Trump International Hotel and Tower (Chicago)

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The tower sits at 401 North Wabash Avenue in the River North Gallery District, part of the Near North Side community area of Chicago. The building occupies the site vacated by the Chicago Sun-Times, one of the city's two major newspapers, and its location within the River North Gallery District places it in a neighborhood that has had a high concentration of art galleries since the 1980s.{{cite news |url=http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:NewsBank:CSTB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=0EB373CF70C2BD27&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=AA98CDC331574F0ABEAFF732B33DC0B2 |title=Gallery District Boundaries Reach Beyond River North|access-date=October 5, 2009|work=Chicago Sun-Times|author=Rotzoll, Brenda Warner|date=September 11, 1992}} The site, at the foot of Rush Street, is on the north side of the Chicago River just west of the Wrigley Building and the Michigan Avenue Bridge, and just east of Marina City and 330 North Wabash. The building is close to numerous Chicago landmarks; it borders the Michigan-Wacker District, which is a Registered Historic District.{{cite web|url=http://gis.hpa.state.il.us/hargis/PDFs/200181.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090624112624/http://gis.hpa.state.il.us/hargis/PDFs/200181.pdf |archive-date=June 24, 2009 |title=National Register of Historic Places Inventory-Nomination: Michigan-Wacker Historic District |date=February 3, 1978 |author=Robert Wagner |publisher=National Park Service |access-date=May 3, 2009 |url-status=dead |df=mdy }} Parts of the building are visible throughout the city, and the entire length of the building is visible from boats on the river, as well as from locations to the east along the river, such as the mouth of Lake Michigan, the Lake Shore Drive Overpass, and the Columbus Drive Bridge.

The building is across the Chicago River from the Chicago Loop, the city's business district. It is a block away from the southern end of the Magnificent Mile portion of Michigan Avenue. The restaurant, Terrace 16, has a clear view of the Chicago River's entrance to Lake Michigan and of the four buildings completed in the 1920s that flank the Michigan Avenue Bridge (Wrigley Building, Tribune Tower, 333 North Michigan, and 360 North Michigan).

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The design of the building incorporates three setback features designed to provide visual continuity with the surrounding skyline,{{cite web |url=http://www.som.com//resources/projects/4/9/4/printPreview.html |title= Trump International Hotel & Tower |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070306203550/http://www.som.com/resources/projects/4/9/4/printPreview.html |access-date=June 9, 2008 |archive-date=March 6, 2007|publisher=Skidmore, Owings and Merrill}} each reflecting the height of a nearby building. The first setback, on the east side of the building, aligns with the cornice line of the Wrigley Building to the east; the second, on the west side, aligns with River Plaza to the north and with the Marina City Towers to the west. The third setback, on the east side, relates to 330 North Wabash building (formerly known as IBM Plaza).Beaver, p. 324. However, some views distort the alignment of the second setback.{{efn|Viewing the building from the east (along the Chicago River, e.g.), one sees that the Marina City towers beyond the Trump International Hotel and Tower do not line up with the second setback.}} The setbacks and rounded edges of the building combat vortex formation. The body of the building is raised {{convert|30|ft|m}} above the main Wabash entrance and {{convert|70|ft|m}} above the Chicago River.{{cite book|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=Z7UA73jthg4C&q=Trump%20Tower%20Chicago&pg=PA216 |title=101 of the world's tallest buildings|page=216|publisher=Images Publishing|year=2006 |isbn=1-86470-173-0 |author=Binder, Georges}} The building's Permasteelisa curtain wall{{cite web|url= http://www.construction-today.com/sections/commercial/625-permasteelisa-north-america |title=Permasteelisa North America|work=Construction Today|access-date= October 12, 2016}} uses clear low-emissivity coated glass and a curved wing-shaped polished stainless-steel mullion system that projects {{convert|9|in|cm}} from the glass line. It incorporates brushed stainless steel spandrel panels and clear anodized aluminum.

The building has {{convert|2.6|e6sqft|m2}} of floor space, rises to 98 stories, and houses 486 luxury residential condominiums. These include studio apartments, a mixture of suites with one to four bedrooms, and five-bedroom penthouses. The tower also features a luxury hotel condominium with 339 guest rooms.{{cite web|title=Trump Organization Project overview|access-date=December 4, 2009|publisher=Trump Chicago|url= http://www.trumpchicago.com/_files/pdf/brochure.pdf |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100301105052/http://www.trumpchicago.com/_files/pdf/brochure.pdf |archive-date=March 1, 2010}} The building includes, from the ground up, retail space, a parking garage, a hotel, and condominiums. The 3rd through 12th floors house lobbies, retail space, and the parking garage; the 14th floor and its mezzanine hosts a health club and spa. The 17th floor through the 27th-floor mezzanine contain hotel condominiums and executive lounges. The 28th through 85th floors have residential condominiums, and the 86th through 89th floors have penthouses. A {{convert|1.2|acre|ha|adj=on}} riverfront park and riverwalk, along a {{convert|500|ft|m|adj=on}} space in the area adjacent to the building to the east,{{cite web|url= http://www.trumpchicago.com/Architectural_Design/architectural_design.asp |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110123134114/http://www.trumpchicago.com/Architectural_Design/architectural_design.asp |archive-date=January 23, 2011|title=Trump International Hotel & Tower Chicago (See the pictures within the architectural design option)|access-date=December 7, 2009|publisher=trumpchicago.com}} was opened in the first half of 2010.{{cite web|url= http://yochicago.com/an-early-afternoon-visit-to-trumps-riverwalk/15009/ |title=an-early-afternoon-visit-to-trumps-riverwalk|access-date=January 30, 2011|date=May 3, 2010|author=Joseph Askins}} The park facilitates public assembly and entertainment activity while linking the building effectively with river commuters.Beaver, p. 328.

File:20100611 Trump riverfront park and riverwalk.JPG (right) and the hotel (left) at the foot of Rush Street|alt=a riverwalk and park next to a river bank surrounded by buildings]]

In 2011, the riverfront park landscaping surrounding the building, which is referred to as Trump Plaza and Riverwalk or sometimes just Trump Plaza, became the subject of controversy. In 2010, the Plaza had earned special recognition at the Mayor Richard M. Daley's Landscape Awards. The press release noted the landscaping "for their magnificent new civic landscape that is a poetic interpretation of native Illinois that seems at once sophisticated and familiar."{{cite web|title=NORTHSIDE COLLEGE PREP "JOY GARDEN" NAMED GARDEN OF THE YEAR AT MAYOR DALEY'S 2010 LANDSCAPE AWARDS|url= http://www.cityofchicago.org/content/dam/city/depts/doe/general/NaturalResourcesAndWaterConservation_PDFs/MayorsLandcapeAwards/MLAPressRelease2010.pdf |access-date=June 9, 2011 |date=November 6, 2010 |publisher=City of Chicago}} However, in 2011, the award-winning plantings of small sumac trees, ferns and native grasses with yellow, orange and red hues were removed and replaced with evergreens like junipers and boxwoods, pieces of gray stone, and purple perennials (catmint and salvia), which may require less watering. To add to the controversy, the planting was accompanied by a plan to light the trees to attract nighttime park visitors, in conflict with the "dark skies" movement to reduce light pollution to facilitate better stargazing.{{cite news|url= https://www.chicagotribune.com/2011/06/03/landscaping-gets-unwelcome-overhaul-at-trump-tower/ |title=Landscaping gets unwelcome overhaul at Trump Tower|access-date=June 9, 2011|date=June 3, 2011|work=Chicago Tribune|author=Kamin, Blair}}

The building broke the record for the world's highest residence above ground level, held since 1969 by the nearby John Hancock Center.{{cite web|url= http://www.hotelmanagement-network.com/projects/trumpinternational/ |title=Trump International Hotel and Tower Chicago, Illinois, USA|access-date=May 9, 2008|publisher=SPG Media Limited}} Because the Trump Tower has both hotel condominiums and residential condominiums, it does not contest the record held by the 88-story 432 Park Avenue in New York City, which, at {{convert|1396|ft|m|1|sp=us}}, is the tallest residential building in the world.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/14/nyregion/432-park-avenue-tower-the-tallest-if-not-the-fairest-of-them-all.html?_r=0|title=New Manhattan Tower is Now the Tallest, if Not the Fairest, of Them All|newspaper=The New York Times|date=October 13, 2014|access-date=January 5, 2016|last1=Chaban|first1=Matt A. V.}}

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The Trump International Hotel and Tower rises {{convert|1400|ft|m|1}} from the building's main entrance on Wabash Avenue to the tip of the architectural spire.{{cite news|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/chi-talk-trump-tower-grows-18-nov18,0,4816670.story |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091121020047/http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/chi-talk-trump-tower-grows-18-nov18%2C0%2C4816670.story |archive-date=November 21, 2009 |work=Chicago Tribune |access-date=January 17, 2010 |date=November 18, 2009 |title=Trump Tower now sixth-tallest building in world |author=Kamin, Blair |url-status=dead }} Upon its completion in 2009, the building became the seventh-tallest building in the world, behind the {{convert|1380|ft|m|1|adj=on}} Jin Mao Tower in Shanghai, People's Republic of China.{{cite web|url= http://skyscrapercenter.com/shanghai/jin-mao-building |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120524052647/http://skyscrapercenter.com/shanghai/jin-mao-building |archive-date=May 24, 2012|title=Jin Mao Building|access-date=January 17, 2010|publisher=Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat}} On November 17, 2009, however, the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH), which composes rankings of the tallest skyscrapers in the world based on various criteria, changed its standard for measuring a building's height.{{cite web |url=http://www.ctbuh.org/NewsMedia/PR_091117_ChangeHeightCriteria/tabid/1273/language/en-US/Default.aspx |title=CTBUH changes height criteria |work=Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat |access-date=May 1, 2012 |archive-date=January 5, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180105123138/http://www.ctbuh.org/NewsMedia/PR_091117_ChangeHeightCriteria/tabid/1273/language/en-US/Default.aspx |url-status=dead }} Prior to this change, a building's architectural height was calculated from the main entrance to the tip of the spire; new standards measured from the lowest open-air pedestrian level of a building. As the Trump International Hotel and Tower has a riverwalk entrance and pedestrian level {{convert|27|ft|m|1}} below the building's Wabash Avenue entrance, the skyscraper's official height was recalculated as {{convert|423.2|m|ft|order=flip}} without a physical addition to the structure.{{cite web|url= http://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local-beat/Trump-tower-Ranked-Sixth-Overall-Tallest-Building-in-the-World-70279432.html |title=Trump Trumps Other Buildings, Now 6th Largest|author=Orichuia, Nicola|date=November 18, 2009|access-date=January 17, 2010|work=nbcchicago.com|publisher=NBCUniversal}} According to the CTBUH, the recalculated height also made the tower the sixth-tallest building in the world, surpassing the Jin Mao Tower by {{convert|9|ft|m|1}}.{{cite web |url=http://ctbuh.org/AboutCTBUH/History/MeasuringTall/tabid/1320/language/en-US/Default.aspx |title=Height: The History of Measuring Tall Buildings |work=Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat |access-date=May 1, 2012 |archive-date=April 10, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120410072709/http://www.ctbuh.org/AboutCTBUH/History/MeasuringTall/tabid/1320/language/en-US/Default.aspx |url-status=dead }} In January 2010, the building moved back to its position as seventh-tallest with the opening of the {{convert|828|m|ft|adj=on}} Burj Khalifa in Dubai.{{cite web|url= http://www.skyscrapercenter.com/List/Tallest-100-Buildings |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120419181922/http://www.skyscrapercenter.com/List/Tallest-100-Buildings |archive-date=April 19, 2012 |title=100 tallest completed buildings in the world |access-date=January 17, 2010 |publisher=Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat}}

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According to Trump, he received approval for a {{convert|3600|sqft|m2|1|adj=mid}} sign from Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley's administration in 2009, but renegotiated with Mayor Rahm Emanuel's administration. In October 2013, Trump received approval to erect {{convert|20|ft|m|1|adj=mid|-tall}} stainless steel letters back-lit with white LED lighting spelling out TRUMP on the 16th floor of the building. He made his impending plans for the sign public in February 2014.{{cite web|url= http://www.chicagobusiness.com/realestate/20140221/CRED03/140229943/trump-to-sign-maker-youre-hired# |title=Trump to sign maker: You're hired!|access-date=June 13, 2014|date=February 21, 2014|publisher=Crain Communications|work=ChicagoBusiness|author1=Maidenberg, Micah |author2=Ryan Ori |name-list-style=amp}} According to a city planning department spokesperson, standard protocol for such a sign is to require approval from the local alderman (Brendan Reilly, 42nd ward) and the full Chicago City Council. The five letters span a width of approximately {{convert|141|ft|m}}, making the final approved version approximately {{convert|2800|-|2891|sqft|m2|1}}, according to some sources{{snd}}rather than the originally proposed size.{{cite web|url=https://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2014/06/08/319810771/trump-stamp-has-many-chicagoans-irked-at-the-donald |title=Trump Stamp Has Chicagoans Irked at the Donald|access-date=June 13, 2014|date=June 8, 2014|publisher=NPR|author=Schaper, David}} The sign is about {{convert|200|ft|m}} above ground level.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-27837822 |title=Donald Trump skyscraper sign 'tasteless'|access-date=June 13, 2014|date=June 13, 2014|publisher=BBC}}

Crews began hanging the sign in May 2014.{{cite web|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/chi-new-trump-sign-going-up-at-riverfront-tower-20140506,0,5057244.story |title=New Trump sign going up at riverfront tower|access-date=June 13, 2014|date=May 6, 2014|work=Chicago Tribune|author=Perez Jr., Juan}} When Chicago Tribune architecture critic Kamin warned Trump that his review of the sign would be unfavorable, Trump responded "As time passes, it'll be like the Hollywood Sign"; architect Smith distanced himself from the sign saying "Just for the record, I had nothing to do with this sign!"{{cite web|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/ct-trump-sign-kamin-met-0606-20140606,0,7367509.story|archive-url=http://arquivo.pt/wayback/20160515032352/http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/ct-trump-sign-kamin-met-0606-20140606,0,7367509.story|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 15, 2016|title=Donald Trump: Giant sign on his Chicago tower is like Hollywood sign|access-date=June 13, 2014|date=June 5, 2014|work=Chicago Tribune|author=Kamin, Blair|df=mdy-all}} The controversy surrounding the sign drew attention in the national press and international press as it neared completion and the Associated Press ran a story about Mayor Emanuel's disapproval in mid-June.{{cite news|url= https://www.foxnews.com/us/donald-trump-rahm-emanuel-clash-over-chicago-tower-sign/ |title=Donald Trump, Rahm Emanuel clash over Chicago tower sign|access-date=June 13, 2014|date=June 13, 2014|agency=Associated Press|publisher=Fox News|author=Kamin, Blair}} According to the Mayor's spokeswoman Kelley Quinn, "Mayor Emanuel believes this is an architecturally tasteful building scarred by an architecturally tasteless sign".{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/13/us/chicago-winces-after-a-jewel-is-stamped-trump.html |title=Chicago Winces After a Jewel Is Stamped 'Trump'|access-date=June 13, 2014|date=June 12, 2014|work=The New York Times|author=Yaccino, Steven}} Kamin has noted that part of the problem is the architectural traditions of the city: "If this sign was in Atlantic City or Las Vegas, nobody would care—but it is in Chicago, and in a part of Chicago full of great buildings from the 1920s to the 1960s and onward". Trump and Reilly both pointed out how unbecoming the prior Chicago Sun-Times building signage was.{{cite web|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2014/06/12/sign-points-to-emanuel-trump-faceoff/ |title=Sign points to Emanuel, Trump faceoff|access-date=June 13, 2014|date=June 12, 2014|work=Chicago Tribune|author=Kamin, Blair}}{{cite web |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2014/06/12/reports-chicago-trump-tower-sign-disliked-by-rahm-emmanuel/10396647/ |title=Chicago mayor blasts new Trump sign|access-date=June 13, 2014|date=June 13, 2014|work=USA Today|author=Belton, Beth}} As a result of the fiasco, Emanuel initiated a study on how to alter the rules to avert similar signage controversies in the future.{{cite web|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/chi-trump-calls-today-show-to-defend-his-name-20140613,0,1240034.story |title=Emanuel wants to prevent more signs like Trump's|access-date=June 13, 2014|date=June 13, 2014|work=Chicago Tribune|author1=Byrne, John |author2=Bill Ruthhart |name-list-style=amp}} A Chicago-based design firm planned to create and float four giant pig balloons in front of the sign as a protest,[https://patch.com/illinois/chicago/flying-pigs-over-chicagos-trump-tower-sign-grounded-now Flying Pigs Over Chicago's Trump Tower Sign Grounded For Now: The art project involving 4 helium-filled, pig-shaped balloons was blocked by the city, but the proposal could take off in 2018.] Joe Vince, July 27, 2017.[http://www.flyingpigsonparade.org Flying Pigs on Parade] but were unsuccessful getting US Coast Guard and Chicago Department of Transportation approvals.{{cite news |url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-trump-tower-pig-balloons-denied-met-20170727-story.html |title=Chicago deflates plan to fly giant pig balloons in front of Trump Tower |first=Leonor |last=Vivanco |work=Chicago Tribune |date=July 27, 2017 }}{{cite news |url=https://archpaper.com/2017/07/trump-sign-flying-pigs-delayed/ |title=Trump sign flying pigs installation delayed |first=Matthew |last=Messner |work=The Architect's Newspaper |date=July 27, 2017 }}

In the wake of the January 6 United States Capitol attack, city alderman Gilbert Villegas proposed a new ordinance that would prevent any renewal of sign permits to persons convicted of "treason, sedition or subversive activities", specifically targeting the sign.{{cite news |title=Alderman wants massive Trump Tower sign along Chicago River to come down |first=Fran |last=Spielman |date=January 12, 2021 |url=https://chicago.suntimes.com/city-hall/2021/1/12/22227071/trump-tower-sign-chicago-removal-ordinance-villegas-city-council-capitol-mob-riot-impeachment |work=Chicago Sun-Times }}

File:Trump International Hotel and Tower, Chicago, Illinois, Estados Unidos, 2012-10-20, DD 05.jpg's skyline on the Trump International Hotel and Tower|left]]

According to the "2010 City Guide: Chicago" edition of the Forbes Travel Guide, the building hosts one of the seven four-star restaurants in the city and one of the three four-star spas. The hotel is one of two four star hotels. In 2010, Chicago had two five-star hotels and two five-star restaurants.Forbes Travel Guide: 2010 City Guide: Chicago, p. 4. By the time of the Forbes Travel Guide: 2013 City Guide, the hotel and restaurant were each among only three five-star ratings in the city.{{cite web|url=http://www.startle.com/about/awardwinners |title=Forbes Travel Guide 2013 Star Award Winners |access-date=June 30, 2013 |publisher=Startle.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130420175542/http://www.startle.com/about/awardwinners |archive-date=April 20, 2013 |url-status=dead |df=mdy }} It retained this ranking in the 2015 Forbes Guide (along with hotels The Peninsula and Four Seasons and with restaurants Alinea and Grace).{{cite web|url=http://blog.forbestravelguide.com/the-2015-forbes-travel-guide-star-award-winners|title=The 2015 Forbes Travel Guide Star Award Winners|access-date=2016-01-22|publisher=Forbes Travel Guide|date=2015-02-13}} The spa was among 6 four- or five-star Forbes-rated spas in the Chicago area in 2015.

The restaurant was promoted to two-star rating by the Michelin Guide for 2014 and retained that rating in 2015. It was one of 5 Chicago restaurants to achieve at least a two-star Michelin rating in both years.{{cite web|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2013/11/12/michelin-chicago-guide-2014-elizabeth-el-ideas-among-winners/|title=Michelin Chicago Guide 2014: Elizabeth, EL ideas among winners|access-date=July 23, 2015|date=November 12, 2013|work=Chicago Tribune|author=Vettel, Phil}}{{cite web|url=http://www.chicagomag.com/dining-drinking/November-2014/Here-Are-Chicagos-2015-Michelin-Star-Ratings/|title=Here Are Chicago's 2015 Michelin Star Ratings|access-date=July 23, 2015|date=November 11, 2014|work=Chicago|author=Engleman, Joe}} In 2016, it again retained its two-star rating as one of five restaurants in the city with such a rating.{{cite web|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/dining/ct-michelin-stars-announced-for-chicago-restaurants-20151027-story.html|title=Michelin 2016: Two stars for Acadia, one star for Parachute, Dusek's|date=2015-10-27|access-date=2016-01-22|work=Chicago Tribune|author=Vettel, Phil}}{{cite web|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-10-27/chicago-michelin-stars-2016-restaurant-guide-ig9jol5k|title=Michelin Stars for Chicago 2016 Are Announced|access-date=2016-01-22|date=2015-10-27|publisher=Bloomberg Business|author=Rao, Tejal}}

The original plan was to have a partial opening of three of the hotel's floors on December 3, 2007, with a grand opening to follow. The interim ceremony, however, was delayed until January 30, 2008,{{cite news|url=http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:NewsBank:CRCH&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=11E4646E51B57A50&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=0D0CB579A3BDA420 |access-date=August 16, 2009 |title=FTR: For The Record, week ended 1.11.08|work=Crain's Chicago Business|date=January 14, 2008|publisher=Crain Communications Inc.|volume= 31|issue=2 |page=12}}{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/13/realestate/commercial/13hotel.html?_r=1&scp=2&sq=Blackstone+Hotel&st=nyt&oref=slogin|title=A Chicago Hotel's New Life in a Rising Area|access-date=March 11, 2008|date=February 13, 2008|work=The New York Times|author=Sharoff, Robert}}{{cite news|url=http://travel.latimes.com/daily-deal-blog/?p=1273|title=Chicago – Donald Trump opens another hotel|date=January 31, 2008|work=Los Angeles Times|access-date=May 4, 2008|author=Leo, Jen}} while the City of Chicago granted occupancy approval for the staff of the hotel in the first 27 floors.{{cite news|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-071119trump,0,2301645.story |title=Trump's hotel opening may be delayed: With 'soft' launch two weeks away, city hasn't yet issued necessary permit |access-date=May 10, 2008 |date=November 19, 2007 |work=Chicago Tribune |author=Bergen, Kathy |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071122131904/http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-071119trump%2C0%2C2301645.story |archive-date=November 22, 2007 |url-status=dead }} Four floors of guest rooms were opened, comprising 125 of the planned 339 rooms.{{cite news|url=http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:NewsBank:CTRB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=11E86C8F4B718CD8&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=AA98CDC331574F0ABEAFF732B33DC0B2|title=1st look at Trump hotel reveals 5-star views: 4 floors of rooms open in still-rising skyscraper|date=January 31, 2008|work=Chicago Tribune|access-date=August 6, 2009|author=Bergen, Kathy}}{{cite web|url=http://www.nbc5.com/news/15177334/detail.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080204173937/http://www.nbc5.com/news/15177334/detail.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 4, 2008|title=Trump Tower Hotel Opens To Guests: Mogul's Project Delayed Nearly 2 Months|access-date=September 26, 2008|date=January 30, 2008|publisher=NBCUniversal|work=NBC5.com}}{{cite news|url=http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:NewsBank:CTRB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=11D5F94864532220&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=AA98CDC331574F0ABEAFF732B33DC0B2 |title=A bogey in Chicago too|access-date=August 6, 2009|date=December 6, 2007|work=Chicago Tribune}} By January 30, construction on the exterior of the building had passed the 53rd floor.{{cite news|url=http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:NewsBank:CRCH&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=11E9D9E00330BA08&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=0D0CB579A3BDA420|author=Slania, John T.|title=The inside jobs at Trump Tower|work=Crain's Chicago Business|page=35|date=January 28, 2008}} The grand opening of the hotel, including amenities, originally scheduled for March 17, 2008, took place on April 28, 2008.{{cite news|url=http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:NewsBank:CTRB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=1205BEAA47C28E98&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=AA98CDC331574F0ABEAFF732B33DC0B2 |title=Trump Tower tour|access-date=June 9, 2008|date=April 29, 2008|work=Chicago Tribune}}{{cite news|url=http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:NewsBank:CSTB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=1205B7A458833138&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=AA98CDC331574F0ABEAFF732B33DC0B2 |title=Safety first|access-date=June 9, 2008|date=April 29, 2008|work=Chicago Sun-Times|author=Foster, Stella}} Pulitzer-Prize-winning Chicago Tribune architecture critic Blair Kamin faults the zebrawood paneling in the hotel lobby,{{cite news|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-trump_webmar01,0,96723.story |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080506131606/http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-trump_webmar01%2C0%2C96723.story |archive-date=May 6, 2008 |title=Our architecture critic evaluates Trump's new restaurant: By design: Sweet Sixteen dining |access-date=May 10, 2008 |date=March 1, 2008 |work=Chicago Tribune |author=Kamin, Blair |url-status=dead }} but another Tribune reporter praises the hotel for its "understated, contemporary look, distinguished by stunning views".

File:20090625 Fireworks from Sixteen at Trump Tower Chicago.jpg's fireworks over Lake Michigan beyond the Chicago River as seen from Sixteen|alt=late night fireworks beyond a river at night]]

On the 16th floor, a restaurant named Sixteen opened in early February 2008, and an outdoor patio terrace, named The Terrace at Trump, opened on June 25, 2009, following the completion of construction. The restaurant opened to favorable reviews for its cuisine, decor, location, architecture, and view.{{cite news|url=http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:NewsBank:CRCH&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=11FDBBD746A54758&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=0D0CB579A3BDA420 |access-date=August 16, 2009 |title=Sixteen soars with city's finest|date=March 31, 2007|publisher=Crain's Communication, Inc.|work=Crain's Chicago Business|author=Bianchi, Laura}} Sixteen, which was designed by Joe Valerio, is described architecturally as a sequence of spaces that do not reveal themselves at once, but rather in "procession".{{cite web|url=http://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/news/dailynews/2008/03/chicago_architecture_critic_gets_to_grips_with_fine_dining.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081201101450/http://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/news/dailynews/2008/03/chicago_architecture_critic_gets_to_grips_with_fine_dining.html|archive-date=December 1, 2008|title=Architecture critic attempts to eat dinner, but is distracted by giant dome|access-date=May 6, 2008|date=March 3, 2008|publisher=Emap |work=Architects' Journal|author=Slavid, Ruth}} The restaurant's foyer is T-shaped, and a passageway to the hotel is lined with floor-to-ceiling architectural bronze wine racks in opposing red and white wine rooms.{{cite news|title=A Supersweet Sixteen: At Trump's sky-high eatery, the views are only rivaled by the food|last=Shames|first=Lisa|date=July 2008|page=204|periodical=Chicago Social}} The passageway leads to views—praised by Kamin—that showcase the Wrigley Building clock tower and the Tribune Tower's flying buttresses. Kamin notes that these views are "more intimate" than the panoramic ones of the Signature Room, a restaurant near the top of the Hancock Center. The views are described as equally impressive by day and by night. The main part of the procession is the Tower Room, a dining room with a {{convert|30|ft|m|1|adj=on}} dome-shaped ceiling made of West African wood. The dome is furnished with Swarovski chandeliers{{cite web|url=http://chicago.metromix.com/restaurants/review/review-sixteen/374024/content|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080412021414/http://chicago.metromix.com/restaurants/review/review-sixteen/374024/content|archive-date=April 12, 2008|title=Review: Sixteen: Bold and luxe, Trump restaurant lives up to the hype|access-date=May 10, 2008|date=April 10, 2008|publisher=Metromix|author=Vettel, Phil}}{{cite web|url=http://www.timeout.com/chicago/articles/restaurants-bars/27494/sixteen|title=Restaurant review: Sixteen: Trump's Chicago debut finds a niche, but a tiny, tony one.|date=March 13–19, 2008|access-date=May 10, 2008|work=Time Out Chicago|author=Shouse, Heather|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080509064749/http://www.timeout.com/chicago/articles/restaurants-bars/27494/sixteen |archive-date=May 9, 2008}} and incorporates mirrors so that all diners can experience the view.

The Terrace, which opened on June 25, 2009,{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/2009/06/16/idUS203133+16-Jun-2009+PRN20090616 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121114061103/https://www.reuters.com/article/2009/06/16/idUS203133%2B16-Jun-2009%2BPRN20090616 |archive-date=November 14, 2012 |title=The Terrace at Trump Opens June 25, 2009 |access-date=August 10, 2009 |date=June 16, 2009 |publisher=Reuters |url-status=dead }} has views of the Chicago River and Lake Michigan as well as Navy Pier's seasonal Wednesday and Saturday evening fireworks, and was designed for outdoor or "al fresco" dining.{{cite web|url=http://chicago.metromix.com/bars-and-clubs/lounge/the-terrace-at-trump-river-north/1240258/content|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090719085542/http://chicago.metromix.com/bars-and-clubs/lounge/the-terrace-at-trump-river-north/1240258/content|archive-date=July 19, 2009|title=The Terrace at Trump|access-date=August 10, 2009|publisher=Metromix}}

Rebar—the hotel bar on the mezzanine level—opened on April 18, 2008.{{cite news|url=http://blog.mlive.com/travelstories/2008/04/trump_chicago_a_landmark_in_th.html|title=Trump Chicago: A landmark in the making|access-date=January 15, 2017|date=April 14, 2008|work=The Grand Rapids Press|location=Chicago|quote=Rebar, the hotel's chic main bar, is expected to open Friday on the mezzanine level.}}

On June 5, 2018, it was announced that Terrace 16 Restaurant & Bar would replace Sixteen.{{cite web|url=https://chicago.eater.com/2018/6/5/17430860/trump-tower-chicago-new-sixteen-terrace-16|title=Trump Tower Chicago's Replacement for Sixteen Will Be Called Terrace 16|access-date=June 28, 2018|date=June 5, 2018|work=Eater Chicago|author=Selvam, Ashok}} The newly themed dining space was expected to debut during the summer of 2018.{{cite web|url=https://www.fb101.com/2018/06/terrace-16-to-debut-this-summer/|title=Terrace 16 to Debut This Summer|access-date=June 28, 2018|date=June 26, 2018|work=Food & Beverage|archive-date=February 10, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200210140522/https://www.fb101.com/2018/06/terrace-16-to-debut-this-summer/|url-status=dead}}

The {{convert|23000|sqft|adj=on}} spa, named The Spa at Trump, opened in late March 2008.{{cite web|url=http://www.timeout.com/chicago/articles/spas-gyms/27760/spa-at-trump|title=Just opened: Spa at Trump|date=March 20–26, 2008|access-date=June 10, 2008|work=Time Out Chicago|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080524032227/http://www.timeout.com/chicago/articles/spas-gyms/27760/spa-at-trump |archive-date=May 24, 2008}} The spa offers gemstone-infused (diamond, ruby, or sapphire) oil massages, hydrating masques, exfoliating salts and the "Deluge shower". The spa features a health club with an indoor pool, eleven treatment rooms, a private couples treatment suite, Swiss shower, and saunas.{{cite web|url=http://www.trumpchicagohotel.com/Trump_Spa/the_experience.asp|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080612150638/http://www.trumpchicagohotel.com/Trump_Spa/the_experience.asp|archive-date=June 12, 2008|title=The Experience|access-date=June 10, 2008|publisher=trumpchicagohotel.com}} The Citysearch editorial review described this as the "Bentley of hotel spas".{{cite web|url=http://national.citysearch.com/profile/46332487/chicago_il/the_spa_at_trump.html#profile|title= Editorial Review for The Spa at Trump|access-date=June 10, 2008|publisher=Citysearch.com|author=Moloney, Valerie}} A Chicago Tribune critic spoke of the spa in positive terms for both the treatment and the physical spa itself.{{cite news|url=http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:NewsBank:CTRB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=12076612DD785F60&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=AA98CDC331574F0ABEAFF732B33DC0B2 |title=Between a rock and a hot place: Trump spas gemstone oil and heated table turn muscles to goo|access-date=August 6, 2009|work=Chicago Tribune|date=May 4, 2008|author=Stevens, Heidi}} The Spa at Trump can be accessed from a large circular staircase inside the hotel, enabling its customers to access the facility from specially designed spa guest rooms without using the elevator.{{cite news|title=Ready for a Little R&R?: Three big-name spas—and a few smaller local gems—hit the Chicago beauty scene|date=July 2008|page=52|periodical=Chicago Social}}

{{multiple image

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| image1 = 20090612 Chicago Loop view of the L Tracks, 35 East Wacker, and Trump International Hotel and Tower from Wabash Avenue.jpg

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| caption1 = Chicago 'L' tracks, 35 East Wacker, and Trump International Hotel and Tower from Wabash Avenue in the Chicago Loop

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| caption2 = Trump Tower as seen from the overpass at Adams/Wabash station

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In July 2001, when Donald Trump announced plans for the site of the former seven-story Sun-Times Building, the tower was expected to reach a height of {{convert|1500|ft|m|1}}, which would have made it the world's tallest building. It was expected to contain between {{convert|2.4|and|3.1|e6sqft|m2|abbr=unit}} of floor space{{cite news|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9E06E2D7123DF93BA15754C0A9679C8B63|title= Eyes of Chicago Turn to Plan for a New Landmark|access-date=May 6, 2008|date=July 28, 2001|work=The New York Times|author=Fountain, John W.}}{{cite news|url=http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:NewsBank:CTRB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=0ED5C5AF72BFEB7D&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=AA98CDC331574F0ABEAFF732B33DC0B2|title=Trump, Sun-Times plan tower – Builder, paper's parent may erect tallest structure|date=July 18, 2001|work=Chicago Tribune|access-date=May 4, 2008|author=Corfman, Thomas A.}}{{cite news|url=http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:NewsBank:CTRB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=0ED5C5D4408D3761&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=AA98CDC331574F0ABEAFF732B33DC0B2|title=Daley 'excited' by Trump plan – Skyscraper won't be restricted in height, he says|date=July 19, 2001|work=Chicago Tribune|access-date=May 4, 2008|author=Ford, Liam}} and cost about $77 million just for the property rights.{{cite news|url=http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:NewsBank:CTRB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=0ED5C54BD1C16F44&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=AA98CDC331574F0ABEAFF732B33DC0B2|title=Selling to The Donald ? – Trump is planning ritzy condos, hotel for Sun-Times site|date=July 14, 2001|work=Chicago Tribune|access-date=May 4, 2008|author=Corfman, Thomas A.}} Three architectural firms were considered: Lohan Associates, Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates, and Skidmore, Owings and Merrill;{{cite news|url=http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:NewsBank:CTRB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=0ED5C5AF72BFEB7D&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=AA98CDC331574F0ABEAFF732B33DC0B2|title=Trump, Sun-Times plan tower – Builder, paper's parent may erect tallest structure|date=July 18, 2001|work=Chicago Tribune|access-date=October 5, 2009|author=Corfman, Thomas A.}}{{cite news|url=http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:NewsBank:CTRB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=0ED669E4174584E5&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=AA98CDC331574F0ABEAFF732B33DC0B2 |title=Note to The Donald: It's the quality, stupid|access-date=October 5, 2009|date=July 20, 2001|work=Chicago Tribune|author=Kamin, Blair}} Trump selected Skidmore, Owings and Merrill in August 2001. Adrian Smith, who had previously designed the Jin Mao Tower,{{cite news|url=http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:NewsBank:CSTB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=10E3841148B625F8&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=AA98CDC331574F0ABEAFF732B33DC0B2 |title=The Man of steel: Able To Leap Tall Buildings|access-date=October 5, 2009|date=November 27, 2005|work=Chicago Sun-Times|author=Nance, Kevin}} headed the SOM team,{{cite news|url=http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:NewsBank:CTRB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=128200031C7B7548&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=AA98CDC331574F0ABEAFF732B33DC0B2|title=Trump 's towering toothpick – The Donald's too-skinny, prominent spire calls to mind a plastic toy|date=May 11, 2009|work=Chicago Tribune|access-date=October 5, 2009|author=Kamin Blair}} giving Chicago a third skyscraper from the same firm which had previously designed the Willis Tower and the Hancock Center.

After the terrorist acts of September 11, 2001, Trump reduced the planned height to 78 stories and {{convert|1073|ft|m|1}}, to reduce the risk of similar attacks.{{cite magazine |url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,672579,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081207133535/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,672579,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 7, 2008|title=Tall Order|access-date=May 6, 2008|date=July 25, 2004|publisher=Time, Inc.|magazine=Time|author=Lacayo, Richard}} Time magazine reported that a meeting between Smith and Trump about erecting the tallest building in Chicago was taking place at the actual time of the attacks. Some international news sources later claimed that the planned tower height was reduced to {{convert|900|ft|m|1}} after the original plans called for a 150-story building that would reach {{convert|2000|ft|m|1}}.{{cite magazine |url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1009906,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050125041753/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1009906,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 25, 2005|title=Going Up ... and Up: When Height Is All That Matters|access-date=May 6, 2008|date=December 30, 2004|publisher=Time, Inc.|magazine=Time|author=Lacayo, Richard}}{{cite web|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/bw/stories/2005-03-16/the-donald-aims-higher-in-chicago|title=The Donald Aims Higher in Chicago|access-date=May 6, 2008|date=March 17, 2005|publisher=The McGraw-Hill Companies Inc.|work=Businessweek|author=Arndt, Michael}} These claims are supported by computer renderings from 1999 of the proposed skyscraper, shown in the Chicago Tribune in 2005.{{cite news|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/lifestyles/chi-0503250300mar25-story.html |title=Getting to the point: A tower's aspirations|access-date=June 12, 2008|date=March 25, 2005|work=Chicago Tribune|author=Kamin, Blair}}

The building's {{convert|1073|ft|m|1|adj=on}} design was first released in December 2001.{{cite news|url=http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:NewsBank:CTRB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=0F05D0625459BB75&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=AA98CDC331574F0ABEAFF732B33DC0B2|title=Selling to The Donald ? – Trump is planning ritzy condos, hotel for Sun-Times site|date=December 12, 2001|work=Chicago Tribune|access-date=May 4, 2008|author=Kamin, Blair}} However, the first design did not meet with approval from other architects, or from the residents of Chicago.{{cite news|url=http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:NewsBank:CTRB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=0F081EE6841C5341&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=AA98CDC331574F0ABEAFF732B33DC0B2 |title=Trump 's skyscraper reaches for mediocrity|access-date=May 4, 2008|date=December 19, 2001|work=Chicago Tribune|author=Kamin, Blair}} A subsequent revision in July 2002 resulted in an 86-floor design for use as an office and residential structure, similar to the 2006 design which is, however, for a different combination of uses.{{cite news|url=http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:NewsBank:CTRB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=0F4DFC5A393472D8&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=AA98CDC331574F0ABEAFF732B33DC0B2|title=City planners give their approval to Trump's riverfront tower plan – New skyscraper would be 4th tallest in Chicago|date=July 19, 2002|work=Chicago Tribune|access-date=May 4, 2008|author=Miller, Sabrina L.}} Smith's 2002 plans put broadcast antennas (multiple communications dishes) at the top of the building. A revised 90-story, {{convert|1125|ft|m|1}} plan was unveiled in September 2003 for a building including condominiums, office space, a "condominium hotel", retail stores, and restaurants.{{cite news|url=http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:NewsBank:CTRB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=0FDC5C1761A069CA&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=AA98CDC331574F0ABEAFF732B33DC0B2|title=Trump unwraps building plan – Skyscraper would be city's 4th-tallest; completion set for 2007|date=September 24, 2003|work=Chicago Tribune|access-date=May 4, 2008|author1=Umberger, Mary |author2=Thomas A. Corfman |name-list-style=amp }}{{cite news|url=http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:NewsBank:CTRB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=0FDC5C16D67B8BA6&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=AA98CDC331574F0ABEAFF732B33DC0B2 |title= Improved design wrapped in promises|access-date=May 4, 2008|date=September 24, 2003|work=Chicago Tribune|author=Kamin, Blair}} In January 2004, another revision changed floors 17 through 26 from offices into condominiums and hotel rooms.{{cite news|url=http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:NewsBank:CTRB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=100441BCE9FAB06C&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=AA98CDC331574F0ABEAFF732B33DC0B2|title=Trump erases tower's offices – Number of condos, hotel rooms to rise|date=January 23, 2004|work=Chicago Tribune|access-date=May 4, 2008|author=Corfman, Thomas A.}} In his May 2004 plan, Smith decided to top the building with an ornamental spire instead of communications dishes. These dishes, according to the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat, would not have counted toward the building's height. The spire, however, will count, raising the tower's height to {{convert|1300|ft|m|1}}.{{cite news|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/lifestyles/chi-0405270168may27-story.html|title=Will Trump say: 'You're higher'?|access-date=May 4, 2008|date=May 27, 2004|work=Chicago Tribune|author=Kamin, Blair}} At one point in 2005, Trump aspired to build a slightly taller building that would surpass the Sears Tower as the nation's tallest building, but Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley was against the plan.{{cite news|url=http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:NewsBank:CTRB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=108BB6A9A07E96D8&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=AA98CDC331574F0ABEAFF732B33DC0B2 |title=Trump dumps lofty goal for tower's spire|access-date=May 6, 2008|date=March 9, 2005|work=Chicago Tribune|author=Kamin, Blair}}{{cite news|url=http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:NewsBank:CSTB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=108DA2A899004554&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=AA98CDC331574F0ABEAFF732B33DC0B2 |title=Trump curbs his soaring ambition|access-date=May 6, 2008|date=March 9, 2005|work=Chicago Sun-Times|author=Roeder, David}} Eventually, Smith settled on a design with a height of {{convert|1362|ft|m|1}}, which was the height of 2 World Trade Center, the shorter of the former twin World Trade Center towers.{{cite news|url=http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:NewsBank:CTRB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=10FB1E26401393B8&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=AA98CDC331574F0ABEAFF732B33DC0B2|title=It has emerged: Suddenly, the Trump Tower seems very real – and even a little terrifying|date=February 10, 2006|work=Chicago Tribune|access-date=August 6, 2009|author=Kamin, Blair}} This height makes the Tower the seventh tallest in the United States.

On October 16, 2004, Donald Trump and Hollinger International, the parent company of the Chicago Sun-Times, completed the $73 million sale of the former home of the newspaper a week after it relocated.{{cite news|url=http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:NewsBank:CTRB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=105C3E0A83845D88&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=AA98CDC331574F0ABEAFF732B33DC0B2 |title=Trump tower deal final|access-date=May 6, 2008|date=October 16, 2004|work=Chicago Tribune}} On October 28, 2004, Trump held a ceremony to begin the demolition of the former Sun-Times Building.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/10/30/opinion/30sat4.html|title=Defacing the Skyline, a Heartless Act in the Heart of Chicago|access-date=May 4, 2008|date=October 30, 2004|work=The New York Times|author=Downes, Lawrence}}{{cite news|url=http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:NewsBank:CTRB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=1060879E0A55E0A0&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=AA98CDC331574F0ABEAFF732B33DC0B2 |title=Business |access-date=May 6, 2008 |date=October 29, 2004 |work=Chicago Tribune}}{{cite news|url=http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:NewsBank:&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=1068B869C5465E02&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=AA98CDC331574F0ABEAFF732B33DC0B2 |title= This Trump show is called 'Demolition'|access-date=May 6, 2008|date=October 29, 2004|work=Chicago Sun-Times|author=Roeder, David}} The demolition and construction were financed by a $650 million loan from Deutsche Bank and a trio of hedge funds, one of which George Soros backed.{{cite news|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2004/10/28/big-names-back-trump-tower/|title=Big names back Trump tower – Soros, Deutsche Bank said to be in on 90-story building|date=October 28, 2004|work=Chicago Tribune|access-date=April 4, 2017|author=Corfman, Thomas A.}}

File:CTA Night.jpg Chicago 'L' in the Loop at night]]

In March 2005, the construction process began with the sinking of the first caisson for the tower into the bedrock.{{cite news|url=http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:NewsBank:CTRB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=1091A568761B5DBA&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=AA98CDC331574F0ABEAFF732B33DC0B2|title=Rooted in bedrock, reaching for the sky: Trump tower will go far above—and far below—its neighbors|date=March 27, 2005|work=Chicago Tribune|access-date=October 5, 2009|author=Janega, James}} In April, construction began on the foundation below the Chicago River. In July 2005, water from the river began seeping into the building site, through crevices in a corner where the foundation wall meets the Wabash Avenue Bridge. Divers discovered that the leak could not be sealed from the water side. After several other failed attempts to correct the problem, they drove a steel plate next to the gap and filled the space between with concrete after digging it out.

Within a single 24-hour period in October 2005, a fleet of 30 concrete trucks made 600 trips to pour {{convert|5000|cuyd|m3}} of concrete, and thus create a {{convert|200 by 66 by 10|ft|m|adj=on}} concrete "mat".{{cite news|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-0510030009oct03,0,4391774.story|title=Trump's Big Pour: It took 30 trucks 600 trips to make concrete history|access-date=May 10, 2008|date=October 3, 2005|work=Chicago Tribune|author=Conklin, Mike}} The mat serves as the base of the building, from which its spine rises. Those involved with the construction referred to the day as the "Big Pour". James McHugh Construction Co. was contracted for the concrete work on this job. They obtained the concrete from the Chicago Avenue and Halsted Street distribution site of Prairie Material Sales Inc of Bridgeview, Illinois, the former largest privately owned ready-mix concrete company in the United States. Prairie used a formula of concrete that had never been used in the construction business to meet a {{convert|10000|psi|MPa|abbr=on|lk=on}} specification, which exceeded the standard {{convert|7000|psi|MPa|abbr=on}} for conventional concrete.

In October 2006, controversy erupted over a {{convert|10|by|4.5|ft|adj=on}} street kiosk at the foot of the Magnificent Mile in front of the Wrigley Building at 410 North Michigan Avenue that advertised Trump Tower a full block away.{{cite news|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-0610190370oct20%2C0%2C3273069.story? |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061116161729/http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-0610190370oct20%2C0%2C3273069.story |archive-date=November 16, 2006 |title=Trim in store for Trump's promotional kiosk sign |access-date=May 10, 2008 |date=October 20, 2006 |work=Chicago Tribune |author=Kamin, Blair |url-status=dead }} Extensive debate and publicity occurred on the issue of whether such advertising should have been allowed. Two distinct pieces of legislation in 2002 and 2003 by the Chicago City Council had authorized the kiosk, but sidewalk billboards were not common in Chicago at the time, and their desirability was questioned. Although there were demands from citizens' organizations and the local Alderman Burton Natarus (who had voted in favor of the legislation) to remove the kiosk, Trump agreed only to remove pricing information from the signage, after a request to remove all advertising from it.{{cite news|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-0610270011oct27%2C0%2C7209828.story? |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061107100625/http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-0610270011oct27%2C0%2C7209828.story |archive-date=November 7, 2006 |title=Trump's harrumph: Developer calls to debate the merits of his Michigan Avenue hotel-condo ad |access-date=May 10, 2008 |date=October 27, 2006 |work=Chicago Tribune |author=Kamin, Blair |url-status=dead }} Originally, one side displayed the geographical information and the other side functioned as a billboard.

In a separate legal development, Donald Trump was sued by former Chicago Sun-Times publisher F. David Radler and his daughters in February 2008 for rescinding all "friends and family" condominium purchases, including Radler's.{{cite web|url=http://www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflash/content/mar2008/db20080313_458948.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080324191723/http://www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflash/content/mar2008/db20080313_458948.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 24, 2008|title=The Setting Sun-Times: Feisty and muckraking, the Chicago Sun-Times is also losing readers, advertisers, and money|access-date=May 6, 2008|date=March 18, 2008|publisher=The McGraw-Hill Companies Inc.|work=Businessweek|author=Weber, Joseph}} As president of the Sun-Times{{'}} holding company, Radler had negotiated the sale of the paper's headquarters building to Trump's consortium. The price of Radler's condo had been discounted by 10%, and only a 5% deposit was required instead of the standard 15%.{{cite news|url=http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:NewsBank:CRCH&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=11ED846AF6A97820&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=0D0CB579A3BDA420|title=Radler Sues Ex-pal Trump|date=February 11, 2008|work=Crain's Chicago Business|publisher=Crain Communications, Inc.|page=2|access-date=August 16, 2009|author=Gallun, Alby}} Radler and family were part of a group of 40 insiders who were able to purchase property at about {{convert|500|$/sqft}}. When the market value of the property eventually rose to over {{convert|1300|$/sqft}}, Trump nullified the "friends and family" sales.{{cite news|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2007/01/16/trump-undoing-deals/|title=Trump undoing deals: Condo buyers who got discounts in friends/family program told contracts voided |access-date=January 10, 2012|date=January 16, 2007|work=Chicago Tribune|author=Diesenhouse, Susan}} The insiders were involved in the planning and designing of the building.{{cite web|url=http://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2007/01/16/Trump-dumps-Friends-and-Family/10871168983365/|title=Trump dumps 'Friends and Family'|access-date=May 10, 2008|date=January 16, 2007|publisher=United Press International}} In January 2007, Trump cited both a clause about "matters beyond [the] seller's reasonable control" and the desire to "have more income to handle potentially higher construction costs". Despite Trump's concerns about higher construction costs, earlier in the same month, Ivanka Trump, his daughter, an executive of the company, had stated that the construction was $50 million under budget.{{cite news|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-0701050009jan05,0,4260695.story |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071123140955/http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-0701050009jan05%2C0%2C4260695.story |archive-date=November 23, 2007 |title=The daughter also rises: Ivanka Trump stands tall in her father's world of skyscrapers and billion-dollar deals |access-date=May 10, 2008 |date=January 5, 2007 |work=Chicago Tribune |author=Nunn, Emily |url-status=dead }} In addition to the Radler suit over the validity of the "friends and family" discount contracts, a group of four owners sued over revisions to the closing terms, which placed limits on the owner occupancy of condo hotel units and excluded the meeting rooms and ballrooms from the common elements of which the owners have an interest.{{cite news|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-tue_trumpfeb12,0,5737419.story |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080214031012/http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-tue_trumpfeb12%2C0%2C5737419.story |archive-date=February 14, 2008 |title=Trump tower tenants sue over deal changes: Would-be tenants allege deal details were altered |access-date=May 10, 2008 |date=February 12, 2008 |work=Chicago Tribune |author=Sachdev, Ameet |url-status=dead }}

File:Trump Tower Chicago 060409.jpg with visible rebar|alt=the first few floors of construction of a building from across a river]]

In an additional legal issue, on February 8, 2005, Trump had closed on a construction loan of $640 million from Deutsche Bank for the project.{{cite news|url=http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:NewsBank:CTRB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=10827CA0E5D44463&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=AA98CDC331574F0ABEAFF732B33DC0B2| title=Trump closes loan, boosts project size|access-date=August 13, 2009|date=February 9, 2005|work=Chicago Tribune}} He also obtained a $130–135 million junior mezzanine loan from another syndicate headed by Fortress Investment Group.{{cite news|url=http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:NewsBank:CTRB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=11D4A81C8B2499A0&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=AA98CDC331574F0ABEAFF732B33DC0B2|title=Towering troubles? – Donald Trump, stymied in his plan for a Monday opening of several floors of the gleaming but still unfinished Trump International Hotel & Tower, is dealing with a real estate and financial climate that has become far less hospitable for sales of condo-hotel units than was the case when the 92-story skyscraper—which also includes ordinary condominiums and a hotel—was conceived|date=December 2, 2007|work=Chicago Tribune|access-date=August 13, 2009|author1=Bergen, Kathy |author2=Susan Diesenhouse |name-list-style=amp }} As part of these contracts, Trump had included a $40 million personal guarantee. The contracts also mandated partial repayments for each closed unit sale, and minimum sale prices. In September 2008, due to slow unit sales, Trump sought to extend both loans until mid-2009 because he felt that it was necessary in the business environment and expected from the outset of the contract.{{cite news|url=http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:NewsBank:CTRB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=1236DAAEC3372A78&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=AA98CDC331574F0ABEAFF732B33DC0B2|title=Tower trumps slowdown – Completion of luxury hotel and condos a feat even Donald Trump acknowledges in this tough economy|date=September 25, 2008|work=Chicago Tribune|access-date=August 13, 2009|author=Podmolik, Mary Ellen}} On November 10, Deutsche Bank demanded the outstanding loan payment and the $40 million guarantee. Trump filed suit later that month against Deutsche Bank in New York State Supreme Court in an effort to excuse a repayment of more than $330 million that had been due November 7, and to extend the construction loan for an unspecified period of time because of extenuating circumstances during the 2008 financial crisis. Trump cited a "force majeure" clause that allowed the borrower to delay completion of the project under a catch-all section covering "any other event or circumstance not within the reasonable control of the borrower".{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/05/business/05norris.html|title=Trump Sees Act of God in Recession|access-date=August 13, 2009|date=December 8, 2008|work=The New York Times|author=Norris, Floyd}} Trump not only sought an extension, but sought damages of $3 billion from the bank for its use of predatory lending practices to undermine the project and damage his reputation, which he claimed "is associated worldwide with on-time, under-budget, first-class construction projects and first-class luxury hotel operations." At the end of November, Deutsche Bank countersued Trump to force him to uphold his personal payment guarantee from February 2005, after he failed to repay the amount due November 7—a date that already had been extended.{{cite news|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2008/12/01/deutsche-bank-sues-trump-over-hotel-loan/|title=Deutsche Bank sues Trump over hotel loan – Lawsuit alleges builder failed to make payment|date=December 1, 2008|work=Chicago Tribune|access-date=May 17, 2016|author=Podmolik, Mary Ellen}} The suits did not interfere with Trump's ability to continue drawing on the credit line provided by Deutsche Bank, because without the project's continued financing, Deutsche Bank may have had to assume the role of developer.{{cite news|url=http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:NewsBank:CTRB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=124D47C8550CDAE0&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=AA98CDC331574F0ABEAFF732B33DC0B2 |title=Trump receives cash from Deutsche Bank |access-date=August 13, 2009|date=December 2, 2008|work=Chicago Tribune}} In March 2009, both parties agreed to suspend litigation and resolve the disagreement amicably in an effort to help the project to succeed.{{cite news|url=http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:NewsBank:CTRB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=126B9B854F515F18&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=AA98CDC331574F0ABEAFF732B33DC0B2|title=Truce reached over Trump Tower – Developer, Deutsche Bank shelve dueling lawsuits in bid to lure condo buyers|date=March 4, 2009|work=Chicago Tribune|access-date=August 13, 2009|author=Podmolik, Mary Ellen}} In September 2010, an amended loan agreement stopped the litigation and extended the term on an approximately $600 million construction loan for five years.{{cite news|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2010/10/12/trump-tower-dressing-up-model-units-to-spur-sales/|title=Trump Tower dressing up model units to spur sales: Skyscraper finalizing plans to turn five of its unsold condominiums into furnished models|access-date=January 31, 2011|date=October 12, 2010|work=Chicago Tribune|author=Podmolik, Mary Ellen}}

Bill Rancic, The Apprentice's season-one winner in 2004, was originally hired to manage the project for a $250,000 salary.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/04/17/us/chicago-may-give-apprentice-lesson-in-reality.html|title=Chicago May Give 'Apprentice' Lesson in Reality|access-date=May 4, 2008|date=April 17, 2004|work=The New York Times|author=Davey, Monica}}{{cite web|url=http://www-origin.usnews.com/usnews/news/articles/040920/20rancic.peo.htm|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120722235906/http://www-origin.usnews.com/usnews/news/articles/040920/20rancic.peo.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 22, 2012|title=Trump's $250,000 bill|access-date=May 6, 2008|date=September 12, 2004|publisher=U.S. News & World Report, L.P.|work=U.S. News & World Report}} Rancic's title was President of the Trump International Hotel and Tower, but the title was somewhat misleading, because he was in fact learning on the job as an "Apprentice."{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/09/10/national/10apprentice.html|title='The Apprentice' Is Learning About the Trump Style|access-date=May 7, 2008|date=September 10, 2004|work=The New York Times|author=Kinzer, Stephen}} Rancic's contract was renewed after his first year, but in September 2005, it appeared that his employment with Trump would finish at the end of his second year in April 2006.{{cite news|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trumps-1st-apprentice-eyes-future/|title=Trump's 1st Apprentice Eyes Future: Bill Rancic Says He'll Quit Next Year, Wants To Start Own Business|access-date=May 4, 2008|date=September 8, 2005|publisher=CBS Interactive Inc/Associated Press|work=CBS News}} During 2005, Donald Trump Jr., who had been involved in the building since its earliest stages in 1999, was overseeing the construction with weekly visits, while Rancic worked on sales and marketing.{{cite news|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-0509180214sep18,0,7663993.story|title=Trump Jr. builds on roots: Working for father, he's in Chicago regularly to check progress on hotel/condo tower|access-date=May 10, 2008|date=September 18, 2005|work=Chicago Tribune|author=Diesenhouse, Susan}} In December 2005, Rancic made it clear that he wanted to continue working for Trump,{{cite web|url=http://www.businessweek.com/the_thread/dealflow/archives/2005/12/trump_deal_work.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051205183805/http://www.businessweek.com/the_thread/dealflow/archives/2005/12/trump_deal_work.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 5, 2005|title=Trump deal working out for apprentice|access-date=May 6, 2008|date=December 1, 2005|publisher=The McGraw-Hill Companies Inc.|work=Businessweek|author=Rosenbush, Steve}} and in April 2006, his contract was renewed for a third year.{{cite web|url=https://people.com/celebrity/bill-rancic/|title=Bill Rancic: The Apprentice star dishes on The Donald and the dating scene|access-date=May 6, 2008|date=April 10, 2006|publisher=Time Inc.|work=People|author=Herbst, Diane|archive-date=March 3, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303204212/http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,1181926,00.html|url-status=live}} In that year Donald Trump's children began to assume prominent public roles as in the Trump Organization;{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/31/arts/television/31itzk.html|title=Reluctant Apprentices|access-date=May 7, 2008|date=December 31, 2006|work=The New York Times|author=Itzkoff, Dave}}{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/27/fashion/27IVANKA.html|title=Introducing the Ivanka|access-date=May 7, 2008|date=December 27, 2007|work=The New York Times|author=La Ferla, Ruth}} by January 2007, all three adult Trump children (Ivanka Trump, Donald Trump Jr., and Eric Trump) were executives in the acquisitions and development division of the organization. By the time the Chicago Trump Tower's hotel opened in the building in January 2008, Donald Trump and his three adult children were in the spotlight, overseeing the construction.{{cite news|url=http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:NewsBank:CRCH&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=11E9D9E004C01468&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=0D0CB579A3BDA420|title=The right-hand man|date=January 28, 2008|work=Crain's Chicago Business|page=34|access-date=August 16, 2009|author=Slania, John T.}}{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/25/us/25trump.html|title=Trump & Co. Hits Chicago to Drum Up Apartment Sales|access-date=May 6, 2008|date=May 25, 2007|work=The New York Times|author=Davey, Monica}}

Image:20070914 Trump International Hotel & Tower - Chicago.JPG three months before the hotel opened amid construction (September 14, 2007)|alt= a tall skyscraper under construction in the middle of a city viewed from an elevation of about 40 stories in another building]]

Bovis Lend Lease, noted for work on Disneyland Paris, the Petronas Towers, and the Deutsche Bank Center, was the construction company.{{cite news|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-0505110195may11,0,1765742.story|title=Outdoor theater: A spectacle in progress|access-date=May 9, 2008|date=May 11, 2005|work=Chicago Tribune|author=Conklin, Mike}} James McHugh Construction Co, the concrete subcontractor, implemented a comprehensive formwork for the construction of the building. At the completion of construction the building was the tallest formwork structure in the world, and follows in the footsteps of its neighbor, Marina City, as well as Chicago's Two Prudential Plaza, as past recordholders. Concrete moulding was used, because using a traditional ironwork structure would have required a building footprint that would have been too big for the property size, proportional to the height of the designed building. A steel frame would have had to be {{convert|25|ft|m|1}} wider to have supported a building of this proportion. Concrete will counteract the force of wind with the force of gravity of the {{convert|360000|ST|t|adj=on}} building.{{cite news|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-0503270258mar27,0,3862899.story|title=Rooted in bedrock, reaching for the sky: Trump tower will go far above – and far below – its neighbors|access-date=May 9, 2008|date=March 27, 2005|work=Chicago Tribune|author=Janega, James}} A new chemical process that leveraged more fluid liquid concrete facilitated pumping concrete up several hundred feet to the elevating construction site. Although previous technology limited formwork to {{convert|700|ft|m|1}}, this technology permitted the pumping of concrete {{convert|1700|ft|m|1}} high.

The building is cantilevered into a section of 420 million-year-old limestone bedrock {{convert|110|ft|m|1}} underground. It uses {{convert|4|ft|m|adj=on}}-wide stilt-like pillars that were drilled beneath the building. Every {{convert|30|ft|m}} around its perimeter, steel-reinforced concrete was poured into these holes to form the structural support. On top of these caisson shafts and pillars, an {{convert|8400|ST|t|adj=on}} concrete pad foundation was built to support the building's spine. The building has 241 caissons, and the majority of the caissons only descend {{convert|75|ft|m|1}} into hard clay. However, 57 of them go an additional {{convert|35|ft|m|1}} into the ground, including {{convert|6|ft|m}} of bedrock.{{cite news|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-0509180323sep18,0,253825.story|title=As Trump tower rises, worries pile up: Building battles challenges of nature, markets|access-date=May 10, 2008|date= September 28, 2008|work=Chicago Tribune|author=Diesenhouse, Susan}} The concrete spine uses five I-beam-shaped walls and exterior columns, narrowing to two as the building rises. Each floor is separated by a concrete slab, and stainless steel, glass, and aluminum panels are attached to each floor. {{convert|50000|ST|t}} of reinforcing steel bars, called rebar, support the hotel.{{cite web|url=http://nbc5streetteam.wordpress.com/2008/04/23/now-open-rebar/|title=Now Open: Rebar|access-date=June 10, 2008|date=April 23, 2008|publisher=NBC5|work=NBC5 Street Team|author=Holland, Liz|archive-date=July 6, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180706050401/https://nbc5streetteam.wordpress.com/2008/04/23/now-open-rebar/|url-status=dead}} The extensive use of concrete makes the building more fireproof. Of the $600 million construction budget, $130 million was earmarked for the James McHugh Construction Co, who handled the {{convert|180000|cuyd|m3|adj=on}} concrete-only portion of the job.

File:20090103 Trump Tower Chicago Spire helicopter delivery.jpg were delivered by helicopter]]

Two earlier business decisions by the Chicago Sun-Times led to substantial savings of time and money during the Trump Tower's construction. The original 1950s sea wall was built by the newspaper company to bomb-shelter thickness, to withstand a Cold War attack, and thus did not have to be broken down and rebuilt. Furthermore, the company decided in the 1970s to switch from petroleum-based to soy-based ink, which reduced ground pollution from the printing plant. This considerably reduced the costs and time for cleaning up the site prior to building anew.

On August 16, 2008, construction crews made the last major concrete pour to top off the Trump tower's concrete core, which was commemorated with an unofficial ceremony. To celebrate the milestone, a yellow tower crane raised a bucket full of concrete and an American flag to the rooftop of the skyscraper. Another ceremony occurred on August 19, when construction supervisors, structural engineers and company representatives from McHugh Construction made a minor concrete pour at the top of the Trump tower.{{cite news|url=http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:NewsBank:CTRB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=1229ABDB2385C000&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=AA98CDC331574F0ABEAFF732B33DC0B2 |title=Chicago's Trump Tower soon to be 'topped off' |date=August 16, 2008|work=Chicago Tribune|access-date=August 6, 2009}} Although Donald Trump was absent from both of these ceremonies, he, Donald Jr., Ivanka and Eric Trump attended the topping off party on September 24, 2008. Original plans called for the windows to be completed and the spire erected in October 2008.{{cite news|url=http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:NewsBank:CREB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=123439494D4D78C8&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=AA98CDC331574F0ABEAFF732B33DC0B2 |title=The high life|access-date=August 6, 2009|date=September 16, 2008|work=RedEye|author=Vivanco, Leonor}} However, the spire installation was delayed through high winds in December 2008,{{cite web|url=http://cbs2chicago.com/local/wind.spire.trump.2.887041.html|title=Wind Delays Spire Installation on Trump Tower|access-date=January 7, 2009|date=December 14, 2008|work=WBBM-TV|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081215052537/http://cbs2chicago.com/local/wind.spire.trump.2.887041.html|archive-date=December 15, 2008}} and was finally completed on January 3, 2009.{{cite news|url=http://featuresblogs.chicagotribune.com/theskyline/2009/01/trump-tower-spi.html|title=Trump Tower spire topped out; installation brings tower's peak 90 feet short of Willis Tower|access-date=January 7, 2009|date=January 3, 2009|work=Chicago Tribune|author=Kamin, Blair|archive-date=January 14, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090114093234/http://featuresblogs.chicagotribune.com/theskyline/2009/01/trump-tower-spi.html|url-status=dead}} Kamin's critical opinion is that the spire is not aesthetically complementary.

At the September 2008 topping off ceremony, Donald Trump marketed his hotel by expressing doubts about the Chicago Spire ever being completed due to the Great Recession.{{cite news |url=http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:NewsBank:CTRB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=1236DAAF29A90230&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=AA98CDC331574F0ABEAFF732B33DC0B2 |title=Even Trumps feel tremors in the market|access-date=August 6, 2009|date=September 25, 2008|work=Chicago Tribune}}{{cite web|url=http://www.nbc5.com/news/17548161/detail.html|title=Spire Will Never Happen, Trump Says|access-date=September 26, 2008|date=September 24, 2008|publisher=NBCUniversal|work=NBC5.com|archive-date=September 25, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080925154822/http://www.nbc5.com/news/17548161/detail.html|url-status=dead}} However, Donald Trump Jr. said that they were fortunate to complete the project, while the Spire and Waterview Tower were among developments affected by the Great Recession.{{cite news|url=http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:NewsBank:CTRB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=1236DAAEC3372A78&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=AA98CDC331574F0ABEAFF732B33DC0B2|title=Tower trumps slowdown – Completion of luxury hotel and condos a feat even Donald Trump acknowledges in this tough economy|date=September 25, 2008|work=Chicago Tribune|access-date=August 6, 2009|author=Podmolik, Mary Ellen}} Occupancy had begun on lower-floor condominiums at the time of the ceremony.{{cite web|url=http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=237519|title=Trumps celebrate towering achievement|access-date=September 26, 2008|date=September 25, 2008|publisher=Daily Herald Inc.|work=Daily Herald|author=Donovan, Deborah}}

Residents of the Trump building are zoned to Chicago Public Schools,{{cite web |url=http://schoollocator.cps.k12.il.us/viewer.htm |title=Geographic Information Systems |publisher=Chicago Public Schools |access-date=September 17, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081106120525/http://schoollocator.cps.k12.il.us/viewer.htm |archive-date=November 6, 2008 |df=mdy-all }} more specifically to Ogden School and Wells Community Academy High School.{{cite web |url=http://www.cps.edu/SiteCollectionDocuments/Zone%20maps/Elem_Near_North_West_Central.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090612063906/http://www.cps.edu/SiteCollectionDocuments/Zone%20maps/Elem_Near_North_West_Central.pdf |archive-date=June 12, 2009 |title=Near North/West/Central Elementary Schools |publisher=Chicago Public Schools |access-date=September 17, 2009 }}{{cite web|url=http://www.cps.edu/SiteCollectionDocuments/Zone%20maps/HS_West_Central_South.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100331162639/http://www.cps.edu/SiteCollectionDocuments/Zone%20maps/HS_West_Central_South.pdf |archive-date=March 31, 2010 |title=West/Central/South High Schools |publisher=Chicago Public Schools |access-date=September 17, 2009 |url-status=dead |df=mdy }}

File:Trump International Hotel and Tower (Chicago) - DSC09402.JPG

Trump's hotel was 25% unsold at the time of the 2008 topping off ceremony, and was expected to need the mid-2009 construction loan extension that has caused legal complications.{{cite web|url=http://www.chicagorealestatedaily.com/article/20080924/CRED03/200031150/trump-to-ask-for-later-loan-due-date|title=Trump to ask for later loan due date|access-date=January 10, 2012|date=September 24, 2008|publisher=Crain Communications, Inc.|work=ChicagoBusiness|author=Gallun, Alby}} This was partially due to the subprime mortgage crisis, which disrupted condominium sales.Tooze, Adam (2018). Crashed: How a Decade of Financial Crises Changed the World. New York, New York: Viking Press. pp. 569-570. {{ISBN|978-0-670-02493-3}}. {{OCLC|1039188461}}. Trump had sold all but 36 of the building's 486 residential condos at the end of 2012, and 15 remained unsold at the end of 2013. By May 15, 2014, only six units remained for sale including three that were used as the sales center and sales models.{{cite web|url=http://www.chicagobusiness.com/realestate/20140515/CRED0701/140519897/after-nearly-11-years-trump-tower-almost-sold-out|title=After nearly 11 years, Trump Tower almost sold out|access-date=June 13, 2014|date=May 15, 2014|work=Chicago Business|publisher=Crain Communications|author=Rodkin, Dennis}}

Several local celebrities purchased units in the building, including numerous professional athletes and artists. Juwan Howard, Rex Grossman, Patrick Kane and R. Kelly were among the purchasers of Trump properties.{{cite web|url=https://chicago.cbslocal.com/video/4008337-two-women-at-r-kellys-trump-tower-residence-say-they-are-not-being-held-hostage-police/|title=Two Women At R. Kelly's Trump Tower Residence Say They Are Not Being Held Hostage: Police|publisher=CBS|access-date=March 11, 2019}}{{cite news |last1=Harris |first1=Elizabeth A. |title=How Gayle King Kept Her Cool During the R. Kelly Interview |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/08/arts/gayle-king-r-kelly-interview.html |access-date=30 April 2020 |work=The New York Times |date=March 8, 2019 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20190314071814/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/08/arts/gayle-king-r-kelly-interview.html |archive-date=2019-03-14 |url-status=live}}{{cbignore|bot=InternetArchiveBot}}{{cite news|url=http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2010-01-03/news/0912310497_1_chicago-river-floor-bulls|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100902052528/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2010-01-03/news/0912310497_1_chicago-river-floor-bulls|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 2, 2010|title=NBA star Juwan Howard buys condo in Trump tower|access-date=May 21, 2010|date=January 3, 2010|work=Chicago Tribune|author=Goldsborough, Bob}} Derrick Rose purchased a $2.8 million {{convert|3102|sqft|m2|adj=on}} condo in spring 2012.{{cite web|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/breaking/chi-bulls-derrick-rose-buys-condo-in-trump-tower-for-28-million-20120313,0,4269829.story|title=Bulls' Derrick Rose buys condo in Trump Tower for $2.8 million|access-date=March 14, 2012|date=March 13, 2012|work=Chicago Tribune|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120731124230/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2012-03-13/sports/chi-bulls-derrick-rose-buys-condo-in-trump-tower-for-28-million-20120313_1_trump-tower-92-story-building-condo|archive-date=July 31, 2012|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}} Other prominent purchasers of units included McDonald's Chief Executive and President Don Thompson and WMAQ-TV (NBC 5 Chicago) president and general manager David Doebler.{{cite news|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2012/11/01/mcdonalds-ceo-buys-2-units-in-trump-tower/|title=McDonald's CEO buys 2 units in Trump Tower|access-date=July 2, 2010|date=November 1, 2012|work=Chicago Tribune|author=Goldsborough, Bob}}{{cite news|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2014/06/10/nbc-5-president-david-doebler-buys-trump-tower-unit-for-28-million/|title=President David Doebler buys Trump Tower unit for $2.8 million|access-date=July 2, 2010|date=June 10, 2014|work=Chicago Tribune|author=Goldsborough, Bob}} United Airlines CEO Jeff Smisek and Huron Consulting Group CEO James Roth also purchased properties in the building.{{cite web|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2013/08/01/kiss-fm-personality-pays-865000-for-condo/|title=Kiss FM personality pays $865,000 for condo: Brotha' Fred buys 53rd-floor unit in downtown Chicago|access-date=June 27, 2017|date=August 1, 2013|work=Chicago Tribune|author=Goldsborough, Bob}}

Two units on the 87th and 88th floors sold for prices in excess of $5 million in 2009 directly from the developer. After a few soft years in the real estate market, it took until August 2014, for units to sell for prices in excess of $1000 per square foot. Two units sold for over $3 million that month including a $3.99 million sale, which was the highest sale price in the building since 2009.{{cite web|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/classified/realestate/ct-elite-street-0807-biz-20140807-story.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140807183249/http://www.chicagotribune.com/classified/realestate/ct-elite-street-0807-biz-20140807-story.html|archive-date=August 7, 2014|title=Elite Street: Trump Tower condo unit sells for $3.36 million|access-date=September 4, 2014|date=August 7, 2014|work=Chicago Tribune|author=Goldsborough, Bob}}{{cite web|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/classified/realestate/ct-elite-street-0822-biz-20140821-story.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140822235442/http://www.chicagotribune.com/classified/realestate/ct-elite-street-0822-biz-20140821-story.html|archive-date=August 22, 2014|title=Trump tower unit sets resale record at $3.99M|access-date=September 4, 2014|date=August 21, 2014|work=Chicago Tribune|author=Goldsborough, Bob}} The penthouse sold for $17 million in late 2014 to Sanjay Shah, founder and CEO of Vistex.{{cite web|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-confidential-trump-tower-sale-1209-biz-20141208-column.html|title=Chicago tech millionaire pays $17 million for Trump Tower penthouse|access-date=December 9, 2014|date=December 8, 2014|work=Chicago Tribune|author=Harris, Melissa}}{{cite web|url=http://www.chicagobusiness.com/realestate/20141208/CRED0701/141209760/trump-cuts-17-million-condo-deal-sets-record|title=Trump cuts $17 million condo deal, sets record|access-date=December 9, 2014|date=December 8, 2014|work=Crain's Chicago Business|author=Sadovi, Maura Webber}}

In May 2016, a one-bedroom unit with a parking space became the first listed Chicago one-bedroom unit to fetch over $1,100-a-square-foot when Mark and Deborah Hellman moved their interests from a one-bedroom to a two-bedroom unit in the building.{{cite web|url=http://www.chicagobusiness.com/realestate/20160531/CRED0701/160529830/trump-one-bedroom-sells-at-record-price|archive-url=http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20160612182717/http://www.chicagobusiness.com/realestate/20160531/CRED0701/160529830/trump-one-bedroom-sells-at-record-price|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 12, 2016|title=Trump one-bedroom sells at record price|access-date=May 31, 2016|date=May 31, 2016|work=Crain's Chicago Business|author=Rodkin, Dennis}} Overall, however, real estate observers noticed a slowdown in Trump Tower sales due to the controversial nature of the Donald Trump 2016 presidential campaign: prospective buyers who were happy with the actual tower residences were unsure they wanted to be associated with the Trump name.[http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2016/10/donald-trump-says-he-called-the-08-crash-heres-what-really-happened-214327 Donald Trump Says He 'Called' the '08 Crash. Here's What Really Happened – POLITICO Magazine]

In February, after one round of drink service, three men were denied further service at Sixteen due to their apparent intoxication; as a payback, the three pulled what was intended to be a prank. They set off fire alarms and opened a fifth-floor stairwell Chicago Fire Department standpipe valve and flooded elevator shafts with thousands of gallons of water, damaging woodwork, electrical circuitry and marble. The resulting damage was estimated at $700,000 and the three faced felony criminal damage to property charges.{{cite web|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2014/02/22/trio-facing-jail-time-in-trump-hotel-flooding/|title=Trio facing jail time in Trump Hotel flooding: Prosecutors say 3 cut off at bar caused $700,000 in damage|access-date=June 29, 2014|date=February 22, 2014|work=Chicago Tribune|author=Sweeney, Annie}}

On June 26, a pipe burst near the west public parking entrance, causing the first floor of the tower to flood.{{cite web|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/breaking/chi-trump-tower-flood-20140626,0,654346.story|title=Trump Tower floods in sprinkler incident|access-date=June 29, 2014|date=June 26, 2014|work=Chicago Tribune|author=Frost, Peter}}

In June 2018, through the Abrams Environmental Law Clinic at the University of Chicago, the Illinois Chapter of the Sierra Club and Friends of the Chicago River provided notice of their intent to sue the Chicago Trump International Hotel and Tower over violations of the Clean Water Act, alleging an illegal operation of a cooling water intake structure that siphons water from the Chicago River and likely traps and kills fish and other wildlife.{{Cite news|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/breaking/ct-met-trump-tower-fish-kill-20180618-story.html|title=Trump Tower, one of largest users of Chicago River water, has never met EPA rules for protecting fish, records show|last=Hawthorne|first=Michael|date=June 18, 2018|work=Chicago Tribune}} In August 2018, Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan filed suit in the Circuit Court of Cook County alleging that though Trump Tower's National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit expired on August 31, 2017, it continued to release almost {{convert|20|e6usgal|m3|abbr=off}} of water it uses for cooling into the river each day.{{Cite news|url=https://chicago.suntimes.com/2018/8/14/18453537/illinois-attorney-general-sues-trump-tower-over-releasing-water-into-river|title=Illinois attorney general sues Trump Tower over releasing water into river|last=Esposito|first=Stefano|date=August 14, 2018|work=Chicago Sun-Times}} In February 2021, a judge ruled that the building's management had violated state environmental laws by operating the water intake without a permit and without filing plans detailing how they would minimize the environmental impact.{{cite news |first=Michael |last=Hawthorne |date=February 5, 2021 |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/environment/ct-trump-tower-chicago-fish-killed-20210206-f66r2rrtyzgbxohfpxcdwimzxe-story.html |title=Judge Rules Trump Hotel in Chicago Violated Illinois Environmental Laws |work=Chicago Tribune |access-date=February 6, 2021}}

Madigan's successor Kwame Raoul sued the Trump Organization again in September 2023, alleging the tower continued to take in river water without a valid permit. The Sierra Club and Friends of the Chicago River also filed a renewed complaint that claimed the tower's river intake had been underestimated by 44% in official filings.{{Cite web |last=Hawthorne |first=Michael |date=2023-09-28 |title=Trump Tower sued again for failing to meet EPA rules to protect fish |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/environment/ct-trump-hotel-chicago-fish-killing-lawsuit-20230929-ov5rzqkxsrh5jpy5p7kwatvfeq-story.html |access-date=2023-10-01 |website=Chicago Tribune}}

On September 9, 2024, Cook County Circuit Court Judge Thaddeus L. Wilson ruled that the Trump Tower's intake system violates state environmental laws that protect the Chicago River, by creating and operating "a public nuisance in violation of Illinois law".Chase, Brett [https://chicago.suntimes.com/environment/2024/09/11/trump-tower-ruled-public-nuisance-kwame-raoul-friends-chicago-river-sierra-club-fish "Trump Tower ruled 'public nuisance' over fish kills"] Chicago Sun-Times, September 11, 2024. Retrieved September 15, 2024.

On Sunday, October 18, 2020, at around 5:30 PM (CDT), an unidentified man in his 20s suspended himself from a landing located on the 16th floor and hung down the side of the skyscraper facing the Chicago River for more than thirteen hours. While hanging from the side of the skyscraper, the man filmed a video that was live-streamed on to social media. In the video he was shown hanging from an orange rope, holding a knife in his left hand; he said that if anyone attempted to pull him up using the rope, he would cut it and fall to his death. He then demanded to speak to U.S. President Donald Trump and acknowledged the hard work of the Mayor Lori Lightfoot and Chicago emergency services during the COVID-19 pandemic. He continued by saying that he wanted to speak to the media and he goes on to say that he is not a crazy person. He ends the video by again saying that he wants to speak to the media.{{Cite web|url=https://nypost.com/2020/10/19/man-dangling-from-chicagos-trump-tower-demands-to-speak-with-president/|title = Man dangling from Chicago's Trump Tower demands to speak with president|date = October 19, 2020}}{{Cite web|url=https://chicago.suntimes.com/2020/10/18/21522344/person-hanging-off-trump-tower-demanding-speak-president|title=Man in custody after hanging off side of Trump Tower for more than 13 hours|date=October 18, 2020}}{{Cite web|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/news/521628-police-say-man-dangling-off-trump-tower-chicago-demanding-to-speak-with-trump|title = Police say man dangling off Trump Tower Chicago demanding to speak with Trump|date = October 18, 2020}} Chicago police peacefully resolved the situation with no injuries on Monday, October 19, 2020, at around 6:30 AM (CDT) by negotiating with the suspect. The man was pulled up by several police officers and was taken into custody.{{Cite web|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/breaking/ct-trump-tower-man-20201019-mlsdel2nvzbplmb3pg7fjf75di-story.html|title = Man who dangled from Trump Tower for more than 13 hours is pulled to safety by cops who 'literally saved this young man's life'|work=Chicago Tribune}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.fox32chicago.com/news/man-in-custody-after-hanging-off-side-of-trump-tower-for-more-than-13-hours|title = Man in custody after hanging off side of Trump Tower for more than 13 hours|date = October 18, 2020}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/man-hangs-side-chicago-s-trump-tower-13-hours-being-n1243869|title = Mans hangs off side of Chicago's Trump Tower for 13 hours before being taken into custody|website = NBC News}}

In 2024, The New York Times and ProPublica reported that the Internal Revenue Service investigated whether Trump had twice written off losses through construction cost overruns, lagging sales, and selling residential units below value. In his 2008 tax return, he declared the property to be worthless. The two publications calculated that — of the total deduction of $697 million Trump claimed that year — up to $651 million were based on the property's worthlessness. In 2010, he passed ownership of the property from one of his business entities to another one and claimed another $168 million for the next 10 years. The publications, "in consultation with tax experts, calculated that the revision sought by the IRS would create a new tax bill of more than $100 million, plus interest and potential penalties".{{cite news |last1=Buettner |first1=Russ |last2=Kiel |first2=Paul |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/05/11/us/trump-taxes-audit-chicago.html |title=Trump May Owe $100 Million From Double-Dip Tax Breaks, Audit Shows |work=The New York Times |date=May 11, 2024 |access-date=May 11, 2024}}{{cite news |last1=Kiel |first1=Paul |last2=Buettner |first2=Russ |url=https://www.propublica.org/article/trump-irs-audit-chicago-hotel-taxes |title=IRS Audit of Trump Could Cost Former President More Than $100 Million |work=ProPublica |date=May 11, 2024 |access-date=May 11, 2024}}{{cite news |last=Boak |first=Josh |url=https://apnews.com/article/trump-tax-losses-audit-election-chicago-skyscraper-47729a0758e6b54aa06c075fc49c5c53 |title=Report: Trump may face a $100 million-plus tax bill if he loses IRS audit fight over Chicago tower |agency=Associated Press |date=May 11, 2024 |access-date=August 26, 2024}}

In 2004, a top job at the tower, under the tutelage of Trump, was the prize for the winner of the first season of Trump's reality-TV show The Apprentice.

The final confrontation between Batman and the Joker in the film The Dark Knight was shot in the Summer of 2007 at the very top of the construction site of the then partially completed tower.{{cite web|url=http://www.hotelsmag.com/blog/1720000572/post/530030253.html|title=Chicago Hotels Star In 'Dark Knight'|access-date=July 19, 2008|publisher=Reed Business Information|work=Hotels|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081006103604/http://www.hotelsmag.com/blog/1720000572/post/530030253.html|archive-date=October 6, 2008}}

The building's planning and redesign led to publicity in local and national media both before and during its construction. For example, on September 19, 2007, the Trump International Hotel and Tower was featured on an episode of the Discovery Channel series Build It Bigger titled "High Risk Tower".{{cite web |year=2009 |title=Mark Your Calendar Now! |url=http://dsc.discovery.com/fansites/build-it-bigger/episode/episode.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090805190501/http://dsc.discovery.com/fansites/build-it-bigger/episode/episode.html |archive-date=August 5, 2009 |access-date=August 6, 2009 |publisher=Discovery Communications, LLC}}

When Fox News Channel embarked on its month-long six-city tour to celebrate its 15th anniversary, Neil Cavuto broadcast the network's one-hour Your World with Neil Cavuto show from the riverwalk at the Trump International Hotel & Tower on October 3, 2011.{{cite web|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2011/09/14/fox-news-to-stop-at-trump-tower-on-national-broadcast-tour/|title=Fox News to stop at Trump Tower on national broadcast tour|access-date=June 29, 2014|date=September 24, 2011|work=Chicago Tribune|author=Channick, Robert}}

The tower was also one of the key locations filmed in Chicago for the 2011 film Transformers: Dark of the Moon.{{cite news|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2010/07/17/magnificent-transformers-explosions-fires-on-the-mile/|title=Magnificent 'Transformers' explosions, fires on the Mile|access-date=August 2, 2010|date=July 17, 2010|work=Chicago Tribune|author=Arroyave, Luis}}{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/26/movies/frame-from-transformers-dark-of-the-moon.html|title=Welcome to Chicago, Just Don't Kill Us|access-date=July 1, 2011|date=June 22, 2011|work=The New York Times|author=Murphy, Mekado}}

The building, as well as its address "N Michigan Av / E Wacker Dr", feature prominently in the opening of the TV series The Crazy Ones, created by David E. Kelley and aired by CBS during the 2013–2014 season. It is implied that the offices of the fictional advertising firm that is the topic of the series, Lewis, Roberts & Roberts, is inside the building.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S2yOeQcGoc8| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211114/S2yOeQcGoc8| archive-date=2021-11-14 | url-status=live|title=YouTube: The Crazy Ones Intro| publisher=YouTube|access-date=May 30, 2019}}{{cbignore}}

{{Portal|Hotels}}

• List of buildings and structures
• List of tallest buildings in Chicago
• List of things named after Donald Trump

{{notelist}}

{{Reflist}}

• {{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CYuIhkIZNKoC&q=Trump+Tower+Chicago+Smith&pg=PA324|title=The Architecture of Adrian Smith, SOM: Toward a Sustainable Future|access-date=December 8, 2009|year=2007|publisher=Images Publishing Group Pty. Ltd.|editor=Beaver, Robyn|isbn=978-1-86470-169-2}}
• {{cite book|title=BlackBook: Guide To Chicago 2009 Restaurants, Bars, Clubs, Hotels|year=2008|isbn=978-1-932942-43-9|publisher=Blackbook Media Corp.|editor=Gil, Fernando Cwilich|title-link=BlackBook Magazine}}
• {{cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/fodorschicago20100fodo|url-access=registration|page=[https://archive.org/details/fodorschicago20100fodo/page/217 217]|quote=Trump Tower Chicago.|title=Fodor's Chicago 2010|publisher=Fodor's|date=November 2009|isbn=978-1-4000-0860-5|author1=Fodor's}}
• {{cite book|title=Forbes Travel Guide: 2010 City Guide: Chicago|year=2010|publisher=The Five Star Corporation|isbn=978-1-936010-05-9 }}
• {{cite book|title=Time Out: Chicago|year=2009|publisher=Time Out Guides Ltd|isbn=978-1-84670-138-2|title-link=Time Out (company)}}
• {{cite book|title=Insight Guides: Chicago|year=2008|publisher=Apa Publications Gmbh & Co. Verlag KG|isbn=978-981-258-612-4|editor=Gattuso, John}}

{{Commons and category|Trump International Hotel and Tower (Chicago)}}

• [http://www.trumphotels.com/chicago/ Trump International Hotel & Tower Chicago] Official Hotel Website
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20100301105052/http://www.trumpchicago.com/_files/pdf/brochure.pdf Trump International Hotel & Tower Chicago] Official Real Estate Website
• [http://www.trump.com/ Trump Organization] Official Website
• [http://skyscrapercenter.com/building/trump-international-hotel-tower/203 Trump International Hotel & Tower] on CTBUH Skyscraper Center
• [http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-trump-storygallery,0,7039151.storygallery Chicago Tribune story gallery]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20100716171014/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/keyword/trump-tower archive] at Chicago Tribune
• [http://lucidrealty.com/trump_tower.php#floorplans Trump Tower Floorplans]

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{{Near North Side, Chicago}}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Trump International Hotel And Tower (Chicago)}}

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