Staircase-like office tower designed by SOM officially breaks ground in Fulton Market

A 19-story office tower slated for 800 W. Fulton Market is official ready to join the area’s construction bonanza. On Tuesday afternoon, its developers joined Alderman Walter Burnett Jr. (27th) to hold a groundbreaking ceremony for the block-sized project, which will rise just north of the neon Fulton Market neighborhood gateway sign.

The event is slightly behind schedule given the fact that foundation work on the project has been underway for at least several weeks—landing the project a spot on Curbed Chicago’s high-rise construction map. The project replaces the now-demolished John R. Morreale Meat warehouse, the Isaacson & Stein Fish Company building, and The Mid nightclub.

Designed by architecture firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM), the upcoming tower at 800 W. Fulton Market will include multiple stepped setbacks with landscaped terraces along its stepped southern elevation. Its north and south sides feature X-shaped steel cross-braces. In addition to office space, the 450,000-square-foot building will contain an underground parking garage and retail spaces at all four corners.

New York-based developer Thor Equities and partner QuadReal have yet to announce any tenants for 800 W. Fulton Market. When the building opens in spring 2021, it will join a number of nearby office projects including the trio of buildings at 330, 333, and 360 N. Green from Sterling Bay and a development from Shapack Partners and Focus underway at 167 N. Green.

Rendering courtesy SOM