[honte]

Three lovely 19th Century buildings were torn down this week on West Division Street. To my horror, the developer is the same Joseph Freed and Associates that is renovating the Carson's store on State Street and doing Block 37. I will have to remove them from my good corporate citizen list now - I suppose they are just chasing money in whatever fashion they find most profitable. :( Of course, restoring the Sullivan building is more important, but this event shows me a lot about what's really taking place on a corporate level.

Here is the Chicago Journal article on the subject. The photo shown in the article shows the great Queen Anne flat building with 1/3 missing, but not shown clearly is a beautiful late Italianate, cropped at the left side.

-----------------

7/25/2007 10:00:00 PM

Historic Divison buildings demolished
Preservationists say structures should have been saved

http://www.chicagojournal.com/main.asp?SectionID=25&SubSectionID=55&ArticleID=3250&TM=49484.19

By TIMOTHY INKLEBARGER
Editor


The bulldozers were fired up last week on the 1600 block of W. Division for the demolition of three historic buildings not far from the newly-formed Milwaukee Avenue Landmark District.

...

[the urban politician]

^ Yeah, I saw that before. What a damn waste. I'm hoping something worthy eventually places those.

But Honte, you didn't comment on the Cook County Hospital article recently posted. To me, saving that beast of raw beauty is the accomplishment of the decade for Preservation Chicago. HATS OFF!!!

[honte]

^ Well, thanks TUP. A lot of people worked really hard on that, and I am proud to have been a part. It was a long, hard victory. I'm still a bit pessimistic and I guess I won't have much to say until I step foot in the door, after having seen so much sleaze come out of the County on this. It does look like we're on our way to success.

The real key to winning CCH was the fact that all three of the major preservation voices present in the city (city, state, Midwest) came together and hit from different angles. Believe it or not, this doesn't happen very often. The Tribune's editorials and later coverage from the NYT helped a lot too.

[VivaLFuego]

^tup,
Losing the Nurse's Dormitory isn't exactly something to cheer about, either.

[the urban politician]

^tup,
Losing the Nurse's Dormitory isn't exactly something to cheer about, either.

^ Do you have any pics of that building?

[honte]

This is a fantastic web site, for those who haven't seen it yet. I don't know where else to post it, so I am placing it here...

AIA 150 Great Illinois Places

http://www.illinoisgreatplaces.com/

[lalucedm]

I don't think this has been posted yet:

"Downtown schools including Columbia College, John Marshall Law School and Roosevelt University are all mulling expansion plans that could include new buildings, marking a shift in the Loop’s growing college scene."

http://chicagorealestatedaily.com/cgi-bin/news.pl?id=25809

[Eventually...Chicago]

Tribute to the great Chicago building tradition:

http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?id=11969&t=1&c=34&cg=4
http://www.damacproperties.com/new/main/html-v3/lincolnpark-facility.asp

Some (me) might say dubai is the new old chicago

[VivaLFuego]

^ Do you have any pics of that building?
Best I can do: http://maps.live.com/default.aspx?v=2&cp=qzbsq27ptf1v&style=o&lvl=1&tilt=-90&dir=0&alt=-1000&scene=11385949&sp=Point.qzbsvp7ptdm6_Untitled%20item___&encType=1

[museumparktom]

To really see the historic facade you need to change the orientation to view south and then scroll up (north) and to the left (east) to Polk street. Its a yellow terra cotta building looks very academic.

[Ch.G, Ch.G]

Tribute to the great Chicago building tradition:

http://www.bi-me.com/main.php?id=11969&t=1&c=34&cg=4
http://www.damacproperties.com/new/main/html-v3/lincolnpark-facility.asp

Some (me) might say dubai is the new old chicago

I am not sure that this is the appropriate thread for me to air the following opinion, but I don't think late-19th Century Chicago has a modern counterpart in the Dubai building boom. Don't get me wrong: Dubai is a tremendous spectacle to behold; it will undoubtedly attract millions of tourists a year, and, most importantly, have a democratizing effect on the region (fingers crossed, anyway). But the architecture itself seems to ultimately be a triumph of style over substance, not to mention a style often racked by schlock and gimmicks.

The Chicago School heralded the future of architecture for the following century; its lessons in pragmatism will never become dated. I'm not convinced that Dubai will have the same legacy.

[Eventually...Chicago]

^^^ your probably right. There will never be another boom like that because it is too easy for architects to move around today. But my real point was that it is interesting that buildings in dubai are copying the chicago school style

[VivaLFuego]

^ also, all Dubai proves is that a bunch of rich people can pay foreign companies to build a city. All those skyscrapers are planned, designed, engineered, and constructed by foreign firms and foreign laborers/slaves, no Emiratis invoved aside from giving us back the money we sent to the Arabian peninsula to pay for energy resources they had the damn luck to live upon. The Chicago boom was conducted by Chicagoans, by and large, with at most some capital from the ports on the east coast such as NYC, with Chicago as the gateway for the east coast to reach the heartland. Economically and sociologically, I really don't see many parallels. Something like Chongqing, in China, would be a closer parallel, in my opinion

[Ch.G, Ch.G]

^^^ your probably right. There will never be another boom like that because it is too easy for architects to move around today. But my real point was that it is interesting that buildings in dubai are copying the chicago school style

Yeah, the nod from Dubai is nice, but the renderings make it clear that the link to Chicago is in name only.

On a similar note, have you read about the plans for a Chicago Square in Hamburg's HafenCity development? There's probably more detailed information about it in one of the Hamburg portals--I'm not too sure of its current status--but here's an old article from the HafenCity website:

http://www.hafencity.com/index.php?set_language=en&cccpage=druck&show=news&item=72

[Taft]

... Something like Chongqing, in China, would be a closer parallel, in my opinion

Interesting you bring this up...The Economist recently ran an article drawing the same comparison. I think you can get to it without a login:


http://economist.com/world/asia/displaystory.cfm?story_id=9557763


Urbanisation in China
China's Chicago

Jul 26th 2007 | CHONGQING
From The Economist print edition
A giant city in the south-west is a microcosm of China's struggle to move millions from rural to urban areas
Imaginechina

DEEP in the heart of China, the hilly riverside city of Chongqing is burning with ambition and wreathed in a shroud of smog. Visitors are astonished by the scale and pace of its growth: shopping malls, expressways and a throng of skyscrapers, including one that looks like the Chrysler building. Work on a $200m opera house is under way. But Chongqing's megacity dreams are troubled.

[VivaLFuego]

^inland metropolis, immigrant magnet, opening the coastal cities to an incredibly vast heartland with tons of economic potential...growing fast and naturally, which means serious growing pains.....doesn't sound so different than Chicago circa 1870?

[Ch.G, Ch.G]

^inland metropolis, immigrant magnet, opening the coastal cities to an incredibly vast heartland with tons of economic potential...growing fast and naturally, which means serious growing pains.....doesn't sound so different than Chicago circa 1870?

By those indicators, no, it doesn't, but, ideologically, it's incredibly different. The growth in Chongqing, like that of most Chinese cities, is almost entirely orchestrated by the government, making it a polar opposite of Chicago which stands as one of the greatest achievements at the urban level of market-driven economics.

[forumly_chgoman]

By those indicators, no, it doesn't, but, ideologically, it's incredibly different. The growth in Chongqing, like that of most Chinese cities, is almost entirely orchestrated by the government, making it a polar opposite of Chicago which stands as one of the greatest achievements at the urban level of market-driven economics.
^^Great point

[honte]

Marina plan may restoke debate on Chicago Paperboard site By Alby Gallun


(Crain’s) — A Northfield developer wants to build a marina and boat-storage facility on part of the Chicago Paperboard Corp. property in River West, opening a new chapter in the debate over how to redevelop the long-vacant riverside parcel.

...

Full article: http://chicagorealestatedaily.com/cgi-bin/news.pl?id=25871

[Eventually...Chicago]

McCormick Place eyes new 1,500-room hotel project

Crain’s) — McCormick Place officials announced new plans for a mixed-use development that could include 1,500 hotel rooms near the convention hall.

http://www.chicagobusiness.com/cgi-bin/news.pl?id=25904

[LaSalle.St.Station]

http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-wed_brief1_0808aug08,0,6251250.story


^ looks like they are delaying for another month announcment of their plans for the potential hotel expansion parcel.

I wonder if this could be tied to the State budget deal that has Chicago gettting a casino as part of an overall gambling expansion in the State.

It would make sense that it would be linked up with the convention complex.

[spyguy]

http://www.pioneerlocal.com/booster2/news/500710,b2-ashland--080807-s1.article

For this corner, bigger is better

August 8, 2007
By MARK LAWTON

The East Village Association, however, suggests that sometimes bigger is better, at least when it comes to the Southwest corner of Division and Ashland. A Pizza Hut located there for about 20 years closed several months ago. Word has it that Walgreen's aims to buy the property and build single-story drug store.

[VivaLFuego]

http://www.pioneerlocal.com/booster2/news/500710,b2-ashland--080807-s1.article

For this corner, bigger is better

August 8, 2007
By MARK LAWTON

The East Village Association, however, suggests that sometimes bigger is better, at least when it comes to the Southwest corner of Division and Ashland. A Pizza Hut located there for about 20 years closed several months ago. Word has it that Walgreen's aims to buy the property and build single-story drug store.

A 1-story Walgreens at the Division/Ashland/Milwaukee intersection would be a disgrace to humanity (like the closed Pizza Hut thats currently there). Best case this should be a high-rise, but I'd settle for a mid-rise mixed use development. And further, since its within 600 ft of a rapid transit station, the parking requirement is much reduced....

[Busy Bee]

Yeah, the idea that Walgreens would consider squandering such a high-potential site is infuriating, but comes as no big surprise. I've always wondered why it is that super-chain stores, especially typically stand-alone chain stores, don't have internal real estate divisions that look for opportunities like this to develop mixed-use projects(maybe joint developments with other interests) instead of throwing up single story under-scaled throwaway architecture on highly valuable urban land. You would think corporate execs would see that there's a lot of money to be made, and since that is their main motivation for everything, would jump at the chance of maximizing their profits in a high density urban location.

I'd like to see something in the 15-25 story range here.

[forumly_chgoman]

A 1-story Walgreens at the Division/Ashland/Milwaukee intersection would be a disgrace to humanity (like the closed Pizza Hut thats currently there). Best case this should be a high-rise, but I'd settle for a mid-rise mixed use development. And further, since its within 600 ft of a rapid transit station, the parking requirement is much reduced....
I agree wholeheartdly here with you. This site would scream for at least a mid-rise of 6-10 stories....preferably a bit higher maybe 15-20.

Walgreens is the bane of urban development...I can't beleive thy can get away with putting up such schloky 1 story development....particuliarly say east of California or kedzie which amount to the 2nd densest urban environment in the US.

It is too bad they cannot be charged an underutilization tax......ie say a sight could reasonble hold 6-10 stories....& they build a 1 story shit box....well they pay property tax as if there was that 6-10 storey building

never would fly & probably would lead to a lot of inequity, but at least it might stop these urban raiders from literally tearing apart urban fabric

[honte]

^ You know what's even more of a disgrace? Maybe you heard this story...

Prior to trying to get the Pizza Hut site, Walgreens was trying to get the classical limestone MB Bank they mention in the article (it's across the street from Pizza Hut). That building was nearly a goner for a damn Walgreens. Thankfully, preservation groups stepped in, and the city had the sense to Landmark it not long ago.

Preservation and civic groups have had discussions with Walgreens and other chain stores (CVS comes to mind) about anchoring bigger projects, or just renovating old space for their uses. They want Absolutely nothing to do with this, alas. It just doesn't fit their "we open a new store every 18 hours" idea of corporate growth and image.

The most obnoxious part of the whole thing is that Walgreens routinely DOES renovate older buildings (Belmont and Sheffield, in the Loop, etc.) or anchor new developments, but they only do this when they have no other choice. Grrr.

[Untitled]

Walgreens has to do what Walgreens thinks will bring in the most money. All other considerations are superfluous.

The question, then, is how does the city make it financially preferable for Walgreens to build more to our liking?

But getting angry at Walgreens or CVS is pointless.

[honte]

^ They have a moral obligation to be good corporate citizens. I understand their thinking, but in my opinion, coming into historic neighborhoods and tearing them apart all in the name of their corporate profit is a perfectly good reason to be upset at them. Doing good urban design / development is a bit more of a reach, but I still think it's a legitimate gripe. I certainly would add the city into the "gripe list" on that last part, as you say.

"Getting mad" at them actually works some times, however. The list of important corner buildings in Chicago that averted "drugstore demolition" or "branch bank demolition" due to community activism is pretty long indeed.

Look at Starbucks for a company that's made it big time and still manages to be respectful to its communities. I realize that drugstores and coffee houses are different, but I personally would go out of my way to frequent a drug retailer with some concern for the built and natural environment.

[forumly_chgoman]

Walgreens has to do what Walgreens thinks will bring in the most money. All other considerations are superfluous.

The question, then, is how does the city make it financially preferable for Walgreens to build more to our liking?

But getting angry at Walgreens or CVS is pointless.
You sir are absolutely wrong....beyond honte's metioned moral obliagtion as a memeber of a community there is more to decision making than just what makes the most sense in terms of a balance sheet / inc statement...there are plenty of costs that neither of these instruments bring to light...to ignore these is not only morally bankrupt but in the long run can yield a great loss of good will....only at this point unfortunatley do the bean counting decision makers realize the ramifications of their myopia

[VivaLFuego]

^ honte,
Yeah, wasn't getting the rehab by CVS of the building at NE corner of State/Division like pulling teeth? I don't remember the details on that but I know it was protracted, and the building saved only because alot of clout and pressure went into preserving it. They (CVS) really didn't give a hoot about what they were trying to do to the neighborhood. I hope Flores brings Walgreens reps in for a talk.

[honte]

^ Yep, it was a disaster. It involved a ton of petitions, meetings, etc. Major pain in the butt - and the best anyone could do was to save one out of two buildings. The one that got "saved" has vacant second and third floors with fake window treatments because CVS (and, to be fair, their local developer for that location) apparently doesn't care to gain the potential rental income. When they "restored" the corner building, they ripped off the ornament on the turret and the city had to step in with threatening letters to get them to abide by the agreement and replace it.

The real kicker: I've heard that the CVS is probably closing soon. (Or has it already? Haven't been by there in a while. Maybe if I could get my work done in a timely fashion, I could get out more - damn forum ;) ).

[Untitled]

Corporations have no morals. It's like getting mad an earthquake or a tornado.

Don't misunderstand me, I don't find what Walgreens is doing to be OK. And anger is useful when it forces the corporation to fear for its profits. But it's still about money. There will always be corporations that don't give a damn about community or architecture or any of the other things we find to be important.

As far as the long run ... why yes, of course it'd help the company in the long run to be more cooperative. But the long run doesn't help the company' stock right now, and the people running the company won't be there for the long run. They need to stock to spike right this minute.

With rare exceptions (like Starbucks) publicly traded companies are reflexively short-sighted.

And I'm not really saying any of this is the way it should be. I truly wish there was such a thing as a "good corporate citizen." But I work for a company that was, until recently, considered the best citizen in its industry, and as soon as the stock price dipped everything changed. So it is in most arenas.

[forumly_chgoman]

Corporations have no morals. It's like getting mad an earthquake or a tornado.

Don't misunderstand me, I don't find what Walgreens is doing to be OK. And anger is useful when it forces the corporation to fear for its profits. But it's still about money. There will always be corporations that don't give a damn about community or architecture or any of the other things we find to be important.

As far as the long run ... why yes, of course it'd help the company in the long run to be more cooperative. But the long run doesn't help the company' stock right now, and the people running the company won't be there for the long run. They need to stock to spike right this minute.

With rare exceptions (like Starbucks) publicly traded companies are reflexively short-sighted.

And I'm not really saying any of this is the way it should be. I truly wish there was such a thing as a "good corporate citizen." But I work for a company that was, until recently, considered the best citizen in its industry, and as soon as the stock price dipped everything changed. So it is in most arenas.

This is my last post on this topic, but morality concerns itslef w/ the decisions / choices made by human beings. Now, unless all the earthquakes or tornadoes in the world are run by earthquake & or tornado board of directors, made up of human beings, then & only then is this comparison valid. But to this point I have never heard of such a thing...perhaps they exist...in Georgia?

Corporations do not make decisions, the people on their board of directors do. These are then executed in the name of the corporation. This is where any talk of morality enters.

[Untitled]

^^ How sweetly naive of you.

Group dynamics dictate that individual morals are subsumed by the interests of the corporate beasts. It's all a function of a multinational business structure that requires amoral behavior to survive. You have to be pretty damn near brilliant (e.g.: Starbucks) to do business with morals and still make money.

But this is all rather off-topic, so I will also refrain from further comment. Let me just reiterate that I do agree that these developments suck and need to die an awful, terrible death.

[VivaLFuego]

Did anyone get some decent photo-documentation of the Emmanuel Church in Pilsen before it was demolished?

A number of historic structures have come down lately (also thinking about those ones on Division in Wicker Park, and the stuff on the 10 E Delaware site), and it seems like I always hear about it right afterwards, without time to get over there for at least some pictoral preservation.

[honte]

^ The loss of the Dart church is an absolute outrage! I am disgusted by the greedy developers and lackadaisical aldermen. It was the only truly excellent modernist building in that part of the city.

The people of Pilsen had better get organized, and fast, before their neighborhood is a mere vestige of its old self. There are plenty of ways to develop in that community for the benefit of all; what I see so far is definitely not how it should be done.

[Loopy]

Did anyone get some decent photo-documentation of the Emmanuel Church in Pilsen before it was demolished?

A number of historic structures have come down lately (also thinking about those ones on Division in Wicker Park, and the stuff on the 10 E Delaware site), and it seems like I always hear about it right afterwards, without time to get over there for at least some pictoral preservation.
http://flickr.com/photos/metroblossom/444429813/

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/171/444429813_ba36133449.jpg?v=0

[forumly_chgoman]

^^^Is there at least a decent proposal for this parcel?

[the urban politician]

^^^Is there at least a decent proposal for this parcel?

^ Yeah, designed by Heinz Guggenshmerz:

http://www.safetycoatings.com/images/ParkingLot2.jpg

[VivaLFuego]

^^^Is there at least a decent proposal for this parcel?

I -vaguely- remember reading about a 6 or 7 story mixed use proposal for the site, but I'm not sure, and I haven't seen any renderings.

[forumly_chgoman]

^^ How sweetly naive of you.

Group dynamics dictate that individual morals are subsumed by the interests of the corporate beasts. It's all a function of a multinational business structure that requires amoral behavior to survive. You have to be pretty damn near brilliant (e.g.: Starbucks) to do business with morals and still make money.

But this is all rather off-topic, so I will also refrain from further comment. Let me just reiterate that I do agree that these developments suck and need to die an awful, terrible death.
Umm.Yes....thank you Eichman

[Untitled]

^^ Nazi reference. I win.

:p

RE: Pilsen development. I was under the impression that Pilsen has a lot more apartments than your typical neighborhood, what with all the artists, and thus there may not be as much of a unified neighborhood community of property owners. Am I wrong? (wouldn't be shocked if that's the case, so please don't call me Hitler)

[honte]

^ Yes and no.

Yes, it is a lot of rentals. They are in that dangerous category - too big for a typical homeowner to purchase, but small enough and old enough (one lot, three stories) that developers buying them will be highly tempted to tear down rather than rehab. What happened to East Village (eg nearly everything was being torn down before the small landmark district was created) as a development pattern is probably what will happen to Pilsen if people don't work against it.

Concerning strong community, I'm thinking you are a bit off. Despite only having rentals, a lot of people have spent considerable time in just that area and feel connected to it. But, I have not lived there and only am hearing this through friends. My friends grew up in that community and feel very attached to it, but unfortunately not in a physical sense. Still, I'd bet that with a core group of people who were motivated to do something, it wouldn't be hard to get people to support smart growth / preservation.

[Alliance]

^ Yeah, designed by Heinz Guggenshmerz:

http://www.safetycoatings.com/images/ParkingLot2.jpg

This should be a Chicago Landmark.

[Mr Man]

Walgreens has to do what Walgreens thinks will bring in the most money. All other considerations are superfluous.

The question, then, is how does the city make it financially preferable for Walgreens to build more to our liking?

But getting angry at Walgreens or CVS is pointless.

Does Chicago property assessors appraise land values at highest and best use? If that's the case, the 1-storey Walgreens downtown would pay taxes as if it were a multiple storey office building. So it seems like there is already a financial punishment for underutilized lots, but oddly enough 1-storey Walgreens, CVS, and McDonalds are still being built.

[honte]

^ No, it doesn't. No one could afford to live or build here except Buck or Pritzker if they did that. I see where you're going with that idea though.

[VivaLFuego]

^ There would be all sorts of potential for political shenanigans in assessing the value of the "highest and best use" of a piece of land. Maybe instead looking at something like minimum zoning and maximum parking and floor-area ratios, instead of the exact opposite we have now in the zoning code, but most NIMBY groups are so far from that way of thinking that it's basically a pipe dream...

[spyguy]

http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/507264,CST-NWS-reilly12.article

Everything but lunch on his plate
BY DAVID ROEDER

Lack of park space

Wants post office to consider land swap with the city so its block-size station at 540 N. Dearborn could be torn down for a park.

[spyguy]

One Chicago (http://www.onegreatplacetolive.com/)
111 N Sangamon
http://img403.imageshack.us/img403/6628/111sang2fv0.jpg
http://img403.imageshack.us/img403/7227/111sangna7.jpg

[honte]

^ Now, that's interesting. I am really happy to see the facade being retained. Even if it's not the world's greatest piece of architecture, we risk losing the character of city if all of these smaller facades are trashed. Thumbs up!

[budman]

Looks like we may have another prime piece of real estate available for a new tower at the soon-to-be former site of the Lakeshore Athletic Club at 441 N. Wabash - http://www.chicagobusiness.com/cgi-bin/news.pl?id=26002

[left of center]

Looks like we may have another prime piece of real estate available for a new tower at the soon-to-be former site of the Lakeshore Athletic Club at 441 N. Wabash - http://www.chicagobusiness.com/cgi-bin/news.pl?id=26002

i smell a new office tower. i know Wrigley was considering possibly moving out due to their need for more space, and turning the Wrigley Building into condos. Hopefully, they will remain in thier namesake tower, and build an office annex for themselves, since its adjacent to the company's current offices. It all works out pretty well this way.

[spyguy]

Although it's in the suburbs, it would be a shame to lose this iconic sculpture for a Walgreens.

http://www.savethespindle.com/

------------------------
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chicago/chi-savethespindle_13aug13,1,3484104.story

Fans mobilize to save Berwyn's car kebab

By Josh Noel
August 13, 2007

For such a maligned piece of art, the Spindle -- Berwyn's iconic eight-car sculpture -- sure has made a lot of fast friends.

In the weeks before its destruction, a broad grass-roots effort has included at least three Web sites advocating its survival, two "Save the Spindle" T-shirt campaigns and a state Senate resolution.

[VivaLFuego]

The exodus of non-service jobs from the city continues:
http://www.suntimes.com/business/508741,CST-FIN-macys14.article
New Macy's distribution center will employ 130 fewer

August 14, 2007
BY SANDRA GUY sguy@suntimes.com
Macy's will build a new distribution center in southwest suburban Minooka to replace its existing distribution center at 4000 W. Diversey Ave., which will be shuttered in the spring.


Aerial view of current distribution center: http://maps.live.com/default.aspx?v=2&cp=qznx5q7pp8s8&style=o&lvl=1&tilt=-90&dir=0&alt=-1000&scene=11370312&sp=Point.nyph1c71213x_11145%20Westheimer%20Rd%2C%20Houston%2C%20TX%2077042-3207%2C%20United%20States___~Point.nyscjb717qrn_6401%20Woodway%20Dr%2C%20Houston%2C%20TX%2077057-1669%2C%20United%20States___~Point.nypv9571fkxr_2955%20Kirby%20Dr%2C%20Houston%2C%20TX%2077098-1202%2C%20United%20States___~Point.nyhxdt71cxkq_4004%20Bellaire%20Blvd%2C%20Houston%2C%20TX%2077025-1122%2C%20United%20States___~Point.nymvw371h3xv_1500%20Bissonnet%20St%2C%20Houston%2C%20TX%2077005-1814%2C%20United%20States___~Point.qzns2z7ppg7f_4000%20W%20Diversey%20Ave%2C%20Chicago%2C%20IL%2060639-2102%2C%20United%20States___&encType=1

Here's hoping whatever replaces it is decent.

[Via Chicago]

Although it's in the suburbs, it would be a shame to lose this iconic sculpture for a Walgreens.

http://www.savethespindle.com/

------------------------
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chicago/chi-savethespindle_13aug13,1,3484104.story

Fans mobilize to save Berwyn's car kebab

By Josh Noel
August 13, 2007

For such a maligned piece of art, the Spindle -- Berwyn's iconic eight-car sculpture -- sure has made a lot of fast friends.

In the weeks before its destruction, a broad grass-roots effort has included at least three Web sites advocating its survival, two "Save the Spindle" T-shirt campaigns and a state Senate resolution.

i live in berwyn, its sort of sad to see it coming down. i know a couple groups are trying to save it, but i just dont see it happening. either way, i have a feeling it would have been coming down soon, walgreens or no walgreens. the cars have rusted so much they're practically dust, and the foundation has sunk significantly. theres so much bird crap they cant even powerwash it off.

it seems like theres always been tensions between the artist and the property owners. the guy who originally built cermak plaza was a big art lover, but he's since died and i dont think the rest of them really care (esp since the artist won't let them use the image of the spindle for commercial purposes).

in the end, its the managements fault for letting everything fall into such bad disrepair (not just the spindle, but all the other works of art and the mall itself).

[honte]

^ Can it at least be donated to a private owner who will restore it? We've been losing a surprising amount of public art lately. Michigan Avenue has had a few surprising "disappearances" that I am trying to track down.

[headcase]

Business moving downtown, not huge, but movement in this direction is a good thing....

Freed to move in to former Carson's store downtown (http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-070814-freed-carsons,0,6482391.story?track=rss)


snip
The commercial development firm will occupy 50,000 square feet and employ 125 workers.
snip
"This is the next logical strategic step in the evolution of our company as a developer of destination urban projects," said Larry Freed, president of the firm.

[Chicago2020]

Art Institute Expansion 08/07/07

http://img406.imageshack.us/img406/2859/dsc00974oo5.jpg

[Patel]

http://cbs2chicago.com/video

Aug 14, 2007 6:41 pm US/Central

Diann Burns
Reporting http://img.viacomlocalnetworks.com/images_sizedimage_066163318/sm

(CBS) CHICAGO Chicago's green movement has a brand new star. Mayor Richard M. Daley Tuesday morning cut the ribbon on a new green roof 150 feet above the Magnificent Mile.

As CBS 2's Diann Burns reports, the green roof of the Residences at 900 North Michigan is full of native plants, ornamental grasses and flowers that will bloom year-round. But this urban meadow is more than just a pretty face. There's function along with form.

"The advantages of a green roof include reducing storm water runoff, lowering building temperatures, reducing energy requirements of a building,” Daley said Tuesday.

Because the roof is lined with plants instead of tar, the building absorbs less heat and requires less air conditioning. The plants reflect the sun's heat, cooling the air. They release rainwater gradually, reducing the chance of water damage and flooding.

But structurally, putting a green roof on an existing building can be weighty issue. You can even damage or puncture the roof.

So, project manager Douglas Hoerr and his team put sturdy, but lightweight Styrofoam under the surface of the roof at 900 North Michigan.

CBS 2 has followed the progress of this green roof over the last year, all the way from barren to beautiful.

"This has been a wonderful experience from what it was 15 months ago – a running track that felt like the Sahara, to a meadow, Hoerr, of Douglas Hoerr Landscape Architecture, said.

For the mayor, it's just one more example that the private and public sectors can work together to help the environment and beautify Chicago.

"Nature can co-exist with the city. And that's what you're seeing right here,” Daley said.

The City of Chicago has lots of resources to help homeowners and businesses that want to install green roofs.

Just call the Department of Environment at (312) 744-7606.

[dvidler]

^^Great to see. I hope many more downtown building go this route. I know its not feasible for all buildings financially or based on the structure but I believe it truely makes a difference enviromentally and mentally for everyone around. From seeing the rooftop from the surrounding buildings to being in the building itself it is worth the cost.

[the urban politician]

^ Plant some trees, cut some CTA routes; all in a good day's work, right?

Sorry, but I can"t take any of this news about Daley's BS "green" accomplishments without pointing out the obvious. Apologize for the pessimism in advance, but that's all I've got for y'all

[forumly_chgoman]

^^^^You know TUP the budget debacle may not be quite as bad as it appears on its face. The budget proposal...I think was aprox 100 mil, it was a stopgap measure that utilized the same funding framework for RTA / CTA as had been used since the early 80's. This needs to be revisited in it entirety. A stopgap measure would just push back a similar crisis in time. Now, hopefully, the state legislature can actually sit down and reengineer a funding framework that reflects the changes in the region & change in usage patterns & changes in social / political priorities that were not present in 1982

[dvidler]

NO Post

[StormFire]

^ Can it at least be donated to a private owner who will restore it? We've been losing a surprising amount of public art lately. Michigan Avenue has had a few surprising "disappearances" that I am trying to track down.

I am curious at to what is gone. I still miss the old, full-size bronze front pages of famous Tribune front pages/headlines that used to be on display on the outside (south facing) of the Tribune building. Those were a really wonderful public historical art form.

[ardecila]

^^^^You know TUP the budget debacle may not be quite as bad as it appears on its face. The budget proposal...I think was aprox 100 mil, it was a stopgap measure that utilized the same funding framework for RTA / CTA as had been used since the early 80's. This needs to be revisited in it entirety. A stopgap measure would just push back a similar crisis in time. Now, hopefully, the state legislature can actually sit down and reengineer a funding framework that reflects the changes in the region & change in usage patterns & changes in social / political priorities that were not present in 1982

Exactly. A bailout package from the state is absolutely the wrong way to go about it. Chicago's transit needs to be self-supporting, and out of the hands of the partisan, scheming, thickheaded politicians in Springfield.

[honte]

I am curious at to what is gone. I still miss the old, full-size bronze front pages of famous Tribune front pages/headlines that used to be on display on the outside (south facing) of the Tribune building. Those were a really wonderful public historical art form.

Yes, they were nice.

I am still making some calls about this - will let you know the results in this thread when I find out anything conclusive.

[spyguy]

Some random info found on another forum (http://www.agoraphoria.com/index.php?showtopic=463&view=findpost&p=2111):

It turns out the original Gino's Pizza (not Gino's East) isn't going to be demolished with the rest of the majority of the Oak Street / Walton Place / Rush Street / State Street block.

Scaffolding went up yesterday around the outside. According to the permits, they're turning all four floors into retail, and adding a fifth floor.

[VivaLFuego]

^ Great news, I was really worried that building was coming down because of its dilapidated state and evicted-tenants

[dvidler]

Some random info found on another forum (http://www.agoraphoria.com/index.php?showtopic=463&view=findpost&p=2111):

Beautiful news, if true. I walked past that building the other day and thought it would be a shame to lose it. Not sure if it has any historical significane but it is a throwback building that is good for the neighborhood dimension. Now add retail into the mix and it is even better

[spyguy]

http://www.grantparkconservancy.com/calendar.html

Grant Park Advisory Council and Grant Park Conservancy public meeting
Monday, August 20, 2007 - 6:30 p.m.
Daley Bicentennial Plaza - 337 E. Randolph

Grant Park's DuSable Harbor Building presentation:

The Chicago Park District is constructing the new DuSable Harbor building this year. This new structure will be built west of DuSable Harbor and north of Randolph. It will finally replace the unattractive trailers but be built just to the north of them. GPAC/GPC, Woodhouse Architects and the Chicago Park District will be making the presentation.

We have worked to make the new harbor building Grant Park's greenest building complete with permeable pavers, a real green roof that is bermed into the park, a cafe, public washrooms, and more. The building is very low-profile and very green. It will also solve a pedestrian/bicycle traffic issue with a new and improved rerouting of a small portion of the path. Also, we were able to secure funding for a realistic sculpture of Jean Baptist Pointe DuSable for the location and we will discuss this.

We are hopeful that the DuSable Harbor Building will set a higher standard for greener structures in and near Grant Park. The Daley Bicentennial Plaza Field House and the East Monroe Garage are the next structures to be rebuilt in the very near future.

[honte]

^ Nooo!!! Save the Trailers!



:) J/K everybody. This is great news about Woodhouse getting the commission. He's produced some very fine work - in my opinion, one of the better architects working in Chicago these days.

[wrabbit]

Piano's Art Institute of Chicago expansion, as of 18 Aug '07:

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y150/wjcordier/L1010326.jpg

[SolarWind]

Does anyone happen to know what building is under construction in the middle of this photo? And, what is the name of the building to its left? Thanks.

http://img250.imageshack.us/img250/8919/dsc0567ca3.jpg

http://img250.imageshack.us/img250/4029/dsc0567coj0.jpg

[SolarWind]

August 17, 2007

http://img245.imageshack.us/img245/313/dsc0167lz1.jpg

http://img249.imageshack.us/img249/8764/dsc0146fn3.jpg

http://img245.imageshack.us/img245/2277/dsc0506xk6.jpg

^ The yellow crane for Staybridge Suites is visible in the background on the right.

[Nowhereman1280]

Does anyone happen to know what building is under construction in the middle of this photo? And, what is the name of the building to its left? Thanks.

http://img250.imageshack.us/img250/8919/dsc0567ca3.jpg

http://img250.imageshack.us/img250/4029/dsc0567coj0.jpg

The one on the left with the wierd roof is some charity building of some sort or soemthing over on Clark, the exact name escapes me at the moment, can't help you with the other one though...

Edit: I'm fairly certain its a homeless shelter

[honte]

^ Actually, it's Helmut Jahn's Near North SRO on Clybourn (sounds like Clark... I do this kind of thing all the time!)

http://www.lakefront.org/nearnorth.html

The other one is a new development "800 Units on 8 blocks" :( of PoMo stuff - I'll remember the name in a while, if no one else replies.

[SolarWind]

:previous: Thanks guys for the reply. :cheers:

[wrabbit]

.....The other one is a new development "800 Units on 8 blocks" :( of PoMo stuff - I'll remember the name in a while, if no one else replies.

Yeah - that is the "Parkside of Old Town" (I'm surprised they didn't call it "Olde Towne" - LOL):

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y150/wjcordier/condos.jpg
http://www.parksideofoldtown.com/


There is also this, Clybourn Point, just to the North of the Jahn SRO:

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y150/wjcordier/FirstPage-1.jpg
http://www.clybournpoint.com/

A much better effort than the Parkside!

[Nowhereman1280]

^ Actually, it's Helmut Jahn's Near North SRO on Clybourn (sounds like Clark... I do this kind of thing all the time!)

http://www.lakefront.org/nearnorth.html

The other one is a new development "800 Units on 8 blocks" :( of PoMo stuff - I'll remember the name in a while, if no one else replies.

Ehh, Clark and Clybourn are easy to mix up, both diagonal streets heading north out of downtown with a stop on the red line. "Clark and division" "North and Clyborn" so easy to mix up...

But yeah, there was an exhibit on green tech in the MCA that had a display about the SRO and some other green buildings, including a Studio Gang, back in December or something. It was part of the "Massive Change" exhibit on Globalization, technology, and the environment...

[jjk1103]

...the building on the left is a Helmut Jahn apartment project....those are wind turbines on the top....the larger building in the center is a new mixed income condo/apartment replaceing some Cabrini Green units.....

[CenIL_LA]

wow, I really appreciate Jahn's Design style. I just question why private developers cant provide the able consumer an opportunity to buy into a building like this. To me it is also poor social engineering to place people into a building they will in no way have a comparison to when they finally make enough money and they are kicked out of public housing. In in way its inhumane. People will have no incentive to try harder and make enough money to leave public housing. Why does public money in the States become the creative ground rather than the individual's will to make or have something great? Sometimes I feel we dont push ourselves enough to think outside the box and we rely too much on our government to do so for us. We shouldnt economize so much to the point that the highest forms of culture and design we have privately are only one step above a McDonalds.

[honte]

^ Well, being an SRO, the rooms are not the greatest accommodations. And it doesn't operate like an old-school housing project.

Ironically, the cutting-edge architecture might help some people want to leave. I heard a good piece on NPR where they interviewed a nice gentleman who was among the first residents. His reaction? Something to the effect of, "Raw concrete? It feels like a warehouse. Why couldn't they just give us houses like normal people have?" To us it might be awesome architecture, but for many who have never had traditional homes, it might be something they'd rather leave behind one day. :shrug:

[CenIL_LA]

^ Well, being an SRO, the rooms are not the greatest accommodations. And it doesn't operate like an old-school housing project.

Ironically, the cutting-edge architecture might help some people want to leave. I heard a good piece on NPR where they interviewed a nice gentleman who was among the first residents. His reaction? Something to the effect of, "Raw concrete? It feels like a warehouse. Why couldn't they just give us houses like normal people have?" To us it might be awesome architecture, but for many who have never had traditional homes, it might be something they'd rather leave behind one day. :shrug:

good reply......its interesting to hear those kind of comments from people that have been chosen to live in those conditions. I know I for one wouldnt mind that concrete. I have of course grown up in middle class conditions. I read maybe 4 years ago how the units were obtained for low income and operated. My memory of how those operations run have become quite cloudy unfortunately as well. In other countries the rich live in concrete walled homes and probably find our method of home building to be cheap. I find cultural contexts interesting in that respect.

[honte]

^

I re-read my reply, and the bit about "normal people" didn't come out right at all. Sorry about that. I didn't mean anything derogatory toward anyone living in an SRO or with some kind of aid. I meant to say "normal houses," not what I wrote.
________________

Has anyone seen this going up in Bucktown recently? I noticed it for the first time a few days ago. Wow. It's pretty bold. The buildings are huge and the big expanses of blank walls really made me take a step back to think. That's a good thing that doesn't happen too often these days.

The Ranquists are doing some pretty good work, and I thought I'd bring them up here. My only complaints are that 1) they seem to have no regard for historic architecture (there were two beautiful and reusable loft buildings on this site, for example) and 2) the buildings are pretty repetitive. Still, I think this is a good development overall.

The buildings up so far have a U-shaped plan that provides 3/4 courtyards within the center. They appear as though they will be very exciting spaces when the whole development is finished.

http://img101.imageshack.us/img101/8785/urbansandboxr1c1wa4.jpg

You can check out their whole portfolio at www.ranquistdevelopment.com. Especially nice are the two bookend buildings that went up on Division near the Sullivan church.

[headcase]

You can check out their whole portfolio at www.ranquistdevelopment.com. Especially nice are the two bookend buildings that went up on Division near the Sullivan church.

Last time I went out of my way to go by them very little was complete on them, I have been watching the website I'm curious to see the layouts. Ranquist has a ton of developments going up around Wicker Park/Bucktown, if I remember correctly they are basically working with Studio Dwell Architects for the design work.

SSDD

[Marcu]

wow, I really appreciate Jahn's Design style. I just question why private developers cant provide the able consumer an opportunity to buy into a building like this. To me it is also poor social engineering to place people into a building they will in no way have a comparison to when they finally make enough money and they are kicked out of public housing. In in way its inhumane. People will have no incentive to try harder and make enough money to leave public housing. Why does public money in the States become the creative ground rather than the individual's will to make or have something great? Sometimes I feel we dont push ourselves enough to think outside the box and we rely too much on our government to do so for us. We shouldnt economize so much to the point that the highest forms of culture and design we have privately are only one step above a McDonalds.

Whatever design they use will in time become associated with public housing and all its social ills and will be looked down on by the general public.

[SamInTheLoop]

^

I re-read my reply, and the bit about "normal people" didn't come out right at all. Sorry about that. I didn't mean anything derogatory toward anyone living in an SRO or with some kind of aid. I meant to say "normal houses," not what I wrote.
________________

Has anyone seen this going up in Bucktown recently? I noticed it for the first time a few days ago. Wow. It's pretty bold. The buildings are huge and the big expanses of blank walls really made me take a step back to think. That's a good thing that doesn't happen too often these days.

The Ranquists are doing some pretty good work, and I thought I'd bring them up here. My only complaints are that 1) they seem to have no regard for historic architecture (there were two beautiful and reusable loft buildings on this site, for example) and 2) the buildings are pretty repetitive. Still, I think this is a good development overall.

The buildings up so far have a U-shaped plan that provides 3/4 courtyards within the center. They appear as though they will be very exciting spaces when the whole development is finished.

http://img101.imageshack.us/img101/8785/urbansandboxr1c1wa4.jpg

You can check out their whole portfolio at www.ranquistdevelopment.com. Especially nice are the two bookend buildings that went up on Division near the Sullivan church.


Looks interesting. Love to see small-scale progressive design out in the neighborhoods. I really like most of Studio Dwell's work that I have seen - same goes for Ranquist's projects - especially fond of their development at (I think 156) W. Superior...

[modkris]

Yeah, I love the look of all the Ranquist's buildings. I live in West Town and their single family homes are popping up all over replacing bungalows and shacks. Unfortunately for me, they're a little out of my price range!

[VivaLFuego]

If only more developers had some vision like Ranquist instead of throwing up those faux-po-mo brick crap boxes all over town....

[the urban politician]

Reuse proposed for former convent

August 22, 2007
by MARK LAWTON Staff Writer
A historic Bucktown convent would be preserved under a plan presented Saturday by the likely developer.

LG Development Group, 2555 N. Southport Ave., presented plans to convert the four-story former convent and nursery owned by the Sisters of the Resurrection into a residential development.

The new plan proposes converting the 1905 convent into 14 condominiums on the upper floors and parking on the ground floor.

(Read more below)

http://www.pioneerlocal.com/booster2/news/519154,boo2-convent-082207.article

[VivaLFuego]

edit, misread

[jjsmith02]

scratch that. got beheaded by the neighbors for wanting to add density.

[CenIL_LA]

It appears that Chicago is wanting to finally redesign Grant Park south of 11th east to Columbus. They are sending out requests for interest. The information Ive seen does not discuss covering of the train tracks and is pretty vague but they make the information available to firms with a deposit. We dont intend on going after this project so im unable to give more information on it other than the city is not halting its progress for making the southern end of the park connect better with the neighborhood. This of course does not mean that the project will happen but its progress in some fashion.

[the urban politician]

This was found by somebody at the Yo, but I found it refreshing and worthy of mention. A couple of Hyde Parkers, fed up with rampant NIMBYism and an anti-progressive, anti-development establishment, have started a blog (and it's pretty well kept up) that speaks out against NIMBYism in their community. It's very well done, and I recommend you guys to check it out. This is the self-posted profile of the main blogger, and below that is the link to the actual blog:

Peter Rossi
Industry: Education
About Me
I've lived in Hyde Park for more than 30 years and I too am frustrated by those who oppose positive change. I am also appalled that many who oppose development have the view that the ends justifies the means. They are quite willing to use selective omission or outright misrepresentation in pursuit of the goal of halting all development in our community. We have vacant buildings (the Hyde Park movie theater, the Doctor's Hospital, St Stephens church on Blackstone), empty storefronts, and empty streets as a result. It is time to speak up and let others be heard.

http://www.hydeparkprogress.blogspot.com/

[the urban politician]

Another rendering of the development planned at 47th and Cottage Grove:

http://bp0.blogger.com/_7vNdIdheK3w/RrnOoup3gbI/AAAAAAAAAMk/6tjCUGHGX74/s1600/Shops%2Bat%2B47.jpg

[ardecila]

Don't direct-link, TUP - upload it to ImageShack first, then show that. Some websites prohibit remote viewing of their images, so the rest of us can't see it. It may show fine for you, but only because you still have it in your cache.

http://img136.imageshack.us/img136/4546/shopsat47xo0.jpg

[aaron38]

WBBM gave two reports of damage to construction sites. One was that concrete and rebar from a construction site at S Halstead blew onto the L tracks and hit an Orange line train.

The second was that a 4 story building under construction on N Ashland collapsed.

[wrabbit]

WBBM gave two reports of damage to construction sites. One was that concrete and rebar from a construction site at S Halstead blew onto the L tracks and hit an Orange line train.

The second was that a 4 story building under construction on N Ashland collapsed.

Well, that storm was just incredible - I was driving South on LSD when it hit, somewhere around S Edgewater, N Lakeview. I abondoned the car on the curb & took shelter in a nearby garage entrance - unrelenting hurricane-force winds for over 5 minutes, trees blowing by, just CRAZY. But driving through downtown about 20 minutes later, I noticed that all the cranes appeared to be intact...

[DHamp]

Another rendering of the development planned at 47th and Cottage Grove:

http://bp0.blogger.com/_7vNdIdheK3w/RrnOoup3gbI/AAAAAAAAAMk/6tjCUGHGX74/s1600/Shops%2Bat%2B47.jpg

Man! I'd trade a few downtown skyscrapers for 20-30 projects like that scattered around the south side. I'm going to keep an eye on this one... I might have to upgrade to a bigger place in a few years.

[LaSalle.St.Station]

don't get it...

the love for precast modern....over the loss of handcraft uniquie....



Just saw a few low rise 1920 era low rises being demolished at 16th and Wabash today for a BS type highrise.....sure the new highrise will have stree life but, souless pre fab crap street life.......