CHICAGO | Aqua | 858 FT / 262 M | 87 FLOORS - Page 240

harryc · #**4781** Posted **Apr 18, 2009, 12:55 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by CHAPINM1

Earlybuyer I will admit, dispite my criticisms about the building's dementions, I'd definetly like to live there if I'd live in Chicago! It's exciting seeing this project finish.

Buildings aren't demented, the tenants may be though.

April 15

Dr. Taco · #**4782** Posted **Apr 18, 2009, 1:09 PM**

the planters are definitely......MEH. oh well

this morning

wrab · #**4783** Posted **Apr 18, 2009, 2:35 PM**

Those planters would be perhaps security barriers above all else? Because otherwise it seems a shame to cordon off that wonderful street-level glass from the streetscape.

the urban politician · #**4784** Posted **Apr 18, 2009, 3:52 PM**

The planters are kitschy, but what's wrong with a bit of that? I see it as the architect sort of poking fun at herself while trying to beautify the streetscape in a tongue-in-cheek sort of way--sort of a last minute "fuck it, lets do something fun with the planters" kind of thing.

I love it because it's different. How many planters do you see like that walking around in a typical city? Anything that adds some playful distinctiveness to this increasingly homogenized world is good for me.

BTW, I love how the base looks in its context in this image posted earlier:

ethereal_reality · #**4785** Posted **Apr 18, 2009, 4:34 PM**

I agree with the majority of the posts concerning the planters.
The planters should have mimicked the long horizontal base with sleek horizontal forms and nothing more.
(the plants/trees in them would do the rest)

When I see the building I think 'sophistication'.
Then I notice the planters and think..'maybe not so sophisticated'.

But, alas, they're only planters and I'm a geek for over thinking them.

Nowhereman1280 · #**4786** Posted **Apr 18, 2009, 5:07 PM**

^^^ How can you not love that base! I'm liking it more and more as they finish up cleaning up the base area.

tptraub · #**4787** Posted **Apr 18, 2009, 5:58 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by the urban politician

Yup, this is definitely my favorite tower of the the "boom".

I couldn't agree with you more. I walked past it the other day and was amazed at the progress made since last fall. The Edison substation is nowhere to be seen, I guess you have to go to a lower level to find it. Aqua is impressive when seen close-up, but it is really impressive when seen from a block or two away. As far as favorites is concerned I would put Aqua in the same category as the JHC.

Chicago Shawn · #**4788** Posted **Apr 18, 2009, 8:37 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nowhereman1280

As far as pedestrian traffic goes, there is currently no retail at all in the area, the CVS in the bottom of Aqua will be the only store for blocks in each direction. That should greatly increase traffic on this level.

That is not entirely accurate. There is actually a lot of retail in the area, its just below "grade" in the pedway system, which is of course where all the pedestrains are as well in Illinois Center.

Chicago Shawn · #**4789** Posted **Apr 18, 2009, 8:43 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by honte

Last, the base of the tower won some points with me recently for two reasons. 1) The massive cantilevered form seems to act like a giant, Manwich, inhabited slab edge. I think that's kind of cool and could be seen as a strange, mannerist way of relating back to the high-ceilinged entries of the past, or the traditional proportion of a first floor being more massive than the floors above. 2) The slab edges relaxing into a square form at the bottom verges on working with the mostly rectilinear base. So, it kind of works for me, especially at night when you can't really notice the designer EIFS that was used.

Are you sure about that material choice being EIFS? EIFS is illegal in Chicago, and I find it hard to believe someone would try to get away with using it in a prominent downtown location and right next to a fire station.

simcityaustin · #**4790** Posted **Apr 18, 2009, 9:38 PM**

Does anyone else find those lights horribly tacky? (on the base)

honte · #**4791** Posted **Apr 18, 2009, 10:45 PM**

^ I quite like the lighting, especially at night. It has a certain, oh, I don't know, Rotterdam quality to it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chicago Shawn

Are you sure about that material choice being EIFS? EIFS is illegal in Chicago, and I find it hard to believe someone would try to get away with using it in a prominent downtown location and right next to a fire station.

It's not true EIFS. I forget how the actual wall system went together, but it's essentially a variant of EIFS - a synthetic stucco. People call the variants by lots of funny acronyms, such as DAFS, etc. I tend to use EIFS fairly liberally as a shortcut for "synthetic stucco," which I suppose is a no-no.

But you are correct, I'm nearly certain. There was one article that described it as something like "custom-mixed cement plaster."

Nowhereman1280 · #**4792** Posted **Apr 19, 2009, 4:58 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chicago Shawn

That is not entirely accurate. There is actually a lot of retail in the area, its just below "grade" in the pedway system, which is of course where all the pedestrains are as well in Illinois Center.

I know, but I was answering the question of how lively the street is. Anyone going to the Pedway retail is not going to be on the surface, they are going to be in the Pedway, therefore its not going to affect surface traffic in any way.

Busy Bee · #**4793** Posted **Apr 19, 2009, 4:52 PM**

Those lights are awesome. What are you freakin nuts?

simcityaustin · #**4794** Posted **Apr 20, 2009, 12:33 AM**

Photo by Earlybuyer

I guess it was this pic that turned me off. It looks like lighting you see out here in Iowa in places such as drive-in movie theaters, Sonic-esque restaurants, etc.. They look like flurescent light fixtures. I think something more LED based would have been more '2009'. Also not crazy about their seemingly random placement. (Not against random placement, if it looks good) Might be one of those things I'll have to go see in person to make a true judgement.

Just for clarity I'm only talking about the lighting in the base.

fordgtman1992 · #**4795** Posted **Apr 20, 2009, 12:43 AM**

Any skyline shots?

I would love to see how this fits in

modkris · #**4796** Posted **Apr 20, 2009, 12:43 AM**

I don't understand all the complaints about the base, whether it be the lights, the planters and/or the base itself. I love the base and am pleasantly surprised by the large overhang and the skinny strips of light shining through it. Let's not forget the huge landscaped roof deck that sits on top of this which is as big as many small city parks. Gang did a great job incorporating the base as a long horizontal sleek space at the bottom. Anyone familiar with all the giant parking garage clunkers that have sprung up at the bottom of so many new towers should be very happy with this one. And the planters aren't that big of a deal to me. Hardly "tacky" as some people are saying.

harryc · #**4797** Posted **Apr 20, 2009, 1:40 AM**

Nowhereman1280 · #**4798** Posted **Apr 20, 2009, 1:58 AM**

This building is like IBM with Marina City balconies attached to it atop and updated Lake Point Tower base.

munda · #**4799** Posted **Apr 20, 2009, 4:26 AM**

hey guys i have couple of questions about this building
who better to ask than the experts...
whats the building type according to planning, space, materials and methods of construction
I cant find the info cuz honestly i dunno what all that stuff means
like ladder path, loft open, closed space plan, medium span...
thank you guys in advance

EarlyBuyer · #**4800** Posted **Apr 20, 2009, 4:36 AM**

Updates from Magellan released on 4/17:

"...Magellan Development Group is expecting to receive initial occupancy of several floors at Aqua next week! City inspections have commenced and will continue into next week. Magellan’s Corporate Office, currently located at 303 E. Wacker, is moving to it’s new headquarters on the first and second floors of Aqua on Friday, April 24th..."

"...CVS Pharmacy located on the southwest corner of Aqua is set to Grand Open the weekend of May 16/17..."