Irish-born developer behind 124-storey tower

IRISH-born property developer Garrett Kelleher is behind a new development in Chicago set to be one of the world’s tallest buildings.

Known as 400 North Lakeshore Drive, the $1.2 billion (€940m), 124-storey tower will top Chicago’s Sears Tower and the CN Tower in Toronto in height and will be the tallest freestanding structure in North America or Europe.

Mr Kelleher lived in Chicago for 10 years before returning to Ireland a decade ago. He is currently executive chairman of Shelbourne Development — which has completed more than 1.5 million sq ft of construction in Ireland over the past three years and has projects in continental Europe and in the US.

Mr Kelleher has been granted zoning approval for the new development at the mouth of the Chicago River. He owns the land on which it will be built and will also fund the development. Construction on the project is to commence early next year and when completed it will feature private apartments, retail space and a five-star, 20-storey hotel complex.

Shelbourne Development’s interests here include the former Irish Press building at Burgh Quay and the former Virgin Megastore on Aston Quay. It recently completed a major development at Tallaght’s Belgard Square, featuring 40,000sqm of residential, retail and leisure space and acquired/redeveloped the former offices of the Department of Justice on St Stephen’s Green.