CHICAGO | St. Regis Chicago (Vista) | 1,191 FT | 101 FLOORS - Page 48

Steely Dan · #**941** Posted **Jul 12, 2015, 4:35 PM**

* many off topic posts deleted *

Guys this thread is about the Wanda Vista project in chicago. It isn't about new york, or projects in new york, or forumers from new york. Please stay on topic. all further off topic posts will be deleted as well, so don't bother wasting your time.

Skyguy_7 · #**942** Posted **Jul 21, 2015, 2:56 PM**

The renderings have been tweaked. Balconies look to be more pronounced, but maybe it's just the shadowing. These will be the highest open-air balconies in Chicago. 1124' to highest occupied floor. 1,151 to top of parapet. Nothing to extend above it. Nice verticality. They're considering a few VE options for the base/hotel section in the center. This building should still be a stunner. Also, apparently the AOR for the hotel component will be BkL

Renderings by Studio Gang

TechTalkGuy · #**943** Posted **Jul 21, 2015, 3:30 PM**

There's a few things going for the Wanda Vista:

First, it's the striking visual that distinctively make heads turn.

Second, it's the visual impact it has on the skyline.

This tower will make a positive contribution to the Chicago skyline that honors the surrounding buildings and celebrates it's place.

DCCliff · #**944** Posted **Jul 21, 2015, 3:36 PM**

^^^
The new tweaks: a more sophisticated and pleasing result. This is getting better and better.

LouisVanDerWright · #**945** Posted **Jul 21, 2015, 4:35 PM**

It looks like they may have dropped the illogical upwards sloping glass that would have done nothing but collect more solar heat gain and may have reversed it to be straight vertical or slightly downwards facing?

Also, I saw samples of the same glass they are saying they are going to use on this project and damn that's some nice stuff. I was in an architects office and they had a sample set of the same line from the same manufacturer. The color gradient should be pretty noticeable.

Randomguy34 · #**946** Posted **Jul 21, 2015, 4:57 PM**

This tower might be the only one where VE lead to better results. Can't wait for someone to make a new drawing for it so that we can see it in the Chicago Diagram.

Domer2019 · #**947** Posted **Jul 21, 2015, 5:53 PM**

I really don't like the new balconies. Unless it is weird shading, they look deep as heck and detract from the form of the building, which is its aesthetic selling point. Perhaps those balconies will get more units filled, but with such a great location, I doubt that's even necessary.

SamInTheLoop · #**948** Posted **Jul 21, 2015, 6:08 PM**

^ Yeah, developers that think they need balconies to sell condos/rent apartments - that's one of my pet peeves - as it's very unfounded. Magellan is one of those that subscribes to this. I'm not sure what the psychosis is exactly that makes certain developers fall for this. There's a certain low minority percent of folks out there that think they need a balcony for a high rise unit to live in - my guess is it's quite low however - and much, much lower than what Magellan and some others seem to think it is.

I mean, how practical do you really think a balcony is located in Chicago 900' above the street.........it's not even a luxury - more of an oddity.....

Chi-Sky21 · #**949** Posted **Jul 21, 2015, 7:00 PM**

I guess call me psychotic because i would pick a place with a balcony over 1 without almost every time. I kinda like the look of them...they almost look like slots for gears, like the different towers can climb up and down each other.

TechTalkGuy · #**950** Posted **Jul 21, 2015, 7:30 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chi-Sky21

I guess call me psychotic because i would pick a place with a balcony over 1 without almost every time.

Think of having a balcony like owning your very own private observation deck!

the urban politician · #**951** Posted **Jul 21, 2015, 7:52 PM**

I for one would love a balcony overlooking the city.

johnnygosox · #**952** Posted **Jul 21, 2015, 8:09 PM**

I have two balconies...one being on the south and the other on the east. I love the feeling of being outside 19 floors up and not hermetically sealed. It was a prerequisite for my choice of condos to purchase.

hawainpanda · #**953** Posted **Jul 21, 2015, 8:30 PM**

anyone know how the core will be constructed? will it be 3 sep cores? or a core that continues to taper at the top sort like riverpoint (just has 1 taper)

Ryanrule · #**954** Posted **Jul 21, 2015, 8:38 PM**

a balcony is a requirement.

WILL NOT DO without.

TechTalkGuy · #**955** Posted **Jul 21, 2015, 8:46 PM**

Architecture critic weighs in on Wanda Vista Tower

• Video Link

Ned.B · #**956** Posted **Jul 21, 2015, 9:10 PM**

I think the design of the balcony makes a big difference. The deeper balconies are actually much more likely to be seen as an amenity than the shallow ones tacked on a building because they can become an outdoor room. I would love if my 16th floor apartment had an outdoor terrace space to hold a table and chairs for outdoor dining. On the other hand, I looked at a 28th floor condo a few months ago that had 2 balconies that were maybe 4'x7' each at best with just a metal picket railing. I figured I would never go out there.

I would never discount a place just because it is lacking outdoor space, but it would be nice to have. A conveniently located outdoor building common area would be just as nice, and then I wouldn't have to maintain it.

wahoo9518 · #**957** Posted **Jul 21, 2015, 9:23 PM**

I think the "deeper balconies" are just a function of more shawdowing on the render. The renders on studio gang's website show balconies just as deep, just without the darkness added

CHI -21c · #**958** Posted **Jul 21, 2015, 9:37 PM**

The facade looks much better in the 2nd rendering, looking SE.

This design is all about the "TV static/crown molding" facade treatment, NO LONGER the zigzagging. Maybe some zigzagging can be phased out or obscured by replacing some inclines with verticals.

Wanda's biggest problem is the CHECKER PATTERN from afar. If the stripes vary in width (as they now appear to), that will be fixed.
The stripes need to act more like crown molding, and therefore should be mixed with some solid, flat surfaces too.

Balconies add detail, which make supertalls look bigger by adding scale.
But the West balconies look like a construction elevator.

Also, the curvy shadows around the zigzags are greatly exaggerated.

TechTalkGuy · #**959** Posted **Jul 21, 2015, 9:41 PM**

That prismatic appearance is what's unique about the colorful and expressive Wanda Vista when compared to other towers on the skyline.

Domer2019 · #**960** Posted **Jul 21, 2015, 10:13 PM**

Fox's execution in that video...

With the above render, I can't tell whether I like or dislike that the lower section looks like a different building in front of it. It's obviously worth it once you get up close, though.