The Aon Center's new observatory will offer rare views of Chicago
The Hettema Group and architecture practice Solomon Cordwell Buenz (SCB) have been tapped to create a sky deck and visitor attraction at the Aon Center in Chicago, IL.
The redevelopment, the plans for which were recently finalised, will see the 83-storey building transformed into a public destination with multiple retail and dining amenities.
Connected to the ground floor via what has been called the "tallest elevator of its kind in North America", the observatory will provide sweeping views of Millennium Park, Lake Michigan, and the Loop.
Sheathed in glass, the ticketed 'ride' will be able to transport visitors 1,000 ft (305 metres) in 60 seconds.
The project is being developed by the property's owner, 601 W Companies; Legends Hospitality will serve as the observatory's operator, while MKA and Cosentini Associates are supplying mechanical and structural engineering oversight.
Speaking to the Chicago Tribune, Matthew Amato, general manager at Jones Lang LaSalle, the company that manages the Aon Center, said the extension would "provide an incredible view of our city and give people an opportunity to see something they can’t see anywhere else".
Expected to be completed in 2021, the revamped building, which was originally designed by Edward Durell Stone in 1974, is projected to attract two million visitors annually and generate more than US$900m (€792m, £680m) for the city of Chicago over 20 years.
Aon Center Chicago observatory

Bertil Harström and Johan Krauppi create floating hotel and spa

Civic Architects' LocHal Public Library named World Building of the Year at World Architecture Festival

Exhibitions begin at Zaha Hadid Architects-designed Changsha Meixihu International Culture & Arts Centre

BIG and Mecanoo win at INSIDE World Festival of Interiors

State Library Victoria reopens after Schmidt Hammer Lassen and Architectus revamp

Mixed-use, community and culture recognised at World Architecture Festival day two

Studio Fuksas celebrate square's ancient history with high-tech future

Diamond Schmitt and TWBTA reveal new Geffen Hall revamp plans

South Korean theme park with five hotels and 18-hole golf course gets go-ahead

Cambridge United reveals KSS designs for multi-use stadium

Heatherwick among winners on day one of World Architecture Festival 2019

Pharrell's Toronto tower, Untitled, will be parametric, natural and universal

Intu creating eight-neighbourhood retail and leisure resort in Spain

Morris+Company include purpose-designed outdoor terraces in mixed-use building

Adjaye Associates and Daniel Boyd-designed plaza celebrates the reconciliation of cultures

Hong Kong Museum of Art reopens after four-year facelift

Studio Arthur Casas mix apartments, hotel and restaurants in "stately" Sao Paulo tower

JCFO are building a park on top of San Francisco's Presidio Parkway tunnels

Chybik + Kristof create wine bar in restored and reimagined 19th-century brewery buildings

maison h unveil design for Beijing 2022's Winter Olympics Museum

Liverpool FC reveals plans to increase Anfield capacity to over 61,000

Museum at Emre Arolat Architecture-designed archaeological hotel set to open

Kengo Kuma-designed New National Stadium completed in Tokyo

Studio Piet Boon designs revealed for Rosewood Residences at Half Moon Bay Antigua

ACME's amphitheatre-style wooden pavilion to become new social hub

Chedi Club Ubud rebrands to celebrate acclaimed Indonesian architect, Hendra Hadiprana

Alberto Apostoli is creating a spa inspired by icebergs and the Northern Lights

Studio One Eleven make adaptive reuse of industrial buildings for mixed-use campus

Emaar unveil plan for new lifestyle and community-focussed Dubai town

Hufft create industrial fitness centre with refined design touches
BrunelloCucinelli has madehisfortune from cashmere and has used hiswealthto restoreandrevive theItalian hamlet he callshome. Wefindout more