Mammoth Residential Tower Gets Green Light in Chicago

The Chicago Plan Commission approved the first phase of 1200 S. Indiana, a three-phase residential development in the heart of Chicago's South Loop.

By Samantha Goldberg, Associate Editor

A rendering of phase on of 1200 S. Indiana

A rendering of phase one of 1200 S. Indiana (Rafael Viñoly Architects)

Chicago—What could become one of the tallest residential buildings in Chicago got the green light to begin development on November 20. Crescent Heights-affiliated S Loop Chicago Development LLC has received the Chicago Plan Commission‘s approval for the first phase of 1200 S. Indiana, a three-phase residential development located at the southwest corner of Grant Park in the heart of Chicago’s South Loop neighborhood.

The first phase of the project, previously referred to as 113 E. Roosevelt, will be a 76-story, 829-foot residential tower designed by Rafael Viñoly Architects, and construction is expected to begin in late 2016, led by a joint venture between McHugh Construction and Ujamaa Construction.

“1200 S. Indiana will offer residents not only a marquee address, but also breathtaking views in every residence, from those overlooking iconic Grant park, to the cityscape to Lake Michigan,” said Bruce Menin, principal at Crescent Heights. “We are grateful for the support this project has received from Alderman Pat Dowell as well as the community, and are incredibly fortunate to have secured Rafael Viñoly for this important site.”

Phase one of the development will include 792 units, multiple amenity floors and 622 total parking spaces. The building will also have a mix of apartments, from studios to three-bedrooms, in addition to an indoor and outdoor pool, fitness and gathering spaces, and other amenities that will be announced to the public in the coming months.

Rafael Viñoly, founder & principal of Rafael Viñoly Architects, said that the building’s design will “provide a visual anchor at the south end of Grant Park, bookending the park with the Aon Center. It has been designed to carefully establish a dialogue with the surrounding skyline, and to place emphasis on the park at the heart of Chicago’s Burnham Plan.” He added that the design was inspired by the Willis Tower, the 1,451-foot Chicago skyscraper commonly known as the Sears Tower, resembling the bundled tube system used to achieve new heights and revealing the large interior modules with extended private balconies.

Phase two is proposed to include a 648-unit residential tower on the west end of the phase-one parcel, which will be connected by ground-floor retail and parking at the base, while phase three is proposed to include a 100-unit development and open park land along Indiana Avenue, just east of the phase-one and phase-two towers. Once completed, the development will be one of the final pieces within the Central Station master plan, a development previously stalled by the recession. The 3-acre site was purchased by S Loop Chicago Development LLC  in 2012.

Third Ward Alderman Pat Dowell announced her support for the project, saying that Crescent Heights has committed to supporting park improvements in the surrounding area and promoting the preservation of local historical landmarks, which are investments in the South Loop area that will greatly benefit the community.

Crescent Heights will assist with park improvements by contributing to the Chicago Park District, which will be distributed among Webster Park, Chicago Women’s Park and Gardens, and Armstrong Park. The company is also contributing to the historic preservation of 2nd Presbyterian Church and Quinn Chapel AME Church, and will implement a Minority and Women-owned Business Enterprise (MWBE) utilization plan to ensure construction-related opportunities for minority contractors and workers.

Crescent Heights has had a presence in the South Loop since 2010, “demonstrating a strong belief in the neighborhood’s post-recession potential,” said Menin. He added that Crescent Heights has been in Chicago for the past 15 years and is one of the largest residential brands in the South Loop.

Images courtesy of Taylor Johnson