TikTok is obsessed with this investor who bought 30 floors of a Chicago skyscraper

One of the more unique takes on the POV trend on TikTok: “POV: You bought a 100-year-old skyscraper . . . ”

For those unlikely to ever own a skyscraper themselves, TikTok’s Skyscraper Guy offers a behind-the-scenes look at what that experience entails—think hidden rooms not listed on blueprints, a bottomless pit in the basement, a Prohibition-era speakeasy, and a mysterious safe with no known combination. 

The video, posted last week, has already racked up more than 2.4 million views. “Step 1. How does one acquire a skyscraper,” one commenter asked. “My idea of an impulse buy is a cupcake,” another added.

@theskyscraperguy

Impulsively bought a 100-year-old skyscraper and now I’m finding stuff like THIS😳

♬ original sound – The Skyscraper Guy

Sleuths in the comments quickly identified the skyscraper as the Pittsfield Building in downtown Chicago. Located at 55 E. Washington Street, the 38-story tower, designed by Graham, Anderson, Probst & White, was the city’s tallest building when it was completed in 1927; it was designated a Chicago Landmark in 2002.

The Skyscraper Guy, also known as real estate investor Tom Liravongsa, purchased 30 of the building’s 40 floors and has announced plans to convert most of the space into residential units, Crain’s reported. Liravongsa is founder and CEO of L’Cre Global, a Grand Rapids, Michigan, boutique specializing in real estate and other alternative investments. Fast Company has reached out to Liravongsa for comment. 

On TikTok, as renovations begin, Liravongsa’s spotlighting the building’s original features, including a hand-carved copper ceiling, 100-year-old tobacco shop, and a bronze elevator dial, for his 50,000-strong following. “Owning a skyscraper is a full-time job,” he says in another video, “but somebody’s gotta do it.”

@theskyscraperguy

Owning a skyscraper is a full time job and somebody’s gotta do it…

♬ original sound – The Skyscraper Guy

Since posting his first video in late 2023, Liravongsa has taken his audience of millions along as he demolishes entire floors (costing upwards of $200,000), discovers tunnel entrances 150 feet underground, and walks down 100-year-old fire escapes that are a spine-tingling 250 feet above ground.

@theskyscraperguy

WHAT!!! It cost #howmuch to do a single floor #demolition in a skyscrapper!? Try $200K at least! #follow me #formore and #findout how I #spend #100million

♬ original sound – The Skyscraper Guy

He is also happy to share tips for others in the market looking for their very own skyscraper. “I watched this whole thing like I’m going to go buy a skyscraper tomorrow,” one commenter wrote.


https://www.fastcompany.com/91318771/tiktok-is-obsessed-with-this-investor-who-bought-30-floors-of-a-chicago-skyscraper?partner=rss&utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=rss+fastcompany&utm_content=rss

Creată 17d | 18 apr. 2025, 05:10:03


Autentifică-te pentru a adăuga comentarii

Alte posturi din acest grup

AI tools from Google, LinkedIn, and Salesforce could help you find your next job

Sometimes, you need to shake things up in your career. Maybe the job isn’t as fulfilling anymore. Maybe changing circumstances are pushing you toward a new path. Either way, figuring out what to d

4 mai 2025, 05:50:02 | Fast company - tech
How Zipline’s Keller Cliffton built the world’s largest drone delivery network

Zipline’s cofounder and CEO Keller Cliffton charts the company’s recent expansion from transporting blood for lifesaving transfusions in Rwanda to retail deliveries across eight countries—includin

3 mai 2025, 13:30:10 | Fast company - tech
Skype is shutting down. If you still use it, like I do, here are some alternatives

When Skype debuted in 2003, it was the first time I remember feeling that an individual app—and not just the broader internet—was radically disrupting communications.

Thanks to its imple

3 mai 2025, 11:20:04 | Fast company - tech
This free app is like Shazam for bird calls

It’s spring, and nature is pulling me away from my computer as I write this. The sun is shining, the world is warming up, and the birds are chirping away.

And that got me thinking: What

3 mai 2025, 11:20:03 | Fast company - tech
‘Read the room, girl’: Running influencer Kate Mackz faces backlash over her White House interview

Wake up, the running influencers are fighting again. 

In the hot seat this week is popular running influencer Kate Mackz, who faces heavy backlash over the latest guest on her runni

2 mai 2025, 21:20:07 | Fast company - tech
Half of Airbnb users in the U.S. are now interacting with its AI customer service agent

Half of Airbnb users in the U.S. are now using the company’s AI-powered customer service agent, CEO Brian Chesky said Thursday

2 mai 2025, 21:20:05 | Fast company - tech
What your emoji use says about your personality

Are you guilty of overusing the monkey covering its eyes emoji? Do you find it impossible to send a text without tacking on a laughing-crying face?

Much like choosing between a full stop

2 mai 2025, 16:40:07 | Fast company - tech