CHICAGO | General Developments

[emathias]

...
I agree about your impressions of Portland, though I think other municipalities are also trying to engineer the car-free lifestyle. But living there has colored my world view of how cities ought to plan, I assume. Part of my surprise about development patterns here were things like a McDonalds (or banks)with a drive through in the west loop, big box stores right by the red line, and all these parking off sets near major transit nodes.
...

I grew up in and around Portland but have lived in Chicago most of the time since 1995. I like Portland, although it feels tiny now when I visit.

I also think that Portland talks a better game about transit and urban development than it actually executes - it executes well, I won't deny that, but it talks even better. It's really not very dense at all and yet it still expands its growth boundaries, which is one of the things I mean by it talking a better game than it actually executes.

As far as big box stores go, as much as I like the ideal of a beautiful city chock-a-block full of quaint small shops carrying every item known to man in their own dedicated market the reality of modern civilization is that big box stores carry a lot of our modern essentials at prices that beat most small shops. Blocking their construction and availability in the city means either that the City loses the sales taxes from them as people drive (or even take transit, in some cases) to the suburbs to take advantage of lower prices and wider selection, or the City increases the push of the middle class out, furthering the economic division in the city between classes.

It very well may be undesirable to have big box stores in the central area, but it's also undesirable to have an economic monoculture in the City. I've worked in or near the Loop for most of 21 years and lived in the Central Area (River North, the Gold Coast, Old Town and the West Loop) for 16 of those. It is more expensive to live in the Central Area, and only part of that is due to the higher real estate prices. Another big reason is that stores in the Central Area charge more for items than stores in other neighborhoods. Having big box stores in the area helps offset that. I know it comes at a cost, but it also carries some degree of value, value that I think can't be ignored just out of idealism.

[LouisVanDerWright]

I'm not sure how you 'worked on' condos, but my information is coming directly from developers that I have designed for and who've made a career in working in downtown Chicago - attempting to make money. If you read correctly, I didn't necessarily say that they built less than 1:1, but they didn't sell 1:1. If you're familiar with the downtown real estate market (I also have a managing broker's license) in most of the larger condo developments with regard to resale it is rather easy to purchase or, if necessary, rent a space in the same project if the condo in question doesn't come with a space... but, alas, this is rarely a problem. In the current climate where most of the developments are designed for rental - not even for a quick flip to condos - and for a clientele that might just spend a good part of their life renting, they are 'selling' even less parking...

Most of these luxury condo buyer's, or sellers, could give a * about whether their multi-million dollar condo is married to a 50k, at most, parking space... the reality is, the spaces are always there to be had...

OK Mr. Expert. You do realize that most of us regular posters also work in the industry. I know for a fact that Ardecila works directly for one of those developers you speak of. He's not out of the loop. Also having a managing brokers license is no crowning accomplishment, I've had one since I was in college. All it takes $600 and not being a total moron (though now you need to toil for two years under a managing broker before you can get a "managing" title). The majority of managing brokers I know are dangerously incompetent. Point being drop the high and mighty attitude, there are a lot of experts on here that are less boastful than you or I.

[killaviews]

Chicago has a complicated history. Most old big cities do. The young educated people flocking to cities like Portland and Denver have the ability to put a stamp on a city without dealing with such a complicated history.

There was a time in Chicago where an L stop near your home might not be a perk. People though trains just brought criminals to the neighborhood. Urban renewal programs tore down dense communities.

You might see a street that lacks bars and restaurants today because that neighborhood was voted dry probably in the 70s, 80s or 90 and is still dry today. The idea that bars and trains could be bad for a neighborhood sounds crazy now, but there was a time when it was reality. The new generation that loves cities and read City Lab every day probably forget this history.

[the urban politician]

A good primer on understanding Chicago is the book "City of the Century"

A lot of things that didn't make sense about the city all come together after you read that book. Not only the politics but the built environment. My only complaint is that there isn't a Volume 2 that covers the 20th century.

[Mr Downtown]

Part of my surprise about development patterns here were things like a McDonalds (or banks)with a drive through in the west loop, big box stores right by the red line, and all these parking off sets near major transit nodes.

Chicago has always been run by developers. Developers do what makes money in their timeframe, not what the CNU is excited about in any given year.

In the last half-century, most of the city has not been in an economic position to reject any development, much less turn up its nose at a Target store. If a drive-thru made money for the bank or restaurant, that was never the city's business. We only got "pedestrian street" designations (limiting curb cuts) in the 2004 zoning reform. Chicago has no comprehensive plan to guide zoning; Illinois doesn't require one. It's massively ironic that the city where city planning was invented in 1909 has so thoroughly rejected the idea since 1930. (In fact, when you look closely at the Plan of Chicago you discover that it was all about public investment to help landowners make more money, and was promoted to business leaders exactly that way.)

Portland of the last 40 years is American city planning's greatest success story. Chicago is the last of the 19th-century totally uncontrolled and unplanned cities. It's no wonder you might experience a bit of shock if your attitudes were shaped in one and you moved to the other.

[emathias]

A good primer on understanding Chicago is the book "City of the Century"

A lot of things that didn't make sense about the city all come together after you read that book. Not only the politics but the built environment. My only complaint is that there isn't a Volume 2 that covers the 20th century.

The Pig and the Skyscraper is also a great book about Chicago.

[spyguy]

Cornelia and Lincoln - 18 units
https://s29.postimg.org/94qmaw8iv/Screen_Shot_2016_12_24_at_11_49_19_AM.jpg

[ardecila]

^ For a second I thought this was replacing Paulina Market, but looks like it's cater-corner. Phew!

[denizen467]

^ For a sec I thought you were lamenting losing the adult toy store on that block..

It does include extending the base to the sidewalk on the south side and moving the entry to the skydeck.
Hang on, are they forever abandoning the idea of a tower on that space? Kind of hard to believe them giving up that unrealized value. (Wrong thread, I know.)

[KWILLSKYLINE]

December 20, 2016

http://i.imgur.com/4KZjIQl.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/piE7SBv.jpg




Is is part of the the riverwalk project to renovate all of these along the river or does this go under an entire seperate project? I thought they are working on the wells/lake st. houses as well?

[Mr Downtown]

At least since the 1990s, CDOT is a pretty good steward of the moveable bridges, including the bridgehouses. These are being rebuilt as part of the Adams bridge reconstruction.

For fun, here's an image I use when lecturing about the bridges, showing what it looked like shortly after construction (1928) and in 2011:

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

[pilsenarch]

OK, Mr. Expert.... Point being drop the high and mighty attitude, there are a lot of experts on here that are less boastful than you or I.

OK, I apologise for any 'high and mighty.' I was simply attempting to establish a basis for my experience... Both as a designer/architect of downtown towers and as a an occasional rep for downtown residential real estate...

I'd appreciate any forumer doing the same...

[ardecila]

OK, I apologise for any 'high and mighty.' I was simply attempting to establish a basis for my experience... Both as a designer/architect of downtown towers and as a an occasional rep for downtown residential real estate...

I'd appreciate any forumer doing the same...

Possibly some downtown locations don't have a 1:1 demand for parking, especially if you're selling a lot of pied-a-terre highrise units.

Most of the condos we've sold in exclusively small buildings in River North, River West, and more outlying neighborhoods like Wicker Park are sold to families or couples (occasionally singles) looking for a full-time residence and almost always one parking space if not two. I won't deny that there was some selection bias, but we always sell parking separately from the units on condo projects and we've had exactly two buyers (out of about 100) who chose not to buy parking. Many agents will push buyers to get the space for resale value even if they don't plan on using it, because in a small building (<20 units) the spots don't come on the market very often.

[Kumdogmillionaire]

Condos along Wells and Financial. Don't know the name but I already want them torn down. Also looks like the developer was too cheap to bury the powerlines... What a shame

http://i.imgur.com/ly3DEMH.jpg

[ardecila]

Condos along Wells and Financial. Don't know the name but I already want them torn down. Also looks like the developer was too cheap to bury the powerlines... What a shame

http://i.imgur.com/ly3DEMH.jpg

I'm pretty sure the overhead wires are temporary. CMK is doing the huge Riverline across the street and CDOT is going to rebuild this section for Wells-Wentworth Connector, so I don't think those overhead wires will be there for long.

[harryc]

Condos along Wells and Financial. Don't know the name but I already want them torn down. Also looks like the developer was too cheap to bury the powerlines... What a shame

http://i.imgur.com/ly3DEMH.jpg


n.b. the total lack of windows on the ground level. This helps preserve the character of the neighborhood - vacant, hostile, downright dangerous.

Discourages those pesky pedestrians and assures that the on street parking will be free for the residents, not taken up by shoppers or diners.

[LouisVanDerWright]

Good news is this development is small enough that it will be easily gobbled up by a developer looking to build a big ass tower in 20-30 years once all the Riverline vacant land is mopped up and this area is the next Streeterville/LSE. That will be a thrilling day to see when the demo claw takes its first bite out of this trash. In the meantime that 5' tall clean white concrete block base will make an excellent canvas for the local street rats to tag with half assed 10' long tags which will no doubt be sandblasted off leaving an event larger version of the tag etched into the concrete.

[emathias]

Possibly some downtown locations don't have a 1:1 demand for parking, especially if you're selling a lot of pied-a-terre highrise units.

Most of the condos we've sold in exclusively small buildings in River North, River West, and more outlying neighborhoods like Wicker Park are sold to families or couples (occasionally singles) looking for a full-time residence and almost always one parking space if not two. ...

I think condos usually have a higher bias toward owners wanting parking than apartments do for renters. I don't think of that as a problem, per se, especially with a move toward more renters.

[SolarWind]

December 27, 2016

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

Quite noticeable on a dreary winter's day.

[SolarWind]

December 27, 2016

http://i.imgur.com/5oIZpes.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/mXQp2xZ.jpg

[MultiModal]

December 27, 2016

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

Quite noticeable on a dreary winter's day.

Something neat about this renovation is that they are building a huge 10,000 SF rooftop deck. Will be really cool once it's complete.

[Ned.B]

Something neat about this renovation is that they are building a huge 10,000 SF rooftop deck. Will be really cool once it's complete.

Wish that the renovation included a restoration of the facade. That building is really beat up above the 3rd floor. Decades of cheap repairs have made the building look seriously neglected.

[Jibba]

Good news is this development is small enough that it will be easily gobbled up by a developer looking to build a big ass tower in 20-30 years once all the Riverline vacant land is mopped up and this area is the next Streeterville/LSE. That will be a thrilling day to see when the demo claw takes its first bite out of this trash. In the meantime that 5' tall clean white concrete block base will make an excellent canvas for the local street rats to tag with half assed 10' long tags which will no doubt be sandblasted off leaving an event larger version of the tag etched into the concrete.

Is that really the final treatment of the ground level? If it is, that is inexcusable.

[Via Chicago]

I've seen nicer looking 4+1s

[spyguy]

West Loop Restaurant Más Loses Lease As Developer Plans Future Of Building (https://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/20161227/west-loop/west-loop-restaurant-ms-loses-lease-as-developer-plans-future-of-building)

...Two other shops, Perman Wine Selections and Harold's Chicken Shack, also lost their leases, Garrison confirmed. The developer is in advanced discussions with "several exciting tenants" to sign leases for Class A retail space on the first floor of the building once the renovation is complete, he said.

The building's second floor will be transformed into a single-tenant creative office space with a private rooftop deck and 10 dedicated parking spaces.

As part of the rehab work, R2 Companies plans to commission a "fabulous mural" for the alley and will be doing extensive work on the masonry, windows, mechanical systems and exterior of the building.

[Near North Resident]

December 27, 2016

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

Quite noticeable on a dreary winter's day.

I see this every day, it is awesome when they animate the lighting... it looks like silhouettes of people walking past it... not sure what they are doing to the building itself though

[spyguy]

Not particularly inspiring, but better than all the demolition they planned previously:
1720 N Halsted - 14 apartments
https://s23.postimg.org/if5hgrqi3/Screen_Shot_2016_12_28_at_11_45_19_AM.jpg
1818 N Halsted - 7 apartment
https://s23.postimg.org/6eomts8h7/Screen_Shot_2016_12_28_at_11_45_34_AM.jpg

---
1523 W Howard - not sure if this is an active/real proposal, but came across this project here (http://www.wmprops.com/)
https://s29.postimg.org/rhcbxqpgn/1523_W_Howard_Rendering.jpg

[spyguy]

KLEO Life Center - 55 units
Garfield and Michigan
https://s27.postimg.org/4rjmo0tyb/14126_KLEO_VE_night_rendering_update_S1_night.jpg

[ChickeNES]

KLEO Life Center - 55 units
Garfield and Michigan
https://s27.postimg.org/4rjmo0tyb/14126_KLEO_VE_night_rendering_update_S1_night.jpg

The JGMA site has a few other perspectives (http://www.jgma.com/jgma-projects/the-kleo-life-center/) Looks like it would be on the SW corner of Garfield and Michigan, which is currently an empty lot.

I noticed that SCB has a masterplan (http://www.scb.com/project/arts-block-master-plan/) up for UofC's Arts Block. Given that they've already unveiled a design for the reconstruction of the building immediately west of the tracks, and the Garfield station improvements announced a few months back, I wonder what the timeline is for the remaining empty lots.

With these plans in place it makes me wish that the old Schulze/Butternut bakery building could be used for mixed use residential instead of a data center.

[SolarWind]

December 27, 2016

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

http://i.imgur.com/sM21NHO.jpg

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

http://i.imgur.com/6C6ptqU.jpg

[SolarWind]

December 27, 2016

http://i.imgur.com/LZt9IGM.jpg

[SolarWind]

December 27, 2016

http://i.imgur.com/PAY9T4q.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/0wMFgVM.jpg

[SolarWind]

December 27, 2016

http://i.imgur.com/0OX4xKU.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/7Xa9PYE.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/TNI09YX.jpg

[SolarWind]

December 27, 2016

http://i.imgur.com/6SOURdc.jpg

[SolarWind]

December 27, 2016

http://i.imgur.com/F0LaqSn.jpg

[SolarWind]

December 27, 2016

http://i.imgur.com/1x7k05c.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/dTbt9io.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/dgoWa1T.jpg

[SolarWind]

Something neat about this renovation is that they are building a huge 10,000 SF rooftop deck. Will be really cool once it's complete.

December 28, 2016

http://i.imgur.com/LO10z4r.jpg

[the urban politician]

Thanks to Solarwind and all of our kick ass photographers.

Solarwind if you ever disappear from this forum again I'm going to track you down and drag you and that camera right back! ;)

[Arm&Kedzie]

Thank you Solar Wind! I get excited every time I see one of your or Harry's photo tours have been posted. Much appreciated.

[harryc]

December 27, 2016


http://i.imgur.com/sM21NHO.jpg



ooooh Secant Wall - does this project have a significant underground component ?

[rlw777]

ooooh Secant Wall - does this project have a significant underground component ?

Yeah I believe there is a level or two of underground parking.

[LouisVanDerWright]

Drove by the Mega Mall last night and they've started ripping down the North corner of the building. The roof has been ripped off a few segments further south too, I assume that was steel truss and pulled out for scrap. Didn't look like they were salavaging the nice terra cotta which is a shame. I might try to swing by tonight and score an urn or some nice chunk of it for my yard. Woulda took a picture, but it was dark out.

[ardecila]

ooooh Secant Wall - does this project have a significant underground component ?

It's interesting, I always assumed they closed off lanes on the surrounding streets so they wouldn't have to go to an expensive secant pile system or do temporary shoring.

Maybe the city wouldn't let them excavate a section of the public way.

[the urban politician]

Drove by the Mega Mall last night and they've started ripping down the North corner of the building. The roof has been ripped off a few segments further south too, I assume that was steel truss and pulled out for scrap. Didn't look like they were salavaging the nice terra cotta which is a shame. I might try to swing by tonight and score an urn or some nice chunk of it for my yard. Woulda took a picture, but it was dark out.

There is a property nearby yours on Central Park Ave that could use a few chunks in its yard as well ;)

[Jibba]

December 27, 2016

http://i.imgur.com/F0LaqSn.jpg

Good grief. Those piers are not well-conceived. And the large, blank expanses of facade are curious. Maybe they have extra room between floor plates for cooking infrastructure?

[BWChicago]

Drove by the Mega Mall last night and they've started ripping down the North corner of the building. The roof has been ripped off a few segments further south too, I assume that was steel truss and pulled out for scrap. Didn't look like they were salavaging the nice terra cotta which is a shame. I might try to swing by tonight and score an urn or some nice chunk of it for my yard. Woulda took a picture, but it was dark out.

Urban Remains has been doing salvaging. Dunno how much though.

[ardecila]

Good grief. Those piers are not well-conceived. And the large, blank expanses of facade are curious. Maybe they have extra room between floor plates for cooking infrastructure?

I dunno, I think it's a fairly faithful reproduction of early 20th-century industrial architecture, Albert Kahn-esque. There's no facepalm design features and overall it's fairly attractive. It fills in the site nicely, holds both corners, puts the glassy lobby along Ogden, etc. They even used real modular brick instead of that idiotic jumbo utility brick.

And this is essentially an industrial building, with a large commercial kitchen in the basement, parking for trucks on the first level and administrative/office on the top floor. Looks like there's also a penthouse and roof deck that can be used for events.

[BVictor1]

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-michael-reese-bronzeville-20161227-story.html

Chicago seeks big-idea proposals for Michael Reese Hospital site in Bronzeville

Jeff CoenContact Reporter
Chicago Tribune

Once the planned location for Chicago's Olympic village and later floated as a possible home for the Obama presidential library, the onetime site of Michael Reese Hospital sat on a recent morning as just a wind-swept field on the lakefront with brown weeds poking up through a layer of fresh snow.

But attention has turned in earnest to redeveloping the nearly 50 acres of lots just south of McCormick Place. The city this fall put out a request for proposals from developers for turning vacant land that also includes nearby truck yards into a Chicago jewel.

"The objective of this RFP is redevelopment of underutilized land in a manner which adds vibrancy to Chicago's south lakefront communities, particularly Bronzeville," a city document states. "The city and MPEA (Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority) are open to a range of uses, including commercial, institutional, tourism, entertainment, sports and recreational facilities, and residential."

And Bronzeville will be watching warily. Some community leaders already worry the city might not be thinking big enough, saying they don't want to see another collection of residential high-rises that don't provide jobs or attract visitors.


VIDEO
http://chicagotonight.wttw.com/2016/12/29/long-vacant-michael-reese-site-poised-development

[denizen467]

I dunno, I think it's a fairly faithful reproduction of early 20th-century industrial architecture, Albert Kahn-esque. There's no facepalm design features and overall it's fairly attractive. It fills in the site nicely, holds both corners, puts the glassy lobby along Ogden, etc. They even used real modular brick instead of that idiotic jumbo utility brick.
Ah yes, "No facepalm design features? Check!", one of the six technical requirements in the AIA guidelines for reproducing early twentieth-century industrial architecture. :runaway:

[ardecila]

Ah yes, "No facepalm design features? Check!", one of the six technical requirements in the AIA guidelines for reproducing early twentieth-century industrial architecture. :runaway:

It's a sleepy intersection at the wrong end of Fulton Market. Until recently, it was a parking lot filled with ComEd trucks. My expectations are indeed pretty low at this site, so this building is a pleasant surprise.

But seriously, is the architecture all that different from this:
https://www.google.com/maps/@41.8492288,-87.6738614,3a,75y,138.88h,98.77t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s1K_fMuW9rQKafF04JAlKEA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

Or this?
https://www.google.com/maps/@41.943273,-87.6756009,3a,60y,48.03h,104.11t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1si9Hkav-dnAv_2JEVWZXtFg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

[denizen467]

^ Your phrasing of the modest standard when expectations are low was rather poetic. After all, sometimes you just have to throw up your hands and say, try not to suck.

On the other hand, "wrong end," now that's harsh...

Happy New Year

[Steely Dan]

over the weekend, i saw what looked like a caisson rig at a cleared site on the west side of western just north of peterson. it was dark and i was driving so i coudn't make much of it.

any ideas on what it could be?

that's a brutally ugly and strip-mally stretch of western, hopefully it's something halfway decent.

[killaviews]

over the weekend, i saw what looked like a caisson rig at a cleared site on the west side of western just north of peterson. it was dark and i was driving so i coudn't make much of it.

any ideas on what it could be?

that's a brutally ugly and strip-mally stretch of western, hopefully it's something halfway decent.

Toyota Dealership? Northside Toyota
http://www.rejournals.com/2016/12/23/missner-group-begins-construction-on-225000-square-foot-toyota-dealership-in-chicago/

[Steely Dan]

^ thanks. that's it.

that strip is an unfortunate auto-sewer anyway so i guess i shouldn't be surprised by a dealership.

at least it's an urbanish vertical dealership instead of the typical parking lot moonscape land-monster dealership.

[killaviews]

More exciting opportunity at the location the dealership is leaving- Broadway and Hollywood. The CTA is taking it for reconstruction of the Bryn Mawr Redline. Hopefully it will be turned into TOD after that.

[denizen467]

^ CTA is taking Toyota's corner lot, or their mid-block parcel, or both? Will they also take either of the Public Storage buildings? Would love to see all of that levelled and replaced afterwards with t.o.d.

(Is the giant shed on the north side of Hollywood also part of Northside Toyota?)

[killaviews]

I think the plan was for the CTA to take all of Toyota's properties and the storage on the east side on Broadway. Northside Toyota has a for sale sign on the building at thee Southwest corner of Broadway and Hollywood.

[emathias]

^ thanks. that's it.

that strip is an unfortunate auto-sewer anyway so i guess i shouldn't be surprised by a dealership.

at least it's an urbanish vertical dealership instead of the typical parking lot moonscape land-monster dealership.

Western's been one of several major car-dealership centers for decades - it's even referenced as such in David Mamet's Glengarry Glen Ross! :cheers:

[Jim in Chicago]

Good news is this development is small enough that it will be easily gobbled up by a developer looking to build a big ass tower in 20-30 years once all the Riverline vacant land is mopped up and this area is the next Streeterville/LSE. That will be a thrilling day to see when the demo claw takes its first bite out of this trash. In the meantime that 5' tall clean white concrete block base will make an excellent canvas for the local street rats to tag with half assed 10' long tags which will no doubt be sandblasted off leaving an event larger version of the tag etched into the concrete.

Aren't they Condos? That will make it harder for a future developer to buy the building. I know it can be done, but there are extra hurdles.

And, yes, I can't find a single good thing to say about this building.

[the urban politician]

^ Condo buildings can and do get bought out by single investors. And in prime real estate like this, it will happen some day.

Now if only somebody will buy out parcels of Dearborn Park. I'd love to see the bulldozers out in those properties......perhaps when I'm an old man?

[ithakas]

^ Condo buildings can and do get bought out by single investors. And in prime real estate like this, it will happen some day.

Now if only somebody will buy out parcels of Dearborn Park. I'd love to see the bulldozers out in those properties......perhaps when I'm an old man?

Feel like we're 10 years away from it being discussed, perhaps 20 from it starting?

I could see it being considered once Riverline is nearly complete and Related's plans are underway. Also if Jewel sell its lots or co-develops like it's doing with The Sinclair, and south Michigan Avenue develops further into a high-end corridor. The South Loop will be bulging with density all around it at that point.

I would like to see someone take out the two-story garage on the SW corner of 9th and State in the nearer future though.

[maru2501]

this boom has added a TON of nice urban infill, and in lots of neighborhoods too

[Arm&Kedzie]

From my vantage in Logan Square I can see almost every 200-400' going up in River North and West Loop. While they might not be adding much to the height of the skyline... they are definitely very impactful and adding depth and layering from this perspective. As far as neighborhood infill over here... it's amazing to see the pace of new construction up and down Ashland, Western, California, Chicago, Division and Milwaukee. California especially is absolutely on fire right now. All the way down to Humboldt park. This is healthy and much needed development... more needed than another 500+ tower downtown imo.

[moorhosj]

it's amazing to see the pace of new construction up and down Ashland, Western, California, Chicago, Division and Milwaukee. California especially is absolutely on fire right now. All the way down to Humboldt park. This is healthy and much needed development... more needed than another 500+ tower downtown imo.

This is spot on, but I just wanted to add that Grand has heated up lately as well. Makes sense as a convergence of West Town, River West and West Loop development.

[Jim in Chicago]

^ Condo buildings can and do get bought out by single investors. And in prime real estate like this, it will happen some day.

Now if only somebody will buy out parcels of Dearborn Park. I'd love to see the bulldozers out in those properties......perhaps when I'm an old man?

When you're an old man you'll be living there. :D

[Rizzo]

^ Condo buildings can and do get bought out by single investors. And in prime real estate like this, it will happen some day.

Now if only somebody will buy out parcels of Dearborn Park. I'd love to see the bulldozers out in those properties......perhaps when I'm an old man?

In a perfect world, I'd love to see it replaced by better urban development. It served a purpose as cautious and uncertain redevelopment of a not so great then area and the architecture certainly didn't help. Today, it's coarse grain, institutional design seems more of a hinderance to better growth in the south loop. That's why I hate these master planned developments. They become an albatross when the surrounding area improves and you got this walled fortress in the way.

[The Lurker]

Construction of the new McDonalds headquarters on the former Harpo Studio site will require two tower cranes:

https://buildingupchicago.com

[Mikemak27]

299 apartments near Cumberland Blue Line stop get community's blessing

"The committee also voted overwhelmingly Wednesday in favor of a separate proposal, to build 299 luxury micro apartments next to the Cumberland Blue Line station, although that plan doesn't need Napolitano's sign-off."

https://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/20170105/edison-park/edison-park-condo-development-41st-ward-advisory-committee-oliphant

Details of the project are here
https://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/20161208/ohare/cumberland-blue-line-marriott-apartments-micro

[SolarWind]

January 5, 2017

http://i.imgur.com/mWh0B4p.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/e8yiBnj.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/15szbPj.jpg

[marothisu]

Building permits issued for 2050 N Clark St - 5 stories and 32 units. Replaces a 1 story building. Should be good to establish more of a wall in that area like a few other buildings around it.

https://www.google.com/maps/place/2050+n+clark+chicago/@41.919939,-87.6370411,3a,75y,218.32h,93.1t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sznz4VaGPSl0i2xMsIObXxQ!2e0!7i13312!8i6656!4m2!3m1!1s0x0:0x98728da19cec79c7!6m1!1e1

[SolarWind]

January 6, 2017

http://i.imgur.com/ZmKRuT2.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/qmK8zsd.jpg

http://prairiecourt.com

[Tom In Chicago]

[MODERATOR CLEANUP]

Moved all off-topic posts to the appropriate sub-forum thread here:

Chicago | Politics & Current Events (http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=213683&page=24)

Please continue your conversation there. . .

. . .

[denizen467]

^ The url string has hex characters that don't resolve into punctuation. But good of you to relocate and not obliterate, thanks for the effort.

-----------

Now then, did we ever figure out whether the Apple Store is entitled to the 401 North address or whether it would have to be assigned 399 North?

[danielschell]

Progress on the Chicago Blackhawks Community Training Center. On the site of the original, now-demolished Malcolm X College.

http://wp.me/p7uLxw-1It

https://buildingupchicagodotcom.files.wordpress.com/2016/12/img_7233.jpg?w=584&h=381

[emathias]

Taking the billboards down from the parking lot between Erie, Wells, and Huron. Perhaps construction is closer than I thought.
https://c3.staticflickr.com/1/350/31833086690_63e9abfcd9_k.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/QuYTCf)
Taking down billboards (https://flic.kr/p/QuYTCf)
by me (https://www.flickr.com/photos/ericmathiasen/), on Flickr

[KWILLSKYLINE]

Progress on the Chicago Blackhawks Community Training Center. On the site of the original, now-demolished Malcolm X College.

http://wp.me/p7uLxw-1It

https://buildingupchicagodotcom.files.wordpress.com/2016/12/img_7233.jpg?w=584&h=381

I'm supposed to go to hawks and bulls game early february, but if your in the area can you take some pictures of the UC addition as well?

[danielschell]

I'm supposed to go to hawks and bulls game early february, but if your in the area can you take some pictures of the UC addition as well?


Theses are from late July. I have more recent shots, but I'ma have to dig for them.

http://wp.me/p7uLxw-yC

https://buildingupchicagodotcom.files.wordpress.com/2016/07/img_6848.jpg?w=1000&h=

https://buildingupchicagodotcom.files.wordpress.com/2016/07/img_9390.jpg?w=1000&h=

(2nd photo is from May)

[danielschell]

I'm supposed to go to hawks and bulls game early february, but if your in the area can you take some pictures of the UC addition as well?

Here are two from Ocotber


https://buildingupchicagodotcom.files.wordpress.com/2016/08/img_33881.jpg?w=1000&h=

https://buildingupchicagodotcom.files.wordpress.com/2016/08/img_3410.jpg?w=1000&h=

[Chi-Sky21]

That addition should have a rooftop bar or something...would have killer skyline views for a pregame drink.

[danielschell]

Taking the billboards down from the parking lot between Erie, Wells, and Huron. Perhaps construction is closer than I thought.
https://c3.staticflickr.com/1/350/31833086690_63e9abfcd9_k.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/QuYTCf)
Taking down billboards (https://flic.kr/p/QuYTCf)
by Eric Mathiasen (https://www.flickr.com/photos/ericmathiasen/), on Flickr
Pic by me

I hear the billboard at 676 N LaSalle is coming down today, too.

[danielschell]

165 North Desplaines. 14 stories, 199 apartments of new construction, with renovation of the existing 3-story building at 156 North Jefferson.

http://wp.me/p7uLxw-1Fi

https://buildingupchicagodotcom.files.wordpress.com/2016/12/img_5481-2.jpg?w=584&h=491

https://buildingupchicagodotcom.files.wordpress.com/2016/12/img_6812.jpg?w=1000&h=

[Jibba]

I hear the billboard at 676 N LaSalle is coming down today, too.

And I imagine we'll pretty soon see the one at NE Grand/LaSalle bite the dust. That Rosati's is now closed. The Rosati's building plus the two bordering lots should change hands pretty soon.

[Jibba]

830 N Milwaukee

http://i.imgur.com/oYw4wU3.jpg?1
http://i.imgur.com/d0YIaLZ.jpg?1

The cladding is very rich-looking in person. It's warm like nickel.

[Tom In Chicago]

^ the url string has hex characters that don't resolve into punctuation. But good of you to relocate and not obliterate, thanks for the effort.

-----------

now then, did we ever figure out whether the apple store is entitled to the 401 north address or whether it would have to be assigned 399 north?

fixed

[SolarWind]

January 9, 2017

http://i.imgur.com/yxtDr2p.jpg

[SolarWind]

January 9, 2017

http://i.imgur.com/l8HnF5q.jpg

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

http://i.imgur.com/P5ulDp1.jpg

[emathias]

I hear the billboard at 676 N LaSalle is coming down today, too.

Yeah, it's gone

[UPChicago]

830 N Milwaukee


http://i.imgur.com/d0YIaLZ.jpg?1

The cladding is very rich-looking in person. It's warm like nickel.

This is simple and gorgeous.

[r18tdi]

Building permits issued for 2050 N Clark St - 5 stories and 32 units. Replaces a 1 story building. Should be good to establish more of a wall in that area like a few other buildings around it.

https://www.google.com/maps/place/2050+n+clark+chicago/@41.919939,-87.6370411,3a,75y,218.32h,93.1t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sznz4VaGPSl0i2xMsIObXxQ!2e0!7i13312!8i6656!4m2!3m1!1s0x0:0x98728da19cec79c7!6m1!1e1
Is there any sort of rendering or elevation drawing for this one?

[the urban politician]

^ Good to see this one climbing quickly. I feel like that massive podium took like 10 months to build.

Does anyone know what the heck is going on at 676 N. LaSalle right now? Crews are erecting some kind of steel frame with no sign of foundations below.

Is that a condo project? A sales center?

[emathias]

^ Good to see this one climbing quickly. I feel like that massive podium took like 10 months to build.

Does anyone know what the heck is going on at 676 N. LaSalle right now? Crews are erecting some kind of steel frame with no sign of foundations below.

They're not erecting anything, they took down the billboard structure that was there. This morning they're further tearing it apart.

Also taken down yesterday was the billboard on the NW corner of that block. Probably today they'll take down the one on the SW corner of the block.

[danielschell]

They're not erecting anything, they took down the billboard structure that was there. This morning they're further tearing it apart.

Also taken down yesterday was the billboard on the NW corner of that block. Probably today they'll take down the one on the SW corner of the block.

Thank goodness. I think I'd rather see surface parking lots than I would billboards.

[Rizzo]

I don't like surface lots at all but I don't mind billboards just like I don't mind old fire escapes on facades of buildings. That nice gritty city look

Those obnoxious electronic billboards though = awful

[r18tdi]

They're not erecting anything, they took down the billboard structure that was there. This morning they're further tearing it apart.

That makes so much more sense. Thank you. :tup:

[danielschell]

Back when the new Apple Store looked more like a Gap. (See what I did there?)

https://buildingupchicagodotcom.files.wordpress.com/2016/08/img_7632.jpg?w=584&h=438?w=584&h=438

[BuildThemTaller]

Back when the new Apple Store looked more like a Gap. (See what I did there?)

https://buildingupchicagodotcom.files.wordpress.com/2016/08/img_7632.jpg?w=584&h=438?w=584&h=438

They're going to cover up all those Windows by the time they're done.
This Jobs is going to have a real impact on Pioneer Court.

I don't know, what else do you got?

[emathias]

So the billboard in front of 676 N Lasalle is gone now, and so is the one on the SE corner of Huron and Wells. But the one on the NE corner of Erie and Wells is still up. You'd think they'd have taken that down, too. i wonder why they didn't.

[Rizzo]

I've dealt with billboard registrations before and maybe it's a matter getting the final approval from all parties? These billboards can switch hands and then there's issues of leases, easements and permits. Paperwork process can be difficult.

[OhioGuy]

So the $1 billion Lucas Museum of Narrative Art, which Chicago lost due to a small group of self-aggrandizing individuals, will make its home in Exposition Park in Los Angeles. The site was announced today over Treasure Island in San Francisco.

Los Angeles will be home to George Lucas' $1-billion museum (http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/arts/la-et-cm-la-wins-lucas-museum-20170110-htmlstory.html)

The suspense has been as epic as “Star Wars,” but after months of intense speculation, George Lucas’ Museum of Narrative Art on Tuesday chose Los Angeles as its home over San Francisco.

The filmmaker’s personal collection of fine and popular art, including ephemera related to his “Star Wars” franchise, will fill a futuristic new museum in L.A.’s Exposition Park, which beat out a competing plan on Treasure Island in San Francisco Bay. The rivalry had pitted two cities in the competition not only for Lucas’ collection and the tourism it will bring, but also for the thousands of jobs that backers say it will create.

Lucas has said he will fund the project to the tune of about $1 billion, including building costs, his art and an endowment of at least $400 million.

[Randomguy34]

Wow, that means San Francisco got rejected twice for hosting the museum. The design for the LA museum looks similar to what was planned for Chicago