There are some major benefits to having one large building on site versus the initial PD of 3 towers crammed on the site.
-The units are not looking into each other.
-Less crowding on site and overall masterplan
-reduce parking levels required and a more efficient structure
-hotel in lower podium levels are better from a security standpoint. They
create and intermediate mass between the podium and tower.
-The slot in the center tower becomes better proportioned to the mass
-larger ballrooms/spa/restaurants due to a centralized tower structure
The tower may not appear as 900'+ in the Tribune image - that may be b/c due to the buildings overall enormous mass.
We are used to seeing pencil thin or tapering masses in our supertalls, but Building C minimizes it's upper mass in an abstract way by creating a nearly 30story needle hole, that will allow a constant change of lighting dynamics. The building will be a beckon of sorts on the riverfront. But seriously, it is as wide as the AON but much less wide than Blue Cross. The site location at the end of UL Wacker is important and a monumental building such as this is appropriate.
Enough hippie talk, as you can see in the BW image, floor to ceiling glass and very fancy banding material creating an elegant mass. The big guys are trying their hardest to minimize the green tint (ala Aqua
)
The word is 'Elegant': maybe alittle Bauhaus in theme but this is a super-modern structure with 5-star details and very modern programming. It maybe retro, but so is the new 2009 Camaro convertible that everyone loves.
Just hope that L+A architects have a good lighting designer for the hole and that Architectonica comes up with a fantastic and colorful podium, and a 30 story bright red spiral staircase would make a far-out Willy Wonka's Factory kind of unrealism.
Just my opinion, and note I didn't give out any new information.
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