CHICAGO | 130 North Franklin | ~213m | ~700ft | Pro

[i_am_hydrogen]

Height: ~213m / ~700ft
Floor count:
Location: 130 North Franklin
Architect: Krueck & Sexton Architects
Developer: Tishman Speyer Properties

New Life Coming to Old Merc Site on Washington

DAVID ROEDER droeder@suntimes.com April 24, 2012 6:44PM

The half block that sits empty on the west side of Franklin between Washington and Randolph is a laggard in Loop development. Owned by the billionaire Crown family in partnership with Tishman Speyer Properties, it’s never arrived at the real estate marketing party in time to secure interest from tenants.


The owners have gotten little but parking revenue from the site for years. It used to have a building on it, the old Chicago Mercantile Exchange at 300 W. Washington, but the Crowns flexed their muscle at City Hall and got it torn down in 2003. It was architecturally significant, filled with paying tenants, but it was torn down in expectation of something loftier that never came.


http://www.suntimes.com/business/roe...ashington.html

http://chicago.curbed.com/archives/2...-quicklink.php

[iloveclassicrock7]

It isn't the best design, but I like the crystal like facade. It will also be a good 200m addition to Chicago.

[UjaiDidida]

boring design..too simple.. but i like the facades too.

[iloveclassicrock7]

Originally Posted by UjaiDidida

boring design..too simple.. but i like the facades too.

On some level, but it looks to me like their are big indentations in the front, so it should have a crystal like look, with parts that come out and parts that are indented, could look pretty sweet.

[spyguy]

[desertpunk]

Very nice!

Subtle but pleasing with perhaps too much bulk and with an unfortunate flat top. That said, it's nice to see Tishman Speyer getting back in the game after a few years of difficulty.

[iloveclassicrock7]

Originally Posted by desertpunk

Very nice!

Subtle but pleasing with perhaps too much bulk and with an unfortunate flat top. That said, it's nice to see Tishman Speyer getting back in the game after a few years of difficulty.

After seeing this new design, I like it a lot. Should look great from street level.

[xXFallenXx]

Like DP said, "Subtle but pleasing"
If anything it'll be good filler.

[i_am_hydrogen]

Sorry, but I can't consider a 700-foot, Krueck & Sexton-designed building mere filler.

[iloveclassicrock7]

Originally Posted by i_am_hydrogen

Sorry, but I can't consider a 700-foot, Krueck & Sexton-designed building mere filler.

Yeah, this will be Chicago's 20th tallest building, and the design is quite attractive.

[iloveclassicrock7]

Chicago Skyscraper Development Map

Excluding the building with a green border, all buildings are over 650 feet/200m.


From Left to Right

One South Halsted - 50 stories, Post office Redevelopment - (400-610m) - 120 stories, River Point - 650 feet - 45 floors, 400 West Randolph - 213 meters - 50 floors, Wolf Point Tower 1 - 270m+ - 80 floors - Wolf Point Tower 2 - 228 meters + - 60 floors - Wolf Point Tower 3 - 160 meters - 50 floors,130 North Franklin - 213m, Clark & Wacker - 200m+ - 65 floors, 435 N Park(Undecided) - 193 meters - 54 floors, 375 Wacker Drive - 256 meters - 76 floors

[desertpunk]

~ Updated rendering: http://chicago.curbed.com/archives/2...fice-tower.php

notsureifsrs about this being a so-called "48 story tower"...

[ThatOneGuy]

I don't understand what's with this stupid 'trend' of tiny setbacks on the roofs. Either make it a box or don't.

[i_am_hydrogen]

Originally Posted by desertpunk

~ Updated rendering: http://chicago.curbed.com/archives/2...fice-tower.php

notsureifsrs about this being a so-called "48 story tower"...

Actually, Tishman Speyer posted the wrong rendering on its website. The design hasn't changed from the previous version.

[andydie]

what shame, the first design was nicer!