In a recent move that marks an exciting leap for the commercial construction industry in the Windy City, the Chicago City Council approved the mixed-use development at 357 N Green Street in the West Loop. This formerly vacant lot, uniquely wedged with N Halsted Street to the east and traversed by the Kennedy Expressway on the northeast corner, will be the canvas for a bold urban transformation project by the Canadian-developer Onni Group.
SCB will function as the architect, with Confluence handling the landscape design of this 29-story, 484-foot tower. Challenging the traditional alignment of its neighbors, the tower will sit diagonally on the lot, in harmony with the highway's direction. This creative approach makes the most of the 60,000 square-foot lot, allowing for a 40,000 square-foot built area and a plaza and paseo, cleverly designed to cut through the tower and ascend towards the upper level of Halsted. This vibrant green space will connect with the park being developed opposite at 360 N Green, extending all the way to the Guinness brewhouse.
Urbanize Chicago states that in response to feedback from the Committee on Design, the final design features:
- 484 foot tower
- Lobbies
- Amenity spaces
- Bike storage
- 8,000 square feet of commercial space
- Public staircase
- Five stories of parking for 329 vehicles
The parking levels will feature a unique design element - a translucent glass facade with bronze vertical fins every 30-inches, entered via a helix ramp. Outdoor decks will cap the garage on the eighth floor, and similar terraces will adorn the 15th and 29th floors, the latter of which potentially accommodating a top-floor restaurant with panoramic city views.
The intermediate floors will house 650,000 square-feet of office space, accentuated by private balconies and aforementioned outdoor spaces, amounting to over 50,000 square-feet. The tower will feature a modern curtain wall system, clad in glass and bronze vertical fins, and will culminate in a simple crown that conceals the mechanical equipment within.
City Council's approval grants Onni Group the freedom to initiate construction at their discretion. As this project is Onni’s first office tower in Chicago in recent years, the company is opting for a tenant-first approach, waiting until a primary tenant is secured before breaking ground. The firm is currently in negotiations with potential anchor tenants that could occupy a majority of the structure, indicating a prospective start date in the fourth quarter of 2024.
Designed by Solomon Cordwell Buenz, the building reacts ingeniously to the expressway traversing the site. It presents a striking gateway to Fulton Market, rotated 35 degrees to align with the highway and featuring a north facade curved to complement the expressway’s path. The massing was strategically carved to offer generous outdoor space and terraces, enhancing the working environment for office tenants.
Partnering with Confluence, a pedestrian paseo will ingeniously carve through the base of the building, linking N. Halsted St and N. Green St. Accommodating the elevation change with a series of steps, the design will facilitate pedestrian movement under the building and towards a plaza on N. Green St.
The ground floor will activate the corner of W. Kinzie St and N. Green St with retail space. The office lobby will orient towards an outdoor plaza on N. Green St, ensuring seamless vehicular access from W. Kinzie St with provision for drop-off and surface parking.
Securing City Council approval, the site will undergo rezoning from M2-3 to DX-7, followed by a Planned Development process. In exchange for a Floor Area Ratio (FAR) bonus, the developers will contribute around $4.9 million to the Neighborhood Opportunity Fund.
By bringing together a multi-talented team, the project embodies a blend of innovation, adaptability, and aesthetics, setting a new precedent for urban development in commercial construction. With its unique siting, transformative design, and bold vision, 357 N Green Street is set to become a benchmark for future projects in Chicago and beyond. The commercial construction industry will undoubtedly watch its progress with keen interest, as the tower’s innovative design and strategic use of space may well signal a new direction in the sector.
DataBid is currently reporting on this project - 357 N Green Street Commercial Development Near West Side - Chicago (0042121922)
