CHICAGO | Optima Center Chicago | 442 ft | 42 FLOORS | COM

[Rizzo]

Originally Posted by ThatOneGuy

I wish the entire building was clad in black glass... It would look so classy.

Nope, nope, only blue glass or beige precast allowed! That's the only flavors

[denizen467]

Originally Posted by Chicago_Forever

I believe there's a couple on the Northside too. Anyway, I can't wait for the glass to start going up on this.

There seem to be several at 860, 880, 900, 910 Lakeshore too, associated with some famous architect supposedly...

But maybe the original question was about a blacker kind of glass than the many above-mentioned, given that glass technology has been revolutionized over those 4, 5 decades. Also, butt-glazed, floor-to-ceiling black glass, with black glass spandrels, would result in a very different-looking facade compared to all of the various international-school-era buildings with pronounced mullions, etc.

[ardecila]

Not that glazing technology hasn't been revolutionized in recent years, but the "hypothetical" building you describe opened in 1975.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Willis_Building_(Ipswich)

[denizen467]

^ Yeah, I wasn't offering it up as an apparition, just as something that probably didn't exist in a highrise anywhere around here. Nice find all the way in the UK.
You know, being the architecture city we are, we should have an architecture museum space that offers exhibitions on modern architecture in other world cities. Like presentations on Rotterdam, or England, or Hongkong, or all the works of Foster, etc., would be great. This has probably happened over limited periods, but we really should have a permanent, more comprehensive architecture display space like what's in the Santa Fe Building lobby but dealing with places beyond Chicago.

[chicubs111]

Originally Posted by denizen467

There seem to be several at 860, 880, 900, 910 Lakeshore too, associated with some famous architect supposedly...

But maybe the original question was about a blacker kind of glass than the many above-mentioned, given that glass technology has been revolutionized over those 4, 5 decades. Also, butt-glazed, floor-to-ceiling black glass, with black glass spandrels, would result in a very different-looking facade compared to all of the various international-school-era buildings with pronounced mullions, etc.

Yes...well i did forget about Harbor point and Lake poitn tower..those buildings have black spandrels and somehhat tinted glass...but im talking black glass similiar to trump tower in NYC .. I know where getting off topic but just hoping optima glass is similiar...

[george]

^ The second coming of Black Glass could be the next big curtain wall trend, just maybe.

[10023]

Black glass should be done with a bit of a bronze tint (think Seagram Building) so it doesn't look too dull.

[SamInTheLoop]

Over the last several days, the core climbing system and concrete pump have been set up, in preparation of framing the first level above parking. After that level has been completed, I'm assuming we'll see this one hit its pour cycle rythym and start rising much more rapidly....

[george]

8-1




Glass going up and it doesn't look very black.

[xXSkyscraperDudeXx]

Originally Posted by chicubs111

I hope soar doesnt force this change of the black base to that which is shown in this newer picture...



http://blog.chicagoarchitecture.info...ges/#more-4199

I think is going to look pretty much like this then..

[BraveNewWorld]

Originally Posted by george

8-1

Glass going up and it doesn't look very black.

The glass looks great, but I was kind of hoping for some shiny black glass. Maybe the other sides are black ?

[ChiPhi]

^^^
Looks like at least 2 sides are up in both that pic and the one below.

Originally Posted by george

8-1

Also, a huge letdown on the glass color.

[Chicago_Forever]

Delete

[Chicago_Forever]

Originally Posted by george

8-1




Glass going up and it doesn't look very black.

I had my suspicions about the glass after seeing your pics so I decided to go take a look for myself. If you look at your pics then look at the rendering, it looks like the glass that has gone up is only the glass that covers the base, from the ground, lobby, to the retail portion of the tower. The parking section which sits above looks to be seperate and will be covered in the black glass, at least that's what I'm hoping. Any thoughts?

[ChiPhi]

^^^
God I hope you're right. I looked at the rendering again and it does appear that way!

From this Trib Article:

[Chicago_Forever]

Oh, and the glass looked very transparent so I really doubt that's the kind of glass they would use on the garage. I think one of SOAR's concerns was the ability of the glass to conceal the flashing lights of vehicles going up and down the parking ramps from peeping through nearby buildings, mainly the new Ronald McDonald house.

[J_M_Tungsten]

I still have a feeling this ones going to be awesome, but the black glass is essential.

[SamInTheLoop]

I think that with or without the black glass, this one is going to end up being gorgeous. Hovey's entrile into the city was a long time coming, and I really think with the result we're going to get here it's going to be well worth it!

I was getting a little worried after the Coast there was not another tower under construction I'd consider likely to be a true stunner. When I saw that first pic of the glass, I realized my concern was completely unnecessary.

[mousquet]

Um, it's only a little piece but so far, I like the effect of that material at the street level...
And good to know there will be some retail down there.

[Swicago Swi Sox]

Snapped this pic on my way home yesterday. It looks like one of the installed curtain wall piece contains the infamous black glass. You can see the clear-ish blue glass below with the top band in black.