111 South Wacker Drive is an office tower located in Chicago. Completed in 2005 at 681 feet (208 m), the 51 story blue-glass structure is one of the tallest in the city. It sits on the site of the former U.S. Gypsum Building, one of the tallest demolished buildings in Chicago.
Designed by Goettsch Partners, the building is noted for its unique parking ramp. The ramp's cyclical form creates a dramatic sloped ceiling for the building's main lobby underneath. The ramp's corkscrew design is reflected outside as well; the pavement follows the radiating lines set inside.
The building is also noteworthy for its sustainable design, becoming the first-ever project to be certified LEED-CS Gold by the U.S. Green Building Council.
[edit] Original design
The original design called for a more extreme building. This 35 story, 638 foot (194 m) tower would utilize many of the existing caissons of the former U.S. Gypsum Building. The bulk of the building would be supported by a 120-foot (37 m) base and 20 large diagonal braces connected from the corners of the base to the bottom of the office structure. The effect would have been a nearly symmetrical shape and a building that seemingly looked unstable.
The minimalistic lobby would have been enclosed in glass and left space for an exterior plaza with artwork.
The plan was eventually abandoned with the current design chosen instead.
[edit] Current tenants
Current tenants in the building include Deloitte, RR Donnelley, Harbor Funds and Locke Lord Bissell & Liddell LLP.
[edit] Position in Chicago's skyline
[edit] See also
[edit] References
Coordinates: 41°52′49″N 87°38′15″W / 41.88028°N 87.6375°W / 41.88028; -87.6375
