I found the info at SSP, where it was stated that the Chicago tribune revelaed 111 West Wacker will be under way after being delayed for months and it''ll contain 82 floors now rather than the originally proposed 69. It definetely has the chance to be a 1000+ footer.

Rendering from the Chicago Tribune:

http://images.chicagotribune.com/media/photo/2004-05/12599190.jpg

Teng and Associates Inc. is starting to market condominiums in an 82-story building proposed for 111 W. Wacker Drive, an ambitious development plan for the Chicago architectural and engineering firm. To be called Waterview Tower, the structure will include 236 luxury condos and parking for 512 cars. Teng plans to move its headquarters to the building, taking about half of the 215,000 square feet of office space.

The tower's website:

http://www.waterviewtower.com/

More renderings:

http://www.teng.com/teng2k3/images/111.jpg

http://www.teng.com/teng2k3/images/111%20all%20new.jpg

It may just barely be a 1000 footer. Depends if the additional floors are all residential, office or combination. I tend to repeat myself with this statement:

Residential and hotels have shorter slab to slab height then office. The construction has considerble differences between the two.

Though I would like it to be at least a 1000 footer. That would mean 2 proposed 1000+ ft tower nearly across from each other. That would be a site to watch as both have the possibility to rise at the same time..... If that happens.

really nice, i wish it comes true!

Thats awesome!!!

Is this just a pipedream or what?

How long has this been proposed?

Thats awesome!!!

Is this just a pipedream or what?
No, it's definitely a serious proposal. Whether or not it's constructed depends on whether they can sell enough of the apartments to secure construction financing.

The building will be mostly residential, but will have offices as well. Teng & Associates, the architecture and engineering firm that designed it and is also the developer, will occupy roughly half of the office space, but they're probably need to prelease some of the rest as well. For the residential units, the only worry is that when interest rates rise in the U.S. this summer, the condo market may soften. But it's a great building in a great location, so its chances of success are as good as any other proposal.

Awesome. Nice building... a great addition to an already great skyline.

I think that even though its not intended as a 1,000 footer right this moment, that they will make it one by the time it's done. US developers seem to be responding to both the market, and the ego bruising going on overseas, with all of thier supertalls going up while America builds its suburbs.

What a sexy building.

A slender beauty this one :okay:

I hope it's a 1000 footer. Better yet, 1100 feet. The latter highly unlikely though unless all 82 floors were office space, like Aon, which is also 80-something built at a time when floor-to-ceiling height of your typical office tower was shorter than it is today.

That's very nice. It will add to the row of beautiful buildings on that side of the river.

Found by BVictor1:

http://www.teng.com/AIA/images/111_C.jpg

For the record. . . this is the old design. . .

http://www.teng.com/AIA/images/111_C.jpg

Here's what the site looks like as of yesterday (19 May, 2004):

http://www.chicagoarchitecture.info/Images/TheLoop/WaterviewTower-002.jpg

Here's a close-up of the artist's rendering:

http://www.chicagoarchitecture.info/Images/TheLoop/WaterviewTower-001.jpg

http://skyscraperpage.com/gallery/data/554/9north_east_view_for_web.jpg
http://skyscraperpage.com/gallery/data/554/9north_view_for_web.jpg
http://skyscraperpage.com/gallery/data/554/9south_east_view_for_web.jpg http://skyscraperpage.com/gallery/data/554/9waterview_photo_match_1.jpg
http://www.torchia.com/images/Trump_Waterview.jpg

Great find Naptown!

In the world forum they said it would be 967ft/295m

These are the same numbers emporis has. I doubt it will be taller.

BTW - anyone think this is far too stupid a name for such a beautiful structure?

Looks nice! I can't wait for it to get well into construction!

I agree, very sexy.

Estimates I calculated (by drawing horizon lines into the rendering, and then referencing from known hieghts) consistently indicated a building hieght of 920-940ft.

I never really understand why buildings which approach numerical "milestones" aren't built to achieve them. Most developers cite that they dont' chase numbers or whatever, but the truth is that many people do, and such milestones can be a real marketing tool. I don't know, it's just bad business IMO.

These are the same numbers emporis has. I doubt it will be taller.

BTW - anyone think this is far too stupid a name for such a beautiful structure?
Yes, I assume it will be getting a better name when time goes on.

Are there renderings from the other side ?

hehe, what other side do you want? I think they're all represented here! I see at least one shot of each facade.

SLIM...and awesome!

i can not wait until construction breaks on this classy beauty :)

looks great...I hope it gets built, but in which building's place?

right next to this one (to the right in this picture):

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/3054/2251chi145.jpg


:dance:

The current site is an ugly surface parking lot.

I love this tower, it's going to look great near Marina City, The Trump Tower, the Wrigley Building, Tribune Tower, and all the other buildings along the river. I hope they stretch it to 1000 feet.

right next to this one (to the right in this picture):

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/3054/2251chi145.jpg


:dance:
Nice pic! :D

Here's a model of where the site is:
http://www.msichicago.org/press/great_train_story/photos/skyscrapers_construction.jpg

the view from the John Hancock is going to be jaw dropping. Looking West to the Sears Tower one is going to see the Trump Building, Waterview Tower, RR Donnelly Building, all mixed in with the AT&T Corporate Building and 311 South Wacker. Amazing! :)

Trump's Impression on Chicago
http://www.chicagoarchitecture.info/Images/NearNorthSide/TrumpTower-001.jpg

Waterview
http://www.chicagoarchitecture.info/Images/TheLoop/WaterviewTower-001.jpg

R.R. Donnelly Building
http://www.chicagoarchitecture.info/Images/TheLoop/RRDonnellyBuilding-002.jpg

AT and T Corporate Center
http://www.chicagoarchitecture.info/Images/TheLoop/ATTCorporateCenter-001.jpg

311 South Wacker
http://www.chicagoarchitecture.info/Images/TheLoop/311SouthWackerDrive-002.jpg

Big Daddy
http://www.chicagoarchitecture.info/Images/TheLoop/SearsTower-002.jpg

I am anxious for 2007.

That is a "sweet" Wacker Drive Buildings model man. Did you do that model yourself, or did some architectural firm do it? Cause if it's something that I could "the public" could get a look at, I would if I could.

I also decided to put these photos that I took two weeks ago inot this thread, since it think that it might make some of you all a bit "happy".

I went to the sales center June 30, 2004

I planned to go to the Waterview Tower sales center, which is next door to the site in the LaSalle-Wacker Building (121 W. Wacker) on the 35th floor. I am so in love with this building. I must say that the building is of 1st class architecture. I must also say that I now hold this project in may heart equally to Trump Tower, maybe there's a little bit more love, because this building is a "tad bit" more affordable.

I of course took some pictures of the view, which I remind you are "only" from the 35th floor, just imaging looking over the cityscape from the 75th floor. I also took some photos of the model and the model unit.

Here we go:

The entrance hall. The skyline in the background isn't real
http://images.snapfish.com/33%3A%3B868723232%7Ffp64%3Dot%3E2323%3D65%3C%3D%3A8%3C%3D323265%3C99%3B868nu0mrj

The kitchen. Remember the frige-freezer and dishwasher are incognito. So you are looking at them, but can't tell.
http://images.snapfish.com/33%3A%3B868723232%7Ffp3%3B%3Dot%3E2329%3D959%3D583%3DXROQDF%3E232356%3B%3A%3A4878ot1lsi

http://images.snapfish.com/33%3A%3B868723232%7Ffp47%3Dot%3E2329%3D959%3D583%3DXROQDF%3E232356%3B%3A9%3C%3B%3C2ot1lsi

http://images.snapfish.com/33%3A%3B868723232%7Ffp64%3Dot%3E2323%3D65%3C%3D%3A8%3C%3D323265%3C99%3B86%3Anu0mrj

Nice marble bath
http://images.snapfish.com/33%3A%3B868723232%7Ffp4%3Enu%3D3232%3E56%3B%3E99%3B%3E232356%3B%3A8%3C77%3Bot1lsi

http://images.snapfish.com/33%3A%3B868723232%7Ffp63%3Dot%3E2329%3D959%3D583%3DXROQDF%3E232356%3B%3A%3A4398ot1lsi

Bedroom
http://images.snapfish.com/33%3A%3B868723232%7Ffp64%3Dot%3E2329%3D959%3D583%3DXROQDF%3E232356%3B%3A%3A5%3A67ot1lsi

Some of the views you'd get if you had a condo on the 35th floor.
Looking southwest
http://images.snapfish.com/33%3A%3B868723232%7Ffp47%3Dot%3E2329%3D959%3D583%3DXROQDF%3E232356%3B%3A%3A6%3A62ot1lsi

Looking south
http://images.snapfish.com/33%3A%3B868723232%7Ffp3%3B%3Dot%3E2329%3D959%3D583%3DXROQDF%3E232356%3B%3A%3A6762ot1lsi

Looking southeast. Does this building look familiar?
http://images.snapfish.com/33%3A%3B868723232%7Ffp4%3Enu%3D3232%3E56%3B%3E99%3B%3E232356%3B%3A8%3C783ot1lsi

Looking north
http://images.snapfish.com/33%3A%3B868723232%7Ffp63%3Dot%3E2329%3D959%3D583%3DXROQDF%3E232356%3B%3A%3A7937ot1lsi

Down the river
http://images.snapfish.com/33%3A%3B868723232%7Ffp64%3Dot%3E2329%3D959%3D583%3DXROQDF%3E232356%3B%3A%3A7642ot1lsi

http://images.snapfish.com/33%3A%3B868723232%7Ffp63%3Dot%3E2329%3D959%3D583%3DXROQDF%3E232356%3B%3A%3A5684ot1lsi

The R.R. Donnally Building directly east, across the street from the site.
http://images.snapfish.com/33%3A%3B868723232%7Ffp45%3Dot%3E2323%3D65%3C%3D%3A8%3C%3D323265%3C99%3B884nu0mrj

The Merchandise Mart, northwest across the river
http://images.snapfish.com/33%3A%3B868723232%7Ffp46%3Dot%3E2323%3D65%3C%3D%3A8%3C%3D323265%3C99%3B886nu0mrj

A closer shot of the renovation of the former Montgomery Ward Headquarter Tower.
http://images.snapfish.com/33%3A%3B868723232%7Ffp47%3Dot%3E2323%3D65%3C%3D%3A8%3C%3D323265%3C99%3B888nu0mrj

The model of Waterview Tower
http://images.snapfish.com/33%3A%3B868723232%7Ffp3%3B%3Dot%3E2323%3D65%3C%3D%3A8%3C%3D323265%3C99%3B876nu0mrj

http://images.snapfish.com/33%3A%3B868723232%7Ffp3%3B%3Dot%3E2323%3D65%3C%3D%3A8%3C%3D323265%3C99%3B878nu0mrj

http://images.snapfish.com/33%3A%3B868723232%7Ffp3%3B%3Dot%3E2323%3D65%3C%3D%3A8%3C%3D323265%3C99%3B87%3Anu0mrj

http://images.snapfish.com/33%3A%3B868723232%7Ffp3%3B%3Dot%3E2323%3D65%3C%3D%3A8%3C%3D323265%3C99%3B87%3Cnu0mrj

http://images.snapfish.com/33%3A%3B868723232%7Ffp47%3Dot%3E2323%3D65%3C%3D%3A8%3C%3D323265%3C99%3B88%3Anu0mrj

ENJOY!!!!:cool: :D :eek: :laugh: :nuts:

OMG!!!

<-- changes his shorts and heads out to the sales center!

btw - where is it... in the LaSalle-Wacker Bldg?

That is a "sweet" Wacker Drive Buildings model man. Did you do that model yourself, or did some architectural firm do it? Cause if it's something that I could "the public" could get a look at, I would if I could.
I think it is still on display at the Muesuem of Science and Industry.

Awesome pictures, I like the shot of Merchandise Mart. That's a rare angle of the massive building.

Whoa, I didn't see those pics.

BTW - What's going inside Montgomery Ward's old building?

They are transforming the old Montgomery Ward Building into high-end condominiums. They are replacing the dark-tented glass with a blue-greeen reflective glass.

Yes Geoff-

The sales center is in the Lasalle-Wacker Building.
121 West Wacker Drive
35th floor: n Suite 3500
312-558-9101
waterviwetower.com

looks awesome!!!

Big-time thank-you for the fab pictures of the model and views. I'll have to bring my own camera next time I visit. You captured the high points--and provided some great info for visitors.

One word: woah. Read: woah!

Here's the last bit of information about Waterview Tower that I have to share with you guys.

Here's a bit about the buildings program.

WATERVIEW TOWER
at 111 West Wacker Drive, Chicago

The program for this 82 story building totals over 1,200,000 square feet. It will include high-end condominiums, class A office space, approximately 2,000 sq. ft. of retain and parking for 512 cars.

Street Level: The arcade along Wacker Drive will connect to the arcade of the LaSalle-Wacker Building, thereby creating a through-block connection to LaSalle Street. The western portion of the arcade, adjacent to the restaurante/retail space can accommodate seating for outdoor dining.

The 30' high glass lobby wall creates a dramatic volume of appropriate scale with the street frontages. A public wintergarden is located along the Clark Street facade and features a water wall fountain, trees, and sculpture. The residential entrance on Wacker is scaled down and articulated as a discrete volume from the shaft of the tower.

Terrace Level: The building includes a public planting terrace above the lobby level, accessed by a glass elevator from within the wintergarden. It will provide dramatic views up and down the river, views that are not availiable to the public anywhere else in Chicago. The location of this terrace softens the base of the building with landscape elements, and related to the planted terraces at the river walk across Wacker Drive.

Office Floors: Floors 12-22 contain 215,000 sq. feet of "Class A" office space. They are articulated with vertical bands of window captured between granite-clad columns. The composition is consist with adjacent buildings, especially LaSalle-Wacker and 225 West Wacker. The corners are articulated as solids with punched windows to bookend the glass center and emphasize verticality. The elegantly bowed glass facade gestures to the river and captures views in both directions.

Residential Amenities: Are located on the 25th floor of the building, and have 360 degree views of Chicago. Included are: Fitness center with indoor lap pool, whirlpool and men and women locker rooms with sauna, steam room and separate massage room. Also included is an exercise facility with cardiovascular equipment and weight room. Our hospitality room is equipped with a full kitchen that opens up to our roof garden terrace and sundeck. A business center, common laundry area and a valet dry cleaning drop. 24-hour doormen and a concierge.

Residential Floors: The residential floor plan is triangulated with the south wall running diagonally from the northeast to southwest corner. The plan configuration creates the slender spire-like tower rising from a larger base, and provides south facing units with views to the east and northeast up the Chicago River corridor to Michigan Avenue and the lake beyond. On all facades the residential floors are articulated with curved bay windows that provide unparalleled multi-directional views for all units. The bays create scale and express the residential component as different from the office floors. The building is topped with a band of lower and upper penthouses. The upper floors are defined by the extension of the vertical columns, creating a distinctive top and termination for the tower.

In the tradition of Chicago architecture, the design clearly expresses the program with an economy of means, integration of systems, elegance in detail, and responsiveness to context. The design is respectful to the past yet looks forward to the new millennium.

Developer Comment
The amount of time, thought and research this company gives to even the smallest details of this building should be overwhelmingly obvious to Realtors and consumers who shop the market place. For those savvy people who know quality and value, we believe our building will stanmd apart from our contemporary competitors and gain the reputation as one of the finest residences in Chicago.


Here are a few elevations of the building:

North Elevation
http://images.snapfish.com/33%3A%3B9%3C3523232%7Ffp64%3Dot%3E2329%3D959%3D583%3DXROQDF%3E2323572724%3A%3B2ot1lsi

South Elevation
http://images.snapfish.com/33%3A%3B9%3C3523232%7Ffp64%3Dot%3E2329%3D959%3D583%3DXROQDF%3E2323572728%3B74ot1lsi

East Elevation
http://images.snapfish.com/33%3A%3B9%3C3523232%7Ffp63%3Dot%3E2329%3D959%3D583%3DXROQDF%3E2323572727884ot1lsi

West Elevation
http://images.snapfish.com/33%3A%3B9%3C3523232%7Ffp64%3Dot%3E2329%3D959%3D583%3DXROQDF%3E232357272%3A739ot1lsi

I hope you ENJOY!!!!:cool: :D :eek: :laugh: :nuts:

BVictor1,
Thanks again for sharing...82 stories of glass qualifies as truly "awesome."

it looks aight!!!! i mean i have seen better buidings.I JUST DONT LIKE CHICAGO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THEY TRY THEIR BEST TO BE BETTER THAN NYC BUT THEY CANT BECAUSE NYC HAS THE NEW W.T.C, 1 BRYANT PARK,NEW YORK TIMES TOWER,80 SOUTH STREET ETC.everybody thought after 9/11 new york would never regain its identity beut beware in a couple of years new york will be better than ever.the attacks just persuaded the city to be the best city in the world and yall now it true!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

:blahblah: :sleepy:

it looks aight!!!! i mean i have seen better buidings.I JUST DONT LIKE CHICAGO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THEY TRY THEIR BEST TO BE BETTER THAN NYC BUT THEY CANT BECAUSE NYC HAS THE NEW W.T.C, 1 BRYANT PARK,NEW YORK TIMES TOWER,80 SOUTH STREET ETC.everybody thought after 9/11 new york would never regain its identity beut beware in a couple of years new york will be better than ever.the attacks just persuaded the city to be the best city in the world and yall now it true!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Have you spent time in Chicago?

Chicago learned about a hundred years ago, that it will never be NYC. That said, there is nothing wrong with the city continuing to make itself better, and despelling the rumors that it is no longer a place of importance.

I love NYC, but I also have love Chicago for what it is, a non pretentious, friendly, and for it's size affordable city that affords on to have culture, and a true urban living experience not available in many other places. Chicago will always be in the top three cities in the US. I also praise it for all of it's efforts it better itself. (If you haven't taken a walk through Millennium Park, you would be hard pressed to make such judgements about Chicago.)

it looks aight!!!! i mean i have seen better buidings.I JUST DONT LIKE CHICAGO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THEY TRY THEIR BEST TO BE BETTER THAN NYC BUT THEY CANT BECAUSE NYC HAS THE NEW W.T.C, 1 BRYANT PARK,NEW YORK TIMES TOWER,80 SOUTH STREET ETC.everybody thought after 9/11 new york would never regain its identity beut beware in a couple of years new york will be better than ever.the attacks just persuaded the city to be the best city in the world and yall now it true!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

so you don't like chicago because it builds skyscrapers? WTF?

no one said jack shit about NYC in this thread, then you come barging in spewing off all kinds of irrelevant nonsense.

how old are you?

I like it, but I would prefer it not be on Wacker. The walling off of the river is pretty much done, but I guess with Trump there is no reason to complain about this.

BTW, as I have no dog in the fight and have spent a good amount of time in both, Chicago doesn't try to be NYC, that's why it is cool. It is Chicago and it likes it that way. IF it were trying to be NYC all the time, it would be much more lame. Sure, there are things that you could improve, but they are everywhere. I am just amazed at how the area nother of the river and west of Michigan is booming. The first time I went to Chicago there was nothing there, now its like a 400 foot plateau. Very nicely done. Carry on.

it looks aight!!!! i mean i have seen better buidings.I JUST DONT LIKE CHICAGO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THEY TRY THEIR BEST TO BE BETTER THAN NYC BUT THEY CANT BECAUSE NYC HAS THE NEW W.T.C, 1 BRYANT PARK,NEW YORK TIMES TOWER,80 SOUTH STREET ETC.everybody thought after 9/11 new york would never regain its identity beut beware in a couple of years new york will be better than ever.the attacks just persuaded the city to be the best city in the world and yall now it true!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Please remove ones' head from ASS

Chicago doesn't try to compete with New York. Each city has it's own unique personality. Just in case you forgot during your moment of "big headedness", Chicago is home to the first skyscraper and modern architecture. Don't let your ego get in the way of common sence. I live in Chicago, but have had the pleasure to visit New York on several occasions. I had a blast, but I certainly trade living here for there.

Waterview Tower is going to be a kick-ass beautiful building the enhances the Chicago skyline.

Very nice bldg- slender and modern but fits into the area just right. Chicago has eveything one might want in a city. IMO, #3 in the world overall.

Well, that begs an obvious question :)

NY and HK I can only assume?

it looks aight!!!! i mean i have seen better buidings.I JUST DONT LIKE CHICAGO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THEY TRY THEIR BEST TO BE BETTER THAN NYC BUT THEY CANT BECAUSE NYC HAS THE NEW W.T.C, 1 BRYANT PARK,NEW YORK TIMES TOWER,80 SOUTH STREET ETC.everybody thought after 9/11 new york would never regain its identity beut beware in a couple of years new york will be better than ever.the attacks just persuaded the city to be the best city in the world and yall now it true!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Geez, you're a pathetic little troll. Chicago does its thing and New York does its thing. Just leave it at that and stop the hating.

hehe, damp... let's not pretend there isn't _any_ competition and/or envy :)

Afterall, I don't know about you... but, frankly... I'm sick of being referred to as "the second city." :)

Afterall, I don't know about you... but, frankly... I'm sick of being referred to as "the second city."

Same here, especially since I disagree.


it looks aight!!!! i mean i have seen better buidings.I JUST DONT LIKE CHICAGO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THEY TRY THEIR BEST TO BE BETTER THAN NYC BUT THEY CANT BECAUSE NYC HAS THE NEW W.T.C, 1 BRYANT PARK,NEW YORK TIMES TOWER,80 SOUTH STREET ETC.everybody thought after 9/11 new york would never regain its identity beut beware in a couple of years new york will be better than ever.the attacks just persuaded the city to be the best city in the world and yall now it true!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I can name only two building in New York City that compare to the Waterview Tower, so I wouldn't be talking you little prick. And that Freedom Tower thing, is as ugly as it gets.

actually, i like being referred to as "the second city." greatness and modesty. that's just me, though.

sim... it would be modesty if the title was of our choosing. But, other than an annoying little nick-name that most people don't even understand... Chicago rocks my ass :)

And Michigan Ave... yes... Freedom Tower will be one of the biggest architectural mishaps of all time. It's an absolute disgrace to replace such a structural statement with something so... *blech* for lack of a better word.

I sent an email to the sales manager of Waterview Tower on Tuesday, inquiring about the progress of salaes for the building. This was her response.

Hi Butler,
We are now 30% sold, sale are great. Thank you for your interest, and if
you want to stop by again, that would be fine.
Best regards,
Suzanne

I received the response this morning.
July 22, 2004

People, people, people!!!

I have some wonderful news. I just came back from re-visiting the sales center for WaterView Tower.

They have INCREASED THE NUMBER OF FLOORS TO 85!!!

I don't know exactly what the floor-to-ceiling height of the added floors will be. But it is easy to say that they will be between 8'-12' heights. So, that is an additional 24' to 36' height to the building which is already 967'.

So, the building could now easily break the 1,000' mark. And I didn't add the height thickness of the floor plates, which could be 1' to 2' themselves.

I sure you all will drool over this info.

ENJOY!!!

I'm not only drooling, I'm ejaculating!




.....okay, maybe that was too extreme

Really? Is there any written info around about this? Just curious. It would cool if Chicago broke ground for another 1,000 ft. gem. How many does it already have? Technicalities and all... :)

My mind went blank...is it four, five or something else? I cant remember.

No. there's nothing written yet. As I said, I made a second appearance to the sales center, and they told me this information. I asked how certain was it that the building was now going to be 85-stories, and the gentleman said 100%. I also asked the sales agent about this new development, and she just said, "yeah, 85 floors, isn't it great". I emailed TENG(the architectural & engineering firm of record) the try and get confirmation. I'll pass on any additional information.

Really? Is there any written info around about this? Just curious. It would cool if Chicago broke ground for another 1,000 ft. gem. How many does it already have? Technicalities and all... :)

Sears
Aon
JHC
AT&T

4 in all, although AT&T wins by the same basis that Petronas beats Sears at WTB. Now with TTC, and hopefully WV, we are looking at 6 :)

I believe that we will have more 1000'-ers than any other City on earth (at least for a while).

NYC has more planned to be built, so we have about a few years to enjoy the glory.

IT HAS JUST BEEN CONFIRMED!!!

I just got off the phone with a gentleman who works with TENG. I called their Michigan Avenue offices.

I asked him is the building going to be 85 floors.
His response was "YES"

I asked him if there was going to be an increase in height, because remember Donald Trump also added floors, but the building stayed at 1,125' because of the elimination of office space.
His response was "YES"

I asked him if he could tell me what the height would be, he didn't, but he said that it would be "NORTH of 1,000 feet"

I don't know when the "OFFICIAL" height will be released, but it has been CONFIRMED
;) :cool: :D :laugh: :nuts: :hilarious

HELL YEAH!



I believe that we will have more 1000'-ers than any other City on earth (at least for a while).

we currently do, and probably will for quite some time, depending on how the WTC site turns out in NYC.

BVictor1,

Thanks again for this most current info. I have more than a passing interest in this building. Do you?

we currently do, and probably will for quite some time, depending on how the WTC site turns out in NYC.




going by roof height, hong kong also has 3 1,000 footers with 2 more currnetly under construction for a total of 5.

kuala lumpur also has 3 existing 1,000 footers, and NYC did as well not so long ago.

if these 2 chicago towers get built, we'd be tied with hong kong at 5, assuming that no new 1,000 footers get built in hong kong in the meantime, which is a pretty stupid assumption in my opinion.

hong kong will very soon hold the undisputed record, and with the way that city builds tall buildings, i don't see it relinquishing the crown to any city for the foreseeable, not even mighty chicago.

I fell in love with this city and its architecture when I first got there for school. I was amazed at the sheer height of these buildings. I had never been somewhere where I had to break my neck to see the roof of the buildings. It amazes me how many neck breaking buildings there are there. With the addition of these two new scrapers the city will look great. I wonder what it will look like at night? Hmmmm...

I asked him if he could tell me what the height would be, he didn't, but he said that it would be "NORTH of 1,000 feet"

WOWWWW!!!! YES!!!!!! HOLY CRAP!!!!!!! *pops open champagne*

I am so excited about this I could scream :))

But first... I hate to call you out sharptent... we have four 1000-footers right now (you left AT&T off the list at 1,007). I'm not sure if that's to the roof or the spires, but, it's the CTBUH listed height as far as I know. So, Trumpety-Trump and Waterview will put us at 6 :)

going by roof height, hong kong also has 3 1,000 footers with 2 more currnetly under construction for a total of 5.

kuala lumpur also has 3 existing 1,000 footers, and NYC did as well not so long ago.

if these 2 chicago towers get built, we'd be tied with hong kong at 5, assuming that no new 1,000 footers get built in hong kong in the meantime, which is a pretty stupid assumption in my opinion.

hong kong will very soon hold the undisputed record, and with the way that city builds tall buildings, i don't see it relinquishing the crown to any city for the foreseeable, not even mighty chicago.

Well, i was also counting AT&T Corp. Center in my count, but ofcourse, we Chicagoans dont count it because its by the same means that stripped the title of WTB from our beloved Sears.

Either way, we are tied or one ahead with HK. From what ive seen there havent been any other 1,000+ ft proposals in HK, and given the competition that Shanghai is giving HK as both struggle to be the dominant financial center of China who knows. China wants Shanghai to be its economic pulse, and is throwing money at that city like crazy, while HK is getting the losing end of the stick. HKs supertalkls are office. It houses people in shorter concrete slabs that they are building over there en masse. So, the way thigns are going, HKs office demand could very well drop, to the point where building a supertall office building is as ludacris as building one here. But its all subjective. Just my opinion on the matter :)

I am so excited about this I could scream :))

But first... I hate to call you out sharptent... we have four 1000-footers right now (you left AT&T off the list at 1,007). I'm not sure if that's to the roof or the spires, but, it's the CTBUH listed height as far as I know. So, Trumpety-Trump and Waterview will put us at 6 :)

i was specifically talking about roof heights, not stupid-ass spire bullshit. AT&T is only an 886' building, the fact that it has some 120' poles on top of it does NOT make it a 1,000 footer in my opinion. the CTBUH can claim whatever it likes, but us scraper fans know the real score. ;)

and rivernorth, if you want to include spires, then hong kong has 4 existing 1,000 footers as well, which would tie chicago, however, hong kong also has 2 legitimate 1,000 footers under construction right now! chicago's 2 new 1,000 footers are just some nice ideas on paper right now.

with the EXTREMELY limited amount of space in hong kong, i see it holding the 1,000' and above crown for a long while to come, regardless of how large shanghai might grow.

I thought Shanghai had to stop building tall skyscrapers, is that true?

I go by whichever standard (CTBUH or other) makes us look better... and in this case.. I'll be counting spires :)

IT HAS JUST BEEN CONFIRMED!!!

I just got off the phone with a gentleman who works with TENG. I called their Michigan Avenue offices.

I asked him is the building going to be 85 floors.
His response was "YES"

I asked him if there was going to be an increase in height, because remember Donald Trump also added floors, but the building stayed at 1,125' because of the elimination of office space.
His response was "YES"

I asked him if he could tell me what the height would be, he didn't, but he said that it would be "NORTH of 1,000 feet"

I don't know when the "OFFICIAL" height will be released, but it has been CONFIRMED
;) :cool: :D :laugh: :nuts: :hilarious

So the height of 967 feet and 82 floors is now OLD???
Should we expect a height of around 1005 feet and 85 floors?

This is great news. Two more 1,00 footers in between the Hancock and the Sears in the skyline. WOW! Our Skyline is going to be :eek2:

holy crap! this is stunningly beautiful... :eek2:


http://skyscraperpage.com/gallery/data/554/9waterview_photo_match_1.jpg

Damn!!! I'm jealous. I love the style and the way it looks. I have to admit, Chicago has some Great looking buildings, this TOTALLY one of them!!!! :)

Maybe Waterview Tower will add somemore feet to try to compete with Trump for the city's 4th tallest building.

That would be great! Trump and Sapphire have both grown significantly in Toronto because they're competing for height.

IT HAS JUST BEEN CONFIRMED!!!

I just got off the phone with a gentleman who works with TENG. I called their Michigan Avenue offices.

I asked him is the building going to be 85 floors.
His response was "YES"

I asked him if there was going to be an increase in height, because remember Donald Trump also added floors, but the building stayed at 1,125' because of the elimination of office space.
His response was "YES"

I asked him if he could tell me what the height would be, he didn't, but he said that it would be "NORTH of 1,000 feet"

I don't know when the "OFFICIAL" height will be released, but it has been CONFIRMED
;) :cool: :D :laugh: :nuts: :hilarious

Wow, this is great news. Another 1000 footer to be added! Our skyline is going to own, 6 1000 footers soaring above everything else. Wow. :eek2: :eek2: :eek2:

What a great looking building. I can't wait till 2009, when both will be complete!

But they need to also continue to develop the riverfront along with it--more shops, greenery, etc. That will probably go along with the Trump Tower's development

Why 2009?

If all goes as planned, they should both be completed by the end of 2007.

Who likes the new thread title?!

Thanks alot for all the inside info Victor!

Go Chicago, now 2 1000+ footers going up at the same time.

My god... is it 1970 all over again?

Yes, Geoff, it is 1970 all over again.

Two gorgeous 1000+ foot skyscrapers are being built downtown, and just a few blocks away people with no regard for anything but what goes into their pockets are rebuilding ugly suburbia (i.e. McDonald's)

In a sense, it probably serves Chicago right, since the "Chicago school of economics" is the strongest proponent of a purely market-driven economy

A couple blocks away? I thought the Trump was practically right across the river from Waterview. The new 1,000 footers will be a great sight from the Lake.

I think he's refering to the McDonald's which is just a few blocks away.

Well, they're not quite directly accross the river. Trump sits on the east side of Wabash, while Waterview is on the west side of Clark. So, figuring two blocks of north/south seperation, and four blocks of east west, they're about 6 blocks from each other :)

P.S. - I wish the Trib had never released that article about the McDonald's that could've been. I was a much happier boy before I knew what we weren't getting.

WOW, I just went to skyscrapers.com and it increased Waterview Tower's height to 1030 feet, WOW!!!!! Two new 1000 footers! Chicago is Awesome!

This is amazing but at first this was suppose to be 69 floors and 869 feet, then increased to 82 floors and 967 feet, and now is 85 floors and 1030 floors!!

WOW, I just went to skyscrapers.com and it increased Waterview Tower's height to 1030 feet, WOW!!!!! Two new 1000 footers! Chicago is Awesome!

This is amazing but at first this was suppose to be 69 floors and 869 feet, then increased to 82 floors and 967 feet, and now is 85 floors and 1030 floors!!

It really is remarkable. I can't wait to see what waits for Chicago in 2030. It seems every 30 years Chicago breaks the mold on supertall skyscrapers.

Who cares how tall it is...that is one beautiful tower!

WOW, this is exciting crap. We should have a 2000fter proposed soon- IN CHICAGO OF COURSE

WOW, this is exciting crap. We should have a 2000fter proposed soon- IN CHICAGO OF COURSE

It would only be right that way.

Wow, this is amazing, what a few people are going to have of our amazing city. Six 1000 footers and the rest of the Chicago crew. Incredible.

:eek2:

What a beautiful building, Chicago never ceases to amaze.

"Chicago school of economics" has less to do with the chicago and more with the university of chicago, my current home. Unfortunatley, being a prospective econ major, I've heard I have to sell my soul. Oh well, not that I could've gotten anything too good for it anyway.

But this is amazing. IF all goes as plans, then both of them will be completed in the same year? That's just... remarkable! I feel like I should collect alot of "before" pictures so I can compare them with the "after" pictures.

Two 1000+ footers--let the boom live on..

If the Central Area Plan truly comes to fruition, Chicago will become a BEAST!

hey sim... I might be messaging you for help this semester :) I had to sneak a micro-econ class into my schedule to keep me full-time :)

Any updates on this? Still pending, hasn't been approved yet, right? Are they close?

The old design was already approved and had gotten past all the red tape. I'm not sure what sorts of further approval will be needed since they've made changes to the design. But, given the fact that pre-sales are already happening (and quite successfully at that), I would go out on a limb and say the project is 99% assured to happen.

In response to various posts on this thread about the eye-popping vista that Waterview and Trump will provide on the main branch...

I have been a teacher all my adult life, took early retirement, and am doing, along with other things, working in the tourism/tours business in the city.

I'm meeting people from across the country and around the world and, without fail, every group I'm with stand in awe of the city of Chicago and everything about it. The cleanliness has them scrathing their heads in wonderment, they are impressed with the streetscaping with its magnificent medians, the sheer energy of the city, the livability that goes along with all the culture/entertainment/restaurants/attractions/parks/beaches, the WOW views (Adler more than any other) and on and on.

And I say the following with no sense of put-down for a great, great place, but so many of them go on and on about how much more like Chicago and how much classier it is than NYC in the environment it presents and the ability to enjoy the joys of the urban experience in a marvelous setting without some of the hassles that our eastern counterpart may offer.

I know we tend to be very proud of our town, but don't always get a picture of what we truly have here without hearing from a lot of gushing, awed out of towners.

It's true... I rarely hear a bad word spoken about our fair City.

Oh, and I found this one yesterday... I don't remember seeing it anywhere else.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v240/geoff_diamond/9west_view_for_web.jpg

In response to various posts on this thread about the eye-popping vista that Waterview and Trump will provide on the main branch...

I have been a teacher all my adult life, took early retirement, and am doing, along with other things, working in the tourism/tours business in the city.

I'm meeting people from across the country and around the world and, without fail, every group I'm with stand in awe of the city of Chicago and everything about it. The cleanliness has them scrathing their heads in wonderment, they are impressed with the streetscaping with its magnificent medians, the sheer energy of the city, the livability that goes along with all the culture/entertainment/restaurants/attractions/parks/beaches, the WOW views (Adler more than any other) and on and on.

And I say the following with no sense of put-down for a great, great place, but so many of them go on and on about how much more like Chicago and how much classier it is than NYC in the environment it presents and the ability to enjoy the joys of the urban experience in a marvelous setting without some of the hassles that our eastern counterpart may offer.

I know we tend to be very proud of our town, but don't always get a picture of what we truly have here without hearing from a lot of gushing, awed out of towners.

Very well said, edsg. Your comments are very true. We all must keep in mind, however, that NYC does not have the luxury of being friendly/liveable simply because it has the responsibility of being the financial/arts/cultural capital of the world! Thus it is always overcrowded with opportunists. Not that Chicago does not excel at all of these at a world-class level, but New York is New York, after all..

Very well said, edsg. Your comments are very true. We all must keep in mind, however, that NYC does not have the luxury of being friendly/liveable simply because it has the responsibility of being the financial/arts/cultural capital of the world! Thus it is always overcrowded with opportunists. Not that Chicago does not excel at all of these at a world-class level, but New York is New York, after all.. World class city at a liveable level.

I have some very good news.

I just called the sales center for Waterview Tower and the gentleman at the front desk told me that they are Just UNDER 50% SOLD.

I must admit that I took in an audible breath of air when he told me that. I was very supprised by that information.

I said "WOW! That's a big difference than 3 weeks ago when I visited the sales center". He said that it has been very busy the past few weeks. He also told me that there probably won't be any office space in the building. He wouldn't give me a definate answer though. He asked me to call back at the end of next week for that information.

And don't worry anyone---The height of the building hasn't changed. It's still 1'030'.

Great the prospects are brightening for this tower :yes:

BVictor, any idea how the office portion of the project is leasing? A location on Wacker Drive can be excellent, but this is not the N/S portion nearest to the two Metra stations across the river....that's the hottest office property in the city right now.

I was told to call back on Wednesday or Thursday for that information. There might end up not being any office space in the building, but I will hopefully come into that information in a couple of days. If I find out anything I will certainly be posting it.

I was told though that the height is basically set.

on the trump website, i've seen some pictures of how the building will look on the skyline. i've also seen the waterview ad's and the pictures of what it will look like while going by the Wacker site.

I was wondering...does anyone have or know of pictues that show how these two buildings will fit into the skyline. i'd love to see what these would like like from the north, west, south sides and east from the lakefront.

I'm transfering this information over from another forum!!!!!!

WATERVIEW TOWER UPDATE

Hey!! Are there any questions that you all might like me to ask when I call the people at Waterview Tower, thursday afternoon?


i guess i would like to know the usual info:

how far along are sales?
is there an anticipated start date?
has the office component really been cut out of the project?
if so, what about the Teng headquarters, will they build elsewhere?

that's all i got right now.

1. Sales are now at the 50% point
2. Construction should hopefully start in January 2005
3. The office component has been cut from the project
4. Teng will stay in their present location for the time being


What has happened is that the office portion has been replace with the HOTEL/CONDO option. Basically the same thing as Trump Tower.

To compensate for the FLOOR/CEILING height ratio difference, they are probably going to add a couple of more floors. The heigt of the building "WILL NOT DECREASE". At least that's what the gentleman told me. In fact it "MIGHT" "INCREASE" 10' to 30'.

Has the design of the building been altered at all after the height change?

Any word on who will anchor retail at the base of the building (im assuming there will be retail at the base...)

Would they consider adding a skydeck or making a public upper floor, as the Signature Lounge in the JHC? (Highly unlikely, but damn, would you get great views. A more 'balanced' view, as you would be in the center of the skyline, instead of at either end as it is with JHC and Sears).

Any other office anchors along with Teng (if they are still keeping the office component of the tower).

1. The exterior of the building has not changed in appearance
2. There won't be any major retail at the base, but whatever type of retail the building might have because of the hotel, will be open to the public
3. There will be no skydeck/observation
4. No longer an office component


Ask if they are planning on any new tall towers over the next few years! Hey, it's worth a shot, right?

1. Not at this present time, but possibly in the future

it looks aight!!!! i mean i have seen better buidings.I JUST DONT LIKE CHICAGO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THEY TRY THEIR BEST TO BE BETTER THAN NYC BUT THEY CANT BECAUSE NYC HAS THE NEW W.T.C, 1 BRYANT PARK,NEW YORK TIMES TOWER,80 SOUTH STREET ETC.everybody thought after 9/11 new york would never regain its identity beut beware in a couple of years new york will be better than ever.the attacks just persuaded the city to be the best city in the world and yall now it true!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The new WTC is a shitty building.

Anyways, this scraper looks awesome and we can all hope that funding and zoning aren't problems, because we all know how they are such huge obstacles in Chi-town...keep crossing the fingers

I believe the building has been approved by the city.

Approved? Hell, its gonna break ground in 5 months! :)

one of the unusual facts about the chicago condo/townhouse boom is the huge escalation in prices from what we are used to in the midwest (and chicago,for that matter), but high end prices that don't match Calif. and the east coast.

Now that trump and waterview are coming on line, i have to wonder what effect they will have on the prices of downtown and adjacent area real estate.

With the top unit at trump going for $16 mil and, I believe $5 mil at waterview, will these two buildings send prices upward throughout the center of the city (and no, i'm not suggesting they will be going up to the level of these two buildings, only that these two will send the prices up for everyone)?

I wouldn't expect prices to move too too much around downtown simply for the fact that there's such a glut of available real-estate at this point. Until the boom stops and the demand surpasses the supply again, the market will probably stay pretty stagnate. Now, South and West Loop are two entirely different stories... the prices there have got a long long way to go to catch up, and they're doing their best to do just that! Just check out anything in Central Station/Museum Park for confirmation.

geoff, due to its oppulence, the row houses that are going up on Prairie Ave. are going in the $2-3 mill range. Now I do realize that Praire Ave. can attract those kind of prices in the ways that other areas south of the Loop can't, but you can see where this is all going.

Obviously Central Station is also getting some pretty hefty prices. I get the feeling that the fewer space restrictions for South Side gentrification allows for more room to really design an upscale development the way it needs to be designed than would be true on the North Side (i.e. Central Station allowed for a street lay-out by developers that would have been a hard thing to accomplish on the North Side). This ought to keep prices rising south.

The perception that these areas south (and west) of downtown don't have to be the North Side to be the complete urban neighborhood is becoming greater.

Oh, i never said that they weren't complete urban neighborhoods... unless you're not saying that I didn't say that... lol. At any rate, yeah, even 1111 S. Wabash has units going for over a mil, and there's nothing extaordinary about that building.

no, actually what i was trying to get at is a lot of the prices this South Side real estate is going to go through the stratosphere.

It's not about how impressive the building is, or even how impressive the unit.

All over now, prices are becoming more and more about location.

As well they should be... a nice view and a dishwasher that talks to you will only hold your interest for so long... being in the center of the action, on the other hand, never gets tiresome.

stunning tower and location! amazing design! can't wait for 2007! this one and trump tower will dominate the new skyline

Here's my little contribution:
In residential developments the minimum amount of pre-sales needed to secure financing is 50%. Since Waterview is past 50%, this is definately going to happen.

In residential developments the minimum amount of pre-sales needed to secure financing is 50%.

When you're talking about high rise construction I think around 75% is what banks feel comfortable with these days. . . I haven't seen any project obtain funding with a vacancy rate of 50%. . .

I thought 60% is the norm now adays.

I'm quoting an August issue of Crain's Chicago Business, they say 50% for hi-rise residential. And this is firm pre-sales, which requires deposits and has cancellation fees. This doesn't include soft reservatations, in which you can pull the deposit with no strings or payments.

If you have a better source of info than Crain's, please share. Either way, this thing is going up.

I snatched this image from the Waterview Tower web site. It's kind of a different perspective of the structure looking up from the northwest corner.

http://images.snapfish.com/33%3B955%3B923232%7Ffp63%3Dot%3E2329%3D959%3D583%3DXROQDF%3E2323643846967ot1lsi

I don't have any new news to post yet on Waterview. I' trying not to bug the people at the sales center for another couple of weeks.

I'm quoting an August issue of Crain's Chicago Business, they say 50% for hi-rise residential. And this is firm pre-sales, which requires deposits and has cancellation fees. This doesn't include soft reservatations, in which you can pull the deposit with no strings or payments.

If you have a better source of info than Crain's, please share. Either way, this thing is going up.


Just start building the damn thing. It is gonna sell out! Who needs to buy a unit years in advance. When I finally look to buy, it will be to buy something that I can move into now, not 4 years from now. CMON! start building! It is an absurd condition that 70% or whatever needs to be presold!

When I finally look to buy, it will be to buy something that I can move into now, not 4 years from now. CMON! start building! It is an absurd condition that 70% or whatever needs to be presold!

Keep that in mind and go lend money to prospective developers yourself. I don't need a skyscraper that's economically unfeasible and doomed to vacancy and neglect. Just take the North Korean Pyongyang Hotel for example.

Yeah but look at Pyongyang and then look at Waterview ;)

Just bustin' ur balls sim... you raise a very valid point. As has been discussed many other times in this forum, speculative building isn't allowed in Chicago... and building w/o the required pre-sales would be... well... speculation.

Keep that in mind and go lend money to prospective developers yourself. I don't need a skyscraper that's economically unfeasible and doomed to vacancy and neglect. Just take the North Korean Pyongyang Hotel for example.


If you think Waterview is doomed to vacancy, you are nuts! It would sell even faster if it was under construction. Think about it. How many people are able to buy something for move in maybe in 2007 maybe in 2008. If I ever buy a place it will be someplace I can move into soon. The guidelines have become too conservative after the speculative office towers of the 80s. If TTC or waterview was under construction and you were moving to the city, you would see them and say "I wanna live there!". It would sell even faster.

Yeah but look at Pyongyang and then look at Waterview ;)

Just bustin' ur balls sim... you raise a very valid point. As has been discussed many other times in this forum, speculative building isn't allowed in Chicago... and building w/o the required pre-sales would be... well... speculation.

Don't they allow it for places that are apartment rentals?

That's how I would get around it. I would say this is going to be a 1000 foot apartment rental building and then condoize it (just like the JHC did back in 69/70). The JHC was originally rentals only.

If you think Waterview is doomed to vacancy, you are nuts! It would sell even faster if it was under construction. Think about it. How many people are able to buy something for move in maybe in 2007 maybe in 2008. If I ever buy a place it will be someplace I can move into soon. The guidelines have become too conservative after the speculative office towers of the 80s. If TTC or waterview was under construction and you were moving to the city, you would see them and say "I wanna live there!". It would sell even faster.

This is exactly why lenders have guidelines. You are clearly among those who have been really soaked into the waterview hype (not that I'm perfectly clear of it). I'm not sure how you justify it, but people aren't going to just see a tall building and think "yeah, i wanna spend a million dollars to live there." There's such a thing called supply and demand. At any moment, if a luxury tower were to go up, there's a very high chance that the luxury market could be well-tapped out, even if it hard sells somewhere like 33-50% of its units. What good is that if no one buys upwards of that so that you actually make a profit? You default on your construction loan, you ruin your credit, the bank loses alot of money... and the people who live there are stuck living in little isolated pods with few neighbors. That's not a fun situation all around.

have they announced what % have been sold? I know Trump was doing that in an on-going fashion in their ad's

50%

Imperial... one of the most important parts of buying a home (especially in the multi-million-dollar price range) is finishing it to your particular style. Putting the tower up as an apartment building requires the same finishes throughout the building... then when it comes time to turn it into condos, you're stuck with the prospect of ripping up all the flooring, tearing out the cabinets, installing new bath-tubs and showers, and on and on and on. You can't expect someone to shell out $2 or $3 million to have their place look just like their neighbor's.

I bought my place 15 months before I closed, the building was standing, but the conversion of the warehouse space hadn't begun. The building sold out in 3 days, and I got a good price. One advantage to buying early, is you get a better price, and once you actually get to closing on your unit, you already have equity. I could have sold my place the day after closing and made more than 25K. (Yet, until my closing day, I hadn't handed out a dime other than my downpayment, which was earning intrest while I was waiting for the completion of the unit.)
It is also true, that buyers want to be able to choose their finishes, and it is cheaper to build it to buyers specs initally than to change things later. The only time it is advantages to convert an apartment bldg to condo is if the building is more than 10 yrs old, and in need of updating anyway.

Even then... it's a hassle. Just ask the folks at Plaza 440 on Wabash. They're having a hell of a time turning the building condo despite their gorilla marketing practices.

Even then... it's a hassle. Just ask the folks at Plaza 440 on Wabash. They're having a hell of a time turning the building condo despite their gorilla marketing practices.


Well in the JHC it was a piece of cake (not that I was there) but they did it after just a couple years of being finished.

Nothing new to report on the Waterview Tower front at this time. I couldn't wait, and I decided to call the sales center today. Plans haven't yet been released for the hotel/condo portion of the building, they are still working on the plans. As of this moment the height of the building is unchanged. I will try to wait 2-4 weeks before I check with them again.

I have a good feeling about this one.

Waterview, Trump Tower, and 600N Lakeshore--they will all get built

I have a good feeling about this one.

Waterview, Trump Tower, and 600N Lakeshore--they will all get built


I certainly share your positive feelings about the 3 projects that you mentioned, as well as several of the other planned highrises.

This thread has been a tad silent lately.

Have any of you urban explorers found any new info about this development (ie sales, groundbreaking, new height, etc)?

It's still a parking lot.... for now....

And a very crooked one at that!!! (sorry for the stupid bump :)

The last time that I called the sales center on September 30, 2004, there was no new information to report. As I reported earlier, the office portion of the building is being transformed into a hotel/condo like Trump Tower. At this time the architects at Teng are still redesigning the space. As of September 30 the number of floors and the height of the building was unchanged. I wanted to wait a bit before I contacted the sales center or Teng.

I don't want to annoy them.

This was in todays Chicago Tribune New Homes Section

MODEL NOTES
Waterview Tower opens model and sales center

Compiled by Seka Palikuca
Published October 23, 2004

A 5,000-square-foot sales center with a decorated model has opened for Waterview Tower, an 85-story condominium building planned for 233 units at 111 W. Wacker Dr. in Chicago.

The model and sales center are on the 35th floor of the LaSalle-Wacker Building at 121 W. Wacker Dr.

Condos ranging from 1,087 to 3,192 square feet will occupy floors 26 through 62 with base prices ranging from $719,000 to $2.35 million. . They have one to three bedrooms plus a study, two to 3 1/2 baths, and terraces.

Units on floors 63 to 85 will range from 2,883 to 8,070 square feet with base prices ranging from just over $2 million to nearly $7 million. . They have 11-foot ceilings, two to four bedrooms and two to 4 1/2 baths.

The decorated model showcases the master bedroom suite, kitchen area, dining room and living room of a 3,192-square-foot design with three bedrooms, 3 1/2 baths and a study.

The model's master suite has floor-to-ceiling windows, a dressing room and walk-in closet, and a bath with Whirlpool tub, walk-in shower and separate water closet. The kitchen has a center island, an eating area with bay window and a butler's pantry.

The unit also features a control panel in the foyer from which lighting and temperature is controlled. It can be upgraded with a remote console to control window treatments, security options and digitally stored CDs and DVDs. Radiant heat floors are standard in all units.

A full floor of the building will include a 60-foot lap pool, a fitness center, whirlpool, massage room, and locker rooms with sauna, steam and showers.

Other amenities include concierge and 24-hour doorman service, a business center, hospitality room, dry cleaning services, and an 8,000-square-foot roof garden with dog walk area.

Model showings are available by appointment from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and noon to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

For information, call 312-558-9100, or visit www.waterviewtower.com.

I'm confused... hasn't there been a sales center and model open in Lasalle-Wacker for months?

I'm confused... hasn't there been a sales center and model open in Lasalle-Wacker for months?

Yes there has been. It's been open since June 25, 2004, but this is the first timr that there has been an article about what the sales-center showcases, and the features it has.

As you know there hasn't really been that much plablicity about Waterview Tower, so whatever information I find about it I post. At least it's selling well though.

Waterview Tower Update

Not too much new information

Subject: Waterview Tower Progress!!!

Hello Ms. Freiman,

The last time I emailed you, which was back in early September, you
really didn't have any new information about Waterview Tower, other
than the the Class A Office Space had been scrapped in favor of the
hotel/condo concept. I tried to wait as long as I could before I
bugged you again. I know that the architects had to redesign all the
former office floors into hotel rooms. Well, I hope that enough time
has passed since my last email, that you might possible have answers
and new information.

1. How many hotel rooms will there be, and are those new floor plans
completed?

2. When will the hotel units go on the market?

3. Will the groundbreaking still be January 5, and if not, when will
it be?

4. Has the height of Waterview Tower changed at all? (Are there still
85 floors, and is the building still going to be 1,030'?)

If there is anything that you can possibly add in addition to what i've
asked i'd be most appreciative. Thank you so very much for your time
and patience in answering my previous questions. I certainly hope to
hear back from you. I can't wait to watch this building constructed.

Butler Victor Adams
Architecture Student


REPLY

Bldg. will be the same height and I don't know anything more (really) about
the hotels until the developer tells us and I can't pinpoint the exact
groundbreaking date.
Sorry

grrrrr!

Hey thanks for the updates though!

Yesterday when I went to the sales center for 1000 South Michigan, I met a woman who works for Appraisal Research Counselors, Ltd and they track the number of new condo units coming onto the market and the absorption rate as well as prices, I asked her if she knew anything about about Waterview Tower and she told me a few things. I got her card and sent her an email.

Here is out email transaction.

Hello Ms. Ochab,

My name is Butler Adams, and I am an architecture student at the
Illinois Institute of Technology. I met and spoke with you in the
sales center for 1000 South Michigan, this rainy monday afternoon. I
was certainly unprepaired to write down some of the things that you
told me about Waterview Tower.

Can you please once again tell me about the hotel/condo portion for the building. Do you know about how many hotel/condo rooms there will be? You also mentioned that those hotel units will face north and the Chicago River and that the south side of that portion of the building would be "dead" space. Can you please tell me more about this situtation.

You mentioned that you had a sit down with some of the people who work at Teng, I forgot the gentlemen's name. I hope that you have some information about this beautiful building that I don't.

If I get any new information about Waterview Tower, i'll shoot you an email.
Hope to hear back from you.

Butler V. Adams
Architecture Student


THE RESPONSE

Here is the information I have on Waterview Tower:
-total of 233 condominium units and approximately 190 hotel studios and suites.
-they have not determined the exact number of condominum hotel units
-the hotel portion will be located on the 12 through 24th floor with the units facing only North and East, so they will have River Views
-the South and West side of the building as of now is dead space. I don't think they have officially decided if it will be dead space since they are still determining the total number of hotel units and storage could always be an option.
-the 25th floor is the amenities floor only available to the condominium owners, the hotel portion will have a separate amenity area.
-current average square foot size is 2,262 SF (this includes all condo units before anything is sold)
-ground breaking is planned for Spring 1005 with occupancy in 2007-2008
-unsold prices average in the mid $500 per squre foot
-Each unit will have a view of the lake or the river, that is why they named the building Waterview Tower
-the building is still 1,030 feet tall
-there will be no office space
-512 parking spaces
-approximately 35% sold (of the 233 condo units)

I spoke with Shawn McMann, I believe he is the project manager.

I hope this helps!

Jennifer


Now I know she said that 35% had been sold, and the last time I called the sales center, they were at the 50% or so mark. I don't know exactly how old her information is, so we'll go with that 50%. It just sounds better.

really interesting, and a nice tower!

This tower is sweeeeeeeeeeet.

Waterview Tower UPDATE PART 2

I have just had my monthly check-in with the people at the sales center.

-I need to let you guys know that sales are around 45%. I mentioned the fact that the last time I called I was told 50%, and he told me that some people didn't come through, or pulled out, and they're counting contracts, not reservations.

-2PRUROCKS asked about window treatments: the glass from the exterior will be a tinted blue color, of course you won't be able to notice it from inside the building.

-the urban politician asked about there being any retail along Clark Street: there might be some limited retail. thet are still somewhat undecided about that.

-In one of my above posts I mentioned the number of hotel rooms/suites, well that number is not accurate. Teng is still in negotiations with whatever hotel will be managing that portion of the building, and they are still deciding how many rooms there will be.

-the height of the building is unchanged. it's still 1,030', and will likely remain that.

-for groundbreaking, they are still pushing for January of 2005, but they are just saying the first quarter of 2005 for groundbreaking.

-financing has been secured. Teng has owned the property for quite some time.

-I know that some of you might have been supprised when I mentioned that for the hotel portion of the building the north and east side of the building would be for the hotel/condo suites; and the south and west will be dead space. That won't be dead space, it will be offices for hotel management and staff as well as possibly a fitness room. Those two sides are like that, because they are in the lower part of the building and they look right into other structures.

That's all I have for now.

Wow, thanks for the update. i didn't realize they were going to try to break ground so soon. I thought it would have been late next year. But that is great to hear! Can't wait

BVic,
Thanks again for your research. Your work is greatly appreciated. Looks like quite the building!

Thanks BVic! I can't wait for that work of art to get built

I am so excited about the prospects of this and Trump going up simultaneously! It's going to be like the 70's all over again!

85 floors, 1'030' feet, spactacular architecture, i was seriously concidering going to New York City next year to work on the new WTC project(s), but it looks as tho i may have to lay over in Chicago, i had a blast throwing pipe up in the Park tower in 98. these cast in place concrete towers are interesting to pipe, as most of what we build out here is steel. (earthquakes) i can't wait to see these two towers (trump's) rising in the skyline, and at aprox. the same time, it's just going to be plain........... intense!!!!!................................oh man i love Chicago!!!!!!!!

Looks like Waterview is taking a cue from The Donald:

Developer plans Wacker condo hotel


By Alby Gallun
November 11, 2004

Another Chicago real estate developer is jumping into the condominium hotel market.
Teng & Associates Inc. plans to include a 190-room condo hotel in an 82-story high-rise in the works at 111 W. Wacker Drive, said Gail L. Lissner, senior vice-president at Appraisal Research Counselor, a Chicago-based real estate consulting firm that tracks downtown condo sales.

In a condo hotel, investors buy individual hotel units, just as they would in a regular condo building, but let hotel management rent the units to hotel guests when they’re gone. It’s a way for a developer to spread the financial risks of a new hotel and avoid asking a lender for a big loan. And it’s a way for owners of the units to make money when they’re away.

While new to Chicago, the hotel condo concept is starting to catch on. Donald Trump’s high-rise on the former site of the Chicago Sun-Times will include 227 condo hotel units. A residential tower planned at Rush and Walton Streets includes 90. And Chicago-based Falor Cos. is working on two downtown projects with a combined 260 units.

“It’s like the flavor of the month,” Ms. Lissner said.

Teng, a Chicago-based architecture firm, declined to comment on its plans for Waterview Tower, as the Wacker Drive project is called. But a Teng executive told Ms. Lissner that the firm decided to abandon an earlier plan to include about 215,000 square feet of office space in the project. The hotel will fill the void, spanning floors 12 to 24, she said.

Regular condos in the project range from about $450,000 to $5.8 million. Buyers have signed contracts for about a third of the 236 units, Ms. Lissner said.

Looks like I was pretty close with the number of hotel rooms proposed for Waterview. I certainly can't wait for construction to start. :)

I think that even though its not intended as a 1,000 footer right this moment, that they will make it one by the time it's done. US developers seem to be responding to both the market, and the ego bruising going on overseas, with all of thier supertalls going up while America builds its suburbs.
:)

that's the great thing about extended threads like these.... looking back on the earlier posts and seeing how hopes and dreams have been fulfilled or have flopped.

I think in this case, most peoples dreams have been fulfilled. :)

My dream will be fulfilled when I see them break up the slab that is currently the surface-lot at the site :)

In residential developments the minimum amount of pre-sales needed to secure financing is 50%.

When you're talking about high rise construction I think around 75% is what banks feel comfortable with these days. . . I haven't seen any project obtain funding with a vacancy rate of 50%. . .

I just happen to be re-reading some of these posts. I don't think that it has to be 75%, I think it is once you get at least 50%, financing is much more atainable. I visited Skybridge last week, and they are now just reaching the 75% mark.

I sent this email to TENG about a week ago, below is the response.


To Whom It May Concern,

My name is Butler Adams, I am an architecture student at the Illinois Institute of Technology, and I have been following the progress and development of Waterview Tower since it was first introduced several years ago. It was finally announced in Crain's Chicago Business Online that 190 hotel suites would be replacing the class-A office space. I just had a few simple questions that I hope you could answer.

For one I was wondering if Teng was going to update their website to reflect the changes of Waterview Tower? Both the Teng and Waterview Tower websites state that the building is only going to be 82-stories, but of course it's going to be 85-stories.

I would also like to know when the hotel suite floorplans are going to be added to the website, and when will sales begin for those suites?

I hope that you all can answer my questions.

Thank you for your time,
Butler Adams
Architecture Student


RESPONSE

Butler,
I wanted to reply to your questions.

We plan to update the website with new information but have not defined a
completion date.

The "hotel" vs. "office" portion is still under negotiation (therefore, the
actual number of rooms, square footages, or plans are not finalized). When
it is announced, we will update the site.

Thanks for your interest and please keep checking the website for news.

Erik
___________________________________________________

Erik H. Caylor, P.E.
I.T. Solutions Manager
TENG

Good work Inspector Gadget! I've got to wonder though... how much information does an I.T. Solutions Manager really have? I wish someone else would respond to you :)

This article is extremely old, 4 years old in fact. But seeing as it has something to do with the project at hand, and its not posted, I figured what the hell. I think that all articles on a particular subject should be posted no matter what the age. It just give me the feeling of full disclosure.


111 W. Wacker finally has buyer

August 30, 2000

BY DAVID ROEDER BUSINESS COLUMNIST

One of downtown's longtime empty lots is about to be sold to a buyer that plans a combination corporate headquarters and residential tower, real estate brokers said.

The lot at 111 W. Wacker, the southwest corner of Wacker and Clark, is being sold to Teng & Associates Inc., the sources said. Teng is a construction and design company that has seen its staff of about 350 increase by 200 percent in the last five years. It has won business involving the redesign of Chicago's Museum Campus and the North Grant Park Garage.

Sources said Teng, which would move from 205 N. Michigan, wants a roughly 100,000-square-foot headquarters on the lower floors of the site. The upper floors, with better views in all directions, would be for moneymaking residential use, probably condos.

The property is an unfinished part of the city's old North Loop redevelopment plan. Owned for years by Jaymont USA, a Florida-based partnership, it had been marketed for $18 million, but Teng is believed to be getting it for around $12 million.

Teng President Ivan Dvorak could not be reached. Representatives of brokerages in the deal, Julien J. Studley Inc. and Greenwich Group International, declined to comment

Hello everyone from Albany Park (soon to be from the South Loop),
I'm new to this forum, but I've been following it for a couple months. Love the Trumpster!
Chi-Town rules!

Welcome, Chicagogeorge!

We all can't wait for the Trumpster. It will definitely kick ass

Trump Tower, Waterview, Elysian, Museum Tower, and more will further enhance Chi-Town's skyline. I personally will be relocating to the Michigan Ave. Towers.

BTW, Urban Politician, I've noticed that you have defend Chicago on several threads. Were you originally from here?

No. Never spent more than 3 months of my life there (and visited)

But during my time there I fell in love with the city. I knew, as soon as I went there, that this city had it made, and fit me like a glove. The greatest complement I can give the city is that I was a car-driving regular guy with no interest in architecture, etc until I moved to Chicago. Then I saw the city, the 'L, and saw all the new construction going on.

Chicago is what made me into a transit advocate and an urbanist. Sure, I could have liked Philly when I lived there for the same reason--but Philly didn't seem like a city of the future--a city that moved ahead. It always felt more like a city that got left behind. Chicago does not feel that way.

And DC? I love it--but I lived in Chicago first, so my ability to appreciate DC has been tarnished

On Friday I will be making my monthloy update call to the Waterview Tower sales center. If anyone has any questions that they'd like me to ask, please put your questions in the thread so I can ask.

Also, Welcome all new members to this forum. We will all be looking forward to your questions and input.

P.S. - I wish the Trib had never released that article about the McDonald's that could've been. I was a much happier boy before I knew what we weren't getting.


Does anyone have a link to the article referred to here? I'm interesting in knowing what McD's could have built, but isn't.

Does anyone have a link to the article referred to here? I'm interesting in knowing what McD's could have built, but isn't.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/features/chi-0408080302aug08,1,4341150.story

On Friday I will be making my monthloy update call to the Waterview Tower sales center. If anyone has any questions that they'd like me to ask, please put your questions in the thread so I can ask.

Also, Welcome all new members to this forum. We will all be looking forward to your questions and input.

^My usual question. Ground floor retail! Also, any changes in height? But, knowing you, you have all of this covered, BV! :)

http://www.chicagotribune.com/features/chi-0408080302aug08,1,4341150.story


Dang... Uhh, can someone post it as a thread or something? You have to be a member to read it.

it's free to sign up Jasonhouse... go for it :)

Hey bvic... don't forget to call Andy Gloor about that 325 N. Wells development :))

i prefer: http://www.bugmenot.com/

Wow, Jahn's proposal was the crappiest thing I've ever seen from the man.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/media/photo/2004-08/13741221.jpg

Yeah, it was pretty bad. There was another one that was fantastic though! (I don't remember which it is).

Rivernorth: that site is fucking awesome!

Wow, Jahn's proposal was the crappiest thing I've ever seen from the man.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/media/photo/2004-08/13741221.jpg

Ugh! What a grotesque looking waste of space.

Waterview Tower Monthly Update

Well there really isn't much to report unfortunately about the building. I just did my monthly checkin with the sales center.

-they are still in the upper 40% range when it comes to sales. This isn't including reserved units, which I was told there are a handful of.

-plans and more information on the hotel suites should be released sometime in February.

-groundbreaking is still scheduled for sometime in the first quarter.

-the height of the builkding is unchanged.

-there will be some type of retail and restaurante space on the ground floor. though they have about 3 years decide what type of services there will be and how much space will be needed.

-there will be a public planting terrace above the lobby looking out over Wacker Drive and the river which might include a coffee shop or something.

I'm sorry that that's all the information that I could get. One of the reasons why there hasn't been a big change in the number of unist sold is the time of year.

If I find out anything else, you'll know to ckeck back here.

Restaurante? With an "e"? Sounds fancy!

Restaurante? With an "e"? Sounds fancy!

Shit!

I didn't mean to add the E, but it all good.

Shit!

I didn't mean to add the E, but it all good.

Not only is it good, but by adding the unecissary, pretentious extra vowel, they'll be able to bill people for twice what a restaurant could do.

When are the construction beginning?

When are the construction beginning?

I've been told several times by people who work in the sales center for Waterview Tower as well as persons who work for Teng & Associates (the developers and architects of Waterview Towr) that they want to begin construction in the 1st quarter of 2005.

Thank you BVictor1. I love this skyscraper more than Trump Tower. I can`t wait more. I will be my best day when they begin construction

Having the Trump and the Waterview go up around the same time will be incredible! The Waterview has this sleek look to it! Bad ass 1000 footer!

What i'm about to post is old, but i've never seen it before, and it's never been posted here. I typed Waterview Tower into the search spot at Chicago Tribune online, this is what I got: I'm posting the whole list.


INSIDE INFORMATION
NEW CONSTRUCTION

Published November 22, 2004

The following construction projects are coming up for bid. Listings show project city, name of project, address, description, start date and project value. Complete bidding details and contact information can be found at ConstructWorks.com.

COOK COUNTY

Arlington Heights--Walgreens, Dryden Avenue and Northwest Highway, 15,000-square-foot retail development, February 2005, $1.2 million.

Bedford Park--Jade Coil Steel, 73rd Street and Leamington Avenue, 60,000-square-foot industrial warehouse, March 2005, $5 million.

Chicago--Halsted Commercial Center, 7801-47 S. Halsted St., mixed-use commercial center, March 2005, $5 million.

Chicago--Waterview Tower, 111 W. Wacker Dr., 82-story mixed-use building, February 2005, $80 million.

Chicago--The Latin School of Chicago middle school, Dearborn Parkway and North Avenue, 5-story middle school, March 2005, $15 million.

Chicago--Regional grocery chain, Madison Street and Western Avenue, 66,000-square-foot grocery store, March 2005, $10 million.

Chicago--Wentworth Commons, 11045 S. Wentworth Ave., 68,000-square-foot housing development, November 2004, $13.2 million.

Chicago--Metra Market, Canal Street and Clinton Avenue, 120,000-square-foot mixed-use commercial development, March 2005, $9.6 million.

Chicago Ridge--JB Robinson, Chicago Ridge Mall, 2,200-square-foot jewelry store, December 2004, $100,000.

Cicero--Menard's, Cicero Avenue and Cermak Road, 150,000-square-foot retail store, December 2004, $12 million.

Hoffman Estates--I-CAR offices, Trillium Boulevard, 2-story office building, December 2004, $5 million.

Hoffman Estates--Hoffman Estates Center, Prairie Stone Business Park, multipurpose arena, March 2005, $60 million.

Lemont--Downtown development, Illinois Street and Stephen Street, 250-unit mixed-use development, March 2006, $80 million.

Lemont--Public Works parking garage, New Avenue, 40,000-square-foot garage, March 2005, $3 million.

Schaumburg--Fire Station No. 1, 1000 W. Schaumburg Rd., 3,000-square-foot fire station, March 2005, $5 million.

Schaumburg--Woodfield Business Center III, 1700 N. Plum Grove Rd., 21,500-square-foot commercial development, March 2005, $1.7 million.

Schaumburg--Fire Station No. 5, 714 S. Plum Grove Rd., 4,000-square-foot fire station, March 2005, $8 million.

Schaumburg--Fire Station No. 3, 1351 S. Wright Blvd., 3,000-square-foot fire station renovation, March 2005, $17 million.


Of course we know that the building is 85 stories, but I thought I should post this anyway. It also seems like it would cost way more than $80 million, but maybe that's for construction materials only and I mean just the concrete.

I've been told several times by people who work in the sales center for Waterview Tower as well as persons who work for Teng & Associates (the developers and architects of Waterview Towr) that they want to begin construction in the 1st quarter of 2005.

thats coming soon! would love to see the significant ground breaking pics :cheers:

Believe me, when the ground breaking occurs, there will be pictures, and they will be posted.

I know that there hasn't been much activity here recently, but I will have an update for you sometime in the first weel of the new year. Even if there isn't anything new to disclose, I'll let you all know.

There is one little thing though if anyone is interested. Teng has updated the Waterview Tower webpage just a bit.

If you go to waterviewtower.com and enter their flash site, go to: Residences: Floor Plans. You will notice that the the additional floor plans for the higher penthouses have been added. Residences will now go as high as the 83rd floor. Floors 84 and 85 are mechanical. You will also notice that an Amenity Level floor plan has been added. It seems as if this level is about 2-3 stories high. I'm guessing that it is so tall because there are going to be some large trees planted in the space. This level seems to offer quite a bit. I will enquire about it when I call the sales center in the next 2 weeks.

Very Sleek!
http://skyscraperpage.com/gallery/data/554/9west_view_for_web.jpg

WATERVIEW TOWER PRE-MONTHLY UPDATE

I sent this email Thursday December 30, 2004

Before I ask my questions, I wanted to wish you Happy Holidays. You've been very helpful in answering my questions about Waterview Tower.

As you know, I am an architecture student here in Chicago, and I have been keeping track of Waterview Tower as well as several other very beatuifully designed buildings that are approved. In our last email transaction back in November you told me to keep track of the Waterview Tower webpage for updates. Well there have been several changes there and I just had a few questions I hope that you can answer.

1. I noticed that Teng has added the floorplan layout for the Amenity Level. This space appears to be several stories high taking up the 23rd-25th floors. Can you confirm this? I'm assuming this space will serve the hotel as well as the residents.

2. Has the height of the building changed at all, or is it still 1,030'?

3. Do you know exactly when groundbreaking for the tower will be? The reason I ask about the timing of the groundbreaking is because I want to document the construction of the building from start to finish by taking photographs, and I'd like to be there during groundbreaking so that I can take pictures.

Once again, Thank you for all of your help and information.

Have a Happy and Safe New Year,

Butler V. Adams
Architecture Student

THE RESPONSE: I received this 01/05/05

Don't have an answer to #1 yet.

We hope there is a hole in the ground this Spring (exact date unknown)

No the bldg height hasn't changed


Dorrie Freiman
Director of Sales and Marketing

WATERVIEW TOWER

121 West Wacker Drive, 35th Floor
Chicago, Illinois 60601
Sales: (312) 558-9100
Direct: (312) 616-3065
Fax: (312) 552-9224
dfreiman@waterviewtower.com

Waterview Tower Monthly Update

This time I spoke with my contact in the sales center for Waterview Tower, and he told me that things are pretty much unchanged. Because of the time of year, things have slowed down.

The sales figures still stand in the high 40's% range.

He told me that there wan really no new information that he could release, which means that there are some new things, but Teng & Associated hasn't permitted that infornation to be released.

He did mention that the company that will be managing the hotel protion of the tower will be announced in the first quarter.

He also said that qroundbreaking was still scheduled for the first quarter.

The height remains a soaring 1, 030'.

I was also asked about any ground level retail, and I was told that that information could possibly be announced when the hotel information and other things are released soon.

If and when I get any new information, I will be certain to post it.

I wonder if they'll actually break ground with sales only in the 40's. Should be interesting.

^ They already have funding (so they say). Plus, considering the time it will take to construct this behemoth, they may be near 90+% by completion (sales tend to accelerate as the building begins construction)

Teng owns the lot. Teng owns the project. Teng is designing it. Teng's got the money. They can break ground whenever they want to, and if they want to at 40% sales, then so be it. Im happy as long as its built :)

Oh... I absolutely agree that I want to see it get built. I just know that speculative construction is frowned upon here... so, I was just concerned for the project's sake.

I found this small article in the January 27th edition of Skyline which is a weekly neighborhood newspaper.

Waterview Tower penthouses offer buyers best of the best

With a soaring 85-story height and location on the Chicago River's main branch, Waterview Tower offers 48 penthouses, including full-floor homes with 360-degree lake and river views.

Located at 111 W. Wacker Drive, Waterview Tower comprises 233 luxury residences. The homes begin on the 26th floor, with the penthouses beginning on the 63rd floor and base-priced from $1,946,000 to $6,300,000. Each penthouse offers 2,815 to 8,070 square feet, two to four bedrooms and 2 to 4 1/2 baths. Deeded indoor parking is $50,500 per space, and a private, two-car garage is availiable to penthouse buyers for $150,000.

The non-penthouse luxury homes measure 1,087 to 3,192 square feet with one to three bedrooms plus a study, and 2 to 3 1/2 baths. Base prices range range from $649,000 to $2,055,000.

Four full-floor penthouses are currently availiable, including an 8,070-square foot residence with three bedrooms, a study and 3 1/2 baths. It is base-priced at $6.3 million. Two elevators provide direct entry into the home. A 52-foot-long gallery is adjacent to a reception hall measuring 16 frrt by 18 feet.

Measuring more than 1,650 square feet, the penthouse's master suite has three walk-in closets, a wardrobe closet, access to one of the terraces and a sitting room. From the master suite, buyers will have views both north and west of the bend in the Chicago River.

Designed by the award-winning architecture firm Teng & Associates, Inc., the building will feature a glass, steel and granite facade with glass-cornered bay windows.

The building will rise on the southwest corner of Clark Street and Wacker Drive. Model showings can be arranged by appointment from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Mondat through Friday; and noon to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. for more information, call (312) 558-9100 or visit www.waterviewtower.com.


I can't wait for this baby to begin construction.

WATERVIEW TOWER MONTHLY UPDATE 02/04/05


Well I have just gotten off the phone with my contact at the sales center for Waterview Tower, and there is some really interesting news to report. Those advertisements of 89-stories in Crains Chicago Business and The Wall Street Journal are TRUE. The advertising was correct.

WATERVIEW TOWER IS NOW 89-Stories, BUT-BUT, THE HEIGHT WILL REMAIN 1,030'

Basically becasue the office portion of the tower has been transfered into hotel rooms, there are of course differences in floor-to-ceiling heights, and to compensate for that difference, 4 MORE FLOORS HAVE BEEN ADDED. Bacically it's the same situtation as when Trump Tower was expanded from 86 floors to 90 floors.

This chanage has already been okayed by the City of Chicago. This was allowed because of the green technology and roof that the building has. I don't know if it will be LEED Certified.

Sales remain around 48%, but I was told that sales have once again begun to pick up.

The hotel suites should begin being marketed within the next month and a half or so.

Groungbreaking is still scheduled for within the next couple of months. An exact date has not been set.

I'm so keeping my fingers crossed that this project makes it to the construction phase. I'm also surprised, given the white-hot Loop condo market, that Waterview's sales are still below 50% - this baby is on the river, for pete's sake, and that all but guarantees unobstructable views to the E, SE & NE. Where's that 6.5 million when I need it most, to snap up one of the full-floor penthouses?

I think it's the price of the units that's keeping sales moderately quiet. Much of the high-end market was probably fulfilled by the Heritage and Trump.

I think it's the price of the units that's keeping sales moderately quiet. Much of the high-end market was probably fulfilled by the Heritage and Trump.


That's partly true, but you must also realize what time of the year it is. Sales always slow down during the winter months. I was informed though that things had slowly started to pick up.

thanks for the rendering chicagogeorge! it's the best i've ever seen of it so far. the building has a nice postmodernist facade and crown that almost resembles that of the bank of america charlotte and bear sterns nyc. very nice design.

Good call on the resemblances to the crown, 7 World Trade. My only complaint is the number of balconies... are balconies really essential to sell condos like this? They certainly take an aesthetic toll on the facade.

Good call on the resemblances to the crown, 7 World Trade. My only complaint is the number of balconies... are balconies really essential to sell condos like this? They certainly take an aesthetic toll on the facade.

Well balconies certainly are an incentive to buy. It's true that balconies, if not executed correctly can visually mar a building. But, I fell in the case of Waterview Tower, they are executed in an aesthetically pleasing way. They are incorporated in a way that doesn't visually detract from the building.

If you really, truly look at the rendering you'll notice that the balconies are elegantly incorporated into the tower.

BVictor1, I agree that the balconies are elegantly incorporated into the tower. They don't look bad. I suppose my distaste for them generally partly reflects my preference that skyscrapers have an 'organic' seamlessness. Its hard for to me to express this, but I feel that a building evokes a personality in part based on this organic quality--this quality of seamlessness (a trait espoused and exhibited by FL Wright in his work) --means every part of the building would seem to contribute to the whole. Imagining any piece missing means the whole falls apart. In this sense balconies are absolutely seamless with a building like Marina City because they visually not only an integral but a key aspect of the design, but not with this building, I don't think. I think the most brilliant thing about Skybridge/One North Halsted, was its ability to make the balconies look such an integral part of the design. The pieces of that building seem to blend together like plaid when it was popular.

In order to fully incorporate balconies I feel like the architect has to do something rhythmic the way great architects Goldberg and Ralph Johnson were able to achieve.

ChicagoLover, I can both understand and respect your opinion and point of view. It's possible that my senses have been numbed but the ghettoish cell like balconies of the recently built towers of Rivernorth.

But, I guess that some towers look better with balconies than others. Like I could never see Trump Tower with balconies (even though that building does have treeaces).

There's only so much you can do.

Also ChicagoLover, wait until you see the rendering at other angles, then i'd like to hear your opinion again. I don't think that one can give an honest and accurate opinion from seeing one side of the tower.

The rendering on this page is looking northeast at the western and part of the southern facade.

Ask... and ye shall receive.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v240/geoff_diamond/Chicago%20-%20Renderings/WaterviewTower03.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v240/geoff_diamond/Chicago%20-%20Renderings/WaterviewTower04.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v240/geoff_diamond/Chicago%20-%20Renderings/WaterviewTower05.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v240/geoff_diamond/Chicago%20-%20Renderings/WaterviewTower06.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v240/geoff_diamond/Chicago%20-%20Renderings/WaterviewTower07.jpg

Thanks dude. I'd like ChicagoLover to take a look closely at these rederings and see if he feels the same way.

If I was going to plunk down the load of money these condos cost, I sure as hell would like a balcony to enjoy the view on.

I, for one, can't even fathom spending more than a million dollars on a home without a little bit of space to get some fresh (or otherwise) air. Yes, balconies can easily become a building's worst nightmare, but, they can also be an unobtrusive part of the whole.

I, for one, can't even fathom spending more than a million dollars on a home without a little bit of space to get some fresh (or otherwise) air. Yes, balconies can easily become a building's worst nightmare, but, they can also be an unobtrusive part of the whole.

Geoff--but the Trump Tower doesn't have balconies (that I can tell) and people will be spending millions for the penthouses in that building. In all of Trump's buildings that I am aware of, he does not include balconies, and yet, as has been repeated ad nauseum in the press, Trump is able to get more per square foot than other developers because of his outsized reputation for quality. Other towers in Chicago that probably demand top dollar also lack balconies -- those elegant old buildings along East Lake Shore Drive, previous home of Ann Landers and the former Fruit of the Loom playboy William Farley come to mind. I wonder if Trump personally doesn't like buildings because he too believes they hinder the generation of that feeling of sleek wonder and power that he wants them to exude.

Floor-to-ceiling windows would suffice for me... but then again, I'm a poor graduate student 'groundling' and would kill to live in any space anywhere near as luxurious as the spaces of which we speak..

Don't get me wrong about this tower--I think it does look like it will be finely executed by Teng, although of course, the "devil is in the details," yada, yada, and I think that much depends (as in every post-modern tower) on the detailing that is hard to faithfully represent in these impressionistic portrayals.
(I"m not sure this tower firmly fits in the post-modern category, but the highly prominent crown certainly seems to fit the bill.)

I like Waterview, but I'm not in love it, in part I suppose because I am partial to more sculptural designs, especially for the very tall (and I think Waterview definitely falls into that category.) I am less a fan of post-modern for the very tall in part because it would seem to require a more conspicuous display of windows. Window repetition can look banal unless the spandrels are executed just right.. I kind of have a wait and see attitude with this building. Had the shape been more sculptural, then I think it would be easier to get the tower "right" if you know what I mean. For example, 333 West Wacker, or Lake Point Tower, because of the sheer beauty of their shape, can be wrong in some of their details (not to say that they are) and the buildings are still glorious.

I am most enthused by the prospect of a high-floor public winter garden... That sounds absolutely amazing. Does anyone know if this has remained on the boards? I wonder how many additional floors Teng received for agreeing to create such a public amenity..

oops..I meant to say "Trump personally doesn't like balconies" not Trump doesn't like buildings, although this was probably evident from context.

Actually, there never was a high-floor public winter gargen. That space will be in the double heighted lobby. On the 25th floor, there will be an amenities level for the residents who live within the building. And while it's true that Trump Tower doesn't have balconies. the floors that have setbacks DO have terraces, and this building will have a 1.2 acre park at its base.

http://skyscraperpage.com/gallery/data/554/9waterview_photo_match_1.jpg

Here's a bit about the buildings program.

WATERVIEW TOWER
at 111 West Wacker Drive, Chicago

The program for this 82 story building totals over 1,200,000 square feet. It will include high-end condominiums, class A office space, approximately 2,000 sq. ft. of retain and parking for 512 cars.

Street Level: The arcade along Wacker Drive will connect to the arcade of the LaSalle-Wacker Building, thereby creating a through-block connection to LaSalle Street. The western portion of the arcade, adjacent to the restaurante/retail space can accommodate seating for outdoor dining.

The 30' high glass lobby wall creates a dramatic volume of appropriate scale with the street frontages. A public wintergarden is located along the Clark Street facade and features a water wall fountain, trees, and sculpture. The residential entrance on Wacker is scaled down and articulated as a discrete volume from the shaft of the tower.

Terrace Level: The building includes a public planting terrace above the lobby level, accessed by a glass elevator from within the wintergarden. It will provide dramatic views up and down the river, views that are not availiable to the public anywhere else in Chicago. The location of this terrace softens the base of the building with landscape elements, and related to the planted terraces at the river walk across Wacker Drive.

Office Floors: Floors 12-22 contain 215,000 sq. feet of "Class A" office space. They are articulated with vertical bands of window captured between granite-clad columns. The composition is consist with adjacent buildings, especially LaSalle-Wacker and 225 West Wacker. The corners are articulated as solids with punched windows to bookend the glass center and emphasize verticality. The elegantly bowed glass facade gestures to the river and captures views in both directions.

Residential Amenities: Are located on the 25th floor of the building, and have 360 degree views of Chicago. Included are: Fitness center with indoor lap pool, whirlpool and men and women locker rooms with sauna, steam room and separate massage room. Also included is an exercise facility with cardiovascular equipment and weight room. Our hospitality room is equipped with a full kitchen that opens up to our roof garden terrace and sundeck. A business center, common laundry area and a valet dry cleaning drop. 24-hour doormen and a concierge.

Residential Floors: The residential floor plan is triangulated with the south wall running diagonally from the northeast to southwest corner. The plan configuration creates the slender spire-like tower rising from a larger base, and provides south facing units with views to the east and northeast up the Chicago River corridor to Michigan Avenue and the lake beyond. On all facades the residential floors are articulated with curved bay windows that provide unparalleled multi-directional views for all units. The bays create scale and express the residential component as different from the office floors. The building is topped with a band of lower and upper penthouses. The upper floors are defined by the extension of the vertical columns, creating a distinctive top and termination for the tower.

In the tradition of Chicago architecture, the design clearly expresses the program with an economy of means, integration of systems, elegance in detail, and responsiveness to context. The design is respectful to the past yet looks forward to the new millennium.

Developer Comment
The amount of time, thought and research this company gives to even the smallest details of this building should be overwhelmingly obvious to Realtors and consumers who shop the market place. For those savvy people who know quality and value, we believe our building will stanmd apart from our contemporary competitors and gain the reputation as one of the finest residences in Chicago.

I'm aware that Trump doesn't have balconies (aside from the terraces that Butler mentioned) and that's why I don't know that I could ever shell out that kind of money for a unit there. I'm sure it's fine for some people, but, I cherish the balcony that I have now far too much to imagine living without it. That's not to say that I wouldn't move to an apartment that didn't have a balconyl, but, I certainly wouldn't buy a space without one.

I also have to disagree with you, somewhat, about the sculptural merit of Waterview. Had they made the tower a box, I would concur, but, given it's unique triangular shape... I think it will also be afford that margin of error in detailing that you give to buildings like 333 and LPT.

How does this 1,000 footer fall to the bottom of page 2???

Any updates?

It's my favorite tower going up anywhere in the world.

How does this 1,000 footer fall to the bottom of page 2???

Any updates?

It's my favorite tower going up anywhere in the world.


Well, because this tower doesn't get the same type of publicity that another certain tower does. If there aren't articles, then one can't make any comments.

I've been getting monthly updated since last August. My next update will probably be next Friday when I call the sales center.

Are there any questions that you forumers would like me to ask???

^ I know you have already been asking this kind of stuff but I would really like to know when they are planning on breaking ground and official construction (cason drilling) is to begin?

*BUMP*

I didn't want this thread to fall off the map. I will be checking in at the end of the week for an update. Also I don't know If I ever posted this article before, and I'm not looking through 23 pages too see...

Waterview Tower adds hotel condo units

It took a while, but condo hotels seem to be catching on in Chicago. Teng & Associates, the development and architecture firm behind the new Waterview Tower, planned for 111 W. Wacker, is the latest to join the fray.

Teng has decided to include a 190-room condominium hotel in the 85-story tower. The condo hotel units will be located on floors 12 to 24, replacing a commercial component originally envisioned as part of the development.

Hotel condos are deeded and owned in fee simple - real condominiums that can be bought and sold at any time. The owners generally have private storage where they can keep belongings when they're away, and when they're in residence, they have full use of their units - as well as the perks of an upscale hotel, on a fee-for-service basis. When they're not in residence, their units can be rented out through the hotel program and earn income.

There are monthly assessments and real estate taxes, as in any condo building, and hotel condo owners also share in the costs of operating the hotel. The trend is catching on in Chicago, where Trump Tower, the Elysian and two projects by Falor Companies are adding hundreds of hotel condo units to the city market.

The 233 regular condos in the development are priced from the $640s to more than $6.3 million for a top penthouse. A sales center for Waterview Tower, www.WaterviewTower.com, is located on the 35th floor of the LaSalle-Wacker Building, 121 W. Wacker, immediately west of the development site.

BVictor could you find out the developer's plans for the riverfront itself. I believe they committed to developing part of the riverwalk. I seem to recall that they recieived a height easement to 85 stories for their commitment to the riverwalk in front of their building. Perhaps they have some renderings of what they propose to do? Thanks

I seem to recall that they recieived a height easement to 85 stories for their commitment to the riverwalk in front of their building.

I'll ask about any commitment to the riverwalk, but I have no idea if that has anything to do with their ability to build so tall. Also, the building is 89-stories. The height iremains 1,030'.

WATERVIEW TOWER MONTHLY UPDATE 03/04/05


-Well there "REALLY" isn't too much news, other than that TENG applied for the demolition permit for tearing up the parking lot about a week ago, and I was told that it usually takes about 2-3 weeks for approval. And they anticipate having no problems obtaining that permit :):).

-They hope to be begin tearing up the parking lot BY THE END OF THIS MONTH:)

-I was told that they are just shy of the 50% mark. They are basically at 49.5%. The gentleman at the sales center told me that they were waiting for a few contracts to be cleared, which would put them at 50%

-They are planning to release the details of the condo-hotel portion of the tower at groundbreaking. If it doesn't happen then, it will be released sometime mid-April.

-Frumie asked me if they were involved in helping to develop the riverwalk and landscaping directly in front of their property. The answer is no.


So to wrap this all up, groundbreaking will hopefully occur very-very soon.:):):)

Great news and great work Vic. I can't wait to see this and TTC going up at the same time!

Great Update. Thanks a lot. I am going to have to take detours past this place constantly now. It's a good thing summer is coming fast!

Thanks for clearing up the riverwalk notion for me. You really are our man out front.

We should get some sort of Pulitzer Prize for BV's amazing investigative reporting :)

Thanks again, BV.

Waterview Tower sure is selling slowly. It's a mystery to me.

Sure, it's getting "trumped" in attention by the Trump Tower, but that doesn't explain why so many other buildings are selling so well. Riverbend has also had problems. Perhaps the riverfront is still not seen as an attractive location, at least compared to the Lakefront.

Chicago really needs to develop this river walk

Waterview Tower sure is selling slowly. It's a mystery to me.

Sure, it's getting "trumped" in attention by the Trump Tower, but that doesn't explain why so many other buildings are selling so well. Riverbend has also had problems. Perhaps the riverfront is still not seen as an attractive location, at least compared to the Lakefront.


I personally believe that it's the price range. All of the other condo towers that are on the market are more middle of the road. When it comes to amenities and detail, Waterview Tower surpasses all except Trump Tower. Trump Tower is in a better location on the river, and It has a famous name behind it. It doesn't matter that it's selling slower, as long as construction begins, we're all good.

Waterview Tower additional news!!!

I didn't know this information when I got my monthly update yesterday. But when I went to City Hall to get information on 21-29 S. Wabash, I also picked up a copy of the Planned Development information for Waterview Tower.

THERE IS A CHANCE THAT THE HEIGHT OF THIS BUILDING WILL RISE TO 1,050'

YES!!!!!! That's the best news I have heard since Trump announced his height increase. Hopefully, they'll go higher than that. Towers all over the world have a trend lately of increasing their heights after initial proposals.

READ CEREFULLY----ALSO THIS HASN'T BEEN CONFIRMED BY THE PROPLE AT TENG, SO DON'T GET ALL STARY EYED YET. BUT IT IS A MAJOR POSIBILITY


http://www.pbase.com/temper/image/40462870.jpg

^AWESOME

This would be great news, an additional 30 feet to the Waterview. It is amazing that we will have two 1000+ scrapers going up almost at the same time. It was said that groundbreaking for the Waterview will begin in late March/early April, does anyone know when the buliding is suppossed to be completed? I heard 2007-08?

Great for Chicago!!!

I hope that the changes requested regarding the parking situation don't slow things down too much :(

This is the email reply that I got back from the sales center.

Butler,
We are going to be 1041 feet high, and 89 stories.
I hope this answers your questions for now.
Suzanne


I guess at this time all we can say is that the height will be somewhere between 1,030' and 1,050' which isn't half bad if you ask me.

We' ll probably just have to wait until some members of Emporis get a chance to take a hard look at the blueprints before we can get an acurate height.

that's good news. they really need a building between the heights of big john and at&t in chicago. if they can pull it off without making it look too stretched, im all for it!

chicago's so ready for another skyscraper boom. i could just see this building fighting for skyline domination with "big don" (trump chitown).

^
This building keeps getting better and better!
Mu gut is that it will break the 1050 mark, and it will look kick ass on the river!

I want this tower to surpass these tower in terms of height Burj al Arab Hotel in dubai and Chrysler Building in New York. this tower just needs to be 1054 foot!!! only a short growth from the orginal plans!

latest on a start date?

latest on a start date?

Sometime in the late spring or early summer hopefully...