SOM’s Residential Chicago Towers Break Ground in the United States
The Skidmore Owings & Merril (SOM) two-tower development inDowntown Chicago has just startedconstruction. Situated at theintersection of Lake Michigan andthe Chicago River, the newresidential development seeks toredefine Chicago’s skyline.Composed of 635 residential unitsin its first phase, 20% of which aredesignated as affordable housing,the scheme also outlines the designof DuSable Park. Phase one of theproject has officially commenced,occupying the last undevelopedwaterfront parcel in theStreeterville neighborhood.
The initial phase features a 72- story, 858-foot tower on the northern end of the side, compromising residential units as well as the DuSable Park. Named after Jean-Baptiste Pointe DuSable, Chicago ’s first nonnative settler, the park spans 3.3 acres and will become a new public space on the peninsula. Situated east of Lake Shore Drive, the park will be accessible via Founder’s Way, a planned extension of the Chicago Riverwalk.
