NBCUniversal has revealed its new state-of-the-art studios within NBC Tower at 455 Cityfront Plaza Drive in Streeterville. Led by the network itself, the massive office and production space consolidates the staff, crew, and operations that were previously scattered across multiple floors in the lower half of the tower and its base.
New NBC studios and offices by Ian Achong
NBC 5 (WMAQ-TV) aired its first broadcast from its previous space in 1989, just as the namesake tower was completed. It featured multiple soundstages, office spaces, and tech/IT rooms across five floors, eventually growing to 300,000 square feet of space and 600 employees across NBC, Telemundo, and other divisions. The facility hosted shows like Jerry Springer and Judge Mathis.
New NBC studios and offices by Ian Achong
However, times have changed, and so have production needs. Many of the iconic shows came to their natural end, while those remaining were relocated to other central studios. Additionally, technology advanced, and gone are the days when the network needed an entire floor dedicated to computer servers and equipment. Thus, in 2021, the station decided to kick off its modernization.
New NBC studios and offices by Ian Achong
New NBC studios and offices by Ian Achong
New York–based architecture firm Design Republic partnered with the station to consolidate operations onto a single 70,000-square-foot floor that formerly housed the main soundstages. These spaces feature 40-foot-tall ceilings and large, column-free spans, along with unique challenges such as two-foot-thick soundproof walls and the fact that the floor sits above the previous live broadcast studio.
New NBC studios and offices by Ian Achong
New NBC studios and offices by Ian Achong
The completed space was executed by Clune Construction and centers around a large shared newsroom anchored by a multi-story screen actively displaying breaking news and tracking the network’s field teams. Behind this are five new production studios, including two large spaces for NBC and Telemundo, with automated cameras operated from centralized control rooms.
New NBC studios and offices by Ian Achong
Additionally, the space includes 20 camera-ready locations across the office floor, allowing segments to be filmed anytime and anywhere. The remaining studios are in the process of being outfitted with green screens and LED walls to accommodate varying production needs. For the first time since the station opened, all employees are now located on the same floor.
New NBC studios and offices by Ian Achong
As mentioned, a full floor of servers and computer towers is no longer needed, as the local station becomes the first in the NBC family to be cloud-based. This shift will facilitate cross-country and network-wide access to Chicago’s film library and vice versa. The renovation establishes the studio as Chicago’s most advanced and marks the latest major media reinvestment in the city.
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Looks like No national shows will be based out of NBC
Cool tour and pics! I’m happy that NBC is investing in Chicago.
However, as a yimby I have to point out that this building has two massive surface-level parking lots to the north and south of it. Absolutely prime real estate being taken up by the NBC Tower South and North lots.
Did they mention any plans to develop these?