Construction crews have been underground for six months, filling the biggest man-made hole in Chicago history.
The Spire is one of the most famous Chicago buildings that never was. In 2007, construction started on architect Santiago Calatrava’s 150-floor skyscraper. The plan called for a twisted, sleek modernist design.
Yes, but: Funding dried up due to the 2008 recession and the building was scrapped, leaving behind a 76-foot hole just north of the Chicago River and just west of the DuSable Lake Shore Drive.
Driving the news: In 2016, developer Related Midwest took control of the property. Last year, it announced plans for two residential towers, both over 70-stories on the site.
The towers will feature over 1,100 condos and over 600 rental units.
You’d think having an existing hole for the foundation for a skyscraper would be a leg up, but according to Related Midwest, the Spire hole is a huge challenge.
The ongoing construction was preceded by at least nine months of design and engineering, which took into account whether to build in the existing hole or around it. Related Midwest says it has so far been more of a renovation project, before new construction can start.
The hole is expected to be filled by August.
What they’re saying: “It’s the chance of a lifetime,” Related Midwest’s vice president of development Nick Millot tells Axios.
“It’s a chance to take something that was a bit of a blemish during the Great Recession and turn it around and pronounce our skyline to the rest of the world.”
Zoom in: The development will refurbish the riverfront land, which has been vacant up to this date.
The Park District will also continue to develop nearby DuSable Park.
