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, TikToks Skyscraper Guy offers a behind-the-scenes look at what that experience entailsthink 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 Im 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 citys 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 buildings 40 floors and has announced plans to convert most of the space into residential units, Crains reported. Liravongsa is founder and CEO of LCre 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, Liravongsas spotlighting the buildings 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 somebodys gotta do it.
@theskyscraperguy Owning a skyscraper is a full time job and somebodys 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 Im going to go buy a skyscraper tomorrow, one commenter wrote.
