Chicago Spire - isto sim, é uma casa diferente

[prepiboi88]

@rimlav3 The tallest building in the USA was always the Sears (willis) tower.

[DFDalton1962]

Two more mechanic's liens placed on the property today. And reportedly, Kelleher and Calatrava are not speaking to each other.

It's dead folks. Don't expect them to admit it until next year, but it's dead.

So what is next for this property? Expect it to remain fallow for a couple years while the market improves (that's why they removed the light-robbing protective barriers from around the adjacent townhomes and added a permanent safety fence around the hole). Then Kelleher will sell.

[DFDalton1962]

According to Crain's Chicago Business today, Calatrava has placed a lien on the property. He is owed nearly $12 million for the design work and hasn't received any payments since mid July. This thing has been heavily advertised as a "work of art" by Calatrava. Why would Kelleher piss off the artist by not paying him promptly?

In addition, local rumor has it that over half the sales staff was released last week.

All signs point to this project being DEAD, at least in its current form.

[DFDalton1962]

A previous announcement claimed work was being "slowed" until the credit market stabilizes. Work is now officially "postponed" (completely halted) according to the developer. This only a week after the penthouse was sold.

The sole activity at the site seems to be the erection of a more permanent fence around the hole. The fact that they are beefing up this fence (which will only have to be removed immediately when construction resumes on the plaza level) means they expect a very long delay.

[DFDalton1962]

OK, It's official. Story in the Sun Times:

Turmoil in the credit markets will cause unspecified delays in the construction of the 150-story Chicago Spire, said a spokeswoman for the developer.

Kim Metcalfe said underground utility work at the site, 400 N. Lake Shore Drive, will continue but that the pace will slacken until the market improves.

Funny thing is, I was banned from a skyscraper fanboy site for "pessimistic speculation". I also claimed Waterview would be scaled back...

[DFDalton1962]

... (cont.) to eliminate the condo tower portion and complete the hotel portion only. I suggested that months ago. Today it was announced that Waterview will indeed be scaled back, the hotel portion will be completed and the condo tower portion has been scrapped. Waterview, which was to be a 1040' supertall will now be completed as an ungainly 28 story stump.

[DFDalton1962]

And the carnage continues: Chicago-based Strategic Hotels & Resorts, Inc. said it is scrapping plans to purchase the hotel development at the Aqua Building, currently under construction and adjacent to the company's Fairmont hotel.

It's possible that the hotel portion of Aqua will be reworked as condo units, thus adding to the glut of condos in downtown Chicago.

The Chicag

[DFDalton1962]

(cont.)

The Chicago Spire has about as much of a chance being built as the Cubs have winning a World Series.

[IamnotEMOyouFUCKERZ]

I really hope this thing gets built.

Even though I probably won't be able to afford it, I would so live there...

[DFDalton1962]

The site has been cleaned and graded this week. It is almost completely devoid of equipment, materials and workers. Same sort of general cleanup happened at Waterview before they shut that project down in April. Still no announcements of funding or for contracts for the parking garage construction. I'm willing to wait only until the end of the month for something to happen before I claim this is on indefinite hold, but it's becoming obvious that what is going on is not "according to plan".

[theringer6]

definetly being built!!!!!!!!!!

[stervise]

So there not building the tower anymore,or is it on hold for now.

[DFDalton1962]

There is minimal custodial work going on at the site for the past several weeks and ComEd is doing some utility work. What is clear is that Shelbourne has not announced any contracts for continuation of work and the site is sitting nearly idle in July in Chicago. Not a good sign.

[DFDalton1962]

Looks like this one may not get built. Case has finished the caisson work and has left the site. But Kelleher has not announced contracts for the next phase of construction, has no loan commitments to continue, and has hit a brick wall in sales at about 30% - too small to get a bank loan in this terrible financial climate. Kelleher has resorted to what seems a desperate measure - offering part of the tower as rental units! Will he continue to fund construction out-of-pocket? It's a big risk.

[DFDalton1962]

I know this seems like a gloomy assessment, and I want to see the building completed as much as any disinterested spectator. But look what happened to Waterview - Chicago's new "Ryugyong Hotel" - just up the river. On the bright side, at least the Spire isn't out of the ground yet and won't be an embarrassing rotting concrete carcass for the next few years like Waterview.

[fightourfuture]

you're an idiot and aren't aware of construction processes. the lull is because of a switch from foundation work to sewers and other utilities, requiring new equipment to move in. BTW he just got a bank loan, and sales are well over 30% now.

[DFDalton1962]

Could you point me to a legitimate story showing that Kelleher has secured the approx. $2 billion in loans necessary to complete construction? There has been minimal construction work - mainly, driving in the coffer dams for the 7 "super caissons" that will support the legs. It's hard to argue that work hasn't slowed.

I keep hearing this 30% figure thrown around like that is somehow an amazing result. Given the extensive international sales effort and years of pent up demand, it isn't.

[POLLOIDER]

Chicago, wonderful city

[jpinto8742]

I am so excited for this building to built!!!!!!

[britoca]

isto vai ser um predio incrivel...

[beethovenqueen]

Does anyone know how green this structure is? Are there any solar panels on it anywhere or any thing?

[LinkinPark640]

"Some of the many environmentally-sensitive features include a vacuum garbage shoot with automatic sorting for recycling, recycled rainwater for landscape maintenance and a highly efficient geo-thermal cooling system."

that's all I've found on the web...not really green

[beethovenqueen]

Thanks. Too bad - if it were green it would be much more to brag about.

[LinkinPark640]

you're welcome my queen,you know developpes had serious financial problems and those green energy are very expansive,especially the solar panels

[beethovenqueen]

Looks like a giant screw. Why are we building tall after 911?? Does it matter if we have the tallest? Who will be able to afford living there, outside of Oprah? I'd like to know where the parking is for it too...

[streak51]

This building will not be the tallest in the world. It will not even be close to the one they are building in Dubai and I think it will be an excellent addition to Chicago's Skyline. Oh and the parking structure is incorporated into the design of the building. I know they have thought of everything. lol

[Maxiedude13]

streak51, how do you know the Chicago Spire's height will be nowere near the Burj Dubai's height when the height of the Burj Dubai is a secret?

[streak51]

The final height of the Burj Dubai is a secret but they have already announced that it is over 2,064 feet tall. Also the construction manager of the project confirmed that the final building will be over 2,297 ft. As you know the final height of the Chicago Spire is said to be 2,000 ft so that is how i know.

[Maxiedude13]

Well that is like 300 feet taller then the Chicago Spire but at least the Spire will be the third tallest in the world. (if they build the Russia Tower.)

[LinkinPark640]

they are building tall because they wants to make a lot of money by selling it.the construction is estimate to 2.4 billions $,the owner of the future giant building wwill sell it a lot more.

[edmannumber1]

why should we not build tall after 9/11?

it doesnt really matter but nation having the tallest can gain fame like malaysia or taiwan or china or UAE

u dont need millions if one wants to be in the spire

[Maxiedude13]

frogscar, i bet you have never even been to chicago.

[holdenfinn]

Dubai is what you meant I think..

It will be the tallest building on North America as is. New York's freedom tower will be second.

There have been rumors, however, that the height of the spire may be extended to be taller than Burj when completed.

[frogscar]

fuck chicago

[kippis05]

Let me guess.. You're not from Chicago, are you? If not, shut the FUCK up.

[edmannumber1]

fuck u!!

i bet ur crap country has no great cities

so shut up!

[maniax342002]

to Edman:

"i bet ur crap country has no great cities"

What if his from another city in the USA?

[edmannumber1]

he's not

[maniax342002]

Ok Edman. I will take your word.

[rhplanettelex]

Thank you Calatrava for a beautiful new building!

[DFDalton1962]

Don't be so dense. My comment was a reply to cathanimator's. I'm simply pointing out that some people (mainly radical feminists it seems) like to look for "phallic symbols" where they don't exist. Skyscrapers - and rockets (which she brought up) - are shaped the way they are for valid reasons, not simply as homages to the male reproductive organ.

[theuser773]

anyone else think it looks like a giant dildo?

no doubt chicago's skyline rules, and this will only add to the glory but I can't get past the fact that it looks like a giant dildo.

[cathanimator]

I agree - very phallic. And it's sooooo LONG. You'd think they'd be embarrassed. But aren't men doing this all the time? Creating phallic symbols which we are all supposed to bow to... or be blown to bits by (rockets, missiles...). And no surprise not one woman shown on this vid. Same old, same old. I just hope the thing doesn't invite plane attacks...

[DFDalton1962]

Well, architect Jeanne Gang has designed an 83 story tower (called "Aqua") currently under construction on the other side of the river, not too far from the Chicago Spire site. It's going to be pretty tall and thin. Is she creating a "phallic symbol" or does she just have p*nis envy? Maybe after she's done with that, she can make amends by figuring out a way to design an aerodynamically stable breast-shaped rocket...

[edmannumber1]

the chicago skyline is AWESOME!

was this video shown on TV?

it looks like it was

[jiboou]

Nice. Go Chicago.

[3521usa]

I fucking love this video...it would be cool if they redid this video in about 5 years when the other supertalls are all done. Chicago will have the #1 skyline in the world. right now it's only #3 behind hongkong and nyc only because it lacks the density that those two cities have.

[GQguy24]

NYC's skyline has NEVER looked better than Chicago's skyline. Even before 911, when the Twin Towers were there, Chicago's skyline was much more beautiful than NYCs. You do not need density for a great skyline, you need fantastic architecture, buildings situated in the right spots, and gorgeous surroundings. All 3 categories of which chicago does much better in than NYC.

[DFDalton1962]

I think your absolutely right. New York City's skyline is a 700ft plateau with a few buildings poking above it. And I dislike the hodgepodge of superfluous "flag pole" spires on many of the new Midtown towers (especially the dreadful NYT Tower). The scale of the city is epic, but Chicago is more beautiful to look at.

[VBackseatRomeoV]

I personally think that a great skyline is all about good placement of things. Im sure if we stuck 500 WTC's together in one area, it wouldn't look very good. I think the lower Manhattan of New York looked very good, but Chicago's looks good too. And it also depends on which angle you view the skyline from.

[mjdc2505]

Chicago already has the most beautiful skyline in the world and its about to look even better.

[ohioweatherguy]

This building is going to be amazing. Thanks for uploading this to Youtube.

[TouleyS]

WOW