The Old Chicago Main Post Office Redevelopment was a proposed 20-acre (81,000 m2) project on a lot located along the Chicago River on the southwest side of Downtown Chicago, Illinois to be constructed in phases over a period of one decade that will include the renovation of Chicago's historic Old Main Post Office building as well as residential, retail, entertainment and office space.[2]
The plan includes several towers, the tallest one being a proposed 120-story mixed use twin tower skyscraper that will stand about 2,000 feet (610 m) high to the roof, which would make it the tallest building in the United States,[3] over 500 feet (150 m) taller than the Willis Tower, and will contain office, residential, and hotel space. It will also include two 60-story residential towers as well as a 40-story hotel.[2]
All the buildings in the development will be connected via a ground level complex[4] that would be built over the Chicago River and the Eisenhower Expressway.[5]
The proposal was sent to Chicago City Commission in July 2011 for approval, which was expected to be a several month process. The project is said to have an estimated cost of $3.5 billion and the potential to create 12,000 jobs.[6]
Some critics oppose the proposal in its current state, calling it old-fashioned and suburban and an unrealistic pipe dream, as it is largely car oriented (12,000 parking spaces and free parking) with shopping mall style retail.[7]
The city voted and approved the plan July 18, 2013. [8] But the area was sold in 2016 thus the building was never built.