Start 17: The Regatta
Cost: $144 million

The 49-story Regatta condominium tower in Chicago is part of the 16-highrise Lakeshore East development immediately adjacent to Lake Shore Drive.

The 690,000-sq.-ft. Regatta will have 325 condominium units, said Randy Bullard, project manager of Chicago-based James McHugh Construction Co., the general contractor. The units are more than 80 percent sold.

"Location is a key factor," he said. "It has some spectacular views of the lake, and the city views are just as remarkable."

Making Design Sail

The building was designed with some distinctive architectural features to make it stand out among the large number of residential structures - a key strategy in the high-end condominium market.

For instance, variety was introduced into the project's appearance through a number of methods, Bullard said.

Curtain wall dresses the main facade, but a substantial amount of masonry makes up the east and west facades, including to 31 stories.

An aesthetic element resembling a sail rises about 20 to 30 ft. from the building top and will be backlit, Bullard said. The spandrel glass element, which will hide mechanical equipment, reinforces the building's nautical theme.

Plans also call for a 12-story structure, dubbed the "Bustle Building," to connect to the main building so that the project's size is not overwhelming, Bullard said.

"It also gives a different view for homeowners who don't like having a big tower to live in," he added.

A green space will be atop the Bustle and in a plaza to serve the entire Lakeshore East development.

Space inside the main structure and Bustle will provide 360 parking spaces.

Amenities include a swimming pool with locker rooms on the second floor, a media room where movies can be viewed and a community room with fireplace.

The first level will have about 8,000 sq. ft. of retail space, and an aim is to lease a portion to a steak and seafood restaurant.

Sitework has been a top issue in the project's early going, because, in part, Lake Shore Drive and boat slips had once been located nearby.

Because of the accumulation of debris, transfer beams were installed to shift pressure from the obstructions, Bullard said.

"We're also butting up against Wacker Drive, so we had existing caissons and columns to not interfere with," he added.

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