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

[bnk]

um

what?

[Busy Bee]

Let me translate.

The absence of any more railings being installed could mean 2 things:

1) They just haven't got to it yet.

2) Gang and company are wise to how crappy they are and could potentially screw up this gorgeous building and are working on an alternate design.


???????

[SolarWind]

July 17, 2008

[denizen467]

Originally Posted by Busy Bee

Let me translate.

The absence of any more railings being installed could mean 2 things:

1) They just haven't got to it yet.

2) Gang and company are wise to how crappy they are and could potentially screw up this gorgeous building and are working on an alternate design.


???????

Yep, thanks, those are probably the 2 likely scenarios.

Here is a restated version (since many of y'all will just be preoccupied going to see our fair city writ nationwide in The Dark Knight tonight):
A) They are intentionally delaying the railings as much as possible, to get a nice photo op when topped out. Architects (and developers) are really picky about ensuring they get really beautiful shots of their projects, for their websites, portfolios, magazine covers, etc. Often they make sure the contract allows a photo shoot before people are allowed to move in and mess the place up, etc. (I think in the case of Aqua they would consider photos of even a quasi-completed building to be worthwhile - even if just as a textbook example of what computer-varied forms/concrete can achieve in a high rise.)
B) see #2 above by Busy Bee
C) They changed their mind and won't install any railings, period. Great - except unfortunately it means the balconies are off limits forever (and it's a blatant violation of Chicago's golden rule of form-follows-function).
D) see #1 above by Busy Bee

[Dr. Taco]

^ my guess is they installed test railings to see how they liked them before ordering 800 of them. If they didn't like how they looked, or didn't like the quality, they are conceivably working out a contract with another company or redesigning the railings. But it is VERY VERY VERY VERY unthinkable that they wouldn't have railings at all, and its also very unthinkable that they will change much from black wrought iron (I think thats what that is).

Its a pretty good thought, though, that they might install the railings after the building tops off for the photo-op

[hawkeye view]

Interesting discussion...
If that is indeed true, won't they want the entire pedestal completed for the photo? Including pool and all ?
Wouldn't that delay the timeline for occupancy and hence cash flow from closings ?
Is that alot to expect to get some photos?
Speaking as an owner in the neighborhood with a balcony, I would have strongly considered backing out of my contract if the developer pulled my balcony from my unit before closing. It is frequently used and my favorite space....especially for photos
Whatever they do, I hope it looks as fantastic as the building I am watching rise, as I will be looking at for a long time.

[NYC4Life]

Can't get enough of this Aqua tower. Just looks beautiful. Another great additon to Chicago's skyline.

[denizen467]

Originally Posted by hawkeye view

Wouldn't that delay the timeline for occupancy and hence cash flow from closings ?
Is that alot to expect to get some photos?

There probably is a sufficient window of time after topping-out (and finishing painting balconies white) but before the interior is ready for move-in. Maybe the railings would only take a couple weeks. There could even be enough time for much of the podium to be completed (excluding maybe planting its rooftop garden), do a photo shoot, install railings, and be ready in time for move-in. Also, the hotel portion wouldn't need usable balconies in order for it to open/softlaunch.

I'm totally speculating, but just think of how unique this structure is in the whole universe, especially at this 800ft scale ... I think having one set of "Look, world! This is where decades/centuries of progress have brought the cutting edge in 2008. We conceived and built it. And we did it in Chicago." photos is probably worth doing, since it's hard to imagine the railings (or at least poorly done railings) won't substantially diminish the impact.

Originally Posted by hawkeye view

Speaking as an owner in the neighborhood with a balcony, I would have strongly considered backing out of my contract if the developer pulled my balcony from my unit before closing. It is frequently used and my favorite space....especially for photos

Yes, scenario C) is drastic and probably only a theoretical possibility.

[denizen467]

It would be interesting to toss around ideas for how to achieve minimally obtrusive balcony railings for Aqua. What color would be best -- is black the best option? Any way to minimize the amount of metal? Remember the earlier photos showed diagonal support members in addition to the railings themselves; just getting rid of those would reduce visual clutter.

How about other materials, like incorporating plexiglass? Hockey rink walls take a beating and seem to survive; are those plexiglass? Could these be kept clean using window washing equipment? Maybe much more expensive; wonder if the powers that be would consider it worth it just for the unique experiment of Aqua? And reflectivity would be an issue..

[ardecila]

You keep being too optimistic. The railings WILL be installed eventually, guaranteed.

They may turn out much different from the demo piece that's already been installed - but if that's the case, then they would have started looking for alternatives long ago when they installed the first kind. We should have seen a second type of railing installed by now, if they are indeed changing them.

[SolarWind]

July 17, 2008

[Aqua Plumber]

i know for a fact that railings are coming very soon.....there was discussion the other day about this due to the fact that some workers have been breaking the arms off the windows to allow a little better airflow on the floors, which can be very hot and "greenhouse like". the small windows only open up 3-4 inches if that, not providing very good air circulation. what does this have to do with railings?....once railings are in place it is my assumption that opening the doors will no longer be a safety issue and workers will have a nice breeze to work with. at any rate, i heard in a couple weeks.

[ethereal_reality]

posted on flickr by Carl Carl.

[brinvion]

Aqua is looking great. It has a ethereal feel to it. I am also anxious to see what effect the railings have on this building.

[EarlyBuyer]

New Jeanne Gang interview video


http://www.lakeshoreeast.com/video-arch-09-jGang-hi.html

[the urban politician]

I have asked this before, but with still no answer to date.

Has there ever been another highrise built in Chicago that has had a female architect?

[honte]

^ Yes, Natalie de Blois was the architect of Equitable Building, although Bruce Graham disputed that she did the design work. There is no doubt that she led the studio on that design.

Just up the street and down the river from Aqua, ironically.

I think that there are probably other examples, but I'd have to really rack my brain to figure them out. However, off the top of my head, I think it's easy to say that there is not another high-rise designed by a firm run by a woman.

[EarlyBuyer]

Photos taken by EarlyBuyer 7/20/08

[EarlyBuyer]

Photos taken by EarlyBuyer 7/20/08

[HowardL]

Originally Posted by EarlyBuyer

Wow ... those balconies are really starting to project out pretty significantly. They look almost fragile from this perspective.