What's a MoMo?
Well, Modern Momentum, of course!
Developed by Smithfield Properties and designed by Booth Hansen, MoMo is a residential building planned for the northeast corner of State and Randolph Streets in Chicago's Loop, across the street from Marshall Field's and the infamous Block 37. According to Emporis, "this proposal was preceded by two plans by Lucien Lagrange" and the opening above the podium "breaks up the mass of the building base."
View looking NE :: View looking SE
The site has been home to a Walgreens and a giant, ever-changing billboard for a number of years, so almost any development is welcome. I can't say I fully understand the opening that the building straddles from an urban point of view (it won't be easily perceived from the sidewalk, especially after Block 37 is filled), and it seems too small to break up the building mass, though it should make for a more generous roof terrace for residents. Otherwise, the design is a rather simple, typically-Modern, Chicago-style high-rise; not bad but not exactly great.
Developed by Smithfield Properties and designed by Booth Hansen, MoMo is a residential building planned for the northeast corner of State and Randolph Streets in Chicago's Loop, across the street from Marshall Field's and the infamous Block 37. According to Emporis, "this proposal was preceded by two plans by Lucien Lagrange" and the opening above the podium "breaks up the mass of the building base."
View looking NE :: View looking SE
The site has been home to a Walgreens and a giant, ever-changing billboard for a number of years, so almost any development is welcome. I can't say I fully understand the opening that the building straddles from an urban point of view (it won't be easily perceived from the sidewalk, especially after Block 37 is filled), and it seems too small to break up the building mass, though it should make for a more generous roof terrace for residents. Otherwise, the design is a rather simple, typically-Modern, Chicago-style high-rise; not bad but not exactly great.
I definately think the hole is a bad idea. Also the the hole frames a view of the back wall of a parking garage...nice. The fact is the developer relized he couldn't make money off those floors and decided he didn't want to build them. Form follows finance once again.
ReplyDeleteWhy not take the opportunity to put something visually interesting in "the hole"
ReplyDeleteOr even covering it with an interesting facade or skin would be cool.
Not that I think this is a great building, but I think the hole is all about being on that roof terrace and being able to see through the block. In fact, that's probably the best thing about this design. Take that away, and it's just another anonymous high rise.
ReplyDeleteThis is an impressive building, and the way it will be built will make people stop and take notice.
ReplyDelete