Facade installation begins on 400 Lake Shore Drive

Construction crews have begun installing the 362,000-square-feet glass curtain wall at 400 Lake Shore, Related Midwest’s 72-story residential tower on the former Chicago Spire site that is set to transform Chicago’s skyline where the Chicago River meets Lake Michigan.

Designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill with Stantec serving as the architect of record, the 72-story, 857-foot-tall phase one tower will deliver 635 new apartments, 20% or 127 units of which will be affordable. Building interiors have been designed by March and White Design.

The tower features a striking waterfall profile and a reimagined three-sided Chicago bay window. Its metal detailing evokes the rippling surface of Lake Michigan, requiring a sophisticated curtain wall system to realize the architect’s vision.

To achieve this, Related Midwest tapped New Hudson Facades (NHF), an industry leader in high-performance curtain wall systems. The building’s bird-friendly façade measures 362,000 square feet of curtain wall and features extruded aluminum “Pilasters” running vertically in front of columns and between bays, creating striking visual depth and a distinctive architectural rhythm. Each bay unit integrates a pilaster and two wings, enhancing both the exterior profile and the interior experience for residents. Floor-to-floor glass openings maximize panoramic views of the city, river, and Lake Michigan, creating a seamless visual experience for residents.

Bay window units are engineered with glazed-in vent assemblies, giving residents direct access to fresh air—a rare amenity in high-rise construction. The glass incorporates a Stopray coating to reduce light reflectance and capture the natural hues of the sky and water, boosting energy efficiency and connecting the building to its surroundings. The curtain wall’s advanced design and coatings significantly improve the building’s energy performance.

With construction moving forward and a new floor of concrete poured every three days, the tower is quickly rising--recently reaching about 22 of its planned 72 floors. The North Tower will ultimately deliver 635 new apartments, with initial occupancy expected in 2027. In conjunction with the tower, Related, in collaboration with LR Contracting and BOWA Construction, will also deliver the highly anticipated DuSable Park.