CHICAGO | Optima Center Chicago | 442 ft | 42 FLOORS | COM - Page 9

GregBear24 · #**161** Posted **Jun 5, 2012, 8:13 PM**

This is easily my favorite u/c skyscraper. Simple, interesting, and it fits very well at its location.

Question: does anyone know the type of transparency the black glass will have? I'd prefer it not be completely opaque, but it wouldn't upset me if it were.

Ch.G, Ch.G · #**162** Posted **Jun 5, 2012, 9:31 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by GregBear24

Question: does anyone know the type of transparency the black glass will have? I'd prefer it not be completely opaque, but it wouldn't upset me if it were.

No, though I expect we'll find out in the next couple of months. We've only got that one rendering, so this whole building is going to be somewhat of a surprise as it rises.

J_M_Tungsten · #**163** Posted **Jun 12, 2012, 11:40 PM**

This evening

Theoryg · #**164** Posted **Jun 13, 2012, 12:22 AM**

Relatively interesting building. I like when Chicago gets a chance to build the small quify spacefiller towers. When it narrow and 1-2 apts per floor it has a fragile effect that really makes me excited. At any rate, I would be wondering what the building is like on the inside and of course if they have a pee wee swimming pool and othe rtiny amenities

Michi · #**165** Posted **Jun 20, 2012, 4:51 AM**

June 19, 2012

george · #**166** Posted **Jun 20, 2012, 8:26 AM**

6-19

markh9 · #**167** Posted **Jun 25, 2012, 11:27 PM**

2 minutes ago

george · #**168** Posted **Jun 29, 2012, 9:16 PM**

6-28

denizen467 · #**169** Posted **Jun 30, 2012, 12:01 AM**

^ Does that grade change x 4 sides really = an entire parking level? Kind of seems like a sharper incline would need to compensate on one of the other sides.

SamInTheLoop · #**170** Posted **Jun 30, 2012, 12:29 AM**

^ yes, I believe it's the north side that has a much greater incline

chief56 · #**171** Posted **Jun 30, 2012, 8:19 PM**

The sharp incline is on the north side of the building coming off of Upper Illinois to the 2nd floor. Then its evens out and becomes a standard slope, creating the typical floors heights.

Joe Zekas · #**172** Posted **Jul 6, 2012, 9:28 PM**

This shot was taken earlier today from the 9th floor amenities deck at Fairbanks at Cityfront Plaza, 240 E Illinois. The heat has resulted in shorter workdays at a number of high-rises due to safety issues as much as to the difficulty of curing concrete properly at high temperatures.

View east from amenities deck at 240 E Illinois by YoChicago1, on Flickr

spyguy · #**173** Posted **Jul 19, 2012, 12:39 AM**

http://www.facadetek.com/index.php/p...ter-chicago-il

façadeTek was awarded the building enclosure for the 40 story high rise apartment building. The façade has over 190,000 SF of custom manufactured unitized curtain wall. This consists of over 3,400 individual units. This wall system integrates over 800 zero sightline windows designed, manufactured and tested by facadeTek. Testing of the performance mock-up was completed in April and field installation starts in Jul 2012.

All photos from façadeTek's website (link above):

Rizzo · #**174** Posted **Jul 19, 2012, 5:50 PM**

Field installation in July 2012? No way.

Swicago Swi Sox · #**175** Posted **Jul 19, 2012, 6:02 PM**

This morning it looked like DensGlass is being installed at Optima on the West side...I will snap a pic this afternoon...

Also, it looks like they have completed all of the parking levels as the most recent level does not appear to be sloping at all...once again, pic to follow...

colemonkee · #**176** Posted **Jul 19, 2012, 7:14 PM**

The difference in the level of quality of the glass between this and 500 N. Lake Shore Drive is striking. That Hovey guy knows his stuff!

untitledreality · #**177** Posted **Jul 20, 2012, 3:48 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by colemonkee

The difference in the level of quality of the glass between this and 500 N. Lake Shore Drive is striking. That Hovey guy knows his stuff!

If only every architect had such control over quality of materials.

denizen467 · #**178** Posted **Jul 20, 2012, 5:45 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by spyguy

Gotta love the used DC-3 engine (okay, I have no idea, maybe it's just a homemade wind tunnel device) bolted to the metal frame there. Do they really do wind tunnel tests out of doors? What about birds, or dust?

Swicago Swi Sox · #**179** Posted **Jul 20, 2012, 3:55 PM**

Here is the DensGlass installed on the West side.

Here are some cladding backup supports. The longer ones over the parking ramp entrance have been installed for some time, however the multiple shorter supports you can see beyond were installed more recently. Looks like they are read to accept glass for the bottom level at least.

In this photo it looks like the highest level that they are currently pouring is flat.

Swicago Swi Sox · #**180** Posted **Jul 20, 2012, 4:03 PM**

Upon further review the Tyvek is following the material hoist up the building and is tied back with wood supports. Most definitely temporary while the hoist is in use. The steel supports, however, may be a good sign that glass is on the way...