Photos: 43-story Fulton Market tower plants its roots

Chicago's skyline is poised to jump further westward thanks to a new 495-foot-tall skyscraper headed to the 900 block of West Randolph Street in Fulton Market. Related Midwest and co-developer Tucker Development have begun foundation work on the 43-story rental project, which will eventually soar high above its low- and mid-rise neighbors in the surrounding historic district.

The new building replaces a parking lot and an unoccupied single-story commercial structure fronting Peoria Street. The project preserves the rest of the vintage buildings on the block, which allowed the developers to transfer some unused floor area over to the tower. It's unclear when construction is expected to wrap up. A spokesperson for Related Midwest did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

New York's Morris Adjmi Architects designed the upcoming skyscraper with a glass and metal facade that draws inspiration from Chicago's infrastructure, such as bridges and the nearby L tracks. The transit-oriented project will contain 300 luxury apartments (60 units will be affordable housing), lower-level retail space, and a well-concealed parking garage for 75 vehicles.  A recent building permit lists LR Contracting Company as the project's general contractor. 

At 495 feet, the high-rise development underway at 900 W. Randolph (but actually 164 N. Peoria) will be one of the tallest buildings in the West Loop and certainly taller than anything else west of Halsted Street. It will, however, be eclipsed when Related decides to pull the trigger on its 550-foot mixed-use Equinox Hotel project approved for nearby 725 W. Randolph Street.