Blue Cross Blue Shield Vertical Expansion to 743'/57 fl (25 new floors) (Com)

[Chicagoago]

Height: to 743 ft
Floor count: 24 additional stories for a total of 57 stories
Location: East Randolph and North Columbus
Construction end: 2009

(Image from NewCitySkyline)
http://img359.imageshack.us/img359/9717/bcbsfz2.jpg

24 more stories coming to Blue Cross building

By Bruce Japsen
Tribune staff reporter
Published July 26, 2006


In an unusual corporate expansion, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois will add 24 floors on the top of its headquarters on East Randolph Street to accommodate the health insurer's rapid growth.

At a cost of $270 million, Health Care Service Corp., parent of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois, said Tuesday that construction will begin early next year at 300 E. Randolph, the dual headquarters of the Illinois Blue Cross division and Health Care Service, pending approval of various permits.

The existing 33-story building already has 30 floors above ground on prime real estate located just east of Aon Center on the northern edge of Grant Park.

Health Care Service built it in 1997 at a cost of $233 million, engineering it so it would have the ability to add to the top if expansion warranted.

The building is now 466 feet high from its base and will rise to an estimated 796 feet.

The structure was originally designed by Chicago architect James Goettsch to accommodate 24 additional stories to meet an expected need for more office space, the insurer said. Thus, the skyscraper will reach its designed height of 57 stories upon completion in 2010.

"It is very unusual for a company to prepare for growth several years ahead of time," said Pauline Saliga, director of the Society of Architectural Historians in Chicago. "This is a very unusual thing to do and I cannot think of another case. It was pretty good planning on their part that they saw such growth in their future."

"They may alter an attic space or add a couple of stories but there is generally not an expansion like this in a major landmark building," Saliga said of the Blue Cross headquarters.

Saliga said most corporate expansions usually involve an annex near the main building or a tower erected nearby that allows one building to be connected to another through a bridge much like the famous Wrigley Building, she said.

Health Care Service, now the nation's fourth-largest health insurance company, has certainly made good on its intentions to grow. Since 1997 it has expanded rapidly, growing its membership organically as well as through mergers and acquisitions. The Health Care Service umbrella now includes Blue Cross and Blue Shield health insurance plans in Texas, New Mexico and Oklahoma.

"This project to complete our corporate and Illinois division headquarters building is a reflection of HCSC's tremendous growth from 3 million members in 1997 to 11 million members today, and a demonstration of our commitment to the city of Chicago," said Ray McCaskey, president and chief executive officer of HCSC.

The company expects to continue to grow and McCaskey has said in previous interviews that the company is open to adding more members through mergers and acquisitions. Unlike many of its major rivals in the health insurance industry that are publicly traded and owned by investors, Health Care Service is a mutual insurance company and therefore is owned by policyholders.

Health Care Service said the building expansion will allow for the number of people who work at 300 E. Randolph to double from about 4,200 to 8,000.

However, only about half of the additional workers will be Health Care Service employees, including an undisclosed number now in offices at various locations in Chicago.

Health Care Service officials estimate that about half of the new 24 floors will be leased to outside tenants not affiliated with the giant health insurance company.

"We are planning on leasing some of the space to other companies," said Jack Segal, vice president of public affairs for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois.

News of another corporate expansion in downtown Chicago was greeted with a warm reception at City Hall. United Airlines earlier this month announced that it will move its global headquarters to downtown Chicago.

"We are pleased that HCSC and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois will be expanding their headquarters here," Lori T. Healey, commissioner of the City Department of Planning and Development, said Tuesday. "In addition to keeping jobs in the city, this is yet another example of a major corporation committed to calling Chicago home."

[chicagogeorge]

Interesting. i wonder how it will look with the 24 additional floors. None the less, the more 800 footers the better.

[geoff_diamond]

It will look fantastic. The only thing that's ever been wrong with BC/BS is that it was a bit squat :).

[spyguy]

I think it'll be closer to the ~740' figure.

[feworkr]

Great news! I worked on the original interior window wall and elevator lobbies and hopefully our company will be able to continue the work upward. BC/BS did some good planning, as I believe they left room for additional elevators to the new floors.

[Chi_Coruscant]

http://www.newcityskyline.com/BCBSExtension.html

Take a look at the rendering of vertically expanded BCBSIL HQ. This website is owned by Marvel33 @ SSP. You should surf at his website once a while. Fantastic read.

[ardecila]

I hope they continue the side masses upward as well, and not just the central trapezoidal mass. STR in his rendering only extended the central mass, and it looked really awkward.

Marvel33 expanded everything, and it looks much better.

[geoff_diamond]

Yeah, this tower would look really strange with the set-backs that would be created by only expanding the central portion. I can't believe how this thing dwarfs 340!

[Chi649]

I can't believe how short 466' can look. I guess thats why it is considered "squat".

[ChicagoSkyline]

Interesting. i wonder how it will look with the 24 additional floors. None the less, the more 800 footers the better.

http://www.newcityskyline.com/BCBSExtension.html

It will be interesting! :runaway:

[edsg25]

Does anyone know if any other Chicago high rise was built so it could easily be expanded upward like BC/BS?

[ChicagoSkyline]

Does anyone know if any other Chicago high rise was built so it could easily be expanded upward like BC/BS?

Very intersting question and idea! Lets see! :cheers:
Oh, btw, anyone know when they will start the process?

[NearNorthGuy]

That rendering of the future Randolph streetwall made me think of something.

As a child back in the 1960's, I went with my family to the top of the Prudential Building. That is the only structure in the above rendering that existed at the time. There were zero buildings to the east, except for a few tiny IC railroad buildings. The rest was railyards, industrial sites, or vacant landfill.

You could look out from the observation deck of the Prudential Building, which was the tallest building in the city. I remember putting a nickel in those periscope-like viewers to see close-up views of boats in the lake.

[geoff_diamond]

Does anyone know if any other Chicago high rise was built so it could easily be expanded upward like BC/BS?

I've never heard of another building anywhere in the world that was specifically designed for future vertical expansion, let alone in Chicago. My guess would be a resounding no.

[NearNorthGuy]

I've never heard of another building anywhere in the world that was specifically designed for future vertical expansion, let alone in Chicago. My guess would be a resounding no.

The most prominent high-rise addition that is still on the drawing boards is the Union Station expansion. The station was originally designed to be a tall building, but economics stopped that plan. The building, however, can support a tower above it. I don't know if the caissons are already deep enough or if new supports will need to be sunk. However, it is definite that the construction of the building left an option for later construction on top of the station.

Another structure that comes to mind from the late 1920's is the now-demolished Michigan Square building, once located on the west side of Michigan Avenue at Grand. That great Art Deco low-rise building, featuring a lobby known as "Diana Court" had caissons sunk for a high rise expansion. The Depression struck and put that plan on ice. The building was demolished in the 1960s.

[forumly_chgoman]

^^^^Yes I beleive Union can accomodate aprox 20 more stories or so

[The Urban Politician]

Can somebody please change the title of this thread and spell the word 'Shield" correctly?

[forumly_chgoman]

This will be a super-cool spot once / if Mandarin and aqua along w/ rest of LSE gets built.

[geoff_diamond]

Can somebody please change the title of this thread and spell the word 'Shield" correctly?
lol!

[Frumie]

I've never heard of another building anywhere in the world that was specifically designed for future vertical expansion, let alone in Chicago. My guess would be a resounding no.
Edit

[Retrograde]

Does anyone know if any other Chicago high rise was built so it could easily be expanded upward like BC/BS?
The Peninsula Hotel in Chicago was built over an existing retail complex. At only 4-stories it wouldn't really qualify as a skyscraper, although the expanded floor count is now 17.

Back in ’96, I was on the project for a brief time as a project engineer while the caisson work was being done. They were designed to support the hotel which was planned for a later date. The Peninsula was eventually built. It completed in 2001.

[Chi649]

You could look out from the observation deck of the Prudential Building, which was the tallest building in the city.

Popular misconception but it would have been CBOT or Daley center at the time. CBOT is only 4 feet taller though.

[Frumie]

Popular misconception but it would have been CBOT or Daley center at the time. CBOT is only 4 feet taller though.
Does the statue of Ceres atop the tower figure into its official height? If so, perhaps they could place a statute of Da Mayor atop the Daley Center so as to reach new heights, or maybe the Claes Oldenberg baseball bat to signify clout. :jk:

[geoff_diamond]

Okay, that's so weird because I've heard from SO MANY sources that One Pru was once the tallest building in the City (and we're talking real sources like DVD's about Chicago and whatnot). I did some research because I didn't believe what Chi649 said, but, he's (she's?) absolutely right! So, I commend your knowledge and bow to you!

[Ed007Toronto]

Been done before. Bentall in Vancouver recently added 11 floors to an existing 22 storey building.

http://www.ellisdon.com/ed/projects/feature/?id=52

[Steely Dan]

^ of course it's been done before. many buildings thoughout the history of chicago have had floors added on to them. the biggest example of this is the Roanoke Building (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=116822) which was originally built as as a 16 story office block in 1915, then in 1922 5 more floors were added, bringing it to 21 floors, and then in 1927, a 16 story tower section was added on top of the block bringing the total height of the building to 37 floors/452' tall.

the BCBS expansion just happens to be the largest of these vertical expansion plan (that i am aware of).

[Chi649]

Okay, that's so weird because I've heard from SO MANY sources that One Pru was once the tallest building in the City (and we're talking real sources like DVD's about Chicago and whatnot). I did some research because I didn't believe what Chi649 said, but, he's (she's?) absolutely right! So, I commend your knowledge and bow to you!

Thanks Geoff. I have also seen sources that said that Pru was the tallest until I read something that stated this was a misconception. I also looked it up and sure enough, it was never oficially the tallest. But it did have the highest roof and at that time in Chicago, it was the first high rise built in 20 years. So naturally it would get a lot of attention and people were probably inclined to ignore the "official height" thing. Statue smatue.

And anyway, how come they don't put up some flag(s)? Surrounding buildings or cost?

Pru is sort of like the modern day trump Tower. The first supertall built in many years and it will also be the second tallest in the city.

Oh, and I am male BTW.

[NearNorthGuy]

That issue of the CBOT being taller than the first Pru is reminiscent of the whole Petronas Towers-Sears Tower debate of years ago.

It seems that calling an occupied building "tall" should hinge on the level of the highest occupied floor. That makes the first Pru taller than the CBOT.

Maybe I'll bolt a statue to my head and call myself the tallest man on earth.

[JuanPaulo]

I've never heard of another building anywhere in the world that was specifically designed for future vertical expansion, let alone in Chicago. My guess would be a resounding no.

I know there are MANY buildings in Hong Kong, China (near old Kai Tai airport) and in Quito,Ecuador that were designed to expand vertically once their city airports were moved to a different location.

Kai Tai has long stoped operations but I am not aware at this moment that anu of the buildings in this area have already expanded vertically.

Quito's airport is moving out of the city at the end of 2010 and I know of several buildings that are planning on going vertical as soon as the airport moves out.

Great addition to the CHicago skyline. Wish it had some setbacks at the top so that it wouldn't look as bulky, but the addition will sure reinforce that wall effect around Grant Park. I used to live near this building and used to walk behind it all the time. Currently, there is an entire full building height atrium that was put there to accomodate the new elevators for the addition. It was a wonderful feature. Too bad is going away...but hey I welcome the added height :)

[Chi649]

That issue of the CBOT being taller than the first Pru is reminiscent of the whole Petronas Towers-Sears Tower debate of years ago.


I agree, very similar circumstances.
Sears and Pru both come out on top in three categories, as defined by CTBUH:
Tallest rooftop, tallest occupied floor, and tallest to the highest point.
They both lose to one and supposed most important category, tallest to architectural top.

[geoff_diamond]

Kai Tai has long stoped operations but I am not aware at this moment that anu of the buildings in this area have already expanded vertically.
Maybe they're not building because they know Chek Lap Kok will be under water soon enough and they'll need to go back to Kai Tai at some point :).

[NearNorthGuy]

Maybe they're not building because they know Chek Lap Kok will be under water soon enough and they'll need to go back to Kai Tai at some point :).

The correct name of the old airport was Kai Tak, and it really created a unique urban planning case study.

It was a mathematical debate with angles and protractors everytime someone wanted to put another brick on top of their chimney two miles away.

I was a passenger in and out of Kai Tak a bunch of times, traveling for work, in the 90's. Quite a thrill to make the sharp banking turns to navigate the hills and then skim the rooptops into Kai Tak.

Hey, this is a BCBS thread. We better get back on topic.

[geoff_diamond]

Last off-topic message... I thought it was pronounced Kai Tak and spelled Kai Tai??? Everywhere I see it discussed, it's spelled like the latter.

[Chi649]

I wonder how much more it will cost having to make a substantial addition to get to 743', rather than just building the whole thing in the first place. This building is in such a prime location, you would think it would be hard to lose money on such an investment. I mean, at the tme of construction, BCBS was probably presented with the option of adding 40% more space at 30% more cost, or something like that. I guess I'm just wondering why they didn't build it up to 743' in the first place.

[geoff_diamond]

I would assume BC/BS didn't want to share their space with anyone else (for whatever reason) and they didn't need the extra room for themselves at the time.

[Chi_Coruscant]

^Actually, the BCBS will sublease the remaining spaces to outside tenants. Maybe a law firm, I guess.

[Retrograde]

Two construction trailers have been placed on the NE side of the BCBS plaza.

September 19, 2006
http://img170.imageshack.us/img170/8031/p9190173sh1.jpg

There's a Walsh sign on one of the doors:
http://img159.imageshack.us/img159/2954/wskn5.jpg

[GTchicago]

I've noticed that they've torn out the planters in the BCBS Courtyard that was North of Randolph. From the renderings, I can't tell if they are also planning on going out, as well as up? Or is that just for the construction process, I wonder?

[ChicagoLover]

I know the exterior of the building will look better when the additional floors are added. The proportions will be better. But I *love* that soaring atria that is to be replaced with new elevator shafts.. Chicago has so few soaring atra and those that we do have aren't all that great (e.g. Chicago Place...)

[geoff_diamond]

As far as I know, the plans are only for added height, not girth. So, I would suspect that the removal of the planters is just for construction purposes (if it's even related).

I agree that the building's massing will be better once the additional height is there, but, I'm sort of sad that 340 will lose some of its prominence in the skyline once BC/BS passes it back up.

[Frumie]

Perhaps the tower proposed to the immediate north of the BCBS plaza might figure into the picture. Hopefully.

[Chi649]

I'm starting to think that making BCBS similar height to 340 may not look good. Right now I like the height differential of Aon, BCBS, and 340. The variation makes the cluster look aesthetically pleasing, in my opinion. Ideally, BCBS should be a little taller, about halfway between 340 and Aon. I am just basing this on the renderings so hopefully I am wrong and my concrens are unfounded.

As a side note, I thought I had read somewhere that in order for buildings height to be oficially recognized by CTBUH, in the category of height to architectural top, it had to be part of the original construction. I wonder if that is true, and if so, will it have any impact of BCBS's official height statistics.

[spyguy]

http://www.suntimes.com/business/roeder/415422,CST-FIN-roeder06.article

Blues may need East Loop mojo
Insurers' premium office space in this market could be a tough sell

June 6, 2007
DAVID ROEDER

Coming soon to the most leasing-challenged part of the downtown office market, the East Loop: more office space.

It will, however, be first-class space. Some of it will have commanding views of Millennium Park, which these days is enough to justify premium rents.

The space will be in the 24-story addition planned for the Blue Cross and Blue Shield building at 300 E. Randolph. When the parent company of the insurance plans, Health Care Service Corp., announced last year that it would build onto its high-rise home, it said the space would be allocated for its own expansion. But that expansion will occur at a more measured pace than was foreseen a year ago.

John Gleason, executive director of public affairs for Health Care Service, said the top floors will be leased to long-term tenants, and the levels just below that will be rented out for shorter terms. Exactly how the new floors will be assigned should be determined by early next year, Gleason said. He said his company and the Blues plans will occupy at least some of the new floors. "We need more space, but we don't need all of it right now," he said.

Interior work, including new elevators, started in the building last August, Gleason said, adding that construction should be visible on the outside by this fall. The 33-story building will remain in use while the work goes on.

Each floor offers 36,000 square feet for offices, so it's not unreasonable to think that at least 300,000 square feet will be brought to the market. That's a large infusion for a market in which offices have become a hard sell and owners of older buildings have been busy converting them to condos.

The addition was part of the original plan for the Blue Cross building, which opened in 1997.

In charge of the addition is James Goettsch, principal at Goettsch Partners Inc. The firm is the successor to Lohan Associates Inc., the building's original architectural firm.

[Dave H]

Look for activity on the roof this month.

[pgold21]

Who was the building's original developer?

[InTheLoopSam]

Who was the building's original developer?


If it wasn't Buck, was it Possibly Higgins?

[Mr Downtown]

Well, I have an early (1988) newspaper article saying Metropolitan Structures will be the developer, but Bernie Weissbourd retired in 1992 and I think the company had largely dissolved by the late 90s. During construction, Blair Kamin wrote that it was Walsh/Higgins. And the city's central area database gives the developer as "Health Care Services Corporation," which I'm guessing means BC/BS themselves. So perhaps it was a build-to-suit.

Scaffolding/canopies were going up yesterday, so I guess we'll see outside activity soon.

[Chicagotom]

HCSC is the parent company for 4 Blues including, Texas, OK, IL and one other.

[mgk920]

Well, I have an early (1988) newspaper article saying Metropolitan Structures will be the developer, but Bernie Weissbourd retired in 1992 and I think the company had largely dissolved by the late 90s. During construction, Blair Kamin wrote that it was Walsh/Higgins. And the city's central area database gives the developer as "Health Care Services Corporation," which I'm guessing means BC/BS themselves. So perhaps it was a build-to-suit.

Scaffolding/canopies were going up yesterday, so I guess we'll see outside activity soon.
There was scaffolding, et al, along with some guys in dark suits and hard hats, around the BCBS when I was there for the fireworks show on the third.

Mike

[Retrograde]

July 14, 2007

http://img515.imageshack.us/img515/9727/dsc0257copyac6.jpg

[i_am_hydrogen]

Taken today:
http://img405.imageshack.us/img405/7591/bcbs1vb1.jpg

http://img513.imageshack.us/img513/9853/bcbs2uc9.jpg

http://img405.imageshack.us/img405/7042/bcbs3hf2.jpg

[NearNorthGuy]

When is the expected date of the completion of the addition?

[BVictor1]

When is the expected date of the completion of the addition?

Sometime in 2010 I believe.

[Chicagotom]

So do you think that they install backup HCVAC and remove all of those compressors from the roof. Doesn't make sence that they would build around them. I guess summer won't last for ever here.

[i_am_hydrogen]

Looks like this one is now u/c. From SSP:

Hello. I'm an ironworker on this job and can give you some insight on whats happening there.
On March 24 we started three nights of demo work to prepare for the new iron in the atriums.
On April 2 we started installing iron in the two atriums that will be the new elevator shafts. That's being done at night so as not to disrupt the office operations.
On July 16 I started on the day shift and we began beefing up some of the existing iron just below the roof to support the weight of the derricks. That's why "HOLES" have been cut in the roof, (they go through the rubber, insulation and pre-cast concrete slabs) to get access to those beams that need to be strengthened and to add the pedestals that will support the derricks.
The first derrick is small enough to be brought up in pieces on the freight elevator to the low roof. It's then brought up to the high roof with a chain hoist thats by the "HOLE" at the top of the picture. We're in the process of assembling that derrick now.
This derrick will reach over the NW corner to the street and bring up a larger derrick. That one will set some of the iron that was left out in the area around the cooling units, and then it will assemble the first of two tower cranes on some of that iron.
That tower crane will then set some more iron and then the second tower crane. I heard that the iron for the additional stories won't start going up til sometime in November.
If you look in the picture from museumparktoms' post, you'll see small white squares around the perimeter and grey square boxes in the interior of the roof. Those are the covers for the original columns that are sticking up through the roof about a foot and were put there to protect them and the floors below from rain and weathering.
Hope this answers some of your questions. I hope they do set up a webcam for the job, it will be interesting. We were told there are surveillance cameras on some of the surrounding buildings but I don't know if they will ever be available on the web.

I would say construction started when the iron for the new elevators started going in on April 2.

[i_am_hydrogen]

I just noticed that a crane-like device has been installed on the roof of BCBS. There was also a worker out there. It looks as though this one is definitely going forward. I'll take some shots tomorrow.

[Chicagophotoshop]

I just noticed that a crane-like device has been installed on the roof of BCBS. There was also a worker out there. It looks as though this one is definitely going forward. I'll take some shots tomorrow.

good to have a board member with such a great view of the job. :kiss:


:) why did I just kiss you? please ban me.

[Retrograde]

I'll take some shots tomorrow.
Please do, you've got an awesome view. I happened to take a picture today at 12:34 which was before your post. I don't want you to think that I'm trying to scoop you in anyway.

August 22, 2007

http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/4012/dsc0227copyxr5.jpg

[i_am_hydrogen]

As promised (taken today):
http://img175.imageshack.us/img175/7375/bcbs823uf9.jpg

http://img175.imageshack.us/img175/3343/bcbs8231fs5.jpg

http://img340.imageshack.us/img340/6738/bcbs8232gi2.jpg

http://img171.imageshack.us/img171/8046/bcbs8233rl8.jpg

[Retrograde]

^^ Sweet. Thanks, i_am_hydrogen! :cheers:

[geoff_diamond]

Wow... I never really thought this one was going to happen. I'm kind of sad that it's gong to make it even harder to see Aqua though :(.

[spyguy]

That's alright though. Aqua will [hopefully] be a little hidden gem. I think it's a good thing that people, especially tourists, will have to explore another layer of the city just to view this amazing tower, as opposed to seeing the whole thing from the park or river.

[The Urban Politician]

I agree.

Great cities are all about layers of depth and interest.

One of my favorite things is when you're walking around and you look up and see something interesting that you never saw before and think "wow, that just popped up out of nowhere"

[BVictor1]

That's alright though. Aqua will [hopefully] be a little hidden gem. I think it's a good thing that people, especially tourists, will have to explore another layer of the city just to view this amazing tower, as opposed to seeing the whole thing from the park or river.

Yeah, an 800' tall hidden gem.

A diamond in the rough, so to speak :)...

[i_am_hydrogen]

Taken 11/7/07:
http://img457.imageshack.us/img457/16/bcbs3jc4.jpg

http://img228.imageshack.us/img228/7584/bcbs4ei8.jpg

http://img266.imageshack.us/img266/9276/bcbs5bv5.jpg

http://img216.imageshack.us/img216/5461/bcbs6om4.jpg

http://img216.imageshack.us/img216/7258/bcbs9bs2.jpg

http://img216.imageshack.us/img216/1660/bcbs10bl1.jpg

[Dimension]

I have always wanted to see this happen.

[Retrograde]

November 27, 2007

http://img509.imageshack.us/img509/5899/dsc0089gv5.jpg

http://img509.imageshack.us/img509/273/dsc0121gm8.jpg

http://img250.imageshack.us/img250/3843/dsc0108ag4.jpg

[i_am_hydrogen]

Taken 11/29:
http://img140.imageshack.us/img140/9991/bcbs11292pp2.jpg

http://img137.imageshack.us/img137/8041/bcbs11291rv0.jpg

http://img508.imageshack.us/img508/7240/bcbs1129no1.jpg

[i_am_hydrogen]

Taken today:
http://img265.imageshack.us/img265/3782/bcbs10sh0.jpg

http://img155.imageshack.us/img155/3338/bcbs1tf2.jpg

http://img513.imageshack.us/img513/4889/bcbs2xx7.jpg

http://img176.imageshack.us/img176/2614/bcbs5nr8.jpg

[bnk]

Got to love the crane assembly. We do not always get those pics.

Great vantage point.

Thanks for the great photos H2!

[Retrograde]

December 12, 2007

http://img126.imageshack.us/img126/479/dsc0125ks2.jpg

http://img530.imageshack.us/img530/3445/dscc0100ep5.jpg

[Chi649]

1-1-08

http://img141.imageshack.us/img141/4179/dsc09366wp0.jpg


http://img141.imageshack.us/img141/1074/dsc09365lc6.jpg

[i_am_hydrogen]

Taken 1/4
http://img184.imageshack.us/img184/7273/bcbs14iw0.jpg

[Chicagophotoshop]

awesome updates. thanks all. I think its one of the coolest things to be able to do this. how often does this type of construction happen?

[cmj2k2]

I'm not sure, but I heard somewhere once that the Mayo Clinic in Rochester is built so it can be added on to vertically someday.

[i_am_hydrogen]

Taken today:
http://img266.imageshack.us/img266/2698/bcbs1181za3.jpg

http://img338.imageshack.us/img338/2581/bcbs1182ud8.jpg

http://img299.imageshack.us/img299/9264/bcbs1183dp8.jpg

http://img299.imageshack.us/img299/9504/bcbs1184wp1.jpg

http://img256.imageshack.us/img256/4332/bcbs1185cy2.jpg

[Dave H]

Good shots, Hydrogen. Please keep them coming.

[Northsider]

One question...how do you get to these places to take such great photos?! lol, I think you have the golden pass to every highrise in Chicago/

[i_am_hydrogen]

One question...how do you get to these places to take such great photos?! lol, I think you have the golden pass to every highrise in Chicago/

The Mayor is a personal friend. J/k The only high-rise that I take pictures from is the Aon Center, where I work. Maybe it seems like I'm in a bunch of other places because I have access to views on all sides of the building.

[Northsider]

That explains it. :-]

The 360 view allows for a variety of angels and really good shots.

[i_am_hydrogen]

Taken today:
http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/1157/bcbs2132cy2.jpg

http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/7256/bcbs2133hu3.jpg

http://img152.imageshack.us/img152/9496/bcbs2134wx1.jpg

http://img142.imageshack.us/img142/5134/bcbs2135ye1.jpg

http://img142.imageshack.us/img142/4402/bcbs2136us6.jpg

[wrabbit]

23 Feb:

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y150/wjcordier/a205.jpg

[JV_325i]

Today:
http://img409.imageshack.us/img409/8049/dsc03358rg7.jpg

[cbotnyse]

taken today

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f21/cbotnyse/trump/DSC_0002-1.jpg

[Chi649]

4-5-2008

http://img521.imageshack.us/img521/5337/dsc09575tb9.jpg

[wrabbit]

Sunday, 6 April. No day of rest for this crew.

Delivery

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y150/wjcordier/BCBS5.jpg

This beam was being lowered (!?)

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y150/wjcordier/BCBS3.jpg

[i_am_hydrogen]

Taken today:
http://img170.imageshack.us/img170/4143/bcbs4231awc3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[Helmet Yawn]

this building is the 'Anti-Aqua'...why even bother talking about it?

[i_am_hydrogen]

Taken today:
http://img365.imageshack.us/img365/7615/bcbs523qr6.jpg

http://img135.imageshack.us/img135/6697/bcbs5233mp9.jpg

http://img55.imageshack.us/img55/3917/bcbs5232qv2.jpg

http://img165.imageshack.us/img165/7946/bcbs5235qm4.jpg

http://img164.imageshack.us/img164/233/bcbs5234or5.jpg

[i_am_hydrogen]

Taken today:
http://img401.imageshack.us/img401/5671/bcbs531om6.jpg

[Chicagophotoshop]

anyone know an estimated completion date or month?

[Metalus]

Safe bet it will be TO'd w/ cladding by late fall. Keep the workers happy inside through winter.

[Chicagophotoshop]

^^good point

[Reinsdorf Sucks]

I like how it creates the descending skyline along Randolph on either side of the Aon Center by being taller than 340 on the Park, similar to the way the JHC is the tallest point on North Michigan.

[i_am_hydrogen]

Taken today:
http://img211.imageshack.us/img211/7352/bcbs6294xl4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img129.imageshack.us/img129/9994/bcbs6295sv8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[SanMiguel]

found this on flickr, taken by user Natíkh, taken on 10th July '08

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3154/2669369379_26227b15e2_b.jpg
^^ funny how the top of Sears pretend to be BCBS's core :)
.

[i_am_hydrogen]

Taken today:
http://img300.imageshack.us/img300/1167/bcbs81mb1.jpg

[SanMiguel]

great angle, thanks for the pic

.

[gct13]

gct13 - 7/25/2008

http://gct13.com/i/200807-chicago/blue-cross-blue-shield-expansion-chicago-4465-b.jpg

http://gct13.com/i/200807-chicago/blue-cross-blue-shield-expansion-chicago-4468-b.jpg

[wrabbit]

The added height on BCBS really gives it new presence on the Northern Grant park cliff face, without in any way detracting from 340. Sunday 8/17:

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y150/wjcordier/d21541b5.jpg

[Chicagophotoshop]

its amazing how fast these steel buildings go up

[wrabbit]

From the weekend 30 Aug-1 Sept:

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y150/wjcordier/20080830_5054c.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y150/wjcordier/2008-09-01pm3.jpg

[wrabbit]

7 Sept

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y150/wjcordier/2008-09-07hdr15.jpg

[Badgers77]

Despite its tacky blue glass, I really like the building next to it. It has its own unique thing going, which is a hard thing to say about a lot of the buildings going up these days....

[msu2001la]

Although not the sexiest building on the block, I find this project fascinating. It's not everyday that we get to see a vertical expansion of such large proportions.
I have enjoyed monitoring it's progress.

[msu2001la]

Taken 10/14:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3048/2946261347_01fd7ee73e.jpg?v=0

[Flubnut]

Cladding is starting to go up on the North side.

[skobabe8]

^^ On a side note, I don't know what is wrong with those fountains. They are covered in some kind of brown grime/rust. They don't look good right now. I don't remember ever seeing them like this before. :ohno:

[msu2001la]

^^ On a side note, I don't know what is wrong with those fountains. They are covered in some kind of brown grime/rust. They don't look good right now. I don't remember ever seeing them like this before. :ohno:

That's mainly why I took that photo.
My biggest concern with this and the "Cloudgate" sculpture when first introduced is what would happen to them after a few years of pigeon crap, acid rain, wind/snow and vandalism.

Unfortunately, the fountains themselves seem to be looking pretty beat up already. Not only are they developing this horrible brown color and covered in grime, but it seems like every time I'm walking by there at least some of the video display is malfunctioning.

[Helmet Yawn]

but i'm sure they looked neato-cool when hedrich blessing took the official photos of them!!!!

architects have no responsibility to function; only the aesthetic.

[i_am_hydrogen]

Unfortunately, the fountains themselves seem to be looking pretty beat up already. Not only are they developing this horrible brown color and covered in grime, but it seems like every time I'm walking by there at least some of the video display is malfunctioning.

From SSP:

Not sure if anyone's noticed this, but since this summer the Plenza fountains at Millenium Park have been in dire need of cleaning. . . well now that fountain season is over they're doing just that. . . using massive amounts of CLR, pressure washers and good ole' fashioned elbow grease, it will take a week to complete one tower. . .

http://www.pbase.com/temper/image/105401042.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/temper/image/105401194.jpg

[nomarandlee]

Neat, I wonder how much the entire clean up operation takes. Is this the first year they have done this cleaning? How many years have the fountains been in operation now?

[Jibba]

http://img126.imageshack.us/img126/4752/dsc056195872126ar748654wk2.jpg

[Jibba]

Tonight:
http://img67.imageshack.us/img67/3518/dsc059427703086cb8.jpg

[i_am_hydrogen]

Taken today:
http://img185.imageshack.us/img185/8835/bcbs1229acn3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[Chicago2020]

wow big blue needs to lose some wieght

great shot!!!

[Reinsdorf Sucks]

edit

[Broderick Teaming Co]

This job is turning into a nightmare lol. Everytime we bring in windows, its either too windy, or like today one of the tower cranes brokedown lol. Only gonna get the 37th floor done

[Broderick Teaming Co]

ok, strike that lol. They just cancelled the 37th floor too.....ugh

[msu2001la]

Any updates? I was in the area yesterday and it's looking pretty close to completion, but there is still that odd "hole" in the middle where the old and new meet.

Very interesting project to watch happen.

[Tylow]

June 12th 2009

http://www.izipik.com/images/200906/13/h0kp1yn46iqmh10xg1-34.jpg

http://www.izipik.com/images/200906/13/kg8m7ujg8tubiltcn4-35.jpg

http://www.izipik.com/images/200906/13/k0f69qgqzf5ukk7oau-36.jpg

[Chicagoago]

So stange to look at pictures of this area from 4 years ago. The BCBS being half the height and no 320 or Aqua....it looks so barron. It looks so natural now, I can't even really picture what it use to be...

[migöl]

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3445/3850230254_799a554e65_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3540/3849438029_298acd3982_b.jpg

[simulcra]

I wonder - will this new expansion leave room for an even future further expansion? :D

[Flubnut]

It all up to Obama.

[i_am_hydrogen]

Taken on 9/4:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3475/3889157588_5449ce812e_o.jpg

[Ni3lS]

http://img340.imageshack.us/img340/4323/dsc0488412.jpg