150-story skyscraper could become tallest in U.S.

[ZeoBandit]

150-story skyscraper could become tallest in U.S.
POSTED: 1:08 p.m. EDT, April 20, 2007
Story Highlights
• Chicago's planning board OKs nation's tallest building
• Chicago Spire would be 2,000 feet tall, 150 stories
• Lakefront office building has twisting design, would include 1,200 residences
• Chicago's Sears Tower is currently tallest, at 1,451 feet

CHICAGO, Illinois (AP) -- The city's planning board has endorsed a proposal for a twisting lakefront tower that would become the nation's tallest building.

With Thursday's approval from the Chicago Plan Commission, the design and site plan for the 2,000-foot Chicago Spire goes to the city zoning committee next week.

"This is a wonderful project, and everyone is very enthused," said Constance Buscemi, spokeswoman for the city's planning department.

The 150-story tower, which would feature 1,200 residences, would unseat Chicago's 1,451-foot Sears Tower as the tallest U.S. building. It would also top New York's 1,776-foot Freedom Tower, under construction at the former World Trade Center site.

The Chicago Spire was designed by Santiago Calatrava, the Spanish-born architect known for designing the Milwaukee Art Museum addition and the Athens Olympic sports complex.

If the zoning panel approves the plan, the City Council will consider it May 9. If it is approved, construction would begin this spring, said Thomas Murphy, general counsel to developer Shelbourne Development Ltd.

Shelbourne executives have declined to estimate the building's total development cost. Real estate experts put it at well over $1 billion, the Chicago Tribune and Crain's Chicago Business reported on their Web sites Thursday.

The tallest building in the world is the Taipei 101 tower in Taiwan, which measures 1,671 feet and 101 floors. A tower in Dubai now under construction is expected to rise beyond 2,300 feet and more than 160 floors .

[chefcraig]

It will soon take so long for the elevator to reach the upper floors, they'll be equiped with shitters.

This can't be good. It's bad enough to be wary over birds, ducks and airplanes hitting one's window. Now one must watch for satellites.

[vhrocker]

[FORD]

Are they gonna paint a big bulls-eye on the side of the building for the next time "Al Qaeda" feels like doing something?

[jimmy812]

Are they gonna paint a big bulls-eye on the side of the building for the next time "Al Qaeda" feels like doing something?

Perhaps, if it's the new headquarters for Target.

[FORD]

Perhaps, if it's the new headquarters for Target.

But I believe they are based in Minnesota. Still though, if Wal Mart contributed enough millions to the GOP in 2008, Target would probably jump to the top of the "terraist" hit list.

[jimmy812]

But I believe they are based in Minnesota.

That's why I said new. Either way it was only a mild attempt at humor.

[Leo Van Newhouse]

I can imagine it taking two hours to get to work, one getting to the building, and another to get to the top.