With construction finally underway, 400 N Lake Shore Drive is officially Chicago’s tallest construction endeavor in 2024, not to mention the city’s highest-profile project by far.
This crucial phase in the development of 400 N. Lake Shore Drive marks the revival of a previously dormant site following the abandonment of the once-envisioned 2,000-foot Chicago Spire.
Developed by Related Midwest, the Streeterville property is about to undergo a remarkable transformation that will include two residential towers.
The initial phase introduces a 72-story north tower, with reported heights slightly varying but still topping out just under 860 feet. This tower, rising from the 76-foot cofferdam originally planned for the failed Chicago Spire project, will include 635 apartment units that truly promise some of the best views of any apartment tower in Chicago. Twenty percent of these units, totaling 127 apartments, are allocated for individuals earning up to 60 percent of the area’s median income.
Phase II of the 400 N. Lake Shore development is the construction of the southern tower, set to soar to 765 feet and accommodate the remaining 465 units. This phase kicks off after the first tower is completed and leased. Related will decide on condos or apartments for the next structure based on market demand.
Between the twin skyscrapers, there’s a shared podium with room for 300 parking spaces. On top of that, you’ll find cool stuff like a cafe in the north tower, dog spas, elegant lobbies, package-receiving rooms, and beautiful landscaping all around the grounds. And guess what? They’re even planning to extend the riverwalk and create a pathway under Lake Shore Drive, linking up with the awesome 3.3-acre DuSable Park by the first tower!
SOM’s design includes bay windows and a champagne-colored panel system instead of the terracotta exterior originally planned. Because of the project’s scenic lakefront location in Chicago, the shape of both buildings will simulate sails, while the structures themselves will step back as they go up.