Imagine Chicago’s skyline. Now picture a skyscraper that seems to defy gravity. This is 150 N Riverside. It is an architectural marvel that appears to stand on almost nothing.
The 150 N Riverside building is a contemporary skyscraper. Goettsch Partners designed it in 2013. Construction took place between 2014 and 2017. The project cost a reported $270 million.
Its address is 150 North Riverside Plaza in Chicago. The 150 N Riverside Building has received many architecture awards since 2017. These awards recognize its architectural design. The American Institute of Architects Chicago Chapter gave it a Distinguished Building Honor Award in 2019. It also won a Gold Award from Pro+ Awards in 2020.
The 150 N Riverside occupies only 25 percent of its two-acre site. It sits between a park and the Chicago River. This 54-story building features 1.2 million square feet of office space. It has a sloping diagonal base and a bold facade. Architects used special louvres and screens to protect the skyscraper from Chicago’s weather.
Developers knew this location along the Chicago River was special. The structure needed to withstand Chicago’s climate. Wind and rain often blast buildings along the river. The facade needed durable products that would last. These products also needed to regulate airflow.
Architects incorporated CS’s RSH-5700 rain defense louvres. These louvres regulate airflow and protect from wind and rain. CS’s vision barrier screens add aesthetic variety. The 150 N Riverside is equipped to battle the elements with style.
The building’s small footprint that expands on higher floors is not random. The site had unique conditions. Only a small part of the land could be occupied. The design team maximized the building’s area while respecting the site’s limitations.
The city required the developer to set aside part of the lot for public park space. Seventy-five percent of the project site is a public park, amphitheater, and riverwalk. The site is built over tracks that carry Metra and Amtrak trains. The building has achieved LEED gold and WiredScore Platinum certification.
The west side of 150 N Riverside features a lobby. It has a glass wall that is nearly 100 feet tall. The architect wanted to visually connect the interior and exterior.
One signature aspect is how the office floors cantilever out from the central core. The building has a smaller base for 8 stories. Then, it cantilevers out to the full size of the office floor space. This gives it a slenderness ratio of 1:20 at its base.
The 150 N Riverside was designed with a “tuned liquid damper” system. This system has two water-filled concrete vaults near the top. When strong winds push against the building, the water sloshes in the opposite direction. This counteracts any sway that could occur.
Standing 752 feet tall, it is the tallest building in Chicago west of the Chicago River.
Located in the lobby is the 150 Media Stream. It is a public media art installation divided into 89 LED blades. It stretches over 150 feet long and reaches 22 feet high. It is the largest structure of its kind in the city.
The 150 N Riverside has become a highlight of architectural boat tours. Some popular names for it include “The Tuning Fork” and “The Champagne Flute”. It is a persuasive blend of the pragmatic and dramatic.
Epstein provided civil engineering services for the project. The project featured construction over the Amtrak rail lines. It also included reconstruction of the existing river wall. A public plaza was created over the Amtrak tracks. Stormwater is filtered before discharging into the Chicago River.
The 150 N Riverside stands as a testament to innovative design. It overcame challenging site constraints. Its unique shape and engineering make it a true Chicago landmark.