Commercial Architecture March 2018 - 22

FEATURE

building design

The tower foundation is supported by
16 fully reinforced caissons, each with a
10-ft. dia. and drilled 6 ft. into bedrock.

natural daylight, and use of low volatile organic compound (VOC),

ing's main entry. The 300-linear-ft. Riverwalk has a continuous walk-

non-emitting construction materials.

way, overlooks that lead pedestrians to the water's edge, benches facing the river, a landscape buffer between the building and the

PUBLIC OPEN SPACE

Riverwalk, and a terraced seating area facing the river. The park is a

It is extremely rewarding to see a long-vacant parcel develop into an

green and passive space intended to be a respite from the busy, dense

iconic structure and vibrant public space. Wolff Landscape Archi-

urban surroundings. Access from the plaza to the park is by direct

tects, Chicago (wolfflandscape.com), was retained to design the pub-

steps and a switchback-sloped sidewalk, eliminating the need for an

lic space because of their experience with landscapes on structures

ADA-compliant ramp.

and with the complex Chicago entitlements process. This experience

The overall construction approach was driven by a culture of in-

was invaluable in navigating a process that requires all projects along

tegration and Lean principles. Onsite leadership created a collabora-

the river be treated as "waterway planned developments" that must

tive environment that pushed the limits of teamwork to optimize the

be reviewed and approved by the 42nd Ward Alderman, the Depart-

process and minimize waste of materials, time, and effort. The inter-

ment of Housing and Economic Development, and the Chicago

ests of all stakeholders were aligned to "what's best for the project."

Plan Commission.

The resulting structure has been recognized with several awards, in-

Wolff architects developed a design that divided the building's

cluding the 2017 Chicago Innovation Award, the Chicago Commer-

public open space into three different zones: the entry plaza, the

cial Real Estate Awards 2017 Development of the Year, and the Chi-

riverfront promenade, and the elevated park. The landscaped park

cago Building Congress 2017 Merit Award Finalist for New

and riverfront promenade hide parking and provide 24/7-accessible

Construction Over $55 Million. CA

green space for tenants and passersby.

22

COMMERCI A L A RCHI T EC T URE

MARCH 2018

The tower's 45-ft. setback from the river made possible 1 1/2 acres

Chris Phares is a project executive with Clark Construction Group,

of public space around the building. The plaza is wide at the street to

Chicago. His 17 years in the industry include extensive experience in

invite visitors into the site. It then narrows between the Riverwalk

design-build, sustainability, and urban development. Contact him at

and the park, and expands again to provide direct access to the build-

312-258-5484 or chris.phares@clarkchicago.com.

commercialarchitecturemagazine.com
http://www.wolfflandscape.com http://www.commercialarchitecturemagazine.com
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Commercial Architecture March 2018
