Office tower with rooftop wading pool begins construction in Loop

Work on 145 S. Wells Street is well underway

By Jay Koziarz May 22, 2018, 1:14pm CDT

Developers of a new office tower at 145 S. Wells Street are finally moving dirt—a full six months after the 20-story project landed its first construction permit.

Designed by the architect-developer team of Moceri + Roszak, the upcoming building will deliver boutique, loft-style offices plus extensive tenant amenities. Standout features include an outdoor terrace with fire pits and a wading pool as well as an indoor lounge sporting table tennis, billiards, golf simulators, and a bar.

After heavy equipment was spotted at the site last week, construction-focused blog Building Up Chicago confirmed on Monday that foundation work was indeed well underway. The planned tower replaces an unremarkable four-story parking garage which was demolished last spring.

145 S. Wells Streets represents Moceri + Roszak’s first foray into office development. The firm is primarily associated with residential projects including Chicago’s JeffJack and Linea apartments.

The development team is building their Wells Street project on spec—or without an anchor tenant lined up. A similarly speculative office tower was recently completed at nearby 625 W. Adams but has yet to publicly announce any tenants.

The development is also the only high-rise under construction within the boundaries of the elevated tracks that give Chicago’s Loop its name. Considering the tightly packed area’s scarcity of vacant land, it’s perhaps little surprise that most new development is instead concentrated in places like the West Loop, South Loop, Streeterville, and River North.