Also known as: Trump Tower Chicago Built: 2005-2009 Cost: $847,000,000 Designed by: Skidmore, Owings & Merrill Type: Skyscraper Stories: 92 Maximum Height: 1,362 feet / 415 meters Location: 401 North Wabash, Chicago, United States
C hicago's Trump International Hotel and Tower marked the end of a long drought in the city's super tower scene. The 1960's saw the Hancock Center rise into the sky. In the 1970's it was the Sears Tower and the Aon Center. Then... nothing. Several proposals, including ones for what would have been the world's tallest buildings, failed to come to fruition. The Chicago skyline as seen in the 1980's film Ferris Beuller's Day Off would remain much the same decades later as a new century dawned.
I was real estate mogul and international showman, Donald Trump who eventually stepped up to the plate with a plan to replace the grandiose 1950's metal shed that was the Chicago Sun-Times building with a glittering tower bearing his name. At first there was much excitement as The Donald's organization made the announcement. But that evaporated into disappointment in 2001 when the first sketches came out of revered local architecture powerhouse SOM. It showed a multi-tiered silver-glass giant that didn't so much soar into the sky as squat along the Chicago River. Simply put, it was too wide, not majestic, and made a mockery of the architectural wonders next door -- the Wrigley Building, the Jewelers Building, and the Tribune Tower.
A subsequent revision in 2002 by SOM's Adrian Smith was a significant improvement. It definitely fit in with the city's then-architectural trend of putting illuminated spires on everything. But alas, it looked a lot like the beloved, yet time-worn Sears Tower. This was primarily because of the use of stacked boxes. Even though they were not square, but octagons and hexagons, the design seemed too familiar.
The third time was the charm. The final edition of the plan dropped the angles in favor of curves, and massed the sections in such a way as to evoke a ship of commerce steaming through the city. It's the same sense one gets from looking at the Wrigley Building next door from the correct angles. Prow and prowess.
The Trump Tower Chicago makes great use of its available space while creating another icon in the city's skyline. Also important, its setbacks pay homage to the Art Deco-era skyscrapers that made Chicago a living architectural museum. And it manages to reach for the stars without stepping on the feet of other buildings in the area. To its neighbors, it appears as an equal. That's because the first setback is at the same height as the cornice on the Wrigley Building, the second is the same height as Marina City, and the third is at the top of the former IBM Building across the street.
The tower was originally planned to have 461 condominiums and 227 combination hotel rooms and condominiums.
According to the Chicago Tribune, SOM built about 50 models of the building before getting the design they wanted.
According to the Chicago Tribune, Donald Trump bought the $28,000,000 14,000 square-foot 89th floor penthouse for his personal use.
The residents of this tower have their own private dog run.
At the time of its completion, this was the largest reinforced concrete building in North America.
This building is made of concrete instead of steel to reduce sway and maximize window space.
When this building was built, the freight railroad tracks that delivered newspaper rolls to the old Chicago Sun-Times building were preserved so the city might some day make a passenger rail link between Michigan Avenue and Union Station and the Ogilvie Transportation Center in the West Loop.
The hotel uniforms were designed by Ivanka Trump.
Height to roof: 1,125 feet.
Height to mechanical penthouse roof: 1,170 feet
Height to top of spire: 1,362 feet
Floor area: 2,600,000 square feet
Retail space: 80,000 square feet
Residences: 472
Hotel rooms:339
Parking spaces: 1,000
Land cost: $73,000,000
Concrete: 720,000,000 pounds
Concrete: 180,000 cubic yards
December, 2001: The initial artists sketch of the Trump Tower Chicago is unveiled. People find it bland.
July, 2002: A revised plan is presented to the public. It receives better reviews.
22 January, 2004: In a plan to adjust to changing economic realities, the design is changed so that floors 17 through 26 are converted from offices to condominiums and hotel rooms.
15 October, 2004:- The last of the Chicago Sun-Times employees move out of the old Sun-Times building to make way for the new Trump Towe Chicago.
15 October, 2004: Donald Trump purchases the last piece of the property he needs to move forward with the project. The total paid for the land is $73,000,000.
February, 2005: Mayor Daley convinces Donald Trump to put the spire back into plans for the tower.
February, 2005: WGN Television reports that the top floor condominium in the Trump International Hotel and Tower sold for $28 million.
23 February, 2005: WGN Television reports that Donald Trump has decided to increase the height of the spire to make this the tallest skyscraper in North America. The Chicago Tribune carries a more complete story the next day, stating that the new Trump spire design could top 1,484 feet, taking the world's second-tallest title away from the Petronas Towers in Malaysia.
17 March, 2005:- Construction officially begins on the Trump Tower.
2 October, 2005: The concrete for the foundation mat arrives in what is called the "Big Pour." Dozens of truck work continuously for almost 24 hours to pour 5,000 cubic yards of wet concrete into an area 66 feet wide, 200 feet long, and 10 feet deep. This creates an underground anchor for the building. The concrete is mixed to withstand 10,000 pounds of pressure per square inch.
January 30, 2008 - The hotel portion of this building opened for business.
February 1, 2008: Construction reached the 60th floor.
April 28, 2008: The official opening ceremony was held.
August 16, 2008: This building is topped out.
September 23, 2008: Donald Trump and his immediate family participate in a topping out ceremony for this building.
December 13, 2008: After weeks of delays, a helicopter attempts to lift a piece of the building's spire into place. The operation is cancelled due to high winds.
January 3, 2009: The first pieces of the spire are successfully lifted into place.
April, 2009: Anticipated completion date.
May 5, 2009: The final piece of the building's spire is put in place.
Trump's public relations people say some floors are made of "zebra wood." Zebrawood is a species threatened with extinction. When a Prada boutique in New York was built with the material, environmentalists protested and Prada pledged to never use it again.
The Swarovski crystal chandelier in the restaurant. It was created with more than19,000 crystals.
Floors made of Italian marble, French limestone, and zebrawood.
Did You Know?
In the 2004 NBC television series The Apprentice, Donald Trimp awarded the winner of the contest, Bill Rancic, a job running this building.
This was the location of the Chicago Sun-Times building, made famous in postcards, publications, and the CBS television series "Early Edition."
Quotations
"A very tall building whose form derives not from its internal structure, as Sears, the Hancock and the Aon Center do, but from its relationship to its external setting." Blair Kamin, Chicago Tribune 31 July, 2002
"Prior to September 11, we had plans for a building of approximately 150 stories." Donald Trump, WGN Television 23 September, 2003
pepe
Thursday, November 26th, 2009 @ 8:13pm
Rating: Five stars. I have the honor to work there for about 18 months as a carpenter 65 % were latinos mostly from mexico saludos a todos los que trabajamos ahi...
Bryan Higgins
Friday, October 16th, 2009 @ 7:27am
looks great! i've worked in all types of buildings downtown none of them made me want to move in to the city like trump's building did! Its a great looking skyscraper!nice job Mr Trump.
Brent Kampert
Sunday, October 11th, 2009 @ 1:28pm
Rating: Five stars. Wayne,Cool video, I wish I would have been there to see the spire added. For almost a year now, the building looks really good in Chicago's Skyline. Calatrava said in the Tribune today, that the Chicago Spire is not dead, so one thinks Trump will be the 2nd tallest for a few more years until the Chicago Spire is actually finished, then Trump will be 3rd.
Brent Kampert
Sunday, August 23rd, 2009 @ 12:16pm
Rating: Four stars. I was downtown yesterday and saw a nice Trump Plaza, but most of which was still under construction. In the way of activity, visitors are welcome to the entrance of the hotel to find a Gift Shop, which is small like Airport Gift Shops. This will not help bring people to the Plaza at Trump. There was ground planter barriers around the tower to keep out terrorist activity, which is good. Once the plaza is all the way opened, this should help it be more visitor friendly.
Brent Kampert
Monday, May 4th, 2009 @ 11:54am
Rating: Five stars. I went to Chicago on May 2nd, and saw this building. I thought, wow, how amazing it is to see the building with the full spire from Wabash Avenue in the Loop and the Planetarium.
Abby Tyler
Tuesday, April 14th, 2009 @ 4:16pm
Rating: Five stars. My husband & I were in Chicago for the first time Valentine's Day weekend from Florida & actually had a friend that was on construction crew in the building. Although it wasn't finished when we were there, I can't wait to go back this summer & see it in it's completion. It really is beautiful, I couldn't help but take so many pictures of it.
Ulysses Mejia
Tuesday, January 20th, 2009 @ 12:11am
Rating: Five stars. ok, i move from chicago about four months ago i didnt see the building to its total end but what i can say for sure is that this is a great architecture design, to bad i didnt see the end of it, but im still pround that this building is finally finish.
Brent Kampert
Tuesday, November 18th, 2008 @ 3:13pm
Rating: Five stars. I just saw this building last night and liked seeing it complete, but hope to see a full spire on top the building in 2009. It looks really great with it's glass curve and design.
Steve McQueen
Friday, October 10th, 2008 @ 2:20pm
Rating: One star. I like it a lot. I've always been a fan of the modern era of the 60's, 70's and early 80's. I like its simple form. It's not too busy like many skycraper designs these days. I have always been a fan of the reflective glass buildings.
Raul Ford
Tuesday, September 16th, 2008 @ 9:16pm
Rating: Five stars. I have been coming to the windy city since I was a little kid from my native Panama,having the fortune of having Mr.Trump also constructing another magnificent structure in Panama and seen The Chicago Tower I realize what a great visionary Mr Trump is.
Contessa
Tuesday, September 16th, 2008 @ 9:52am
THANK YOU, Mr. Trump for building me a new playground. To say SIXTEEN is absolutely fabulous is an understatement and REBAR is just a MUST! Your staff is top notch in all respects. They make any visit to TRUMP Tower an unforgettable experience!
Quadrivium
Wednesday, July 30th, 2008 @ 2:45pm
Rating: Four stars. Looks uncommonly elegant for Skidmore. (Disclosure: I used to work there.) The setbacks are very sensitive to the surrounding buildings.
Bhrikuti
Tuesday, July 15th, 2008 @ 1:09pm
Rating: Five stars. Very modern and sheek building - not only from outside but also the ambiance inside feels pretty modern. I was there over the July 4th weekend at the resturant, they played some modern music, their arts are modern and creative. Even the rooms are very modernized with recent technology. Its the best hotel I have been to so far.
David M. Garcia
Monday, June 30th, 2008 @ 3:56pm
Rating: Five stars. Sweet Home Chicago!! I haven't been in the country for a few years now....but to be able to come home to this delightful surprise of a building, WOW! Adds class to the already BEST CITY-SKYLINE IN THE WORLD WITHOUT A DOUBT! Hey, maybe it's time to film another Fugative movie, or a Mattrix....with this new building in the script,....my kind of town! Love you Chicago!Be cool on the S.Side guys...no more violence.
Bryan
Friday, June 13th, 2008 @ 10:55am
Rating: Two stars. Living in Chicago, I'm disappointed to see such an innocuous, safe, typical, boring building go up in such a fantastic location. At least we'll have the Chicago Spire to inspire some interesting, creative architecture in the future.
Adriannia Catone
Sunday, May 18th, 2008 @ 5:38pm
Rating: Five stars. I have a yachat in Burnham Harbor in Chicago. The Chicago River has locks connecting it to Lake Michigan and me and my family always go on the river almost every day i pass the Trump Tower Chicago. It is an amazing building and adds height and beauty to already the best riverfront in the Country
aaronevanz
Sunday, February 24th, 2008 @ 10:52am
Rating: Five stars. This building is one of the most facinating structures in chicago. The view of chicago is amazing. I like how they chose to buildthis building along the river and how it sits in the heart of Chicago
Karen VZ
Thursday, February 21st, 2008 @ 7:52pm
Rating: Four stars. I have been watching this building "come together" while having lunch at the Corner Bakery Cafe. It is absolutely beautiful, and it it 100% more gorgeous than the Sun-Times Bldg. that was on the site before. The Donald has done a nice job. Karen VZ
Colby
Monday, February 11th, 2008 @ 3:31pm
Rating: One star. That one of the nicest sites along the river, with the wrigley building on one the side and the ibm building on the other, visible from the north on state street, should play host to this hideous adenoidal blob, colored weak sea foam blue, makes me a little sad for the city.
Kevin Zettel
Sunday, February 3rd, 2008 @ 11:19am
Rating: Five stars. I Love the very modern design of the tower. It seems very sophisticated and well dveloped. Very good layout, Trump.
connor Reisenbigler
Saturday, January 26th, 2008 @ 9:22am
Rating: Five stars. it is beautiful because it is tall but pays respect to the buildings around it by marking on the building itself the height of the surrounding structures, truely a beautiful and marvelous site
Dr. P.
Thursday, January 17th, 2008 @ 3:20pm
Rating: Five stars. Location,Location,Location!!! TRUMP TOWER has the Premier Location in Chicago. If a person can spend 1,000 to 2,000 a sq. ft., Why not have all that Chicago has to offer, at your doorstep, not at the Spire. Who wants to cab it from Navy Pier? THE DONALD has the best site, and he knows it. The price per square foot of TRUMP WILL SKYROCKET WHEN IT OPENS!!
urbaneddie
Monday, January 14th, 2008 @ 4:09pm
Rating: Two stars. Watching this tower going up has been interesting, it's not quite as interesting as I had hoped. Not to mention, are there any balconies for units on lower floors @ least?
Ray Everitt
Sunday, December 16th, 2007 @ 11:41am
Rating: One star. With all the great buildings in Chicago Trump is building this boring insult to the people of Chicago . Just a rich hack with no vison .
ahmed
Friday, December 14th, 2007 @ 9:22am
Rating: Four stars. its beautiful. nice to see a new great building in Chicago, but i think it would be nicer if its just a little darker, in order for it to fill better into chicagos older sky scrapers and not no create a big contrast of colours ( the design is great though)
Braveking92
Tuesday, November 13th, 2007 @ 3:50pm
Rating: Five stars. im happy that a tower like this is being built here! NYC just cant compete with Chicago's beauty!
JL
Friday, November 2nd, 2007 @ 1:47am
Rating: Four stars. Nice building - and the Pritzgers should give the next prize to Mr. Dailey, for forcing Mr. Trump to pause his addiction to all things gaudy.
jos jones
Friday, October 26th, 2007 @ 11:07am
Rating: Five stars. This building is just flawless, I like the way Donald Trump, think it kind of reminds of myself always wanting and doing what others haven't thought of or having an idea that hasn't been created by others, or being the first to make a statement, and this building is proof of that statement, a damn good design...
Hal
Wednesday, October 24th, 2007 @ 7:00pm
Rating: Five stars. I drive down Lake Shore Drive everyday and have seen the progress of this amazing building over the Chicago river. I feel sorry for those office folks in the IBM building for losing their view, oh well,that's progress! I don't get those who poo-poo the Donald for "whimping out" on building the tallest-why did he have too? Don't yall get it-that building beatuful and elegant is more important than the mightiest? He's no bully but a powerful freind to our city. Bravo Mr.Trump-can I work for you? halbassler@yahoo.com
Pankaj Shah
Tuesday, October 23rd, 2007 @ 9:37pm
Rating: Five stars. It,s a great design and very beautiful building.
Dan Rowlen
Saturday, October 13th, 2007 @ 6:17pm
Rating: Five stars. WOW! Visiting Chicago from my current home in Houston, where we take pride in our own beautiful skyline, I can only say that the Trump Tower will long be the punctuation of creative design that exemplifies the City of Broad Shoulders. Born In Illinois (Danville) I have made several trips to Chicago since the 1950's. Watching the Skyline evolve from the days when the Prudential Building was the hallmark of skyscrapers, (and still today has a great identity) I have wondered when the "gap" between the Hancock & Sears towers would be filled. I can't wait to see it when it is completed..
McAllisterP
Thursday, October 11th, 2007 @ 5:05pm
Rating: Five stars. It should have been approved to be taller than the Sears tower.Unfortunately Dubai will still rein supreme in the elite Skyscraper club until whiney sightline crybabies want America to #1 again.
richbh
Thursday, August 9th, 2007 @ 2:36am
Rating: Five stars. A most welcome addition to the Chicago skyline! And a vast improvement on the squat barge-like Sun Times Building it replaces! It remains to be seen if the sleek IBM Tower and the white fluff of the Wrigley building will be able to hold their own against it.
Qaiser F Ansari
Monday, August 6th, 2007 @ 4:06am
Rating: Four stars. Trump building, simply awesome, a beautiful blend of innovative structure and facad beauty.. a simple vow!
Balbas
Tuesday, July 31st, 2007 @ 1:59am
Rating: Five stars. Very clean design and will add wonderfully to the skyline of this grand town.
David Shmuel
Sunday, July 22nd, 2007 @ 5:30pm
Rating: Five stars. I love it! It's a nice sleek twist to the Sears Tower's original design, but it's still original enough to stand out.
Micheal
Thursday, July 19th, 2007 @ 3:27pm
Rating: Three stars. Not the worst, and not the best. With SOM as architect, you can't expect anything exceptional. Too bulky on the lower tier, but if curtan-wall & glass colors are top-notch, it could be OK.
Elliot
Tuesday, July 3rd, 2007 @ 4:23pm
Rating: Four stars. I gotta say I like the building; it IS large, and it does loom a bit at street level, but the curved glass walls and setbacks equal to it's neighbors are nice touches.No, it's not as imporessive as the Calatrava spire, but that's a one-in-a-million deal. Let's get real: that building will probably set the standard for a generation of buildings (though I wish the spire was still part of the design). Donald doesn't build epic buildings; for better or for worse he's in it for the money, and he will probably make a LOT more from his building than the Irish folks will make off the Spire. But it's still a good building, and when Trump tower and the Spire are done the skyline is going to be pretty damn impressive. Even Dubai will be hard pressed to match it.(If you want to criticize a building, look at the Mandarin hotel: 90 stories straight up on a postage stamp lot: can we say Equitable building??)
Stephen
Sunday, July 1st, 2007 @ 3:53pm
Rating: Two stars. "The artist rendering looks nice enough." Yeah, that's what I thought until I came back home to Chicago and actually saw the thing! There are so many other smaller projects acrosss the city that "trump" this building architecturaly and visualy. Not to mention the sophisticated Spire soon to be just a few blocks upriver. It may look nicer as it gets closer to completion, but for now, Chicago is unspired. I mean uninspired.
Walter
Wednesday, June 27th, 2007 @ 9:30pm
Rating: Five stars. Thank you mr. trump this tower is fantastic!!!! This tower will be a wonderful addition to the city along with the 2000 foot spire tower to follow and give chicago a fresh new face. I cant wait for these buildings to be finished:)
Richard B James
Wednesday, June 20th, 2007 @ 4:56pm
Absolutly beautiful and well-placed building. Enjoy "the Donald" and his superb showmanship on many levels.
Narin Ratanavade
Wednesday, June 6th, 2007 @ 5:57pm
Rating: Five stars. I'll admit that I was disappointed at the fact that Trump decided not to make this the tallest building in the world, but looking at what this tower will look like at the end is unbelievable! Plus, I love how it tries to blend in with the other Chicago architecture by placing the setbacks at the heights of the Marina, Wrigley, and the IBM building. Hehe, I thought of how cool it would be to place one setback at the height of the Sears Tower if it would have been the tallest. ;-) I always try to come by and take pics of what the current status of the building looks like. I can't believe I'm saying this, but... wow what a sexy building!
Kevin O'Connor
Sunday, June 3rd, 2007 @ 3:31pm
Rating: Three stars. As ashamed as I may be now, I was a long-time Donald fan. I always liked his "can do" attitude however after 9/11 he pulled his plans for the tallest building in the world and I am offended. Chicago is the best destination for such an attempt during such a historic time and Donald proved he is not worthy of the Chicago "I Will" spirit that rebuilt itself after Fort Dearborn was destroyed, the entire city rebuilt after the great fire, and the worlds focus during the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition. At that time America's hopes of surpassing the splendor of the Paris Expo were put on the shoulders of Chicago and Chicago accepted that challenge. Quite frankly Donald had his moment to show the world what Chicago can do, but backed down, his time is past. He certainly belongs back in New York. Just to note, 9/11 victims will always be in my prayers and the images from that day always in my mind, but the attitude afterwards, not shared. I would have proposed twin "tallest" buildings in the world the very next day. I am from Chicago. Where is Burnham?
ldog
Friday, June 1st, 2007 @ 11:51pm
i think making a really tall skyscraper further from downtown would make a bigger difference on the magnitude of the skyline
SoxFan1
Monday, May 21st, 2007 @ 1:40pm
Rating: Five stars. I love it and hope to see more Trump Towers going up in Chicago just like Mr. Trump is putting up in New York. Just stepping inside of his 5th Avenue NYC tower made me feel like Royalty; being able to browse in those rich people stores and walking around on the pink marble floors and touching the gold plated railings. Sheer ELEGANCE!!!
J. Wesley
Sunday, May 13th, 2007 @ 10:18am
Rating: One star. Out of place! Looks like another Dallas glass! Wright is watching & I think he approves of the Spire! Trump may have to convert to offices.
brandon
Saturday, May 12th, 2007 @ 4:47am
Rating: Five stars. only sears and the spire can trump this one.
Rodrigo
Thursday, May 10th, 2007 @ 5:29pm
Rating: Four stars. good desing.... i Like it... but chicago spire will give a big shadow to the donald trump's buildng.. hehe I guess
Mike
Thursday, April 26th, 2007 @ 8:03pm
Rating: One star. simply uninspiring.
Heba
Tuesday, April 10th, 2007 @ 11:24pm
Rating: Five stars. A beautiful work of art I think. True masterpiece !
Eddie C.
Monday, April 9th, 2007 @ 12:24pm
Rating: Five stars. This is yet another wonderful addition to hands down the best city on earth. Its about time chicago came back into the spotlight and regained its superiority over the dirty streets of New York and pollution filled sky line of LA.
Jim Bell
Wednesday, March 21st, 2007 @ 10:41am
Rating: Five stars. Mr. Trump has outdone himself again with this majestic structure being built before us. The new Chicago Trump Tower will far out-do his older more square New York Tower built in the 80s. I have been to the Manhattan Trump Tower many times and if Chicago's Trump Tower is as prestigous as his New York one on the inside with it's marble floors and walls, and gold plated railings, I think the entire Chicago area will be poised to build buildings in the futute at a higher standard of elegance. Nicely done Mr. Trump! You may even want to film The Apprentice in your new Chicago tower once it's completed to show it off. It truley will be a trophy to us all.
gennesis
Tuesday, March 20th, 2007 @ 12:51pm
Rating: Five stars. I've seen the construction site up and close. As a chicgao resident, I'm excited for all the fabulous skyscrapers Chicago has and the ones it will have, like Trump Tower and the Chicago Spire.
Alex
Wednesday, March 7th, 2007 @ 6:39pm
Rating: Five stars. This Building is cool.It will make chicago look more better.Chicago is doing a good job with it's skyline.
elliot
Thursday, February 22nd, 2007 @ 12:14pm
Rating: Four stars. I like this building, though not as much as the Fordham spire. To a certain extent it proves the system works, because it is much, MUCH better than the original design, and design review is the reason why. If they light up the cylindrical section at the top at night, it will look amazing.
Patrick Stille
Thursday, February 8th, 2007 @ 12:37pm
Rating: Five stars. As someone who lives in chicago i can say that this building and the chicago spire will be awesome additions to the chicago skyline. these buildings will insure that chicago always stays number 1 in the skyscarper categorie
Gary Farkas
Saturday, February 3rd, 2007 @ 5:54pm
Rating: Three stars. This reminds me of a smushed Sears tower.
simon bromfield
Thursday, January 11th, 2007 @ 3:17pm
Rating: Four stars. chi town is a wonderful and progressive city i visited chi back in 2000 and enjoyed marvelling at the amazing architecture i hope one day to return and i look forward with anticipation at witnessing new additions to the most amazing of global skylines
Jean
Friday, January 5th, 2007 @ 9:51am
Rating: Four stars. THe inital plan is awesome I cannot wait to see it comepleted and it gives me a reason to return to Chicago
Xian
Friday, December 29th, 2006 @ 12:21am
Rating: Five stars. I love the skyline of my dearly loved city. This is a beautiful addition to Chicago. Too bad I cant afford to live there
Jason Steward
Thursday, December 28th, 2006 @ 3:54am
Rating: Five stars. I simply love it. whats so amazing about chi-town is that you can already see the sears tower all over the city, as with the aon and hancock. this new building will add to the three giants, making it a fourth. We are the best city and i still beleive that chicago dosent only build tall buildings, but make statments as well!!!! Allright for Chi-town
Karen
Wednesday, December 27th, 2006 @ 2:07pm
Rating: Five stars. My husband and I was in Chicago the day after thanksgiving and we had the chance to take a picture of the TRUMP TOWER being built. Chicago is already a great city and trup towers is going to make it greater.Dallas, Texas
Barry H Wheeler
Sunday, December 10th, 2006 @ 2:54pm
"5" If a piece of history or a project of this magnatude can be rated by meer numbers, is like asking how do you rate the painting on the ceiling of the sisteen chapel. This building will be a compliment to the skyline without be an austentashious edifess of over stated modern achitecture and yet it has a suttle hint of art decoe to blend with the overall diverse skyline that is Chicago. Donald Trump has a vission for development that transends the norm of developer to master of creative historical impact. There are few developers both in history and in present day that stand equal to the impact his developments have, be it mangnificent sky scrapers or resorts.
Kelsey
Friday, December 8th, 2006 @ 3:01pm
Rating: One star. it pains me to watch this monstrosity in progress. not only will it destroy our site lines from surrounding buildings but it is the antithesis of eco-friendly and affront to the eyes.
kirby
Thursday, December 7th, 2006 @ 9:02pm
Rating: Five stars. All of us Chicagoans are watching the Trump get built! I cant wait for it to be completed!
Marc
Thursday, November 16th, 2006 @ 10:55pm
Rating: Four stars. Anything SOM does is a marvel
Thomas Grecco
Tuesday, November 7th, 2006 @ 4:41pm
Rating: Five stars. A Great Addition to an already Great American City
Brent Kampert
Sunday, November 5th, 2006 @ 5:50pm
Rating: Five stars. This will be a great addition to Chicago's Skyline, with all that is going on downtown. Chicago needs this kind of boost for more taller buildings. The building itself has a great antenna spire with the building's curve and design.
Fernando
Monday, October 30th, 2006 @ 7:24pm
Rating: Five stars. Thats a nice tower, it would look good at night, Chicago is going to look cool at night.
marcus
Tuesday, October 17th, 2006 @ 4:08pm
Rating: Five stars. i think this buidling is amazing. I love how it's all glass and I can't wait to see the new skyline once it is done, but I want to see the skyline before it's done too and I will get to see that soon. Also, that spire buidling that may be build (it's proposed), i think that is ugly and i don't see how chicagoans like that.i think that this is the one of the best projects in the 21st century.
Ulises Mejia
Friday, September 29th, 2006 @ 9:26pm
Rating: Five stars. This is one of best projects in US,congratulationes!
Aziz Adrianta
Thursday, August 17th, 2006 @ 5:30am
Rating: Three stars. Thumbs up! Compliments to Mr.Trumph. The skyscraper looks great and elegant. The building will be an ICON of Chicago City and entire world. The future begins....
Nick Brozek
Tuesday, August 15th, 2006 @ 4:40am
Rating: Five stars. Donald Trump has done it again. He has hired only the finest architects to design a building that will forever change the Windy City's skyline!
Larry Munnich
Wednesday, July 19th, 2006 @ 10:59pm
Rating: Five stars. I am currently a construction worker for one of the electrical contractors at this site. This is the most prestegious job site in the city if not the world, everyone wants to work at Trump Tower. I personnally feel it is going to be one of the greatest architectual achievements of the 21st century. I wish everyone could see the engineering and new technics involved in this accomplishment. It has a great location along the chicago river. It helps complete and also rivel the nearby IBM and Wrigley buildings. Personally I feel the IBM is a tall cube with no style or feature that sets it apart from others. Where as the wrigley was made in the early 20th century, very classical very elegant.Trump tower also changes the skyline of Chicago forever. Which is one of the best in the world. Wheter you love it or not everyday we make history. To all those who are doing their part building America, Build Union.
Dj
Tuesday, July 11th, 2006 @ 7:25pm
Rating: Four stars. ^ You are rating the height. Whatever happen to the appreciation of ARCHITECTURE? Or is my generation only attracted to tall, shiny things? People will be surprised when it comes to the detail in the curtain wall system.
Eddie
Monday, July 3rd, 2006 @ 8:01pm
Rating: Three stars. Go big or don't go at all. It disapoints me that Donald got scared of making it the tallest building in the world and getting cold feet and lowering it down. People are hoping for USA to reclaim the world's tallest building again and regain the respect of the world.
Rodolfo
Wednesday, May 24th, 2006 @ 2:22pm
When i came to America I arrived at Los Angeles. I was dissapointed of the buildings i saw. I week later i came to Chicago, nine years ago. I was amazed of the city i was going to live in. Watching how this city grows is spectacular, I love chicago and its new high rising projects.
Quentin
Tuesday, May 23rd, 2006 @ 7:54pm
Rating: Two stars. Beautiful building wrong location! Chicago is the right city for this building but just not on that block. Possibly put it in the west loop? It will block out the beautifully designed IBM building. Take a look at photos of the IBM bldg. either before the Sun-Times bldg. was there, or after it was torn down. You see exactly why that building was put there and how well it fits into that skyline. With Wrigley and Tribune as neighbors, Trump will be the bully in the neighboorhood nobody wants around... sound a little like someone we know?
Evan
Saturday, May 13th, 2006 @ 1:03am
Rating: One star. Ugly and sticks out like a sore thumb. Something a little simpler but still elegant would have looked better. They tried too hard on this one. Thank you for another monstrosity, Trump.
Damen Delgato
Thursday, May 4th, 2006 @ 2:52am
Rating: Five stars. This Building is an elegant structure that will fit in great in the Chicago skyline. Nice work Donald!
David Woods
Friday, April 7th, 2006 @ 7:41pm
Rating: Four stars. I really like this buidling. I especially like the way it seems to have a different look depending on which side you view it from. At one time Donald Trump did not want a spire on top of the building but I think it adds a very nice touch. I think this building has the style and elegance that so many buildings in Chicago seem to have and in time it will become a beloved Chicago landmark.
SAL HANDISON
Tuesday, April 4th, 2006 @ 12:18pm
Rating: Three stars. A good job by SOM but lacks the emotion of a Chrysler Bld, brutish masculine beauty of a Hancock, or the presence of a Sears
Mark
Thursday, March 30th, 2006 @ 3:34pm
Rating: One star. Boring, not original, Chicago is known for it's architecture this is boring.
Kevin Rose
Wednesday, March 29th, 2006 @ 1:18pm
Rating: Four stars. I love the design of this building. Much better than the geometric shapes on many of our older towers. However, the building is going to block my view from the 29th floor of the IBM building. Oh, well.
Greg Streit
Monday, March 27th, 2006 @ 5:26am
Rating: Five stars. It will standout as a modern landmark that prominently highlights Chicago's skyline like an architectural gem! It makes me proud to be a Chicagoan. I look forward to seeing another magnificent view from Michigan Avenue!!!
Rick
Tuesday, March 21st, 2006 @ 6:45am
Rating: One star. Yuk. What a confused looking monstrosity, just like its namesake. I can imagine the design meetings: Lets make a massive Merchandise Mart looking building; how about an IBM Building; how about an LA Library Tower or a Pruedental Building? Trump: lets make 'em all! Round/square? (Floor wax/pudding?) Perfect example of a designed by committee disaster.
Michael Hedrick
Sunday, March 12th, 2006 @ 9:27pm
Rating: Five stars. Only Trump could have built the most beautifully designed building I have yet to see.Thank you Mr.Trump!
Sebastián Mejía
Saturday, March 11th, 2006 @ 9:34pm
Rating: Five stars. A wonderful building that belongs right here at the "City of the Century". Even though I'm not a Chicagoan, I LOVE Chicago, and I considered this amazing City "My Kind of Town" and with the addition of this magnificent building, the City of big shoulders will be even better than ever before. Great job Donald!!!
Tom Hart
Thursday, March 9th, 2006 @ 2:28am
Rating: Five stars. thanks Trump, I am glad someone has the balls to build something great. Engineering marvel, great design, color and size....dream big and only big, for small dreams does not excite mankind. No casinos, boxing or USFL, just do new real estate developments in Chicago.
Randy Ross
Wednesday, March 8th, 2006 @ 1:17pm
Rating: Five stars. Another gem for the great city of Chicago! The Sun-Times building was a hideous eyesore. Glad to see it go. This building is decidedly 'Trump'. Outstanding. Can't wait to see the completed project.
Andy
Saturday, February 25th, 2006 @ 6:50pm
Rating: One star. A banal building in a decidedly un-banal city. It would be a perfect fit for New York though.
Zach
Friday, January 6th, 2006 @ 7:12pm
Rating: Five stars. all i can say is wow...im a chicago native and the trump tower will be like a much needed cool drink of water to the greatest city in the world!!!...go bears!!! go cubbies!!!
Theresa
Friday, December 30th, 2005 @ 1:17pm
Rating: Two stars. I have lived in Chicago all my life and love the city. however chicago has a very unique architectural feel and skyline and this building would stand out like a soar thump. I like th design and the building, but Chicago isnot the right place for this new aged building
Mauricio Sierra
Tuesday, December 13th, 2005 @ 4:53pm
Rating: Five stars. It is the most espectacular skycraper i´ve ever seen. !congratulations!, i hope have an apartment there someday.
rajakumar
Sunday, December 11th, 2005 @ 4:08am
Rating: Five stars. very nice and huge.I thought difficult to design and built.
Kerry McElwain
Thursday, October 20th, 2005 @ 8:39pm
Rating: Five stars. Congradulations to a city that still has a winning attitude and has not been taken over by a bunch of leftists next time though build it 10x as tall
kenneth Coleman
Saturday, October 8th, 2005 @ 11:52am
Rating: Five stars. Great building Trump. You still have not conquered Los Angeles. Zoning now allows for high-rise residential towers this is your opportunity. What are you waiting for?
Leonard Gozali
Thursday, September 8th, 2005 @ 4:51am
Rating: Five stars. No words can describe this incredible 'millenium-look' building!! It will definitely claim worldwide attention for years into the future. I agree with Ms. Kassem to give the building its own identity and not make it look like it's competing with any other structures for recognition. God Bless!!
Robbie
Wednesday, September 7th, 2005 @ 3:16pm
Rating: One star. Anyone who knows Chicago knows that this ridiculous building will dwarf everything around it, destroy sightlines from many areas, and cast a huge shadow around a massive perimeter....its insane.
Wilbert NYC
Tuesday, August 9th, 2005 @ 1:44am
Rating: Four stars. Hats off to Mr. Trump and the city of Chicago.I love it simple design,tall,sleek and curved corners and the New York style setbacks. Bringing Chicago to a 21st century city.Ironicly it was proposed for New York (remember television city,World's tallest)maybe,soon will see another new exiting structure from the Trump organization.
Jean Cretien
Monday, August 8th, 2005 @ 9:40pm
Rating: Five stars. Hats off to the revised design, and the decision to maintain the spire on top. I hope there will be a local golf course nearby the new Trump Tower!!
Simon Lange
Saturday, July 30th, 2005 @ 10:54am
Rating: Four stars. That's a skyscraper! Looks like the next landmark. I visited Chicago 2003. Now the Sun-Times Building is gone and a modern tower will replace the old structure. The design is great! Hope the will build more high rising buildings in the US. I just love Chicago and it's new skyline.
melitta koellesberger
Thursday, July 21st, 2005 @ 9:38am
Rating: Five stars. the construction of trump tower is excellently and the place near michigan avenue unusual goog.best wishes from vienna/Austria
Wilbert NYC
Thursday, July 21st, 2005 @ 4:02am
Rating: Four stars. Congratulations to Mr. Trump and the city of Chicago for permitting this project. This is to show the bureaucratic New York Politicians and city services to give more slack to great enterprises like Donald Trump's if they wish to build a tall skyscraper. Stop the nonsense of zoning laws for convenience, this building was originally for New York like also the disapproved 120 story Trump Television city, as many wonderful projects for the city of New York I strongly believe in preservation but also believe in progress where preservation is not required. Thumbs up for Chicago!
JOSE ARNULFO CRESPO SALINAS
Monday, July 18th, 2005 @ 6:19pm
Rating: Five stars. Hola Este proyecto me parce fantastico y espero poder tener un departamento en ese edificio algun dia si DIOS me lompermite, tiene una excelente vista yse ve bastante futurista. felicidades.
ooi yat fai
Wednesday, July 13th, 2005 @ 4:19am
Rating: Five stars. this gorgeous building surely renew Chicago's skyline.Good job Donald Trump!!!!!!
adrianta aziz
Friday, July 1st, 2005 @ 5:42am
dynamic, elegant and futuric building. may higlighted Trump's image
Jason King
Friday, June 24th, 2005 @ 6:24am
Rating: Three stars. this design is much better than the Trump International Hotel across from the UN in NYC. Even though it is a tall building, which I love, it's basically looks like the monolith from the movie "2001!" This building has much more style and fits in very well with the rest of the city. However, I do have a problem with the all glass facade. We need some newer, interesting materials to cover our newer skyscrapers, like aluminum that is used in the Tokyo City Hall. THAT looks fabulous. But, I still like this building anyway! Can't wait to see when it's done!
Ken
Saturday, June 11th, 2005 @ 4:17am
Rating: Two stars. I feel rather sad. Considering elegant Wrigley Building and Tribune Tower nearby, this building seems to be a bit too overwhelming to me... I currently live in Tokyo but lived in Chicago for years long time ago. I still miss Chicago!
Daryl Andrews
Thursday, June 2nd, 2005 @ 5:27pm
Rating: Five stars. It looks amazing - coming to see the construction site this weekend from teh Great White North!!! Looking forward to seeing the progress.
mohamed abdelhameed
Thursday, May 26th, 2005 @ 4:25am
Rating: Three stars. good designe need style as land mark
Irwin Hicks
Wednesday, May 25th, 2005 @ 4:26pm
Rating: Five stars. A magnificent setting on the Chicago River, marvelous neighboring buildings, a beautiful building for a great city of the world. Bravo!
Charlie Shellenberger
Monday, May 23rd, 2005 @ 8:01pm
I had given this building only a three star rating earlier. It has grown on me since so I would give it 4.5 stars. I still hope the spire has some type of cool lighting effect, then I could give it a five. Thanks to all of those around the world that gave Chicago compliments. Chicago is just one of many great cities around the world.
Agnese Lowry
Saturday, May 21st, 2005 @ 6:12pm
Rating: Five stars. LOVE IT~! It's contemporary, it's me I just love contemporary..sassies things up a bit...The "blue" of natural look of the glass....it looks classy~!
Ghasan Haddad
Friday, May 20th, 2005 @ 5:20am
Rating: Four stars. SOM GOT STYLE! I'm touched, bravo..
Eckhard Weinholz
Thursday, May 19th, 2005 @ 3:05pm
Rating: Five stars. Chicago and its people are the best. Everything is big in Chicago. I know Trump Tower will be too and I love it. Hey Chicago: I think you will see us and our new born son 2007! Greetings to the Lake.
Skip
Tuesday, May 17th, 2005 @ 1:51pm
Rating: Five stars. How Cool this tower is! I own an apartment in Marina City , which is another landmark building in Chi town. Additionally,I cannot wait for my new neighbors to arrive...along with, of course, the increased property values they will bring. Rock On Donald!!!! Your hired!
Na-ri
Monday, May 16th, 2005 @ 2:58am
Rating: Five stars. Huge and amazing building
I can feel great amount of people's effort to build this awesome building
Billy
Saturday, May 14th, 2005 @ 5:03pm
Rating: Five stars. The tower is great, and it is the genesis of the new wave of modern day, reflective glass towers to grace our city skylines in chicago. The other buildings there look stone age in comparison.
Justin
Thursday, April 28th, 2005 @ 8:42am
Rating: Five stars. I love all of the detail that I been brought together to make the one of a kind building. I hope to one day live in the giant masterpiece!
Ciro Saito
Saturday, April 23rd, 2005 @ 8:10pm
Rating: Five stars. A nice building representing the beggining of the 21st century, with neighbours as Wrigleys Bldg, Marina Towers and Mies Van der Rohe IBM project.
fgd
Sunday, April 17th, 2005 @ 9:53pm
Rating: Five stars. It is the best most luxurious tower yet. WELL DONE!!!!
This is a sign for the terrorists that we are not scared.
Mitch
Sunday, April 10th, 2005 @ 12:17am
Rating: Five stars. It'll be great to have an updated chicago skyline. The Trump Tower will be one of the first true Chicago icons since the Sears Tower. While I agree the Sun-Times wasn't the most appealing building, it's a shame they couldn't have replaced a building with less significance to the city.
Kyle
Saturday, April 2nd, 2005 @ 12:02pm
Rating: Five stars. i believe this building will redeifine the chicago skyline. its amazing glass structure gives it a millenium look. and i agree with some of the others, i do think trump should go for the tallest title. sears towers title was taken away by two spears, so now take away the petronas towers title and go for the taipie 101's title to. go for the tallest!! I LUV U CHICAGO
Steven Glenn
Tuesday, March 29th, 2005 @ 8:54pm
Rating: Four stars. I give the new tower a thumbs up! I only wish that Mr. Trump would not have altered his original plan for a much taller building. With it's sparkling color and striking height, it would have been awesome!
Peter
Friday, March 25th, 2005 @ 3:16pm
Rating: Five stars. AMAZING!This building is breathtaking. It will be an amazing landmark/icon for this amazing city and im not saying this because i live there because i dont. Go Chicago and the bears and cubs.
Zach
Monday, March 21st, 2005 @ 4:37pm
Rating: Four stars. The Sears Tower AND the Hancock Tower are TOTALLY awesome. I live in Northern Indiana and come to Chicago once in a while to see the city and I work there sometimes. I would LOVE and I mean LOVE to have a home in BOTH of these towers. I like it!
sharon kassem
Saturday, March 19th, 2005 @ 9:47pm
Rating: Three stars. Beautiful structure, with the exception that the spire appears to be out of proportion to the rest of the building--it looks like it's been extended upward only to be called the largest building in North America. If that's one of the objectives of the spire, put more height on the building, too. This is a permanent endeavor and will claim worldwide attention for years into the future. Let's give the building its own identity and not make it look like it's competing with any other structure for recognition.
Charlie Shellenberger
Tuesday, March 15th, 2005 @ 6:08pm
Rating: Three stars. I agree it should be much taller like the original design called for. I love that it is all glass and the color of the glass is great. However, the shape of it just seems plain and boring to me. Is that the best we can do for 750 million? A few setbacks? I hope we get a spire that has some type of cool light effect. The lighting effects os the USA seem so plain compared to a city like Hong Kong.
Gary P.
Thursday, February 24th, 2005 @ 12:14pm
Rating: Four stars. This is a spectacular design. It will make a nice contrast with the other towers in the skyline.
Larry Weidner
Sunday, February 20th, 2005 @ 1:58pm
Rating: Five stars. A Stunning Addition to
a Magnificent City. I can
not wait to visit the
finished product !!!
Diego Frausto
Saturday, February 19th, 2005 @ 2:06pm
Rating: Two stars. I think that if we want to keep up with the high-rise story buildings in asia we should of made it much higher. It could of shown that we are not scared of terrorists and that america has the ingenuity and might to keep up with other high rises in the world
Don Renaud
Sunday, January 23rd, 2005 @ 11:28am
Rating: Five stars. As a professional glazier, I would be in my glory to work on this building. Visually, from a work perspective, this building is absolutely spectacular.
Art Vandalay
Wednesday, January 19th, 2005 @ 10:09pm
Rating: Four stars. Sean- My sincere apologies. Your passion for this city is a delight. I admit my words about Sears Tower were far too harsh. I am a true Chicagoan who happens to appeciate its significance. It is indeed an impressive structure. I guess I'm just old school (e.g., Tribune Tower). Nevertheless, as I ease into the new millennium, Trump Tower will be a refreshing and beautiful addition to our skyline and I look forward to it as well!
April Tischer
Monday, January 17th, 2005 @ 6:58pm
Rating: Four stars. Its nice looking, better than looking at the old Sun-Times Building. Wish they stuck with the 150 stories plan though.
Sean
Friday, January 7th, 2005 @ 2:01pm
Rating: Five stars. Art Vandalay - I would have to say you are not a native Chicagoan. The Sears Tower is one of the most magnificant structures ever built. To say it is ugly kicks every Chicagoan in the gut. I love that building, and I am sure everyone else does as well. As for the Trump building, it looks just as revolutionary as the Sears probably did in its time! I can't wait!
JM
Tuesday, January 4th, 2005 @ 1:23pm
Rating: Five stars. Joe W - have you ever seen the Sun Times building?? its hideous. It's about time it gets knocked down. I think the new Trump tower will become a beloved addition to the Chicago sky line.
Bojan Arnautovic
Tuesday, December 14th, 2004 @ 9:40pm
Rating: Five stars. The structure of the building will give the city new character. As famous as Mr.Trump has become in USA as well as around the world, it seems like whatever he posess is a BINGO. He is something special and this building for greatest Chicago city.
Joe Walushkery
Sunday, November 28th, 2004 @ 11:30am
Rating: Four stars. It's cool. I think it will be useful to our city. But it's a shame that they had to knock down the Sun-Time's building to build it though. Why not knock down an ugly building?
Someone
Thursday, November 25th, 2004 @ 12:11pm
Rating: Four stars. It's pretty cool looking... and it has a really really good location! Right in the middle of Chicago!
Ryan
Tuesday, November 23rd, 2004 @ 1:11am
Rating: Five stars. Great building. Will help add more of a view to our skyscraper hometown!
Peter Walukiewicz
Saturday, November 20th, 2004 @ 9:45am
Rating: Five stars. Bravo! I love this design. I only wish Mr.Trump was in charge of "Ground Zero" in New York. The great city of Chicago has the guts and fortitude to aspire to build this new landmark/Icon. Let the terrorists see that we are NOT afraid to build Taller skyscrapers!
Art Vandalay
Tuesday, November 16th, 2004 @ 7:27pm
Rating: Three stars. It's still too similar to the ugly Sears Tower. A mix of concrete and glass would be more appropriate for the area, although, the Donald likes his glass. And, my goodness, how many decorative antennae's do we need in this city?
Tuesday, November 16th, 2004 @ 4:25am
Rating: Three stars. Its too bad he didn't stick with the original plans of 150 floors
Peter Devitt
Sunday, November 7th, 2004 @ 9:45am
Rating: Five stars. It is something new for this great city.
GARY
Monday, October 4th, 2004 @ 5:22am
Rating: Four stars. I like its circular design.
michael abeyta
Sunday, September 26th, 2004 @ 5:18pm
Rating: Five stars. i think that it is a beautiful building
Saul Unzueta
Monday, September 13th, 2004 @ 1:50am
I wish this tower will be the tallest skyscraper in the world.
Reta Cord
Tuesday, August 3rd, 2004 @ 8:23pm
Rating: Four stars. By looking at the drawing above, I see a building of great stature and character that is sleek and seems to be "pointing" upward. The modern architecture identifies a new age and still shows the reflections of the older structures to remind us of the past.
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pepe
Five stars.
Bryan Higgins
Four stars.
One star.
Raul Ford
Two stars.
ahmed
Qaiser F Ansari
Three stars.
Rodrigo
Heba
simon bromfield
Jean
Aziz Adrianta
Sebastián Mejía
Mauricio Sierra
rajakumar
Leonard Gozali
Simon Lange
Ken
mohamed abdelhameed
Ghasan Haddad
Na-ri
Ciro Saito