CHICAGO | Aqua | 858 FT / 262 M | 87 FLOORS - Page 247

wrab · #**4921** Posted **May 16, 2009, 4:01 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ardvark

.....Stunning use of existing materials, and relatively cheap too.....

There's the clincher - S/G did this all on Magellan's (low) budget, which impresses the heck out of me.

-----

Balconies and glass are organically tied into view corridors and seasonal solar angles at this specific latitude, so Aqua is site-specific; talk of it not fitting with Chicago, or of it looking better elsewhere, are therefore misguided IMHO.

george · #**4922** Posted **May 16, 2009, 5:45 PM**

5-14-09

djvandrake · #**4923** Posted **May 16, 2009, 5:59 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steely Dan

it's a mechanical floor, there would be no functional reason to have balconies located at that level. it makes sense to me.

Functional? No. Aesthetically? IMO yes. The break in the repeating pattern is the first thing that my eye is drawn to. (But I'm an engineer and wierd like that, so

) It couldn't have been that much more $$$ to continue the balcony pattern there.

Quote:

i wholly disagree. the building is perhaps even more magical from a distance because it drifts into relative anonymity as just another chicago box, and yet as you draw closer it morphs into this other-worldy form. i love how this building pulls off that trick. it doesn't draw attention to itself until you're right on top of (underneath) it. that's a neat trick and i'm certain there's a fair bit of genius behind it.

Hmmmm. I can respect that and is something I haven't considered. Granted I haven't seen this tower in person for 12+ months and the relative close up shots are what I'm basing my perspective on. I'll be in town again this summer, and will have to take stock of that aspect from various locations.

J_M_Tungsten · #**4924** Posted **May 16, 2009, 7:58 PM**

I think this building did exactly what it was meant to do, get people talking and interested in the building in order to increase sales. On this website alone, it has the fourth highest amount of views, only behind the most popular building projects in the world, The Burj Dubai, The Trump Tower Chicago, and The World Trade Center. It has inspired many people, not by its height, but by its distinctive shape. Although I think the so called "missing" balconies does look some what odd from certain angles, it definitely doesnt take away from this unique building. Also I really like what this project has done for this part of the city...FINALLY connecting the different street levels!

What defines "Chicago" architecture? I am glad to see that there are new and more modern designs coming to our city. We can appreciate the past, but we can't live in it, or build the same style buildings for that matter. I will always respect the buildings that have been built in the years past, but its time to start thinking outside the box. If the building projects in Dubai have showed me anything, I think the world (and Chicago) is ready for new and more unique architecture. Now I'm not saying all the buildings in Dubai would look right in Chicago, but I feel many of todays architects can use Chicago's past architectural designs as a base to make great buildings for the city's future.

wrab · #**4925** Posted **May 17, 2009, 5:37 AM**

5/14

george · #**4926** Posted **May 17, 2009, 12:41 PM**

^Love the contrast in shapes & surfaces!^

harryc · #**4927** Posted **May 17, 2009, 1:44 PM**

EarlyBuyer · #**4928** Posted **May 17, 2009, 2:26 PM**

Thanks for the updates george, wrabbit and harry.

Nice work, looking good!

Nowhereman1280 · #**4929** Posted **May 17, 2009, 4:53 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by lawfin

^^Young, Ardent and of course never wrong......a ..shall we say.....volatile....mix

As much as you contribute sometimes, the tone of your posts and constant personal attacks are extremely off topic and have got to end...

chrslyp · #**4930** Posted **May 18, 2009, 2:48 PM**

[QUOTE=djvandrake;4251784]Maybe I should have been a touch more specific rather than make such a generalized statement.

(and also let me state for the record I'm a HUGE fan of Chicago architecture. 340 on the Park to me is the essence of beauty.

)

i totally agree with you on this. those views of the park from the south side are some of the most amazing i've ever seen.

as for aqua, it appears to be coming along quite nicely. the last time i was in chicago was a year ago, and i don't remember the floor count, but it was significantly shorter. wish i could see it now.

Chitown · #**4931** Posted **May 18, 2009, 6:20 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by harryc

Woah. I hadn't noticed how much higher the penthouse ceilings are. That must be awesome.

Mojava · #**4932** Posted **May 18, 2009, 10:46 PM**

Today from Millennium Park

EarlyBuyer · #**4933** Posted **May 19, 2009, 1:16 AM**

Photos taken by EarlyBuyer 5/18/09, lunchbreak

TorancisOMP · #**4934** Posted **May 19, 2009, 1:31 AM**

Do we know if there will be any water fall or fountain in the lobby, hence the tower's name?

EarlyBuyer · #**4935** Posted **May 19, 2009, 2:31 AM**

Photos taken by EarlyBuyer 5/18/09

O-tacular · #**4936** Posted **May 19, 2009, 3:46 AM**

Wow. This is my favourite building ANYWHERE right now. You guys are lucky. Sigh. I have to visit Chicago one day.

denizen467 · #**4937** Posted **May 19, 2009, 5:41 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by TorancisOMP

Do we know if there will be any water fall or fountain in the lobby, hence the tower's name?

The name itself is contrived already (since the inspiration is stone+wind, not water), so it would be pushing it to carry any expression of it any further. Not that this is beyond the Magellan crew; in fact they may think it essential to the average renter. The sidewalk planter people certainly didn't shrink from the temptation. So there is a non-answer answer to your question.

denizen467 · #**4938** Posted **May 19, 2009, 5:42 AM**

CVS opens May 31.

J_M_Tungsten · #**4939** Posted **May 19, 2009, 5:45 AM**

fantasitic shots earlybuyer, this building is going to be great for its tenants, an amazing pool and garden floor. Will that also be available to the guest of the hotel that will one day come here? that wont be fun for the tenants if day comes!

george · #**4940** Posted **May 19, 2009, 12:48 PM**

^EarlyBuyer, Well done, incredible detail!^