Plan to add exterior glass elevator to Chicago's Aon Center is approved

Design 11-2-2020 Archinect 251

A plan created by architects Solomon Cordwell Buenz (SCB) and developer 601W Companies that aims to bring the tallest exterior glass elevator in North America to the Edward Durell Stone-designed Aon Center in Chicago has been approved by the city's Department of Planning and Development. The project was first announced in March of 2019.

Detail shot of the proposed exterior glass elevator. Image courtesy of the Chicago Department of Planning and Development.

The Chicago Tribune reports that the $185 million project will create the city's third sky-high observation platform, following those at the Willis Tower and John Hancock Center. The project aims to bring a 1,000-foot exterior elevator to the northwest corner of the tower that will ferry passengers from a new ground level pavilion up to the top of the tower.