Chicago Spire

The Chicago Spire (former project name Fordham Spire ) is a skyscraper in Chicago whose construction began in the summer of 2007 and was discontinued in the fall of 2008. The building, designed by the Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava building was to be the tallest building in the United States with an elevation of 610 meters. Completion was originally scheduled for 2012. It is unlikely that the building is ever built on, because at the moment the property is for sale.

Architecture

The design was changed between 2005 and the final acceptance of the plans through the city on 12 May 2007 several times. After deletion of the hotel, which was originally supposed to occupy the top 20 floors, the apartments are final only provided whereby the Spire would be the highest purely residential building in the world. More changes affected the shape of the tip, which was widened in the last draft, to make room, and the relocation of the separate garage building into the ground under the building.

Much emphasis was placed on environmental considerations. To receive the coveted LEED Gold Award, the developer provided, inter alia prior to reuse rainwater to use river water for cooling purposes and to protect by means of a special glass birds from collisions.

As a consequence of the 9/11-Anschlag New York two emergency staircases were provided the same.

Spirally twisted tower should have a total twist of 360 degrees, to each of the floors 150 2.4 ° omitted. He is said to be high up to the roof 610 meters (2000 feet ). He would be the highest skyscraper in the U.S. and would Chicago's Willis Tower (442 meters structural height, 527 meters with antenna), up to now, the highest American skyscrapers are considerably above in all categories. The Chicago Spire would also be higher than the One World Trade Center in New York City with 541 meters. The tower would be (at the time of the originally planned ready position) after the Burj Khalifa in Dubai ( 828 meters), the world's second tallest building.

Construction and building freeze

After the project was presented to the public in 2005 under the name Fordham Spire, construction began in June 2007. In the fall of 2008, however, announced that the construction is stopped due to the financial crisis, after the majority of the foundation was finished. The Magazine The Wall Street Journal reported in autumn 2008 that it could be found to continue the construction by mid-2009. However, after prolonged financial problems the project developer Shelbourne Development, this date could not be met. It is unclear if and when work is continuing on the tower. In December 2010, a press release was issued that the property is located close to the Lake Michigan immediately and until further held by the Bank and those seeking the sale.