Tallest Apartment Building Go-ahead

Planning permission has been given for the tallest residential building in the world. The Chicago Spire, a 2,000 ft tall tower, designed by the Valencian architect, Santiago Calatrava, will be the tallest building in the USA and Europe and the tallest exclusively residential building in the world. The Chicago Spire will be located at 400 North Lake Shore Drive, where the Chicago River meets Lake Michigan. The building will have an advanced energy efficiency and environmental policy. Architect Santiago Calatrava is famous for designing the new Sondika Airport in Bilbao, as well as the Athens Olympics sports complex. Work on the site is due to start next month and the project should be completed by 2010. The apartments are being marketed by Savills. Because of the unusual shape of the building, no two residences will be the same.

Chicago Spire, designed by Santiago Calatrava

Dominic Grace of Savills (L&P) Ltd, who are acting as consultants and international sales and marketing agents, says: 'We feel privileged to be working with such a world class team on The Chicago Spire. It is an incredibly exciting scheme in which to be involved - especially as Chicago will now become home to the world's tallest skyscraper outside Asia - the city that produced the world's first skyscraper in 1885. The planning permission comes at a time when the US Olympic Committee has selected Chicago as the 2016 USA applicant city'. Prices for properties will be disclosed during the full unveiling in September 2007.