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ithakas
Aug 9, 2016, 4:45 PM
The renovation of the Plymouth Building appears to have kicked into full gear today:

https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7134/7679286924_5f1c10c7bc_b.jpg
https://www.flickr.com/photos/sminor/7679286924

the urban politician
Aug 9, 2016, 10:51 PM
^ Damn! I would really love to see that redeveloped

Rizzo
Aug 9, 2016, 11:54 PM
In an easier development scenario for the old sports authority, they could keep the garage and build up on the parking lot.

Edit nvm looking closer at the garage. Just horrible. Make it all go away

ardecila
Aug 10, 2016, 1:46 AM
This vintage warehouse was just razed for an extra surface parking lot to the South Loop Mariano's: https://www.google.com/maps/@41.860122,-87.6296285,3a,75y,156.29h,93.3t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sdxjZ6sJZ6dufBSNkXBkVZQ!2e0!7i13312!8i6656!6m1!1e1

Source: http://www.sloopin.com/2016/08/conclusive-evidence-that-former-south.html

And yes, that is a nearly empty parking rooftop :hell::hell::hell:

For some reason shoppers don't like rooftop parking, they will circle endlessly for ground-level spaces before driving up the ramp. I've noticed this at the South Loop and Ashland/Webster Mariano's. I admit I'm guilty of putting my flashers on to park at ground level for the South Loop Home Depot (those escalators are endless and s l o w . . . )

Interestingly, the West Loop location in Gateway doesn't have this problem, because the retail is on the second floor and rooftop parking on the third. No matter whether you park at ground level or rooftop, you still have to take an escalator or elevator.

The takeaway: just don't provide any ground level parking and then you won't have problems with people circling! :tup:

emathias
Aug 10, 2016, 6:19 AM
For some reason shoppers don't like rooftop parking, they will circle endlessly for ground-level spaces before driving up the ramp. I've noticed this at the South Loop and Ashland/Webster Mariano's. I admit I'm guilty of putting my flashers on to park at ground level for the South Loop Home Depot (those escalators are endless and s l o w . . . )

Interestingly, the West Loop location in Gateway doesn't have this problem, because the retail is on the second floor and rooftop parking on the third. No matter whether you park at ground level or rooftop, you still have to take an escalator or elevator.

The takeaway: just don't provide any ground level parking and then you won't have problems with people circling! :tup:

When I lived in Lakeview and used a car, I never parked in front of the Jewel at Broadway/Addison in the small parking lot, I always went to the second-level parking. But I'm willing to concede I'm not your average customer, either.

If second-level parking is the only parking, though, people will use it, so the solution is probably just eliminating any surface parking except maybe a couple handicapped spots and a loading zone for pickups.

urbanpln
Aug 10, 2016, 2:01 PM
In an easier development scenario for the old sports authority, they could keep the garage and build up on the parking lot.

Edit nvm looking closer at the garage. Just horrible. Make it all go away

This is a situation where leadership from the City (Alderman) or commmunity organization could take leadership. I don't know if it exist in L.V.

Near North Resident
Aug 10, 2016, 3:55 PM
apparently they are having a meeting tonight re: industrial corridors goose island and such

Mayor Emanuel’s Industrial Corridor Modernization initiative community outreach continues this month, with a public review meeting scheduled for Wednesday, Aug. 10 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at UI Labs, 1415 N. Cherry St.

City staff will present an update on the North Branch Industrial Corridor modernization initiative. Following the meeting, the presentation will be posted on DPD’s website.

Additionally, a Community Outreach Update is currently available on the website.

An RSVP is required for this meeting due to facility requirements, and we ask that each organization send just one or two representatives to the meeting so that we may accommodate as many individuals as possible.

Please RSVP at this link: http://bit.ly/2ax7bcU

Should you have any questions, contact DPD at DPD@cityofchicago.org

http://www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/depts/dcd/supp_info/repositioning-chicago-s-industrial-corridors-for-today-s-economy.html

Suburban Shadow
Aug 10, 2016, 5:34 PM
A few low/mid rise projects I am curious about if anyone is in the area.

1515 N. Fremont
1241 N. Milwaukee
1664 W. Division
301 W. North Ave.

These area the larger 60+ unit projects

I think 1241 is actually complete and open

Thanks

JK47
Aug 10, 2016, 6:20 PM
In an easier development scenario for the old sports authority, they could keep the garage and build up on the parking lot.

Edit nvm looking closer at the garage. Just horrible. Make it all go away


Yeah the surface lot is needed to provide ADA accessible parking since the only access to the 2nd and 3rd floor parking levels is via a stairway.

the urban politician
Aug 10, 2016, 6:27 PM
Yeah the surface lot is needed to provide ADA accessible parking since the only access to the 2nd and 3rd floor parking levels is via a stairway.

Yeah, well my guess is the owner is more interested in getting a new lease than in redeveloping the whole thing. Certainly something I understand, and you can't blame them. But I would love for somebody at some point to see that this parcel (and some of the other ones nearby) have the potential for a much higher and more lucrative function if a denser, more vertical development were to be pursued.

rlw777
Aug 10, 2016, 8:51 PM
This is pretty awesome news for North Lawndale. 380 jobs 61,000 sqft of retail 320000 sq ft of industrial space


Industrial Development for North Lawndale (http://www.chicagobusiness.com/realestate/20160810/CRED03/160819994/clarius-partners-plans-big-industrial-development-in-north-lawndale)

HowardL
Aug 10, 2016, 11:18 PM
This is a situation where leadership from the City (Alderman) or commmunity organization could take leadership. I don't know if it exist in L.V.
Absolutely not. We're dealing with Tunney here.

Tom Servo
Aug 11, 2016, 12:52 AM
The fucking TURD that's being built at Belmont and Clark is absolutely pathetic.

Just pathetic. And far too big. Fucking development in this town is just disgusting. For every decent development, there are at least 20 turds. Maddening.

sentinel
Aug 11, 2016, 3:10 AM
The fucking TURD that's being built at Belmont and Clark is absolutely pathetic.

Just pathetic. And far too big. Fucking development in this town is just disgusting. For every decent development, there are at least 20 turds. Maddening.

You sound like Donald Trump when you comment; you realize this, right?? That's not a compliment, btw.

SolarWind
Aug 11, 2016, 4:10 AM
August 9, 2016

http://i.imgur.com/E07ijg7.jpg

SolarWind
Aug 11, 2016, 4:16 AM
August 8, 2016

http://i.imgur.com/fHpUl8m.jpg

August 10, 2016

http://i.imgur.com/UWp6Y8x.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/esGM5bC.jpg

SolarWind
Aug 11, 2016, 4:18 AM
August 10, 2016

http://i.imgur.com/pT16mHP.jpg

SolarWind
Aug 11, 2016, 4:19 AM
August 10, 2016

http://i.imgur.com/sOyZVK8.jpg

SolarWind
Aug 11, 2016, 4:20 AM
August 10, 2016

http://i.imgur.com/uH2Jjmh.jpg

SolarWind
Aug 11, 2016, 4:21 AM
August 10, 2016

http://i.imgur.com/peTUgsq.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/HM7JjfZ.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/GOwjSP3.jpg

SolarWind
Aug 11, 2016, 4:22 AM
August 10, 2016

http://i.imgur.com/WhKejIU.jpg

SolarWind
Aug 11, 2016, 4:26 AM
August 10, 2016

http://i.imgur.com/edx19rs.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/JSfDdAk.jpg

SolarWind
Aug 11, 2016, 4:26 AM
August 10, 2016

http://i.imgur.com/tXv5aVC.jpg

Near North Resident
Aug 11, 2016, 3:25 PM
some interesting stuff from that meeting the other night re: goose island + finkl site + trib site & more

http://www.cityofchicago.org/content/dam/city/depts/zlup/Industrial_Modernization/2016_08_10_NorthBranch2ndMeeting.pdf

LouisVanDerWright
Aug 11, 2016, 4:23 PM
some interesting stuff from that meeting the other night re: goose island + finkl site + trib site & more

http://www.cityofchicago.org/content/dam/city/depts/zlup/Industrial_Modernization/2016_08_10_NorthBranch2ndMeeting.pdf

They are basically calling for everything East of the river to become mixed use which is really promising. Everything West of the River and on Goose Island more or less stays the same or sees office development. Slowly redeveloping these lands should hopefully lead to denser development in the long run rather than the results of a widescale, long term, land glut as we see at North and Clyborn.

JK47
Aug 11, 2016, 4:25 PM
Yeah, well my guess is the owner is more interested in getting a new lease than in redeveloping the whole thing. Certainly something I understand, and you can't blame them. But I would love for somebody at some point to see that this parcel (and some of the other ones nearby) have the potential for a much higher and more lucrative function if a denser, more vertical development were to be pursued.


Honestly it probably should be leveled at this point. The interior space is weirdly arranged since it is an amalgam of what was once separate retail spaces. Given how retail is already a bit overbuilt as it stands a poorly configured space isn't going to be very attractive. What's more, it won't be the only ground floor retail with upper level parking space in the area once Whole Foods vacates their old store at Ashland and Belmont. I'm struggling to think of a large retailer that would be interested in this property to be honest.

r18tdi
Aug 11, 2016, 5:54 PM
Sloopin' is reporting a project for 2101 S. Wabash. Can't say I'm familiar with this one:
http://www.sloopin.com/2016/08/old-loreal-institute-building-2101-s.html

Kumdogmillionaire
Aug 11, 2016, 6:02 PM
Sloopin' is reporting a project for 2101 S. Wabash. Can't say I'm familiar with this one:
http://www.sloopin.com/2016/08/old-loreal-institute-building-2101-s.html

Yeah this one was proposed during that huge wave of proposals last August alongside the Jahn, Roosevelt/Michigan, Essex Inn addition, etc.

It's an SCB project right?

ithakas
Aug 11, 2016, 6:09 PM
Yeah this one was proposed during that huge wave of proposals last August alongside the Jahn, Roosevelt/Michigan, Essex Inn addition, etc.

It's an SCB project right?

Nope, this would be the small building just north of that project, which was most recently an office for L'Oreal research.

https://www.google.com/maps/place/2101+s+wabash+chicago+il/@41.8540244,-87.62552,3a,75y,77.8h,102.04t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s-o-eySMf9EXW9BQdT-mkKw!2e0!7i13312!8i6656!4m2!3m1!1s0x0:0xd1cbb8f1b76511bb!6m1!1e1

Via Chicago
Aug 11, 2016, 8:06 PM
well that would suck. i was hoping the L'Oreal building would be preserved and converted to lofts.

Steely Dan
Aug 11, 2016, 8:18 PM
i was hoping the L'Oreal building would be preserved and converted to lofts.

uhhhhhhh, according to the Sloopin article, that's exactly what's happening:

"Old L'Oreal Institute Building (2101 S. Wabash) Being Converted to Residential Units"

rlw777
Aug 12, 2016, 3:06 PM
IIT To Build First Academic Building On Campus In 40 Years (https://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/20160812/douglas/iit-build-first-academic-building-on-campus-40-years) from DNAinfo

The Illinois Institute of Technology is preparing to break ground on its first new academic building on campus in 40 years.

The $37 million Ed Kaplan Family Institute for Innovation and Tech Entrepreneurship will break ground on Aug. 25 and is expected to open in late 2018.

Looking forward to this Ronan design.

https://assets.dnainfo.com/photo/2016/8/1470947813-269300/extralarge.jpg

wrab
Aug 12, 2016, 5:24 PM
^ Awesome news about Ronan at IIT - keeping it in the family, as it were.

Via Chicago
Aug 12, 2016, 9:18 PM
uhhhhhhh, according to the Sloopin article, that's exactly what's happening:

"Old L'Oreal Institute Building (2101 S. Wabash) Being Converted to Residential Units"

my bad, somehow misread that the other development was taking this over.

sentinel
Aug 13, 2016, 3:06 AM
ChiArch blog has info about this nice Wight-designed building to be built in Joliet. Years ago, there were plans for a new Joliet Junior College building that would have acted as a decent catalyst for new development, but that disappeared not long after the first design materialized. This building is apparently going to anchor a new, four-building development in that city's downtown.

http://www.chicagoarchitecture.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Rendering-of-Will-County-Justice-Center_Wight-Company--1024x648.jpg

http://www.chicagoarchitecture.org/2016/08/12/neighbor-news-will-county-to-get-wight-co-designed-justice-center/

the urban politician
Aug 13, 2016, 3:47 AM
Nice to get good designs in the burbs, although I'm never fan of a historic building being demo'd

ardecila
Aug 14, 2016, 1:02 AM
Nice to get good designs in the burbs, although I'm never fan of a historic building being demo'd

The building's not that special, IMO. It's made of limestone but isn't ornately detailed or well-proportioned. It's just a supremely generic building from the 1920s.

That said, it does meet the street in a traditional urban fashion (later screwed up by blank windows). The new building will pull back from the street like a fortress for security concerns.

ardecila
Aug 14, 2016, 1:04 AM
They are basically calling for everything East of the river to become mixed use which is really promising. Everything West of the River and on Goose Island more or less stays the same or sees office development. Slowly redeveloping these lands should hopefully lead to denser development in the long run rather than the results of a widescale, long term, land glut as we see at North and Clyborn.

I'm mildly disappointed to see the Tribune land around Chicago/Halsted still kept open for industrial use.

That's a natural for dense office and residential mixed use... you have multi-level streets to handle traffic and it's isolated from existing neighborhoods (i.e. pockets of NIMBYs). It's not right next to transit, but it's a short walk to the Blue Line. A growing cluster there with 600 W Chicago might actually force the city to provide better transit there as well (cheapest thing would be a busway on the old rail spur running up to Clybourn Metra).

harryc
Aug 14, 2016, 1:10 PM
Sept 14
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8860/28362169603_547b0e08b1_b.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8599/28978737785_23e887be32_b.jpg

the urban politician
Aug 14, 2016, 1:34 PM
Your pics aren't loading

harryc
Aug 14, 2016, 2:42 PM
What else would you call walkway under the bridge ?

Engineered troughs form the main piece is prefabricated and brought in by barge
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/uVfazz1lkU2zUft3aPpBo_z6XGhRVcIZbGiLrCGY-s9dDmpxflp3dg1j3K37HLaDwVaxQO7QQx3ezCA=w1360-h768-rw-no

Caissons were installed months ago the pieces are now placed on top of the supports and will rest on the rebar/concrete filler.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SZ4xnPixEUfKklZsHlCPWvGPJzQzBICVwRefFSMzJa1hU88bOVIiGu47cdt38iQYOb3M0R7WMQlwmc=w1360-h768-rw-no

The trough is hung from a frame sitting on the caisson, here the extra length of caisson is cut off exposing the rebar.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/67vU6auzTPfHGZMSjxHM0oPE3b1P4jobY-25zf3OaB0O8WL0SWmxEIMB3FKEODXFpAZUHyjDTG7G-p4=w1360-h768-rw-no

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/TLER5qUefG0HXXA26AcxIuR2rVPaC0LXk6L7wl9sNBpHZS1tWTX0ivluT-Zp3nUfUQOK6hPZnIIXRBU=w1360-h768-rw-no

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/fzwmwyn39MgzdFf6gSiPz1-svw0eFcenM4gKjyusagPukxiozbDIXXPe4KnKy8INFBel-y5oFmSzlrQ=w1360-h768-rw-no

cutting off the stubs from the supports - these will be covered by the pavers when done.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Bb8ebHRFxUFjrlfwP2TqAlaKh8tjvReHlEyFvoWwekhD2A8qyPvNjeKHqqmnUCv_UMwheQxpFQP46bE=w1360-h768-rw-no

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Km5J9bk2IqR5edtQHgQ5f1c_UX40sAL16hd-8VlyzeYlAQnLG4ncx1JViBGLyzfrUFSjjfT6BMxBPBg=w1360-h768-rw-no

emathias
Aug 14, 2016, 3:49 PM
Sept 14
Paulina TOD
...

Nice looking building. Would have been better twice as a tall, though.

marothisu
Aug 14, 2016, 4:29 PM
A few things from next Friday's zoning commission agenda:

1) 1550 N Talman (~North & Talman) a little east of Humboldt Park, the park. 6 stories, 30 units with 24 indoor parking spaces and ground floor commercial. It'll replace this building and some south of it. There's a few buildings across the street on North Ave that are 5 stories - that'll create a nice little area for midrise-ish density.

https://www.google.com/maps/@41.9102068,-87.6937493,3a,75y,149.22h,88.14t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sBDy-2Z4f-mK_xET_oR__Mg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

2) 4 story building with 18 units and commercial space at 2109-11 S Halsted on a vacant lot near Skylark and Pleasant House

https://www.google.com/maps/@41.8538992,-87.6465322,3a,59.8y,125.91h,85.26t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1spTdZ37nF0yUfPvNZF6AgUA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

3) 1523 N Fremont trying to get zoning for the 156 room hotel. This is near New City/North & Clybourn

4) 925 W Chicago Avenue - trying to establish 48 units above Proline Golf with a 4th and 5th floor addition for some of the new units. This is right near the two new high rises at 1001 W Chicago that were just permitted for new construction over the former Gonnella Baking Co.

https://www.google.com/maps/@41.8963361,-87.6512525,3a,75y,140.22h,95.39t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s5iP3gTCyNG6WrbbIOyKioA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656!6m1!1e1

streetline
Aug 14, 2016, 5:54 PM
I'm mildly disappointed to see the Tribune land around Chicago/Halsted still kept open for industrial use.

That's a natural for dense office and residential mixed use... you have multi-level streets to handle traffic and it's isolated from existing neighborhoods (i.e. pockets of NIMBYs). It's not right next to transit, but it's a short walk to the Blue Line. A growing cluster there with 600 W Chicago might actually force the city to provide better transit there as well (cheapest thing would be a busway on the old rail spur running up to Clybourn Metra).

If you look at the long term scenario maps towards the end of the document (http://www.cityofchicago.org/content/dam/city/depts/zlup/Industrial_Modernization/2016_08_10_NorthBranch2ndMeeting.pdf), you'll see the Tribune property is shown as mixed use. I'd love to see that turn mixed use sooner rather than later, but at least it is in the plan.

I'd like to see the street-fronting parts of the vacant lots on the south side of Grand turn buffer/retail/commercial as well (they are not shown as such on any map). While I understand the chocolate factory wants to expand in that direction, I think making that part of Grand more pedestrian friendly would go a long way towards connecting River North, River West, and any new development on the Tribune property into a walkable and pleasant neighborhood. And a retail/commercial liner strip along Grand wouldn't preclude a Blommer expansion in the area behind it around the train tracks.

mattshoe
Aug 14, 2016, 6:04 PM
A few things from next Friday's zoning commission agenda:

1) 1550 N Talman (~North & Talman) a little east of Humboldt Park, the park. 6 stories, 30 units with 24 indoor parking spaces and ground floor commercial. It'll replace this building and some south of it. There's a few buildings across the street on North Ave that are 5 stories - that'll create a nice little area for midrise-ish density.

https://www.google.com/maps/@41.9102068,-87.6937493,3a,75y,149.22h,88.14t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sBDy-2Z4f-mK_xET_oR__Mg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656


Thank god they added commercial to the building on Talman, originally it was just parking on the first floor, kept it at 6 stories, and keeps the cars inside. Im excited about a bit more density as well in the neighborhood (I live on this block)

prelude91
Aug 14, 2016, 8:15 PM
^^^Interesting, I didn't know the history, though I will shed zero tears for the demo of that building. I'm hoping the NE corner of Halsted and Diversey will see some development in the near future. the KFC recently closed, and the other tenant is a bank; not sure if this lot would count as TOD, but would be a great location for a 6-7 story building with 25-30 unites.

harryc
Aug 15, 2016, 1:00 AM
Aug 08
https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8755/28912682541_deec63b2c8_c.jpg

SamInTheLoop
Aug 15, 2016, 3:13 AM
^ Think you reposted your Atrium village shot here, fyi -

denizen467
Aug 15, 2016, 7:16 AM
Good that building always creeped me out. What is going there?
Seems to have been a City-run public health clinic for STDs, equipped to handle HIV. Not so surprising given the seemingly intentionally forgettable name and appearance of the facility, which would also suggest foetus terminations could have been among their services as well. Curious to what extent the City is providing services like these throughout the neighborhoods, and how that may or may not be shifting to other providers with federal health care reform.

denizen467
Aug 15, 2016, 7:23 AM
...
The new buildings are horrifically dubbed "L3" - Lakeview Luxury Living.
...

Thanks for your comprehensive post incorporating both history and before & after images. There is so much upside potential for that Halsted-Diversey corner (silly marketing notwithstanding).

harryc
Aug 15, 2016, 9:49 AM
^ Think you reposted your Atrium village shot here, fyi -

TY - working out the kinks in moving from Picassa Web albums to Flickr.

harryc
Aug 15, 2016, 5:34 PM
Aug 13
https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8717/28928604631_217725984b_h.jpg

ardecila
Aug 15, 2016, 5:35 PM
If you look at the long term scenario maps towards the end of the document (http://www.cityofchicago.org/content/dam/city/depts/zlup/Industrial_Modernization/2016_08_10_NorthBranch2ndMeeting.pdf), you'll see the Tribune property is shown as mixed use. I'd love to see that turn mixed use sooner rather than later, but at least it is in the plan.

I'd like to see the street-fronting parts of the vacant lots on the south side of Grand turn buffer/retail/commercial as well (they are not shown as such on any map). While I understand the chocolate factory wants to expand in that direction, I think making that part of Grand more pedestrian friendly would go a long way towards connecting River North, River West, and any new development on the Tribune property into a walkable and pleasant neighborhood. And a retail/commercial liner strip along Grand wouldn't preclude a Blommer expansion in the area behind it around the train tracks.

I know, I would just prefer a stronger stance by the city in favor of commercial/residential. Tribune/TRONC is already selling half the Freedom Center property (north of Chicago) and with the decline of print circulation they'll probably sell the south half fairly soon as well and move to lower-cost digs. The time for a land use decision is now, not in the "long term". Really any industrial use south of Chicago should be gradually phased out, maybe with an exception for Blommer.

That being said, this is Chicago, so I expect this process to be developer-driven once the city opens the door. But it would be nice for once to have the city stake a firm claim toward establishing a bustling, mixed-use center around Chicago/Halsted. With the elevated streets you could build a mini Illinois Center or Roosevelt Collection, on the lines of Atlantic Station in Atlanta with parking, loading, and maybe transit tucked away on lower levels.

Without that, we could end up with car dealerships there or some other crappy low-intensity use under the guise of "short term planning". The dealerships are creeping in... Howard Orloff is already using some of the Finkl property to store more cars, and Fletcher Jones just built a huge storage and service facility off Elston, in addition to their big new showroom they're building at North and the Kennedy. (FWIW, I'd love Orloff to move to the Finkl site to unlock the TOD potential at their current location).

I agree on the need to make Grand walkable, although if the north side/Tribune parking lots get developed in a walkable fashion you could probably landscape the south side like Finkl did along Cortland, and you'd have a semblance of a walkable street. Really Grand isn't very walkable across the river, either... there's a nice fountain plaza at Kingsbury but then blank walls and parking lots for another 1000' until you get to Orleans.

k1052
Aug 15, 2016, 6:55 PM
There is no way Tribune is going to unload the printing plant and truck yard with the PMD intact if they want to extract maximum value out of the real estate.

MultiModal
Aug 15, 2016, 7:19 PM
There is no way Tribune is going to unload the printing plant and truck yard with the PMD intact if they want to extract maximum value out of the real estate.

I saw the plans back in April. Three High Technology Office's (whatever that means) that were around 13 stories 39,000 RSF floor plates and residential tower in the middle that was subject to zoning. There was a lot of parkland and nice riverwalk. All the parking was below street level.

I wouldn't take much stock into what I saw, really it just all seemed like a placeholder.

streetline
Aug 16, 2016, 3:16 AM
I know, I would just prefer a stronger stance by the city in favor of commercial/residential. Tribune/TRONC is already selling half the Freedom Center property (north of Chicago) and with the decline of print circulation they'll probably sell the south half fairly soon as well and move to lower-cost digs. The time for a land use decision is now, not in the "long term". Really any industrial use south of Chicago should be gradually phased out, maybe with an exception for Blommer.

That being said, this is Chicago, so I expect this process to be developer-driven once the city opens the door. But it would be nice for once to have the city stake a firm claim toward establishing a bustling, mixed-use center around Chicago/Halsted. With the elevated streets you could build a mini Illinois Center or Roosevelt Collection, on the lines of Atlantic Station in Atlanta with parking, loading, and maybe transit tucked away on lower levels.

Without that, we could end up with car dealerships there or some other crappy low-intensity use under the guise of "short term planning". The dealerships are creeping in... Howard Orloff is already using some of the Finkl property to store more cars, and Fletcher Jones just built a huge storage and service facility off Elston, in addition to their big new showroom they're building at North and the Kennedy. (FWIW, I'd love Orloff to move to the Finkl site to unlock the TOD potential at their current location).

I agree on the need to make Grand walkable, although if the north side/Tribune parking lots get developed in a walkable fashion you could probably landscape the south side like Finkl did along Cortland, and you'd have a semblance of a walkable street. Really Grand isn't very walkable across the river, either... there's a nice fountain plaza at Kingsbury but then blank walls and parking lots for another 1000' until you get to Orleans.

Grand isn't quite that bad east of the river; the only real blank walls are a small parking ramp, and the ComEd facility. The doors/windows/stairways on the other buildings might not be that interesting for people who don't live or work there, but they exist and provide some human scaled texture. Once the corner lots along Orleans are eventually redeveloped, it should be nice enough.

r18tdi
Aug 16, 2016, 3:28 AM
I saw the plans back in April. Three High Technology Office's (whatever that means) that were around 13 stories 39,000 RSF floor plates and residential tower in the middle that was subject to zoning. There was a lot of parkland and nice riverwalk. All the parking was below street level.

I wouldn't take much stock into what I saw, really it just all seemed like a placeholder. I saw a very similar plan around that time as well.

Pilton
Aug 16, 2016, 2:16 PM
^ In the Transitional Zone, ther big winners seem to be the Tribune (mixed use allowed) and Blommer (expanded manufacturing use). Both decisions seem entirely rational.

But, very few people walk along the Blommer side of Kinzie or Des Plaines. Blommer needs to step up now that expanded manufacturing has been written into the plan.

Smells good; looks barren. Blommer needs large delivery trucks to be kept off Kinzie and a little "Finkl-style" landscaping along Kinzie and Des Plaines, IMO.

chikid
Aug 16, 2016, 3:12 PM
Just wanted to share with you a video on a recent project from the University of Chicago that was a pretty cool design and engineering feat.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uY0j0oePngI

Via Chicago
Aug 16, 2016, 3:41 PM
^ In the Transitional Zone, ther big winners seem to be the Tribune (mixed use allowed) and Blommer (expanded manufacturing use). Both decisions seem entirely rational.

But, very few people walk along the Blommer side of Kinzie or Des Plaines. Blommer needs to step up now that expanded manufacturing has been written into the plan.

Smells good; looks barren. Blommer needs large delivery trucks to be kept off Kinzie and a little "Finkl-style" landscaping along Kinzie and Des Plaines, IMO.

the loading dock situation is dire too. ive seen some trucks take 20 minutes trying to back in properly.

XIII
Aug 16, 2016, 6:33 PM
West Loop nimbys filing a "Jarta" lawsuit over the approved Peoria St project.

http://www.chicagobusiness.com/realestate/20160816/CRED0701/160819922/lg-development-hit-with-lawsuit-over-planned-west-loop-condo-project

Chicago Shawn
Aug 17, 2016, 12:47 AM
West Loop nimbys filing a "Jarta" lawsuit over the approved Peoria St project.

http://www.chicagobusiness.com/realestate/20160816/CRED0701/160819922/lg-development-hit-with-lawsuit-over-planned-west-loop-condo-project

Clearly the NIMBYs of Monroe Manor have too much time and money on their hands. I will enjoy watching them waste some of both.

harryc
Aug 17, 2016, 2:17 PM
July 31
https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8266/29012747866_aa0e3e96c4_h.jpg

https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8456/29012746116_77fe1ff59a_h.jpg

https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8143/29012745446_fbffa46998_h.jpg

Aug 08
https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8515/29012744716_627814ed6c_k.jpg

Aug 10
https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8250/29012744206_2b1085eda1_h.jpg

https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8397/29012742946_c250f10f7c_h.jpg

Freefall
Aug 17, 2016, 5:36 PM
I noticed you can now book a room at The Robey (the Wicker Park hotel) starting Nov. 30th. Starting at $156/nt (or $140/nt if you book further out). Not bad
https://gc.synxis.com/rez.aspx?Hotel=70080&Chain=5154&template=GCF_ROBEY_v1&shell=GCF_ROBEY_v2&start=availresults&src=robey&Adult=1&rooms=1&arrive=11%2f30%2f16&depart=12%2f1%2f16&promo=

And here's a look at some interior renderings.
http://chicago.curbed.com/2016/8/16/12505674/the-robey-wicker-park-first-look

Can't wait for that rooftop

Jibba
Aug 17, 2016, 7:27 PM
I noticed you can now book a room at The Robey (the Wicker Park hotel) starting Nov. 30th. Starting at $156/nt (or $140/nt if you book further out). Not bad
https://gc.synxis.com/rez.aspx?Hotel=70080&Chain=5154&template=GCF_ROBEY_v1&shell=GCF_ROBEY_v2&start=availresults&src=robey&Adult=1&rooms=1&arrive=11%2f30%2f16&depart=12%2f1%2f16&promo=

And here's a look at some interior renderings.
http://chicago.curbed.com/2016/8/16/12505674/the-robey-wicker-park-first-look

Can't wait for that rooftop

Sophisticated interiors with no trite found-object/retro theme? Color me pleasantly surprised.

the urban politician
Aug 17, 2016, 7:55 PM
About once or twice a year we hand over our kids to the grandparents and have a couples night in the city. I think we're going to try to stay at The Robey just for something different. Those room rates aren't bad.

I hope this hotel does well and spurs more hotel development in the area. The North/Ashland one I've been rooting for especially

Near North Resident
Aug 17, 2016, 8:01 PM
heh the room rates aren't bad until you add on the city of Chicago taxes & fees of around 30% turns that $150 a night room into a $200 a night room

the urban politician
Aug 18, 2016, 4:26 AM
What's being built at Elston and Fullerton? From the Kennedy it looks like something rather vertical

UrbanLibertine
Aug 18, 2016, 12:10 PM
What's being built at Elston and Fullerton? From the Kennedy it looks like something rather vertical

Midtown Athletic Club expansion, I believe

PKDickman
Aug 18, 2016, 1:28 PM
Midtown Athletic Club expansion, I believe

After they built their giant parking garage, they decided they needed a hotel to fill it.

the urban politician
Aug 18, 2016, 2:27 PM
^ Really? After a Google search I couldn't find any mention of a hotel. Do you have any further info?

marothisu
Aug 18, 2016, 2:46 PM
heh the room rates aren't bad until you add on the city of Chicago taxes & fees of around 30% turns that $150 a night room into a $200 a night room

30%? It's 17.4% which is still a lot but a far cry from 30%. NYC is 14.75% + $3.50.

marothisu
Aug 18, 2016, 2:47 PM
^ Really? After a Google search I couldn't find any mention of a hotel. Do you have any further info?

It's on a building permit that I talked about on here nearly a month ago. From 7/18/2016, permit ID of 2737533:

"DIRECT DEVELOPER SERVICES PROGRAM- CORE AND SHELL PERMIT REVIEW FOR 126,000 SF, 5 STORY HEALTH CLUB, 31 GUEST ROOMS HOTEL, AND OFFICE EXPANSION ADJACENT TO EXISTING 1 STORY TENNIS FACILITY FOR MIDTOWN ATHLETIC CLUB. (SUPER STRUCTURE AND UNDERGROUND PLUMBING ONLY, FOUNDATION REVIEW COMPLETED UNDER SEPARATE PERMIT #100635400)"

Near North Resident
Aug 18, 2016, 3:44 PM
30%? It's 17.4% which is still a lot but a far cry from 30%. NYC is 14.75% + $3.50.

+sales tax

marothisu
Aug 18, 2016, 3:55 PM
+sales tax

Since when do hotels charge sales tax AND accomodations tax on your hotel bill?

harryc
Aug 18, 2016, 6:43 PM
July 31
https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8069/28453488713_0751f9ccf9_h.jpg

https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8484/28784971250_6aa93c2e47_h.jpg

marothisu
Aug 18, 2016, 7:28 PM
Don't know whether to put this here or in High Rise thread, but 417 S Dearborn got a building permit to do renovations to convert to office AND residential:

https://www.google.com/maps/@41.8763356,-87.6292405,3a,75y,106.23h,129.85t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sJvPhbWz5j0ZATOSSZZ0bCA!2e0!5s20151101T000000!7i13312!8i6656!6m1!1e1

http://www.chicagobusiness.com/realestate/20160504/CRED03/160509934/student-housing-planned-for-vintage-loop-office-building

Freefall
Aug 18, 2016, 8:54 PM
heh the room rates aren't bad until you add on the city of Chicago taxes & fees of around 30% turns that $150 a night room into a $200 a night room
After going through reservation process the advertised room rate of $156 came out to $164.58 and it listed the tax as $8.58. Not exactly sure how that works, but that's what it says.

Randomguy34
Aug 19, 2016, 1:03 AM
Apparently a cool tech office at 2017 N. Mendall was approved by the Plan Commission.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CqJ81urWgAAO0Eb.jpg
Source: Chicago DPD (https://twitter.com/ChicagoDPD/status/766312237170565120)

Rizzo
Aug 19, 2016, 3:48 AM
^ Nice to see some good renovations of our industrial buildings

denizen467
Aug 20, 2016, 9:15 AM
Rushing to get rid of THE Presbyterian

Darn, I wonder if those (1750+/- W Harrison) were 19th century structures.

denizen467
Aug 20, 2016, 9:20 AM
http://pbs.twimg.com/media/CqJ81urWgAAO0Eb.jpg
Per Google's current street view, it seems like the 4th story of the render will be a new addition.

(Note: Above, my quote panel's code includes Randomguy's image url, but the image is failing to display for some reason, at least at this moment.)

BWChicago
Aug 20, 2016, 12:22 PM
Darn, I wonder if those (1750+/- W Harrison) were 19th century structures.

The demolished buildings were the 1888 Jones
https://scontent.fdtw1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/12645069_10101673310534291_6679891774752046044_n.jpg?oh=60a2488020170212809137174d2cb50f&oe=58535440

The 1907 Murdock
https://scontent.fdtw1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/5427_10101673310664031_8239467571909786008_n.jpg?oh=696ca36e01a4a42837d738baee876d8d&oe=58154B49

The 1924 Rawson
http://storage.lib.uchicago.edu/ucpa/series2/derivatives_series2/apf2-07124r.jpg

and the 1904 Senn
http://storage.lib.uchicago.edu/ucpa/series2/derivatives_series2/apf2-07127r.jpg

denizen467
Aug 21, 2016, 8:25 AM
^ Likely they were functionally near useless, but still. Lost Chicago..

LouisVanDerWright
Aug 22, 2016, 4:03 AM
People complaining about the loss of the Goose Island building over in the Wrigley thread made me think of another commercial building of the same era that actually was worth saving: the old HUB theater on Chicago. I don't know if anyone else has been to Forbidden Root brewery who took over that space, but it's a real adaptive reuse treat. Whatever remaining historical elements they could salvage were cleaned up and exposed from the old "The HUB" mosaic entrance tile to the original plaster ceilings. All the new elements are tastefully modern and made of reclaimed materials. I highly recommend it for the architecture, but the food and beer was pretty darn good too. Also, the exterior facade really shines now that they fixed it up a bit and added some lighting. Quite an eccentric building really.


Some pics:

https://cdn0.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/4ApE-9APK6K-gzevyxQw9ebbX0I=/49x0:848x599/800x600/filters:format(webp)/cdn0.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/49164443/forbidden_root.0.0.jpg
eater

https://cdn1.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/1M0ofLCA7wDXtiBZcpe1ofcfYe8=/0x204:2048x1356/1310x737/cdn0.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/48870157/24764737190_236ea9dbb7_k.0.0.jpg
eater

r18tdi
Aug 22, 2016, 7:33 PM
http://chicago.curbed.com/2016/8/22/12586856/chicago-development-news-hotel-wicker-park-north-ashland

Buzz your girlfriend. Woof. :yuck:

Near North Resident
Aug 22, 2016, 7:38 PM
http://chicago.curbed.com/2016/8/22/12586856/chicago-development-news-hotel-wicker-park-north-ashland

Buzz your girlfriend. Woof. :yuck:

holy frickin crap that is ugly, it reminds me of some industrial precast POS off of I-88 way west

Via Chicago
Aug 22, 2016, 7:40 PM
glad im not the only one who thought it looked awful. this has the same sort of massing problems the proposed Uptown TOD project does. why is this still so difficult?

Steely Dan
Aug 22, 2016, 7:46 PM
it's ugly, but it replaces a freaking gas station at a prominent intersection.

chicago has WAY too many freaking gas stations ruining prominent intersection all over town.

i don't like it, but i'll gladly take it.

death to all gas stations!

prelude91
Aug 22, 2016, 8:17 PM
it's ugly, but it replaces a freaking gas station at a prominent intersection.

chicago has WAY too many freaking gas stations ruining prominent intersection all over town.

i don't like it, but i'll gladly take it.

death to all gas stations!

But why does it have to be one or the other? Too many times it seems the option is surface lot/strip mall/gas station or Ugly Ass Development; why are their so few quality developments in the neighborhoods?
I ask that more seriously and less hypothetically, is there some reason we don't get many good looking developments? I'm truly curious. I don't believe money is the only reason.

Via Chicago
Aug 22, 2016, 8:20 PM
yea, im pretty sick of the "be glad youre getting anything at all" argument. we will never get better if we dont demand better. theres nothing inherent about this development that dictates it needs to look like that.

it looks like a prison, and i wish that was an exaggeration but its really not.

Steely Dan
Aug 22, 2016, 8:21 PM
But why does it have to be one or the other?

it doesn't.

but in this specific case i'll take the ugly hotel redevelopment over the way uglier shell station sitting there for another 5, 10, 25, or 50 years.

Via Chicago
Aug 22, 2016, 8:25 PM
theres no way the gas station would still be there in 50 years (or even 5 or 10). theres a good chance this building will be though.

its a moot argument though. the lot is being developed. but they should absolutely be sent back to the drawing board. who designs something like that and is proud of what theyve put forth? how do you even graduate architecture school? id love to know the names of every institution the people who worked on the design aspect of this attended. they should be dragged in front of their former professors and openly mocked. and if their professors are the ones who taught designing a hotel after a maximum security prison is a good look, i think that goes a long ways towards explaining half the design fails this city has gotten in the past 20 years.

Steely Dan
Aug 22, 2016, 8:33 PM
looking closer at the ground floor design, it looks almost entirely given over to automobile use. so yeah, this development probably wouldn't be substantively better than the gas station in any meaningful way.

in general i can live with ugly (taste is extremely subjective) if we're trading-up on the urbanism scale, but in this case it doesn't look there's much of an urban trade-up going on.

aaron38
Aug 22, 2016, 8:35 PM
At just 7 stories it should be a nice basic red brick building. Pay attention to the corner and streetwall, build to the lot line, done. But too many people would say "that's boring and common and traditional, we need something new." Well, it's none of those things is it?

When the economical brick building (what do you think all those vintage Chicago Common buildings were??) is rejected, that's what we get.

Via Chicago
Aug 22, 2016, 8:38 PM
I have no problem with brick. All of the new stuff going up in Fulton that references the old warehouses I think looks great. Its what I wish we had been getting all along.

Just be honest with what youre doing. People have issues with the throwback designs because usually what we've gotten is some version of "Ye Olde Condo" or some overwrought post-modern disaster.

Unfortunately its obvious people are trying to go the "modern" route without even the foggiest notion of how to execute on the idea. Which is pretty sad considering its at least a 50+ year old concept and there are plenty of good/bad examples to reference by this point in history.

the urban politician
Aug 22, 2016, 8:43 PM
^ The ground floor being all parking is the kicker for me. Might as well keep the gas station

Via Chicago
Aug 22, 2016, 8:52 PM
is it any surprise the proposal is coming from the current owner of the gas station? im guessing he has no experience with this sort of project. it shows.

prelude91
Aug 22, 2016, 8:54 PM
I have no problem with brick. All of the new stuff going up in Fulton that references the old warehouses I think looks great. Its what I wish we had been getting all along.

Just be honest with what youre doing. People have issues with the throwback designs because usually what we've gotten is some version of "Ye Olde Condo" or some overwrought post-modern disaster.

Unfortunately its obvious people are trying to go the "modern" route without even the foggiest notion of how to execute on the idea. Which is pretty sad considering its at least a 50+ year old concept and there are plenty of good/bad examples to reference by this point in history.

I agree 100% with this assessment.

Via Chicago
Aug 22, 2016, 8:59 PM
And speaking of the architect, I think it speaks volumes that his website appears as an 8th graders half finished school project, most current "news" is from 2010, and contains a blank "Projects" page

http://variarchitects.com/?page_id=17