U.S. headquarters established, and skyscrapers proliferate.

“Iconic” Development Moves Forward

One Chicago Square, a 76- and 49-story tower project in Chicago’s River North, described by developer JDL as “iconic,” moved forward in January with the Chicago Planning Commission unanimously voting in favor of a needed zoning change, Crain’s Chicago Business reported. JDL hopes to break ground before the end of the year. Designed by Goettsch Partners and Hartshorne Plunkard Architecture, the 740 North State Street development is to include approximately 870 apartments and condominiums, as well as office and retail space. JDL has agreed to pay for improvements along Chicago Avenue in response to concerns about traffic congestion.

58-, 51-Story Towers for West Loop

Related Midwest hopes to build 58- and 51-story towers housing residences and a hotel in Chicago’s Fulton Market Meatpacking District, also known as the West Loop, but residents are worried area infrastructure can’t handle it, the Chicago Tribune reported. The West Loop is already home to employees from Google, co-working space WeWork and investment fund/incubator Sandbox Industries, and that is also what is attracting apartment and condominium developers such as Related Midwest, which hopes to break ground on the towers by mid 2019.

At 725 West Randolph Street, the plan is for a 58-story tower designed by Connecticut-based Roger Ferris and Partners housing apartments and a hotel, while a 51-story tower designed by Morris Adjmi Architects of New York City is planned at 170 North Peoria Street. West Loop residents are less opposed to the taller tower, as it would join other nearby tall buildings. Both towers are skinny to minimize impact on views and boast designs that take cues from the area’s industrial heritage.

Invertek Establishes U.S. Headquarters in Libertyville

U.K.-based Invertek Drives has established Invertek Drives USA offices and distribution center in Libertyville, Illinois, as part of its North American expansion. To lead that operation, Wayne Morris has been promoted from global sales manager to vice president (VP) of Invertek Drives USA, and Pete Roberts has been named sales manager. They will be developing and promoting the already-established Invertek brand of variable-frequency drives (VFDs) and seeking new opportunities to expand the distributor network. Invertek Drives Sales and Marketing Director Rhydian Welson said North America is a significant and promising market for the company outside Europe and noted Morris brings an “enormous amount” of experience in the VFD sector. U.S. customers may access dedicated technical support by phone: (888) 862-5695.

Renderings Provide Latest Look at Wolf Point

Pelli Clarke Pelli Architects has released new renderings of Wolf Point (ELEVATOR WORLD, July 2016), the three-tower megadevelopment at the confluence of the Chicago River’s main, north and south branches, in downtown Chicago, Curbed Chicago reported. They provide a good look at the third, final and tallest phase, a glittering glass tower that will stand approximately 950 ft. — just short of supertall status. It will sit between the 48-story west apartment tower, completed in 2016, and the under-construction, 60-story east apartment tower, which is looking at a late 2019 completion. Previously described as an office building, the third tower could now include a hotel and residential component.

Lucien Lagrange-Designed Residential Tower for Oak Brook

Lucien Lagrange, the French architect behind such notable Chicago buildings as the Waldorf Astoria and Ritz-Carlton Residences, has designed a 27-story tower that, if built, will be more than twice as tall as the tallest buildings in the Chicago suburb of Oak Brook, Illinois, Curbed Chicago reported. Developer Jupiter Realty hopes to build the tower, containing up to 85 condominiums starting at US$1 million, at 1900 Spring Road. The design sports signature Lagrange features such as a mansard roof, rounded balconies and precast concrete façade. Jupiter aims to break ground in 2019 and welcome residents the following year.