Blue Cross Blue Shield Tower

Infobox Skyscraper
building_name=Blue Cross Blue Shield Tower


caption=Photo prior to expansion June 2nd, 2007
roof=125 m (411 ft)
status=Under expansion
use=Office
construction_period=1995-1997, 2007-Present
location=300 E. Randolph St. Chicago, Illinois
floor_count=32
developer=
architect=Lohan Associates, Inc.The Blue Cross Blue Shield Tower (BCBS) is located on the north end of Grant Park along E. Randolph St. at the NE corner of Randolph and Columbus, in Chicago, United States of America.

The building's address is 300 E. Randolph. The building is located next to the Aon Center and original plans hoped to connect the two buildings via an underground pedway but the plans never came to fruition.

BCBS was originally designed to allow for many more floors to be built later as market conditions warrant and indeed in the center of the building you can see a large open space where more elevators can be inserted into the building to accommodate additional floors.

The building was completed in 1997 and the large expanse of windows facing Grant Park are often used to spell out words to commemorate or celebrate events and happenings in Chicago. There is a Subway eatery and a Dunkin Donuts in the basement.

Expansion

In 2006 the City of Chicago granted a building permit to Health Care Service Corporation dba Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois to build up instead of out; once completed (planned for 2010) the "new" tower will be 57 stories and will be the first project in Chicago to build up.

As of May 2008, two construction cranes can be seen on the roof of the building to facilitate the expansion.

As of August 2008, the building is over 43 floors.

ee also

* List of tallest buildings in Chicago

References

* [http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=116823 Emporis listing]