150 N Riverside Plaza
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150 N Riverside Plaza
Chicago, Illinois
This 53-story high-rise office building along the South Branch of the Chicago River is constrained by multiple ownership and active railroad tracks running underneath the site to Union Station.
The building's base is tapered to occupy the site's only buildable area, providing a larger area for site plaza spaces and pedestrian amenities. Three primary components of this project include:
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Plaza - This amenity connects the main entry to Randolph Street, which is wider to invite visitors into the site - then narrows between the Riverwalk and the Park before widening again at the building entrance.
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Riverwalk Promenade - This 300 linear foot continuous walkway integrates overlooks that bring pedestrians to the water’s edge, seating areas facing the river, a landscape buffer adjacent to the building base, and a terraced seating area facing the river.
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Park - This green space is intended to be a respite from the busy, dense urban surroundings. Access from the plaza up to the elevated park is by direct steps or a switchback sloped sidewalk, eliminating the need for a handicap ramp.
Confluence staff assisted with the complex Chicago entitlements process wherein all riverfront projects are treated as “waterway planned developments” (PD's), requiring review and approval by the 42nd Ward Alderman, the Department of Housing and Economic Development, and the Chicago Plan Commission.
