Tallest North American Residential Tower Tops Off in Windy City

By Erika Schnitzer, Associate EditorChicago—Standing at 1,362 ft. and 92 stories, the tallest North American residential high-rise, Trump International Hotel & Tower, Chicago, was topped off in late September. The project will offer 486 condominiums and—located on floors 17 through 27—339 hotel condominiums. Both tower residents and hotel guests have access to the development’s services and amenities. The residential condominiums have their own lobby and elevator, separate from hotel guests.Closings for the condo hotel portion of the project began this spring and closings on the condominiums began in August. Seventy-five percent of the property has been sold. Construction is expected to be complete in summer 2009.Leah Harriet, sales manager for Trump International Hotel & Tower, Chicago, tells MHN that she remains optimistic about sales despite the economic turndown. “Chicago has a very diverse economy and does not rely nearly as heavily on Wall Street bonuses for sales,” she says. “We do have an advantage; our building is ready to go and is a sure thing, and, we also believe it to be, by far, the most superior new luxury development in the city so, in that sense, we really don’t feel the impact of the economy the same as others might experience.”Designed by international architect Skidmore Owings and Merrill, which is headquartered in New York, the tower–constructed by Bovis Lend Lease–is reportedly the tallest reinforced concrete building in the world. Upon completion in 2009, Trump International Hotel & Tower, Chicago will be the second-tallest building in Chicago, with its spire adding 233 ft. to its height.The condo residences, which occupy floors 29 through 89, range from studios to three-bedrooms plus dens. Four- and five-bedroom penthouses are also available. Hotel condominiums, located on floors 17 through 27, include studios, one- and two-bedrooms. Units range in size from 530 to 6,800 sq. ft. and are priced from $580,000 to over $9 million.Homes feature gourmet kitchens with Snaidero cabinetry; Miele, Wolf and Sub-Zero appliances; master baths with limestone floors and walls; 10-ft. ceilings; and hardwood floors.Amenities include The Spa at Trump—the largest spa for a hotel or condominium in Chicago—that features a fitness center, 75-ft. pool and 11 treatment rooms. Floor 16 of the building includes Sixteen, a five-star restaurant, and a cocktail lounge is located on the second floor. Additionally, residents will have access to a 24-hour doorman.The tower will offer banquet and meeting room facilities, in addition to a  private dog run, over 900 parking spaces and 1.2 acres of a  riverfront park and river walk that includes retail space.