ug6.jpg


http://img296.imageshack.us/img296/3268/dsc0133fp3.jpg


http://img296.imageshack.us/img296/6945/dsc0163nu8.jpg

[NYC4Life]

Excellent photography work. Amazing building.

[SolarWind]

:previous: Outstanding pictures. Thanks, EarlyBuyer! :tup:

[harryc]

Didn't see this coming
http://img215.imageshack.us/img215/3216/dsc0106hn0.jpg

Wonderful set(s) as usual.

[aaron38]

http://img264.imageshack.us/img264/5425/dsc0040gt3.jpg

Those have got to be formwork for the balconies. Could they have decided to custom fabricate on site? That they'll be hand forming and welding the balconies, using those forms as guides?

[LouisianaRush]

I like it!

[plinko]

Those have got to be formwork for the balconies. Could they have decided to custom fabricate on site? That they'll be hand forming and welding the balconies, using those forms as guides?

My guess is that they are temporary guardrails (required by OSHA) while workmen either put up the new railings or work in the interior spaces of those particular floors (prior to permanent rails being put up).

[EarlyBuyer]

Thanks for the compliments Solar, harry & NYC4Life.

[EarlyBuyer]

Photos by EarlyBuyer


September, 2006

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


September, 2007

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


September, 2008

http://img521.imageshack.us/img521/9479/dsc0002tk4.jpg

[jjk1103]

GREAT SHOTS Early Buyer !!! ......at this pace, it looks like the building will be topped out and the exterior complete by next Spring (May ?) !! ......

[NYC4Life]

The tower took a year to reach its first few levels, but only another year to rise dozens of stories.

[R@ptor]

The tower itself is turning out great, but the huge podium is just plain horrible.

[i_am_hydrogen]

Many thanks for the great shots, EB.

[Alliance]

Side note: It would be really sweet if "Aqua II" (i forget the actual site name) was cantilevered over Aqua's podium.

Great shots EB.

[BVictor1]

09/30/08

https://community.emporis.com/images/6/2008/10/651312.jpg

[Nowhereman1280]

Side note: It would be really sweet if "Aqua II" (i forget the actual site name) was cantilevered over Aqua's podium.


No offense Alliance, but I think that would be the dumbest thing ever and totally take away from the reason based design of Aqua. I mean having a tower with some ridiculous wasteful cantilever over a building that is entirely rational at its core, with a clever way of hiding/beautifying balconies to decorate it.

Ugh the thought of something like that makes me shudder...

[Alliance]

It was more born out of some of EB's photos...I never saw Aqua in person since the podium massing was complete. It looks a bit large to me. I was justt thinking of a way to try to salvage all of that space. I don't think it would really interfere with Aqua at all. There is still plenty of room between them.

Anyway: Here is a video of Gang at the recent CTBUH conference in Dubai. She talks some about her general philosophy of building. The middle of the presentation is heavy on Aqua and she ends with some on Solstice. There were a few pics I've never seen before as far as the design and concept of Aqua are concerned. The vid is certainly worth a watch.


http://blip.tv/file/1244625
~CTBUH

[EarlyBuyer]

Thanks Alliance for posting this video!

Also, thanks all for your compliments.

[ardecila]

I'm not sure a cantilever over the podium would be nice... but a cantilever over the south walkway (Lake Street extension) would be good, providing a little bit of shelter.

[williamchung taiwan]

Compare to rendering, I feel a little disappoint....

[williamchung taiwan]

Compare with rendering, I feel a little disappoint....

[ChiPsy]

:previous:

Look back a few pages for pictures taken closer to the building (which are comparable to the renderings) -- the variation in the facade is much more dramatic.

[brian_b]

The Tribune is reporting that Strategic Hotels is pulling out of the Aqua deal.

[honte]

^ Yeah - Whoa. This could have major implications... I don't want to even speculate about what it might mean for future projects like the Arquitectonica etc.

____

Fairmont owner pulls out of Aqua project

By Alby Gallun, Oct. 03, 2008

http://www.chicagorealestatedaily.com/cgi-bin/news.pl?id=31268

(Crain’s) - Citing turmoil in the financial markets, the owner of the Fairmont Chicago hotel has dropped plans for a 225-room expansion in the Aqua building, an 87-story tower being built across the street.

Strategic Hotels & Resorts Inc., which bought the Fairmont in 2005, said it has terminated a $84-million contract to buy about 15 floors in Aqua, a mixed-use high-rise under construction at 225 N. Columbus Drive, just east of the Fairmont.

...

[Via Chicago]

Heres the link:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-081003strategic,0,2544428.story
Financial crisis fallout: Strategic Hotels pulls out of Aqua project

By Jim Kirk | Tribune staff reporter
7:37 AM CDT, October 3, 2008

The ongoing credit crisis is putting the brakes on a significant Chicago building project.

Chicago-based Strategic Hotels & Resorts, Inc. said it is scrapping plans to purchase the hotel development at the Aqua Building, currently under construction and adjacent to the company's Fairmont Chicago Hotel.

"Despite the opportunities this property presents, the financial markets and economic operating environment have changed significantly since we first entered into the agreement to purchase the space in 2006,'' said Laurence Geller, president and chief executive of Strategic. "We remain committed to our thoughtful and disciplined business approach which, given the higher cost of capital, escalating total project costs and our dedication to maintaining sufficient liquidity for all market conditions, makes it imprudent for the company to proceed at this time.''....

[chrslyp]

^^^ uh oh.

[trvlr70]

I wonder what effects this will have on Aqua as a whole? Was Strategic obligated to finance a portion of the podium and the vast amenities?

[Tom In Chicago]

I wonder if this isn't an opportunity for Mandarin Oriental to bail on their condo project. . . seems like a good fit. . .

[ardecila]

I'm pretty sure they will finish the building up to its final height, but the bottom hotel portion will be unoccupied. It'll probably end up as either residential units (condo or rental) or Magellan will be able to line up another hotel tenant. Also, as trvlr70 mentioned, the amenities in the podium may not be finished either (ballroom, pool, gardens).

[trvlr70]

I wonder if this isn't an opportunity for Mandarin Oriental to bail on their condo project. . . seems like a good fit. . .

I doubt it. Aqua's hotel space doesn't really have the right mix of ultra luxuries amenities needed: high ceilings, huge spa, etc..

But would the very sucessful and next door Swissotel be insterested?

[Alliance]

*swears prolifically*

[honte]

I doubt it. Aqua's hotel space isn't really have the right mix of ultra luxuries needed: high ceilings, huge spa, etc..

But would the very sucessful and next door Swissotel be insterested?

Yes, I agree.

I wonder what will become of the special pedway connection to the Fairmont? Another one of Chicago's famous, forgotten, mothballed spaces?

Maybe it's wide enough to convert into an ultra-hip underground linear bar/lounge over Columbus Drive, like something at an airport terminal. :rolleyes: