The Loop

Dead by Design #5: 7 South Dearborn Street in The Loop

7:45 am on October 2, 2022 By Jack Crawford

Next in our “Dead by Design” series of cancelled Chicago supertowers, we have a 112-story tower originally planned for 7 S Dearborn Avenue in The Loop. The mixed-use skyscraper would have measured 1,567 feet to its roof, marking what would have been its official height. However, the structure would have also been accompanied by three 433-foot-tall antennas that would have brought its pinnacle height to 2,000 feet, just one foot higher than last week’s Miglin-Beitler Skyneedle.

Dead by Design #4: Miglin-Beitler Skyneedle in The Loop

7:45 am on September 25, 2022 By Jack Crawford

One of Chicago’s tallest and most notorious cancelled developments is the 125-story Miglin-Beitler Skyneedle, the first in this series to surpass the Willis (Sears) Tower in height. Proposed in 1988 by Lee Miglin and J. Paul Beitler, this superstructure would have risen 1,999 feet at 201 W Madison Street in The Loop. If construction proceeded as planned up until its targeted 1993 completion, the tower would have reigned as world’s tallest building for 17 years leading up to the completion of Dubai’s Burj Khalifa in 2010. It is worth noting however that building’s sheer influence would very likely have altered the race to the top, creating what may have been a very different set of subsequent mega-towers around the world.

Dead by Design #3: One North Wacker in The Loop

7:45 am on September 18, 2022 By Jack Crawford

This week, the “Dead by Design” series of cancelled Chicago towers will focus its spotlight on One North Wacker Drive, an 83-story office tower in The Loop. In 1989, real estate developer Harvey Walken first proposed the 1,276-foot edifice, which at the time would have made it fourth tallest in the world behind only the Sears (now Willis) Tower and New York’s twin towers.

Scaffolding Comes Down for Old Republic Building’s Facade Restoration in The Loop

7:30 am on September 6, 2022 By Jack Crawford

Much of the exterior scaffolding has now been removed from the 24-story Old Republic Building in The Loop, revealing the extensive nature of its facade restoration. The 325-foot-tall Classic Revival office tower at 307 N Michigan Avenue was originally planned by the Bell and Zoller Coal Company and designed by Vitzthum & Burns.

Dead by Design #1: Waterview Tower in The Loop

7:45 am on September 4, 2022 By Jack Crawford

Chicago’s formative architectural history is not always visible if one were to walk around. Much like the city’s dozens of demolished high rises (more on that later), the never-built can also influence the realm of architecture despite lacking a physical presence. That is why every Sunday leading up to Halloween, YIMBY will cover a cancelled tower of increasing height, what lead to its demise, and what it might have looked like on the skyline. The model screenshots will retain previous weeks’ towers, though they will not be carried over to standard posts.

A Final Look at the Completed 300 N Michigan Avenue in The Loop

7:45 am on August 16, 2022 By Jack Crawford

The Loop‘s newest skyscraper, 300 N Michigan Avenue, is now complete. The 47-story mixed-use tower developed by Sterling Bay and Magellan Development Group features a retail base, a 280-key citizenM hotel on the lower levels, and 289 rental apartment units dubbed “Millie on Michigan.”

The Chicago Duck Derby Returns to The Loop

7:00 am on July 31, 2022 By Bee Ricketts

Next week, tens of thousands of rubber ducks will be launched into the Chicago River during the city’s annual Duck Derby.

220 S State Street (left) and 202 S State Street (right)

Commission on Chicago Landmarks Passes Resolution to Review Endangered Buildings at 202 and 220 S State Street in The Loop

7:45 am on July 12, 2022 By Jack Crawford

In an increasingly heated saga over their ultimate fate, two historic Loop buildings targeted for demolition by the federal government have been cleared for review by the Commission on Chicago Landmarks. The process could lead to the landmarking of the two terracotta-clad structures, whose potential demise reflect “security concerns” over potential vantage points available looking into the adjacent Dirksen Federal Building. Designed by Holabird and Roche, the 16-story Century Building at 202 S State Street was completed in 1915, while the 21-story Consumers Building at 220 S State Street was designed by Jenney, Mundie, & Jensen and completed in 1913. Both are part of the National Register’s Loop Retail Historic District, but currently lack official city landmark designation that would parry any demolition efforts.

Office Renovations Planned for Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner in The Loop

7:30 am on June 13, 2022 By Bee Ricketts

The law firm, Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner (BCLP) has downsized its Chicago office located at 161 N Clark Street in The Loop. The firm partnered with NELSON Worldwide for the renovation-in-place which converted offices from three to two floors. These renovations come in response to changing business needs and shifting work models.

Renderings Revealed for Commercial Building at 151 N Michigan Avenue in the Loop

7:30 am on June 8, 2022 By Bee Ricketts

Renderings have been made public for an upcoming commercial structure at 151 N Michigan Avenue in The Loop. The site overlooks Millennium Park with the parcel sitting at the intersection of W Randolph Street and N Michigan Avenue.

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