Developer planning two towers for former Chicago Spire site, says report

While the plan to redevelop the high-profile Chicago Spire site isn’t expected to be unveiled until May 15, the Chicago Tribune has reported early details ahead of the project’s upcoming public meeting.

Citing an unnamed City of Chicago source familiar with the proposal, Friday’s article claims that developer Related Midwest is planning to built a pair of towers for the high-profile 2.2 acre site at 400 Lake Shore Drive rising to the respective height of 1,000 and 850 feet.

The report also names architect David Childs from the New York office of Skidmore, Owings & Merrill as the project’s lead designer. Programming is said to contain condo units, rental apartments, and hotel rooms.

Related Midwest declined to comment on the details of Friday’s Tribune article. “We look forward to presenting our proposal at Tuesday’s public community meeting,” said a company spokesperson in an email to Curbed Chicago.

Shawn Ursini/Curbed Chicago

If the Trib’s figures prove accurate, the new design will be considerably shorter than the ambitious 2,000-foot condo tower originally slated for site. Construction on the 150-story skyscraper’s foundation began in 2007 but stalled the following year amid the global financial crisis, leaving behind an unsightly pit.

Related Midwest moved to acquire the Spire site in late 2014. The busy Chicago-based developer is also working on high-rise projects such One Bennett Park, the Equinox Hotel, and a 43-story condo tower proposed for 170 N. Peoria Street in the West Loop.

The company formally presented its plans for a 62-acre riverfront development site known as The 78 at a public meeting Thursday evening.

Related’s proposal for 400 N. Lake Shire Drive is set to debut on May 15 at 6:00 p.m. in the ballroom of Streeterville’s Sheraton Grand Chicago Hotel at 301 E North Water Street.

• Two soaring towers planned for long-languishing Chicago Spire site along Lake Shore Drive [Chicago Tribune]
• Developer to debut new plan for the stalled Chicago Spire site [Curbed Chicago]
• What’s next for Santiago Calatrava’s troubled Chicago Spire? [Curbed Chicago]