SOM Unveils Chicago Mixed-Use Tower
Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) just revealed new details for its mixed-use tower at 2800 North Sheridan Road in Chicago's Lake View. The project focuses on urban density with contextual massing and an active street frontage, offering key lessons for similar transit-oriented developments in cities like Los Angeles.
The project, led by developer Continuum, will replace a six-story medical building at the corner of West Diversey Parkway. The design from Chicago-based Antunovich Associates features a 24-story, 281-foot-tall tower with three cascading masses, containing 303 apartments. Of the 303 residential units, 60 will be designated as affordable, a key component for securing city approvals. The plan also includes a separate three-story, 150-space parking garage, which will be connected to the main tower via a second-floor sky bridge over a public alley. The tower's two-story podium is designed to activate the streetscape with over 10,500 square feet of retail space. This aligns with Chicago's broader push for Equitable Transit-Oriented Development (ETOD), a policy framework focused on creating dense, walkable, and affordable communities around transit hubs. While this tower adds density in Lake View, major firms are also tackling city-defining projects like SOM's "The 78." That 62-acre, transit-oriented masterplan will create an entire new neighborhood, demonstrating the large-scale urban design work that builds a compelling portfolio for aspiring architects at top-tier firms. For projects of this scale, firms now prioritize sustainability beyond basic certification. Design trends for 2026 emphasize a major reduction in both operational and embodied carbon through the use of recycled materials, high-performance facades, and climate-responsive design that minimizes energy use for heating and cooling. Interns looking to join leading firms like Gensler or SOM are expected to have a grasp of these complex issues. Portfolios should demonstrate not just design skill but also an understanding of data-driven design, which uses analytics and AI to optimize building performance and user experience. Proficiency in software like Revit is standard, but a deep knowledge of sustainability analysis tools and computational design is what sets a candidate apart. These skills are critical for contributing to projects that blend architectural experience with measurable environmental performance. Before construction can begin, the 2800 North Sheridan plan must secure aldermanic approval and pass a city rezoning process. Continuum is expected to begin public meetings in 2026 to gather community feedback, a crucial step in the lifecycle of any significant urban development.
