# Vertiginous Timber Towers The River Beech Tower Will Rise 80 Storeys Above the Chicago River By Joey Haar | Published 2016-10-15 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/river-beech-tower References: [archinect](http://archinect.com/news/article/149973575/perkins-will-proposes-80-story-timber-skyscraper-in-chicago) & [ca.perkinswill](http://ca.perkinswill.com/type/corporate-commercial) Hot on the heels of a Vancouver residence that recently became the world's tallest timber structure, architecture firm Perkins + Will have proposed a plan to build an 80-storey timber tower called River Beech Tower in Chicago. Conceived as part of Chicago's ongoing Riverline community rejuvenation project, the timber tower will have 300 residential units that surround a massive central atrium. While the core structural aspects of River Beech Tower would be made of timber, a significant portion of the facade would be built out of aluminum. The proposal's exterior is made up of a [timber latticework](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/katajanokan-laituri), and that lattice would be covered in brushed aluminum. While engineers agree that the building concept would be structurally sound, Perkins + Will is currently considering the feasibility in terms of cost. If the building gets approved, it would be the tallest timber structure in the world. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.7/10 - Popularity: 64% | Activity: 10% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) > [Architecture](https://www.trendhunter.com/architecture) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Tall Timber Structures:** The rise of timber towers as a sustainable and innovative alternative to traditional skyscrapers. - **Mixed-use Timber Buildings:** The integration of timber materials in mixed-use developments for residential and commercial purposes. - **Timber and Aluminum Facades:** The combination of timber and aluminum in architectural facades for aesthetic appeal and structural integrity. ### Who This Affects Most - **Architecture and Construction:** Opportunities for architects and construction companies to specialize in the design and construction of tall timber structures. - **Real Estate Development:** The development of mixed-use timber buildings as a sustainable and attractive option for urban real estate projects. - **Materials Manufacturing:** Innovations in the production and supply of timber and aluminum materials for construction purposes. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Mass-Timber Apartment Blocks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/wood-up.md) - [Staggered Tower Texan Skyscrapers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/1550-on-the-green.md) - [Tree-Surrounding Mass-Timber Homes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tree-courtyard-house.md) - [Reimagined Structural Timber](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/superwood.md) - [Cross-Laminated Timber Renovated Warehouses](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/843-n-spring-street.md) - [Timber Bridge Houses](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/91-cedar-house.md) - [Curved Sculptural Skyscrapers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/alberni.md) - [Mass-Timber Expansive Buildings](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/katajanokan-laituri.md) - [Timber Research Hubs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/anthony-timberlands.md)