Aqua

    Located in Streeterville at 225 N. Columbus Drive, Aqua is one of Chicago’s newest and most-anticipated residential towers in recent memory. Boasting an unprecedented 82 habitable floors, the building has already become a fixture in the Windy City’s skyline, and further stands as an example of where architecture is venturing to as we creep closer and closer to 2011.
     Designed by the world-renowned Jeanne Gang, and winner of the highly-esteemed international 2010 Emporis Skyscraper of the Year Award, Aqua’s influence is both reputable and far-reaching, not to mention attractive to potential tenants. In fact, prior to opening, all units in the tower were spoken for. It wasn’t until the current financial crisis that condos were available for purchase. Gang’s design, the only project to he headed by a female-run firm, breaks the building up into three main sections: a hotel in the bottom 1/3 of the building, spacious apartments in the center, and nearly 260 condos on the building’s top floors. The views from these highly-sought units are said to be some of the best in the city, rivaling other buildings closer to the lake shore.
    From the street, Aqua is truly a feast for the eyes. With its fluid design, the exterior of the building resembles a ripple effect, much like a puddle after a stone has been thrown into it. This design is both captivating and refreshing, not to mention picture-worthy! Upon walking past the building, it isn’t uncommon to see tourists gawking at the structure’s architectural assets. It’s hard to believe that the core of the building is a simple rectangle! The design calls for varying balcony lengths to adorn the building’s exterior, which in turn creates the wave-like quality the building has come to be known by. After its initial opening, the tower received criticism from potential buyers in regards to the balconies. It is uncommon to find a unit with exactly the same size balcony as another due to design requirements, meaning some residents have less access to the outdoor views which made the building famous in the first place. Another questionable series of events revolved around the completion of the proposed hotel in the bottom section of the tower. Many feared investors would pull out as funding for the project froze in 2009, however PR representatives for the tower insist a deal is being pursued with Radison Blu, with the terms of operations being hammered out over the coming months.
    Another noted feature of this one-of-a-kind mixed-use tower is the interior design elements implemented by the legendary Robert Pope. Standards such as high-end fixtures, thick and cozy granite countertops, and rich wood elements strewn throughout each unit are just a few worth mentioning. It has been said that much of the building’s design influence tips its hat to Lake Michigan; a common theme for many nautical-theme buildings in the immediate area.
    Whether you are in the market, or simply appreciative of architecture, Aqua is worth checking out! It is probable that this unique building will surely ingrain itself into the visually-understood representation of Chicago in the coming years!