Wanda Group to Conquer America
A single rendering has been released of the third overseas five-star hotel for Chinese developement firm The Wanda Group. Construction will begin on the Chicago high-rise later this year with an official opening date set for 2018. If realised, the tower will become the third tallest in Chicago at 350m in height, passing the Aon Center (Edward Durell Stone) by only 4m. The next tallest tower in the city is the Trump International Hotel and Tower (SOM) at 423m.
Speaking on the announcement, Wanda Group Chairman Wang Jianlin said: “Investing in Chicago property is just Wanda’s first move into the US real estate market. Within a year, Wanda will invest in more five-star hotel projects in major US cities like New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco. By 2020, Wanda will have Wanda branded five-star hotels in 12-15 major world cities and build an internationally influential Chinese luxury hotel brand.”
Within the 89-storey tower, Wanda plans to incorporate a 240-room luxury hotel, a number of luxury apartments and a commercial centre. The gross floor area of the project has been noted as 131,400 sq m. The Wanda Group is yet to release the name of the architect for the project however local industry news site Curbed Chicago has suggested that Jeanne Gang of Studio Gang Architects may be behind the design.
An article on Curbed Chicago states: “Reports of a new Studio Gang designed, Magellan Development backed tower for Lakeshore East first broke back in March… While none of the early reports of this skyscraper’s developments have included confirmation that is [sic] indeed designed by Studio Gang, it might be a safe bet. The render shows the building on land that Magellan Real Estate owns, and no other Magellan/Lakeshore East towers have been announced.”
Wanda Group