On Jan. 18, the Chicago Plan Commission voted to approve plans for what is slated to be the sixth-tallest building in the city skyline, according to Curbed Chicago. One Chicago Square in River North is a massive project planned for the parking lot across from the Holy Name Cathedral and is expected to feature two buildings towering at 49 and 76 stories.

According to plans from Chicago-based designer Goettsch Partners and Hartshorne Plunkard Architecture and developer JDL Development, One Chicago Square will have a shared “podium” and two glassy towers with the tallest of the two reaching a whopping 1,011 feet. Since debuting the plans in October, the team behind the $700 million project has slightly tweaked the facade and increased the height of the shorter building. The taller of the two has also been made skinnier.

Rendering courtesy of One Chicago Square

The mixed-use development will offer 869 residential units, which will be a mix of rental and for-sale condos. It will also have space for offices, a grocery store, restaurant, and health club. There will be 225 parking stalls available specifically for Holy Name parishioners and an additional 865 will be for residents and guests.

Developers cleared a hurdle just a few days before with the official approval from 2nd Ward Alderman Brian Hopkins. Curbed Chicago reported on the support from Hopkins, which was gained after developers agreed to fund infrastructure improvements like the much-needed widening of the Chicago Avenue Bridge. In addition to widening the bridge, the latest Chicago Avenue transit improvement program would eliminate some street parking to improve traffic flow.

One Square Chicago is expected to break ground later this year and project completion is projected for 2021. The project will generate between 1,500 and 2,000 construction jobs, and JDL has committed to filling 50 percent of the positions with Chicagoans. The development team also promised to fill 26 percent of its positions with workers from minority-owned businesses, and six percent from women-owned firms.

Contributing to Renovations of Major Local Park

Rendering courtesy of Site Design Group

The development team will also contribute funds to improve  Streeterville’s Seneca Park, which Hopkins and Chicago Park District officials proposed redesigning back in April 2016. At the time, a proposal from landscape architecture firm Site Design Group included new landscaping and new playground equipment. The plan also includes the removal of a large metal fence to improve access to the area. If the 2016 proposed plans are followed, design will be influenced by the Old Chicago Water Tower, pumping station, and firehouse.

Located between the Magnificent Mile and the Museum of Contemporary Art, the park is a staple for residents of Streeterville and Gold Coast, as well as tourists exploring the area. The park was first configured in 1990 and was financed from the community. 

The project’s expected costs was estimated at $3 million and was required to come from private funding. Once started, the renovations are expected to take about six months.