New renderings preview Essex on the Park’s dramatic winter garden

As the South Michigan Avenue’s 56-story Essex on the Park tower continues its skyward climb, a pair of newly released renderings provide fresh perspectives of the skyscraper’s stunning four-story winter garden overlooking Grand Park.

“The design team was inspired to capture within the building a slice of the park beyond,” Paul Alessandro, partner at Hartshorne Plunkard Architecture (HPA) tells Curbed Chicago. “If Grant Park is an oasis of green carved out of the city proper, the atrium is an oasis of green carved out of the new Essex on the Park tower.”

Rendering courtesy of Hartshorne Plunkard Architecture

Indeed, the interior of the winter garden draws many design elements directly from its eastern view, according to the architect. The hanging gardens and green wall is meant to evoke the trees and lawn of the park while the infinity-edge pool mirrors the water of Lake Michigan beyond.

The soaring space will be shared by the residents of the tower’s 479 rental units and will also be available for private events hosted by a upcoming restaurant to be located one floor below.

Developed by Oxford Capital, the 620-foot, green glass-clad Essex on the Park high-rise has been under construction since the spring of 2017. The residential tower as well as Oxford’s renovation of the next door Essex Inn hotel are expected to be complete in 2019.

Hartshorne Plunkard Architecture

• Michigan Avenue’s Essex on the Park is a go [Curbed Chicago]
• Essex on the Park [Official website]
• Previous South Loop coverage [Curbed Chicago]