Skyscraper ride coming to Chicago's skyline

A little later than expected, Chicago’s third observatory is coming into view as the owner of the Aon Center prepares to start building the long-discussed $185 million addition.

The skyscraper’s owner, 601W Cos., expects to begin construction on the yet-to-be-named observation deck overlooking Millennium Park in the third quarter of this year, said Aon Center general manager Matthew Amato.

The tourist attraction is expected to open in spring 2022, he said.

That opening date is about a year and a half later than the one 601W cited in December 2018, as the project neared zoning approval from the city.

Since that time, 601W has finalized a deal with another New York-based firm, Legends, to run the observatory.

“The 20-year agreement took a long time to negotiate, but now we’re excited to get going on it,” Amato said.