Urban Transport

Proposed cable car attraction would take Chicago to new heights

Proposed cable car attraction would take Chicago to new heights
A Marks Barfield Architects representative told us that the project cost is estimated at US$250 million
A Marks Barfield Architects representative told us that the project cost is estimated at US$250 million
View 6 Images
A Marks Barfield Architects representative told us that the project cost is estimated at US$250 million
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A Marks Barfield Architects representative told us that the project cost is estimated at US$250 million
The project is still seeking permission but if it goes ahead is sure to prove a major landmark and tourist attraction for Chicago
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The project is still seeking permission but if it goes ahead is sure to prove a major landmark and tourist attraction for Chicago
The cablecars would operate at a height of up to 17 stories above the Chicago streets and river
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The cablecars would operate at a height of up to 17 stories above the Chicago streets and river
A Marks Barfield Architects representative told us that the project cost is estimated at US$250 million
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A Marks Barfield Architects representative told us that the project cost is estimated at US$250 million
The project is still seeking permission but if it goes ahead is sure to prove a major landmark and tourist attraction for Chicago
5/6
The project is still seeking permission but if it goes ahead is sure to prove a major landmark and tourist attraction for Chicago
The cablecars would operate at a height of up to 17 stories above the Chicago streets and river
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The cablecars would operate at a height of up to 17 stories above the Chicago streets and river
View gallery - 6 images

Preliminary plans have been unveiled for a new aerial cable car tourist attraction for the Windy City. Should the Chicago Skyline proposal be realized, it would transport up to 3,000 people per hour and link Navy Pier, the Chicago Lakefront, the Chicago River Riverwalk, and downtown Chicago.

The Chicago Skyline project was launched by Lou Raizin and Laurence Geller, and is designed by Davis Brody Bond and Marks Barfield Architects, the latter firm behind the London Eye and Brighton i360.

Indeed, the success of the London Eye looms large on this proposal and it's hoped that the Chicago Skyline would similarly boost tourism for Chicago. The same engineering team behind the London Eye (Jacobs) helped develop the concept, while the designer of the British attraction's pods, ride, and drive systems, Leitner-Poma, is slated to build the Chicago project.

The project is still seeking permission but if it goes ahead is sure to prove a major landmark and tourist attraction for Chicago
The project is still seeking permission but if it goes ahead is sure to prove a major landmark and tourist attraction for Chicago

The Chicago Skyline would operate year-round into the evenings in all but the most challenging weather conditions. The team also reports that it would be very energy efficient to run, though no further information on this is available yet.

A Marks Barfield Architects representative told us that the project's cost is estimated at US$250 million. No public money would be used and the firm estimates the annual economic benefit to the city at $330 million, including taxes, rent, and tourists' direct and indirect spending in the city, among other factors.

Planning permission for the project will be submitted at an unspecified future date.

Source: Marks Barfield Architects

View gallery - 6 images
4 comments
4 comments
ClayKemper
The concept is great, but expand the idea to become a people-mover to relieve traffic congestion and get pedestrians where they want to go quickly. Perhaps this would require dual cables, one for leisurely tourist gondolas and the other quick movers.
Gizmowiz
What a boring place to install one. Looking over the city slums isn't enthralling.
Esteban Sperber Frankel
The city of Medellin is using cable car few years, the city is using as people-mower with great results, that is why Medellin received the best city of the world from Forbes in 2003.
pwndecaf
Bullet and blast-proof?