Height: 785 ft
Floor count: 60
Location: North LaSalle and Chicago River
Construction end: 2009
Architect: Pickard Chilton Architects, Inc.
Development firm: Hines Interests LP

Website (http://www.300nlasalle.com/)

http://img368.imageshack.us/img368/9576/5327hines300lasallejz5.jpg

A towering contradiction
New skyscraper is in the works as building chugs along downtown even as vacancy rates pile up in structures of good quality

By Thomas A. Corfman
Tribune staff reporter
Published January 9, 2005

Hines Interests LP has plans for another new skyscraper on a site along the north bank of the Chicago River at LaSalle Street, a move likely to inspire joy in downtown office tenants and strike fear in their landlords.

Preliminary plans call for a tower of about 50 stories with at least 1 million square feet of office space, sources said. The high-rise would replace an existing two-story garage at 300 N. LaSalle St.

Hines' proposal underscores a fundamental contradiction of the downtown office market. Despite fairly high vacancy rates, there has been a steady stream of new construction, a pattern seemingly at odds with the laws of supply and demand.

Yet the building boom is the result of several powerful commercial forces, including the demonstrated desire of tenants to pay a premium rent for the new towers and the willingness of investors to pay top-dollar prices for those buildings once they are completed, real estate industry professionals say.

"It's the alignment of the stars," said Christopher Wood, a senior vice president with tenant representative Equis Corp.

The new buildings have high "preleasing" commitments, and the projects are setting off a scramble among landlords of existing buildings to fill the space that those tenants will leave behind.

Executives with Hines' Chicago office are said to be interviewing architects and have not yet begun formal marketing of the project to potential tenants. Construction wouldn't start until Hines signs a lease with an anchor tenant--or tenants--who would agree to take about two-thirds of the proposed building, sources said.

Gregory Van Schaack, a senior vice president in Hines' Chicago office, declined to comment. Houston-based Hines would acquire the 53,000-square-foot site from a venture controlled by Michael Reschke, former chairman of Prime Group Realty Trust, who also declined to comment.

A new office tower would seem to be the last thing the downtown office market needs. As demand for space has declined since 2000, vacancy rates have risen from 9.8 percent that year to nearly 15 percent in 2004, according to a fourth-quarter market report by Chicago-based MB Real Estate Services LLC.

Yet, surprisingly, the amount of downtown office space has increased 4 percent during that time.

"Chicago is undergoing an extremely ill-timed building boom," the report says.

And with 3.6 million square feet of new office space to be built by next year, vacancy rates are likely to continue rising, even if the local economy expands.

The downtown vacancy rate could rise to 16.4 percent by the end of this year before slowly declining to 15.2 percent by 2008, according to a forecast by MB Real Estate.

This is kind of creepy. A friend and I were walking down Wacker last night and we stopped to discuss the horrid little stretch of the north bank between the Sterling (horrid in its own right) and the Mart. We particularly focused on the two-storey parking structure mentioned in this article :)

I would be quite pleased to see that disappear (although, I'd rather see Wolfe Point developed first).

^Agree completely. Build 'em, damn it! Vacancies are never good, but by locking money into a skyscraper, Chicago will always have wealth of real estate.

BTW, you think the Sterling is ugly? Sure it's a concrete blah but, to be honest, those concrete blahs kind of feel warm and comfly--like they were built 60 years ago..

I dunno... something about the Sterling just rubs me the wrong way - I'm not sure what it is though. Although, I will say that, for the most part, I like what they did with the base and the very small footprint they had to work with.

I like the Sterling. My sister lives there. In terms of architecture, yes, it is a mass of concrete, but it is a much better looking mass of concrete than say, Grand Plaza or 400 N. La Salle, which are both abysmal in that regard. I do regret that the Sterling faces Kinzie with a parking garage...but Garages in buildings of that size are a necessary evil, and at least they did put in a starbucks, pharmacy, 7-11, etc for street level development.

Lets put it this way, in that immediate area, The Sterling and 400 N. La Salle stick out the most because of their height. Side by side, its pretty obvious that while the Sterling certainly is no architectural marvel, it is far ahead of some of its modern counterparts in the area. If they took down that parking garage at 300 N. La Salle and put up a nice office tower....well, that would be a big step in the right direction for that La Salle/River area.

I'm just glad that hideous parking lot is going!!

^ How about something ultramodern there? That's the one thing we don't have on our river. I'm kind of picturing something with a facade like that Jewish Museum on Michigan.

Don't get me wrong JB - I agree that the Sterling is miles ahead of 400 N. LaSalle (and even Grand Plaza), but, how much does that really say? :)

Osh - The building you're referring to on Michigan is the Spertus Institute for Jewish Studies by Kreuck and Sexton.

^ It doesn't say a whole lot because those buildings, for the most part, stink. I'm just making the case that if the Sterling is "horrid" then I'd be hard pressed to come up with the words for Grand Plaza, 400 N. La Salle, etc. The Sterling is a superior building to many of the other newer developments in that area....say from the river to Ohio, La Salle to State St.

No argument here. There aren't words to describe the pile that is 400 N. :)

I don't hate 400 N LaSalle. At least it isn't trying to be something that it isn't.

RE: The attempt to look like a Parisian Townhouse, at 840 N Lake Shore Drive. (The building on the right.)

http://www.lrrealty.com/images/LandmarkProperties/LuxuryHomes/02b1_lakeshorepark.jpg

^You don't like 840 N LSD? You must be kidding!

Sure, it's a copycat-style building, but it's fucking beautiful.

Oh, and don't forget, art deco and Greek Revival buildings in the 1910's and 1920's also copied older styles. But we still love them, don't we?

I'm all for new and modern, but a smattering of buildings built in older styles isn't necessarily a bad thing. Chicago is a classy city and should retain a classy look. Of course, the Grand twins are pure shit, no class in those...

Dev!!!! I'm disappointed!!!!!!! 840 is barely shy of masterpiece status in my book. I don't think it makes an attempt to be something that it isn't: it is a classy building on a classy site with a classy design. It's not bogged down in ornament or theory... it just is what it is - a near flawless marriage of classic and post-modern architecture.

If you want to define anything that is not built in the architectural style-de-jour as plagiarism... we would end up with a very stagnate city.

As far as 400 N. LaSalle... what is there to like? It's a curvier version of Plaza 440 (a very ugly building in its own right) with a downright aweful color palette.

OK, OK, I can feel the wet noodles whipping across my backside.

It's just that I am not offended by 400 N LaSalle, and I like the fact that is isn't white, or light beige or light gray.

As for 840 N LSD, well.... I am just not a fan of the faux mansard roof thing. This isn't Paris, it isn't the 1920's, and while it certainly could be worse (like Grand Plaza, what a mistake, make that a double mistake), I am not convinced that this was a good choice for that plot of land.

400 N. Lasalle doesn't offend me as much as some of the others. it's by no means a great building, but i can at least respect it for trying to do something other than a rigid orthagonal box with its concrete structure. it isn't marina city by any stretch of the imagination, but the curves and articulations in the facade give an indication that the architects were at least awake and conscious when designing the tower, unlike grand plaza.

840 N LSD is just kinda a funny to me, i get a kick out out of it simply because its so ridiculous. again, it's not a great building, but at least it's got some comedic value.

as for the topic of this thread, emporis has this 50 story proposal listed as an "never built" project. anyone know what gives?

Probably an old project. Maybe the old one got approved, so this developer knows that if he generally stays with the same scale, it's going to get approved without a hassle?

And back off-topic we go :) Weeeeeee!!! At any rate... belive me Dev... it's not the stone color on 400 N. that bothers me - it's the color of the windows! Could the teal be any more offensive?! I think not :)

I will agree, however, that at least it looks like it was designed by an architect rather than the construction crew that was charged with building it.

The tower proposed for that parking garage at La Salle and the rivver now has an architect chosen! This is from the Tribune Today:

Architect chosen: Jon Pickard, an architect with rising national prominence, has been hired to design the riverfront office skyscraper at 300 N. LaSalle St. proposed by Hines Real Estate Interests LP, confirmed Gregory Van Schaack, a senior vice president in Hines' Chicago office.

Pickard, 50, a former associate of Cesar Pelli, is design principal with New Haven, Conn.-based Pickard Chilton Architects Inc., which he co-founded in 1997.


Here's some pics of Pickard's work. Looking at these photos makes me REALLY REALLY excited about this project, especially the symphony center project below! Hopefully Hines won't be cheap with this design because this site on the river deserves a REALLY GOOD DESIGN. If this firm does produce the high quality work they've produced in the past the design for this tower will look really really GOOD with Trump and Waterview down the river.

Here's some current/previous work by them from their website
www.pickardchilton.com/proj_calpers_01.html (http://)

50 stories, Atlanta

http://www.pickardchilton.com/imgs/symphony_main_1.jpg

http://www.pickardchilton.com/imgs/peachtree_main_2.jpg


This is a design for a 40 story tower in Houston

http://www.pickardchilton.com/imgs/aimhq_main_1.jpg

http://www.pickardchilton.com/imgs/aimhq_main_5.jpg

http://www.pickardchilton.com/imgs/aimhq_main_2.jpg


A 25 story mid-size tower in Atlanta for merril lynch

http://www.pickardchilton.com/imgs/pinnacle_01.jpg

Columbus tower, a 40 story building in Miami

http://www.pickardchilton.com/imgs/columbus_main_01.jpg


A proposed office building for Atlanta

http://www.pickardchilton.com/imgs/50_allenplaza_main_2.jpg

http://www.pickardchilton.com/imgs/50_allenplaza_main_5.jpg


This is 26 story tower in Montreal that was Financed by Hines. Hopefully this serves as being some proof that hines cares about design.

http://www.pickardchilton.com/imgs/maisonneuve_main_1.jpg

http://www.pickardchilton.com/imgs/maisonneuve_main_2.jpg


NOT EVERY BUILDING BY PICKARD CHILTON IS GOOD THOUGH, so we shouldn't be completely confident about this one.

here are some less foward thinking and thrilling designs

http://www.pickardchilton.com/imgs/potomac_main_1.jpg

http://www.pickardchilton.com/imgs/wachovia_main_1.jpg

http://www.pickardchilton.com/imgs/glenlake_01.jpg

http://www.pickardchilton.com/imgs/river_east_main_01.jpg

This is great to dream about, but I don't see how this tower can get built in this environment. Granted that commercial construction has continued apace despite a supply/demand imbalance. But predictions from Grubb & Ellis real estate are that downtown vacancies will not shrink this year. At some point construction will stop until demand catches up with supply.

Its kinda small and you cant really see detail but here it is:

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y119/Chgo83/Picture.jpg

http://img201.echo.cx/img201/3623/14bo2.jpg

it seems a lot shorter then 50 storeys.

i'm guessing no ground level retail? i don't like the base at all.

it seems a lot shorter then 50 storeys.

There's been a mix-up on this post. The renderings of the 2-building complex that were posted are not the renderings for the original topic of this post. The 2-building project is proposed for the west Loop, between Madison and Monroe near the Kennedy Expy. The 50-story building that is the topic of this thread is proposed for a site on the north side of the main branch of the Chicago River.

Maybe this is just wishful thinking, but I imagine these drawings are so preliminary as to make the probability the final design will look like this is pretty slim. The probably of this thing getting off the ground is pretty low at this point, I would think. Like 10%.

wow, another Building on the river?? Good news, but the building dont look futuristic

wow, another Building on the river?? Good news, but the building dont look futuristic

The picture is of another building...not the one at 300 N LaSalle. The one depicted in the photo is a building being built next to the Kennedy on the west side of downtown.

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y119/Chgo83/Picture.jpg

OOOG who's the moron that caused all this confusion???? The shitty rendeering scanned form the paper HAS NOTHING TO DO with THiS!!!!! IT's something completely different!

OOOG who's the moron that caused all this confusion???? The shitty rendeering scanned form the paper HAS NOTHING TO DO with THiS!!!!! IT's something completely different!

3 of already pointed that out.....ooog...... :cheers:

OOOG who's the moron that caused all this confusion???? The shitty rendeering scanned form the paper HAS NOTHING TO DO with THiS!!!!! IT's something completely different!

Sorry if I caused confusion.

I guess that I figured people were intelligent enough to realize this wasn't the 50-story tower proposed for the site along the river, seeing as the image lacks the river and Presidential Tower as clearly visible to the left.

My mistake. I guess I should have posted the image somewhere else.

I'll try not to let it happen again.

This thread is getting intense! I figure I'll throw some nonsense into it:

Oog: "So there me was beating boulder into powder because me couldn't eat it, and magic ball land in lap. Naturally me think, "All right, free egg." because... me stupid and me caveman. So me spent about three days humping and bust open with thigh bone so me could eat it good. Then magic ball shoot Oog with beam, and next thing me know me go out and invent wheel out of dinosaur brain. Magic dino wheel rolls for three short distance until me eat it. The point is, me get smarter. Soon me walk upright, me feather back dirty matted hair into wings for style, and me stop to use bathroom as opposed to me just doing it as me walk. "

bonus points for getting the reference...

aqua teen hunger force! :D

DUDE! Your getting a EUTBGHFFHSHFG! Now with Legends of Soltare! ;)

Sorry if I caused confusion.

I guess that I figured people were intelligent enough to realize this wasn't the 50-story tower proposed for the site along the river, seeing as the image lacks the river and Presidential Tower as clearly visible to the left.

My mistake. I guess I should have posted the image somewhere else.

I'll try not to let it happen again.

You sir can post anything and anywhere! You have earned that right! You are my Chicago fix!!!

I know that I actually read the writing on the newspaper clipping and figured out it wasn't the same building as the one on the river. But then again....who reads anymore?

Thanks BVictor for ALL of your contributions to both sites!!!!

OOOG who's the moron that caused all this confusion???? The shitty rendeering scanned form the paper HAS NOTHING TO DO with THiS!!!!! IT's something completely different!

^Man, your attitude is completely uncalled for.

I am sick of your rude comments towards many of us. I really hope you get banned soon

I heartily second that TUP!

^Man, your attitude is completely uncalled for.

I am sick of your rude comments towards many of us. I really hope you get banned soon

Hence my reference to Oog.

^Man, your attitude is completely uncalled for.

I am sick of your rude comments towards many of us. I really hope you get banned soon

Sorry TUP i spent a good deal of time putting together that update on the LaSalle street tower. I copied all those pictures and rendeerings of previous projects by the now selected architecture firm and i really wanted to share the excitement i had towards this project. But then someone comes along and makes "a boo boo" and causes confusion and now has hijacked the direction i was trying to take this thread. people have forgotten about what i even posted in the first place! Is that a reason to be mad? Oh ya TUP, just as you hope "i get banned soon", i hope someday you look at a map of chicago

Play nicely kids.

Anyways, any other news on the 50 story office tower?

You sir can post anything and anywhere! You have earned that right! You are my Chicago fix!!!

I know that I actually read the writing on the newspaper clipping and figured out it wasn't the same building as the one on the river. But then again....who reads anymore?

Thanks BVictor for ALL of your contributions to both sites!!!!

Thanks dude!!

And you know what I just realized? I'm the one who started this damned thread, so I will post what ever the I feel like in it.

No, there's no news on this building. I will see if there is any information at city hall when I get a chance. I'm not sure if office towers need a planned development like residential towers do.

The most recent news is the choice of an architect. And seeing as this will be an office tower, i'm assuming it will break the 600' mark.

Oh ya TUP, just as you hope "i get banned soon", i hope someday you look at a map of chicago

^ Perhaps that was a bit harsh.

I'm sure actually living in Chicago affords you some advantage in knowing the location of everything, but then certainly that has never crossed your brilliant mind...

Thanks dude!!

And you know what I just realized? I'm the one who started this damned thread, so I will post what ever the I feel like in it.

No, there's no news on this building. I will see if there is any information at city hall when I get a chance. I'm not sure if office towers need a planned development like residential towers do.

The most recent news is the choice of an architect. And seeing as this will be an office tower, i'm assuming it will break the 600' mark.

^Thanks, BV. Your posts are much more useful and insightful, and we enjoy reading them. You don't insult and annoy us, and don't be offended by the posts of people who do :)

kool another office tower yeah.

any pictures of it i would like to see some.

^ Perhaps that was a bit harsh.

I'm sure actually living in Chicago affords you some advantage in knowing the location of everything, but then certainly that has never crossed your brilliant mind...

Oh and the fact that you hope i get banned soon isn't harsh????? in fact i'm offended by that comment by itself! maybe you yourself should get banned along with me for being offensive! haha TUP looks like you're not a level above me like you thought you were!!!

Oh and the fact that you hope i get banned soon isn't harsh????? in fact i'm offended by that comment by itself! maybe you yourself should get banned along with me for being offensive! haha TUP looks like you're not a level above me like you thought you were!!!

^Actually I was referring to my own comment (for you to get banned) when I said "that was too harsh". But considering the maturity that you have displayed, I recant it.

ThirdCoast, lets please move on. If you want to pick fights on this forum then just leave--we all have real lives here, this forum is to discuss skyscrapers without getting attacked by people--ie, you..

Seriously Butler... rofl... you know you can pretty much do anything you'd like here :) And as far as ThirdCoast calling you a moron? I'm fairly certain that he didn't bother to look who posted the picture before he started slinging mud. I highly doubt he could have mistaken you for a moron (despite the occassional mispelling :P). Anyone who didn't realize that we were talking about two different projects needs to pay a little closer attention - it's not like it was difficult to figure out... Presidential Towers = not near the river.

Seriously Butler... rofl... you know you can pretty much do anything you'd like here :) And as far as ThirdCoast calling you a moron? I'm fairly certain that he didn't bother to look who posted the picture before he started slinging mud. I highly doubt he could have mistaken you for a moron (despite the occassional mispelling :P). Anyone who didn't realize that we were talking about two different projects needs to pay a little closer attention - it's not like it was difficult to figure out... Presidential Towers = not near the river.

I not really concerned about it. I was pissed and annoyed for a few moments, but i'm all good. The next time I go to city hall, i'm going to see if office towers have to fill out planned developments. if they do, maybe they'll have a preliminary height figure.

Spelling huh :)

I just wouldn't expect to see your name plastered across the bottom of ESPN8 during the next spelling bee :) *uhh... not that i watch those stupid things!

despite the occassional mispelling :P

*cough* irony *cough*

"misspell" is one of the most frequently misspelled words in the English language

(followed closely by floccinaucinihilipilification)

*cough* the irony of the irony *cough*

you missed the joke sim :) misspell was misspelled intentionally :)

*cough* i'm a doofus *cough*

:) lol

Riverfront site's liable to reel in a big catch

May 11, 2005

BY DAVID ROEDER SUN-TIMES COLUMNIST



They can't help themselves. Chicago's law firms love to anchor new downtown office towers. The latest to be tempted is Kirkland & Ellis LLP.

The firm is close to signing as the anchor tenant for a new skyscraper at 300 N. LaSalle on the north bank of the Chicago River. Steve Stratton, managing principal of Staubach Co., said the firm is in advanced talks with the site's developer, Hines Interests LP. Stratton, who has represented Kirkland to several developers touting sites for new high-rises, said the firm is looking for about 600,000 square feet.

"It's getting close to being finalized, but it's not done yet,'' said Stratton, who guessed that a lease might be finished in anywhere from "30 days to six months.'' Another option is for the firm to retain its existing East Loop space, most of which is in the Aon Center. Wells Real Estate Investment Trust Inc. owns Aon and is trying hard to keep Kirkland.

"They've put about $50 million in electrical upgrades and elevator upgrades,'' said Douglas McLemore, executive director at Kirkland. "We think there's more to be done and that's where we are.'' He said the firm, the third largest in Chicago, is "in the final stages of analysis'' on its space situation.

Hines has hired noted architect Jon Pickard for the project, but has yet to say how much it wants to build.

The site currently has a parking garage. Stratton and Kirkland could move in 2009 or 2010.

I am so excited about this project. It will go a long way toward making the view corridor looking north on LaSalle as impressive as that looking south. Although, it never ceases to amaze me how much space some of these law firms require!

^ Yes, the space of some of these law firms far exceeds much larger companies. I suppose every partner requires a large office?!?

Kirkland firm joins flight to new towers
Lawyers shaking up downtown market

By Thomas A. Corfman
Tribune staff reporter
Published June 10, 2005

In a move sure to shake up the downtown office market, Kirkland & Ellis LLP has signed a tentative agreement to anchor a skyscraper proposed by Hines Real Estate Interests LP for a site along the Chicago River at LaSalle Street.

The 1,000-lawyer firm has signed a non-binding letter of intent to lease 600,000 square feet in the tower, to be completed in 2009, confirmed Douglas McLemore, administrator of the firm, which is being advised by real estate firm Staubach Co.

The new tower, with an address of 300 N. LaSalle St., will have at least 1.1 million square feet of space, said Gregory Van Schaack, a senior vice president in Hines' Chicago office. A deal with Hines had been expected since late February, when Kirkland began talks with developers.

Kirkland would be the third big law firm to move to a new high-rise, joining rivals Mayer, Brown, Rowe & Maw LLP and Sidley Austin Brown & Wood LLP.

Kirkland expects the 55-story tower, to be designed by architect Jon Pickard of New Haven, Conn.-based Pickard Chilton Architects Inc., to give the firm renewed prominence.

"We talk about taking the architectural tour down the river and it be pointed out that it's a noteworthy building that houses Kirkland & Ellis," McLemore said.

The deal, one of the largest leases in the city's history, reflects several trends in the downtown market, including the strong growth of law firms and the magnetic attraction that new office towers seemingly have for tenants.

Kirkland would move from Aon Center, its home since 1972, becoming the latest big-name tenant to migrate westward from an area that was once a premier office location.

"The East Loop is always the poster child of market abuse," said Richard Schuham, executive vice president with tenant representative firm Studley Inc., which isn't involved in the deal.

Kirkland is the second-largest tenant in Aon Center, 200 E. Randolph St., with about 450,000 square feet of space

Aon Center's owner, Wells Real Estate Funds, held out some hope that talks with Kirkland might resume, noting that most of the firm's space in the prominent 80-story tower is under lease until 2011.

"If it doesn't work out, given the lead time and the fact that it is the Aon Center, we are certainly optimistic about our ability to re-lease that space at appropriate terms," said Richard Matthews, a spokesman for the suburban Atlanta real estate firm.

Ironically, the former Amoco Building was renamed Aon Center in 1999 after the Chicago-based insurance firm moved to the building from Wacker Drive, a rare instance of a high-profile tenant moving eastward.

But in recent years many tenants have taken advantage of new office towers that are closer to the commuter train stations and expressways. Mayer Brown, for example, is moving from 190 S. LaSalle St. to Hyatt Center at 71 S. Wacker Drive later this year.

Yet Kirkland isn't moving as far west as some others, such as Deloitte & Touche LLP, which this year is moving to 111 S. Wacker Drive, where it will be the lead tenant in a 51-story skyscraper developed by Chicago-based John Buck Co. The accounting giant is moving its main Chicago office from Two Prudential Plaza, 180 N. Stetson Ave., which was built during the last building boom in the 1980s.

Kirkland also has about 100,000 square feet of space in the nearby One Prudential Plaza, 130 E. Randolph St.

The opportunity to consolidate offices into a single building was an important factor in Kirkland's decision, but the move won't come cheap.

At the new tower, sources said, Kirkland will nearly double its net rent, which in 2003 was $13.67 a square foot for most of its space, according to Wells.

McLemore declined comment on the lease terms, but noted that net rent is only one of several cost factors.

Operating expenses will be substantially lower in the new building, McLemore said. They are about $8.65 a square foot in Aon Center, according to an estimate by real estate research firm CoStar Group.

Because of the expected growth in the size of the firm, Kirkland thinks it would need about 750,000 square feet by 2009 if it stayed put. It expects to reduce that amount by about 25 percent at 300 N. LaSalle St. through several factors, including more efficient design and slightly smaller lawyers' offices. And those savings will multiply if Kirkland expands. The firm has an option to increase its space by 300,000 square feet.

In the new tower the floors will average about 26,000 square feet, said Hines' Van Schaack. Kirkland's space will probably be located below the 38th floor, leaving the top floors, which typically command higher rents, still to lease.

The new tower would be the third Chicago office building that Houston-based Hines has developed with a law firm anchor tenant. The others are 191 N. Wacker Drive., completed in 2002 and anchored by Gardner Carton & Douglas, and 1 S. Dearborn St., to be completed later this year and anchored by Sidley Austin.

"We've been able to show Kirkland what we've done for others," Van Schaack said.

----------

tcorfman@tribune.com

This is great news. I'm really geeked about this project - I've hated that parking structure for years!

This is great news. I'm really geeked about this project - I've hated that parking structure for years!
:cheers1:

This proposal is just the latest that have been planned for this location. . . in fact we added it in Emporis back in 2001. . . it's really no surprise that the site has been underutilized for so long but it would be good to finally see something being built. . .

This is great news. I'm really geeked about this project - I've hated that parking structure for years!

Is this the parking lot on the North Side of the Chicago river that is visible from a Brown Line train on the East Side of the tracks going north?

Is this the parking lot on the North Side of the Chicago river that is visible from a Brown Line train on the East Side of the tracks going north?

Yep.

I'd really rather see that site redeveloped when there is surplus demand, rather than this musical chairs business.

I'd really rather see that site redeveloped when there is surplus demand, rather than this musical chairs business.

Here's to hoping that many of the older, "abandoned" office spaces convert to residential condos! :cheers:

Is this the parking lot on the North Side of the Chicago river that is visible from a Brown Line train on the East Side of the tracks going north?

Can somebody be more specific? Is this a "lot" or a garage? And is it one of those cheap 1970's garages that look like my mom's ass, or is it one of those "garages in cognito" or whatever?

^ as much as i might like to think i am, i'm just not terribly familiar with your mother's ass, but i can tell you that it is a nasty 60s multilevel parking garage right on the main branch of the river. this site has been begging for redevelopment for far too long.

but i can tell you that it is a nasty 60s multilevel parking garage .

Wouldn't that be: a "nasty ass" 60s multilevel parking garage? Just wonderin...

The parking garage is unbelievably hideous. As much as I would like redevelopment to wait for office demand to catch up with supply, I will savor the destruction of that garage.

i googled 300 north lasalle and a website came up with 4 interesting renderings, however its titled 1997 and 70 stories. looks to me to be dead but skyscrapers.com has a 55 floor building proposed @ 300 n lasalle. btw project 2000 was planned here or vision watever it is was supposed to be around 1900 ft, just an interesting observation during a time of 2000ft towers.300 n lasalle (http://www.bofill.com/website-ingles/proyectos/300Northlasalle.htm) wondering if there was any info floating around

There's already a thread about this project.

Please visit http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=167200 for more information.

woops i didnt realize they were the same

60-story plan for Loop flies under radar

July 29, 2005

BY DAVID ROEDER Business Reporter



Chicago is getting a new skyscraper by a noted architect. Only this project doesn't aspire to any height records.

It's a 60-story office building planned for 300 N. La Salle, on the north bank of the Chicago River. Houston-based developer Hines Interests LP has applied for a zoning change on the property and submitted to city officials a design by architect Jon Pickard.

As an associate of Cesar Pelli, Pickard collaborated on such projects as the Petronas Towers in Malaysia, once the world's tallest, and Chicago's 181 W. Madison tower, which opened in 1990. Pickard's New Haven, Conn.-based firm, Pickard Chilton, opened in 1997.

His Chicago project will attract less attention and public comment than the proposal disclosed this week for a "nation's tallest building'' on the city's lakefront. Architect Santiago Calatrava's design tops out at about 2,000 feet tall, but faces significant regulatory, financial and political obstacles.

Hines Senior Vice President Greg Van Schaack had that deal in mind when he said this about his Pickard building: "I'll tell you this much. It's real. It's going to be built.''

The law firm Kirkland & Ellis LLP has signed a 20-year lease for 600,000 square feet in the 1.3-million-square-foot building. Van Schaack said Kirkland will take lower floors while he hopes to sign a corporate headquarters for the upper floors.

Hines has a contract to acquire the site for about $35 million. The selling interests are led by developer Michael Reschke, who once toyed with a design for a "world's tallest building'' on the site.

Van Schaack said that assuming zoning approval is granted, he hopes to begin construction in spring of 2006 and finish it in November of 2008. A parking garage sits on the property.

It's a roughly $400 million project that probably will get an equity investment from a Hines development fund, Van Schaack said.

Pickard's design of glass and stainless steel includes Art Deco elements. The building will include underground parking for 225 cars and a 40-foot setback from the river, Van Schaack said.

Sounds like a great "little" project. Unlike the Fordham or others in the 90 story range, a 60 story project is barely a blip in the Chicago media. No big deal nowadays. I will tell you this, I'll bet my left toe that this project will be completed in a couple of years time. How many people would say that about the Fordham Spire?

wow! now piano, calatrava, and pelli all have buildings planned in chicago

wow! now piano, calatrava, and pelli all have buildings planned in chicago


It's not Pelli. The architect is Jon Pickard and at one time he worked with Cesar Pelli. He now has his own firm.

o i see but 2 is still pretty good

Here be what she be looking like:
http://www.torchia.com/rc/images/300NorthLaSalle_opt.jpg

Looks quite big. Thanks for the scan (or repost). Cheap suntimes.com

So it will be more of a retro look a la NBC Tower? (Not saying I don't like NBC Tower -- I like it quite a bit.) But I expected something modern rather than post-modern, judging from the architecture firm's website.

I was thinking NBC Tower too...

Loving the setback from the river. This will add to the riverwalk/ riverbank plazas nicely. Chicago's other shoreline is comming along quite nicely. Lets keep it going.

Maybe it's just the massing, but it really reminds me of 181 West Madison. If this dude used to work in Pelli's office, there could be a little influence there.

Either way, I'm just happy to be getting some office space in River North.

Yeah, I'm not sure that I would start drawing comparisons to NBC Tower just yet... this project looks MUCH glassier. It might be the few buttresses protruding from the roofline that are catching everyone's eyes.

It's good to see a touch of office in River North--it gives River North more of a mixed-use function while still keeping the office space near the transit-heavy loop.

This building will also add to the LaSalle St streetwall north of the river--something that continues to contain gaps. According the the Central Area Plan, LaSalle St north of the river will mainly contain luxury residential, as the city (in their own words) proclaimed that they want LaSalle to eventually become Chicago's version of Park Avenue.

This building will also add to the LaSalle St streetwall north of the river--something that continues to contain gaps.
That's a really good point. Dearborn and State have both gained a stronger streetwall in the past few years. Even if it is just the addition of painted concrete residential towers, the dynamic of, say, taking the el down Lake Street and looking north has changed dramatically of late. The Loop doesn't drop off at the river any more. Little by little the skyscape is gaining interest and depth. A few good projects to inject some street level interest and the River North could start to get interesting again.

You can see La Salle as Chicago's Park Avenue. We talking the whole stretch too, from North Avenue to Jackson. Its just that area south of Chicago to the River that needs more development.

Agreed. Once all the low-rise shit that dots LaSalle has disappeared, it will easily be the most beautiful corridor in the City - perfectly capped on the south by CBOT.

Agreed. Once all the low-rise shit that dots LaSalle has disappeared, it will easily be the most beautiful corridor in the City - perfectly capped on the south by CBOT.

^Actually, I'm hoping they preserve at least some of those low-rise brick buildings. I am all about character, and I don't want River North to turn into a sterile environment. Perhaps preserving facades?

please no more faux bullshit!! you can't make a cheap compromise like that!! sorry it's either preservation or destruction. a dual identity does no good

Completely disagree ThirdCoast. A well preserved facade (see those on the Heritage) is every bit as effective as the original - especially when the tower above is set back so far that it's hard to even make a visual connection between the two from street-level.

I agree with Geoff Diamond, in part because the restored facades look A LOT better. Had the buildings continued to be used as is, there may not have been the money available to restore them to such pristine quality.

I also went down to city hall today to get a copy of the zoning application. The application states that the building will be 745'. But this isn't entirely accutare because I can clearly see a mechanical penthouse and screen that rises above the last occupiable floor which is Floor 57 (743' 6"). The penthouse clearly rises about 30' above that.

Good work. 700+ is a solid height (775, right?)
The canyon is taking shape more and more. :cool:

Excellent. Has this already passed through the Plan Commission?

Excellent. Has this already passed through the Plan Commission?

No, they just filed the application for a change in zoning. It will probably be several months before it comes up before the plan commission.

Here are those crappy images of 300 North LaSalle from the copy of the zoning application.

http://img291.imageshack.us/img291/5874/300nlasalle16tp.png

http://img291.imageshack.us/img291/5347/300nlasalle27dv.png

Thanks for the info Butler. I'll hold off any judgement on the tower until we can see some better renderings. Looks decent so far though.

I just talked to a gentleman from Hines about 300 North LaSalle, and he told me that at this time they couldn't release a color rendering, but that I could call back in about a month, and he could possibly send me that information.

The height's that I listed yesterday are pretty close. He didn't have the height of the building to the top of the blades.

He also told me that there is a possibility that they might go higher. I told him the higher the better, and he agreed.

Higher? Nice :cheers:
Good work again

Tall is quite excellent.

Screw that John Buck bullshit, I think this needs to get built!

It replaces a piece of shit garage, it's tall, it's design is nice, and it adds a tidbit of office space just north of the river. Now that's good planning

Screw Wacker Plaza!?!? Or are you referring to the one on the west bank of the river just south of the fork?

HINES SIGNS KIRKLAND & ELLIS TO 600,000-SQUARE-FOOT LEASE
Firm Will Anchor 1.3 Million-Square-Foot Downtown Chicago Office Tower

8/26/2005


(CHICAGO, IL) – The Chicago office of Hines, the international real estate firm, announced today that the international law firm of Kirkland & Ellis LLP has signed a 600,000-square-foot lease, and will serve as the anchor tenant for 300 North LaSalle, a new downtown office tower to be developed by Hines. Located on the north bank of the Chicago River, the 60-story, 1.3-million-square-foot tower will break ground in Spring 2006. Upon project completion in early 2009, Kirkland & Ellis will relocate its 1,400 Chicago office employees to 300 North LaSalle from 200 E. Randolph Drive, where they have officed since 1973.

“We are fortunate to have partnered with a renowned developer on one of the last great development sites on the River, and are genuinely excited to provide a truly world-class new home for Kirkland lawyers and staff, one that will provide an environment in which the needs of our clients and people will be very well served,” said Stephen G. Tomlinson, a partner at Kirkland.

The firm will occupy 24 floors in the low-rise and mid-rise sections of the building leaving more than 400,000 square feet of high-rise space for speculative leasing.

“Since the vacancy rate for high-rise space is about two percent, we feel confident that we can attract other premier users to the building,” said Hines Vice President John McDermott.

Designed by the internationally recognized architectural firm Pickard Chilton, 300 North LaSalle will continue the extraordinary tradition of Chicago architecture. The tower will rise to 775 feet, making it one of the city’s tallest buildings. The building’s façade will be clad in richly articulated glass and stainless steel, maximizing the introduction of daylight and minimizing solar gain. With over 200 feet of frontage along the Chicago River, the building’s outdoor plaza will feature a large waterfront café and significant seating areas directly adjacent to the river. Other building amenities will include a three-level, 225-car parking garage, an additional white-tablecloth restaurant, a fitness center, a conference center, a bank and a sundry shop.

“Chicago is the birthplace of the skyscraper,” noted Jon Pickard of Pickard Chilton. “We are honored to contribute to the vitality of this great American city.”

“300 North LaSalle is designed to meet the sophisticated and dynamic requirements of Kirkland & Ellis,” said Greg Van Schaack, a senior vice president in Hines’ Chicago regional office. “The building will provide superior planning flexibilities, an abundance of natural light and views, as well as an array of amenities.”

Hines also stated that it intends to achieve LEED certification from the U.S. Green Building Council, which would establish the building as a major sustainable design development. Hines’ most recent Chicago development, One South Dearborn, was pre-certified LEED Silver for its green design features.

Kirkland & Ellis was represented in the strategic planning process leading to the lease transaction by a team comprised of: Steve Stratton and Jock Howland from The Staubach Company; the architectural firm of Skidmore Owings & Merrill, which has worked closely with Kirkland on design matters relating to the building and the space to be occupied by Kirkland; and David Crowell of The Rise Group, who will act as project manager on Kirkland’s behalf.

“The new building truly is a reflection of Kirkland & Ellis. After thoughtfully evaluating multiple workplace scenarios, the Space Committee defined an ideal building’s size and floor plate, then considered every viable development site, and finally selected Hines and its property based on location and their ability to create a world-class building to house the firm in a flexible and cost efficient workplace for the next 20+ years,” said Steve Stratton, president of The Staubach Company’s Chicago office.

Hines was represented in lease negotiations by Van Schaack and McDermott.

Established in Chicago in 1908, Kirkland & Ellis also has offices in San Francisco, London, Los Angeles, Munich, New York and Washington, D.C. The law firm employs 1,000 attorneys representing global clients in complex restructuring, corporate, litigation and intellectual property.

Pickard Chilton is noted for its expertise in the design of corporate and professional office buildings. Recently completed projects include: 1180 Peachtree, a 50-story skyscraper in Atlanta for Hines, and the CalPERS Headquarters Complex in Sacramento. Pickard Chilton maintains a global practice. The firm is currently designing corporate headquarters and skyscrapers in Houston, Montreal, Kuala Lumpur and Shanghai. Prior to founding Pickard Chilton, Jon Pickard was Senior Associate with Cesar Pelli & Associates and collaborated with Mr. Pelli on landmark projects including the Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Hines is a privately owned real estate firm involved in real estate investment, development and property management worldwide. The Hines portfolio of projects completed, underway, acquired and managed for third parties includes more than 800 properties representing over 285 million square feet of office, mixed-use, industrial, hotel, medical, sports facilities and residential properties, as well as large, master-planned communities and land developments. Hines entered the Chicago market in 1981 with the development of downtown’s Three First National Plaza. Its Chicago-area office portfolio currently tops eight million square feet. With offices in 63 U.S. cities and 13 foreign countries, and controlled assets valued at approximately $11 billion, Hines is one of the largest real estate organizations in the world. Access www.hines.com for more information.

The tower will rise to 775 feet, making it one of the city’s tallest buildings.

Not to be hyper-sensitve but does it sound like Chicago is a second-tier city?

^I thought the article in general portrayed Chicago in a very flattering manner. 775 ft is a bit short to be calling it one of the city's tallest though. There are a lot of buildings above that but I guess the phrase was used loosely.

Originally posted by Norsider in SSP forums.

Hope this works.

http://photos31.flickr.com/37439462_3ec2c7ac27_b.jpg


Update: I figured out how to make the picture a bit bigger.

Just about to post that Victor! Anyway, that's just awesome. The lighting scheme should be nice.

Any renderings of this yet BVictor or too early yet?
Did I read you are at IIT for architecture....good luck. I graduated from there in 2001 MS in com sci. Now i'm there for law school.


Not to be hyper-sensitve but does it sound like Chicago is a second-tier city?


At 775 I think it will be around 11th currently but if stuff proposed / uc above are built as well it will around 17th or so not too shabby I think. hell 775 in ny it would currently be 14th and if stuff above that that is proposed / ap / uc is built would be 20th, I would hardly consider ny second tier and we are not that far behind.

Man BVictor you are fast, while I was writing my earlier response you had it up....sorry. Looks pretty damn cool though....now if we can rid of a few more of those old mid-rises along the river we'll have grand canyon chicago.

Thanks for colored rendering! Very nice! It looks like it require demolition of former Helene Curtis (right?) bldg.

Thanks for colored rendering! Very nice! It looks like it require demolition of former Helene Curtis (right?) bldg.

Helene Curtis is still there, it's on the left of the new building. The only thing coming down is the parking garage.


Man BVictor you are fast, while I was writing my earlier response you had it up....sorry. Looks pretty damn cool though....now if we can rid of a few more of those old mid-rises along the river we'll have grand canyon chicago.


No. Those old building need to stay. Can't have everything new. Need a bit of old Chicago charm.

Helene Curtis is still there, it's on the left of the new building. The only thing coming down is the parking garage.





No. Those old building need to stay. Can't have everything new. Need a bit of old Chicago charm.


Yeah you are probably right I like my buildings big and tall and get over exuberant about new skyscraper development.....just like the awesome nature of them you know

My mistake! Not on the left of new tower. The other red brick building that was a bit further back from the river.

My mistake! Not on the left of new tower. The other red brick building that was a bit further back from the river.

No, I don't think that it will be demolished. The will be using air rights to build over part of Carroll Street. But I don't think the other building gets demolished. You're just so used to seeing it.

No, I don't think that it will be demolished. The will be using air rights to build over part of Carroll Street. But I don't think the other building gets demolished. You're just so used to seeing it.
That's it! Thanks for explanation. Good thing that bldg will be saved.

I love this tower. I just hope everything goes as planned!

It will get built because of that large firm moving in. Thats all it takes these days, 1 giant firm to grab hundreds of thousands of sq ft. There was a article that a few months ago saying there are some 10-15 sites in the Loop, West Loop that could add several large office buildings because so many large firms leases are up in 2008 or 2009.

Elegant tower -- modernized Art Deco articulation is cool. But let me be the curmudgeon. Like the owner of Italian Village, I don't want downtown to be a 'Potemkin Village.' Soaring vacancy rates... argh. Condos in Aon Center, anyone?

^If vacancy rates are soaring then wouldn't that encourage more companies to open offices in DTChi to fill the void, or am I being a hopeless optimist? The economy isn't that bad so some company must be growing.

the building is set back a little bit too far IMO.

What is currently occupying the site right now?

What is currently occupying the site right now?

An old, two-level parking structure. There is a large neon side facing the river which simply says "parking".

the building is set back a little bit too far IMO.
aside from that this building is a real beauty , though.

Kirkland & Ellis’ 600,000-SF Deal Anchors Hines Building

By Mark Ruda
Last updated: August 29, 2005 07:35am

http://www.globest.com/newspics/chi_300nlasalle.jpg
300 N. LaSalle

CHICAGO-A 1.3-million-sf office building at 300 N. LaSalle St. has become significantly less speculative. Kirkland & Ellis has signed a 600,000-sf lease, making the law firm the anchor tenant of Houston-based Hines’ building, which is scheduled to open in 2009.

Kirkland & Ellis occupies 360,000 sf at Aon Center, having expanded by 65,000 sf in a 2003 deal with Atlanta-based Wells Real Estate Funds. The law firm will move all 1,400 of its employees from 200 E. Randolph St. to 24 floors in the 60-story building that will rise on the north bank of the Chicago River. Kirkland & Ellis’ deal is for at least 20 years, according to Staubach Co. local president Steve Stratton.

Hines is proving among the most adept of signing law firms to anchor new office buildings. Sidley Austin Brown & Wood is anchoring the 820,000-sf 1 S. Dearborn building, scheduled to open in November.

Kirkland & Ellis is taking space in the low-rise and mid-rise portions of 300 N. LaSalle St., which bodes well for the leasing effort there, Hines vice president John McDermott suggests. “Since the vacancy rate for high-rise space is about 2%, we feel confident that we can attract other premier users to the building,” he says. About 400,000 sf of high-rise space remains available.

Although terms were not disclosed, Hines is asking net lease rates of $24.50 per sf at 1 S. Dearborn St., the company’s most recent Downtown development.

Vacancy in the 28.2-million-sf East Loop submarket already is 17.9%, highest Downtown, while the 11.9-million-sf River North submarket had a 14% vacancy rate this summer, according to Delta Associates.

Jock Howland joined Stratton in representing Kirkland & Ellis. The law firm’s space committee also got help from architects from Skidmore Owings & Merrill. David Crowell of the Rise Group will be Kirkland & Ellis’ project manager.

Yesterday they were testing soil on the site.

Was sort of cool to see since the borer was situated on the "ground" level of the garage and the drill extended through several levels of the parking lot before hitting the actual ground.

Good news. If only all towers could get done so quickly.

Images from the October 2005 plan commission meeting.

A nice daytime rendering.
http://img433.imageshack.us/img433/8927/p10104435yx.jpg

http://img450.imageshack.us/img450/6253/p10104425vz.jpg

A section showing the lower levels.
http://img390.imageshack.us/img390/9720/p10104478oy.jpg

Wow. Nice find. The night time rendering is still more impressive though :)

WOW, this building looks nice! I love how they tucked the parking underground--always my favorite (next to ground level retail ;) )

By the way, am I seeing a 2-level plaza there? Actually, I guess we can say one level is for the riverwalk, and the upper level is the actual buiding's plaza. Can any of you guys see what I'm talking about?

If that plaza is actually 2 levels, I will ejaculate right this instant

That's lovely TUP. Almost as lovely as the building itself.

WOW, this building looks nice! I love how they tucked the parking underground--always my favorite (next to ground level retail ;) )

By the way, am I seeing a 2-level plaza there? Actually, I guess we can say one level is for the riverwalk, and the upper level is the actual buiding's plaza. Can any of you guys see what I'm talking about?

If that plaza is actually 2 levels, I will ejaculate right this instant

I was looking at the 345 N Wells site today,
http://img521.imageshack.us/img521/5407/3008du.png

Make of it what you will.

The lower part might be the actual "riverwalk" but it looks to be connected to 300's plaza/restaurant/whatever it is.

I'm loving this one :cheers:

I really like this project alot also. I'm glad its one of the good ones I get to work on often.

Sorry for otp: richardsonhomebuyers, can you find out the info regarding an empty lot fronting NBC tower at Chicago River? It will be the residential tower designed by Helmut Jahn especially bldg height.
Just curious. :)

^i wish that one was still the som design even though i like and respect Helmut Jahn's work.

but more on topic , i always felt this one was a beauty!

Yes, this bldg is a beauty.

Hopefully, it sparks the office boom, along with picking-up-the-pace hotel boom and already-explosive residential boom.

Maybe after the huge residential/hotel boom, the office boom can start up and take us into the next decade.

Chi Coruscant sorry haven't seen anything on that building. Could be another company is doing that one.

The more secrets you reveal the higher your post count :)

Just saw today that to the very top of the building the height is 809'

^ seriously, 34' extra? Did the building increase its height or just add the spire?

Wow, another 800 footer for Chicago! Geez, these are becoming more and more plentiful in the city. More than any US city right now! Wow!!!!!

Damn. This is turning out better than I though :)

And I agree with Adam; we're becoming the Dubai of the US, except replace 2000 footers with 700-1000.

The building looks the same. Not to sure what you mean by the spire?

^^well, the original height is 775'. When you mentioned it as 809', I wondered whether the building height has increased.

oh. Well the design looks the same. But it is for sure saying height to top of building 809'

oh. Well the design looks the same. But it is for sure saying height to top of building 809'

Okay people here's the skinny... The height of 809' 9" is correct, BUT UNFORTUNATELY, 809' 9" is the height taken from CCD (Chicago City Datum). Remember, heights that are used on Emporis, this forum and the record books are taken from the main entrance. The main entrance for this building is on LaSalle Street, and the street is +25' 9" CCD. So here's what we do... 809' 9" - 25' 9" + 784' 0". That's the height of this building.

My source is from Hines Development, and I can say no more.

Oh, demolition of the parking structure should begin sometimes in March if all goes as planned.

Thank you, BVictor, for following-up. I always appreciate your sleuthings.

Thanks God, the parking structure wil disappear from Chicago River by March. :cucumber: :carrot: :pepper: :banana: :banana2:

Awesome! This is one of the most important projects in the City right now IMO. It will serve to cap the northern end of the already-famous LaSalle canyon. Great work on straightening out the height questions butler, I was assuming it was some discrepancy with the parapet before you cleared it up.

Oh, demolition of the parking structure should begin sometimes in March if all goes as planned.

Damn, March? That's awesome!

Just wondering, what is the Chicago City Datum?

I walked by the garage today and noticed a sign stating that it will close as of February 28th. This appears to confirm BVictor's estimate that demolition could start as early as March. Even if the building isn't ever built (and I'm 99% confident it will be), chalk this one up as an aesthetic win :)

Its fair that we're all excited about the aesthetic improvement a ~800 footer will grant to this presently blighted spot, but as a resident of the area, I voice a far more important excitement about the benefits this building will yield to the feeling of security, safety, and community.

At present, the west side of LaSalle between the river and Kinzie is a dark, dirty, and remote location. I don't feel comfortable with my fiancee walking through the area at night. The plaza and security presence accompanying this building will rectify that.

^^^^Wow I wonder where did you grow up

Just wondering, what is the Chicago City Datum?

I hope that this answers your question...

that's not exactly what it means. it doesn't really have anything to do with dirt or roads. what CCD (chicago city datum) refers to is the datum point for the entire city. think of it as a plane at 0'-0" that stretches across the entire city.

from the city clerk's office:
The city datum is hereby established as a plane 17.640 feet below the bench mark cut on top of the bottom stone of granite base at the southeast corner of the Northern Trust Company Bank Building at the northwest corner of S. LaSalle Street and W. Monroe Street.

I grew up in Calumet City.

I hope that this answers your question...

Thanks BVictor! It makes sense to me now, I never knew such a thing existed before I saw it on here.

Hey why not, even ugly things deserve a decent funeral. Pics taken about 3 hours ago...

http://images.snapfish.com/346448%3A%3C3%7Ffp33%3B%3Enu%3D3253%3E95%3A%3E5%3B7%3EWSNRCG%3D323355%3C397%3B23nu0mrj
http://images.snapfish.com/346448%3A%3C3%7Ffp33%3B%3Enu%3D3253%3E95%3A%3E5%3B7%3EWSNRCG%3D323355%3C397%3B24nu0mrj
http://images.snapfish.com/346448%3B32%7Ffp335%3Enu%3D3253%3E95%3A%3E5%3B7%3EWSNRCG%3D323355%3C397%3B25nu0mrj
http://images.snapfish.com/346448%3B32%7Ffp336%3Enu%3D3253%3E95%3A%3E5%3B7%3EWSNRCG%3D323355%3C397%3B27nu0mrj
http://images.snapfish.com/346448%3B32%7Ffp336%3Enu%3D3253%3E95%3A%3E5%3B7%3EWSNRCG%3D323355%3C397%3B28nu0mrj
http://images.snapfish.com/346448%3B32%7Ffp335%3Enu%3D3253%3E95%3A%3E5%3B7%3EWSNRCG%3D323355%3C397%3B2%3Anu0mrj
http://images.snapfish.com/346448%3B32%7Ffp336%3Enu%3D3253%3E95%3A%3E5%3B7%3EWSNRCG%3D323355%3C397%3B2%3Bnu0mrj
http://images.snapfish.com/346448%3B32%7Ffp342%3Enu%3D3253%3E95%3A%3E5%3B7%3EWSNRCG%3D323355%3C397%3B2%3Cnu0mrj

Okay, now that this is out of the way, LETS RIP THE FUGLY BITCH DOWN....

OH YEAH, ITS ALREADY UNDERWAY!!!!!
http://images.snapfish.com/346448%3B32%7Ffp335%3Enu%3D3253%3E95%3A%3E5%3B7%3EWSNRCG%3D323355%3C397%3B33nu0mrj
http://images.snapfish.com/346448%3B32%7Ffp335%3Enu%3D3253%3E95%3A%3E5%3B7%3EWSNRCG%3D323355%3C397%3B26nu0mrj

Steely please move this one to Site Prep/ Demo. :banana:

Excellent!!!

My feeling right now about the parking garage:
:dance: :dance: :dance: :dance: :dance: :dance:
:dance: :dance: :dance: :dance: :dance: :dance:

^^ my centiments exactly :)

this project is wayup there on my list of favs. :cheers:

Good news. This tower pwns.

http://img528.imageshack.us/img528/8748/xt5.th.jpg (http://img528.imageshack.us/my.php?image=xt5.jpg) http://img528.imageshack.us/img528/1665/xt6.th.jpg (http://img528.imageshack.us/my.php?image=xt6.jpg) http://img528.imageshack.us/img528/1056/xt7.th.jpg (http://img528.imageshack.us/my.php?image=xt7.jpg) http://img528.imageshack.us/img528/7013/xt8.th.jpg (http://img528.imageshack.us/my.php?image=xt8.jpg) http://img528.imageshack.us/img528/5576/xt9.th.jpg (http://img528.imageshack.us/my.php?image=xt9.jpg) http://img528.imageshack.us/img528/6184/xt10.th.jpg (http://img528.imageshack.us/my.php?image=xt10.jpg)

http://img528.imageshack.us/img528/5576/xt9.th.jpg

This Pic~~ MAN!!! :eek:

^It's from the Sears Tower. Time is around 5-6PM in mid June.

The death of our little fugly continues. Some pics from Monday....

http://images.snapfish.com/346633%3B47%7Ffp344%3Enu%3D3253%3E95%3A%3E5%3B7%3EWSNRCG%3D32335%3A79%3A58%3B3nu0mrj
http://images.snapfish.com/346633%3B47%7Ffp345%3Enu%3D3253%3E95%3A%3E5%3B7%3EWSNRCG%3D32335%3A79%3B7%3A%3B4nu0mrj
http://images.snapfish.com/346633%3B47%7Ffp345%3Enu%3D3253%3E95%3A%3E5%3B7%3EWSNRCG%3D32335%3A79%3B7%3A%3B5nu0mrj
http://images.snapfish.com/346633%3B47%7Ffp343%3Enu%3D3253%3E95%3A%3E5%3B7%3EWSNRCG%3D32335%3A79%3B7%3A%3B6nu0mrj
http://images.snapfish.com/346633%3B47%7Ffp345%3Enu%3D3253%3E95%3A%3E5%3B7%3EWSNRCG%3D32335%3A79%3B7%3A%3B7nu0mrj
http://images.snapfish.com/346633%3B47%7Ffp346%3Enu%3D3253%3E95%3A%3E5%3B7%3EWSNRCG%3D32335%3A79%3B7%3A%3B8nu0mrj
http://images.snapfish.com/346633%3B47%7Ffp343%3Enu%3D3253%3E95%3A%3E5%3B7%3EWSNRCG%3D32335%3A79%3B7%3A%3B%3Anu0mrj
http://images.snapfish.com/346633%3B47%7Ffp33%3B%3Enu%3D3253%3E95%3A%3E5%3B7%3EWSNRCG%3D32335%3A79%3B7%3A%3B%3Bnu0mrj
http://images.snapfish.com/346633%3B47%7Ffp33%3B%3Enu%3D3253%3E95%3A%3E5%3B7%3EWSNRCG%3D32335%3A79%3B7%3A%3B%3Cnu0mrj

^^Thanks for the updates, ChicagoShawn. :applause:

...and they all fall down...

no more neon sign

4/8/06
http://images.snapfish.com/3467758%3C4%7Ffp342%3Enu%3D3238%3E868%3E492%3EWSNRCG%3D323363%3C9%3A6%3A9%3Anu0mrj

That is so satisfying to see that come down. In the World of Ugly, that neon sign was the icing on the cake.

Hmm.. I wonder if any of our esteemed salvage places got the letters. I dunno about you, but I wouldn't mind a gigantic light-up K.

^and I'll take the light-up G.

Seriously, it's awesome to see that thing come down.

Tim - I guess you really want to see the "end" of parking, don't you? :lol:

^ Oh man was that clever! I about spit my water out all over my laptop. Oh well, at least you didn't make a gangsta comment. :yes:
Seriously though, ever since I was a lower-case g I've hated that parking structure.

5-6-06

Is there something missing?

http://img240.imageshack.us/img240/5272/13xe.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Oh yeah!!

^music to our ears.

denizen467 on SSP noticed these images on Pichard's website

Here are the images:
http://img141.imageshack.us/img141/391/lasalle300main10ns.jpg

http://img222.imageshack.us/img222/6927/lasalle300main20on.jpg
Looks very sleek

http://img222.imageshack.us/img222/4963/lasalle300main36la.jpg

http://img222.imageshack.us/img222/9915/lasalle300main47xo.jpg

http://img222.imageshack.us/img222/6948/lasalle300main56iw.jpg

sexy

:drool:

http://img222.imageshack.us/img222/9915/lasalle300main47xo.jpg


is this a rendering??????
R u serious?

Or is it a photo of a similar facade?

^^ That's my favorite shot.

That's so a photo of some other precedent! This tower is very Pelli to me :)

Any further word on progress at this site. Anyone here have any idea when copnstruction might begin. I can't wait for Trump, this and WV to grace our river

Forumly I belive Clark is getting all there subs together for this job right now. We have been sending out prints for this project on a regular basis. No idea when it will actually start though.

This building is a beauty!! Can't wait to see it go up.

Forumly I belive Clark is getting all there subs together for this job right now. We have been sending out prints for this project on a regular basis. No idea when it will actually start though.



thanks richardson

THIS BUILDING IS NOW OFFICIALLY UNDER-CONSTRUCTION

Hell fuck yes!!!

Sweet!

I posted this photo on the SkyscraperPage Forum earlier. It was taken July 25, 2006.

http://img142.imageshack.us/img142/6114/p7250100bt6.jpg

Anyone know when foundation work is supposed to start? *cough* Butler *cough* *nudge nudge*

CHICAGO-Hines has broken ground on a new 60-story, 1.5-million-sf office tower in Downtown Chicago at 300 N. LaSalle, a site situated on the north bank of the Chicago River. The project is scheduled for completion in early 2009.
The anchor tenant is the Chicago-based law firm of Kirkland & Ellis, which has signed a lease for more 600,000 sf, and will relocate its world headquarters, which includes 1,400 Chicago office employees, from 200 E. Randolph Dr.

The tower was initially financed by J.P Morgan Chase with $310 million, Greg Van Schaack, a senior vice president with Hines' regional Chicago office, tells GlobeSt.com. He adds that the financing will likely increase as the tower is developed.

Industry experts agree that the tenant is a boon for Hines, but that the Chicago commercial real estate industry could be creating a void by vacating some older buildings. The addition of an office tower to the Chicago Loop could create some dissention, says Dennis Schubert, a real estate economist with Boston-based Property & Portfolio Research.
"With the addition of new towers in the Loop, landlords are being forced to make upgrades, and the space being vacated is leaving a big void," Schubert tells GlobeSt.com.

At the same time, “Kirkland & Ellis is excited to be involved in a project that will redefine Chicago’s famous skyline,” says Kevin Evanich, a partner at Kirkland and a member of the firm’s management committee. “We look forward to seeing this project progress and creating a new world-class home for our firm."

The tower is positioned to attract additional top-tier professional firms and companies to its tenant roster, according to Greg Van Schaack, a senior vice president at Hines’ Chicago regional office. The company will occupy 24 floors in the low-rise and mid-rise sections of the building leaving some 400,000 sf of high-rise space available for additional leasing. At press time, the building was 50% preleased.

Designed by the architectural firm Pickard Chilton, 300 N. LaSalle will rise 800 feet. Its facade will be clad in articulated glass and stainless steel, which is intended to maximize daylight while minimizing the sun’s glare. With 220 feet of frontage along the Chicago River, the property’s outdoor plaza will feature a large waterfront café and significant seating areas. Other planned amenities include a three-level, 240-car parking garage, white tablecloth restaurant, fitness center, conference center, bank and sundry shop.

http://www.globest.com/news/654_654/chicago/147810-1.html

Yay!

http://img501.imageshack.us/img501/9234/building03rn7.jpg
http://img501.imageshack.us/img501/4844/building02qt1.jpg
http://img501.imageshack.us/img501/1756/building04hy1.jpg
http://img501.imageshack.us/img501/985/curtainwall01ap8.jpg
http://img501.imageshack.us/img501/1680/curtainwall03xx6.jpg
http://img501.imageshack.us/img501/4885/curtainwall04tb4.jpg

Ay, caramba!

This is officially one of my favorite new construction projects in the city right now

^^
Wow, thx for the render update spyguy!
Yea, I also really like it as well!

WOW! Thats all I can say!

I love it! The facade is very Inland Steel to me.

The caisson drilling rig is now on site. It's the same one that was at Waterview a short time ago. You can tell by the History Channel logo painted on the back.

http://img326.imageshack.us/img326/3743/p8030118ph3.jpg

^^
Nice update Retrograde! Thanks for your observation, can't wait for it to start layer up! :)

Thanks for those pics!

What a canyon Wacker will be once this at nearly 800ft, and WV at 1050 and trump at 1360+ are built.....it will be awesome

Definately! Just a few more gaps (namely on the southern branch and scattered portions of the extreme eastern main branch) need to be plugged and it will be truly perfect.

I think once the river walk is bumping and those three bad boys are near completion on the river someone big will want his ego in on the action and is going to hire N.Foster to build THE farging master piece on Wolf Point within five years EVEN if the market turns somewhat sour. Just my gut.

There's still the lot next to NBC, and all the towers that line the river in Lakeshore East. But yeah, the main branch is getting close to being complete, so it should be an awesome site for visitors doing boat tours or using the river walk.

Does anyone have any renderings with 300 Lasalle in the skyline as it will be in say 2010....ie w/ WV, TTH, hopefull Calatrava, Leagcy etc...

Will it be visible from the classic skyline east angle??

August 25, 2006

http://img225.imageshack.us/img225/5436/p8250200cg7.jpg

http://img165.imageshack.us/img165/6536/p8250192lo5.jpg

Does anyone have any renderings with 300 Lasalle in the skyline as it will be in say 2010....ie w/ WV, TTH, hopefull Calatrava, Leagcy etc...

Will it be visible from the classic skyline east angle??Check out STR's incredible renderings: CHICAGO: 2010 future vision 3D model (http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=98438)

September 14, 2006

http://img220.imageshack.us/img220/4491/p1010094nz2.jpg

I work for Kirkland and Ellis, and I can definitely understand why we're upgrading to 300 N. LaSalle. Although the office space at the Aon Center is fairly modern, our offices sprawl from the 48th to the 75th floor, with a few floors excluded. 300 N. LaSalle will provide us with the opportunity to consolidate our office space and ameliorate the security issues that exist at the Aon Center.

September 25, 2006

http://img133.imageshack.us/img133/836/300lom6.jpg

October 13, 2006

http://img157.imageshack.us/img157/3035/pa130321ix5.jpg

http://img157.imageshack.us/img157/7016/pa130375cq5.jpg

http://img150.imageshack.us/img150/5264/pa130376ha6.jpg

http://img150.imageshack.us/img150/9011/pa130377du6.jpg

http://img135.imageshack.us/img135/8239/pa130354yn6.jpg

The next Friends of Downtown Brown Bag presentation
Thursday, November 2nd at 12.15
Chicago Cultural Center
Millennium Park Room, 5th floor southeast

300 North LaSalle

Representatives from Hines Interests will present plans for a 60-story office tower on a prominent site on the Chicago River, at LaSalle Street. The lower 24 floors of the 1.3 million square foot offer tower have been leased to law firm Kirkland & Ellis. The tower will be a prominent addition to the Chicago skyline and will feature a riverfront plaza and waterfront café. The developer will discuss the building’s design, public space, leasing, development process and unique environmental features.

http://www.chicagojournal.com/main.asp?SectionID=7&SubSectionID=7&ArticleID=2359&TM=50140.58

Rising on the river
Glassy office highrise joins Trump, Calatrava blueprints for waterfront rebirth

By YOLANDA PERDOMO, Staff Writer


The Chicago skyline is getting another glassy highrise, with plans for a 60-story, 1.3 million square foot office building at 300 N. LaSalle. At last Thursday's Friends of Downtown meeting at the Chicago Cultural Center, Jim Walsh, project manager for the Hines Real Estate firm handling the project, said the the unique architecture of the skyscraper immediately stands out from the others along the banks of the Chicago River. The main or "anchor" tenant in the sixty story structure is the law firm of Kirkland and Ellis; the building is designed by the firm Pickard Chilton of New Haven Connecticut.

http://www.chicagojournal.com/SiteImages/Article/2359a.jpg
Renderings of a proposed building at 300 N. LaSalle. Left, river view detail.
Images courtesy of Hires Real Estate

"The way that the building culminates at the top of the building, the flying buttresses, the stainless steel curtain wall, creates an envelope of a curtain of something that I haven't seen in downtown Chicago before," Walsh said. "I think the riverfront plaza and the use of that public space along the river will be very special. We're creating an outdoor public space with a two level area that people will enjoy."

Walsh also added that the architecture takes into consideration its place along the river.

http://www.chicagojournal.com/ftp/webimages/highrisebase.jpg

"The building complements its surroundings. I think the architect achieved that by basically working with the river level and creating that space that invites you into the open lobby area," Walsh said. "It becomes very visual from the inside space as you look out on the river."

According to Walsh, the building also has a gold LEED certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. A LEED rating (which stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is based on several factors highlighting the use of environmental friendly elements inside and outside the building. One example is the roof, which is slated to be 80 percent green.

Carolyn Kessler, who attended the meeting as an interested observer, said the LEED rating is an important one.

"I think that it's unusual that a building has a LEED gold certification. That's interesting for me to hear about what they've done to earn that," Kessler said. "It's also interesting that it's on the river. It's a protected view; you know that no one is going to build a building in front of you."

Butler Adams, who gives river tours for Chicago Line Cruises, also endorsed the project, saying it would add to the city's architectural landscape. Adams gives river tours for Chicago Line Cruises. He says that another building wouldn't congest the downtown area.

"I'm all for height. We probably have the world's best man made canyon on the river," Adams said. "It seems like the style of architecture happening right now has kind of improved over the last few years. It's a different kind of modernism going on right now. A lot of other buildings are forty and fifty stories tall. This one's going to be sixty stories and looking up at that along the Chicago River would be something spectacular."

Adams, a lifelong Chicagoan who studied architecture at the Illinois Institute of Technology, says he never gets tired of seeing downtown and its architectural offerings, adding that he is awaiting the completion of the LaSalle Street project, along with the under-construction Trump Towers and the proposed Fordham Spire designed by Santiago Calatrava.

"I think people should be concerned about the design of the building than how many stories," Adams said. "It's just a sight to see not only for tourists but for people who live here. Every time I come downtown, I'm still amazed."

If they put a pencil thin spire in the middle it could be like NY Times Tower sister building. Not that I'm advocating that but I just noticed the similarity. Anyone else notice this?

Well the NYT Tower has all of those rods on the facade as well.

11/12/06

View of the core excavation as seen from LaSalle Street - 2006-11-12
https://extranet.emporis.com/files/transfer/6/2006/11/499296.jpg

Filming of a sceene of NBC's ER on the site of 300 North LaSalle, with the structure on the left a prop - 2006-11-12
https://extranet.emporis.com/files/transfer/6/2006/11/499298.jpg

From saturday

http://img151.imageshack.us/img151/7405/300northlasallevh0.jpg

I wonder with this building and 353 clark, are we seeing a burgeoning office market in river north. In reality these are two rather large office buildings in many cities these two would be among if not the largest building in that city

are 300 Lasalle and 353 clark harbingers of office spillover from the loop into river norht.....and related to a thread in the general chicago forum.....is this indicative of a melding of the loop and river north...hence a modification of what may be accurately construed as DT chicago

I wonder with this building and 353 clark, are we seeing a burgeoning office market in river north. In reality these are two rather large office buildings in many cities these two would be among if not the largest building in that city

are 300 Lasalle and 353 clark harbingers of office spillover from the loop into river norht.....and related to a thread in the general chicago forum.....is this indicative of a melding of the loop and river north...hence a modification of what may be accurately construed as DT chicago

that is blasphemy ;)
maybe true, i would accept it under that definition, if there is a significant shift of that area to being more of a cbd. then i would/will concede.

Great update from yesterday
December 7, 2006

http://img145.imageshack.us/img145/165/p1010148cr2.jpg

http://img89.imageshack.us/img89/7928/p1010171dc3.jpg

http://img90.imageshack.us/img90/2569/p1010172fy5.jpg

http://img89.imageshack.us/img89/5475/p1010175lo8.jpg

http://img90.imageshack.us/img90/373/p1010139oi8.jpg

http://img90.imageshack.us/img90/8071/p1010178gb4.jpg

that is blasphemy ;)
maybe true, i would accept it under that definition, if there is a significant shift of that area to being more of a cbd. then i would/will concede.

Isn't the CBD traditionally considered DT?

As far as I'm concerned: yes. The terms Central Business District and Downtown are synonymous.

January 9, 2007

http://img440.imageshack.us/img440/8334/dsc0045xf4.jpg

http://img440.imageshack.us/img440/5300/dsc0082vb2.jpg

http://img175.imageshack.us/img175/3794/dsc0083jg2.jpg

http://img175.imageshack.us/img175/4214/dsc0085sk5.jpg

http://img175.imageshack.us/img175/4858/dsc0088ns0.jpg

^Looks good. Thanks for all of your updates, Retrograde.

January 19, 2007

http://img249.imageshack.us/img249/8138/dsc0334copy8cc.jpg

http://img187.imageshack.us/img187/2259/dsc0329copy8xj.jpg

http://img181.imageshack.us/img181/9509/dsc0328copyuf1.jpg

http://img442.imageshack.us/img442/9962/dsc0331copy5vm.jpg

Sweet - this is one of the coolest-looking construction sites in the city (after B37). That pit looks deep.

A few cool rendering shots from 300 N Lasalle's website:

http://www.300nlasalle.com/_img/_gallery/full/building_04.jpg

Someone at work has a huge poster size version of this photo on his office wall. It's amazing.
http://img401.imageshack.us/img401/7126/300nlasalle15iy.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

:applause: :applause: :applause: :bow: :bow: :bow: :eek2: :eek2:

Amazing, Awesome

Our city is getting more beautiful by the minute

that's fantastic. the first 7/8 floors of this building are going to look a-mazing. is that going to be a restaurant at the riverwalk level?

is that going to be a restaurant at the riverwalk level?

Yes.

SSDD

I was already a fan of this building but after seeing the bottom levels, I am completely amazed! The ground/riverwalk levels are going to be completely bustling in the summer months...

Too bad there isn't going to be a connection b/t the river walk of the Chicago School building and 300 N. :(

I'm sure they'll build a connecting staircase eventually.

February 15, 2007

http://img299.imageshack.us/img299/5728/dsc0552tcopytc8.jpg

http://img72.imageshack.us/img72/2730/dsc0548copynr1.jpg

http://img299.imageshack.us/img299/2562/dsc0568copyza2.jpg

thanks for all the updates retrograde,
its really nice to see chicago and the progress during my soon to end exile in wisconsin.

this particular project is spiffing up a really nice part of the river.

thank you very much. good progress

Man Im excited about this building. Thanks for the pictures. Its impact along the river is gonna be awesome, and extending the canyon along lasalle a little north too.

Stacking Plan
http://img404.imageshack.us/img404/7702/stackingplanoz7.jpg


Floor Plan Lowrise
http://img444.imageshack.us/img444/8065/floorplanlowriseue4.jpg


Floor Plan Upper
http://img261.imageshack.us/img261/4554/floorplanuppertr5.jpg


Floor Plan Lobby
http://img404.imageshack.us/img404/3561/floorplanlobbymy9.jpg


Floor Plan River
http://img404.imageshack.us/img404/7530/floorplanriverzw2.jpg

From www.300nlasalle.com (http://www.300nlasalle.com/)

^Nice info. I'm particularly interested in this one as it's my future "home." Kirkland and Ellis must be leasing 24-39.

Wow, great find, Retrograde! Any idea what kind of restaurant they are going to have?

Wow, great find, Retrograde! Any idea what kind of restaurant they are going to have?
One with white tablecloths. ;) All kidding aside, I have no idea.

^Nice info. I'm particularly interested in this one as it's my future "home." Kirkland and Ellis must be leasing 24-39.
You're very lucky. This will end up being a terrific office building. Although your current location is pretty good. From the pictures you've taken I can tell your view is just incredible!

^Nice info. I'm particularly interested in this one as it's my future "home." Kirkland and Ellis must be leasing 24-39.

If I remember correctly from the Friends of Downtown meeting, they are also leasing 4 - 14. It was mentioned that they wanted some of the meeting rooms to open to the terrace on 7.

Also the floors 15 - 23 would be there to allow for future expansion, connecting the two stacks.

SSDD

You're very lucky. This will end up being a terrific office building. Although your current location is pretty good. From the pictures you've taken I can tell your view is just incredible!

I'll definitely miss the views from the Aon Center. But I'm sure 300 N Lasalle will offer some great views as well. From your shots, it seems you also have a pretty nice view. My hunch says 35 W Wacker or Donnelley.

If I remember correctly from the Friends of Downtown meeting, they are also leasing 4 - 14. It was mentioned that they wanted some of the meeting rooms to open to the terrace on 7.

Also the floors 15 - 23 would be there to allow for future expansion, connecting the two stacks.

SSDD

Thanks for the info. That makes sense. At first, I was thinking 24-39 was in line with what we have at the Aon Center. But then I remembered the staff over at the old Prudential Building.

February 21, 2007

http://img339.imageshack.us/img339/6799/dsc0637copyju3.jpg

http://img255.imageshack.us/img255/1800/dsc0636copywd2.jpg

http://img186.imageshack.us/img186/9122/dsc0620copywu9.jpg

http://img186.imageshack.us/img186/374/dsc0622copyrq6.jpg

I don't remember ever seeing a pink concrete truck before.

Sears Tower to lose another tenant
Another top-quality tenant is set to exit Sears Tower, as private-equity firm GTCR Golder Rauner LLC has agreed to move to 300 N. LaSalle St., the riverfront skyscraper under construction by developer Hines Interests L.P.

The deal comes as leasing starts to pick up at the 1.2-million-square-foot tower, thanks in part to a possible expansion by anchor tenant Kirkland & Ellis LLP and a lease with a business center firm.

GTCR has agreed to lease the two top floors of the 60-story structure, or about 50,000 square feet, according to sources familiar with the deal. As part of the move, GTCR is increasing its space by more than half compared to its current location on the 61st floor of Sears Tower, 233 S. Wacker Drive.

The structure is expected to be completed in early 2009.

John Huston, executive vice-president of Skokie-based American Landmark Properties Inc., one of the owners of the Sears Tower, says in a statement: “We would love to retain GTCR as a long-term tenant, but we understand their need to expand, which we can’t accommodate them at the top of the building.”

GTCR is the latest prominent tenant to agree to leave Sears Tower in recent months.

GTCR’s current lease expires in 2010, when another tenant, Citigroup Inc., also plans to relocate its offices in Sears Tower to AT&T Corporate Center, 227 W. Monroe St., as part of a downtown consolidation. Consulting firm Bain & Co. has agreed to move its offices to 190 S. LaSalle St.

Meanwhile, Kirkland & Ellis, which originally agreed to take 600,000 square feet, is in talks to add between 75,000 and 100,000 square feet, sources say.

The law firm’s administrator, Douglas McLemore, confirms that Kirkland has told it Hines it may take more space, but a decision to expand has not yet been made.

Elite Business Centers has signed a lease for a floor at 300 N. LaSalle, or about 25,000 square feet, says David G. Miller, senior vice-president with Rosemont-based real estate firm Colliers Bennett & Kahnweiler Inc.

The upstart executive suite company is part of industry giant Regus Group PLC.

March 8, 2007

http://img523.imageshack.us/img523/5492/dsc0037copywx2.jpg

http://img232.imageshack.us/img232/1797/dsc0043copyda4.jpg

http://img523.imageshack.us/img523/4316/dsc0052copynm5.jpg

http://img50.imageshack.us/img50/7751/dsc0055copyor5.jpg

http://img50.imageshack.us/img50/9430/dsc0156copynl8.jpg

A rendering of the "updated" version that I never got around to posting

http://img368.imageshack.us/img368/9576/5327hines300lasallejz5.jpg

^^^ one of the more underappreciated developments going up