[Steely Dan]

here's some preliminary stuff on Aqua, the new centerpiece tower for the lakeshore east mega-development. current info says it'll stand 835'/83 stories tall. the project is being designed by the highly esteemed firm of Studio Gang Architects, this would be their first foray into the skyscraper world. hell of an entrance, i'd say!

here's are our first glimpses of what promises to be yet another stellar addition to the chicago skyline. pics courtesy of kingofdurians from SSC.

somewhere in this strange and wonderful universe of ours, betrand goldberg is smiling.

http://img237.imageshack.us/img237/9109/aquaresizedaw8.jpg


http://img244.imageshack.us/img244/8051/popupaqua03gz2.jpghttp://img244.imageshack.us/img244/3278/popupaqua04rz2.jpghttp://img244.imageshack.us/img244/4475/popupaqua05tz2.jpg

http://img507.imageshack.us/img507/1300/aqua6ne.jpg

http://img119.imageshack.us/img119/8632/aqua13ie.jpghttp://img119.imageshack.us/img119/264/aqua35jn.jpghttp://img119.imageshack.us/img119/6344/aqua44td.jpg

http://img119.imageshack.us/img119/3060/aqua67ad.jpghttp://img119.imageshack.us/img119/6717/aqua56xf.jpg

http://img140.imageshack.us/img140/8947/aqua6pi.jpg

http://img520.imageshack.us/img520/7538/aquaamenitydeckandparkhbt3.jpg

[volguus zildrohar]

Did someone leave it in the oven too long? That's wacky.

[Dolemite]

It would look awesome with green/blue tinted glass.

[SevenSevenThree]

We've been begging for anything on this project and now thhis guy comes and delivers like you wouldnt believe. And because these are just prelimenary, it makes me want the detailed hi res renderings even more. This building has HUGE potential. Chicago amazes me!!

[SevenSevenThree]

Double post. Delete.

[spyguy]

It would look awesome with green/blue tinted glass.


Most likely will as it is called "Aqua" and everything in the complex so far is blue or green. Remember that this is a model and not completely correct as height and floors are going to change.


Anyway, I love this project. Came out much more differently than I originally imagined.

This is why smaller firms like Studio Gang should be given larger projects to work on.

[Dolemite]

Most likely will as it is called "Aqua" and everything in the complex so far is blue or green. Remember that this is a model and not completely correct as height and floors are going to change.


Anyway, I love this project. Came out much more differently than I originally imagined.


That is why I said it would look so good in that color ;)

You know the green/blue color of the old-fashioned Coke glasses? :tup:

[gvpeto]

Call me a hater, but i had higher hopes for this one. It's just too....Marina-City. Thats been done...I was hoping for something super-sexy and glassy. *sigh*

[Steely Dan]

Did someone leave it in the oven too long? That's wacky.

keep in mind that the images we have so far are wicked-preliminary. this project holds amazing promise and will most likely go through all the neccessary refinements under the skillful hand of Studio Gang Architects.

[Steely Dan]

Call me a hater, but i had higher hopes for this one. It's just too....Marina-City. Thats been done...I was hoping for something super-sexy and glassy. *sigh*

you're already a "hater" going off of some preliminary cardboard model?

"holy rush to judgement, batman!"

[Dolemite]

I like the 'waves', but it looks too much like Water Tower Place.

[emoney]

I am just about as excited about this project as FS and of course cant wait for more pictures and info

[gvpeto]

You have a point Steely. I'll keep an open mind! After all, it is almost 900 feet!

[Steely Dan]

I like the 'waves', but it looks too much like Water Tower Place.

this project ain't gonna look anything like water tower place. i have no idea where you're getting that from.

[spyguy]

Water Tower Place?

I'm afraid I don't understand that one except for the fact that they are both tall, and from far away Aqua looks like a normal box.

[Chi_Coruscant]

We are so lucky to have Ms. Jeanne Gang and her Studio team as part of Chicago architecture world. :cheers:

[Hoodrat]

now that's a curtain wall!

cool tower, imo

[bayrider]

So far the design is so-so... but i'll save judgement until we have some more detailed renderings with glass & color. I see potential though.

The most improtant thing is that CHICAGO HAS ANOTHER SUPERTALL IN THE WORKS!!!!
Chicago must be on steroids or something. The buildings that are going up now and are planned to be built this year can compete with the skyline of most other cities in the world!

[Mojava]

who is the developer? Megellan?

[James Bond Agent 007]

What does it mean? :???:

[Wild Onion Mike]

This has soooo much promise. Kinda reminds me of a jigglin' obelisk of jello. You can almost see it shimmy. :banana:

I agree with you Steely Dan, this is going to look nothing like Watertower Place. There has way more kineticism in this design.

BTW, we are soooo spoiled, ...................but it feels great!!!!!:notacrook:

[Rivernorth]

wow... just wow!

fantastic design! chicago is really kicking some serious arse here! i would rather the tower be glass and steel, but for once, concrete actually looks good. i cant wait for a more detailed design!

[Dan in Chicago]

I'm not disappointed at all. There's a lot of potential in that model. As long as it isn't that dull cardboard color it will look fantastic. It reminds me a little bit of The Wave, currently under construction in Gold Coast City, Australia:

http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=208619

I'm not sure I like the interruption 2/3 of the way up, but I'd have to see a better rendering.

[HK Chicago]

^ I like the interruptions (there's another near floor 20) - it's the only hint of structure the form provides. And it complements the crown nicely.

I like the approach, of course the devil is in the details that we haven't seen yet. This does have the potential to look kinda dumb. It could end up looking like a futuristic blob of parts (think 1st freedom tower, valencia towers, the wave, etc)... yet I'm sure the renderings will look stellar and this will come out a winner.

Hope this one breaks 900', it would fill in the gap at 900' on the boom rundown lists.

[lakegz]

i gotta see it with its supposed color, it looks pretty bad in those models however. They better get the coloring just perfect

[rgolch]

I was hoping for a more expressive crown. Again, I understand these models are extremely preliminary.

Thank god for the waves, otherwise this would really be a boring box. Tall and thin is nice when its not too wide (e.g. Hotel intercontinnental proposal), but its width now (I presume the North/south faces) remind of dated designs.

I think all of us were highly anticipating this one, so I understand that it probably would never live up to my expectation. I anxiously await more detailed renderings.

[emoney]

It reminds me of 50 Biscayne, and before you say it is nothing alike or what the hell? I mean while it doesnt have the wave glass curtain the columns sort of are wavey in the same asymmetrical way. The building the wave seems more like a twist to me. The part that I like about this tower is that it is not symetrical that it has this flow. Really amazing (I have no idea how you architect people do that crap, but I love you for it).

[rds989]

I think it looks stunning. With a name like "Aqua" I was fearing some sort of wavey Arquitechtonica-esque cr*p (I hate that firm). But this is innovative and has movement without breaking too radically with Chicago's overall buttoned-down structural look.

How expensive will it be to have such a randomly different form for each floor! And wouldn't it be a little annoying not to be able to look directly down from your condo (I assume the extrusions don't have any balcony function)?

[emoney]

Here is the link to 50 Biscayne

http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=204607

[Steely Dan]

And wouldn't it be a little annoying not to be able to look directly down from your condo (I assume the extrusions don't have any balcony function)?

i'm quite certain that the wavy concrete extrusions will be used for balconies. in fact, i would be SHOCKED if they weren't. balconies are a huge selling point for condos so what reason would they possibly have for not using that space for balconies?

[JACKinBeantown]

I like it.

[Tom In Chicago]

It's too early to tell. . . jury is still out on this one. . . my first impression is back to the drawing board!!!

[BANKofMANHATTAN]

:sly: it looks....dented...kinda...watery.

kinda meh for 900' though.

however, it'll probably look better with some bluish green glass action.

[SevenSevenThree]

Some of you have to use your imaginations. Just picture some type of blueish-green type deal with the glass. I know all thats provided is a cardboard model but the good thing about us humans we have the capability of imagination. If there are balconies, I hope that theyre recessed to not disrupt the wavy texture of the building. I didnt set my expectations stratospherically high so Im pleasently surprised and satisfied. Like I said before expect refinements. I think the glass work will be beautiful, with its wavy texture (that be a bitch for some glass company) and the color and how it plays with the sunlight, it should great. It wont look like any thing else in the city and it continues the march to put Chicago back in front of the game of modern architecture. We have a diamond in the rough, now we just have to shine the bitch up all nice and pretty. Its a winner.

Now, I didnt wanna do this but remember we couldve had the "L" person. :gaah:

[mind field]

To go with the Aqua theme, it would be really different if there was a huge fountain on the roof of this tower, lighted at night, that would serve as it's aqautic spire. It would animate the building like no other in the world, yet I know that idea will be an unrealized fantasy. The expense of pumping that volume of water 900 ft. up would probably be prohibitive.

[Adam186]

After looking at the prelim floorplans for the building, I'm going to agree with Steely that it does indeed have balconies on the wave. They are recessed for a little bit (looks like a recess of 1 to 3 feet from the edge). You can even see the slide glass doors in the lay out. The curvey exterior will NOT be covered in glass.

[SevenSevenThree]

To go with the Aqua theme, it would be really different if there was a huge fountain on the roof of this tower, lighted at night, that would serve as it's aqautic spire. It would animate the building like no other in the world, yet I know that idea will be an unrealized fantasy. The expense of pumping that volume of water 900 ft. up would probably be prohibitive.

Or if we're going there how about instead of a fountain a water, you see how the top is pretty much a block, turn that into a glass block filled with water with light shining from under it at night. And during different times of the year, they change its color according to the holiday. That watery effect lighting up the night sky could come out extremely magnificent. I believe with the effect that light has on water, it would be different and classy, so NO fish request people.

[Steely Dan]

After looking at the prelim floorplans for the building, I'm going to agree with Steely that it does indeed have balconies on the wave. They are recessed for a little bit (looks like a recess of 1 to 3 feet from the edge). You can even see the slide glass doors in the lay out. The curvey exterior will NOT be covered in glass.

correct. the glass will not be following the curving concrete floorplate extrusions on the outside of the building, rather it will sit recessed into the structure. the balconies will be integral with the wavy concrete floorplate extrusions.

[SevenSevenThree]

After looking at the prelim floorplans for the building, I'm going to agree with Steely that it does indeed have balconies on the wave. They are recessed for a little bit (looks like a recess of 1 to 3 feet from the edge). You can even see the slide glass doors in the lay out. The curvey exterior will NOT be covered in glass.

Then if its not covered in glass then why waste the design because you wont be able to appreciate it. And if the balconies are recessed you could still have the glass follow the curves of the building elsewhere. Im sure the building isnt going to be littered with balconies. I feel It would be such a complete waste of a great design if you couldnt appreciate its curvy texture from the exterior (outside).

[Steely Dan]

^ you will appreciate the wavy texture from the outside, thanks to the floorplate extrusions. think of it this way, this is simply a completely orthagonal glass box skyscraper with the concrete floorplates extruded beyon the perimeter wall to create all these wavy forms. the balconies for the various units will be directly on these floorplate extrusions. the building will be littered with baclonies; curving, waving bands of them that wrap compeltely around each floor level, to be more precise.

[SevenSevenThree]

No, STOP, I dont wanna hear anymore. My bubble is getting bursts and I cant take it. It would so cool to have the glass follow the wavy texture (quickly becoming an overused term :)) and Im gonna still hold on to the belief that thats what Jeanne will do. Allow me to live in ignorance, please. I hope its a surprise at the end with the detailed renderings.

Damn you two, Steely and Adam!! Although looking at the second set of flooplans I see something different but what do I know.

[slacker9]

I dont post here often, cause I dont really have anything to say that would be constructive or bring any benefit to the thread, but I dig this building...

And, what is going on construction/proposal wise in this city is ridiculous...I cant wait to watch things grow in a couple years...

We may see that I-Robot skyline someday after all!!

[Steely Dan]

No, STOP, I dont wanna hear anymore. My bubble is getting bursts and I cant take it. It would so cool to have the glass follow the wavy texture (quickly becoming an overused term :)) and Im gonna still hold on to the belief that thats what Jeanne will do. Allow me to live in ignorance, please. I hope its a surprise at the end with the detailed renderings.


well, if that's what you're hoping to be surprised with, you'll be sadly disappointed. however, the building is actually much better the way it is being designed than the way you're hoping it will turn out. if the glass curtain wall was to be brought out to the undulating edges of this building, it would veer towards the "blobbish" (along with being absurdly and prohibitively expensive). with the clearly articulated floor plates/balconies extruded beyond the perimeter wall of the glass box we have something that comes close to what an IBM/'marina city love child might look like.

this proposal is all chicago and it's all awesome.

move over fordham spire, i have a new favorite chicago skyscraper proposal to look forward to. my only lament thus far is that this stunner won't sit directly on the river. oh well, i suppose you can't have it all ;).

[SevenSevenThree]

well, if that's what you're hoping to be surprised with, you'll be sadly disappointed. however, the building is actually much better the way it is being designed than the way you're hoping it will turn out. if the glass curtain wall was to be brought out to the undulating edges of this building, it would veer towards the "blobbish" (along with being absurdly and prohibitively expensive). with the clearly articulated floor plates/balconies extruded beyond the perimeter wall of the glass box we have something that comes close to what a IBM/'marina city love child might look like.

this proposal is all chicago and it's all awesome.

move over fordham spire, i have a new favorite chicago skyscraper proposal to look forward to.

No, I hear what youre saying and Im hugely confident this will turn out awesome either way because they know what theyre doing and I dont but it was just a wish. This is my baby now and I want the best. Move the hell over BVic and Waterwho? and Fordham can kiss my ass, hes taking too long but as soon things take off there I'll be on the bandwagon again but until then AQUA is mine and forever.

Im just excited about where my second home is heading in architecture. OMG, can you imagine if it sat on the river?

[SevenSevenThree]

Or if we're going there how about instead of a fountain a water, you see how the top is pretty much a block, turn that into a glass block filled with water with light shining from under it at night. And during different times of the year, they change its color according to the holiday. That watery effect lighting up the night sky could come out extremely magnificent. I believe with the effect that light has on water, it would be different and classy, so NO fish request people.

What about my crown proposal? No takers. I think if done right it would be so cool. :cool:

[BVictor1]

I've just seen a rendering of the building and it looks exactly like the model. I can't give you the color of the tower though because I don't know. The rendering that I saw was at dusk. BUt the height that I got from the documentation that I saw was 835' 4".

[Steely Dan]

^ excellent work victor. thanks for the height info.

[SevenSevenThree]

Still a nice heightand it makes sense but its gonna be the design that carries this beauty. Okay, I must stop posting now. Out of the 50 responses, 20 are mine. Im just so excited. Sorry.

[Adam186]

Still a nice heightand it makes sense but its gonna be the design that carries this beauty. Okay, I must stop posting now. Out of the 50 responses, 20 are mine. Im just so excited. Sorry.

No need to be sorry. Keep on posting man. We do have something in common, 773, we are both passionate about this building and we both plan on moving into it. I'll see you there man.:cheers: :tup:

[2PRUROCKS!]

we have something that comes close to what an IBM/'marina city love child might look like.




^This was exactly my initial thought. Also the balconies must have some sort of protective railing or barrier. My guess is, is that this barrier would most likely be glass similar to 600 N. Faibanks. If this balcony glass is a different shade or color from the building glass (lets say one is more greenish and one is more blueish) I think the effect would be quite dramatic and really give the building the appearence of having waves in motion.

[mind field]

Or if we're going there how about instead of a fountain a water, you see how the top is pretty much a block, turn that into a glass block filled with water with light shining from under it at night. And during different times of the year, they change its color according to the holiday. That watery effect lighting up the night sky could come out extremely magnificent. I believe with the effect that light has on water, it would be different and classy, so NO fish request people.

Great idea. We could even combine our ideas. How about an original glass pyramid, filled with water, lit at night, with one huge, or even multiple, fountains on top. Maybe even some kind of torch. Ok, now we are getting carried away.

[spyguy]

Save that for the Olympics :haha:

[Chicago Shawn]

I've just seen a rendering of the building and it looks exactly like the model. I can't give you the color of the tower though because I don't know. The rendering that I saw was at dusk. BUt the height that I got from the documentation that I saw was 835' 4".

Yup, I saw it too, and LOVE IT. Also on another note the Lake Shore East shops in front of 340 on the Park (Park Level) have been redesigned, for the better too. Glassy, modern and an escalator will be carved through the structure allowing access to Upper Randolph Street from the park level.

[spyguy]

Sounds interesting.

[jcchii]

I don't think it needs a crown, but I'd love it if the whole thing were somehow lit at night.
It could look like a big slice of water.
cool

[JBinCalgary]

thats a great looking building

[STR]

I don't think it needs a crown, but I'd love it if the whole thing were somehow lit at night.
It could look like a big slice of water.
cool

It's residential, they're not going to light it.

I'm not quite sure what to think of this. On one hand, it's very ogranic, possibly making Fordham Spire fit in better. On the other, it's not very exciting. It's curvy, and that's about it.

It's also going to be a bitch to model.

[alex1]

you're already a "hater" going off of some preliminary cardboard model?

"holy rush to judgement, batman!"

i am sort of disappointed too. Gang made mention of breaking with conventional high-rise design to give us something different from every side. What we're getting is a lot of waves masking the rectangle. I really thought she was going to deconstruct this thing down some and then add the "waves".

ah well. still looking forward to the next round of more detailed renderings. I'm sure the building will come to life. I trust she'll/they'll make the right judgements to refine this puppy.

[HK Chicago]

^ it may work better with the balconies then just as a blob... the height speaks to the thin floorplates the balconies will have, if this one has wall to wall/floor to ceiling windows then we should get a nice piece of work.

It's really too bad more of LSE didn't have this interesting look, it is really a form open for experimentation across a few towers. I must say the form factor is great - but then again I love Trump World Tower.

[Hoodrat]

They'd have to turn the fountain off during windy days. I think it would otherwise be "raining" on the leeward side of the building.

[SevenSevenThree]

It's residential, they're not going to light it.

That doesnt really mean anything. The Hancock is lit, so is the Heritage, and isnt the crown of One Museum Park supposed to be lit along with a couple other towers? Im only talking about the what appears to be a block on top of the tower. It would the tallest residential over there so the crown/block shouldnt shine in anyones condo. And Im not talking about 311 South Wacker type bright but simply underlight (as in actually under it, not shining lights through it at an angle) the glass block completely or 95% filled with water and just watch how the light interacts with the water and the night sky. It would be a decorative piece as well as a damper system for the building. :) Like I said I think it'd be cool. Its not overdone. Its different. But thats just me. Im just working the whole Aqua thing. Who knows what they'll do so I guess all this is moot but it is fun.

[bayrider]

BVictor: What do you mean that the rendering u saw was the same as the model? Was it the same pics we have here, or was it just as unclear as to what the overall specifics of the tower will look like?

[ComandanteCero]

is that really going to be the base? I think the building itself looks fine, nothing spectacular or jawdropping but cool. The base is whack though. I hate buildings that have these large bases that basically break up the street walls in an attempt to set the main portion away from any surrounding buildings that might emerge (or exist). From the model, it looks like it'll have a large 2/3 story base (with a green roof?), with the building emerging from it.

I realize there are lots of benefits for the individual condo buyers in guaranteeing they'll always have some space around them. But this reeks of "tower in the park" reduxed in such a way that the park is slightly elevated. It still messes up the larger urban form by fragmenting and diffusing the positive urban space that emerges when buildings are sited to create streetwalls and larger enclosures.

Anywho, just something to look out for.

[VivaLFuego]

is that really going to be the base? I think the building itself looks fine, nothing spectacular or jawdropping but cool. The base is whack though. I hate buildings that have these large bases that basically break up the street walls in an attempt to set the main portion away from any surrounding buildings that might emerge (or exist). From the model, it looks like it'll have a large 2/3 story base (with a green roof?), with the building emerging from it.

I realize there are lots of benefits for the individual condo buyers in guaranteeing they'll always have some space around them. But this reeks of "tower in the park" reduxed in such a way that the park is slightly elevated. It still messes up the larger urban form by fragmenting and diffusing the positive urban space that emerges when buildings are sited to create streetwalls and larger enclosures.

Anywho, just something to look out for.
That's been the general paradigm in all the condo development in Chicago lately....people don't want to drop alot of money with the risk that their view could be entirely obliterated. I'm fine with Tower in the Park as long as said Park isn't ginormous. I live in Sandburg Village, In which one square city block has two 29-story highrises, about 20 townhomes, all situated amongst a public park that the homeowners maintain, which is all places above an underground parking deck. It's dense, pleasant, and all interfaces well with the street. The new Parkview West sounds like it wants to reuse this method, and I say I'm all for it.

[Jularc]

wow it looks like is going to look super great!

[rgolch]

i am sort of disappointed too. Gang made mention of breaking with conventional high-rise design to give us something different from every side. What we're getting is a lot of waves masking the rectangle. I really thought she was going to deconstruct this thing down some and then add the "waves".

ah well. still looking forward to the next round of more detailed renderings. I'm sure the building will come to life. I trust she'll/they'll make the right judgements to refine this puppy.

I agree. I'm surprised how many people are glowing over this model. I was really hoping for something incredible. It's not bad, it just didn't live up to expectation. I wasn't thrilled when Bvictor said the renderings he saw look exactly like the model.

[Steely Dan]

^ and i don't see how anyone could NOT be thrilled by this project. what were you expecting? the architectural equivalent of the second coming of christ? well, this project isn't exactly that, but it is easily the most architecturally interesting skyscraper proposal this city has seen in decades, and that's gotta count for something.

[rgolch]

Well, I'm no architecture critic, so one can argue that I may not appreciate subtleties that those of you in the business may see. But I can tell you that, for an average guy who likes skyscrapers, projects like the Legacy, OMP, the Elysian, obviously FS, Trump, WVT, even OMP west are much more interesting.... at least to me. They at least break from the standard box shape. Other than the waves, THIS IS A STANDARD BOX. I think if they would have done something interesting with the top, it would be more interesting.

Again, too soon to say anything. And overall, I still like it. But it's certainly not in the league as the others I mentioned.

[Steely Dan]

^ well, in my humble opinion this proposal is superior to all those other projects, with the possible exception of fordham spire, which might stand on equal footing with this magical tower. don't let the boxy form trick you. boxes are good. boxes are true. boxes are CHICAGO. it's what's done with the box that differentiates the magical from the banal, and this project appears poised to become one of the most elite boxes in the world.

i couldn't be happier with this proposal thus far, and i anxiously await to see more.

[Fabb]

The organic form of the facade is a risky choice. A few years after the construction, it might become visually disturbing.
Or not.

[Steely Dan]

^ well, with proper maintenance it should age just fine. look at how glorious marina city still is after all these years (granted, it was getting pretty shabby before the big overhaul clean-up years ago).

[rgolch]

^^Wow..... O.K. Well, Steely, yours is amoung the opinions I respect most on this forum, so I'll have to keep an open mind. I would be interested to see if BVictor, Tom, Dan, Shawn, UP, and some of the other long time Chicago forumers agree that this kicks arse on some of the other projects I listed.

[Steely Dan]

^ "kicks arse" might be a little strong, as many of the projects you listed are solid towers, such as trump and the legacy, but i'm simply more pumped for this aqua thing.

keep in mind, i LOVE boxes when they're done well. and i freely admit, without a hint of shame, that the daley center is my favorite chicago building. and i guess the biggest reason i'm fawning over this proposal so much is that i see it as a kind of reincarnation of the spirit of goldberg, one of the most important architectural voices our city has ever been blessed with. it's possible that I'm now reading too much into this project and raising my expectation bar too high, but it's just that i'm very excited by the potential is see in these pics of the rough cardboard model.

i hope we get to see more real soon, as the anticpation may just do me in. ;)

[Fabb]

^ well, with proper maintenance it should age just fine.

I wasn't thinking of maintenance. I was just afraid that it might be out of style very, very fast.

[Steely Dan]

I wasn't thinking of maintenance. I was just afraid that it might be out of style very, very fast.

oh, i suppose that could be true, but i don't really know much about or care for "style". "style", and the way that things seemingly go in and out of it will always be quite a mysterious process to me, and one that i will likely continue to ignore.

i like good and bad. i have little use for "style".

[-GR2NY-]

I want to have sex with it!!!!

[oshkeoto]

This is growing on me. I wasn't thrilled initially, but then Steely said "Bertrand Goldberg" and my love sensors went off.

I can see where he's coming with that, but I'd love to see some sort of color rendering. It feels very difficult to picture this as an actual building without more details.

[GuitarAce]

If this balcony glass is a different shade or color from the building glass (lets say one is more greenish and one is more blueish) I think the effect would be quite dramatic and really give the building the appearence of having waves in motion.:yes: I agree. That would be look like sparkling water. This building really has some potential. :tup:

[Chicago Shawn]

^ "kicks arse" might be a little strong, as many of the projects you listed are solid towers, such as trump and the legacy, but i'm simply more pumped for this aqua thing.

keep in mind, i LOVE boxes when they're done well. and i freely admit, without a hint of shame, that the daley center is my favorite chicago building. and i guess the biggest reason i'm fawning over this proposal so much is that i see it as a kind of reincarnation of the spirit of goldberg, one of the most important architectural voices our city has ever been blessed with. it's possible that I'm now reading too much into this project and raising my expectation bar too high, but it's just that i'm very excited by the potential is see in these pics of the rough cardboard model.

i hope we get to see more real soon, as the anticpation may just do me in. ;)


Bingo, this project is all about form following function. It continues the Chicago tradition. If this project was in Miami or Dubai, we would get the curtain wall covering all of the curves, just for asethitic looks, because it is seen as 'cool'. Here though the cuves form balcones, likely aligned to sight lines to take in the best views, while the units themselfs are recessed into the organic form because the common desires for unit layouts require it. Most walls in condos are set at orthaganal angles, it is often what buyer want because it makes furniture layouts easy. Therefore, why try to shove that standard form into something organic? The solution in this case is to pull the units back into the building and let the free organic form flow unobsructed along the buildig facade. Here the form makes the most sense, and here it can enjoyed and viewed to its fullest extent. Plus, light and shadows will dance throughout the day on the tall facade of this tower, making it look a little different each day, and even each hour.

Just my :2cents:

[rgolch]

Alright, I'm feeling it.

Truthfully, I think those of us with a less enthusiastic initial impression are turned off by the color of the model. Ugly tan, with a contrasting white interuption in the middle, as well as a striking white roof is visually unappealing.

Depending on glass color (as many have already suggested), and how it interfaces with concrete balconies will be important for this one. Also, I presume the roof and interuption in the middle will be something other than tan or white. Would you guys agree?

[the urban politician]

^ well, in my humble opinion this proposal is superior to all those other projects, with the possible exception of fordham spire, which might stand on equal footing with this magical tower. don't let the boxy form trick you. boxes are good. boxes are true. boxes are CHICAGO. it's what's done with the box that differentiates the magical from the banal, and this project appears poised to become one of the most elite boxes in the world.

i couldn't be happier with this proposal thus far, and i anxiously await to see more.

^ I agree 100% with every word of this above post

[the urban politician]

I want to have sex with it!!!!

^ You might be a bit dissappointed if you try...

[Steely Dan]

Alright, I'm feeling it.

Truthfully, I think those of us with a less enthusiastic initial impression are turned off by the color of the model. Ugly tan, with a contrasting white interuption in the middle, as well as a striking white roof is visually unappealing.

Depending on glass color (as many have already suggested), and how it interfaces with concrete balconies will be important for this one. Also, I presume the roof and interuption in the middle will be something other than tan or white. Would you guys agree?

well, i wasn't really trying to brow-beat my feelings on this proposal into the rest of you (alright, i was trying a little ;) ), but i'm just so excited for this project. if you honestly don't like it, that's cool, people are free to like and dislike whatever they want. i guess i went on my ramblings here in this thread because people were putting themselves into a so-called "hater" group and i feel there is so MUCH more to this project than what is currently meeting the eye with these tiny, preliminary cardboard model pics.

[BVictor1]

BVictor: What do you mean that the rendering u saw was the same as the model? Was it the same pics we have here, or was it just as unclear as to what the overall specifics of the tower will look like?

I just meant the design was the same. I saw an actual rendering of what the building will look like. I think that it's a sweet design. The cluster of highrises in that 3 block radius is almost unimaginable. 1-1,000+: 1-900+: 2-800+; then there's the second tower for LSE on Columbus which will be roughly the same height as Aqua, and the possible future expansion of BCBS with 340 OtP going up now... Whew.....

[SevenSevenThree]

What would be the address for this? Im now having a hard time picturing where it would be.

And BVic, are both towers going next to each other from what you know? Its just so dense over there that I have no idea where these lots are. Thank you.

[BVictor1]

What would be the address for this? Im now having a hard time picturing where it would be.

And BVic, are both towers going next to each other from what you know? Its just so dense over there that I have no idea where these lots are. Thank you.

Aqua will be situated next to the fire station on columbus and the second tower will be closer to the bcbs plaza.

[SevenSevenThree]

Aqua will be situated next to the fire station on columbus and the second tower will be closer to the bcbs plaza.

LOL. I still have no clue. Whats an address fairly close so I can look at an arieal on Google Earth?

Edit:Nevermind I found it. A building that tall should have significant presence and could be seen from the river, right? Because nothing else that tall in LakeshoreEast should be close to Aqua, right? It would be so nice to see it on an architecture river tour. Damn, 2010 cant come fast enough.

[Chi_Coruscant]

The second tower that will stand side by side with Aqua is to be developed by Fifield Realty Co (if I am right on this one). Who is an architect?

2006 is starting off as a marvelous time for us and hopefully remains eternally. I can't believe that 800' is now norm to us. Legacy. Inter-Continental. Mandarin-Oriental. 830 S Mich. 3rd tower taller than OMP. 29-32 S. LaSalle. Aqua and another tower.

[Adam186]

http://img50.imageshack.us/img50/8062/site044bp.jpg
http://img152.imageshack.us/img152/8407/site028nl.jpg
http://img152.imageshack.us/img152/5577/site013lc.jpg

[Marvel 33]

The cluster of highrises in that 3 block radius is almost unimaginable. 1-1,000+: 1-900+: 2-800+; then there's the second tower for LSE on Columbus which will be roughly the same height as Aqua, and the possible future expansion of BCBS with 340 OtP going up now... Whew.....

I know, that's going to be quite a sight! A bunch of giant buildings in a 3 block radius.

As far as the design, I am really digging it, except for the color (assuming that is the color).

Architecturally speaking, this building is very refreshing and it'll give the skyline a nice and interesting look in that part of town.

[rgolch]

Adam, nice find on the LSE models. You really gotta love 340 OTP.

[Chi_Coruscant]

. . . the height that I got from the documentation that I saw was 835' 4". Is it based on the main entrance on Upper Columbus Drive or at the LSE park?

I am still loving Aqua. It is so one-of-a-kind.

[alex1]

^ and i don't see how anyone could NOT be thrilled by this project. what were you expecting? the architectural equivalent of the second coming of christ? well, this project isn't exactly that, but it is easily the most architecturally interesting skyscraper proposal this city has seen in decades, and that's gotta count for something.

i was expecting exactly what Gang was talking about in her interviews. Something completely unique, new and depending on your angle you're viewing it from, it would take on a completely different form. Something that would be incredibly hard to accomplish in contemporary high-rise design, but something I thought she'd be able to pull out

While I'll judge this at a later date when better renderings are out, there's just no way of telling that this thing is the best thing the city has proposed in decades. I am excited about it as I've been a Gang fan since before the theatre she built out in Rockford.

[the urban politician]

While I'll judge this at a later date when better renderings are out, there's just no way of telling that this thing is the best thing the city has proposed in decades. I am excited about it as I've been a Gang fan since before the theatre she built out in Rockford.

^ I think Fordham Spire still holds that title in my mind, although this building is certainly #2, with number 3 being far, far, far below both of them

[Steely Dan]

While I'll judge this at a later date when better renderings are out, there's just no way of telling that this thing is the best thing the city has proposed in decades.

that's true at this point, but i'm just looking into the future a bit and i can say that of all the proposed skyscrapers during my 30 year life span in this town, nothing has excited me as much as what i am seeing so far in this proposal, with the possible exception of fordham spire. my prognostications may not pan out, however.

[rgolch]

^ I think Fordham Spire still holds that title in my mind, although this building is certainly #2, with number 3 being far, far, far below both of them

Amazing. I don't know how anyone can say this. Like I said, I like it. But it's more novel than anything. This is the type of tower that tourists at navy pier will point to, and gawk at. But I assure you, this wont be in the running for the pritzker prize. I guess everyone's entitled to their opinion.

I would say wait, and see what Kamin says about it. But he never likes anything anymore. So I guess that wouldn't be a good measure of its true architectural merit.

[Marvel 33]

http://img152.imageshack.us/img152/8407/site028nl.jpg

Sorry for getting off the topic for just a moment, but doesn't the BCBS building look taller in that scale model? Like if they already added the extra floors...

[Dan in Chicago]

^Not exactly a scale model... the BCBS would be taller than 340 on the Park if it were extended all the way up. They just made it too big.

[Marvel 33]

^Not exactly a scale model... the BCBS would be taller than 340 on the Park if it were extended all the way up. They just made it too big.

Thanks Dan!

[STR]

I fixed the height and colored it blue-green, my guess of its color. Enjoy it and the new animation.
http://img523.imageshack.us/img523/7776/nn11.th.jpg (http://img523.imageshack.us/my.php?image=nn11.jpg)

Animated flyaround of downtown (16MB .avi) (http://skyscrapermodels.us/pics/flyaround.avi)