The Simpson Querrey Biomedical Research Center, at 303 East Superior Street in Streeterville.

My apologies in advance for not making it here in nicer weather. This curvy-on-one-side glass beauty deserves to be viewed under blue skies.

Gone are the two tower cranes that held court atop the Simpson Querrey Biomedical Research Center that Northwestern University is building in Streeterville. Power Construction has been hard at work on this one since ground was broken back in May 2015. Designed by Perkins+Will, the exterior looks nearly complete, while interior work continues, with the goal of a late-2018 opening.

There’s more glass happening at the Simpson Querrey Biomedical Research Center in Streeterville. Lots more glass. Once a feature exclusive to the north elevation, the south side’s getting cladding now as well.

Power Construction tells us not to fret about losing tower cranes just yet. One crane will come down soon, probably in early November, but the second crane could finish out the year still before it’s taken down. They must know how painful it would be to say goodbye to both at once.

Northwestern University’s Simpson Querrey Biomedical Research Center.

Great big huge Thank You to Brian Tuffy and Power Construction for a tour Friday of the Simpson Querrey Biomedical Research Center in Streeterville. Now topped out with the ceremonial purple beam in place, the 14-story Phase One can expect lots of curtain wall installation in the coming weeks.

As for those two tower cranes, they’ll be around for another month or so. Phase Two, which will see 16 additional stories added to the current phase, won’t begin anytime soon, and tower cranes ain’t free just because you aren’t using them.

Photos galore:

The beginning of the pedestrian bridge over Superior Street that will connect the S-Q Center to 320 East Superior.

Some of the work being done on the four below-ground levels.

Elevator shafts, from below and above. Taken with great bravery.

Tower cranes. They’ll be around a couple more months.

Views from inside the upper floors.

Finally, the massive generator on the ground floor that will power the entire facility in case of a power outage.

Cladding installation has begun at the Simpson Querrey Biomedical Research Center.

Out in Streeterville, the Simpson Querrey Biomedical Research Center has climbed just about as high as it will go, with Power Construction crews now working on the 14th floor. That means Simpson-Querrey needs another feature with which to grab our attention: Glass. Shiny, curvy glass. It’s made its debut along the north elevation.

Are we gonna lose two tower cranes as the Perkins+Will project nears topping-out? I don’t have an answer to that. Yet. There’s a Phase Two for this project, when 16 additional laboratory floors will be added to the 600,000 square feet being built now. I vote to leave the cranes up there until whenever Phase Two starts. They’re a nice addition to the skyline.

Gorgeous curves on the north elevation of the Simpson Querrey Biomedical Research Center.

The two cores got off to a big lead at the Simpson Querrey Biomedical Research Center but now the ironwork is making a move, gaining ground on the concrete towers.

The south elevation of the Simpson Querrey Center gets all the sunlight and attention, but around back along Superior Street, the curvy steel cuts quite the striking figure. It’s definitely worth watching this one from the south and the north. Of course, as is usually the case with most high-rise construction projects, do it on a sunny day. Remember, this phase of the Perkins+Will design will be 14 stories high.

The Simpson Querrey Biomedical Research Center rises in Streeterville.

More iron, more concrete, more fun for spectators. The Simpson Querrey Biomedical Research Center continues to grow in Streeterville. Northwestern University’s new facility, on the site where Prentice Women’s Hospital once stood, is growing toward its goal of 14 stories. (Phase Two will add up to 16 additional floors.)

Power Construction has been hard at work on this one since ground was broken back in May 2015. Designed by Perkins+Will, construction has included extensive foundation work below grade, now hidden by all the superstructure we see today. And there remains a lot of work to be done, with the goal of a late-2018 opening.

New heavy metal at the Simpson-Querrey Biomedical Research Center.

The concrete came first, and it’s still being piled high. Fitting, as this was once the home of the brutalist Prentice Women’s Hospital. But now there’s steel to be gawked upon at Northwestern University’s Simpson-Querrey Biomedical Research Center in Streeterville. This is Phase One of the center, with 14 floors planned. 16 more stories will be added in Phase Two.

The Simpson-Querrey Biomedical Research Center rises in Streeterville.

The new Simpson-Querrey Biomedical Research Center has gone full-3-dimensional in Streeterville. This is why you don’t turn your back on construction. One day everything’s at street level, and the next thing you know, there are concrete towers 8 or 9 stories into the air. I don’t know why I underestimated progress here though. With two tower cranes, anything is possible.

Learn more about Northwestern University’s Simpson-Querrey project here.

The Simpson Querrey Biomedical Research Center

They had to dig for what seemed like an eternity, but excavations have long been complete, and now the Simpson Querrey Biomedical Research Center has risen above street level in Streeterville.