Low-e and Low-Iron Glasses by Vitro Help Transform Industrial Chicago Site into a Life Sciences Hub

With a dual mission of revitalizing Chicago’s industrial Lincoln Yards along the North branch of the Chicago River and raising the bar for life science lab and workplace hubs, the eight-story 1229 W. Concord features Solarban 90 Acuity  glass and Solarban 60 Starphire glass by Vitro Architectural Glass to showcase waterfront views, boost daylighting and deliver comfortable interiors.

On the historical location of the Finkl Steel foundry, the lab/office building, completed in 2023, is the first project to be completed on the 53-acre Foundry Park redevelopment site.

For the majority of the wrap-around rounded corner glass façade, Gensler specified Solarban 90 Acuity glass to balance daylighting with thermal performance. The glass combination delivers a Visible Light Transmittance (VLT) of 53% and Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) of 0.23.

For the vision glass, skylights, atriums, storefronts and entryways in the 285,000-square-foot building, the architect went with Solarban 60 Starphire glass for a higher VLT of 74%, while delivering a 0.41 SHGC.

Gensler placed the office space on the northern elevation with floor-to-ceiling glass views of the river. The labs are situated on the southern side where deep overhangs protect occupants from glare and solar heat gain. The façade also features long balconies where workers can enjoy the waterfront.

1229 W. Concord is situated right in the path of a busy migratory bird corridor. Bird-safe glass in select locations incorporates a silkscreened dot pattern, spaced two-by-four inches, to help prevent birds from crashing against the windows.