Aqua is an 82-story mixed-use residential skyscraper in the Lakeshore East development in downtown Chicago. It is currently topped-out at 819 ft (250 m), and include six levels of parking below ground. The building’s eight-story, 140,000 sq ft (13,000 m2) base it is topped by a 82,550 sq ft (7,669 m2) terrace with gardens, gazebos, pools, hot tubs, a walking/running track and fire pit.
Architect
Aqua is designed by Jeanne Gang, principal and founder of Studio Gang Architects, and it is her first skyscraper project. This is the largest project ever awarded to an American firm headed by a woman. Loewenberg & Associates are the architects of record, led by James Loewenberg.
Design
The Aqua Tower is located on the 200 block of North Columbus Drive, and is surrounded by high-rises. To capture views of nearby landmarks for Aqua’s residents, Gang stretched its balconies outward by as much as 12 feet (3.7 meters). The result is a building composed of irregularly shaped concrete floor slabs which lend the facade an undulating, sculptural quality. Gang cites the striated limestone outcroppings that are a common topographic feature of the Great Lakes region as inspiration for these slabs.
The building contain 55,000 square feet (5,100 square meter) of retail and office space, in addition to 215 hotel rooms (floors 1-18), 476 rental residential units (floors 19-52), and 263 condominium units & Penthouses (floors 53-80). Aqua is also the first downtown building to combine condos, apartments and a hotel. Strategic Hotels & Resorts had agreed to acquire the first 15 floors of hotel space upon completion of the building, but terminated its $84 million contract for the space in August 2008, citing significant changes in the economic environment.
The name ‘Aqua’ was assigned to the building by Magellan Development Group LLC. It fits the nautical theme of the other buildings in the Lakeshore East development, and is derived from the wave-like forms of the balconies; the tower’s proximity to nearby Lake Michigan also influenced the name.
Sustainability was also an important factor in Aqua’s design. Gang and her team refined the terrace extensions to maximize solar shading, and other sustainable features is including rainwater collection systems and energy-efficient lighting. The green roof on top of the tower base is be the largest in Chicago.
Tags: Architecture, Green, Sustainable
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Damn, awesome website. I actually came across this on Yahoo, and I am happy I did. I will definately be coming back here more often. Wish I could add to the conversation and bring a bit more to the table, but am just absorbing as much info as I can at the moment.
Thank You
Just a tiny correction to your otherwise comprehensive presentation on this spectacular building. The base topped by the extraordinary amenities floor is actually 3 stories, not 8.
My friend referred me to your blog, so I thought I’d read it for myself. Very interesting material, will be back for more!
I’m sorry, but I find this building to be a pimple on Chicago’s beautiful skyline. I’ve looked at it from every photographed angle, and I just cannot bring myself to get onboard with it. It’s just too “off-looking”, and not in a positive manner.