Chicago, Illinois, USA

The 20th-Century landmark Tribune Tower Competition changed forever the thinking about the modern skyscraper and brought Finland’s Eliel Saarinen to the United States. Historians still argue that Saarinen’s second-place design was the most “modern” and the tower that should have been built.

Now the neo-Gothic skyscraper is now undergoing renovation and restoration by the Chicago firm of Solomon Cordwell Buenz with developers CIM Group and Golub & Company, turning the 36-story former newspaper headquarters into a mixed-use residential complex called Tribune Tower West.

The Tribune Tower is one of Chicago’s most treasured historic landmarks. Originally constructed in 1925 and designed by Raymond Hood and John Mead Howells, the tower was located adjacent to an existing printing plant. In 1935, the Radio Building was added to the site, followed by the Television Building in 1950.

In 2018, the Chicago Tribune vacated the building and planning began to convert the 34-story office tower and surrounding buildings to 162 luxury condominium units, while respecting its Chicago landmark status.

The tower’s historic façade will be preserved and restored, ensuring its continued architectural stature. Historically sensitive enhancements to the Radio and TV buildings will support flagship retail and will provide a new entry and drop off for the residences. The original entry and tower lobby will be preserved and remain open to the public. The retail frontage of the original printing plant will also be redeveloped, activating a reimagined Pioneer Court and plaza.

Four additional floors will be added to the northeast side above the TV Building, providing a modern, glass complement to the existing limestone façades. This addition will frame a new elevated courtyard, providing a shared greenspace for residents.

A full luxury amenity program will be dispersed throughout the building, including several unique spaces. A pool and terrace will be nestled behind the original Chicago Tribune sign, while a lounge and a series of terraces at the tower’s crown will give residents a one-of-a-kind experience beneath the iconic, gothic buttresses.

The converted main tower will house 30 floors of residences, with its two existing wings accommodating additional units. The southern of the two will stretch seven floors, while its northern neighbor will be 12 floors with four levels added to the original eight.

The architects have created a hybrid aesthetic of classic architecture mixed with the sleek features of a typical modern condominium development. The interior will retain the grandeur of the original architecture, with masonry walls, and tall windows, and high ceilings spans.

Upon completion and with its prominent location along Chicago’s famed Michigan Avenue, the Tribune Tower is yet another prominent city building that will be wondrously restored.

Architects: Solomon Cordwell Buenz
Interior Architects: The Gettys Group
Original Architects: Hood & Howells (1925)
Developers: CIM Group and Golub & Company