Location: Chicago, Illinois, United States
Developer: Riverside Investment & Development
Designer: Goettsch Partners
Site Size: 2 acres (0.8 ha)

Located in Chicago’s West Loop neighborhood, 150 North Riverside is a tower situated at the confluence of the three forks of the Chicago River. Constructed on the riverfront and partially over active rail lines, the building’s footprint is uncommonly narrow. The marriage of three separate sites allowed for a 54-story tower to fit on what was originally a 25,000-square-foot (2,322 sq m) lot. The site includes 1.5 acres (0.6 ha) of landscaped public park and 360 feet (18.2 m) of riverwalk frontage, giving over an unprecedented 75 percent of the two-acre (0.8 ha) lot to public space, without public funding assistance.

The building cantilevers out dramatically from its narrow base and expansive lobby, striking a bold figure on the Chicago landscape. The tower uses a 12-tank tuned liquid-sloshing damper (TLSD) to manage both drift and acceleration, whereas previous TLSD installations were used only to manage acceleration. The lobby incorporates a 3,000-square-foot (279 sq m) digital art installation of 89 light-emitting diode (LED) blades featuring displays curated in partnership with local institutions and universities.

The building captures 90 percent of rainwater on site, used 15 percent recycled construction materials, diverted 99 percent of construction waste away from landfills, and is certified Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold. Very little parking is provided, and there is easy access to multiple forms of public transportation, adding to the sustainability of the building. Because of its prime location and above-average amenities, 150 North Riverside has been able to attract impressive tenants, including the global headquarters of Hyatt Corporation, William Blair and Company, and Navigant Consulting.