For Immediate Release
July 31, 2007
For More Information:
Larry Schaffel/PR Director
Tricia Van Horn/VP Marketing
312/642-8869
The notion that beauty is only skin deep is being put to the test by the dazzling new Aqua tower under construction at Lakeshore East near the juncture of Lake Michigan and the Chicago River.
It’s a reality cast in concrete. Literally.
Hailed by architectural critics as “Chicago’s most sensuous skyscraper” and “a skyscraper that heralds a new kind of Chicago architecture and is going to be one of the most striking buildings in the city,” its extraordinary foundation is no less intriguing though less visible.
The difference between this 81-story Aqua tower designed by Architect Jeanne Gang, principal of Studio/Gang and the other towers at Lakeshore East and most anywhere for that matter lies well below its highly proclaimed exterior.
The big difference between Aqua and the other buildings at Lakeshore East and most other places is the use of “Rock Caissons” as opposed to “Bell Caissons” that are typically used to support high-rise structures.
“A belled caisson is a three- to four-foot diameter concrete shaft that extends 75 to 85 feet below the surface,” explains Kris Schwengel, vice president of construction for Lakeshore East developer Magellan Development Group.
The bottom of belled caissons sit in “hardpan,” a geological stratum that lies somewhere between clay and solid rock. At the bottom of the caisson is the “bell,” a conical shaped area that is 8 to 12 feet in diameter, depending on the amount of load that is being supported.
“The caisson subcontractor can usually do about three or four of these per day with one crew. We have 270 of these caissons at Aqua,” says Schwengel.
“But in addition, we have 31 Rock Caissons at Aqua,” he notes.
As the name suggests, those caissons are seated in solid rock strata. The rock caissons are located below the tower columns.
“Because of the height of Aqua and the associated load that is imposed on the foundations, belled caissons are not capable of supporting the structure,” he explains. “Aqua’s rock caissons are 6 to 10 feet in diameter, extend down to about 105 feet below the surface and are embedded six feet into solid rock, depending upon the loads.”
Unlike bell caissons, rock caissons have no bells. They are straight shafts into rock. In addition, there are full-length steel casings utilized with this method of construction. Also, Aqua will rest on a seven-foot-thick concrete mat slab above the caissons.
Another contrast is the workload. As opposed to three or four bell caissons per day, it takes two to three days to construct each rock caisson, an operation that requires specialized equipment, such as larger cranes and machines, larger cutting and drilling apparatus and large air compressors to drive the rock-cutting operation.
To be sure, the beauty of what is believed to be the tallest building ever designed by an architectural team headed by a woman and Chicago’s first high-rise specifically created to blend condominium residences, luxury rentals, deluxe hotel and retail spaces goes beyond its extraordinary appearance.
Aqua’s 264 studios, convertibles, and one-, two- and three-bedroom condominium residences will command dramatic river, lake, skyline and Millennium Park views. The condominiums are 88 percent sold, reports Leila Zammatta, senior vice president of sales. Remaining residences, ranging from 573 to 1,982 square feet, are priced from the $650,000s. In addition, a limited number of opulent penthouses are planned for several of the top floors of Aqua. The penthouse condominiums will be ultra luxurious featuring unparalleled amenities and one-of-a-kind views.
Aqua combines the condominiums starting on the 53rd floor with luxury rental residences on floors 19 through 52, and hotel rooms below with separate entrances and elevators. It is notable that the lowest of the condo floors are actually among the highest in the city; in many cases they are higher than most penthouses in the city. The building also will include more than 36,000 square feet of first and second floor retail that will connect to Chicago’s extensive underground Pedway system.
Residents and guests will have access to more diverse amenities than any major city, indoors and out. A distinctive 80,000-square-foot deck will feature luxury gardens, gazebos, pools and cabañas, a hot tub, walking trail, fire pit and grills.
Indoors, 27,500-square-foot amenity floors will provide fitness facilities, indoor lap pool, a spa featuring hot tubs, sauna, steam and massage room, a private party suite with catering kitchen, coffee bar and lounge, media room, billiards and game area, business center, Internet café, library, skygarden and concierge services.
The dramatic design of Aqua, the seventh high-rise at Lakeshore East, is an amenity in itself, said James Loewenberg, Magellan co-chief executive officer and the principal of Loewenberg Architects, architect of record. “Aqua’s outdoor balconies and terraces form unique undulating contours that contrast with the more angular neighboring structures. In developing Lakeshore East, we set out to create an architecturally diverse community. Jeanne Gang’s remarkable contribution to our development helps realize that vision.”
The six-acre Park at Lakeshore East has been dedicated to the City of Chicago and is now part of the Chicago Park District system. Several outstanding features that enhance the award-winning park include a marvelous children’s play park, separate dog park, great lawn, substantial varieties of botanical landscaping and gardens, a grand staircase, winding pathways and 10 cascading fountains. Aqua’s sales center, 375 E. Wacker Drive, is open 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. More information is available at www.LakeshoreEast.com/AQUA or by calling (312) 540-9891.