The New Drill

By Justin Sondak in Arts & Entertainment on Dec 21, 2006 11:00PM

Architect Santiago Calatrava and developer Garrett Kelleher are making the rounds, looking to generate buzz for their newly redesigned Drill Bit on the Lake. The Chicago Spire (nee Calatrava Spire) as planned will be exceedingly thin and stand around 2,000 feet tall (160 stories): the Manute Bol of skyscrapers. When completed (or if, if you ask Donald “you’re fired” Trump), it could be the world’s tallest, eclipsing Taipei 101 and NYC’s planned Freedom Tower.

The revamped Spire, as the Tribune reports, will be slimmer with a twistier summit. The flat dome is out, a nighttime shaft of light piercing the sky is in. While the proposal addresses early aesthetic concerns, local community groups and Alderman Natarus remain concerned about traffic congestion and related quality of life issues for residents of the Loop and nearby Streeterville.

The Chicago Plan Commission and Department of Transportation still need to have their say before groundbreaking can begin, promising months of activity in the Chicagoist forums from architecture buffs and amateur urban planners alike.

Image via Chicago Architecture