A tower crane is on its way up at Shedd Aquarium, where big changes are underway to the 1929-built Graham, Anderson, Probst & White facility on the Museum Campus. This is the latest expansion to the aquarium, which has undergone several updates, improvements, and additions since the early 1990s.
Rendering of the new entry pavilion and garden by Valerio Dewalt Train
Peeking through the trees in Grant Park as a section of the tower crane is added at Shedd Aquarium. Photo by Daniel Schell
Photo by Daniel Schell
The operator’s cab awaits liftoff. Photo by Daniel Schell
Photo by Daniel Schell
The work being performed now, based on designs by Valerio Dewalt Train, was approved by the Chicago Plan Commission back in 2022 and permitted in September 2023. All four levels of the building are to have interior and exterior demolitions performed, updates are being done on exhibit areas, elevators, stairways, and even skylights were mentioned.
Photo by Daniel Schell
Photo by Daniel Schell
Photo by Daniel Schell
Photo by Daniel Schell
Outside, exterior work has been visible to the public as sidewalks, curbs, and landscaping is updated and renovated. For more about The Experience Evolution at the Shedd Aquarium, watch the video at their website here.
Looking west from the Adler Planetarium. Photo by Daniel Schell
Photo by Daniel Schell
The crane was permitted on February 21 and is being erected on the north side of the aquarium, to the “left” as you go up the steps of the main entrance, which is currently closed as part of the renovations. (The aquarium remains open.) General contractor Pepper Construction is in charge of the crane’s operation, as they are also the concrete contractor.
Photo by Daniel Schell
Photo by Daniel Schell
A truck backs into the construction site with pieces of the tower crane to be offloaded. Photo by Daniel Schell
Offloading another truck. Photo by Daniel Schell
Photo by Daniel Schell
Keep in mind, the Shedd Aquarium *is* open during renovations, so don’t let construction interfere with your chance to visit. CTA Routes 2, 6, 26, 28, and J14 buses stop at 1100 South Columbus Drive. Hop off here and take the pedestrian underpass beneath Lake Shore Drive to the Museum Campus. Just west of there at the intersection of Michigan Avenue and Roosevelt Road, several more buses, including Routes 1, 3, 4, X4, 12, and 18 connect with the 146 Inner Lake Shore/Michigan Express bus, which takes you right to the Shedd’s entrance on Solidarity Drive.
The Museum Campus/11th Street Metra Station and its South SHore Line and Metra Electric trains is about half a mile away in Grant Park, and once again the pedestrian underpasses can be used to access the Museum Campus. Just over half a mile away is the Roosevelt Red/Orange/Green Line subway station and elevated platform. You can use the 146 bus from here to get to the aquarium.
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Can you give us a list of tower cranes. I feel like there have been some more added since the last update
We have 8 of them.
Obama Presidential Center
Project H.O.O.D. in Woodlawn
2 at the Abbvie Cancer Pavilion in Hyde Park
400 Lake Shore
the Thompson Center renovation
1100 West Grand (erected last week)
and now the Shedd.