The plan calls for a building 2,000 feet (610 m) tall and feature commercial elements that augment residential use. It was the result of a company-wide internal competition at Gensler to replace the Chicago Spire.^[1][2] As of June 2016^[update], the building is conceptual,^[3] and Maxim writer, Scott Tharler, considered the project unlikely.^[4] The building would include condos, apartments, a hotel, a Skylobby, a Skydeck with a restaurant, an amusement ride and sky-garden.^[1] The base of the building would be in a public park and its supports would span over Lake Shore Drive as well as provide access to the skydeck.^[2]

The Chicago Spire, originally called the Fordham Spire, was originally proposed in July 2005.^[5] In March 2006, the initial design of the building was approved by the Chicago Plan Commission, the city's Zoning Committee and the Chicago City Council.^[6][7] In December 2006 and March 2007, the design of the building was revised.^[8][9] The Chicago Plan Commission, Chicago's zoning committee and the Chicago City Council approved the final plans of the Chicago Spire in April and May 2007.^[10][11][12] By October 2008, the late-2000s recession led to the suspension of construction and a $11.34 million (USD) lien on the construction site.^[13] On October 31, 2014 the project's biggest creditor, Related Midwest, compelled the developer, Shelbourne Development Group, to surrender the deed to the property after failing to make the necessary payment.^[14] The pre-development of the Chicago Spire left a 110-foot (34 m) wide, 76-foot (23 m) deep hole in the ground which has since been developed over with the 400 Lake Shore Drive towers.^[15]