• Construction start: 2007
• Construction end: 2012
• Designed by: Santiago Calatrava
• Type: Skyscraper
• Stories: 150
• Maximum Height: 2,000 feet / 610 meters
• Maximum Depth: 80 feet

• Residences: 1,194
• Levels above ground: 150
• Levels below ground: 7
• Building caissons: 34
• Parking garage caissons: 98
• Parking spaces: 1,500

• January, 2006: In revised documents filed with the City of Chicago, the roof height of this building was raised from 1,458 feet / 444 meters to 1,550 feet / 472 meters the top of the roof, and 1,600 feet / 488 meters to the top of the water tank.
• March 16, 2006 - Chicago's city planning commission approves the construction of the Fordham Spire.
• May 22, 2006: The Chicago Sun-Times reports that buyers put $20,000 deposits down on 92 of the building's 300 condominiums in two weeks of promotion.
• July 20, 2006: Following reports that the building's developer was having trouble securing financing, the property is sold to Garrett Kelleher, chairman of Shelbourne Development, for $64,000,000. Kelleher immediately doubled the building's cost estimate, and proposed groundbreaking for Spring of 2007. Kelleher's interest in Chicago goes back to his youth. He lived in the city for ten years after college.
• November 15, 2006: It is announced that Shelbourne Development Group is taking over the project, and the building's name is changed to the Chicago Spire.
• March 15, 2007: The latest version of the spire plan is presented to people who live in the neighborhood. It includes the development of an abandoned plot of land east of Lake Shore Drive into a manicured public space, and a potential bicycle and pedestrian bridge spanning the Chicago River east of Lake Shore Drive. The developers stated that they hope to have the project completed 40 months after construction begins.
• April 19, 2007: The City of Chicago's Plan Commission recommends that this building be approved for construction by the city's zoning committee. The Chicago Tribune claims construction costs could top $2.4 billion.
• April 26, 2007: The city zoning committee approved this building.
• May 9, 2007: The Chicago city council approved the construction of this building. When completed, it will be the tallest building in North America. As part of the deal, the developer will kick in $9 million of the $12 million needed to construct DuSable Park.
• June 25, 2007: Crain's Chicago Business reports that the contract for caisson work has been awarded to Case Foundation Company. This puts hope into backers of the project, and quiets some of its critics who didn't believe it would happen. The Crain's article states that Case will build 34 caissons 120 feet deep by the first quarter of 2008.
• July, 2007: Construction of his building begins. There is no formal ribbon-cutting ceremony, just the arrival of crews and machinery on the site which are now busy working on the project.
• October 1, 2007: Portions of Lake Shore Drive are closed while exit and entrance ramps are built to connect the Chicago Spire with the highway.
• November 7, 2007: Crain's Chicago Business reports that neighboring townhomes will sink about two inches by the time the Spire is completed. The developer calls the damage cosmetic, but homeowners plan to sue.
• June 4, 2008: The Chicago Tribune reports this building will be completed in 2012. The same day, the lead engineer on the construction site told WGN Television 2011.

• Designed by: Santiago Calatrava, who is also the lead architect and engineer on the project.
• Architect of record is Perkins + Will.
• Developer: Shelbourne Development Group
• The structural engineer of record is Thornton Tomasetti.
• This building was originally commissioned by the Fordham Company.
• The building is designed to be made primarily out of concrete.
• The twisting exterior is designed to deflect wind.
• The building is designed with two emergency stairwells, in response to the 9/11 attacks in New York.
• The spire rests on 34 caissons drilled into the bedrock 110 feet underground. 20 caissons support the middle of the structure while 14 are arranged in a ring around the perimeter.
• This plot of land was originally zoned for two towers: one 35 stories, and one 55 stories tall. Because of its height the Spire's density is less than the original zoning. It also appeals to bird rescue groups which say the single, taller, tower will have less of an impact on bird migration than two wider towers.
• The spire was originally planned with 250 hotel condominiums. This was reduced to 150 in order to reduce the impact on traffic in the area. The hotel was eventually removed from the plan in late 2006.
• The spire is expected to have up to 1,193 residences.
• The building's penthouse will be two-stories tall and have 10,293 square feet of space.
• The spire's penthouse will be the world's highest residence.
• Access to the tower will be from Lower Lake Shore Drive to reduce the impact on traffic in the neighborhood.
• Excluding hotel traffic, the tower is expected to add one car per minute to the local traffic pattern.
• As part of the development, riverwalks will be extended along the Chicago River and Ogden Slip. The developer plans to spend $500,000 on improving DuSable park.
• Within three months of its announcement, 800 people had contacted the developer wanting to buy condominiums in the building.
• A parking garage will be constructed to the building's north and will connect directly with Lake Shore Drive to reduce street level traffic congestion.
• Plans for townhouses to line the base of this building were scrapped in favor of a circular plaza and five-story glass atrium.
• The lobby atrium will have a ceiling 53-feet high.
• There is no sky lobby -- 14 passenger elevators connect directly from the main lobby to the residential floors.
• This property formerly had the address 410-450 North Lake Shore Drive.
• This property formerly had the address 420 East North Water Street.
• The cost of the project is unknown. It was originally estimated at $2,400,000,000.00, however in May 2008 a representative of the developer said that figure is inaccurate. However, she refused to provide a corrected number to the Chicago Tribune.
• There are structural transition floors every 30 to 40 stories to transfer stress to the core and help keep the building rigid.
• In an unusual move the parking garage is being built from the top down instead of from the bottom up. This will help speed construction of the tower.
• At the time of its completion, this building will be the world's tallest all-residential building.
• At the time of its completion, this building will have the world's highest occupied floor; even higher than the highest occupied floor in Dubai's Burj Dubai, which will retain the overall title of world's tallest building.

• There is no observation deck. There is no restaurant. Don't bother looking for one. These are private residences. Please respect the residents.

• The landscaping will be watered with captured rainwater runoff.
• Water from the Chicago River will be used in the building's cooling sytstem.

• "Nobody is saying it has to be the highest building in the country. The idea was to build a very slender, elegant building in this skyline."

  -Santiago Calatrava, New York Times, July 25, 2005

• "I don't think this is a real project. It's a total charade."

  -Donald Trump, New York Times, July 25, 2005

• "I know that Chicago is an Indian name, and I can imagine in the oldest time the Native Americans arriving at the lake and making a fire, with a tiny column of smoke going up in the air. With this simple gesture of turning one floor a little past another, you achieve this form."

  --Santiago Calatrava, Chicago Sun-Times, July 26, 2005

• "[Santiago Calatrava] is redefining the form of the American skyscraper with his Chicago Spire"

  -Fast Company Mangazine, May, 2008

There are 415 comments.

  I am aspiring architectural student, and I think that this is just what America needs. To be recognized for something spectacular. I live in Milwaukee and appreciate the Museum addition that Calatrava did here. So, enjoy Chicago, he is a brilliant architect. This is where architecture should be going!

Justin Schumaker - Saturday, July 5th, 2008 @ 10:58am  

  awesome this is how i picture buildings to look in the future. Im currently living in san francisco and their skyline simply does not compare to chicago. Good job calatrava (wish i could afford to live there)

iris - Sunday, June 22nd, 2008 @ 3:02am  

  If the building will be looking as on the pictures it will be just a sensational being.In a very crude way one could say it is looking as a screw nail. Hope the reality convice people not to make this comparison

Little Boy - Friday, June 20th, 2008 @ 6:06am  

  This building is just beautiful. I feel it's time to get out of the ordinary into the extreme. To me it makes a statement that shows I don't want to be like everyone else. And when we're being different, those that are stuck in the same old realm won't see the beauty in something so exquisite.

Antoinette - Saturday, June 14th, 2008 @ 4:10pm  

  A monstrosity on the lake. At least the people who move there won't have to look at it. Is that the appeal?

Jason - Friday, June 13th, 2008 @ 11:30am  

  The building looks nice and sleek on paper and I'm sure it will look nice from afar when built but it looks like a frightening place to live. I would not want to be STUCK on one of the upper floors if there was some type of emergency.

Steve B - Monday, June 9th, 2008 @ 8:11am  

  I was born in Chicago and own a condo in the Lake Point Tower building and i will enjoy waking up to views of this building its a great addition to the Chicago skyline.

Tyler McCrea - Sunday, June 8th, 2008 @ 9:50pm  

  It's a fantastic building. I'm proud to say I was born in València, same as Calatrava and I was lucky to live just opposite to the City of Arts and Sciences, designed by Calatrava. I felt one of the luckiest persons every morning when I saw that incredible arquitecture.

Mila - Saturday, June 7th, 2008 @ 1:50pm  

  All I know is that there is no other skyline in the u.s that comes close to Chicago's proud to say a native Chicagoan

All I know is that there is no other skyline in the u.s that comes close to Chicago's proud to say a native Chicagoan - Thursday, June 5th, 2008 @ 7:24pm  

  I was born and raised in Chicago and all my life, to this very day, adore our skyline. This building is yet another reason why Chicago is the City of the Future. With its elegant design like the wind stretching it to the sky, Chicago will once again prove it is the Windy City!

KrazyRabbit!!! - Thursday, May 29th, 2008 @ 6:30pm  

  Chicago is perhaps one of the most magnificent cities in the world...and this stunning addition, to an already perfect skyline, will be the crown jewel in this amazing Midwestern town. Chicgao, once again, has made all of America proud! Sorry Sears Tower, there is a NEW king in the castle!

chicago2losangeles - Tuesday, May 20th, 2008 @ 11:32pm  

  love Santiago calatrava's ideas. i'm doing a project on him right now. great sculptor/architact.you should check out his works,they are really awesome.

engie hernandez age17 - Tuesday, May 6th, 2008 @ 12:30pm  

  I can’t wait till it’s finished, especially because I live near that area, it’s supposed to be the tallest residential building in the world, and it will surely put the sears to shame. The only problem with it is that the location makes look very odd in the fact that its many, many times taller than any buildings around it.

Hassan - Sunday, May 4th, 2008 @ 1:22pm  

  I love the idea of giving Chicago a new focal point, and bringing some newer designs in rather than the international style dominating our tall buildings. I only wish they would have kept the dreamlike quality of the needle, rather than replacing it with the new phallic looking design.

Chris - Friday, May 2nd, 2008 @ 3:35am  

  Being born and raised in the great city of Chicago i truly can say that the architecture is more than just nice and modern but it does look a bit out of place. location is great but the height is a bit extreme.

sammy - Monday, April 28th, 2008 @ 12:38am  

  Very Good Idea, Very Good Location, Very Good Visionary, I like this whole concept, It's great to see my home town continue to bring new idea's to the forfront! Chicago Rules!!!

Kim Shelton - Sunday, April 27th, 2008 @ 4:26am  

  Athena I have to disagree with you the sears is no where near the center of down town its actually in the south loop.... and the JHC is in the near north area. Looking at the chicago skyline the position of the chicago spire actually brings symmetry to the skyline by having a middle between the two extremes of the sears and the JHC, IMO.

Bob - Wednesday, April 16th, 2008 @ 5:04pm  

  I live in Chicago, and I must admit, this building is beautiful; however i feel the location is wrong. The sears tower seems to be the center of downtown and then to throw this building off to another side throws of that center point which makes the skyline so beautiful. The buildings that are close to the location of this new building are so small that the spire will just look like an odd giant. If it were closer to the sears tower i believe that it would be the most beautiful site in the world!

Athena - Sunday, April 13th, 2008 @ 12:44pm  

  Being originally from Chicago, it will be hard to see the old skyline go. However, this building will add a much needed new modern twist to the skyline that we know and love today. This rocks! Keep adding to our wonderful city!

Melody Jordak - Monday, March 24th, 2008 @ 1:01pm  

  The most beautiful structure on the planet. The work of a genius.

mario peter bird - Thursday, March 20th, 2008 @ 4:22pm  

  If you don't like it, don't look. It appears to be a wonderful addition to a truly wonderful city and country. Just another example of freedom at its best. I love it and hope to see it first hand, some day. I tip my (Dodger) cap to you, Chicago.

John - Monday, March 17th, 2008 @ 2:01am  

  The building itself is a great design. The location is totally wrong. Chicago architecture should not be based on architecture from Asia or the Middle East, it should be its own, just like always. Chicago does need a new futuristic skycraper, but it should continue to enhance the skyline, not dominate it.

Josh - Friday, March 14th, 2008 @ 12:23am  

  Wow this is a great master piece, great thinking and great imagination and more so A GREAT CHALLENGE TO FUTURE ARCHITECTS.I can wait to see it happen.kudos Chicago

WANJAMA KURIA - Wednesday, March 5th, 2008 @ 4:00am  

  Excellent project! Another beautiful building in beautiful City! I like it!

David - Saturday, March 1st, 2008 @ 12:05am  

  I was born in Chitown and claim it as home .I think that as a world class city just a measly 2 hrs drive time and the ability to see it from Michigan is a great accomplishment. My Kinda Town.

Mark Ostruszka - Sunday, February 24th, 2008 @ 1:38pm  

  This is going to be the Crown Jewel to the Chicago Skyline. Several more buildings are on the rise and more are under blueprint development. This magnificent city is not stopping any time soon.

Jose Chavez - Friday, February 22nd, 2008 @ 2:49am  

  I think that this is a cool tower that fits perfect for the windy desine but I think that it being in chicago throws the whole city off balance, it just dosn't look right.

bob franko - Monday, February 18th, 2008 @ 10:09pm  

  Wow! Some of you guys are crazy this building is amazing. I am going to be the future of the US and I believe that this is an amazing work of art. Cudos to the architect, and lets hope that Chicago continues to produce amazing buildings such as this. Amazing! Also, I believe that Frank Sinatro said it right, My kind of town Chicago is... My kind of town.

Sean - Thursday, February 14th, 2008 @ 7:25pm  

  All I can say is wow...I love everything about this city...and nothing will say more to the world that Chicago is a world-class city than this crown-jewel and astonishing accomplishment. I'm even more impressed that this behemoth will be so environmentally friendly. Trump and now this? Chicago's here to stay

Zach - Sunday, February 10th, 2008 @ 10:55pm  

  Truly amazing. I can t wait to see it...thumbs up for the architects.

chris - Saturday, February 2nd, 2008 @ 3:35pm  

  Cant wait to see the accually building going up. Every day I can see work being done. The builing is going to be the most beatufull building in the USA. Love it!!!

Matt - Thursday, January 31st, 2008 @ 11:32pm  

  I do not think it is Calatrava's best, but it will be a beautiful, timely addition to Chicago's skyline. We need more artistic architecture such as this.

John Burzynski - Tuesday, January 22nd, 2008 @ 2:59pm  

  This building will not only change the way the world sees Chicago but it will go down in history as the begining of the modern/futuristic architecture era and what better place than where in past occasions architecture has had great innovation. I understand those who say that the Spire is very different from the architecture or style of every other building but I disagree on that being bad. We live in the 21st century so why are we going to build the same sh!t we built in the 20th? We are in times of great change and the Spire will only show that we aren't staying back in the 20th and that we are leaders in vanguardism. I am from Chicago and damn proud of my city!

Jaime - Monday, January 21st, 2008 @ 8:47pm  

  I'm inclined to see this as a dynamic addition to the Windy City's skyline. Tis beauty to most and, of course, a sore thumb to others. So what's new? One man's folly is another's dream.

Railroadjames - Sunday, January 13th, 2008 @ 10:24pm  

  i think its a nice looking building..i was born and raised in chicago..good to see some new skyscrapers being built...think they accept section 8? hahaha

Dan Ferns - Friday, January 11th, 2008 @ 1:04am  

  wow i have a thing for really big and tall buildings i just love looking up and seeing the heigth of these buildings in chicago ive only been there once but i just love walken down the busy street and you see these giant buildings but the only thing i dont like is the design i think of chicago as being a bold and strong city but this tower it dont have a muscular structure like the hancock or sears and it dont have a sky deck for tourist

tommy - Thursday, January 10th, 2008 @ 11:30pm  

  This constuction looks like a giant drillbit that is screwing Chicago. I live in the neighborhood and this project is absurd. This area was just redeveloped as a residential part of the city with townhomes, mixed rise housing and the riverwalk. How does it make sense to build 130 floors in this area? Is Lakeshore drive not congested enough already? It's not like they are building any additional roads to service this monster. I have no idea how the city approved this project for this site. Horrible! This is not great chicago architecture, it is just ego and greed.

paulius jurgutis - Friday, January 4th, 2008 @ 11:16pm  

  This is truly a beautiful structure that will add so much to Chicago. Chicago was the original skyscraper capitol, and it's nice to see the great city keep its title. As to the comments of it not fitting in with Chicago, well you couldn't be more wrong. It is the start of new eras as well as new architecture to represent the city. As you walk the city you see the different styles of architecture from the different times. In essence, Chicago doesn't have a specific "look," or "theme." The beauty of it is that it is different from all the rest of the buildings, as each building is different from every other building as well.

Shane Rische - Friday, January 4th, 2008 @ 9:43pm  

  There is no place like Chicago. I love This state and I have been to 27 out 50 states. Chicago, you rock!

shawn - Wednesday, January 2nd, 2008 @ 12:04am  

  this building is so incredible. its a master piece. I cant wait until it is built its gonna look like a giant CHristmas tree at night. I cant imagine what it would like when the bears,or the bulls, or the sox or the cubs go into the finals or superbowl or world series iamgine what kind of font or message would b written on this 2000 foot building.

Nicholas Pereira - Saturday, December 22nd, 2007 @ 8:24pm  

  No denying the genius of Santiago Calatrava but this building is too much. How many of these visonaries would live in it? Bigger (or in this case taller) does not mean better. I'm a 4th generation Chicagoan living elsewhere and I feel badly for my hometown.

David P - Thursday, December 20th, 2007 @ 6:05pm  

  It will be sublime! A breathtaking addition to a city that isn't afraid of new heights!

Walter Fox - Wednesday, December 19th, 2007 @ 5:46am  

  Awsome structure, this will definately take the title of being the center of attention in our beautiful international hub of Chicago. Chicago currently has the second most beautiful skyline in the world, IMHO. This 150 story giant will only add to that. Chicago gets more beautiful every year. We have alot to look forward to. Dubai watch out.

Victor Gonzalez - Monday, December 17th, 2007 @ 10:36pm  

  The design is very interesting! Reminds me of numerous spires in Prague, Czech Republic. It will be a beautiful addition to the Chicago skyline and the nearby green space is great! Build up, not out. Cheers!

Josh B. - Monday, December 17th, 2007 @ 7:38pm  

  Super cool , eat your heart out Trump . This is a beautiful building that I would love to live in . This is the kind of beauty that architects havn't had the courage to build in the USA for a long time .

Ray M. Everitt - Sunday, December 16th, 2007 @ 12:21pm  

  I agree with Peter Vargas. It's a nice building and all, but it really doesn't fit in with the rest of the Chicago architecture. It looks about as horrendous as Could Gate and the renovation to soldier field.

Michelle - Saturday, December 15th, 2007 @ 1:34pm  

  This is a beuatiful building i can not wait to see it done' i love Chicago!!

just me - Thursday, December 13th, 2007 @ 10:10pm  

  I love the way this building looks. The spire belongs here in Chicago where the skyscrappers where first started. This will be a beatiuful addition to the skyline!

Justin - Tuesday, December 11th, 2007 @ 2:41pm  

  I prefer the earlier versions with a more tapered top instead of the flat topped present version. Hopefully they will fine-tune that & once it's done it will be even better yet.Or, given the current real estste climate, it could end up a much shorter version of itself. They have already started construction of the foundation, but they can always lower the finished height if they can't sell enough units.

urbaneddie - Sunday, December 9th, 2007 @ 4:17pm  

  in theory, good idea. with chicago having a reputation for its historical landmarks, skyline and the like, not good. its an eye-sore in my city. shame.

christina - Wednesday, December 5th, 2007 @ 2:59pm  

  Tremendous vision. Nice to see someone thinking outside of the box. What an asset to an already magnificent city !

Lynn Poupore - Wednesday, November 28th, 2007 @ 4:38pm  

  This is one awesome building. Can't wait to see it completed. Chicago rules!

JB - Tuesday, November 13th, 2007 @ 1:18pm  

  I give it 5 stars for impact on the skyline ...very impressive height, but it kind of looks like a huge drill bit.

Chris - Friday, November 9th, 2007 @ 9:37pm  

  it will be interesting to see how the "city of the big shoulders" will encompass a building that seems more suitable for the "city of the tall skinny pointy cones." it is a beautiful building nonetheless, though.

K Sanderson - Monday, November 5th, 2007 @ 7:33pm  

  when i think of the skyline of the city i grew up in, i think of the classic balance of the sears tower at one end and the hancock building at the other. plopping this DRILL BIT in the center is an abomination and would only kill it.

liz rudolph - Sunday, November 4th, 2007 @ 2:53pm  

  I am glad and rather proud to have this structure in my 'back yard' however, I wish the spire or "needle" had been kept in the original design. It somehow (now) looks incomplete. Regardless, it is another affirmation of Chicago's long standing history of ground breaking architecture.

Scott - Thursday, November 1st, 2007 @ 12:22pm  

  this is the real global magnificient city.Always friendly open minded.

henk.slagman - Tuesday, October 30th, 2007 @ 12:59pm  

  i think that the Chicago Spire is a great skyscraper with a great architecture. We should be really lucky that it's going to be in our windy city!!!!!

Magda - Monday, October 29th, 2007 @ 8:15pm  

  Since i am a first year student in the western burbs of chicago i find this to be a great inspiration to be different. The chicago spire will never be confsed with any other structure in the world and may just be a major selling point of the 2016 olympics.

Travis from Judson - Monday, October 29th, 2007 @ 4:31pm  

  beautiful structure with a wonderful shape,marvelous architecture.great design for santiago calatrava & congratulation to chicago the homeland of skyscrapers

Mintchy House - Monday, October 29th, 2007 @ 3:39pm  

  Being from NYC and and proud as hell of my skyline, I must say, Chicago is taking the cake with this one.

Frost - Sunday, October 28th, 2007 @ 12:47am  

  I work next door and have opportunity to watch it being built. it is amazing just to know how it will look when it is done.I think that this tower will be like a shining star on a Chicago Skyline.

Katarzyna - Wednesday, October 24th, 2007 @ 3:31pm  

  Having just discovered the wonderful world called Chicago, the spire can only enhance their awesome skyline

Adam Batcheller - Monday, October 22nd, 2007 @ 8:32pm  

  Looks amazing! I wished I lived in it!

Chris - Saturday, October 20th, 2007 @ 4:30pm  

  Absolutely positively a great statement for the city of broad shoulders. Chicago should again reclaim the world's tallest building (i.e. add the spire to the spiral) title, taking it away from Dubai's Burj Dubai. Trump must be furious!

S. Achs - Monday, October 15th, 2007 @ 6:52pm  

  Being a Chicaogan I am very excited and proud to see the city reclaim the title of at least the tallest residential building in the world I think they should just add a spire on top to reclaim the tallest in the world Period...Chicago never seems to stop striving for the best. Long live Mayor Daley!

John P Martin - Saturday, October 13th, 2007 @ 5:17am  

  I love it. I live 2 hours away from chicagho and love the city. I am gald to see the tallest building in North America to be the beatiful lake side city. Chicago is home to modern architecture and birthplace of the skyscrapper. This tower will be a start to a revolution of great modern architecture to come in this great city.

Christian - Wednesday, October 10th, 2007 @ 8:48pm  

  This is the most amazing, beautiful structure I have ever seen in all the world,and I have traveled everywhere.

janet sachs - Wednesday, October 10th, 2007 @ 8:16pm  

  We love Calatrava's Turning Torso building in Sweden and this will be even more grand! Also looking forward to Calatrava's bridge planned in Dallas!

Helene - Sunday, August 26th, 2007 @ 9:12am  

  Yes, Chicagoans like to brag, but so do New Yorkers, or Bostonians. There is nothing wrong with being proud of where you are from or what your city has accomplished.Chicago, a WORLD CLASS CITY, great, awesome, fantastic, superb! That is what we call PRIDE. Pride in what we build, by hardworking people who take pride in what they accomplished, building Skyscrapers, transforming and expanding the Chicago lakefront, making Chicago the city it is today.It’s not Santiago doing Iron Work on the 150th floor, its ordinary men and women. So if Chicagoans like to brag about what ordinary Chicagoans have built, let them brag.That’s called Pride! Nothing wrong Here in this FANTASTIC CITY

JB - Saturday, August 25th, 2007 @ 10:07am  

  Chicago is a world class city, it only gets better, we validate ourselves... This building is a PROUD and very BOLD statement that Chicago is and always will be the "City of Big Shoulders" and the home of some of the most magnificent architecture found in America, not to mention the birthplace of the skyscraper.

Keith - Friday, August 24th, 2007 @ 4:33pm  

  Magnifique. Architectural statement. will this help Chicago win the 2016 Olympics? Paris, Chicago's sister city, will vote 'oui'.

Christian - Monday, August 20th, 2007 @ 10:41pm  

  This is the most oustanding creation among boring residential and commercial buildings (including Donald Trump tower)constracted by the Lake Shore area within last few years . I wish it could be taller but still makes me proud with the country and the city that became to be my home.

Krzysztof - Thursday, August 16th, 2007 @ 1:54am  

  I've been scared that Dubai is getting all the skyscraper glory and am so happy to look at renderings of this building. BEAUTIFUL! I'm a New Yorker, but am so happy to see this go up to 150 stories. The Freedom Tower is great too, but NYC is too timid to build anything this tall. BRAVO!

Jason King - Wednesday, August 15th, 2007 @ 1:35am  

  A breathtaking addition to the Chicago skyline that will further enhance it's claim as the world's most beautiful. Calatrava's genius is manifest in this spire's subtle majesy which perfectly compliments Chicago's architectural, artistic and historic beauty. Bravo to Garrett Kelleher for boldly reaching for the stars... and overseas to astute European investors.For those of you who criticize this design in favor of something more in-line with the architecture that currently exists in Chicago, this building is meant to stand out and break the mold. It is a bold statement that will usher in a new era of architectural and artistic creativity. I am proud and happy to be moving back to Chicago this year!

Steve - Friday, August 10th, 2007 @ 12:41pm  

  I'm just glad that freedom tower in ny won't be the tallest building in the americas!

nn - Thursday, August 9th, 2007 @ 5:51pm  

  I am so proud to be Irish. This is a great building. The design is uplifting and majestic. Good man Garrett Kelleher.

C. C. - Friday, August 3rd, 2007 @ 2:16pm  

  this is the coolest structure I've ever seen.I feel there's no better place to put such an unusual building.

vicky nichols - Thursday, August 2nd, 2007 @ 11:13pm  

  Sorry but this... thing is really ugly !well, the entry is nice, but when you pay over 2 bilions $ I think you can have a beter desing.*sorry for all my mistake, I don't speak well in english

Simon - Wednesday, August 1st, 2007 @ 9:59am  

  Innovative, fantastic, and beautiful. I lived in Chigago when the Prudential Building was built. It was the first high rise building built in Chicago after WWII and was the tallest building in Chicago for a time. There has been an enourmous amount of high rise construction since then. As part of this ongoing process this tower calls for an encore. An even taller building for Chicago that will again be the world's tallest.

RolandBuck - Sunday, July 29th, 2007 @ 10:47pm  

  fantastic tower ! five stars ! I hope they will get the investors to realize it !

jörg Merten - Monday, July 23rd, 2007 @ 5:17am  

  It's gonna be amazing. I live in Chicago 'n I love this city

Daro - Sunday, July 22nd, 2007 @ 11:15pm  

  The beauty of this structure lies in its subtlety. The fluid twists of the structure makes for a fascinating flow that's not overdone. This is a nice addition that deserves to be showcased on the lakefront.I'd like to make one note about the desire to create another world's tallest building in Chicago (the current one is now being constructed in Dubai). As a Chicago native, I can understand this sentiment. However, I think it's time to move on from this desire. More than anything, Chicago's objective should be to continue creating interesting, original, iconic architecture that will make the skyline even better than it is today.

David Shmuel - Sunday, July 22nd, 2007 @ 5:14pm  

  Calatrava's Spire will make a very nice complement to Bertrand Goldberg's twin Marina City towers (1964), farther in on the same north bank of the Chicago River, which are round and have always seemed straight out of "The Jetsons." Speaking of which, the Spire will also go with the rocketlike, Art Deco Mather Tower (1928) on the south bank, the second building west of the Michigan Avenue Bridge. The mile-long Main Stem of the Chicago River has such an awesome collection of buildings, with the river's modest width affording tremendous views from either bank. Of course, the lengthwise views west from Lake Michigan, with the Spire as a gateway landmark, and east from the far side of the junction of the North & South Branches are terrific. Not to mention the views from down on the river itself!

Peter Nelson - Thursday, July 19th, 2007 @ 1:49am  

  When this building is finished I think the people of Chicago will like it I know I will because I was born and raised in Chicago and I would like my city to get bigger skyscrapers and make our city look better and be recognized

Kordell - Saturday, July 14th, 2007 @ 12:30pm  

  Horrible. The fact that so many people like this building makes me sick. Maybe I will like it better when its done, but for right now I think this building would be an eye sore sitting amongst the classical style buildings that dominate Chicago. This is the wrong city for this building.

Peter Vargas - Friday, July 13th, 2007 @ 7:56pm  

  Awesome architechture and great location choice. Moved to Chicago last year and can't get over how beautiful this city is. The Spire is going to make the skyline even better.

Mike C. - Friday, July 13th, 2007 @ 3:56pm  

  I gave it four stars, not because of it's disign (the design is a five in my opinion), but because I realy think it should be taller! Face it the building is already tall; what's a few hundred more feet to take the record for at least a while (given what is going to be built in the near future in Dubai).

Digital Junkie - Friday, July 13th, 2007 @ 1:01am  

  MAN I LOVE THIS CITY! Just making the worlds greatest skyline even better!

Rob B. - Thursday, July 12th, 2007 @ 2:47am  

  I can't wait for completion of this project. As stated by most people, this will be an amazing addition to the already breath-taking Chicago skyline.Plus, for someone who lives in Chicago [I] it will be great to drive/walk by to watch as construction goes on.

Anthony - Tuesday, July 10th, 2007 @ 4:44pm  

  This gives yet another reason to revisit Chicago.Hope they put an obsevvation deck at the top.

Philip Blow - Tuesday, July 10th, 2007 @ 3:55am  

  I drove by the site this weekend and it is starting to be filled with construction/excavation equipment! Sorry Donald, but it looks like your worst fear is almost ready to begin blocking your views! Of course, your customers will have a great view of someone elses building!

Jerryg - Monday, July 9th, 2007 @ 12:00pm  

   I love this tower, it continues the tradition of fabulous arcitecture in the wonderful city of Chicago. A response to Jimbo: There is a reason why people build tall skinny buildings now a days. It's called lack of space. We can still be creative with these tall buildings though so they don't look like " boxes of crayons." That's what buildings in Chicago try to do with such structures as the Sears Tower, The Handcock, and now the Spire. Panama just needs to be a little more imaginitive thats all.

Matt - Sunday, July 8th, 2007 @ 1:09pm  

  Este prédio é incrivel!Tem uma arqueitetura ousada e de alguma maneira me lembra de algo, trazendo, assim, uma sensação de ser algo já conhecido

Diego - Friday, July 6th, 2007 @ 2:04am  

  Responding to the last post. As A Chicagoan, if we built every skyscraper proposal, Chicago would look unorganized, unplanned, COSMETIC. Chicago will always be a place for MODERN, Skyscrapers, and they do a Fantastic Job, linking the past, present and future. Dubai, yes is MODERN, because everything just got built in the last 4 Years. No History there....4 years ago, nothing. Chicago will continue to grow & build, and sometimes even shock you, and I am glad, we dont build every "Skyneedle Proposal" that comes around.

JB - Thursday, July 5th, 2007 @ 9:30am  

  Unique in the world. Imagine the Spire at night, framed by "Big John" and the Sears Tower, as you approach the city. Breathtaking!

Patrick N. - Tuesday, July 3rd, 2007 @ 7:10pm  

  I have lived in Chicago all of my life and i cant wait to see this building finished.

Brandon - Monday, July 2nd, 2007 @ 9:51pm  

  I think we should build this building... However I think we should build it taller so we will once again hold the record for the tallest building in the world! Go CHICAGO!!!

Eric - Monday, July 2nd, 2007 @ 2:51pm  

  Interesante proyécto donde se demuestra una vez mas la lucha por ostentar la conquistaa del cielo...

JORGE LUIS GÓMEZ AGUIRRE - Monday, July 2nd, 2007 @ 12:59pm  

  Although I'm not sure yet how The Spire fits in with the Chicago School aesthetic, ther's no doubt it will add drama and beauty to the worlds best skyline. i miss you wild onion!!!!

R. Adam Peters - Sunday, July 1st, 2007 @ 11:49pm  

  After being amazed by the origional plan then dissapointed by subsequent modifications, I am once again impressed by the "final" design concept. Everytime I'm around streeterville or on the lakefront, my mind can picture the sophisticated cylinder soon to be thrust skyward. Hopefully the spire won't just be in my imagination much longer. Build it already!

Stephen - Sunday, July 1st, 2007 @ 3:45pm  

   Without question this building will let the world know that the Chicago skyline is the most vibrant and most beautiful work of art on the planet ,with the sphire only making it greater. I like the e-mailer who suggested that it would remind people of our Native American people who would routinely hace bond fires that would spiral to the sky as would the sphire. this building should be a tribute to those great people and their ancesters who live here today.

stanley j wozniak - Thursday, June 28th, 2007 @ 11:28pm  

  The Spire is a great idea but it should be designed so that it is the tallest building in the world. Taller than the one in the United Arab Emirates.

Will - Thursday, June 28th, 2007 @ 9:19pm  

  The spire will only add to the most awsome skyline in the world.

Steven - Thursday, June 28th, 2007 @ 2:55pm  

  I think that it is awesome that one of the next tallest buildings in the world is being built in my hometown Chicago. I think that it is a great looking building and I cant wait until it is completed!

Frank - Wednesday, June 27th, 2007 @ 7:05pm  

  an interesting amalgamation of two other buildings (turning torso in malmo and the ghurkin in london)

Mark Mead - Wednesday, June 27th, 2007 @ 8:21am  

  America always pushes the limit. Just one more addition to say we remain undefeated.

Nirav Parikh - Tuesday, June 26th, 2007 @ 7:28pm  

  You yanks are obsessed with height Nice tower though

Ross Piton - Saturday, June 23rd, 2007 @ 5:44pm  

  I love the building i just think it should be taller than the burj dubai in dubai so chicago can once again hold the title fo the tallest building in the world. i say build it, love the design!

gavin - Friday, June 22nd, 2007 @ 2:09pm  

  Calatrava is a genius in art and archetecture. I have been a fan for many years now. I am a bit concerned that the final design is a bit suggestive of ...a...well...no one else seems to want to say it, but I love Chicago and want it to be admired for the remarkable design, not snickered at like adolescent tween-agers seeing something naughty for the first time. It's still awesome.

J C Lennon - Wednesday, June 20th, 2007 @ 2:00am  

  Superbe! I enjoy good design, and with the latest drawing, the Chicago Spire is very good. As sister city to Paris in the US, Chicago will have a beautiful addition for a city with architecture history. Magnifique!

Pierre - Tuesday, June 19th, 2007 @ 9:14pm  

  Loovely..Chicago skyline will be even better.. very nice.. MY KIND OF TOWN!!!!

Fernando Siqueira - Monday, June 18th, 2007 @ 10:38am  

  although chicago may not be "the most beautiful city in the world" i think it has the potential to have the most amazing skyline in at least North America. i guess that was the whole point i was trying to make via all of my posts.

brandon - Sunday, June 10th, 2007 @ 8:39pm  

  Great building, living in Chicago myself I cannot wait to see this building finished.

Cosmo - Friday, June 8th, 2007 @ 2:02pm  

  this will be a wonderful building.Its refreshing to see human creativity. i dream of visiting the city of chicago to see it for myself.

Noah kiptoo - Friday, June 8th, 2007 @ 10:57am  

  wow what a sexy building why cant it be built in toronto lol

daved - Thursday, June 7th, 2007 @ 9:51pm  

  Excellent design. BUILD IT!!! It would be nice to top it off with a spire. Hopefully Chi-Town will recap the title for "Worlds Tallest Building" again. Thank you.

Eman - Thursday, June 7th, 2007 @ 5:45pm  

  Please bring back your original tapered design Mr. Calatrava! The Chicago 'Spire' is to be the United States most majestic structure; an inspiration to architecture enthusiasts; a beacon for the olympic torch!

Steve Noble - Wednesday, June 6th, 2007 @ 1:15pm  

  Wright once said something to the effect that Chicago will be the last great beautiful city in the United States. I believe wholeheartly his vision was correct and I also think he would approve of the Spire.

brandon - Tuesday, June 5th, 2007 @ 9:32pm  

  Once again,Im here to say that I agree with Mr. Matt Witt. The building is awesome, but it is incomplete and missing something without the spire. Before it is too late, they should keep the current design and height, and add a beautiful spire to it. Then it will be a complete masterpiece.

Damion Black - Monday, June 4th, 2007 @ 2:09pm  

  Looks amazing but something has to be done about the top 1/3 portion of the building in the previews version looked more pure and graceful

Dorin Chudin - Thursday, May 31st, 2007 @ 5:48pm  

  Overall, this is a beautiful structure and will be a great addition to one of America's most captivating skylines. However, I am very disappointed that it will not be built to the original vision. Even though the changes to the top of the spire are subtle, it results in a stunted, less dramatic and certainly less regal appearance than the original concept.

Matt Witt - Tuesday, May 29th, 2007 @ 11:39am  

  Somebody said it was a work of art.A tube with a twist in it is a work of art? I don't get it. It's lame. It's bacause it's such a terribly small piece of land to work with. This limits the creation of something worthwhile.

freddy - Monday, May 28th, 2007 @ 11:41pm  

  I love this project, his beauty, his structure and his location in the city. This building sharpens the chicagoan skyline. I think that it contributes to order the urban volumes (Sears Tower, Eon Tower and John Hancock Center) since the center of the Down Town. Calatrava’s language has been exhausted in bridges and public spaces; now, he finds new opportunities in the skyscrapers.

Emilio - Saturday, May 26th, 2007 @ 4:55pm  

  I especially plan to make a trip to the windy city just to see this building in 2010. Also to see the Trump Tower, of course, and the Sears Tower...... Okay so pretty much just see Chicago. I've always wanted to go, because Ohio stinks, I will finally come to see this spectacular piece of art in the most beautiful city in the world.

Jordan Wright - Tuesday, May 22nd, 2007 @ 6:05am  

  A Second City masterpiece, amazing and incredible.

brandon - Monday, May 21st, 2007 @ 6:37pm  

  This building belongs here. And to Eric Osbourne, who says it belongs in London or France, I do believe you are wrong. To call Chicagos Skyline boring is being either misinformed or Jealous. Come to Chicago and see for yourself. Besides, Paris doesn't allow taller buildings that the Eiffel Tower since a law passed in 1971 said so. Parisians hate skyscrapers but love cities like New York. Go figure.

Vic - Monday, May 21st, 2007 @ 2:51pm  

  The Chicago Spire an example of what makes Chicago the greatest city in world. A skyline filled with the spirit of our city Innovation, Imagination and Determination.

Bonnie K Brennan Properties - Monday, May 21st, 2007 @ 3:23am  

  Inspiring design, cutting edge engineering. Choice of city and keen sense of neighborhood development also very good.

Vikas Ahuja - Thursday, May 17th, 2007 @ 6:02pm  

  No other city like Chicago, I love Chicago and the beautifull lakefront, I used to live in this Town and I hope to be there when the building is ready

Alejandro Moreira - Thursday, May 17th, 2007 @ 2:38pm  

  what a great idea for the city of chicago i cant wait to see the finishing product

corvallis criss - Thursday, May 17th, 2007 @ 8:57am  

  Very cool looking building (The Spire) and I'm looking forward to seeing it's progress as it reaches for the stars. I would like to add though that I think developers should try to not only build tall skinny buildings as they have been doing for the past 5 years now, but mix it up a little bit with some 50-60 floor wider based buildings too. Tall skinny towers are nice, but if there are too many of them they will just blend one right into the next; for example Panama City has this situation now. Panama City basically looks like a big box of crayons pointing up in the air and actually is rather boring to look at. So, even though the cereal box metality of the 1960's and 70's seems rather boring to architecture enthusists around the world, if boxy buildings are mixed in properly with the surrounding skyline, then those buildings if nicley colored can be appealing to look at too and really mix up the skyline to make it more exciting.

Jimbo - Wednesday, May 16th, 2007 @ 10:26am  

  In the 1880's the world's first skycraper was build here in Chicago, I can't wait for that era to come back to this wonderful city. I always bet for innovation and Chicago has a rich history of that, I have no doubt that Calatrava was the best choice to keep Chicago's remarkable architectural heritage. As always said, Chicago's skyline should be always on top of every other city's skyline as the beginning.

Victor Fernando Tovar - Wednesday, May 16th, 2007 @ 3:02am  

  Very nice building. Look like a gigantic drill-bit.

Zoolii - Tuesday, May 15th, 2007 @ 9:53am  

  Excellent, that begins promptly the construction to be able to see since we go on from the paper to the reality

Fabian Caro - Monday, May 14th, 2007 @ 12:38pm  

  Esplendido proyecto felicito a la ciudad por haberlo aprobado. Enhorabuena

Aureliano Garcia - Sunday, May 13th, 2007 @ 5:17pm  

  I think that once seen by those who have not given the city a second thought will be quite surprized at the grandeur of not just the spire but the city as a whole a truly great city and one that deserves to hold the 2016 oylmpics

brandon - Sunday, May 13th, 2007 @ 4:58pm  

  Breathtaking! Being from Dallas, TX. I've seen the birth of a lot of highrise buildings, nothing as dynamic as the "Spire." Trump is a blowhard & I question whether his NY following will bail him out on his Chicago Bldg. He best stay in NY. My advice to Don "better thought a fool than open mouth & removes doubts!"

J. Wesley - Sunday, May 13th, 2007 @ 10:09am  

  chicago is a design catalogue of the most importants buildings.frank lloyd right,mies van der rohe ...amd all of our teachers...

arquialvarez - Saturday, May 12th, 2007 @ 6:05pm  

  That was Hemingway and he was talking about Oak Park, IL. and the quote was "wide yards and narrow minds." Chicago does not have wide lanes? and I dont get the context. Building seems pretty amazing. The 7 points seems a little disconcerting as it lacks semitry. But I think its that edge that really makes it unconsciencely intriguing.I thought the nine petals of the Lotus temple in Delhi fit well. I think 7 points of this tower will create just the right amount of disemitry as would the right amount dissonance in a symphony. Conflict and harmony.

lowell - Saturday, May 12th, 2007 @ 2:20pm  

  Ho visitato Chicago nel settembre 2006.E' una citta' meravigliosa ed il Chicago Spire la rendera' ancora piu' bella. God bless America

Carlo Rampelli - Saturday, May 12th, 2007 @ 1:38pm  

  Wright was probably right when he proclaimed chicago city of wide lanes and narrow minds

brandon - Friday, May 11th, 2007 @ 10:49pm  

  sera increible cuando visite nuevamente Chicago ver la nueva torre. Estoy esperando

Francisco Villegas - Friday, May 11th, 2007 @ 8:03am  

  Nice building, but I think all the Calatrava's projects are very similars. The constant use of white color becomes boring. In my opinion, Moneo is the best. You have to visite the Prado Musseum remodelation, it is great!!

Fran - Thursday, May 10th, 2007 @ 6:39pm  

  another pearl for chicago city " bravo "

juanjo barceló - Thursday, May 10th, 2007 @ 5:39pm  

  amazing!.... the star wars empire is coming hehe I love how tall will be... and how Icon will be in the olympics of the 2016

Rodrigo - Thursday, May 10th, 2007 @ 5:25pm  

  Beautiful building! I am also curious about what those lake winds will do when they hit the tower. Tornado generator? ;-)

José - Thursday, May 10th, 2007 @ 4:50pm  

  My Kind of DownTown. I Love it. What other city can take this beautiful tower? Sears.... I will be loving you.

Alejandro Rivera - Thursday, May 10th, 2007 @ 2:27pm  

  What an "Amazing" pioneering building, in architecture it's a masterpiece!I can't wait to see it or even better live in it.

Mark Hamilton-Smith - Thursday, May 10th, 2007 @ 8:29am  

  Great !!! Good choice, Calatrava it's the new Miguel Angelo of our time, Incredible building !!!

Fernando Sanchez - Thursday, May 10th, 2007 @ 6:59am  

  I think the Chicago Spire displays a current trend, an architectural boom that’s going to transform the City of Chicago. Chicago is the birth place of skyscrapers; each building represents a timeline of architecture, from Frank Lloyd Wright’s early influences and visions such as (The Illinois a mile high skyscraper) a stunning resemblance to The Burj Dubai in Dubai. All the way to the “Skin & Bones, BLOCKY” Philosophy of Ludwig Mies van der RoheWhat the last reader stated “Boring & Blocky Chicago Skyline” different architectural eras, Now Santiago Calatravas introduces a “New Era of Architecture to hit Chicago”I couldn’t think of any better place than Chicago for this building, isn’t his inspiration & design of this building, Native Americans, arriving at the lake making a fire….. a column of smoke rising above Lake Michigan's shoreline.

JB - Wednesday, May 9th, 2007 @ 12:15pm  

  defenitly calatrava heard my mind!!!!! (I was thinking about see the first proposed tallest than 400m) its great!!! I know chicago and has a magnificent view!.. I thing with this would be the famous and most beutiful skyline in america and also the world!!(Dubai wont do it.. America built for art..Asia just copy and do it for a record hehe) ... congrats!! Im waiting to see this calavantra's creation! = )

Rodrigo - Tuesday, May 8th, 2007 @ 10:51pm  

  A thrilling building for an exciting city that understands architecture.

Marie - Tuesday, May 8th, 2007 @ 8:26pm  

  I think the Chicago spire will be the center piece of the skyline and hopefully the inspiration to future generations of architechs. I also hope that it could play a role in bringing the olympics to the city. I think it would be a great inspiration to all chicago residents and the atheletes a well.