OneEleven in Chicago, Illinois

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OneEleven, formerly known as 111 W. Wacker and Waterview Tower, is a luxury rental apartment tower situated in the heart of The Loop neighborhood, downtown Chicago, Illinois, USA. Strategically located between LaSalle Street and Clark Street, it stands adjacent to River North and offers direct access to the Chicago River. This high-end development was brought to life by Related Midwest through a joint venture with Clark Wacker LLC, under the creative vision of architect Gary Handel from Handel Architects LLP. Kara Mann's interior design expertise at Kara Mann Design added a touch of sophistication to the building's interiors. After years of planning and renovations, OneEleven finally rose to completion in 2014, boasting an impressive height of 630 ft. (190 m) and 504 units spread across its 60 stories. The tower offers ample parking space for its residents, with approximately 470 available spots, alongside expansive amenity spaces covering around 30,000 sq. ft. and a substantial retail area spanning 32,000 ft. Originally conceived as a retrofit of the abandoned Waterview Tower project, only 26 floors had been completed before the vision was reimagined. The existing stone façade was replaced with a sleek glass exterior, while an additional 34 stories were added to its height. Residents can enjoy access to luxurious amenities such as an indoor pool, sun deck, firepit, and outdoor kitchens, all seamlessly integrated into one magnificent space where old meets new. Construction on the project began in 2005 but stalled in May 2008 after significant portions of the parking garage and hotel floors were completed. The site remained idle until a group of creditors and lienholders, known as Clark Wacker LLC, took control of the project in May 2010 and formed a joint venture with Related Midwest to revive and complete the development in July 2011. The first 26 floors had initially been part of the original Waterview Tower, which was envisioned as an 89-story luxury hotel and condominium complex before financial setbacks halted construction in 2008. Initially planned parking for guests and residents was to be located on floors 2-11, while a rooftop garden at the 29th floor level would have offered breathtaking views and served as the amenities level for all building inhabitants. The remaining 30-88 floors were intended to comprise 233 condominium and penthouse residences. Originally designed with an exterior wall featuring glass, granite, and aluminum to generate a striking prismatic effect, the building was later repurposed due to financial constraints. In 2011, Related Midwest took notice of the abandoned tower and conducted an engineering study to determine if any parts of the existing structure could be salvaged. The results were encouraging, leading to the decision to renovate and expand upon the old tower. In 2012, 111 West Wacker Partners LLC proposed a revised design that would repurpose the existing structure into a luxury rental tower tailored to the current real estate market. This new vision eliminated hotel and condominium units in favor of 506 spacious rental units, an expansive first-floor retail space, and 439 parking spots. The reimagined building, designed by Handel Architects, stands at 59 stories and 630 ft (190 m) tall. This remarkable structure is a testament to innovation and perseverance, transforming an abandoned project into a thriving luxury rental tower that offers residents unparalleled amenities and breathtaking views of the Chicago River.