CHICAGO | 400 N Lake Shore Drive | 851 FT & 765 FT | 73 & ? FLOORS

[Zapatan]

Originally Posted by JK47

It won't. The developers here are far too cheap. Relentlessly focusing on value engineering the life out of every design.

These designs were sold to the Alders, neighborhood, and Plan Commission on the basis that a height reduction would be offset by quality materials. Then those materials were VE'd out of the final plans and the height cut down again.

There's zero interest in quality ... let alone height.

Yea, 2K is a little far fetched I guess, 1,400+ not as much if the stars align considering that's more or less a normal sized skyscraper globally now.

[iLeunamme]

Yeah, it is pretty underwhelming so far. Of course we have to wait until it is finished to judge. So far it looks typical blue glass box, once it starts to taper upwards I hope it looks much better, but the facade is pretty underwhelming. I loved the idea of terra cotta, not just another blue/gray glass/metal facade. If the north tower doesn't get built, this will unfortunately be just another filler in Chicago.

[swipyfox]

Originally Posted by iLeunamme

Yeah, it is pretty underwhelming so far. Of course we have to wait until it is finished to judge. So far it looks typical blue glass box, once it starts to taper upwards I hope it looks much better, but the facade is pretty underwhelming. I loved the idea of terra cotta, not just another blue/gray glass/metal facade. If the north tower doesn't get built, this will unfortunately be just another filler in Chicago.

This location is too prime for this to just be a "filler" tower. The height alone makes it worthwhile and will be skyline changing.

Although I seriously doubt the 2nd tower is coming anytime soon. Look what happened with NEMA. Still a vacant lot on prime real estate.

[iLeunamme]

Originally Posted by swipyfox

This location is too prime for this to just be a "filler" tower. The height alone makes it worthwhile and will be skyline changing.

Although I seriously doubt the 2nd tower is coming anytime soon. Look what happened with NEMA. Still a vacant lot on prime real estate.

This tower is about 20 feet taller than One Bennet and it is only a couple blocks down. One Bennet to me is a filler. This will probably stand out coming down lakeshore or by the lake, but it is definitely not skyline changing. MAYBE if the two are built and the south tower increases its height it MAY be skyline defying. But to say this is skyline changing is a big reach.

[cloudbod]

A) The north tower is the one under construction, not the south tower

B) it'll be about the same height as Water Tower Place and 900 N Michigan, which are both huge, highly visible towers. Not a superstar, but def not filler

C) 400 LSD's location, amidst a forest of other 500-800ft buildings, is more a factor in its skyline presence than its height. It's basically the opposite of 1000M

D) It'll be the second tallest tower on the skyline from Navy Pier (after Lake Point Tower) and all the tour boats will go right by it. It'll get more attention from tourists than Chicagoans

[iLeunamme]

Originally Posted by cloudbod

A) The north tower is the one under construction, not the south tower

B) it'll be about the same height as Water Tower Place and 900 N Michigan, which are both huge, highly visible towers. Not a superstar, but def not filler

C) 400 LSD's location, amidst a forest of other 500-800ft buildings, is more a factor in its skyline presence than its height. It's basically the opposite of 1000M

D) It'll be the second tallest tower on the skyline from Navy Pier (after Lake Point Tower) and all the tour boats will go right by it. It'll get more attention from tourists than Chicagoans

A) Fixed, Doesn't change the argument.

B) My point exactly, both fillers...

C) Which is why I said it will make more of a presence from lake shore or the lake.

D) Same as C.

[cloudbod]

800+ ft towers are not fillers man. Not in any city in North America. Are 30 rock or the MetLife building fillers?? The transamerica pyramid? One Bloor? Legacy?

OBP isn't filler either lol it's literally the highest easternmost point:


To me, an example of filler is 54 E Randolph St or Parcel O-- A building that doesn't really pop into the skyline, just fills out the street level.

[iLeunamme]

In Chicago they are. No one in their right mind sees the photo you posted and says, "Gee that building on the left sure stands out" They would all gravitate towards Regis. All those buildings in that photo are fillers. Regis is not.

[Zapatan]

Originally Posted by cloudbod

800+ ft towers are not fillers man. Not in any city in North America. Are 30 rock or the MetLife building fillers?? The transamerica pyramid? One Bloor? Legacy?

From certain angles an 800+ footer may appear somewhat prominent but not on the skyline as a whole.

Trans America is in SF which is much smaller / shorter than NY or Chicago.

[cloudbod]

Originally Posted by iLeunamme

All those buildings in that photo are fillers. Regis is not.

This just in, buildings that aren't top-3 supertalls are chopped liver lmao

I get pretty annoyed with this negative little subset of architecture fans who obsess over supertalls. Your "filler" includes some of the most innovative and impressive buildings in the history of modern architecture-- Lake Point, the Onterie Center, all four 1950's Mies resi towers, the American Furniture Mart, and River East center, all of which set major records when they were built, and all of em stand out from different angles:



Like, if that's all "filler" then idk what the point of any of this is lol

400 LSD will be a big deal, but not a record breaker-- basically streeterville's NEMA. I'm cool with that

[iLeunamme]

Originally Posted by cloudbod

This just in, buildings that aren't top-3 supertalls are chopped liver lmao

I get pretty annoyed with this negative little subset of architecture fans who obsess over supertalls. Your "filler" includes some of the most innovative and impressive buildings in the history of modern architecture-- Lake Point, the Onterie Center, all four 1950's Mies resi towers, the American Furniture Mart, and River East center, all of which set major records when they were built, and all of em stand out from different angles:


Like, if that's all "filler" then idk what the point of any of this is lol

400 LSD will be a big deal, but not a record breaker-- basically streeterville's NEMA. I'm cool with that

Who's obsessed with supertalls? I would rather take a 500 foot building with a great design than a 1000 foot glass box. You said this building was skyline changing, I am disagreeing with you saying that it is not. From the lake it may be, but as a whole its not. In a future Chicago postcard, this building will get lost in the bunch, making it a "filler". I'm not saying every 800 footer is a filler. There is nothing special about this tower other than its location.

[r18tdi]

I get that this is a skyscraper forum, but height queens repeating the same gripes does get to be tiresome.

[Zapatan]

Originally Posted by iLeunamme

There is nothing special about this tower other than its location.

Aside from the lack of height it's quite nice looking, much better than a box at least.

[iLeunamme]

Originally Posted by r18tdi

I get that this is a skyscraper forum, but height queens repeating the same gripes does get to be tiresome.

I agree. And also the queens that get upset when people have an opinion different than theirs.

[cloudbod]

Originally Posted by r18tdi

I get that this is a skyscraper forum, but height queens repeating the same gripes does get to be tiresome.

Exactlyyyy thank you. "Height queens" hahaha

It just seems like every week or so, somebody comes in with some new condemnation of the project and how it sucks and should've been taller and more expensive, providing no new info or pics or contribution of any kind, just negative vibes and weird arguments. Like, give us some sickass drone footage like munchymunch, not some wacky opinion with no backing

400 LSD's design is final, it's being built, and it'll be a beautiful addition to the skyline from some high-traffic vantage points. I say we just chill and enjoy the ride

[UrbanDweller98]

I'm at the point where it's beggars can't be choosers, hardly anything significant gets built in this city anymore so I am very grateful for this project and any other 150m+ we can get from now until 2040.

[swipyfox]

Originally Posted by UrbanDweller98

I'm at the point where it's beggars can't be choosers, hardly anything significant gets built in this city anymore so I am very grateful for this project and any other 150m+ we can get from now until 2040.

This. 400 LSD is the only highrise U/C in the city right now.

[NYguy]

Originally Posted by cloudbod

800+ ft towers are not fillers man. Not in any city in North America. Are 30 rock or the MetLife building fillers??

They are. Maybe even a step below. But this tower is fine, and when they are both built will stand out as an ensamble.

[Zapatan]

Even 1k+ footers are fillers in some places.

Originally Posted by UrbanDweller98

I'm at the point where it's beggars can't be choosers, hardly anything significant gets built in this city anymore so I am very grateful for this project and any other 150m+ we can get from now until 2040.

Judging by past cycles, the next one would come way before that unless we're really unlucky.

I just hope something significant gets built.

[HiRiser]

Originally Posted by NYguy

They are. Maybe even a step below. But this tower is fine, and when they are both built will stand out as an ensamble.

AI disagrees on Metlife NY being a filler. 'No it is not a filler, it is a prominent and icon skyscraper, and despite its age, it is nearly fully leased, demonstrating its continued relevance and desirability as office space'