CHICAGO | Aqua | 858 FT / 262 M | 87 FLOORS

[wrab]

^ Not a disagreement, but a qualification - elevation does change both the the view and the view corridor, depending the heights & widths of the surrounding towers, and on distance to the desired objects. The balconies also serve to mask out undesirable views.

You are no doubt correct that the design is not fully rational - not, say, like Weese's Detention Center, or like Marina City. But it does brand the building in a big way, improving sales & price points.