Salesforce Tower Chicago

Salesforce Tower Chicago is an office skyscraper at Wolf Point, a prominent development at the confluence of the Chicago River's North, South, and Main Branches in downtown Chicago. The building was initially known as Wolf Point South Tower during planning and construction. It is the tallest and final building in a three-tower development associated in part with the Kennedy family and is one of the major additions to Chicago's central business district skyline. The tower emerged from a broader Wolf Point proposal first reported publicly in 2012. Early plans contemplated three buildings of approximately 900, 750, and 525 feet, with the South Tower as the tallest. The project attracted attention because of the site's historic location near the Merchandise Mart, its riverfront setting, its implications for downtown views, and the scale of the proposed development. Revised plans introduced additional open space, but the proposal also faced opposition and litigation. Chicago's Plan Commission approved the overall three-tower plan in January 2013, and a federal court challenge brought by opponents was rejected later that year. Construction of the Wolf Point development began in 2014, while the first completed tower, Wolf Point West, opened to residents in 2016. The South Tower's height and design changed during the planning process. Speculation in 2015 suggested a possible height above 1,000 feet, while plans shown in 2016 indicated a height of approximately 950 feet. The completed design, created by Pelli Clarke & Partners, is 835 feet, or about 255 meters, tall. A decisive commercial turning point came in November 2018, when Salesforce committed to a 17-year lease covering approximately 500,000 square feet. The agreement included naming rights, and the building was redesigned and renamed Salesforce Tower Chicago. The lease positioned the tower as Salesforce's regional headquarters and connected the property to the company's broader corporate real-estate strategy, although the tower itself is a physical office asset rather than a software product. The project obtained a construction loan of more than $500 million in April 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting economic uncertainty. Construction proceeded shortly afterward, the building topped out in May 2022, and completion was reported in 2023. Salesforce Tower Chicago is therefore best understood as a commercial real-estate landmark and office destination whose identity is closely associated with Salesforce through a long-term anchor tenancy and naming agreement.

The site of Salesforce Tower Chicago lies at Wolf Point, where the branches of the Chicago River meet in the downtown area. It is near the Merchandise Mart and occupies a historically significant riverfront position that became the subject of extensive public and civic discussion during the planning of a large mixed-use development. The first widely reported plans for a three-tower Wolf Point development appeared in January 2012. By May of that year, the proposal was described as comprising buildings of roughly 900, 750, and 525 feet, with the South Tower planned as the tallest. The project was associated with land owned by the Kennedy family and was developed in the context of other major riverfront proposals, including River Point on the opposite bank. Architecture critics and other observers questioned aspects of the initial design and its effect on the surrounding urban environment. A revised plan presented in October 2012 provided more open space, but the proposal received negative responses in November, and Alderman Brendan Reilly withdrew it from consideration on November 27. A further version of the complete development was approved by the Chicago Plan Commission on January 24, 2013. The approved project included three towers, 1,410 residential units, 450 hotel rooms, and 1,285 parking spaces. These figures described the wider Wolf Point development rather than Salesforce Tower Chicago alone. Opponents filed a federal lawsuit in May 2013. On November 19, 2013, U.S. District Judge Amy J. St. Eve ruled against the challenge. The decision addressed claims concerning views and related effects, concluding that the interests asserted by the opponents were not constitutionally protected property interests under Illinois law as applied in the case. The Wolf Point towers began construction in March 2014. Wolf Point West, a neighboring tower, held its groundbreaking ceremony in July 2014 and opened to residents in January 2016. Meanwhile, the South Tower continued to evolve in design and scale. Reports in 2015 suggested that revised renderings might indicate a building taller than 1,000 feet, but plans released in October 2016 showed a reduced height of approximately 950 feet. The project's most important commercial change occurred on November 30, 2018. Salesforce agreed to a 17-year lease for roughly 500,000 square feet and obtained naming rights for the redesigned tower. The building consequently changed from its construction name, Wolf Point South Tower, to Salesforce Tower Chicago. The final structure was designed by Pelli Clarke & Partners and reached a height of 835 feet, or 255 meters. The project secured construction financing of more than $500 million on April 2, 2020. Construction began within days, despite the pandemic and the resulting uncertainty affecting offices and large construction projects. The tower topped out in May 2022 and was completed in 2023. Its completed role is that of a major downtown office building and Salesforce's regional headquarters, while its architectural and urban significance derives from its position as the tallest and final tower in the Wolf Point three-building development.

1. 2023Building completed

   The 835-foot tower was completed as Salesforce Tower Chicago.

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2. 2022Structural topping out

   The tower topped out in May.

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3. 2020Construction financing secured

   The project obtained construction financing exceeding $500 million and moved forward during the pandemic period.

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4. 2018Salesforce commits to anchor tenancy and naming rights

   Salesforce signed a long-term lease and the project adopted the Salesforce Tower Chicago name.

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5. 2016Height shown at approximately 950 feet in revised plans

   Plans released in October indicated that the South Tower had been scaled back from earlier concepts.

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6. 2014Wolf Point construction begins

   Construction of the Wolf Point towers began in March.

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7. 2013Overall development receives planning approval

   Chicago's Plan Commission approved the broader Wolf Point plan, including residential, hotel, parking, and tower components.

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8. 2012Three-tower Wolf Point concept announced

   Plans for a major three-tower development at Wolf Point were reported, with the proposed South Tower designated as the tallest element.

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A landmark, high-rise Class A office building positioned as the tallest element of the Wolf Point development and as Salesforce's regional headquarters in Chicago.

• Salesforce Tower ChicagoOffice skyscraper2023

  An approximately 835-foot, 255-meter office skyscraper at Wolf Point in downtown Chicago. Designed by Pelli Clarke & Partners, it is the tallest and final tower in the Wolf Point three-tower development. Its principal commercial role is to provide large-scale Class A office accommodation, including Salesforce's regional headquarters.

• 2020Proceed with construction during the pandemicStrategy

  The COVID-19 pandemic and related economic slowdown created uncertainty for major construction and office developments.

  What changed. The project secured construction financing exceeding $500 million and construction commenced shortly afterward.

  Aftermath. The tower topped out in 2022 and was completed in 2023.

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• 2018Secure Salesforce as anchor tenant and naming partnerM&A

  The planned office tower required a major anchor tenant and a clear commercial identity as its design and development progressed.

  What changed. Salesforce committed to a 17-year lease for approximately 500,000 square feet and received naming rights, leading to the Salesforce Tower Chicago name.

  Aftermath. The building became Salesforce's regional headquarters and was repositioned around the company's corporate presence in Chicago.

  Lease commitment. $475 million (17-year lease announced November 30, 2018)

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• 2016Reduce the planned tower heightGeneration change

  Earlier renderings and reports suggested a possible height above 1,000 feet, while subsequent planning materials reflected a smaller design.

  What changed. Plans shown in October 2016 indicated a height of approximately 950 feet, before the final completed structure was delivered at 835 feet.

  Aftermath. The completed tower became a substantial but shorter addition to the Chicago skyline than some earlier concepts.

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• 2012Revise the Wolf Point development planStrategy

  The initial three-tower proposal drew criticism concerning design, density, open space, and the site's prominent riverfront and historic setting.

  What changed. A revised plan with more open space was presented in October 2012, and the proposal was subsequently withdrawn from consideration by the alderman before a later version advanced.

  Aftermath. The broader development ultimately received Plan Commission approval in January 2013.

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• 2023Salesforce Tower Chicago completed

  The 835-foot office skyscraper was completed and became Salesforce's regional headquarters in Chicago.

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• 2022Salesforce Tower Chicago tops out

  The tower reached its full structural height in May 2022.

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• 2020Wolf Point South Tower secures construction financing

  The project secured a construction loan exceeding $500 million and construction proceeded during the economic disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

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• 2018Salesforce signs long-term lease and naming-rights agreement

  Salesforce committed to a 17-year lease for approximately 500,000 square feet in the tower. The agreement included naming rights and led to the adoption of the Salesforce Tower Chicago name.

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• 2014Wolf Point development breaks ground

  Construction began on the broader Wolf Point development. The adjacent Wolf Point West Tower held its groundbreaking ceremony later that year.

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• 2013Chicago Plan Commission approves Wolf Point development

  The commission approved the overall three-tower development, which included residential units, hotel rooms, and parking in addition to the office component.

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• 2013Federal court rejects challenge to Wolf Point project

  A federal judge rejected opponents' challenge, holding that the asserted effects on downtown views and related property interests did not constitute constitutionally protected property interests under the cited legal framework.

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• 2012Three-tower Wolf Point proposal becomes public

  Plans associated with the Kennedy family for a three-tower development at Wolf Point were reported and presented publicly. The proposed South Tower was intended to be the tallest of the three buildings.

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1. Salesforce Tower Chicago