Chicago, Illinois, USA

Designed by bKL Architecture, the four new towers—Tower I, Cascade Chicago, Parcel O Chicago, and Cirrus Condominiums—are strategically placed to optimize active open green space and to minimally impact the surrounding context.

Each of the four towers, developed by Magellan Development Group and Lendlease, possess
curvilinear geometry and a faceted skin that reconciles its geometry to provide a continuous
and consistent visual among the towers. Their faceted textures tie the buildings together as one
aesthetic and provides the entire complex with a dynamic interaction between the built and natural
environment.

The Montréal-based firm, Claude Cormier + Associés collaborated with bKL Architecture on
landscaping design.

The most unique tower, Tower I, is also the most prominent of the three new buildings on Lake
Shore Drive as it reinforces the marker to where the Chicago River meets Lake Michigan.

The building will provide up to 600 units for the neighborhood, as well as views to Lake Michigan,
the Chicago River, and the newly implemented Cascade Park.

Tower I’s triangular geometry allows for residents to have views up and down the lakefront.

The form of the building expresses its relationship to the site by gracefully gesturing towards the
lake. While designing the form, the team considered both the building’s composition when seen as
part of a collective Chicago skyline, as well as views and vistas of the lake for residents.

As a result, the tower’s triangular geometry allows for residents to have views up and down the
lakefront and is a striking addition to Chicago’s renowned architectural horizon.

While Towerl I’s textured façade is consistent with the other towers in the master plan, bright metal
coloration gives the project distinct character. This neutral and singular design further emphasizes
Parcel I as the anchoring tower within the master plan’s context.

The prow-like building grows larger at the top, emphasizing its prominence and interaction along
the skyline.

Cirrus is the second of three buildings within the Parcels IJKL at Lakeshore East development,
designed as a composed and connective urban development within City of Chicago.

The placement of this 47-story condominium tower is positioned to provide all 363 units with
optimal access to light, as well as views to the lake, river, and newly implemented Cascade Park.

With the site’s proximity to the lakefront and new park, the tower’s design responds to the natural
elements of the site’s context. Texture, form, and a continuous glass façade interplay with the
vicinity to the Chicago River, Lake Michigan and the tonality of surrounding natural elements.

Complementary in materiality to neighboring buildings in the master plan, Cirrus is
individualized by golden brass metal expressed panels.

Cirrus’s interior architectural design is sophisticated and light, anchored by clean lines and elegant
materials. Additionally, two terraces offer open and expansive views of Lake Michigan.

Cascade is the third of three buildings within the Parcels IJKL at Lakeshore East development,
designed as a composed and connective urban development within City of Chicago.

The placement of this 37-story multifamily tower is positioned to provide optimal access to light
for all 503 units, as well as views to the lake, river, and newly implemented Cascade Park.

Cascade’s design responds to the natural elements of the site’s context, similar to the other projects
in the master plan, expressed in a fluid massing and the reflection of a continuous glass façade. The
project is individualized by copper metal expression panels on the exterior of the building, as well
as a sharp and chic interior.

In addition to the dark, edgy interior design, both the layout and amenities in Cascade are framed
around the community. The tower’s pool deck rises six feet above the park level, offering some of the
most panoramic views of the skyline and a new park, ideal for shared experience among residents and
their guests.

The project also features multiple communal lounges throughout and shared fire pits on the roof
deck, all designed with interaction as the core inspiration.

Parcel O, located in Lakeshore East Park, is a mixed-use tower that contains residential units, a hotel,
and co-working space in a manner that directly relates to the program.

The façade treatments of opaque spandrel panels and vision glass further emphasize the building’s
saw-tooth massing.

The extended program reaches out to provide multiple modes of pedestrian connectivity for the
surrounding Lakeshore East community.

The podium massing also provides an extensive rooftop amenity deck that allows residents and
hotel guests to connect with the context at multiple scales and levels.

These four new skyscrapers bring a conclusion to the multi-decade transformation of the Chicago
docklands and a rail yard into one of city’s most vibrant neighborhoods.

Architects: bKL Architecture
Developers: Magellan Development Group and Lendlease
Landscape Architects: Claude Cormier + Associés