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Located just south of the Chicago downtown core, the South Loop neighbourhood has seen an important number of new contruction and development proposals over the past few years. Long anticipated, the South Loop's building boom is turning into reality with several condominium highrises being proposed around the intersection of South Michigan Avenue and East Roosevelt Road. Four of these projects were recently presented to the public, and more details were revealed as to how they will impact the neighbourhood.
1000 South Michigan Avenue
The surface parking lot currently occupying the site of 1000 South Michigan Avenue is set to disappear in favour of an 86-storey, 305-metre condominium and apartment tower. Designed by Helmut Jahn, the building features cantilevered blocks piled on top of each other, creating a series of setbacks to avoid overwhelming the significantly shorter surrounding buildings. 148 apartments will occupy the lower levels of the tower located within the first block. In the back section of this block, 598 parking stalls will occupy several floors, but will never front onto the street in order to preserve the look of the street wall.
Accessible via a separated lobby, the 358 condominium units will occupy the remaining three upper blocks of the tower. The amenity deck and 2000-square-metre green roof located on the 86th floor will feature great views of the city and the lake below. In total, the cost of the project is estimated at $385 million. If built as currently planned, 1000 Michigan Avenue would become the sixth tallest building in Chicago just behind Wanda Vista, and rebalance the skyline by adding density to the south.
800 South Michigan Avenue
Purchased by developer Oxford Capital Group, the famous Essex Inn and its adjacent parking garage will soon undergo an important transformation under the direction of Hartshorne + Plunkard Architects. In their plans, the Essex Inn will be completely renovated while its original look and function will be preserved, but the number of rooms will increase from 254 to 276. To the south, the parking garage will be demolished, and a 54-storey glass-covered apartment tower will rise on the site currently known as 800 South Michigan Avenue. Standing 184 metres above street level, the building will be home to 454 residences, ranging from studios to three-bedroom units.
The tower's striking design results from the need to let light and air reach the south facade of the original 1960s building. As a consequence, an impressive cut-out at the base of the building creates an alcove framed by large diagonal supporting columns, where the amenity deck will be housed. As the residences will be located above the void, the lower section will accommodate additional hotel rooms and a bar/restaurant facing the street, as well as 155 parking spots at the back of the structure. At ground level, a lobby will connect the residential tower and the former Essex Inn together.
113 East Roosevelt
At 113 East Roosevelt, architect Rafael Viñoly is proposing two highrises, the tallest of which stands at 76 stories, or 252 metres. Developed by Crescent Heights, the two towers would create an unprecedented density at the south end of Grant Park, with 792 and 648 new units being added to the area, although construction would be spread out across several phases of construction.
Depending on the nature of the final plan, only one out of the two tower might eventually be built. However, should both be approved, the eastern building would get built first and thus become the tallest in the South Loop. At the base of the tower, more than 11,600 square metres of retail will be added and have a noticeable effect on street life in the area. This proposal is seeking a LEED Silver certification.
As these projects are in their very first steps of development, designs are still subject to change. We will make sure to update the corresponding Database files, linked below. In the meantime, you can also visit the associated Forum threads or leave a comment at the bottom of this page to get involved in the discussion.
