BMO Tower Tops Out in Midwest On the Scene

Clark workers celebrate the topping out of 320 S. Canal. *Photo courtesy of Clark Construction Group*

Clark Construction laid the final beam at BMO Tower in Chicago’s Loop, topping out at 51 stories on April 24. It is the city’s ninth-tallest building (at least for now) at 727 ft. The office building, located at 320 S. Canal St., is also known as the Union Station Tower because of its next door neighbor. Architect Goettsch Partners designed the building, and structural engineer Magnusson Klemencic Associates specified the use of 80-ksi steel in its beams, the first use of the light, strong steel in the U.S. Anchor BMO/Harris Bank and other tenants plan to occupy and open the building after its completion in January 2022. The project is being developed by Riverside Investment and Development and Convexity Properties. A small, socially-distant topping out ceremony was held by Clark to honor workers and other personnel who had worked on the site with new safety protocols throughout the pandemic. Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot was on hand to sign the final beam.

Landmarks Illinois announced its 2021 list of most endangered historic places in the state on May 5. The annual list draws attention to threatened architecturally and culturally significant sites. The annual list aims to boost advocacy efforts and raise support for each property’s preservation. The Helmut Jahn-designed James R. Thompson Center (pictured) made the list for the fourth consecutive year.

“[The state-owned Thompson Center] is being prepared for sale as a redevelopment site and should be marketed as a reuse opportunity,” Landmarks said.

Other buildings on the endangered list this year include two Altgeld Gardens buildings in Chicago, the 1931 Illinois Terminal Interurban Station in Decatur, the Scott Foresman Headquarters in Glenview and the Joliet Steel Mill Main Office.

“Our 2021 most endangered historic places in Illinois demonstrates the demand for creative solutions, partnerships and incentives to give places of our past a chance for reuse and renewed life,” says Bonnie McDonald, president and CEO of Landmarks Illinois.

ENR Associate Technology, Equipment and Products Editor Jeff Yoders has been writing about design and construction innovations for 20 years. He is a five-time Jesse H. Neal award winner and multiple ASBPE winner for his tech coverage. Jeff previously wrote about construction technology for Structural Engineer, CE News and Building Design + Construction. He also wrote about materials prices, construction procurement and estimation for MetalMiner.com. He lives in Chicago, the birthplace of the skyscraper, where the pace of innovation never leaves him without a story to chase.