Goettsch Partners

GP looks forward to participating in Cityscape Global 2024, taking place November 11-14 at the Riyadh Exhibition and Convention Center. GP principals Joachim Schuessler and Travis Soberg, AIA, LEED AP, will be attending on behalf of the firm. This year’s theme, "The Future of Living," will explore innovative solutions shaping the cities of tomorrow. The event is sponsored by the Ministry of Municipalities and Housing (MOMAH), supported by the General Real Estate Authority and Housing Program, and organized by Tahaluf. GP continues to expand its work in the region, building on such successful projects as Abu Dhabi Global Market Square and Al Maryah Tower in Abu Dhabi, UAE, as well as the Hilton Riyadh Hotel & Residences and a forthcoming hotel in Riyadh’s King Abdullah Financial District. Don’t miss the opportunity to connect with us at this key industry event!

GP’s 5 City Blvd is nearing completion. Developed by Convexity Properties - a DRW Company and located in Nashville, Tennessee, the building features 350,000 square feet of Class A office space, 15,000 square feet of ground-floor retail, and integrated parking with more than 900 stalls across multiple levels. A variety of floor plates cater to different tenant needs, and a robust amenity program, focused on wellness, sets a new standard in the marketplace. The building appears to “peel and unfold” along the eastern façade, echoing the site’s geometry while creating a series of large-scale stepped terraces that provide outdoor amenity spaces with unobstructed views of the Nashville skyline. High-performance, floor-to-ceiling glass is used throughout all commercial spaces, and copper-toned vertical fins provide passive shading while referencing the coloring of the native clay bodies originally found on the site. Retail spaces along the base emphasize a pedestrian-friendly environment that ties to the overall development in providing an active streetscape. The southeast corner of the parcel has been left open to create a new plaza that forms the symbolic heart of the community. Accessed by both the boutique retail and office users alike, the plaza will be an active, light-filled and creatively landscaped space. The building is expected to be completed in early 2025!

GP is thrilled to see 150 North Riverside featured in the latest episode of “How Did They Build That?” on the Smithsonian Channel! Led by Riverside Investment & Development Company and designed in collaboration with structural engineer Magnusson Klemencic Associates, this remarkable project sits at the confluence of the Chicago River on what was once deemed an undevelopable site. With one of the slimmest building cores ever created for a high-rise—an impressive aspect ratio of 19.2:1—this architectural marvel is supported by the world’s largest rolled steel sections and features a tuned-mass damper water tank at the building’s top to minimize sway. To dive into the details of this groundbreaking project, visit the link below to stream now. https://lnkd.in/gmNHvfHN

GP recently won the design competition for a 64,800-square-meter mixed-use lifestyle and entertainment complex alongside Qingjian Lake in Suzhou, China. The vibrant lakefront development is part of a larger park system that circles the lake with pedestrian pathways, natural ecosystems and public amenities. Conceived as a new “urban living room” for the city of Suzhou, the design of the Qingjian Lake redevelopment integrates residential, hospitality, recreational and cultural venues into the public park system that rings Qingjian Lake. The redevelopment will serve as a cultural destination and social hub for the surrounding communities and will become the focal point on the lake’s waterfront trail. The development includes 21,500 square meters of high-rise residential, 8,200 square meters of villa-style residential, 16,200 square meters of retail, a 10,500-square-meter hotel, and a 5,000-square-meter cultural theater. To read more about the project, visit https://lnkd.in/ggSeywZC.

GP is pleased to continue our participation in the annual Open House Chicago event, sponsored by the Chicago Architecture Center. Join us October 19 from 10:00am-2:00pm for behind-the-scenes tours of our office in the Railway Exchange Building at 224 South Michigan Avenue. GP staff will highlight our space, share details on some of our latest projects, and show off spectacular views of Lake Michigan and the city through our signature porthole windows at the top of the building. Please note that you will need to check-in with an ID at security in the building lobby prior to entering our office on the 17th floor. Find out more about the event, including programming and tours at Chicago Architecture Center #OHC2024, and be sure to check out the video feature here on our building and space by Abigail Happel!

Last week, GP was proud to attend the The American Institute of Architects (AIA) Women’s Leadership Summit at the Hyatt Regency Chicago. Our own senior associate Elizabeth Schneider, AIA, CWA, moderated and participated in the session Chicago Women in Architecture: Recognizing the Women Who Built Chicago. This discussion focused on the Chicago Women in Architecture (CWA)’s current campaign to place buildings designed by women on the National Register of Historic Places. Joining Elizabeth on the panel were Amy Hathaway, Elizabeth A. Blasius, and Erica Ruggiero, Assoc. AIA. Together, they shared stories, benefits and challenges of the designation process as part of a larger historic movement. The Women’s Leadership Summit, founded by AIA, unites the largest network of women in the industry who are breaking down barriers and paving the way for future generations. The event is dedicated to empowering women to step into leadership roles in architecture, design and related fields.

GP attended the public reception this week for “Welcome to Tribuneville: An Imaginary Vision of an Old Chicago That Could Have Been” by architectural cartoonist Klaus, co-presented by MAS Context and 150 Media Stream. The exhibition at 150 North Riverside is a hand-drawn animation, installed on 150 Media Stream’s giant media wall—a 150 ft x 22 ft series of LED screens—which features 60 of the most inventive building designs entered in the famed 1922 Chicago Tribune Tower architectural competition, as well as flying machines, elevated walkways, monorail tramways, and other fantastical details dreamed up by the artist. The exhibition will run through the end of the year, with public viewing hours Monday to Friday from 11am–2pm and Saturdays from 1pm–10pm.

Last Friday, the Facades+ conference, sponsored by The Architect's Newspaper, took place in Chicago at the Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel. Our own Travis Soberg, AIA, LEED AP, GP’s principal and director of sustainable design, served as the host for the event, built around the theme of Sustainable and High-Performance Enclosures. Travis provided an introduction to the full day of events and moderated several discussions. GP’s Scott Brackney, AIA, also participated, delivering the presentation “From Skyline to Streetscape: Understanding Materiality in High-Rise Buildings.” He showcased three GP projects that closely blend aesthetic expression, performance, and cost-efficiency, demonstrating the power of innovative facade design. Thank you to everyone who joined for a day of inspiration and collaboration!

GP’s Astor Park was recently recognized as Best New Office Project in the 2024 Building Columbus Awards! Sponsored by Columbus Business First, the award program recognizes projects that exemplify the spirit and betterment of the community while overcoming increasing challenges of high interest rates, persistent inflation and tight labor markets. Developed by The Pizzuti Companies and Haslam Sports Group, the unique saw-toothed façade design of the office building complements the angular geometries of the adjacent Lower.com Field, home to Major League Soccer’s Columbus Crew. The office building is the first building within the mixed-use development to be completed, with interior build-out continuing through next year. Congratulations to the entire project team!

The Four Seasons Hotel at Hangzhou Center recently opened. Designed by GP with landscape design by P Landscape Co., Ltd. and retail by Lead8, the Hangzhou Center complex consists of two 130-meter towers totaling 150,000 square meters. The 188-key Four Seasons Hotel includes four onsite restaurants, an 18th floor spa, state-of-the-art gym, indoor heated swimming pool and several landscaped outdoor terraces on the 8th, 10th and 30th floors. Hotel interiors are by Avalon Collective (public areas, guestrooms and event spaces) with restaurants by AB Concept and rooftop bar by Kokai Studio. Images © Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts