The Aqua

From a distance it’s hard to see what’s so exciting about the new Aqua skyscraper overlooking Millennium Park. It looks like a regular building that really contributes nothing significant to the skyline. However, as you move closer you realize the daringness of the design. The curved balconies which are attached to this glass box give the building an undulating, wave-like appearance similar to the Wave tower in Australia.

The 80-story tower is placed in one of the most desirable locations in Chicago with an enviable view of Lake Michigan and Millennium Park. The building was designed by a young architect by the name of Jeanne Gang, already the winner of several prestigious awards. The tower is notable not just for it’s out of the box design but also for being the tallest building in the world designed by a woman.

The design is undeniably breathtaking, and its placement is complimented by the Chicago River and Lake Michigan. It is a highly original concept and represents a bold new look for Chicago architecture. The tower will house apartments, condos and a hotel. Inside, there is also a plethora of amenities: party rooms, indoor and outdoor pools, hot tubs, lounges, coffee bars, running tracks, fire places, garden terrace etc. There is also a curved stairway which allows access to the street from the garden terrace.

However, despite the allure of this bold and impressive building the fact is it isn’t selling. The condos remain empty for the most part and the hotel pulled out of the project before construction ended. What’s the problem? This building which appears to have so much promise seems to be stunted. Is it just the economy or is there something wrong with this building?

The answer is probably a combination of the economy, and the overall impracticality of this building. Yes, the building is astonishing to look at but what about actually living there? A one bedroom condo costs upwards of $250,000 with a balcony that not only takes up a lot of space but is essentially unusable, unless you want to get blown away. There just isn’t much incentive to shell out the cash needed for a place like this. There’s also the matter of maintenance. How are these balconies going to be maintained during the winter?

In the end, the Aqua is a gimmick. Yes, the design is fashionable, but the building fails as a work of architecture as it offers no practicality for the residents. Those who live in the building are more likely to feel as though they are in the middle of a Stephen King novel than a bustling hub of activity. In its current state, the tower functions quite effectively as a symbol of our economic decline. The facade is beautiful, the location prime, but the inside is empty, lacking in substance, providing the luxury it advertises to very few. Americans today still have the desire to see images of wealth and beauty, but are cutting back when it comes to acquiring it for themselves. It is truly unfortunate that the Aqua Tower is so beautiful because overall it is entirely impractical.