SOM Skyscraper Construction in Chicago: Spire Photos Reveal Progress

The article chronicles Skidmore, Owings & Merrill’s (SOM) progress on 400 Lake Shore, a new skyscraper rising on the long-vacant site once tied to Santiago Calatrava’s canceled Chicago Spire. It details the construction status as of late 2025 and the structural strategies used to adapt the site’s troubled history. The timeline aims to bring the tower to completion by 2027. The piece also explains how the project repurposes portions of the original foundations and uses wind-focused design to balance performance with aesthetics along the Chicago River.

Progress Update: Construction Status and Design Evolution

Images released by SOM show the tower at nearly the halfway point. The goal is to reach 841 feet (256 meters) in height. The structure sits on a narrow strip of land between the Chicago River and a slip. This emphasizes a restrained footprint that still commands a prominent riverfront profile.

By late 2025, portions of the glass façade and aluminium pilasters were already installed. This signals momentum on the build. The building’s rectangular form aligns with the river axis. It creates a clean, modern silhouette and maximizes views for future occupants.

At the heart of 400 Lake Shore is a strategy of reusing preexisting infrastructure from the site. After Calatrava’s Spire project stalled, work resumed on a redesigned two-tower concept in 2018.

The plan was revised to integrate with the surviving foundations rather than removing them. This decision saved substantial time and avoided a costly demolition of the buried elements. SOM’s approach required a structural mat slab over the deep foundations. The team realigned shear walls and primary load-bearing elements to accommodate the new tower while preserving critical supports.

From Spire to SOM’s Adaptive Design

The original foundation had sat flooded for years and presented a unique challenge. Crews pumped roughly three million gallons of water from the site during preparation.

Rather than starting anew, the engineering team chose to enhance and adapt the existing base. This approach allowed the project to keep much of the original support system, reducing risk and speeding up progress.

Engineering and Structural Strategy

Structurally, 400 Lake Shore features a central reinforced concrete core flanked by two belt-and-outrigger wall systems. This configuration provides lateral stability and stiffness, which are essential for high-rise performance in a windy urban corridor.

SOM conducted extensive wind-tunnel testing to refine the form and ensure it meets performance criteria. The building’s shape was informed by these tests to minimize wind effects at pedestrian levels.

The project does not rely on tuned mass dampers. Instead, it uses its modular core and outriggers to dampen vibrations and manage sway through passive structural design.

The tower’s form and podium landscape strategies were guided by environmental performance objectives. By prioritizing wind behavior around street level and integrating landscape elements, the team aimed to create a comfortable, human-scale experience for pedestrians.

Site Conditions and Sustainability Considerations

The site presented unique challenges beyond the foundation itself. The construction team had to coordinate with Chicago’s riverfront environment, balancing a tight footprint with access and safety requirements.

The environmental goals included reducing wind loads at street level. The podium landscape was designed to create a welcoming, climate-responsive edge to the riverfront.

Construction Timeline and Project Outlook

Construction on the tower and its sublevels began in early 2024. Completion is expected in 2027.

A second tower, part of the originally proposed two-tower scheme, remains in a more speculative phase. Its exact timeline is not clearly defined.

The decision to proceed with a single-tower design, while keeping the option for a second building, reflects evolving city feedback and market conditions during the project’s development.

Implications for Chicago’s Skyline and Urban Fabric

400 Lake Shore represents more than a single high-rise. It embodies a story of adaptation, sustainability, and redevelopment.

By using parts of the failed Spire’s foundation, SOM shows how history can shape future skyscrapers. They turn a “Spire Hole” into a functional and resilient base.

The project emphasizes wind-aware design and riverfront alignment. It also considers pedestrians, offering a model for reviving complex sites in dense urban areas.

For Chicago’s architectural community, 400 Lake Shore highlights the value of adaptive reuse and advanced structural systems. Performance-driven design helps create iconic, livable towers on limited sites.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Images show construction of SOM skyscraper in Chicago