505
Global
Height rank

Aqua at Lakeshore East

Chicago
Height
1
To Tip:
Height is measured from the level of the lowest, significant, open-air, pedestrian entrance to the highest point of the building, irrespective of material or function of the highest element (i.e., including antennae, flagpoles, signage and other functional-technical equipment).
261.8 m / 859 ft
2
Architectural:
Height is measured from the level of the lowest, significant, open-air, pedestrian entrance to the architectural top of the building, including spires, but not including antennae, signage, flag poles or other functional-technical equipment. This measurement is the most widely utilized and is employed to define the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH) rankings of the "World's Tallest Buildings."
261.8 m / 859 ft
3
Occupied:
Height is measured from the level of the lowest, significant, open-air, pedestrian entrance to the highest occupied floor within the building.
250.6 m / 822 ft
1 2 3 Aqua at Lakeshore East
  Floors
Above Ground
The number of floors above ground should include the ground floor level and be the number of main floors above ground, including any significant mezzanine floors and major mechanical plant floors. Mechanical mezzanines should not be included if they have a significantly smaller floor area than the major floors below. Similarly, mechanical penthouses or plant rooms protruding above the general roof area should not be counted. Note: CTBUH floor counts may differ from published accounts, as it is common in some regions of the world for certain floor levels not to be included (e.g., the level 4, 14, 24, etc. in Hong Kong).
86
Below Ground
The number of floors below ground should include all major floors located below the ground floor level.
1
Height 261.8 m / 859 ft
Floors 86
Official Name
The current legal building name.

Aqua at Lakeshore East

Other Names
Other names the building has commonly been known as, including former names, common informal names, local names, etc.

Aqua Tower

Name of Complex
A complex is a group of buildings which are designed and built as pieces of a greater development.

Lakeshore East

Type
CTBUH collects data on two major types of tall structures: 'Buildings' and 'Telecommunications / Observation Towers.' A 'Building' is a structure where at least 50% of the height is occupied by usable floor area. A 'Telecommunications / Observation Tower' is a structure where less than 50% of the structure's height is occupied by usable floor area. Only 'Buildings' are eligible for the CTBUH 'Tallest Buildings' lists.

Building

Status
Completed
Architecturally Topped Out
Structurally Topped Out
Under Construction
Proposed
On Hold
Never Completed
Vision
Competition Entry
Canceled
Proposed Renovation
Under Renovation
Renovated
Under Demolition
Demolished

Completed

Completion

2009

Country
The CTBUH follows the United Nations's definition of Country, and thus uses the lists and codes established by that organization.

United States

City
The CTBUH follows the United Nations's definition of City, and thus uses the lists and codes established by that organization.

Chicago

Function
A single-function tall building is defined as one where 85% or more of its usable floor area is dedicated to a single usage. Thus a building with 90% office floor area would be said to be an "office" building, irrespective of other minor functions it may also contain.

A mixed-use tall building contains two or more functions (or uses), where each of the functions occupy a significant proportion of the tower's total space. Support areas such as car parks and mechanical plant space do not constitute mixed-use functions. Functions are denoted on CTBUH "Tallest Building" lists in descending order, e.g., "hotel/office" indicates hotel function above office function.

Residential / Hotel

Structural Material
All-Steel
Both the main vertical/lateral structural elements and the floor spanning systems are constructed from steel. Note that a building of steel construction with a floor system of concrete planks or concrete slab on top of steel beams is still considered an “all-steel” structure as the concrete elements are not acting as the primary structure.

All-Concrete
Both the main vertical/lateral structural elements and the floor spanning systems are constructed from concrete which has been cast in place and utilizes steel reinforcement bars and/or steel reinforced concrete which has been precast as individual components and assembled together on-site.

All-Timber
Both the main vertical/lateral structural elements and the floor spanning systems are constructed from timber. An all-timber structure may include the use of localized non-timber connections between timber elements. Note that a building of timber construction with a floor system of concrete planks or concrete slab on top of timber beams is still considered an “all-timber” structure as the concrete elements are not acting as the primary structure.

Mixed-Structure
Utilizes distinct systems (e.g. all-steel, all-concrete, all-timber), one on top of the other. For example, a Steel Over Concrete indicates an all-steel structural system located on top of an all-concrete structural system, with the opposite true of Concrete Over Steel.

Composite
A combination of materials (e.g. steel, concrete, timber) are used together in the main structural elements. Examples include buildings which utilize: steel columns with a floor system of reinforced concrete beams; a steel frame system with a concrete core; concrete-encased steel columns; concrete-filled steel tubes; etc. Where known, the CTBUH database breaks out the materials used within a composite building’s primary structural elements.

All-Concrete

Official Website

Aqua at Lakeshore East

Height
Architectural
Height is measured from the level of the lowest, significant, open-air, pedestrian entrance to the architectural top of the building, including spires, but not including antennae, signage, flag poles or other functional-technical equipment. This measurement is the most widely utilized and is employed to define the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH) rankings of the "World's Tallest Buildings."

261.8 m / 859 ft

To Tip
Height is measured from the level of the lowest, significant, open-air, pedestrian entrance to the highest point of the building, irrespective of material or function of the highest element (i.e., including antennae, flagpoles, signage and other functional-technical equipment).
261.8 m / 859 ft
Occupied
Height is measured from the level of the lowest, significant, open-air, pedestrian entrance to the highest occupied floor within the building.
250.6 m / 822 ft
Floors Above Ground
The number of floors above ground should include the ground floor level and be the number of main floors above ground, including any significant mezzanine floors and major mechanical plant floors. Mechanical mezzanines should not be included if they have a significantly smaller floor area than the major floors below. Similarly, mechanical penthouses or plant rooms protruding above the general roof area should not be counted. Note: CTBUH floor counts may differ from published accounts, as it is common in some regions of the world for certain floor levels not to be included (e.g., the level 4, 14, 24, etc. in Hong Kong).

86

Floors Below Ground
The number of floors below ground should include all major floors located below the ground floor level.

1

# of Apartments
Number of Apartments refers to the total number of residential units (including both rental units and condominiums) contained within a particular building.

747

# of Hotel Rooms
Number of Hotel Rooms refers to the total number of hotel rooms contained within a particular building.

334

# of Parking Spaces
Number of Parking Spaces refers to the total number of car parking spaces contained within a particular building.

1360

# of Elevators
Number of Elevators refers to the total number of elevator cars (not shafts) contained within a particular building (including public, private and freight elevators).

24

Tower GFA
Tower GFA refers to the total gross floor area within the tower footprint, not including adjoining podiums, connected buildings or other towers within the development.

184,931 m² / 1,990,581 ft²

Rankings

#
505
Tallest in the World
#
69
Tallest in North America
#
62
Tallest in United States
#
14
Tallest in Chicago

Construction Schedule

2004

Proposed

2007

Construction Start

2009

Completed

Architect
Design

Usually involved in the front end design, with a "typical" condition being that of a leadership role through either Schematic Design or Design Development, and then a monitoring role through the CD and CA phases.

Structural Engineer
Design

The Design Engineer is usually involved in the front end design, typically taking the leadership role in the Schematic Design and Design Development, and then a monitoring role through the CD and CA phases.

Contractor
Main Contractor

The main contractor is the supervisory contractor of all construction work on a project, management of sub-contractors and vendors, etc. May be referred to as "Construction Manager," however, for consistency CTBUH uses the term "Main Contractor" exclusively.

Other Consultant

Other Consultant refers to other organizations which provided significant consultation services for a building project (e.g. wind consultants, environmental consultants, fire and life safety consultants, etc).

Façade

These are firms that consult on the design of a building's façade. May often be referred to as "Cladding," "Envelope," "Exterior Wall," or "Curtain Wall" Consultant, however, for consistency CTBUH uses the term "Façade Consultant" exclusively.

Material Supplier

Material Supplier refers to organizations which supplied significant systems/materials for a building project (e.g. elevator suppliers, facade suppliers, etc).

Post-Tensioning
Owner
Aqua Realty Holdings LLC
Architect
Design

Usually involved in the front end design, with a "typical" condition being that of a leadership role through either Schematic Design or Design Development, and then a monitoring role through the CD and CA phases.

Architect of Record

Usually takes on the balance of the architectural effort not executed by the "Design Architect," typically responsible for the construction documents, conforming to local codes, etc. May often be referred to as "Executive," "Associate," or "Local" Architect, however, for consistency CTBUH uses the term "Architect of Record" exclusively.

Loewenberg Architects
Structural Engineer
Design

The Design Engineer is usually involved in the front end design, typically taking the leadership role in the Schematic Design and Design Development, and then a monitoring role through the CD and CA phases.

MEP Engineer
Design

The Design Engineer is usually involved in the front end design, typically taking the leadership role in the Schematic Design and Design Development, and then a monitoring role through the CD and CA phases.

Abbott Industries, Inc.; Advance Mechanical; Gurtz Electric Company
Contractor
Main Contractor

The main contractor is the supervisory contractor of all construction work on a project, management of sub-contractors and vendors, etc. May be referred to as "Construction Manager," however, for consistency CTBUH uses the term "Main Contractor" exclusively.

Other Consultant

Other Consultant refers to other organizations which provided significant consultation services for a building project (e.g. wind consultants, environmental consultants, fire and life safety consultants, etc).

Façade

These are firms that consult on the design of a building's façade. May often be referred to as "Cladding," "Envelope," "Exterior Wall," or "Curtain Wall" Consultant, however, for consistency CTBUH uses the term "Façade Consultant" exclusively.

Landscape
Wolff Landscape Architecture
Material Supplier

Material Supplier refers to organizations which supplied significant systems/materials for a building project (e.g. elevator suppliers, facade suppliers, etc).

Paint/Coating
EFCO Corporation
Post-Tensioning

CTBUH Awards & Distinctions

Best Tall Building, by Region, Americas 2010 Award of Excellence

2010 CTBUH Awards

 

Videos

17 October 2016 | Chicago

Dense Downtown vs. Suburban Dispersed: A Pilot Study on Sustainability

This research is focused on quantitatively investigating and comparing the environmental and social sustainability of people’s lifestyles in terms of embodied energy, operational energy use,...

Research

15 August 2022

Measuring the Economic Premium for Height

Grant Mosey & Brian Deal, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

In this study, the authors examine the sale and rent prices for units in the 10 tallest for-sale and for-rent residential buildings in Chicago. Statistical...

Global News

20 October 2020

James Loewenberg, Developer of Chicago High-Rises, Dies at 86

James Loewenberg, a Chicago architect-turned-developer with a portfolio that includes the Aqua and Vista Tower skyscrapers in downtown Chicago, has died at age 86 after...

About Aqua at Lakeshore East

Unlike a tower in an open field, new towers in urban environments must negotiate small viewing corridors between existing buildings. In response to this, the Aqua Tower is designed to capture particular views that would otherwise be unattainable. A series of contours defined by outdoor terraces extends away from the face of the tower structure to provide views between neighboring buildings. The terraces inflect based on criteria such as the view, solar shading and size and type of dwelling. When viewed together, these unique terraces make the building appear to undulate, presenting a highly sculptural appearance that is rooted in function.

These outdoor terraces are cantilevered up to 4m (12ft) and have a depth of 23cm (9in) which thins out towards the edge of the cantilever to assist with water drainage. The terraces differ in shape from floor to floor causing each floor plate to differ. The challenge of constructing unique floor plates was solved by implementing a computerized civil engineering and surveying software program and digital CAD files for inputting the coordinates of each unique slab to a robotic station used onsite. This system was used to set in place light-gauge steel plate edge-forms according to the contours. After the concrete had set, these steel forms would be removed and easily reshaped according to the contours of the next level.

Among the building’s notable features is the green roof terrace atop its plinth and is one of Chicago’s largest. It contains an outdoor pool, running track, gardens, fire pits and a yoga terrace. From below, Aqua’s plinth navigates the site’s complexity by spanning over pre-existing elements, such as an electrical substation, and by aligning with existing infrastructure, including an adjacent three-level roadway. The plinth physically connects pedestrian areas with stairs and elevators linking street level to park level and the lakefront.

The tower’s east–west orientation maximizes its winter solar performance. Its balconies extend further on the southern façade to provide shading, reducing solar exposure in summer and allowing passive warming in winter. In addition to low-E coatings on all glass, the design team modeled seasonal sun patterns to identify remaining areas of glass that needed higher performing glazing to increase energy efficiency throughout the tower. Glass on the east and south façades are reflective in areas without a protective balcony, while glass facing west has a tinted coating that improves its shading coefficient. In total, Aqua employs six different types of glass: clear, tinted, reflective, spandrel, fritted and translucent, the placement of which is determined by the orientation and function of interior space. Fritted glass is used and combined with handrail design to minimize bird strikes.

The building is also constructed on a former brownfield site, and 50% of its site is dedicated green open space, exceeding Chicago’s standard zoning ordinance by 25%. This green roof is one of the largest in the city and also features a drainage system that includes water collection for its irrigation. Furthermore, Aqua exceeds the City of Chicago’s minimal requirements for natural ventilation and sunlight by more than 50% in over 90% of its spaces.

Detailed wind tunnel studies were completed to confirm the performance of the structure under high winds. Initially, it was thought that a supplemental tuned mass damping system may be required to appropriately manage the effects of the wind on occupant comfort. However, during the testing, it was discovered that the undulating slab edges disrupted or “confused” the flow of wind around the tower, effectively reducing the wind demands, and this, combined with the effectiveness of the structural design, eliminated the need for a supplemental damping system.

CTBUH Awards & Distinctions

Best Tall Building, by Region, Americas 2010 Award of Excellence

2010 CTBUH Awards

17 October 2016 | Chicago

Dense Downtown vs. Suburban Dispersed: A Pilot Study on Sustainability

This research is focused on quantitatively investigating and comparing the environmental and social sustainability of people’s lifestyles in terms of embodied energy, operational energy use,...

27 October 2015 | Chicago

Three Points of the Residential High-Rise: Designing for Social Connectivity

In this presentation we discuss the terms “exo-spatial design,” “solar carving,” and “bridging” as strategies for creating more socially connective tall buildings. As a typology,...

17 September 2014 | Chicago

CTBUH Research Project: The Sustainability Implications of Urban + Suburban Locations – Initial Report

It is widely accepted that the concentration of people in denser cities – sharing space, infrastructure, and facilities – offers much greater energy efficiency than...

16 September 2014 | Chicago

Blades of Steel: Understanding the Limits of Metal Façade Design

Metal claddings frequently skin our tall buildings. They provide the texture and shine that help distinguish one glass tower from the next. Like the fabric...

19 September 2012 | Chicago

Embodied Carbon and the Case for Longevity

The sustainability and longevity of today’s tall buildings is an often-neglected subject. Embodied carbon can be used as a metric for making important decisions regarding...

11 October 2011 | Chicago

Architecture and Engineering as One

Integrating and even celebrating the structure of a building through the architectural design often leads to dramatic and memorable buildings. To achieve the best outcome...

21 October 2010 | Chicago

Interview: Aqua Tower

Thursday 21st October 2010. Jim Loewenberg of Magellan Development and Bruce Lake of McHugh Constrcution are interviewed by Jeff Herzer during the 2010 CTBUH Awards...

25 October 2006 | Chicago

Materials Process and Tools: Towards the 'Particular'

Jeanne Gang, Studio Gang Architects focuses on technology’s role in the design process for the Aqua tower at the CTBUH 2006 Chicago Conference held in...

15 August 2022

Measuring the Economic Premium for Height

Grant Mosey & Brian Deal, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

In this study, the authors examine the sale and rent prices for units in the 10 tallest for-sale and for-rent residential buildings in Chicago. Statistical...

08 August 2017

Birds, Planes and Bio-Blitzes

Jeanne Gang, Studio Gang Architects

Having designed the 262-meter Aqua in Chicago, which completed in 2009, Jeanne Gang, principal and founder of Studio Gang Architects, received considerable attention for what...

08 August 2017

Ten Significant Tall Buildings, and the Significant Women Behind Them

Leading Women in Tall Buildings

Recently, there has been a growing and overdue recognition in the architecture discipline that women are under-represented, not just in terms of leadership positions held,...

02 June 2017

Dense Downtown vs. Suburban Dispersed: A Pilot Study on Urban Sustainability

Antony Wood & Peng Du, Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat

This paper presents the initial findings of a ground-breaking two-year CTBUH-funded research project investigating the real environmental and social sustainability of people’s lifestyles in a...

17 October 2016

Dense Downtown vs. Suburban Dispersed: A Pilot Study on Urban Sustainability

Antony Wood & Peng Du, Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat

This paper presents the initial findings of a ground-breaking two-year CTBUH-funded research project investigating the real environmental and social sustainability of people’s lifestyles in a...

01 June 2016

Three Points of the Residential High-Rise: Designing for Social Connectivity

Jeanne Gang, Studio Gang Architects

In this paper we discuss the terms “exo-spatial design,” “solar carving,” and “bridging” as strategies for creating more socially connective tall buildings. As a typology,...

26 October 2015

Three Points of the Residential High-Rise: Designing for Social Connectivity

Jeanne Gang, Studio Gang Architects

In this paper we discuss the terms “exo-spatial design,” “solar carving,” and “bridging” as strategies for creating more socially connective tall buildings. As a typology,...

16 September 2014

CTBUH Research Project: The Sustainability Implications of Urban + Suburban Locations – Initial Report

Peng Du & Antony Wood, CTBUH

It is widely accepted that the concentration of people in denser cities – sharing space, infrastructure, and facilities – offers much greater energy efficiency than...

31 December 2009

Tallest Buildings Completed in 2009

CTBUH Research

Trump International Hotel & Tower named tallest building completed in 2009; Successful year for the American high-rise. Over half of all buildings 200m or taller...

20 October 2020

James Loewenberg, Developer of Chicago High-Rises, Dies at 86

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31 March 2020

Architecture Firm in Chicago Uses 3D Printer to Create Face Masks for Healthcare Workers

bKL Architecture, a firm headquartered at the Aqua tower in Chicago's Lakeshore East neighborhood, is doing its part to be of service during the COVID-19...

8 August 2019

Chicago Future Leaders to Tour Vista Tower (Sold Out)

The CTBUH Chicago Future Leaders Committee will lead a tour of Vista Tower, which upon completion will be the tallest Chicago building designed by a woman.

22 January 2019

2019 Tall Building Predictions for the Year to Come

Check out our monthly predictions based on our industry intelligence to see what trends and milestones will shape the industry in the year to come!

16 November 2017

“Living Tall” Asks: “What Will Make Tall Buildings More Livable?"

The third installment of the CTBUH / Chicago Architecture Foundation’s (CAF) joint skyscraper lecture series brought together a diverse group of tall building experts.

20 May 2016

CTBUH Hosts China Government Delegation

CTBUH was honored to host a delegation of government officials from the Shanghai Huangpu District People’s Government.

30 October 2015

Chicago Regional Tour

CTBUH 2015 delegates toured Chicago and its architectural marvels. From recently constructed skyscrapers to the modern marvel of Willis Tower, which held the tallest title for 25 years.

17 September 2015

Warm Weather Spaces Walking Tours 2015

The CTBUH Urban Habitat / Urban Design Committee organized guided walking tours of 16 cities around the globe, focusing on urban habitats around tall buildings.

1 February 2014

Study on Sustainability Implications of Urban + Suburban Location

CTBUH is conducting a research study aimed at understanding the contributing factors of “sustainability” in both urban and suburban contexts.

1 November 2013

Tongji University Faculty and Students Visit Chicago

“Towards Zero Carbon,” a collaborative design studio between Tongji University, CTBUH and the Illinois Institute of Technology, made a week-long visit to Chicago in November.

18 October 2012

Young Professionals Hosts Meeting at the 2012 Awards Symposium

Exactly one year after its establishment the CTBUH Young Professionals Committee gathered at the Awards Symposium on October 18 at the Illinois Institute of Technology.

24 July 2012

Climbing the Coast: Tour Report of New Chicago Skyscraper

With only two floors left before topping out, the CTBUH Young Professionals Committee organized a tour last week of the Coast at Lakeshore East.