Progress continues at 400 Lake Shore Drive in Chicago

Rising at the meeting point of the Chicago River and Lake Michigan, 400 Lake Shore Drive is transforming one of the city’s most prominent waterfront sites. While the architecture establishes a bold new presence on the skyline, the interiors — designed by March and White Design — are defining how the tower will be experienced from within.

Conceived as two complementary residential towers, the development introduces a refined approach to waterfront living in Chicago. The angled placement and cascading silhouettes respond to both water and city — a dialogue that continues inside, where materials, light, and spatial flow are carefully considered to frame panoramic views and create a sense of calm above the urban energy below.

The North Tower leads the first phase, rising 72 stories and reaching 858 feet upon completion. Within its 635 residences, MAWD is shaping environments that balance architectural strength with warmth and livability. Expansive glazing invites in lake and river views, while layered material palettes and tailored detailing establish a sophisticated yet comfortable residential atmosphere.

A shared podium will ultimately connect both towers, housing amenities and public-facing spaces that extend the living experience beyond the private residence. These interiors are envisioned as immersive environments — spaces for wellness, gathering, and retreat — thoughtfully integrated into the broader architectural framework.

The completion of the primary belt wall at the 44th floor marks a key moment in the North Tower’s ascent. While structurally significant, this milestone also represents meaningful progress for the interior build-out to follow.

As the tower rises beyond this point and begins its subtle inward shift, the defining silhouette will take shape — influencing how upper-level residences are experienced. The cascading form allows for terraces that extend living spaces outward, creating seamless connections between interior and exterior while capturing expansive views of river, lake, and skyline.

As the North Tower surpassed its halfway point, the project moved beyond early construction phases and closer to realizing its interior vision. With each floor added, the spatial framework for residences and amenity levels becomes more tangible.

For MAWD, this stage represents the transition from concept to execution — where carefully considered layouts, bespoke finishes, and curated design details begin to take physical form within the structure. What was once a plan on paper is steadily evolving into a fully articulated residential experience.

Now visible along DuSable Lake Shore Drive, the North Tower has emerged as a defining presence on the waterfront. As part of a $1 billion investment, the development reconnects Chicago’s skyline to the water — not only architecturally, but experientially.

From the outset, 400 Lake Shore Drive was conceived as more than a landmark structure. It was envisioned as a vertical community — where interiors frame the drama of the surrounding landscape while offering moments of intimacy, texture, and retreat.

As construction continues upward, equal momentum builds within: residences, amenity spaces, and shared environments are being crafted to deliver a refined and enduring expression of waterfront living.

Construction officially commenced with foundational work that set the stage for the North Tower’s 72-story rise. Planned to reach 858 feet, the first phase will introduce 635 residences. From the outset, the development was conceived as a pair of complementary towers, varying in height and subtly angled to one another. Together, they are designed to frame views of Lake Michigan while turning back toward the city, creating a powerful threshold when entering downtown Chicago.

Their cascading forms will incorporate terraces that step down the façades, extending living spaces outward and capturing expansive views of river, lake, and skyline. Even in its earliest stages, the ambition of the project was clear: to create not just residences, but a landmark addition to Chicago’s waterfront.