CHICAGO, Sept. 27 /PRNewswire/ -- The Chicago Spire was officially launched last night at an event held in Chicago's Millennium Park. An invited audience of nearly 500 people heard presentations by Santiago Calatrava, the architect of the 2,000-foot iconic residential building on the shores of Lake Michigan, and Garrett Kelleher, executive chairman of Shelbourne Development Group, Inc.
The event also marked the unveiling of The Chicago Spire Sales Center located on the 18th floor of NBC Tower, overlooking the site. At 19,815 square feet, the Sales Center includes full-scale re-creations of apartment interiors and original artworks by Calatrava. Appointments are now being taken for the sales centre opening on January 14, 2008. The global sales drive begins the same month with an exhibition road show to 14 key cities in south and southeast Asia, Europe and South Africa.
"The Chicago Spire is a remarkable building on an exceptional site," said Garrett Kelleher. "We have brought together a world class team to create what will not only become an amazingly beautiful home for its residents but a building that will be a dynamic new symbol for the city of Chicago."
When complete in 2011, the building will be home to 1,193 individual residences and a range of amenities that will rival any in the world, including private theaters, a therapeutic spa, spectacular pool overlooking Lake Michigan and a highly-advanced gym. No two residences are alike at The Chicago Spire, with suites, galleries, one-four bedroom homes and penthouses offering unique floor plans and different views of the city and lakefront from floor-to-ceiling windows. Ranging from 534 - 10,293 square feet, units are priced from $750,000 USD - $40,000,000 USD.
Santiago Calatrava has conceived the design as an aesthetic whole, overseeing the development of all apartment floorplans and creating new designs and artwork for the interiors.
"I am extremely happy to have been given this opportunity to add something unique to Chicago's architectural heritage and to what I believe is one of the most beautiful skylines in the world," said Santiago Calatrava. "Thanks to the vision and support of Garrett Kelleher, we are also making the river and lakefront more accessible and enjoyable."
A tower of this significance could only be built in Chicago, according to the marketing and sales team.
"Chicago has a dynamic economy with major inward investment and business expansion," said Dominic Grace, Head of Savills Residential Development and leader of the global sales and marketing campaign. "It is a culturally and economically diverse city with a superb infrastructure and an incredibly vibrant lifestyle. This is a significant development not only for the city but for the world."
Situated on a 2.2 acre site where the Chicago River meets Lake Michigan, The Chicago Spire will be the world's tallest residential building and build on the city's significant architectural legacy. The site plan, designed by Santiago Calatrava, incorporates DuSable Park and will create a new lakefront destination for the people of Chicago to enjoy.
Each floor rotates on average 2.44 degrees from the one below, with a total rotation of 360 degrees as it reaches its 2,000-foot height. Among its many engineering achievements, The Chicago Spire has a base-to-height ratio approaching one to ten, making it the most slender supertall building in the world. It will also shatter the record for the longest continual elevator lift by 500 feet.
Construction of The Chicago Spire began in June 2007. The 34 caissons are currently being drilled 110 feet into bedrock, and ramp access from lower Lake Shore Drive will begin Q4 2007. Completion and occupancy is expected Q4 2011.
For more information, see http://www.thechicagospire.com/, or contact the Sales Center at 312.516.4800 to make an appointment.
About Shelbourne Development
Shelbourne Development, headquartered in Dublin, is one of Ireland's leading property development companies, widely regarded as one of the country's most professional and progressive developers. In the past three years, Shelbourne's experienced team, known for its track record in evaluating and capitalizing on cycles in property markets, has completed in excess of 1.5 million square feet of construction in Ireland. It currently has a development pipeline in Dublin in excess of $2 billion US. Shelbourne is currently pursuing developments and projects in Ireland, UK, France and Chicago. Garrett Kelleher, executive chairman of Shelbourne Development Ltd & the Shelbourne Development Group, Inc. holds significant investment properties in Europe.
Shelbourne Development
