FEATURE
building design
The tower foundation is supported by 16 fully reinforced caissons, each with a 10-ft. dia. and drilled 6 ft. into bedrock.
natural daylight, and use of low volatile organic compound (VOC),
ing’s main entry. The 300-linear-ft. Riverwalk has a continuous walk-
non-emitting construction materials.
way, overlooks that lead pedestrians to the water’s edge, benches facing the river, a landscape buffer between the building and the
PUBLIC OPEN SPACE
Riverwalk, and a terraced seating area facing the river. The park is a
It is extremely rewarding to see a long-vacant parcel develop into an
green and passive space intended to be a respite from the busy, dense
iconic structure and vibrant public space. Wolff Landscape Archi-
urban surroundings. Access from the plaza to the park is by direct
tects, Chicago (wolfflandscape.com), was retained to design the pub-
steps and a switchback-sloped sidewalk, eliminating the need for an
lic space because of their experience with landscapes on structures
ADA-compliant ramp.
and with the complex Chicago entitlements process. This experience
The overall construction approach was driven by a culture of in-
was invaluable in navigating a process that requires all projects along
tegration and Lean principles. Onsite leadership created a collabora-
the river be treated as “waterway planned developments” that must
tive environment that pushed the limits of teamwork to optimize the
be reviewed and approved by the 42nd Ward Alderman, the Depart-
process and minimize waste of materials, time, and effort. The inter-
ment of Housing and Economic Development, and the Chicago
ests of all stakeholders were aligned to “what’s best for the project.”
Plan Commission.
The resulting structure has been recognized with several awards, in-
Wolff architects developed a design that divided the building’s
cluding the 2017 Chicago Innovation Award, the Chicago Commer-
public open space into three different zones: the entry plaza, the
cial Real Estate Awards 2017 Development of the Year, and the Chi-
riverfront promenade, and the elevated park. The landscaped park
cago Building Congress 2017 Merit Award Finalist for New
and riverfront promenade hide parking and provide 24/7-accessible
Construction Over $55 Million. CA
green space for tenants and passersby.
22
COMMERCI A L A RCHI T EC T URE
MARCH 2018
The tower’s 45-ft. setback from the river made possible 1 1/2 acres
Chris Phares is a project executive with Clark Construction Group,
of public space around the building. The plaza is wide at the street to
Chicago. His 17 years in the industry include extensive experience in
invite visitors into the site. It then narrows between the Riverwalk
design-build, sustainability, and urban development. Contact him at
and the park, and expands again to provide direct access to the build-
312-258-5484 or chris.phares@clarkchicago.com.
commercialarchitecturemagazine.com
