[EarlyBuyer]

Photo's taken by EarlyBuyer 10/19/08


http://img263.imageshack.us/img263/125/dsc0446we1.jpg


http://img186.imageshack.us/img186/8669/dsc0445qf6.jpg

[EarlyBuyer]

Photo's taken by EarlyBuyer 10/19/08


http://img263.imageshack.us/img263/571/dsc0415hd3.jpg


http://img511.imageshack.us/img511/3750/dsc0418tf8.jpg


http://img243.imageshack.us/img243/1282/dsc0419kx6.jpg

[EarlyBuyer]

Photo taken by EarlyBuyer 10/19/08


http://img413.imageshack.us/img413/562/dsc0414oq3.jpg

[honte]

^ Thanks for the shots.

Any idea why the long delay on the "Village Market Center?"

[honte]

This is a quick sound bite about the imminent demolition of Damen Hall at Loyola. For those of you concerned that the building could be renovated instead of demolished, a source tells me that a few years ago, they had many leaks on the roof. Apparently the school didn't want to put more money into it so they told the guy to jerry-rig a solution and this is what they came up with: Funnel all the rain water from the roof into the walls. Yes, that's right, the walls inside, which are made of concrete cinderblock, are being used as pipes to funnel the rain water down. I'm not exactly sure how they are making this work, but I have a feeling they are using the cinderblock around the core. I think its things like this that make this building unrecoverable...

I find this incredibly hard to believe. Not saying it's impossible, but, well, sounds like a tall tale. Concrete is permeable... concrete block being saturated from being used as a downspout would likely show some evidence of water infiltration (or, in this case, saturation).

Furthermore, it's hardly a reason to tear down a building. Concrete block is not damaged by moisture. You might need some repair work to mortar etc. If there is mold, you might have other issues, but I would want a conclusive report before making that determination.

Obviously, Loyola wants this down so it's a non-issue.

[honte]

Leichenko & Esser, with Morton Leviton associated, designed the building, which will be of modernistic architecture. Street elevations will be of cut stone, with colorful terra cotta panels used for ornamentation. The rear wall is to be of face brick of a color harmonizing with the stone.
The entire ground story will be faced with black Swedish granite. Both the ground floor and second story windows will be done in cast bronze.
As to the building, it will contain five large stores on the first floor, with salesrooms installed in the basement and on the second story. The upper four stories will be divided into offices. Renting to doctors and dentists will recieve first consideration, so the offices are being equipped with X-ray outlets, compressed air connections, laboratory requirements, and the other essentials for these professions.

-Chicago Tribune, May 26, 1929

From the rendering, it looks like the second floor is basically intact, but the first floor was mostly bronze-framed storefront windows with black granite surrounds, nothing like what the new render shows.

I also don't get why it's called the Morris B. Sachs building; they didn't move in until 1947. It was built by Sol H. Goldberg.

Thanks for all the info.

I wonder if you have forwarded this over to Landmarks? They probably have this information and lots more, but you never know...

They likely do not feel compelled or to have authority to require this to be restored exactly, but if it's new information, it might at least help guide the redesign if it's not too late.

[EarlyBuyer]

^ Thanks for the shots.

Any idea why the long delay on the "Village Market Center?"

Your welcome honte.

The design of the market center has changed (at least) three times during its conception/design process. Additionally, it's my understanding that leasing activity has been somewhere south of ideal. Building permits have been issued however.

[honte]

^ OK, thanks.

Is the permitted building the same as the latest renders we've seen (I only remember two versions)?

[EarlyBuyer]

honte, here's a link to a pdf with the latest render, and info on the space available:

http://www.lakeshoreeast.com/pdfs/commercial-space/LSE-Village-Market-Commercial-Space.pdf

[ardecila]

Morgenthau Bauland & Co - The Bee Hive store.
http://img515.imageshack.us/img515/9046/beehivele8.jpg

[Nowhereman1280]

I find this incredibly hard to believe. Not saying it's impossible, but, well, sounds like a tall tale. Concrete is permeable... concrete block being saturated from being used as a downspout would likely show some evidence of water infiltration (or, in this case, saturation).


I know it sounds strange and like it makes no sense, but apparently that is what they did. My roommate heard this from an engineer for the building when he was on the roof working in a greenhouse they have up there. Perhaps he misinterpreted it, but he said you could see where they just drilled into the roof near the elevators.

[honte]

Thanks, ardecila. I haven't seen that before, to be honest.

It does look like a renovation and obviously a lesser work, so I am somewhat glad to see that. Of course, it would still be nice to see it reappear, but I'm not sure it's worth an extensive restoration effort.

Since we're on the topic of Adler and Sullivan, I'll mention that I am very worried about the two remaining low-rise factories (16th St and Kingsbury), both of which are hemmed-in by new development now.

[BWChicago]

I find this incredibly hard to believe. Not saying it's impossible, but, well, sounds like a tall tale. Concrete is permeable... concrete block being saturated from being used as a downspout would likely show some evidence of water infiltration (or, in this case, saturation).

Furthermore, it's hardly a reason to tear down a building. Concrete block is not damaged by moisture. You might need some repair work to mortar etc. If there is mold, you might have other issues, but I would want a conclusive report before making that determination.

Obviously, Loyola wants this down so it's a non-issue.

Well. This is Chicago, things tend to freeze.

[i_am_hydrogen]

The "park" on the corner of State & Van Buren has been fenced off on all sides.

[BWChicago]

Thanks for all the info.

I wonder if you have forwarded this over to Landmarks? They probably have this information and lots more, but you never know...

They likely do not feel compelled or to have authority to require this to be restored exactly, but if it's new information, it might at least help guide the redesign if it's not too late.

I've received word that the intention is indeed to do it right, regardless of the render.

[the urban politician]

The "park" on the corner of State & Van Buren has been fenced off on all sides.

^ What's supposed to go up there?

[Mr Downtown]

A redesigned park. Would have been a nice place for a Childrens Museum.

[TWRWatcher]

Speaking of Parks, Fences are up and demolition on 50% of the site is well underway in the west loop to make way for a new park. Its bounded by Adams/Monroe on the north and south and Sangamon and Peoria to the east/west. The old social security building is about gone and Midwest Demolition mobilized a crane today to start demolition on the old UIC powerhouse building that has been vacant for about 8 years. But in the end it will be a nice full city block public park, which is much needed in that area.

[TWRWatcher]

Speaking of Parks, Fences are up and demolition on 50% of the site is well underway in the west loop to make way for a new park. Its bounded by Adams/Monroe on the north and south and Sangamon and Peoria to the east/west. The old social security building is about gone and Midwest Demolition mobilized a crane today to start demolition on the old UIC powerhouse building that has been vacant for about 8 years. But in the end it will be a nice full city block public park, which is much needed in that area.

[VivaLFuego]

Speaking of Parks, Fences are up and demolition on 50% of the site is well underway in the west loop to make way for a new park. Its bounded by Adams/Monroe on the north and south and Sangamon and Peoria to the east/west. The old social security building is about gone and Midwest Demolition mobilized a crane today to start demolition on the old UIC powerhouse building that has been vacant for about 8 years. But in the end it will be a nice full city block public park, which is much needed in that area.

Do you mean the former Charitable Eye and Ear Infirmary building?

http://www.preservationchicago.org/chicago7/2005/eyeear.jpg

If so, funny story, as the building allegedly has some relevance to current political events in re: a certain presidential candidate.

But also, if so, it's a shame it couldn't be reused somehow... cool building.

[honte]

^ God that's a heartbreaker. So sad to see this incredible building go. And for what? A monument to greedy NIMBYs and shamefully poor city planning.

You can thank WLCO and their sleaze for this. They'll all rejoice that the best architecture in the neighborhood is being lost, and parade their designer mutts around.

[denizen467]

What is that 1- or 2-story concrete bunker that hoards the entire block immediately northeast of that block? Using that block for the park would've been a much more desirable redistribution of space than this.

[harryc]

^ God that's a heartbreaker. So sad to see this incredible building go. And for what? A monument to greedy NIMBYs and shamefully poor city planning.

You can thank WLCO and their sleaze for this. They'll all rejoice that the best architecture in the neighborhood is being lost, and parade their designer mutts around.

From September
http://lh4.ggpht.com/harry.r.carmichael/SP2rm_E7IvI/AAAAAAAA04k/QRce7AhPN2k/s720/P1050744_2_3.jpg

http://lh3.ggpht.com/harry.r.carmichael/SP2rqTvwqAI/AAAAAAAA04w/zkqrnvwRKDQ/s640/P1050753_1_2.jpg

http://lh6.ggpht.com/harry.r.carmichael/SP2rwsBqzeI/AAAAAAAA048/p-Yf8MOdGCM/s720/P1050754_5_6.jpg

http://lh5.ggpht.com/harry.r.carmichael/SP2r5n8x5eI/AAAAAAAA05I/oSzRQCNMApQ/s800/P1050772_0_1.jpg

When labor was cheap - and standards high.
http://lh6.ggpht.com/harry.r.carmichael/SP2sBAbM0eI/AAAAAAAA05g/y6j_E6Nyyig/s800/P1070285.JPG

http://lh5.ggpht.com/harry.r.carmichael/SP2r8i6JSpI/AAAAAAAA05U/ndHHlTB6-1I/s800/P1050773_4_5.jpg

[TWRWatcher]

The building to the Northeast is either the main offices or manufacturing plant for H2O+ which is a body products company, makes soup and stuff I think. But regardless, its thier facility.

[i_am_hydrogen]

^ What's supposed to go up there?

http://img165.imageshack.us/img165/5512/pritzkerparkpt8.jpg

[jstush04]

^^ holy cow, that building is beautiful. sad.

[Taft]

http://img165.imageshack.us/img165/5512/pritzkerparkpt8.jpg

Nice! That park might actually be usable after this rehab.

Taft

[Mr Downtown]

^Usable for what? Dog poop? What's the point of another piddly little unprogrammed, noisy plaza 150 feet from the one at DePaul and 200 feet from the one at the Federal Center?

[VivaLFuego]

^Usable for what? Dog poop? What's the point of another piddly little unprogrammed, noisy plaza 150 feet from the one at DePaul and 200 feet from the one at the Federal Center?

Hey, it's better than a fenced-off field of bums.

[honte]

Funny, the site plan for Pritzker Park looks vaguely like the plan for the Children's Musem. :haha: :hell:

[wrabbit]

^ Snap! I still think that this would be the best site for the kiddie museum, across from the library & adjacent to the L. And it's already Pritzker territory.

^Usable for what? Dog poop? What's the point of another piddly little unprogrammed, noisy plaza 150 feet from the one at DePaul and 200 feet from the one at the Federal Center?

Law student nap lawn!

[wrabbit]

http://lh6.ggpht.com/harry.r.carmichael/SP2sBAbM0eI/AAAAAAAA05g/y6j_E6Nyyig/s800/P1070285.JPG

The city really needs to get its act together with adaptive reuse - bigger, tastier carrots for developers might be a good start. If we're to successfully continue to market the city as North America's architectural nirvahna - and there are big tourist dollar revenues to be had here in doing so - then we need to take better care of the architectural legacies that we already have.

[honte]

^ Yes.

I believe Preservation Chicago actually commissioned at their own cost an adaptive reuse study for this building - to be used as a field house for the park. But the community groups and the alderman wanted nothing to do with it.

[VivaLFuego]

^ Yes.

I believe Preservation Chicago actually commissioned at their own cost an adaptive reuse study for this building - to be used as a field house for the park. But the community groups and the alderman wanted nothing to do with it.

According to PC's blurb, UIC refused to give any blueprints upon which to base the study. The fix has been in on this building for a while, there was probably nothing that could be done to save it short of an alderman who actually cared passionately about architectural preservation.

There are some excellent Art Deco details on the building. Hopefully one of the various scavengers gets his hands on them and aren't they just crushed.

[BVictor1]

Congress Parkway Improvement Project Meeting-October 23rd at 6:30pm

Details:

When: October 23rd 2008 at 6:30pm

Where: University Center Chicago-525 S. State-The Lake Conference Room

Why: To receive information and provide input on the upcoming Congress Parkway Improvement Project. CDOT will present the current proposal and seek input from the community.

[BVictor1]

Redevelopment of the Old Post Office

http://images.photo1.walgreens.com/232323232%7Ffp43249%3Enu%3D3244%3E36%3B%3E27%3B%3EWSNRCG%3D3233%3A65288778nu0mrj

Thursday, November 6th at 12.15 pm

Chicago Cultural Center
Washington & Michigan
Millennium Room, 5th floor east

Vacant since 1996, when the Postal Service moved across the street, the 17-story, 2.5-million-square-foot limestone edifice just west of the Loop sits on the bank of the Chicago River with the Eisenhower Expressway running through the middle of the building. Numerous proposals have been offered; Walton Street Capital has been developing its approach for the last decade. Raphael Dawson will discuss his firm's conversion plans: rehabbing the Van Buren building as office space, retaining the building's Art Deco features; a luxury hotel on the eastern portion of the site; and residential units in the southern building fronting Harrison Street. Demolition of a portion of the building's central core will provide an open, landscaped area for office building tenants, hotel guests and residents.

This event is free and open to all. No reservations needed.

[ardecila]

If the central part of the building will be demolished, that provides a golden opportunity to build part of the West Loop high-speed rail tunnel, which splits off from the tracks into Union Station at about Harrison and cuts westward to Clinton Street.

Right now, it would be built at a diagonal underneath several heavy buildings with caissons, including Congress Center and the Old Post Office. If the central part will be demolished, then the building's columns can be reconfigured to allow for the tunnel to be built underneath at a later date.

What I don't like about this most recent plan, though, is that very little concern is given to preserving the monumental face of the building as you approach from the west. A giant brise-soleil would accomplish this effect while still allowing the plaza to be built behind. The grid of the screen could even be configured to "echo" the facade that was once there. This, I think, would be more elegant and forward-looking than simply keeping the west facade and stripping the floors behind it, since the west facade was never meant to receive sunlight and water from its east side, which for 70 years has only opened up into interior space.

[aic4ever]

If the central part of the building will be demolished, that provides a golden opportunity to build part of the West Loop high-speed rail tunnel, which splits off from the tracks into Union Station at about Harrison and cuts westward to Clinton Street.

Right now, it would be built at a diagonal underneath several heavy buildings with caissons, including Congress Center and the Old Post Office. If the central part will be demolished, then the building's columns can be reconfigured to allow for the tunnel to be built underneath at a later date.


You're funny.

[ChicagoChicago]

^^

I absolutely love the Art Deco details on this building. Chicago doesn't have much Art Deco reference left short of the taller masses along the river. Sad to see this one go.

[spyguy]

http://www.northwestern.edu/newscenter/stories/2008/10/bienenarchitect.html

Goettsch Partners Will Design New Music Building
October 21, 2008 | Campus

Northwestern University has selected Goettsch Partners, Inc. as the architectural firm to design the new building for the Henry and Leigh Bienen School of Music on the University’s Evanston campus. The project will emphasize a sustainable design approach throughout, with a minimum of achieving LEED Silver certification. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2010, with completion expected in spring 2012.

The announcement follows a four-month search for an architectural firm for the project.

Northwestern will construct the state-of-the-art School of Music building facing an arts green that will replace the existing Arts Circle on its Evanston campus. Envisioned as a signature building for the University, the new facility will enable the Bienen School of Music to consolidate all of its programs in one area for the first time in more than 30 years.

Goettsch Partners is a Chicago-based design firm that provides innovative architectural, interior, planning and building enclosure design services to clients worldwide. Led by seven partners, the 90-member firm has completed projects throughout Asia, Europe, and North and South America. The firm also maintains an office in Shanghai, China.

Goettsch Partners has a strong Chicago connection with one-of-a-kind institutional projects that have included the Museum of Science and Industry’s U-505 Submarine Exhibit and the Lincoln Park Zoo’s Regenstein Center for African Apes, as well as 111 South Wacker, UBS Tower, and the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois Headquarters. Among numerous international projects, the design firm’s work includes the new Abu Dhabi stock exchange building and financial center in the United Arab Emirates and the Diamond Exchange Tower in Shanghai. (For more information on the firm, visit http://www.gpchicago.com.)

The new music building will be located just south of the School’s Pick-Staiger Concert Hall and Regenstein Hall of Music on the southern end of Northwestern’s lakefront campus. The structure is projected to have spectacular views of Lake Michigan and the Chicago skyline.

The new building will include classrooms, teaching labs, academic faculty offices, teaching studios for choral, opera, piano and voice faculty, practice rooms, student lounges and administrative offices. There also will be a choral rehearsal room and library, an opera rehearsal room/black box theater and a 400-seat recital hall.

Toni-Marie Montgomery, dean of the Bienen School of Music, said, “The new building will bring a sense of community that facilitates collaboration among our many excellent programs. We look forward to working with Goettsch Partners in planning a building that is both architecturally stunning as well as programmatically well-designed.”

“We chose architects we believed could develop an iconic design for the facility while respecting the campus context,” said Gordon Segal, chair of the Board of Trustees Educational Properties Committee.

“Goettsch Partners submitted a design concept that takes full advantage of the site’s lakeside setting and the views to the city of Chicago,” said Ronald Nayler, Northwestern’s associate vice president for facilities management. “We believe that refinement of that concept will result in an extraordinary building that will meet the needs of the Bienen School of Music faculty, staff and students.”

“This project presents an exceptional opportunity for our firm,” said James Goettsch, FAIA, president of Goettsch Partners. “Northwestern has set high expectations in terms of the architectural design of the new building and arts green, especially in light of the site’s dramatic lakefront setting.”

The School of Music has been named the Henry and Leigh Bienen School of Music in honor of the retiring University president and his wife. President Bienen, who announced in March that he plans to retire next year, and his wife, Leigh, are avid music-lovers and strong supporters of the arts, including the School of Music.

[spyguy]

http://featuresblogs.chicagotribune.com/theskyline/2008/10/chicago-archite.html#more

Chicago Architecture Foundation: New details in its search for a new home
Blair Kamin
October 22, 2008

...Her dream is for the foundation to own--and design--its own home. And that home might be 50,000 square feet, versus the 20,000 square feet the CAF now has at 224 S. Michigan, a historic skyscrapaper designed by D.H. Burnham & co. That would allow more space for classrooms and youth education programs, as well as a sexy new, interpretive model of the city.

[honte]

^^

I absolutely love the Art Deco details on this building. Chicago doesn't have much Art Deco reference left short of the taller masses along the river. Sad to see this one go.

I think you're talking about the Eye and Ear Infirmary.

I did a fair amount of research on it several years back, and came to the conclusion that it's actually a rare example of a building done in the "Mayan" style, as influenced by Frank Lloyd Wright's work in LA. It was built right around the same time. The building has certain characteristics in common with Art Deco, but that was my overall categorization, at least of the ornament.

The general form seems to be headed in a different direction, though, with the arches being the bit that really throws the Mayan theory off. Mixing styles and influences was quite common, however.

Of course, these names are usually bestowed after the fact and I found nothing that indicated what the architects really had in mind.

____

The good news for you, however, is that Chicago does indeed have Art Deco literally all over the place. Just take a closer look at some of the larger commercial buildings from that period, and you will find it.

[honte]

[url]Goettsch Partners Will Design New Music Building
October 21, 2008 | Campus



Well, it had better be good... they beat out some very prestigious firms here, some that I was frankly hoping would win instead.

I just hope they give it everything they've got and don't produce another copy-cat Wacker Drive tower. The Block Museum is nice, for example, but it's nothing to get very excited about.

[Mr Downtown]

If the central part of the building will be demolished, that provides a golden opportunity to build part of the West Loop high-speed rail tunnel
I don't think you'd do this under the Old Post Office, which already has very tricky foundations to span the subway tunnel, the superhighway, and the railroad tracks underneath.

very little concern is given to preserving the monumental face of the building as you approach from the west. A giant brise-soleil would accomplish this effect while still allowing the plaza to be built behind.
I agree, and questioned the developers quite a bit about this. I don't remember whether I asked them specifically about the screen-wall or brise-soleil idea, though.

. . the west facade was never meant to receive sunlight and water from its east side, which for 70 years has only opened up into interior space.
Don't forget that the original Terminals Building, which would be rehabbed for the hotel, had a western façade that saw sun and rain for 15 years before the 1933 building wrapped around it.

[SolarWind]

October 22, 2008

http://img78.imageshack.us/img78/1641/dsc0066mz1.jpg

http://img504.imageshack.us/img504/176/dsc0067yh2.jpg

[harryc]

Michigan Ave Rivewalk. The new and the old
http://lh5.ggpht.com/harry.r.carmichael/SP_aFBPJA3I/AAAAAAAA1Q4/zk37Cwbrk38/s800/P1100198.JPG

http://lh3.ggpht.com/harry.r.carmichael/SP_aHQ4CiZI/AAAAAAAA1RE/pl72lxV44JE/s800/P1100201.JPG

The parking lot at 421(?) N Clark - playing in the mud. (Oct 15)
http://lh6.ggpht.com/harry.r.carmichael/SP_R3JlCs5I/AAAAAAAA1Mg/Momlc4J1blI/s800/P1100220.JPG

[SolarWind]

October 22, 2008

http://img183.imageshack.us/img183/613/dsc0029um7.jpg

A tourist even commented on how bad it looks. They should have kept the water on. ;)

[pip]

what did the thing rust or something? it does that every year?

[harryc]

I wonder if it comes in jumbo size
http://www.homedepot.ca/wcsstore/HomeDepotCanada/images/catalog/c5ed9b58-894f-4089-b7f5-d0e1ca989f92_3.jpg

[honte]

^ Honestly, to me that's the best looking I've ever seen it.

[ChicagoChicago]

I think you're talking about the Eye and Ear Infirmary.

I did a fair amount of research on it several years back, and came to the conclusion that it's actually a rare example of a building done in the "Mayan" style, as influenced by Frank Lloyd Wright's work in LA. It was built right around the same time. The building has certain characteristics in common with Art Deco, but that was my overall categorization, at least of the ornament.

The general form seems to be headed in a different direction, though, with the arches being the bit that really throws the Mayan theory off. Mixing styles and influences was quite common, however.

Of course, these names are usually bestowed after the fact and I found nothing that indicated what the architects really had in mind.

____

The good news for you, however, is that Chicago does indeed have Art Deco literally all over the place. Just take a closer look at some of the larger commercial buildings from that period, and you will find it.I do see alot of Art Deco in Chicago, but not so much on the smaller buildings. I've never even heard of the Mayan style and from what I've just read, it appears to be very rare. Thanks for the info.

[honte]

^ Most of Chicago's neighborhoods have at least 4 or 5 really excellent, small-scale Art Deco buildings and a great number of smaller ones. The smaller-scale style was a touch different than the soaring towers, but it's definitely out there. Look for factories and retail buildings mostly.

There also is a very good collection of Art Deco and Art Moderne houses here, but you have to look harder for these. They tend to be more localized.

[ChicagoChicago]

^^
I'm in the process of covering the glass block windows in my condo with antique windows from houses, and I've found an absolute ton of Art Deco, though the prices tend to be ridiculous, upwards of $400 each for a set of 4 (I need 6). I'm sure that they came from homes in the area, but I really haven't seen many, other than a few in the Roscoe Village area.

[Nowhereman1280]

Honte have you (or anyone else) ever checked out the splendid collection of Art Deco and Moderne buildings in the 6 corners area (Cicero, Irving Park, and Milwaukee). There are about 10 buildings up there that are all decent to amazing examples crowned by the "People's Gas" building which is quite ornate.

[honte]

^ But of course!...

[the urban politician]

Another lovely blow to Aldermanic prerogative: :D

Zoning Board Approves Bucktown Hotel Project (http://www.chicagorealestatedaily.com/cgi-bin/news.pl?id=31524)

[Chicago Shawn]

^Excellent! I cannot think of a better place for a hotel. I am really hoping that the hotel has an upper floor lounge or restaurant, because the views from the Coyote are unbelievable.

[BVictor1]

I went to the 2nd Ward meeting on the redevelopment of Congress Parkway. Here are a few images. I will add a description of the meeting later.

http://img147.imageshack.us/img147/3721/p1140094qf6.jpg

http://img408.imageshack.us/img408/2128/p1140095pz8.jpg

http://img147.imageshack.us/img147/3201/p1140096mp4.jpg

http://img366.imageshack.us/img366/5161/p1140098oi0.jpg

http://img381.imageshack.us/img381/9569/p1140099os0.jpg

http://img222.imageshack.us/img222/7035/p1140100ff2.jpg

http://img381.imageshack.us/img381/2392/p1140101mn2.jpg

http://img222.imageshack.us/img222/3062/p1140102oe0.jpg

[AdrianXSands]

EW. lame. :yuck:

[spyguy]

Those LED lights look clunky and out of place. And cheap.

[Jibba]

Another lovely blow to Aldermanic prerogative: :D

Zoning Board Approves Bucktown Hotel Project (http://www.chicagorealestatedaily.com/cgi-bin/news.pl?id=31524)

With all due respect to the conventional wisdom of aldermanic prerogative, in this instance Scott Waguespack has every reason to be skeptical of this project's integrity.

The developer behind the project, MCM, is notorious throughout Wicker Park/Bucktown for their pay-to-play development practices that have left a lot of parcels near North/Damen/Milwaukee laden with strip malls (some only 1/2 block from the Damen El stop). MCM also tried to collude with the previous alderhole, Ted Matlak, in rushing through plans to rip down some historic warehouses that are adjacent to the very tower that he now intends to convert into a hotel, all the while attempting to leave the local community groups out of the picture.

So while a hotel in Northwest Tower couldn't be a better re-use of the building, IMO, I have my doubts about how lightly MCM will tread on the historic building within which it is to be held. Alderman Waguespack's main objection to the project was that there wasn't enough information presented by MCM in order to make a responsible decision for the go-ahead. Considering MCM's history of duplicity when it comes to presenting development information to the community, I have to wonder why they aren't being entirely transparent about the project. However, I really want a hotel in the area, and there really couldn't be a better spot for it, so I suppose I am ambivalent at this point and I am simply hoping for the best.

[Ch.G, Ch.G]

http://img222.imageshack.us/img222/3062/p1140102oe0.jpg

Have we learned nothing from the Boystown pylons???

[Jibba]

^Seriously. Those are awful. No elegance what-so-ever. They almost look like ravers' glow-sticks replete with ex-induced lockjaw chew toy. Hopefully it's just the mock-up...

However, considering that Congress is sort of a major gateway into the city, it wouldn't hurt to have some upgrades there. Especially since it looks sort of barren right now.

[woodrow]

bollards. do. not like.

Everything else is fine. Hell just new sidewalks and crosswalks and some planters and trees is fine.

[Chicago3rd]

Wilson Yard developer lands financing for Uptown project
By: Andrew Schroedter Oct. 24, 2008

(Crain’s) — After years of delays, Chicago developer Peter Holsten has finally nailed down the financing to complete his long-awaited $151-million Wilson Yard project in Uptown. The city of Chicago has already agreed to provide Mr. Holsten with $51 million in tax increment financing for the Target Corp.-anchored project on Broadway between Montrose and Wilson avenues. And Minneapolis-based Target is contributing about $33 million.......................

http://www.chicagobusiness.com/cgi-bin/news.pl?id=31538&psid=5f9f82c89796e67be321c440ec12b11e

[nomarandlee]

:previous: Ironic, after years of delays what a time to pin down financing.

[Chicago3rd]

^^^ We keep hearing about this freeze in financing..but then this and Midway pops up...it is very confusing for a plain jane person like me to understand.

[jstush04]

^^^ We keep hearing about this freeze in financing..but then this and Midway pops up...it is very confusing for a plain jane person like me to understand.

are you insinuating a conspiracy theory?

[Mr Downtown]

Yes, those are just photos from the manufacturer's factory. The actual bollards haven't yet been designed. They would be in the median planters, and probably wouldn't be topped with globes.

[Chicago3rd]

are you insinuating a conspiracy theory?

On almost all things yes...but not this issue...lol. Like I said it is confusing to read in the press financial lock down...but then hear about 2 billion here and several million there getting through.

[Nowhereman1280]

Wilson Yards have been moving for a month or so now, they have completely dug out the entire site by at least one story. It will be nice to have a Target right on the north branch of the Red Line, it will be very helpful for all the college students that live along it.

[honte]

Yes, those are just photos from the manufacturer's factory. The actual bollards haven't yet been designed. They would be in the median planters, and probably wouldn't be topped with globes.

Thank God. I hope I never see those nasty things again.

[Ch.G, Ch.G]

^ Right? What's with this lightshow obsession, anyway? Buckingham Fountain? This? The only place such a gimmicky display would fit is Ohio Street which has long since been given over to bright lights and cheesy signage .

[Mr Downtown]

The problem is that Congress has such different conditions along its length, with part in underpass, part with sidewalks of varying width, and part with arcaded sidewalks. Giving it a processional or ceremonial identity can't easily be done with trees or light standards, because those disappear for blocks at a time. But special lighting can be done (in different ways) along the entire length. It was one of the ideas that came up in the Friends of Downtown charrette in 2003.

Unless you're dining at Everest, Buckingham Fountain can't really be seen from the main part of Congress. But it's at least a nice conceptual link.

[honte]

^ I am not opposed to lighting, in fact I do love tasteful lighting. I think it could tie the street together and perform its ceremonial task. It could also brighten the dark corners - Congress is still pretty eerie at night some times.

However, it's all in the implementation, and those photos - while thankfully preliminary - do not give me much hope at all. Congress is important enough where we need something truly sophisticated, elegant, and progressive. Some klutzy pylons consisting of LED shoved in chintzy acrylic tubes with PoMo globe things on top just doesn't cut it. And all of this color-changing stuff is going to look dated - oh, I don't know - maybe yesterday.

The whole digitization of Buckingham Fountain thing and new dancing water and crap, it just infuriates me. It's pretty hard to improve on Buckingham Fountain, aside from saving water (although the overspray to me is part of its charm), and I certainly didn't hear anyone complaining about it not being effective. It's also supposed to be a city landmark. I have to give them the benefit of the doubt here, but I do so with great hesitation.

[Ch.G, Ch.G]

^ My thoughts exactly, though much better articulated. :tup:

"Special lighting" does not necessarily entail LED mood stones. For fuck's sake, get a few proposals from firms with a record of innovative design!

[denizen467]

http://img222.imageshack.us/img222/7035/p1140100ff2.jpg

This shows up in a couple renders. This is, somewhat famously, the Chicago Stock Exchange, both in its present incarnation as well as as an homage to the original incarnation. CBOT has no buildings south of Van Buren I believe. Rather embarrassing for the designers since CBOT (along with CME) is the marquee institution of the city's finance sector.

[Mr Downtown]

Yes, at the first task force meeting, the manager of One Financial Place gently reminded the project manager that if the city wanted them to pay for the maintenance of the new landscaping, a good start would be to get the name of his building right. It didn't seem to take with CDOT staff, though.

As for the lighting, I wouldn't worry so much about it being cartoonish. I'm more worried about the various elements, including the trellises that will be illuminated, being overly elaborate and pseudo-Victorian. At the first meeting, I asked whether Congress--a result, after all, of the Plan of Chicago--would use the design vocabulary of obelisks and globes found on Wacker, Michigan, and Roosevelt. Janet Attarian's response was that Congress was a mid-century work, and the obelisks wouldn't be appropriate. That immediately made sense to me, but CDOT instead feels obligated to use pseudo Victorian light standards (the Gateway 2000) and the same 1910 subway entrance kiosk as Van Buren/Dearborn. Various trellis designs have been shown at the task force meetings, but I was surprised Thursday night to see a preliminary sketch of one with elaborate corn leaves and tassels, apparently to relate to the ornament on the Harold Washington Library Center.

[BWChicago]

The whole digitization of Buckingham Fountain thing and new dancing water and crap, it just infuriates me. It's pretty hard to improve on Buckingham Fountain, aside from saving water (although the overspray to me is part of its charm), and I certainly didn't hear anyone complaining about it not being effective. It's also supposed to be a city landmark. I have to give them the benefit of the doubt here, but I do so with great hesitation.

I think it's right to be wary. The 1994 restoration so many people are complaining about was in fact only $2.8 million (funded by the endowment) in comparison to the current $25 million project, but that was focused on repairs to its marble cladding, replacement of the concrete substructure of the upper basin, and repair of its mechanical pump systems. But it also overhauled the electrical system, with special care to follow the artists original intent:

"The need to recreate the proper colors and intensity while staying true to the original artist's concept was ESD's main task. The original fixtures and lamps needed reinforcing in order to increase the amount of light and to counter the increase in city light that had developed over the years. (...) The fixtures were mounted in an area that was subject to splashing water from morning until night and needed to remain serviceable while the lenses matched the output of the original fixtures that were replaced during the 1950 renovation. (...) The new fixtures had a new source and lenses that matched the color but also delivered more light to counter balance the increased city light. ESD and the architect created the new colored lenses by staring into a light table, illuminated by daylight fluorescent lamps, and comparing the existing lenses or lense shards saved over the years with Roscoe color gels. ESD was able to recreate a complete match for all the original colors in the fountain due to this process. The selected colors were then turned over to a specialty glass company to formulate the specific colors and create the lenses for our newly designed fixtures."
-http://www.chiefengineer.org/content/content_display.cfm/seqnumber_content/1287.htm

Kate Buckingham "wanted the lighting to achieve an effect of "soft moonlight" by blending colors that would create an "ethereal, mystical aura."

However, the 1994 lighting design wasn't a restoration either. "The new program, said Joe Hoerner, the Chicago Park District's fountain restoration project manager, "evokes totally different emotions. It's more dynamic. . . . The design of lights relates to what's happening in the water. It used to be more random. Over the years, it became a little out of sync."

"We tried to document what the original light and water show was like when the fountain was built and first turned on in 1927," said Joe Hoerner, the Park District's preservation architect. "We wanted to replicate the show historically, but there was no way to know what was in the original show."

During the fountain's nine-month, $2.9 million restoration , Hoerner said, officials had hoped to restore its original light and water sequences but could find no documentation of them. So instead, they turned to the theater world.

Jefferson Award-winning theater designer John Culbert, a faculty member of DePaul University's Theater School, designed the light and water sequencing. The result, said Park District spokeswoman Sheryl Hislop, "is spectacular." "

"I wanted to create something elegant, not a rock 'n' roll laser light show," Culbert said. "We looked at the rhythm of how the light and water changes and created a storyboard series of sketches of routines the fountain could follow.

"The `looks' we developed took advantage of new lights and the new valves and spouts. That allowed us to create many different compositions I feel are quite clean and crisp in their look." (Tribune and Sun Times, 1994)


So now the new plan is going to revamp the lighting with Wet Design, known for the Bellagio, and "They're also debating between new lamps that show sharper colors and the yellowish, more romantic hues of the current lights."?

And the pavers sound like a done deal: "The site work includes the installation of an exciting, new permeable paver from Unilock with a granite chipped surface" (From TDA Planning website)

Sounds like that would contradict Buckingham's intent, as the paving issue arguably does. But the basin repair, treatment of seahorses and fences, and landscaping are all good things.

[ardecila]

I don't understand the use of pavers. The current crushed rotten granite is already a permeable surface. Wasn't it supposed to be an ADA issue? There are several gravel products that claim to be ADA-compliant, which would allow for the look and feel of the granite to be maintained.

I think there's something else going on here. The blatant mention of "Unilock" in the project description makes me think that perhaps they are donating to the project somehow in exchange for permission to use the fountain in advertising materials...

[Jibba]

^I was thinking the same thing. Plus, the fact that they chose "exciting" as an adjective for a permeable paver is a telling sign that Unilock is more involved than just as a supplier.

[honte]

BWChicago, thanks for your contributions. You're always a wellspring of good and important information.

[BVictor1]

The whole digitization of Buckingham Fountain thing and new dancing water and crap, it just infuriates me. It's pretty hard to improve on Buckingham Fountain, aside from saving water (although the overspray to me is part of its charm), and I certainly didn't hear anyone complaining about it not being effective. It's also supposed to be a city landmark. I have to give them the benefit of the doubt here, but I do so with great hesitation.


It's not just the overspray, but the earlier renovation had nothing to do with the pipes and mechanics.

Lets see it before we judge it. It might actually be quite nice.

Hopefully the landscaping and flow of pathways will be better also, which i think is part of the project.

[harryc]

Coming down - Oct 13

http://lh6.ggpht.com/harry.r.carmichael/SQS-YFZdORI/AAAAAAAA8pY/mA6r00LaRiI/s800/P1100961_2_3.jpg

http://lh6.ggpht.com/harry.r.carmichael/SQS-VmXTEmI/AAAAAAAA8pM/dnSE9dg-1ps/s800/P1100978.JPG

http://lh6.ggpht.com/harry.r.carmichael/SQS-ahUv89I/AAAAAAAA8po/8C5vNWC0Ihk/s800/P1100987_8_9.jpg

[honte]

^ That section of terracotta alone would fetch probably more than $1000 if sold as art at a salvage shop. :(

http://www.bc.edu/bc_org/avp/cas/fnart/fa267/flw/hollyhock06.jpg
Images of ornament from Frank Lloyd Wright's Hollyhock house.
Photo from Boston College, http://www.bc.edu/bc_org/avp/cas/fnart/fa267/FLW_calif.html

[AdrianXSands]

:previous: :previous: :previous: sad...
:hell:

[BWChicago]

^ That section of terracotta alone would fetch probably more than $1000 if sold as art at a salvage shop. :(

http://www.bc.edu/bc_org/avp/cas/fnart/fa267/flw/hollyhock06.jpg
Images of ornament from Frank Lloyd Wright's Hollyhock house.
Photo from Boston College, http://www.bc.edu/bc_org/avp/cas/fnart/fa267/FLW_calif.html

http://www.urbanremainschicago.com/ Urban Remains is evidently starting salvage today.

Lynn Becker has just posted a great blog entry on the Beehive store. Apparently that terra cotta wasn't Sullivan at all. And it too was salvaged by Urban Remains. http://www.lynnbecker.com/repeat/beehive/beehive.htm

[aic4ever]

With all due respect to the conventional wisdom of aldermanic prerogative, in this instance Scott Waguespack has every reason to be skeptical of this project's integrity.

The developer behind the project, MCM, is notorious throughout Wicker Park/Bucktown for their pay-to-play development practices that have left a lot of parcels near North/Damen/Milwaukee laden with strip malls (some only 1/2 block from the Damen El stop). MCM also tried to collude with the previous alderhole, Ted Matlak, in rushing through plans to rip down some historic warehouses that are adjacent to the very tower that he now intends to convert into a hotel, all the while attempting to leave the local community groups out of the picture.

So while a hotel in Northwest Tower couldn't be a better re-use of the building, IMO, I have my doubts about how lightly MCM will tread on the historic building within which it is to be held. Alderman Waguespack's main objection to the project was that there wasn't enough information presented by MCM in order to make a responsible decision for the go-ahead. Considering MCM's history of duplicity when it comes to presenting development information to the community, I have to wonder why they aren't being entirely transparent about the project. However, I really want a hotel in the area, and there really couldn't be a better spot for it, so I suppose I am ambivalent at this point and I am simply hoping for the best.

This article is absolutely insane. $15 million INCLUDING the $5 million purchase price? This is not even remotely feasible.

I personally did a feasibility study for this building for a different party, also looking at the potential of putting a hotel in it.

We were looking at about $20 to $23 million for the design and construction alone, with an absolute bare minimum floor in the high eighteens if we could eschew the second stair and leave the elevators alone (wouldn't meet new code without refurb).

The building doesn't have an existing second stairwell and has no fire protection system, plus needs remediation. It was built with a single central core for plumbing, with only one small common bathroom per floor, shared by the offices. The building needs a fully new MEPFP system to go hotel, and the rooms as they are can't be reused to accommodate hotel rooms, because of the need for bathrooms.

$10 million won't buy this guy half the amount of work needed to make that building a hotel.

[Jibba]

^That's not good news at all. Now I have more of a reason to assume that MCM is going to botch this job.

[Taft]

This article is absolutely insane. $15 million INCLUDING the $5 million purchase price? This is not even remotely feasible.

I personally did a feasibility study for this building for a different party, also looking at the potential of putting a hotel in it.

We were looking at about $20 to $23 million for the design and construction alone, with an absolute bare minimum floor in the high eighteens if we could eschew the second stair and leave the elevators alone (wouldn't meet new code without refurb).

The building doesn't have an existing second stairwell and has no fire protection system, plus needs remediation. It was built with a single central core for plumbing, with only one small common bathroom per floor, shared by the offices. The building needs a fully new MEPFP system to go hotel, and the rooms as they are can't be reused to accommodate hotel rooms, because of the need for bathrooms.

$10 million won't buy this guy half the amount of work needed to make that building a hotel.

Really good info, aic and Jibba. It is tempting to assume aldercreatures have ill intent in opposing/supporting projects in their neighborhoods. Easy to forget that sometimes they are on the right side.

Not to say aldermanic prerogative is in any way a good thing...

Taft

Edit: any info on exactly how this project made it around the local alderman? Not procedurally, but from a political point of view. This thing must have been pushed by someone with some clout if they were able to get around the alderman....

[aic4ever]

Really good info, aic and Jibba. It is tempting to assume aldercreatures have ill intent in opposing/supporting projects in their neighborhoods. Easy to forget that sometimes they are on the right side.

Not to say aldermanic prerogative is in any way a good thing...

Taft

Edit: any info on exactly how this project made it around the local alderman? Not procedurally, but from a political point of view. This thing must have been pushed by someone with some clout if they were able to get around the alderman....

Actually, Taft, I'm not so sure it would have been that difficult a decision to rezone that building for hotel. The location and the building work nicely for that particular use, and as a tandem, remember the sell off of the MB Financial Bank across the street, that is intended to be renovated into more office space. MB is looking a doing a smaller branch in the general vicinity.

From a purely zoning standpoint, they are maintaining the bank presence, the usable amount of office space probably stays similar to what is actually in use now, and the area gains what would have to eventually be a boutique hotel that would help to reinforce the area as the chic shopping/historic/artsy district it is becoming.

I don't really see a whole lot of politics in that.

That notwithstanding, MCM is probably kidding a lot of people, including themselves, if they think that thing is going to fly for anywhere near $10 million. I don't find it to be particularly unreasonable that the Alderman would stand up against a project that has presented zero plans, zero information on proposed tenant (especially in this hotel market), and zero feasibility study, most particularly in a Landmarked building and a Landmarked district.

We're kind of talking common sense on that one, as opposed to Reilly's general "I just don't like it."

[ethereal_reality]

^^^Speaking of salvage....(Eyes and Ears Infirmary)

All of us should think about was lies in Lake Michigan
directly east of the Midway in Hyde Park.


Midway Gardens....Frank Lloyd Wright....1914-1923

http://img293.imageshack.us/img293/8800/11achgomidwaydetailhugedl8.jpg


http://img293.imageshack.us/img293/8849/11achgomidwayb9a3mzp5.jpg


http://img293.imageshack.us/img293/9966/11achgomidwayg2ac8ahn8.jpg


http://img293.imageshack.us/img293/3108/11achgomidwaygardenshuudr1.jpg


http://img293.imageshack.us/img293/6616/11achgomidawayhz4.jpg


http://img293.imageshack.us/img293/598/11achgomidwayg2agil5.jpg


We should pool our money, or take scuba lessons. :)

Obviously some of the statuary (by Ianelli) was saved ; there's an
example at the Biltmore in Arizona.

But most of the other ornament/brick work
was dumped into Lake Michigan in 1923.

It's all there...just waiting.

[ChicagoChicago]

Not sure I've seen it posted, but this was the presentation shown for Congress Parkway in June 2008.

http://www.chicagoloopalliance.com/pdfs/2008_Congress_Parkway.pdf

[aic4ever]

^^^Speaking of salvage....(Eyes and Ears Infirmary)

All of us should think about was lies in Lake Michigan
directly east of the Midway in Hyde Park.


Midway Gardens....Frank Lloyd Wright....1914-1923

http://img293.imageshack.us/img293/8800/11achgomidwaydetailhugedl8.jpg


http://img293.imageshack.us/img293/8849/11achgomidwayb9a3mzp5.jpg


http://img293.imageshack.us/img293/9966/11achgomidwayg2ac8ahn8.jpg


http://img293.imageshack.us/img293/3108/11achgomidwaygardenshuudr1.jpg


http://img293.imageshack.us/img293/6616/11achgomidawayhz4.jpg


http://img293.imageshack.us/img293/598/11achgomidwayg2agil5.jpg


We should pool our money, or take scuba lessons. :)

Obviously some of the statuary (by Ianelli) was saved ; there's an
example at the Biltmore in Arizona.

But most of the other ornament/brick work
was dumped into Lake Michigan in 1923.

It's all there...just waiting.

What a masterpiece. Damn Great Depression!

[dropdeaded209]

even good 'ol frank didn't mind spires when appropriate...

[ethereal_reality]

Referring to Midway Gardens.

Prohibition went into affect Jan 16, 1920.
This was the nail in the coffin for FLW's masterpiece.

[ardecila]

^^ Good point... are there any other architecturally-profound spaces in the city where I can get drunk and revel in the amazing design?

[harryc]

East of Michigan Ave
http://lh5.ggpht.com/harry.r.carmichael/SQg_APZ0saI/AAAAAAAA84o/Kq0OaAUjqf0/s800/P1110934_5_6.jpg

The old wall exposed
http://lh5.ggpht.com/harry.r.carmichael/SQg_CXpX2xI/AAAAAAAA840/UncyVnsbuQ8/s800/P1110950_1_2.jpg

tween State & Wabash
http://lh3.ggpht.com/harry.r.carmichael/SQg_Pd1hDmI/AAAAAAAA85A/MD5rAjVBasE/s800/P1110958_59_60.jpg

[BVictor1]

CALENDAR NOTE: Raphael Dawson, partner at Walton Street Capital LLC, will hold forth on the company¹s plan to renovate the Old Post Office during a Friends of Downtown program Nov. 6. It will start at 12:15 p.m. at the Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington. Otherwise known as the "incredible hulk," the Old Post Office has been vacant since 1996.

[jjk1103]

East of Michigan Ave
http://lh5.ggpht.com/harry.r.carmichael/SQg_APZ0saI/AAAAAAAA84o/Kq0OaAUjqf0/s800/P1110934_5_6.jpg

The old wall exposed
http://lh5.ggpht.com/harry.r.carmichael/SQg_CXpX2xI/AAAAAAAA840/UncyVnsbuQ8/s800/P1110950_1_2.jpg

tween State & Wabash
http://lh3.ggpht.com/harry.r.carmichael/SQg_Pd1hDmI/AAAAAAAA85A/MD5rAjVBasE/s800/P1110958_59_60.jpg

......they are doing the under-bridge connections at Michigan and State....what about the under-bridge at Wabash ? ...is that part of this years plan ?