Built atop Chicago’s Block 37 Shops on State Street and directly above the underground CTA transit station, the Marquee at Block 37 rises as a 767,000 sf, 38-story residential tower bringing 690 luxury units to the heart of the Chicago Loop. Delivered through a design-build approach, the tower seamlessly integrates with the existing shopping mall and offers residents a robust lineup of amenities including an outdoor pool and cinema, dog run, grill terrace, fire pit lounge, sauna, spa, and fitness center.
Vertical Expansion Above an Active Retail Center
Constructing a high-rise atop an occupied retail complex required detailed planning and coordination. Power’s project team developed comprehensive logistics, phasing, and safety protocols to ensure that mall operations and pedestrian access were uninterrupted throughout the multi-year build.
During early construction, sections of the mall roof were safely removed and reworked to tie the new tower into existing utilities—all while stores remained open. Metal deck canopies with screen walls were installed to protect skylights and shoppers below, while overhead sidewalk canopies safeguarded pedestrians for the duration of the project.
Structural Innovation & Steel Assembly
Four jumbo steel trusses, each weighing 120 tons, were fabricated overseas, shipped by boat to Chicago, assembled along Randolph Street, and lifted into place to support the tower’s structure. The building’s stability is reinforced by a 30-foot-wide, 9-foot-tall, 30-ton steel plate girder that anchors a 282-foot-tall, 18-inch-thick concrete shear wall. At its base, a 5- to 6-foot-thick steel-reinforced mat slab was poured in place using dual concrete placing booms, forming a solid foundation for the tower’s vertical expansion.
Watch Chicago's Largest Vertical Expansion Rise: https://youtu.be/y0JpkmksvzI
