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One Financial Place Comes Of Age

One million square feet – One Financial Place, located in the rapidly regenerating south loop, has come of age when this majestic structure turned 21 years old in 2005. As you proceed down Congress Parkway, you’ll recognize this towering red granite architectural creation that still captivates the area.

Originally designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, this 40-floor masterpiece with its six-story annex building houses the Chicago Stock Exchange trading floor. On the west entrance, there lies over an acre of ground handsomely landscaped with trees, flowers and tiered walkways. The Plaza is enjoyed by everyone, including the neighboring buildings and their tenants. Prominently situated at the entrance is the renowned sculpture by Venetian artist Ludovico de Luigi of a gallant steed that appears to be prancing forward with endless grace. Place atop a waterfall that empties into a circular reflecting pool, this work of art has withstood the rigors of time.

Many changes have taken place in the south loop since the completion of this magnificent building. Scores of new buildings have been erected to the skyline. Most notably, new neighbors like the Harold Washington Library, Soldier Field, and the new face applied to the splendid trio – the Museum of Natural History, Adler Planetarium and Shedd Aquarium – the Museum Campus, plus a large number of new high rise condominiums.

After the 9/11 tragedy, dramatic planning and building re-arrangement has taken place in all major properties, not only in Chicago but nationwide. One Financial Place created immediate changes to the beautiful lobby portraying a distinctive ambiance of elegance with its ornate ceilings, indirect lighting and the blend of red granite, Brescia Pernke marble and polished bronze. The immediate noticeable changes are the gateway system for admittance into the building. An electronically activated tenant I.D. card is required. Visitors must sign in with the security guard. An added precaution is the turnstyle you must go through to gain access to the elevators. None of the original beauty of the lobby has been sacrificed as all of these new security measures blend perfectly.

One Financial Place, with its advanced design requirements, has been able to keep pace with the fast-paced, technological requirements the real estate market has demanded. The oversized by windows allow for panoramic views in all directions. Column free floors of 25,000 sq. ft. each provide maximum space utilization. Independent fan rooms on each floor make after hours heating and cooling simple and inexpensive. A switching computer and private voice and data system within the building provides tenants with a selection of phone and information processing services.

Mike Dust, Chief Engineer, and Joe Barnett, Assistant Chief, and five shift engineers provide tenants with countless HVAC, mechanical and general maintenance needs of the complex. Mike's shift engineers are Bill Bonko, Mike Frain, Rich Rehm, Ralph Dlouhy and Kevin O'Malley. This experienced staff oversees the functioning of all mechanical aspects of the building on an around-the-clock basis. Mike Dust and former chief Ron Bartoli (who has been retired for over six years) were brought to One Financial Place one year before the first tenant moved into the building.

Ron and Mike were handpicked to supervise all engineering facets of the new building. Their expertise was utilized by the developers and future tenants. Today, Mike and his staff keep tight reins on all of the building's operations. Mike knows every nook and crevice throughout the building like the back of his hand. As the story goes, "If it's broke, Mike can fix it!"

Ahead of its time, the building features radiant heating and cooling. Both systems are cored into the center of the structure, allowing for column free floors for space utilization and economical operation. Johnson Controls Building Automation Systems, an integrated building control system, provides comfort and safety for building tenants while eliminating unnecessary costs. This system reduces energy consumption by monitoring and controlling any combination of fans, pumps, air handlers, chillers and lights.

Ceiling panels are built into every 40-bay window per floor and heat is directed through these panels. Four sensors attach to windows on the 10th, 25th and 32nd floors to measure gain or loss of heat and adjusts the system for all floors accordingly. Temperatures are automatically set, and heat gain or loss off the windows is monitored to adjust conditions of air allowed to enter the area. Carrier fan units are located on each floor, thermostatically controlled depending on temperature of the air returned through the panel lights. VAC/AC follow the sun load. Within each fan room is an electrical closet containing breakers and main distribution of electrical needs.

Domestic water is provided via three feeds from two different street locations. Three water pumps boost pressure from 325 to 350 pounds. A constant pressure system regulates water through the building at different floor levels. Liqui-Trol pumps do the hard work.

Fire protection is served by two Peerless 1,000 GPM pumps. Recently, the automatic controls were revamped with a totally new electronic monitoring system that regulates all of the pump's demands. A 750 kw Caterpillar diesel generator stands ready to provide emergency power for fire pumps, lighting and elevators. In case of an emergency, the Chicago Fire Department would be alerted by a 24-hour monitoring service.

Three 900-ton Trane Centravac Chillers provide the chilled water. In addition, three Bell and Gossett chilled water pumps and three B & G condenser water pumps are utilized. The third pump acts as a stand-by unit.

A pre-cooling strainer system is employed whereby cooling towers make chilled water during winter months, eliminating the need for the chillers. Water is then run through six Marley cooling towers (three 900-ton and three 400-ton capacity). The water is then run through a strainer and cleaned as it passes through the water loop. On the renewed equipment list is the roof mounted cooling towers - one to be constructed at the present spot and an additional new tower to be located atop the annex building. Because of the demand, this second tower will be installed in the very near future.

Tenant safety is a major concern of the building management. The command center, still located in the lobby, houses the control panels which monitor the main fire computers, all status lights, all elevators and voice communications. The building's life safety system is designed around the fire command center with smoke detectors and evacuation equipemtn on each floor. Voice communication from the center is provided, and full floor sprinkler system is throughout the entire building. A 24-hour security system with closed circuit TV monitors the building around the clock. Security guards on duty provide maximum protection for all tenants.

The building's twenth-nine elevators are grouped in low, mid, and high rise banks and are programmed to reduce waiting time. Two freight elevators, two parking garage elevators and two high rise shuttle elevators add an extra dimension to building service. A 2-1/2 year "overhaul" has just been completed of the elevator system. Repair and down time continued to mount as the availability of parts became less and less. All hoist motors have been re-worked or replaced. The entire electronic/relay logic control system has been replaced with the latest digital technology. Maintenance and down time will now be nil in comparison. Otis has supplied a full maintenance contract and has a full time technician on duty eight hours per day, 52 weeks per year, overseeing the elevator operation completely. This frees the staff engineers to attend other needed projects. A fresh coat of paint will be given to the equipment room now that the project has been completed.

Another costly project recently completed was the replacement of two escalators at the Metra concourse. A large mobile crane had the tedious job to slip the completely assembled one-piece units between two bearing pillars. To position the escalators, it necessitated the removal of the overhead. Huge chain hoists could then be affixed to the overhead so the new units could be lifted and placed in the re-worked area. This required specially trained tradesmen to complete. The shiny new escalators service the Metra commuter trains that deliver and pick up hundreds of passengers daily in the enclosed station that is situated below the Annex Building, convenient for Chicago's frigid winter months.

Another renewal project undertaken was the large conference center that has been built for management and tenant use. A completely furnished area with electronic video and projection accessibility for seminars or special meetings is provided.

The earlier mentioned plaza on the west side is the roof for the 325-car, underground garage. A number of years ago during the infamous Chicago River flood, the rushing of river water that almost completely filled the garage required hundreds of man-hours to clean up the damage. This involved replacement of broken concrete from the floor to be removed wherever needed and them replaced. Just recently, the garage was completely renovated, old conduit and electrical wiring was chiseled out of the walls and replaced. New concrete, lighting, a fresh coat of paint, and traffic control graphics were replaced, leaving this area in top shape for many years to come.

A sought after amenity that is well-received in today's modern office building is the health club/sports center which is located on the third floor, compete with posh surroundings that include swimming pool, whirlpool, sauna, steamrooms, massage and tanning beds. For the workout enthusiast - racquet ball, hand ball/squash courts and a room full of free weights, machines and treadmills with the availability of professional instruction with personal fitness trainers.

Several other major projects are scheduled to start soon, that being a complete 1.5 million dollar roof rehab and the entire re-caulking of the building's exterior.

The original goal at One Financial Place was to create the most comprehensive, all-inclusive, highest quality office building ever built in the City of Chicago. The most state-of-the-art office environment design needs were met with this structure. With high profile tenants, the need to provide something above and beyond what might be considered merely a functional environment was considered necessary for the fast-paced executive who works in this building.

After 21 years, the systems, necessities and amenities are still superior. Chief Engineer Mike Dust has informed us the new owners of One Financial Place have pledged to keep the building number one by upgrading and constant renewal. Mike's engineering crew and Jones, Lang, LaSalle Management team will see to it that this pledge is kept.

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