The Art of Moisture Protection

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), non-emitting construction materials.

PUBLIC OPEN SPACE It is extremely rewarding to see a long-vacant parcel develop into an iconic structure and vibrant public space. Wolff Landscape Architects, Chicago (wolfflandscape.com), was retained to design the public space because of their experience with landscapes on structures and with the complex Chicago entitlements process. This experience was invaluable in navigating a process that requires all projects along the river be treated as “waterway planned developments” that must be reviewed and approved by the 42nd Ward Alderman, the Department of Housing and Economic Development, and the Chicago Plan Commission.

Wolff architects developed a design that divided the building’s public open space into three different zones: the entry plaza, the riverfront promenade, and the elevated park. The landscaped park and riverfront promenade hide parking and provide 24/7-accessible green space for tenants and passersby.

The tower’s 45-ft. setback from the river made possible 1 1/2 acres of public space around the building. The plaza is wide at the street to invite visitors into the site. It then narrows between the Riverwalk and the park, and expands again to provide direct access to the building’s main entry. The 300-linear-ft. Riverwalk has a continuous walkway, overlooks that lead pedestrians to the water’s edge, benches facing the river, a landscape buffer between the building and the Riverwalk, and a terraced seating area facing the river. The park is a green and passive space intended to be a respite from the busy, dense urban surroundings. Access from the plaza to the park is by direct steps and a switchback-sloped sidewalk, eliminating the need for an ADA-compliant ramp.

The overall construction approach was driven by a culture of integration and Lean principles. Onsite leadership created a collaborative environment that pushed the limits of teamwork to optimize the process and minimize waste of materials, time, and effort. The interests of all stakeholders were aligned to “what’s best for the project.” The resulting structure has been recognized with several awards, including the 2017 Chicago Innovation Award, the Chicago Commercial Real Estate Awards 2017 Development of the Year, and the Chicago Building Congress 2017 Merit Award Finalist for New Construction Over $55 Million. CA

Chris Phares is a project executive with Clark Construction Group, Chicago. His 17 years in the industry include extensive experience in design-build, sustainability, and urban development. Contact him at 312-258-5484 or chris.phares@clarkchicago.com.