The Trump International Hotel and Tower is a somewhat new entry in the tallest buildings in Chicago. Named after the 2016 US Presidential Election Winner Donald Trump.

Wacker Drive Chicago, Illinois 60606 United States You certainly cannot miss this one because no matter where you turn this iconic architectural marvel will catch your eye! The observatory deck welcomes over one million visitors every year. On clear days, the Skydeck extends the view over 50 miles as far as Wisconsin and Michigan. The Willis Tower Skydeck on the 103rd floor gives Chicago the highest observation deck in the US. The tubular construction technique utilized by Engineer Fazulr Rahman Khan and the architectural brilliance of Bruce Graham adds to its beauty and structural sturdiness. Formerly known as Sears Tower, it was constructed as the headquarters of the retail company Sears. Touching the highest point of 1,451 ft, it is the second tallest building in the US second to One World Trade Center in New York City. Neighbors' access to the Chicago Riverwalk through Lower Field Boulevard already has been closed, and other thoroughfares, including Wacker and Waterside drives will be affected as well.Standing the tallest among all in the heart of downtown Chicago, Willis Tower is a 108 story skyscraper built-in 1974. daily during the massive construction project, which will bring road closures and other traffic issues over the next few years. 'These buildings change the skyline but they also come down to the ground.'Ī rendering of the Vista underpass. 'A lot of times we think about tall buildings as an icon, but in a way they're adding a public space,' Gang said. The tower also will have an underpass connecting the rest of Magellan's massive Lakeshore East neighborhood to Wacker Drive and the Chicago River, a sticking point for Reilly and Gang. Gang said the thinness of the tower will enhance exposure to natural light and cast less shade below. Together, the three frustums will create eight corners at street level, but the tallest part of the building will be the skinniest among its super tall peers in Chicago. Gang, a MacArthur fellow who designed the award-winning Aqua tower near the proposed Wanda site, said the project is inspired by the frustum shape seen in ice cubes or Toblerone chocolate. 'This tower is a $1 billion vote of confidence in the City of Chicago.' 'We quickly recognized a lot of the opportunities in Chicago,' said Chen Guocai, vice president of Wanda Commercial Properties. 'Without the buyers, we know we wouldn't be here today,' David Carlins, Magellan's president, said.Īt 1,144 feet, Vista would be the third-tallest building in Chicago, trailing just Willis Tower and the Trump International Hotel & Tower.ĭevelopers told neighbors last year the high-profile project will create 420 permanent jobs and deliver $19 million in new annual property tax revenue.Įmanuel and other officials said Wanda had considered New York and Los Angeles for the tower, but decided on Chicago because of its 'stable' business and industrial climates, reputation for great architecture, and direct flights to a number of Chinese cities. Magellan officials told guests Wednesday that 125 units are under contract at the future skyscraper.

Wacker Drive for weeks in advance of the formal groundbreaking. The frustum-shaped tower will contain an 11-story luxury hotel as well as 406 condominiums starting at roughly $1 million apiece.Ĭonstruction crews already have been preparing the development site at 381 E. Vista, a $950 million tower designed by star Chicago architect Jeanne Gang, is a venture between Chicago-based Magellan Development Group and Chinese conglomerate Wanda Group. RELATED: Vista, Chicago's Future 3rd Tallest Tower, To Break Ground Next Week 'This is a great day, but it will be even greater when we cut the ribbon a few years from now,' Emanuel said. Once built, the tower will be the third-tallest in Chicago and the tallest in the world designed by a woman. Brendan Reilly (42nd), and other civic leaders spoke at the ambitious project's ceremonial groundbreaking. CHICAGO - Developers officially broke ground Wednesday on Vista, the super tall skyscraper that promises to change Chicago's skyline.Ĭonstruction of the 93-story tower planned for Wacker Drive formally began at noon, when Mayor Rahm Emanuel, Ald.

Chicago tallest skyscraper