In the mid-distance, the two cranes pointing upward like mismatched insect antennae mark the future home of The Chicago Spire, the 2000 foot sky-gouger by world-renowned architect Santiago Calatrava. The narrow, twisting tower, already dubbed “The Drill-Bit” (by me), will be the tallest building in North America – surpassing the yet to be constructed Freedom Tower in New York. The ground-breaking, which began in the summer of 2007, has skyscraper enthusiasts buzzing with excitement. (Yes, in fact there are enthusiasts for everything on earth, including skyscrapers.)
Some local residents don’t share the same buzz. They complain of issues with over-development, neighborhood congestion and the effects on home values at a time of a nationwide downturn in the real estate market. (Reportedly, the Spire’s asking prices will more closely resemble central London than Chicago.) The Spire’s supporters counter that the building itself is a work of artistic expression, and cite the positive economic impact the building will have in terms of jobs and an increase in the tax base.
There is no doubt that the Spire will transform the city’s skyline forever, further cementing Chicago’s reputation as one of the world’s architecture capitals. At the same time, the Spire can never replicate or replace the simple beauty of nature. There is a sense of utter peace watching the sunrise, as the first rays refract golden across the rippling water. That sense of peace can never be replicated in a static structure, no matter how gracefully designed. This is particularly true, when the building in question is an over-sized version of something I can find in aisle 7 of my local Ace Hardware.
Some local residents don’t share the same buzz. They complain of issues with over-development, neighborhood congestion and the effects on home values at a time of a nationwide downturn in the real estate market. (Reportedly, the Spire’s asking prices will more closely resemble central London than Chicago.) The Spire’s supporters counter that the building itself is a work of artistic expression, and cite the positive economic impact the building will have in terms of jobs and an increase in the tax base.
There is no doubt that the Spire will transform the city’s skyline forever, further cementing Chicago’s reputation as one of the world’s architecture capitals. At the same time, the Spire can never replicate or replace the simple beauty of nature. There is a sense of utter peace watching the sunrise, as the first rays refract golden across the rippling water. That sense of peace can never be replicated in a static structure, no matter how gracefully designed. This is particularly true, when the building in question is an over-sized version of something I can find in aisle 7 of my local Ace Hardware.
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