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Chicago's high-flying skyline has a new focal point, soon to wrap up construction on East Wacker Drive. Since topping out in Spring, 2019, at a height of 1,191 feet/363 metres, Vista Tower has has been progressing both inside and out as the building races for a completion slated for later this year. Designed by starchitect Jeanne Gang of Studio Gang Architects working with bKL Architecture serving in the Architect of Record role, the Windy City's latest supertall comes from developers Magellan Development Group and Wanda Group.
Rising 101 storeys at its tallest point, the skyscraper takes a stepped form with three distinct volumes rising incrementally in height. Since reaching its final height on the skyline last year, the speed of cladding installation has increased, as the tower is finished in six different tones of curtainwall glazing that help to articulate its distinctive flowing curves. The latest photos show that the majority of exterior finishes are now in place.
Remaining exterior work includes cladding over sections of the tower where exterior hoists operated during earlier stages of construction. Interior elevators are gradually coming online to take over the heavy lifting, allowing these vertical sections to finally be glazed. While one section of removed hoist is now being finished, additional hoists remain operational to service the uppermost section of the tower.
A vague completion date of mid-2020 is the current timeline for opening. Once complete, the building will bring 406 condominium units and 210 hotel suites to the Loop. In addition to being the third tallest building in Chicago, Vista Tower is now the 11th tallest building in the United States.
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