111 South Wacker Drive

111 South Wacker Drive is an office tower located in Chicago. Completed in 2005 at 681 feet (208 m), the 51 story blue-glass structure is one of the tallest in the city. It sits on the site of the former U.S. Gypsum Building, one of the tallest demolished buildings in Chicago.

The Lohan Caprile Goettsch Architects design's most striking element is its unique parking ramp. The ramp's cyclical form creates a dramatic sloped ceiling for the building's main lobby underneath. The ramp's corkscrew design is reflected outside as well; the pavement follows the radiating lines set inside.

Original design

The original design called for a more extreme building. This 35 story, 638 foot (194 m) tower would utilize many of the existing caissons of the former U.S. Gypsum Building. The bulk of the building would be supported by a 120-foot (37 m) base and 20 large diagonal braces connected from the corners of the base to the bottom of the office structure. The effect would have been a nearly symmetrical shape and a building that seemingly looked unstable.

The minimalistic lobby would have been enclosed in glass and left space for an exterior plaza with artwork.

The plan was eventually abandoned with the current design chosen instead.

Current tenants

Current tenants in the building include Deloitte, RR Donnelley, Harbor Funds and Locke Lord Bissell & Liddell LLP.

Position in Chicago's skyline

ee also

*List of skyscrapers
*List of tallest buildings in the United States
*List of tallest buildings in Chicago
*World's tallest structures

References

* [http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=169011 Emporis listing]
* [http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=102127 Emporis listing for older design]
* [http://www.111southwacker.com/ Official Website]