Sears Tower

Constructed on May 3, 1973, the Sears Tower is among the most well known landmarks in Chicago and even in the whole world. Scaling to a height of 1,450 feet, this 110-storied building is the tallest in entire North America and ranks third in the world.

This tower had the record for 25 years as the tallest building in the world until the famous Petronas Towers were built in 1998 in Kuala Lampur, the capital of Malaysia. Again, in 2004, this status passed onto Taipei 101, but it was not the tallest in terms of the ends of the antennas. The entire height of Sears Tower, including its antennas rises to 1,725 feet.

Designed by the renowned architectural firms Skidmore and Owings & Merrill for Sears, it was developed by Roebuck & Company, which was the largest retailer of the world at the time. This building is among the premier properties in the whole world and one of the preeminent office addresses in the city.

Sears Tower is a perfect place for business with its wide range of top-rated amenities and comprehensive security networks. It offers over 3.8 million square feet of retail and office space. The retail space is roughly 159,000 square feet

Its location on Wacker Drive in the center of the city’s premier submarket or West Loop, which also houses commuter rail stations and large corporations, is strategic. In terms of its contemporary features and attractiveness, this 110-story Sears Tower is extraordinary. This trophy office tower is made from steel beams and columns forming a ‘mega-module’ system. The property features an executive 160-car parking garage that can be accessed from Franklin Street. The other notable amenities include the tallest skydeck, a broadcast platform, fitness facility, full-service conference center, and other technology features. The view from all the floors is unparalleled.

Chicago Spire

The construction of the Chicago Spire was started in 2007, when the ground was broken in the month of July and thirty two reinforced concrete caissons were installed. On the completion of this building, it will become the tallest building in entire Chicago in terms of its roof height, thereby surpassing the stature of buildings like Sears Tower and Taipei 101. It is likely that the Chicago Spire will be compared with another building named Burj Dubai.

The architecture of this impressive building has been inspired from natural forms. Every floor of the building juts out seven arms from the main central vertical axis and each arm has a concave edge. When the building rises, every floor rotates by 2 degrees in such a manner that the length of the radial arms decrease. This ends in the formation of an elegant spiral turn of the building. The spiral shape of the building resists the forces of the wind as well.

Enjoying a great location bordering Lake Michigan, the guests and residents of the 5-star hotel can get thrilled with the beautiful view of the lakefront and the city. The Chicago Spire is slated to be finished by 2012. It will have 150 floors, 1,200 rooms, and a floor area of 81,470 m². It is supposed to be used for as a hotel, office and also for residential purposes. Architect Santiago Calatrava will give this high-rise its magnificent shape.

Blue Cross-Blue Shield Tower

The Blue Cross-Blue Shield Tower, located at East Randolph Street, is a high-rise office building of Chicago city. Very contemporary in its appearance, this building began its journey of construction in 1997 and is expected to be over by 2009. The 54 storied building has a height of about 226.5 meters.

It has been designed in such a way that the roof can be removed in the future for further expansion. The glass and steel made structure looks awesome. Owned by Blue Cross/Blue Shield and designed by Lohan Associates, the Blue Cross-Blue Shield Tower achieved the Honor Awards from the American Institute of Architects in 1998.

The Blue Cross-Blue Shield Tower has the capacity to support 24 additional floors if needed. The 15, 28, and 40th floor will be for crossover uses and the 17, 30, and 41st floor will be for mechanical uses. There is a huge atrium that is open for the public on special arrangement, is located on the northern side of the building. There are 2 empty vertical shafts in the atrium, which consists of an open staircase and many platforms in between them.

There is a landscaped plaza on the northern and eastern side of the building that provides a view of the Lakeshore East complex. On the midway up the building on the 15th floor are located the executive offices. There is also a circular stone Shaker lodge in the middle of the 15th floor to accommodate the executive meeting room.

The Blue Cross-Blue Shield Tower has used granite stones for the eastern and the western facades. Besides, fritted glass has been used on the facade, interior partitions in the atrium, and also in the elevators. Most of the elevators in it are placed outside the concrete service cores. There is an oval shaped reception desk in the lobby that looks really very striking. This desk has an oval halo hanging overhead. The conference center is located under the back plaza.

Some of the companies who are involved in this building are Higgins Development Partners, Alfred Benesch & Company, Ozinga Chicago RMC, Inc., Walsh Construction, and Maron Electric Company.