Archinect - News

A piece of cladding fell off of the Hancock Center in Chicago

2022-01-07T17:09:00-05:00

A large chunk of aluminum cladding fell off the Hancock building earlier this week, frightening neighbors. The piece of cladding fell about 3 p.m. Wednesday, landing atop a planter on the building’s south side off Chestnut Street. No one was injured.

The incident is eerily reminiscent of the tragic 2019 death of architect Erica Tishman in Manhattan, which has resulted in recent criminal charges in addition to a host of lawsuits brought against the property developers and city by the architect’s family and Department of Buildings.

Engineers have temporarily given the okay to the building’s property manager and 2nd Ward Alderman Brian Hopkins in lieu of a more detailed inspection, which they say will take place as soon as the weather allows.

“This is the first time anyone can ever recall a piece of this aluminum cladding material coming off the building. It simply hasn’t happened,” Hopkins said. “We don’t think this is an indication of a trend that pieces are suddenly going to start falling off the building. We have no reason to believe that.”

Elevator plunges 85 stories in former John Hancock Center after cable breaks

2018-11-20T13:15:00-05:00

Six people, including a pregnant woman, have plummeted 84 floors in an elevator inside one of Chicago’s tallest skyscrapers, only learning afterwards how far they had fallen. [...] One of several cables holding the elevator broke and the car fell rapidly, landing somewhere near the 11th floor.

Everyone's worst nightmare became a near fatal reality for six people trapped inside an elevator after falling 85 stories inside Chicago's iconic 875 North Michigan Avenue tower, formerly known as the John Hancock Center.

According to the Chicago Fire Department, the rescue operation inside the nearly 50-year-old skyscraper was unusually difficult: "It was a pretty precarious situation where the cables that broke were on top of the elevator. We couldn’t do an elevator-to-elevator rescue. We had to breach a wall on the 11th floor of the parking garage in order to open up the elevator doors."

Thankfully no serious injuries were reported.

Fire on 50th floor of Chicago's Hancock Center left five people injured

2015-11-23T13:03:00-05:00

Five people were injured in a fire that broke out Saturday afternoon in a bedroom on the 50th floor of the John Hancock Center, officials said. [...] The cause of the fire has not been determined, officials said. [...] Earlier Saturday, flames could be seen shooting out of a window on the 50th floor, catching the attention of Michigan Avenue shoppers, some of whom were getting ready for the Magnificent Mile Lights Festival. A smoky smell lingered near the ground several hours later.

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