SOM's 400 Lake Shore Drive North Tower tops out in Chicago

SOM’s North Tower at the 400 Lake Shore Drive development has topped out at 857 feet, marking a major milestone for the 72-story residential high-rise on Chicago’s lakefront.

The tower broke ground in June 2024 and is the first of two planned for the site, where Lake Michigan meets the Chicago River.

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Designed by SOM’s Chicago studio with the late David Childs, the tower takes a measured approach to its exposed waterfront setting. According to the architects, the cascading terraces, tiered setbacks, slender profile, and 83-foot crown were shaped through extensive wind testing, including studies in SOM’s in-house wind tunnel and further analysis by the consultant RWDI, avoiding the need for supplementary damping devices.

Rendering of the two planned 400 Lake Shore Drive towers designed by SOM. Image courtesy of SOM.

Developed by Related Midwest, the project is slated for ...