Under Construction

During the last several months, a concrete weed has sprouted immediately to the north of Trump Tower.  It will become the Renelle on the River, housing three and four bedroom apartments that begin at $1.3 million.  It looks like the best views will be the ones looking southeast.  I have my doubts about the other ones.  

I hate the entire idea behind this building even though the interiors look lovely in their understated monochromatic tones.  It is another building that is filling in the river shoreline.  All this development has consequences.  Look west through the archway created by the two Wrigley towers.  It used to be largely empty space.  Now the visual space is filled with the clutter created by the Renelle.  Everybody wants to be on the river these days, but as the construction continues, it is becoming more difficult to see the sunset in the west.  And daytime shadows are darkening large chunks of the river that the tour boats traverse each day.  Thankfully, the Renelle is a relatively low-rise skyscraper, but the Vista isn't, nor is the planned tower (second tallest building) that will fill what is now the parking lot to the east of the Tribune Tower.  Lots of views will be lost once that building goes up.  

If the City Council were smart, it would adopt a setback requirement.  Tall buildings should be located at least three blocks from the river.  In fact, the views from those buildings would be better.  There would be something to look at beside the tall building next door.

By the way, that's not a dust spot between the Renelle and Trump Tower.  That's the moon.