Chicago’s Cutting-Edge Skyscraper: Inside New 1000M Building | The Power of Better | EP 5

When the 1000M building is complete by the end of 2024, it could end up being the "best building in Chicago." The 74-story skyscraper will be made up of 738 rental units and sit on the edge of Chicago’s South Loop at 1000 S Michigan Avenue.

In this episode, we visited 1000M to get insights from the teams behind creating this state-of-the-art project — JK Equities, McHugh Construction, and Gurtz Electric. The companies are working together to create an architectural marvel in a city already known for its skyscrapers.

Despite shifting visions, 1000M’s electrical design has remained world-class. The building includes seamless integration with phones, meaning elevators, doors, lighting, and more can be controlled from mobile. The facility will even exceed the city’s requirements for electrical vehicle charging stations.

Construction on 1000M began in 2019 with the original plan of building 300 condominium units. Design of the building was led by legendary architect Helmut Jahn. But when Jahn passed away and a global pandemic broke out, the building plans were updated to what it is today.

About The Power of Better: this series will focus on the innovations driving the electrical construction industry forward. Hosted by Powering Chicago’s Executive Director, Elbert Walters III, we’ll highlight new technologies and process improvements affecting architects, developers, end users, and facility managers not only in Illinois, but nationwide.

The episode features insights from the following industry professionals:

Jordan Karlik, Principal at JK Equities
Dave Steffenhagen, Senior PM at McHugh Construction Co.
Mallory Gurtz, Chief Operating Officer at Gurtz Electric Co.
Tim Cuga-Moylan, Director of Design Development at Gurtz Electric Co.

[MITdork]

This channel is exactly what we want.. expert through a local lens. 🤟

[robertm.serrato]

Yea baby! Yea baby! Let’s do it! Chicago ❤

[ntatenarin]

I love how part of it hovers over another building and how curvy it is. It's looking good so far! Can't wait till it's done.

[rohandarbari]

This is honestly a very nice building, but I challenge the city of Chicago to approve plans to build the world’s tallest skyscraper similar to what was done with the Spire 15 years ago! Like stop only building moderately tall skyscrapers we have enough of those already!

[babysunn]

Another One Of Great Chicago Skyscraper's That Will Draw Interest To It's Design Regardless Of It's Height. Looking forward To Seeing This One.

[darksoulsss]

Amazing building!! But i think its time to build taller then a curtain black building with two antennas.

[AGNDJ]

I am very excited for this buildings completion. I plan to move into one of these units! Love it!

[ryanbone]

This is a nice building overall and will have a transformative impact on the South Loop skyline but I can't get over the jarring transition between the base and the tower. It's like two different buildings arbitrarily stacked on top of each other. Separately the designs would be better but as one building it is very lacking in cohesion. A boxier tower with sharp corners belongs on this base where as the tower would look nicer on a base with a bowing facade that complements it's curves.

[psikeyhackr]

Skyscrapers still must deal with gravity.
Curious how no one ever talks about the distribution of steel and distribution of concrete down such structures.

The tallest 100 buildings around the world are over 300 meters tall. It cannot really be a deep dark secret regarding how to figure out such things. Look at the shape of the Eiffel Tower. It is 130 years old.

[hbm_]

Calling it "an architectural marvel" is quite a stretch. It's just another absurdly priced high-rise.

Chicago will be the next San Francisco in a couole more years, thanks to absurd real estate projects and skyrocketing cost of living.

Projects like this only benefit the developers, not the community at large.

[louiss.]

I don't see nothing cutting edge, a 5 year old could've designed this and you wouldn't know. How embarrassing, I wouldn't even brag about this to Milwaukee.

[billhosko]

It's cheap-looking and the base is, frankly, awful. It is surrounded by far superior newer towers! Jahn died recklessly riding his bike. That Karma carried over to this recklessly designed high-rise.