The Parkshore is a high-rise residential tower located on Chicago's lakefront. Rising to a height of 556 feet (169 m) and containing 56 floors, the building was completed in 1991 and was designed by the architecture firm Barancik Conte. Positioned as part of the city skyline, it provides residents with elevated views that take in the nearby shoreline and the wider urban panorama.
Design and characteristics
The Parkshore exhibits characteristics typical of late‑20th‑century condominium towers: a vertical profile intended to maximize waterfront and skyline exposure, a modern facade treatment, and a configuration that houses multiple private residential units. Its floor count and overall height place it among the taller residential buildings in the city, though well below Chicago's tallest office and mixed‑use skyscrapers.
Key facts
- Height: 556 ft (169 m)
- Floors: 56
- Completion year: 1991
- Architect: Barancik Conte
History and context
Completed at the start of the 1990s, The Parkshore was part of a broader period of residential high‑rise development in Chicago that intensified the use of prime lakefront and near‑lake neighborhoods for condominium living. Its construction reflects the demand of that era for amenity‑rich, high‑density housing close to parks, public transit corridors and central business districts.
Uses and significance
Primarily a residential structure, The Parkshore serves as home to multiple condominium units and contributes to the mixed urban fabric along the lake. Buildings of its scale often include private lobbies and shared facilities designed to serve long‑term residents. Architecturally and visually, it is one of many towers that shape views along the shoreline and the skyline seen from both land and water.
Notable facts and distinctions
Among Chicago's many tall buildings, The Parkshore ranks within the city's grouping of high‑rise residences; at the time of reporting it has been counted among the taller structures, often listed near the 50s in height rankings. For a broader sense of its setting, see Chicago and the state of Illinois.