Chicago's $1 Billion Dual-Tower Proposal Rejected

Chicago Alderman, Brendan Reilly has rejected Related Midwest's $1 billion proposal for a dual skyscraper project on the former waterfront site of the failed Chicago Spire per Construction Dive. 

Alderman Reilly of the city's 42nd Ward wrote in an email to his constituents that Related Midwest had not addressed the local residents' concerns regarding the following requests:

 - Removal of the planned hotel and public esplanade components

 - Reduction of the size and height of the project's podium

 - Redesign of the main entrance to reduce traffic congestion

 - Increase use of an existing ramp system and below-grade parking to keep delivery, pick up and drop off traffic away from residential areas

 - Provide a security plan for an area that connects the Riverwalk to a proposed three-acre park for which Related offered to contribute $10 million.

Related had released details in May regarding the Skidmore Owens & Merrill-designed project which stated that the tallest of the two glass and terra cotta clad towers would reach up to 1,100 feet in height and feature 300 condominiums and 175 hotel rooms. The second building, at 850 feet, would offer 550 luxury apartments. Both of these structures would be connected by a four story podium built with stone and masonry to lessen the noise from traffic. Reilly also stated that he would update his constituents if Related chose to address the issues.

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Reilly also rejected last year Symmetry Development's proposal for a 60 story mixed-use tower in the 42nd Ward. This project would have included the following:

 - 30,000 square feet of retail

 - 325 car parking garage

 - 250 high-end condominiums

 - 216 key hotel with an additional 120 timeshare units

The reason that Reilly rejected this project was that it would create too much traffic and suggested that Symmetry come up with a low-density plan instead. Symmetry filed a permit in September to demolish the 1800's-era row housing on the site which would potentially set up a battle with local preservationists. Any new project would still need Reilly's approval.

Chicago and other major metros are trying to strike a balance between growth and local concerns about traffic, stress on public services and the displacement of existing residents who cannot afford to rent or buy in these luxury developments.

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Per The Architects Newspaper, the location for the two towers would have been at 400 North Lake Shore Drive and would sit on a four story plinth and open out at a skewed angle to Lake Michigan. Related Midwest also had committed to the long-awaited completion of DuSable Park as well as extending the Riverwalk under Lake Shore Drive and out to the lakefront with a public esplanade running along the Ogden Slip just north of the site.

"I always strive to negotiate positive outcomes when considering development proposals. As with any project, my ultimate goal is to strike a fair balance and approve responsible projects that will be successful for the owners, while enhancing the character and vitality of the surrounding neighborhood."

Alderman 42nd Ward | Brendan Reilly

According to Dezeen, Reilly's rejection at this time follows a series of stop-and-starts with the Spire site, which has been left empty since 2008 when Calatrava's project was stopped one year into construction due to the global financial crisis.

Related Midwest took over the site in 2014 and enlisted David Childs along with Skidmore Owings and Merrill to oversee the new project.