AP Features, May 14th, 2007
A 150-story lakefront tower that would be the nation's tallest building is a step closer to reality.
The City Council has approved a zoning change that clears the way for construction on the 2,000-foot, twisting Chicago Spire.
The completed structure would unseat the city's 1,451-foot Sears Tower as the tallest building in the United States. The spire would also be taller than New York's 1,776-foot Freedom Tower, currently under construction at the former World Trade Center site.
The Chicago tower was designed by Santiago Calatrava. The Spanish-born architect designed the Athens Olympic sports complex and the Milwaukee Art Museum addition in addition to buildings in a museum and arts complex in his native Valencia. Calatrava's unique designs often become tourist attractions in their own right.
The Chicago tower, which will be located near the intersection of the Chicago River and Lake Michigan, will feature a four-story transparent glass lobby and 1,200 residences, according to Kim Metcalfe, a spokeswoman for developer Shelbourne Development Ltd. of Ireland.
"The Chicago Spire will be the world's most celebrated address, and we look forward to beginning construction in a matter of weeks," said Garrett Kelleher, the executive chairman of Shelbourne.
Financial hurdles remain for the project, which experts estimate will cost more than $2 billion.
The world's tallest building is the Taipei 101 tower in Taiwan. It measures 1,671 feet and 101 floors.
A tower in Dubai currently under construction is expected to rise beyond 2,300 feet and more than 160 floors. Builders of that structure, the Burj Dubai, say the tower has already reached the height of the Sears Tower and still has a long way to go. Its ultimate height is a secret.
