While improvement plans are in the works for the plaza of the John Hancock Center, the Chicago Tribune's Blair Kamin reports that the city's Department of Planning and Development is pushing to make the building a protected landmark, which would delay or halt the revamp plans.
Owners of commercial portions of the tower envision adding tall triangular prisms, glass walls, and video screens to the skyscraper's sunken plaza. The goal of the estimated $8 million to $10 million project would be to reestablish the Hancock Center as an attraction at the north end of the Magnificent Mile, in counter balance to Maggie Daley Park and Millennium Park a little over a mile south.
Landmark status, though, would give city officials the legal authority to control alterations to the exterior (and possibly parts of the interior) of the Hancock Center.
The building was opened in 1969, and while the National Park Service suggests that additions to the National Register of Historic Places be at least 50 years old, it's not an absolute rule. The 860-880 N. Lake Shore Drive apartments (designed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe) achieved Chicago Landmark status in 1996 despite being open for only 45 years at the time.
The 100-story Hancock Center could follow Marina City’s lead. The complex with the corncob-shaped residential towers near the Chicago River was granted preliminary landmark status on July 9. The landmarks commission will consider a final proposal next year for Marina City, after which the City Council would vote on it.
Hancock Center is the fourth tallest building in Chicago, the seventh tallest in North America, and the 36th tallest in the world. If the tower does become an official landmark, it would be Chicago’s tallest protected structure.
Related Stories
High-rise Construction | Dec 8, 2015
Architect Eric Parry unveils design for London’s tallest building
At more than 1,000 feet, 1 Undershaft will rival The Shard in height.
High-rise Construction | Dec 8, 2015
Saudi Arabia secures funding for world’s first kilometer-tall skyscraper: Jeddah Tower
The tower will overtake the Burj Khalifa in terms of height, but how long will it remain king?
High-rise Construction | Nov 28, 2015
Anorexic skyscrapers keep popping up in Manhattan
One project slated to begin construction next spring is designed to be only 47 feet wide.
High-rise Construction | Nov 23, 2015
London approves designs for a 62-story tower
Scheduled to start construction next year and open in 2019, the structure will be London’s second tallest, after the 95-story Shard.
High-rise Construction | Nov 17, 2015
CTBUH awards '2015 Best Tall Building Worldwide' to Bosco Verticale
Designed by Italian architect Stefano Boeri, the building design was applauded for its “extraordinary implementation of vegetation at such scale and height."
High-rise Construction | Nov 12, 2015
SHoP unveils Brooklyn supertall tower design
When completed, the 90-story tower will be the tallest building in the outer boroughs of New York City.
High-rise Construction | Oct 26, 2015
Recent skyscraper boom benefits New York construction industry
CTBUH reports that luxury residential construction, slenderness aspect ratios, and construction in "fringe" areas have all increased.
High-rise Construction | Oct 21, 2015
Three years after The Shard, Renzo Piano reveals plans for new London tower
The 65-story tower at 31 London Street will have 200 homes and more than 40,000 sf of public space. It could also bring some life to Paddington Station.
High-rise Construction | Oct 13, 2015
Azerbaijan Tower tops list of 10 tallest buildings in the works
Along with the central Asian nation, China, Malaysia, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates all have skyscraper projects that are under construction or in development.
High-rise Construction | Oct 8, 2015
The 75 tallest observation decks in the world
Chicago's Willis Tower cracks the top 20 as the Middle East and China dominate the rest of the list compiled by the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat.
