This long-stalled development has a new, much taller, single tower configuration as well as a new design.

Rendering for a previous 40+ fl tower at 625 W. Monroe:
http://chicago.curbed.com/uploads/021513-fifield.jpeg
Curbed Chicago

A much taller tower is to go up at the site's combined 601 and 625 W. Monroe parcel.

Height:
Floor count: 75
Location: South Jefferson and West Monroe
Neighborhood: Near West Side (West Loop)
Construction end:
Architect: SMDP Studio
Developer: Fifield Realty Co.

Website (http://www.fifieldco.com/index_s.html)


-----------------------------------------------------

Two tower proposal as originally envisioned:

http://img300.imageshack.us/img300/6579/030409roedercstfeed2009.jpg

Previous renderings:
http://img61.imageshack.us/img61/9886/monroe1qu1.jpg
http://img508.imageshack.us/img508/5976/monroe2sr0.jpg
http://img61.imageshack.us/img61/8259/monroe3tl1.jpg
http://img409.imageshack.us/img409/2682/monroe4kz9.jpg
http://img508.imageshack.us/img508/2365/monroe5is9.jpg

^ Wow! So what's the story behind this thing?

This is old. It still hasn't come before the plan commission yet. At least I don't believe that it has.

Yea, its been proposed for a year maybe. Its a signifgant proposal for the West Loop though. It needs its own thread.

Yea, its been proposed for a year maybe. Its a signifgant proposal for the West Loop though. It needs its own thread.

Not really. I mean there's never any regular news on this one. By this time next week it'll be on page 2.

601 W. Monroe
601 W. Monroe, Chicago, Illinois

601 W. Monroe, a 37-story, 894,000 sq. ft. proposed office building located on the southwest corner of Monroe and Jefferson streets, is one of the last great office sites available in the West Loop.

This location provides unobstructed views and convenience. Just two blocks from the Union Station and the Ogilvie Transportation Center, 601 W. Monroe is walking distance to the train stations and minutes away from the expressways. This premiere site location is adjacent to the City of Chicago's newest park and a planned 6 story, 450 car parking garage. The 63,500 sq. ft. site allows for plenty of design flexibility, with the capacity to develop anywhere from 400,000 sq. ft. to 1,000,000 sq. ft.


For leasing information, please contact Tom Saletta with Fifield Companies at 312-424-6209 or tsaletta@fifieldco.com.

Not really. I mean there's never any regular news on this one. By this time next week it'll be on page 2.

There wont be. Its just another West Loop office proposal. But unlike most recent WLoop buildings, this one has height. Its also replacing more surface lots and I think a park is part of this development. It is one of the better West Loop proposals, that is for damn sure.

Lookin good

This premiere site location is adjacent to the City of Chicago's newest park and a planned 6 story, 450 car parking garage.

^ Lets not waste space on bullshit like that

Looks like Fifield updated their website with new images of this project.

http://img61.imageshack.us/img61/9886/monroe1qu1.jpg
http://img508.imageshack.us/img508/5976/monroe2sr0.jpg
http://img61.imageshack.us/img61/8259/monroe3tl1.jpg
http://img409.imageshack.us/img409/2682/monroe4kz9.jpg
http://img508.imageshack.us/img508/2365/monroe5is9.jpg

Wow, I forgot about this one... Predictions of this one actually going through?
(Believe me I would love to see it, it would help cover up the Presidential Towers from the west, as well as expand the Loop more west also)

The outdoor space is terrific. I'm really pulling for this one!

Yea, I think this would be a great addition to the area and give some much needed height other then the PT. It will also be a nice look framing the Kennedy with some glassy height. I can't tell if that canopy between the two buildings is open air or will be an enclosure. I have a gut feeling that Fifield has the persistance to see this building through, just a feeling.

Since this has come back to life, I think I should post the latest renderings.

601 West Monroe
http://img295.imageshack.us/img295/7506/601westmonroe1qk1.jpg

625 West Monroe
http://img139.imageshack.us/img139/9541/625westmonroe1ed6.jpg

http://img217.imageshack.us/img217/664/625westmonroe2np8.jpg

Thanks. What makes you think it's come back to life?

^ There was an article about 2 weeks ago that discussed Fifield buying the site in preparation for a 2-tower office complex

Fifield has closed on the parking lot and they say that they're willing to build the first tower (601 West Monroe) speculatively. If BP decides that they're interested, so much the better.

A May 2008 construction start is planned.

http://www.suntimes.com/business/roeder/1459065,CST-FIN-roeder04.article

A new brush with history
March 4, 2009
DAVID ROEDER

SCRATCHING THE NICHE: Developer Steven Fifield's faith in the West Loop has paid off handsomely. Since 2000, he's put up four office buildings on Clinton or Jefferson streets. Despite the seized-up credit markets, Fifield said he's tantalizingly close to starting a fifth, 26 stories and 406,000 square feet at 601 W. Monroe, the southwest corner of Monroe and Jefferson. DeStefano & Partners designed the building.

Fifield said two insurance firms are willing to fund a $90 million construction loan if he can secure leases for at least 180,000 square feet. That means finding one or two anchor tenants looking for a new home around 2011 and Fifield can break ground this year.
http://img300.imageshack.us/img300/6579/030409roedercstfeed2009.jpg

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzz......
zzzzzzzzzzzzzz......
eh? Did somebody say something?

Oh, another squat Fifield office tower.
Zzzzzzzzzzzzz....

I would like to see this happen. All of those parking lots over there need to go. AMA seems like a good fit, it was going to the West Loop anyway. I can't imagine them signing Baker Mckenzie, a big firm like that wouldn't want to be that far from the Loop.

Website (http://www.fifieldco.com/index_s.html)

That Web site has an opening line saying 'urban development should be beautiful and environmental'. I agree. Unfortunately I cannot see that in the projects flashing by. Just another collection of bland buildings seasoned with marketing yadda.

^Indeed. However, I would never expect to see anything exciting that far west of the loop, and as long as we would get 26 stories of occupied, activated space that would kill another lifeless surface parking lot I am unquestionably on board.

^I don't know. I'm tired of all this prime space in the West Loop near Union and Ogilvie being wasted. Fifield especially has been developing all of these little ~18 story buildings along Clinton. I'd also like to see more mixed use towers with office and retail on the bottom floors and residential (or even hotel rooms) on top, sort of like that proposed project on Jefferson. The West Loop feels dead at night and more boutique office buildings aren't going to help.

Fifield Plans Taller Building In The West Loop (http://www.chicagorealestatedaily.com/article/20130215/CRED03/130219807/fifield-plans-taller-building-in-west-loop)

http://i810.photobucket.com/albums/zz21/esb1250/601wmonroe_zps6f71463a.png


Faced with a crowded field of developers looking to launch downtown's next office towers, developer Steve Fifield has decided to go up.

Mr. Fifield now plans to build as high as 75 stories, with up to 1.4 million square feet, on adjacent West Loop sites. Previously he pitched pitching a pair of 20-story, 490,000-square-foot structures at 601 and 625 W. Monroe St.

“Several tenants we've talked to are more interested in the larger building,” Mr. Fifield said. “If you can't fight them, join them. The idea is to go from doing medium-sized buildings with no architectural significance to a landmark-type building.”

t is a departure from Mr. Fifield's past. Although he has been on a run of apartment towers in Chicago and Los Angeles in recent years, he has put up dozens of office buildings in the West Loop and in the suburbs, most between 300,000 and 500,000 square feet. His largest was a 30-story, 645,170-square-foot tower at 200 N. LaSalle St. completed in 1984.

Mr. Fifield's thinking has evolved because of input from potential office tenants and intense competition from other developers. A recent Crain's Chicago Business case study identified more than 8.1 million square feet of proposed new office buildings downtown, far more than current demand. Proposed towers range from 350,000 to 1.2 million square feet.

[...]
Read more: http://www.chicagorealestatedaily.com/article/20130215/CRED03/130219807/fifield-plans-taller-building-in-west-loop#ixzz2L3K2LD2M
Stay up-to-date on Chicago real estate with our free, daily e-newsletter


The site at 601-625 W. Monroe is currently a parking lot:

http://i810.photobucket.com/albums/zz21/esb1250/625wmonroe_zpsd4087ab3.png

An new possible supertall for Chicago? That would be awesome :cheers:

oh wow nice hopefully chicago can get another supertall :D good news

Great news! Hopefully this will get a comlete design transformation, as the previous proposal is another bland, tasteless tower.

An new possible supertall for Chicago? That would be awesome :cheers:

Absolutely. :cheers:

Looking forward to the new design. :)

It says that there's significantly more new office space proposed for construction than the current demand for space. Why would they both with the construction then, unless they anticipate a big upswing during the next few years?

I hope this one is a real one. And better design.

It says that there's significantly more new office space proposed for construction than the current demand for space. Why would they both with the construction then, unless they anticipate a big upswing during the next few years?

They made the change after hearing from tennants that more space will be wanted. It's classic Chicago where any surge in demand is met by an even bigger surge in proposals. Then you get the supertall proposals and then of course, you get the guys who put up cheapo 35 story, 1.5 million sq. ft. buildings and leg sweeps them all. :lol:

We'll see how this one pans out. It may have come early enough in the cycle to actually get built. It stands a far better chance than anything at the Old Post Office...

http://i810.photobucket.com/albums/zz21/esb1250/601wmonroe_zps6f71463a.png
:drool:
If they change it, I hope it's a taller version of this!

Nice! It looks like Chicago's 122 Leadenhall.

Well hopefully it will be developed along with the Old Post office twin towers proposal :). Would be awesome to see 2 supertalls be built in Chicago.

Well hopefully it will be developed along with the Old Post office twin towers proposal :). Would be awesome to see 2 supertalls be built in Chicago.

Yes, since the spire is dead and waterview will become only 192m tall. Chicago needs new supertalls :cheers:

Good looking design.

would be great to see another supertall rise in Chicagoland. I love Leadenhall tho i hope we will see something a bit more creative when we get a new taller design

Good looking design.

This will probably not be the design.

This will probably not be the design.

:lol:, indeed...the shown design is not really a supertall.

This will probably not be the design.

That's just the most recent rendering for the original 40 story tower proposal. Depending on how high the developer wants to go, I'd expect only minor changes to the design iself. But as a full 75 story supertall, there could be more radical revisions.

In the renders looking very small :|

In the renders looking very small :|

Read one page before, that's for the old 40 storey proposal...

The West Loop’s Mothballed BP Tower May Still Rise Under a Different Name (http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/ChicagoArchitectureBlog/~3/deG3LSMvOEI/)

http://blog.chicagoarchitecture.info/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/625-West-Monroe-002-267x500.jpg


Christmas came late to Chicago’s skyscraper enthusiasts when last week a plan was announced to erect a 75-story office tower at 601 West Madison Street. For the first time in a long time, their Christmas stockings would be stuffed with a truly interesting design, at a highly-visible downtown location, backed by a developer flush with cash from recent building sales.

http://blog.chicagoarchitecture.info/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/625-West-Monroe-model-Chicago-Illinois-February-2013-001-311x500.jpg

We saw the drawing in Crain’s Chicago Business, too, and thought, “Boy that looks really good. And familiar.” It was as if we’d seen that design before. Because we had. Just the day before. In the offices of architecture firm smdp. We were in smdp’s studio in the NBC Tower (454 North Columbus Drive) gathering research and interviews for an upcoming profile of the firm (similar to the ones we’ve done on Goettsch Partners, SCB, and bKL). Among the models on display in the office is 601 West Monroe.

smdp’s monograph describes the building this way:

"The design for a proposed development in Chicago’s rapidly evolving west Loop office corridor consists of a 38 story, 928,000 sf office building with an underground parking structure. The building’s unique form derives from the need to transition from large trading floors at the base of the building to more conventional sized office floors towards the top. The strength of the sloped wall is reinforced by ‘folding’ the public park space to the south of the site up the south façade to form a series of ‘sky gardens.’ Designs to be a signature form marking the west entry to the Loop, the building also strives to obtain a Platinum LEED rating, the highest level of certification sought for a commercial project in Chicago."

[...]

But what was that about a “trading floor?”

“Before BP moved into the CME Center they were looking for space, so this is the south of Presidential Towers site,” smdp principal Scott Sarver told us. “So we gave them big trading floors, gave them a big data center for their computers, and then conventional offices [above].” That’s right — this was originally designed to be the Chicago headquarters of energy giant BP. You can even see in the rendering a BP sun logo near the apex of the building. However, BP eventually decided to move into the CME Center (20 South Wacker Drive) instead of going with its own tower, which is how this great design ended up mothballed.

http://blog.chicagoarchitecture.info/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/625-West-Monroe-001-353x500.jpg

Now our friends at Fifield are at the helm of this project, and according to Crain’s, eager to get this party started. Crain’s throws water on the party, though. Its math shows that there is way more office space available in downtown Chicago than there is demand. But Fifield disagrees, believing that there are marquee tenants looking for marquee buildings.

[...]

^^ Is that the old render, or just a larger, similar version?

^^ Is that the old render, or just a larger, similar version?

those are the most recent renders for a tower planned at this property. The developer has now decided to increase the size and height dramatically as the market for office space improves. To attain the full 75 story size, the tower will need to be redesigned.

:banana:

Given the floor-count, it just might be a long-waited new supertall for the City of Broad Shoulders.

those are the most recent renders for a tower planned at this property. The developer has now decided to increase the size and height dramatically as the market for office space improves. To attain the full 75 story size, the tower will need to be redesigned.

Alright, thanks Desertpunk. I'm relieved, I really don't like this design, especially for a Chicago supertall. :ohno:

^^ This old design looks like the Leadenhall building in London (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=333931&page=83), which is a great design IMO.

^^ This old design looks like the Leadenhall building in London (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=333931&page=83), which is a great design IMO.

they could retain those features or scrap the design altogether. I think they're going with the same architect either way.

those are the most recent renders for a tower planned at this property. The developer has now decided to increase the size and height dramatically as the market for office space improves. To attain the full 75 story size, the tower will need to be redesigned.

imagine this design with 75 floors. i think that would look great!

It's The End Of The Line For Old 601 West Monroe Project (http://blog.chicagoarchitecture.info/2013/02/28/its-the-end-of-the-line-for-601-west-monroe/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+ChicagoArchitectureBlog+%28The+Chicago+Architecture+Blog%29&utm_content=Google+Reader)

http://www.chicagobusiness.com/Assets/legacy/images/random2/20120625601WMonroe.jpg



Pity poor 601 West Monroe — Tossed on the architectural scrapheap before it could even break ground.

Last week we brought you the story of 601′s neighbor — 625 West Monroe, the potentially 75-story tower planned for the surface parking lot between Presidential Towers (555 West Madison Street) and Heritage Green Park (610 West Adams Street).

How does one get 75-stories on a quarter of a block? You don’t. The solution was for 625 West Monroe to eat 601, turning the 20-something story building into a grassy gateway to its stronger, better, and admittedly prettier, neighbor.

So why give an admittedly shorter, uglier, less great building any attention at all? Because hardly anyone’s ever seen it.

[...]


One question answered: this will be a single tower development! :cheers:

(new name imminent...)

It looks good, but there's no way that's a supertall.

I was about to say the same thing. This should not be in the supertall section.

Anyway, that tower isn't even 75 stories.

I was about to say the same thing. This should not be in the supertall section.

Anyway, that tower isn't even 75 stories.
If you would have taken 10 seconds to scim the article, you would (hopefully) have realized that that is not the render for the development around which this thread is based.

That render is not 601 west Monroe but 625. Looks to me that this is somewhere between 100 and 150 meter tall.

isnt that the render for the tower that will be eaten by the tower this thread is based around? meaning that render shouldn't be acknowledged as a potential design. i cant imagine a 75 story tower being only 150m. I'm confused.

isnt that the render for the tower that will be eaten by the tower this thread is based around? meaning that render shouldn't be acknowledged as a potential design. i cant imagine a 75 story tower being only 150m. I'm confused.
Correct. Unfortunately, some people are prone to making judgements based entirely on pictures instead of text.

Again, that render is for 625 W. Monroe, a 40 story tower that was originally paired with a shorter tower at 601 W. Monroe. The tower at 601 W. Monroe was scrapped in favor of a largely expanded version of 625 W. Monroe whose dimensions are yet to be final but could reach 75 stories. Even if it doesn't go the full 75 stories it may yet be a supertall. The site will now only have one tower whose address will likely be 601 W. Monroe.

There is absolutely no basis for having this tower in the super tall section.

We've to wait until we've more informations.

There is absolutely no basis for having this tower in the super tall section.

I bet you wouldn't be saying that if this one was in NYC.

The proposal is for 75 floors. That's easily within the realm of 984 feet in height.

I bet you wouldn't be saying that if this one was in NYC.

The proposal is for 75 floors. That's easily within the realm of 984 feet in height.

Of course I would. I have actually started threads in the proposed skyscrapers thread that moderators have moved to supertall. Besides as one of the trio of global powerhouses (along with London and Paris), NY doesn't need projects to feel good about itself.

Anyway, I liked this proposal but will leave this thread due to the sensitivities that some show.

Of course I would. I have actually started threads in the proposed skyscrapers thread that moderators have moved to supertall. Besides as one of the trio of global powerhouses (along with London and Paris), NY doesn't need projects to feel good about itself.

Anyway, I liked this proposal but will leave this thread due to the sensitivities that some show.

Couldn't finish a comment without complementing NY, and imposing your own views ?

Besides as one of the trio of global powerhouses (along with London and Paris), NY doesn't need projects to feel good about itself.

Such a ridiculous statement. You are always dissing Chicago whenever you get the chance. Couldn't you drop the fanboyism for once ? Also, considering that Two Prudential is 64 floors, and 303 meters, this has a great chance at being a supertall.

^^I don't know what city that pos was referring to, but Chicago certainly doesn't need any building to feel good about itself. Chicago is one of a handful of cities that could go a decade without a new building and still have one of the greatest skylines on the planet.

Anyway, I don't think this project should be in the supertall section either. As of right now, it's only a 40 storey proposal that COULD end up being a 75 storey (possible supertall) building.

Here's an article with more details. I'll leave it to the mods if they want to move it or not. I'd also recommend renaming the title to 625 West Monroe.

Fifield plans taller building in West Loop (http://www.chicagorealestatedaily.com/article/20130215/CRED03/130219807/fifield-plans-taller-building-in-west-loop)
By: Ryan Ori
February 15, 2013

"Faced with a crowded field of developers looking to launch downtown's next office towers, developer Steve Fifield has decided to go up.

Mr. Fifield now plans to build as high as 75 stories, with up to 1.4 million square feet, on adjacent West Loop sites. Previously he pitched pitching a pair of 20-story, 490,000-square-foot structures at 601 and 625 W. Monroe St..."

"...The new plan calls for 40 stories and 800,000 square feet of office space. Depending on the reaction from tenants and capital markets, he also could look to tack on a 300-room hotel and 450 apartments above the office space, which would raise it to 75 stories, Mr. Fifield said.

Under either plan, the tower would be built on the 625 W. Monroe site, with the 601 site used as a plaza drive leading up to the tower..."

We have a 40 story building in the super tall section which, even if it grows to 75 stories, still likely will be less than 300m

We have a 40 story building in the super tall section which, even if it grows to 75 stories, still likely will be less than 300m

idk where you see its a 40 story building..its 40 stories of office space..something must be to far up your ass today..

idk where you see its a 40 story building..its 40 stories of office space..something must be to far up your ass today..

Read what was posted, amigo.

Knock off the crap! Brigs are coming to those who insist upon personal insults.

The tower proposal is no less viable as a supertall for now than many announced projects here. If we learn otherwise, the thread can easily be dispatched to wherever appropriate. As for the address, I'll change it to 625 W. Monroe. No doubt the confusion will continue until the tower gets a cheesy marketing name like all the others...

We have a 40 story building in the super tall section which, even if it grows to 75 stories, still likely will be less than 300m

40 floors of office could easily reach 180m in height. Tack on 35 hotel/residential floors and you get another 120m or so in height. With some kind of architectural feature on top, it will definitely be a supertall.

40 floors of office could easily reach 180m in height. Tack on 35 hotel/residential floors and you get another 120m or so in height. With some kind of architectural feature on top, it will definitely be a supertall.

Agreed. Great point

Also, lets take a look at the original design when it was only a 40 story proposal

http://blog.chicagoarchitecture.info/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/625-West-Monroe-model-Chicago-Illinois-February-2013-001.jpg

The 40 story version here looks like it could be 200m, add on another 35 stories, and you have a supertall.

Of course I would. I have actually started threads in the proposed skyscrapers thread that moderators have moved to supertall. Besides as one of the trio of global powerhouses (along with London and Paris), NY doesn't need projects to feel good about itself.

Anyway, I liked this proposal but will leave this thread due to the sensitivities that some show.

It's not about being a global powerhouse for Chicago. Chicago won't be one of those, it's still a global city though. But Chicago is known for Skyscrapers. It's always been linked together with Hong Kong and NYC as the skyscraper cities. It's sad to see it lagging behind these days.

I agree that this shouldn't be in the supertall proposal section.

Because of the fat footprint it doesn't look as tall as it is. They should take a look at Leadenhall building to get some sense of aesthetics.

supertall or not, that seems to be the question :D but i rather have a nice designed 280m tower than an ugly 250m tower with a 50m spire

Nvm.. :lol: [EDIT]


It would be amazing to see this raise to a 75 story building with a new and improve design that could possible raise with River Point, Wolf Point, & hopefully Chicago Old Main Post Office..

Agreed. Great point

Also, lets take a look at the original design when it was only a 40 story proposal

http://blog.chicagoarchitecture.info/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/625-West-Monroe-model-Chicago-Illinois-February-2013-001.jpg

The 40 story version here looks like it could be 200m, add on another 35 stories, and you have a supertall.

Looks completely like Leadenhall in London :nuts:

Wait, so there is 2 seperate plans for this site; a 40 story one & a 75 story one? Or is this a plan to expand the new 40 story rendering?

The tower was originally to be 40 stories and one of two towers on that site. Now one shorter tower has been eliminated and the developer, Fifield is hopeful that the remaining tower here can go as high as 75 stories, market permitting. The window for getting new office space into the pipeline is not going to remain open for long so I'm hoping they get moving on whatever they intend to build ASAP. Others are piling into the Chicago office market with new proposals right now.

The tower was originally to be 40 stories and one of two towers on that site. Now one shorter tower has been eliminated and the developer, Fifield is hopeful that the remaining tower here can go as high as 75 stories, market permitting. The window for getting new office space into the pipeline is not going to remain open for long so I'm hoping they get moving on whatever they intend to build ASAP. Others are piling into the Chicago office market with new proposals right now.

Wow! Thanks for the explanation. Finally read the article after skimming through the pages. Got a great understanding to it. Yours helped too.

Hope the project because reality and raises to 75 stories.