William Hartnett Jr., a Northbrook resident and developer of the iconic Lake Point Tower condominium in Chicago, was honored on Saturday in an event celebrating the building’s 40th anniversary.

Anniversary activities culminate on October 28 with a symposium, “Lake Point Tower: Back Story of an Icon.” Speakers that will explain Hartnett’s achievement are architect Edward Windhorst and architectural historian Kevin Harrington, authors of the recent book Lake Point Tower: A Design History and architect George Schipporeit. The free public event will be held 12:15 – 1:00 p.m. at the Chicago Architecture Foundation Lecture Hall Gallery, 224 South Michigan Avenue.

Lake Point Tower was designed by Schipporeit, now 76, and the late architect John Heinrich, both of whom were influenced by modern master Ludwig Mies van der Rohe. The developer was Hartnett-Shaw Associates, Inc.

The 70-story structure was completed in 1969 and converted to 879 condominiums in 1988. Its dark curvilinear silhouette and prominent setting east of Lake Shore Drive at the base of Navy Pier have made it a Chicago landmark.

One of the first projects to create a total urban environment, the complex includes amenities such as a grocery, dry cleaner, health club and penthouse restaurant. It also boasts one of the earliest green roof features: a private 2.5-acre park with lagoon, waterfall and swimming pool designed by renowned landscape architect Alfred Caldwell.

Lake Point Tower is one of 150 structures listed on America’s Favorite Architecture, a website sponsored by the American Institute of Architects.

The building has created a webpage celebrating Lake Point Tower’s 40th anniversary.