

“The city’s planning authority Friday approved zoning for a hotel and residential high-rise just east of Tribune Tower that would become the second-tallest building in Chicago, a major step forward for a project imagined for years.
“But despite the approval from the Chicago Plan Commission, the 1,422-foot building remains a highly speculative deal that may take years to realize. Its residential component, including condos and rentals, and its hotel all are vulnerable in an economy with continuing damage from the pandemic.
“The building would arise at the southwest corner of Illinois and St. Clair streets, where there is currently a parking lot. With a design by Chicago-based Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture, the development also calls for retail space and landscaping in Pioneer Court. The building is just 29 feet shorter than Chicago’s Willis Tower. While commissioners praised the new building’s design and its placement that respects common view corridors for the landmark building, several criticized its lack of on-site affordable housing.
“Going by the name Tribune Tower East, the project would form a tandem with the landmark Tribune Tower at 435 N. Michigan Ave. The Chicago Tribune left the building in 2018 and it’s undergoing a renovation for similarly exclusive homes. Golub and Los Angeles-based CIM Group are partners in both projects.” (Roeder, Chicago Sun-Times)
Preservation Chicago recommends the name “The Chicago American” for the new tower as a reference to the historic newspaper that was once written and printed on this site after it was merged with the Chicago Tribune Company.