[the urban politician]

^ As long as it can be replaced by something appropriately dense for its prominent location, it's not that big of a deal, IMO.

But you never know with Fioretti and the NIMBY squad.

[sentinel]

Gropius didn't do any work at U of C. I think that you are probably thinking of the Eero Saarinen dorms. While I hate to see any good modernist architecture destroyed, Gropius work is another class entirely. He basically invented modern architecture.

Oops, my bad, you are correct sir (eep!)
But keep in mind that I'm sure a lot of people would argue that Saarinen is equally as significant, albeit for a different stylistic approach.

[VivaLFuego]

Preservationists did raise a stink about Saarinen's Woodward dorms, but between the buildings being ugly to most people's taste (I liked them, but...), the incredible Saarinen Law Campus nearby, the fact that dorms were really quite crummy inside and generally loathed as a place to live, the fact that GSB needed a new building for myriad reasons, and the fact that the replacement was generally considered to be good (debatable, but Vinoly's GSB isn't atrocious at least).... there wasn't really much chance.

It's a contrast on all these points to the Merc or MRH, where the immediate and expedited demolition of buildings that have potential landmark value is basically out of spite (it's not like Woodward was demolished and left as a gravel lot.). And in the case of MRH, these buildings represent the only Gropius in the area (we aren't swimming in Altschulers or Saarinens either of course, but as good as those two were, they aren't universally recognized as the father of an design movement).

[Hayward]

Anyone know what will become of the old Barney's department store? Everyday there's quite a bit of activity around it. The inside is gutted to the steel and painted, as if the building was just complete and waiting for a build out. They removed the engraved signage and are cleaning up the facade a bit. It's got alot of square footage to fill.

Also, I have some photos of the school they tore down nearby. They've just finished off scooping out the rest of the basement.

[ardecila]

^^ Ogden? Too bad the replacement is so boring. PBC's done a really good job with the design of public buildings, schools in particular, but Ogden Replacement is disappointing, especially because it squanders one of CPS' only chances to integrate a school into the base of a tower and get the school for free in the process.

[Hayward]

Yep, that's it. Good point about what it could have been.

[wrabbit]

M Reese really doesn't bode well for Prentice, or for the city's Green credentials. Adaptive reuse is a big part of being Green.

But Prentice is the crucible. If City Hall can't (or won't) strong-arm NWU into saving Prentice, then the city has learned absolutely nothing from earlier losses like Sullivan's Stock Exchange.

We're marketing ourselves to the world as some architectural Mecca while simultaneously dismantling the very things that earned us that reputation in the first place. Maddening. Sickening, really. I'm afraid that Daley still doesn't quite "get" modernism yet, either, which doesn't really help.

[trvlr70]

Anyone know what will become of the old Barney's department store? .

I belive Hermes, the French purveyor of luxury goods, is moving from down the street. Hermes realized it needed less retail space. I have no idea what else is coming, however.

[Haworthia]

M Reese really doesn't bode well for Prentice, or for the city's Green credentials. Adaptive reuse is a big part of being Green.

But Prentice is the crucible. If City Hall can't (or won't) strong-arm NWU into saving Prentice, then the city has learned absolutely nothing from earlier losses like Sullivan's Stock Exchange.

We're marketing ourselves to the world as some architectural Mecca while simultaneously dismantling the very things that earned us that reputation in the first place. Maddening. Sickening, really. I'm afraid that Daley still doesn't quite "get" modernism yet, either, which doesn't really help.

I hear people on here talk about preserving Prentice, but I haven't really seen any action on this by any civic groups. Perhaps I'm not paying close enough attention. Anyone know of any efforts?

[wrabbit]

^ Still no demo permit. But people are watching this one.

-----

Cityscapes
by Blair Kamin
October 28, 2009

Landmarks Illinois: Old YWCA building in Michigan Avenue historic district may come down

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y150/wjcordier/6a00d834518cc969e20120a62d16d4970b-.jpg

With city-hired contractors tearing down the first of the targeted Walter Gropius buildings at the former Michael Reese Hospital campus, it's not a good day on the historic preservation front. Jim Peters, president of Landmarks Illinois passed along some more bad news in the following email:

"Unless a miracle happens, the old YWCA Building at 830 S. Michigan Ave., one of the oldest buildings on the Michigan Avenue Streetwall [historic district], will likely be demolished in the near future.

"The owner this week applied for a demolition permit, after repeated citations by the city’s Building Department. The parties were in court today at the Daley Center and the case has been continued to November 12. Alderman [Bob] Fioretti’s office was there, as were we and some neighbors.


"The building’s existing timber structure is truly in abysmal shape—largely due to decades of absolute neglect by former owners (Johnson Publishing the most notable). There was a recent inspection by the city’s building commissioner, as well as a structural report by an outside engineering firm. No demo[lition] order by the city yet (for dangerous conditions), but I wouldn’t be surprised if that’s next, a la the Lexington Hotel back in the mid-90s.

"The notion of propping up and saving the façade has been discussed, but the costs of that appear excessive and there’s no obvious funding source."

http://featuresblogs.chicagotribune.com/theskyline/2009/10/landmarks-illinois-ymca-building-in-michigan-avenue-historic-district-may-come-down.html

[BWChicago]

Well, it's too bad to see one of the oldest go, but that's not such a great building. The oriel windows are cool. I guess I'm wondering what on this block are contributing structures to the historic district. Maybe some of them for the social significance of Ebony/Jet. But they are sort of ugly. I like the Essex Inn at the corner. I wonder if we'll be seeing a proposal for a hulking slab in the middle of this block.

http://www.landmarks.org/2008_5.htm

[Mr Downtown]

^We already have.

http://img116.imageshack.us/img116/5923/parkmichigan9dy.jpg

[BWChicago]

Yikes. Neat tower, but not for that context. Glad it's dead. I was just thinking that with the YWCA out of the way, someone might eye that site and the adjacent Jet/Ebony and East-West University buildings for one big slab, like 1200 S Michigan.

[Tom In Chicago]

It was long known that Gropius was involved in planning the Michael Reese Expansion after WWII. An obscure fact, for sure, but certainly known. The AIA guide to Chicago mentions it. A few of the Art Institute oral histories mention it. It was in books etc. This fact alone, in my mind was reason enough for preservation. Especially in light of the fact that Gropius's friend and fellow Bauhaus pioneer, Moholy-Nagy was also established here after the war. Count Mies and Hilberseimer in, and you have two Bauhaus Directors and and two Bauhaus Masters working in Chicago at the same time. No other post-war city can claim that.

The new research done by Grahm Balkany, discovered that Gropius was intensely involved in not just planning, but a had significant design input on at least eight buildings on the MRH campus. This should have cemented the preservation argument. But sadly, it did not.

And to anyone who asks whether "design input" is enough to qualify these buildings as "Gropius" I would say that it certainly does. Gropius didn't draw and his entire ouevre is of work done in collaboration with others. First with Adolph Meyer, then with Marcel Breuer, again with Maxwell Fry. After he came to the US, his firm was named The Architects Collaborative in honor of this process.

So, to all of doubters I would say that the Michael Reesse buildings are no less Gropius than the famous Dessau workshop and they are just as worthy of being preserved.

I agree, but we're poor stewards of our own architectural history if we let things like this happen. . . but predictably we'll do just that. . . in fact we seem to be pretty darn good at it. . .

. . .

[Marcu]

Does anyone have an update on the Rockwell Square development at Devon/Rockwell? I remember construction stalled a while back, but haven't seen or heard of any updates since.

For those that are unfaimilar with the project, it is a six story mixed use (condo, parking, retail) development in the heart of the Devon Ave. commercial district funded in part by the Devon/Western TIF and developed on a former city owned surface lot that was sold to the, you guessed it, politically connected developer for $1. This was supposed to be the new focal point of the already bustling Devon Ave.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2025/2293388302_5e0f365985.jpg

[BWChicago]

Does anyone have an update on the Rockwell Square development at Devon/Rockwell? I remember construction stalled a while back, but haven't seen or heard of any updates since.

For those that are unfaimilar with the project, it is a six story mixed use (condo, parking, retail) development in the heart of the Devon Ave. commercial district funded in part by the Devon/Western TIF and developed on a former city owned surface lot that was sold to the, you guessed it, politically connected developer for $1. This was supposed to be the new focal point of the already bustling Devon Ave.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2025/2293388302_5e0f365985.jpg

http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showpost.php?p=4450212&postcount=8076

[george]

^ Still no demo permit. But people are watching this one.

-----

Cityscapes
by Blair Kamin
October 28, 2009

Landmarks Illinois: Old YWCA building in Michigan Avenue historic district may come down

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y150/wjcordier/6a00d834518cc969e20120a62d16d4970b-.jpg





Too bad, it's a loss if this one goes. From 9-14-09

http://img692.imageshack.us/img692/777/830smichiganave914.jpg

http://img692.imageshack.us/img692/9896/830smichiganave2.jpg

[BVictor1]

Yikes. Neat tower, but not for that context. Glad it's dead. I was just thinking that with the YWCA out of the way, someone might eye that site and the adjacent Jet/Ebony and East-West University buildings for one big slab, like 1200 S Michigan.

The only reason why it seems out of place is because there aren't many buildings behind it. This proposal was similar to what was done at the Herritage and Legacy except that the facadectomy was to be done with a decrepit building on Michigan not Wabash. Those buildings seem to fit in better because there's more density in the northern part of the district. That's why the 830 proposal needs to be built. It's a beautiful design.

[aic4ever]

Yes, it's a hugely significant building. It's the only part of McCormick Place that is at all visually memorable. It's socially significant because of the huge role conventions have played in Chicago's economy. The huge cantilever, the huge clear span, the drama. The homage to Mies' convention center design. Helmut Jahn was actually hired by Gene Summers out of IIT and brought to C.F. Murphy to work on this building.

Interesting sidenote...he subsequently took a leave of absence from IIT to get it finished...and then never went back.

[VivaLFuego]

Does anyone have an update on the Rockwell Square development at Devon/Rockwell? I remember construction stalled a while back, but haven't seen or heard of any updates since.

For those that are unfaimilar with the project, it is a six story mixed use (condo, parking, retail) development in the heart of the Devon Ave. commercial district funded in part by the Devon/Western TIF and developed on a former city owned surface lot that was sold to the, you guessed it, politically connected developer for $1. This was supposed to be the new focal point of the already bustling Devon Ave.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2025/2293388302_5e0f365985.jpg

As of about 3 weeks ago, it was still actively under construction but just a concrete shell. Looked like it was going to be first floor retail and either two or three floors of parking above.

Given how far the area is from transit and the reality of the residential permit parking situation around there (I oppose the rampant abuse of how the program has been implemented, but it is what it is, and Ald. Stone's implementation of only enforcing them for a few hours a day is actually among the better in the city)... this really isn't a bad development.

[BVictor1]

The Chicago Park District along with the Grant Park Advisory Council and Conservancy have scheduled a public meeting:

Northerly Island design workshop and input on ideas.

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

6:00 - 9:00 p.m.


Spertus Institute at 610 S. Michigan Avenue - Crown Family Great Hall - 9th Floor.

Through a thorough public input process, the Chicago Park District has developed design ideas for Northerly Island and needs your input. Please come out for a series of workshops and meet design teams and react to the ideas.

[Chicagoguy]

I belive Hermes, the French purveyor of luxury goods, is moving from down the street. Hermes realized it needed less retail space. I have no idea what else is coming, however.

I did hear that Hermes was looking into it but I was never sure if that had been confirmed yet. Does anyone know when the new Marc Jacobs store on Rush is scheduled to open? Also was wondering if there had been anymore news on new stores opening? I know Michael Kors store should be opening soon in place of Stuart Weitzman.

[killaviews]

I did hear that Hermes was looking into it but I was never sure if that had been confirmed yet. Does anyone know when the new Marc Jacobs store on Rush is scheduled to open? Also was wondering if there had been anymore news on new stores opening? I know Michael Kors store should be opening soon in place of Stuart Weitzman.

Michael Kors Collection is now open. Zara on Michigan Ave opens today. The new Victoria's Secret open last week.

Marc Jacobs Collection has coming Spring 2010 signs in the window.

[Marcu]

As of about 3 weeks ago, it was still actively under construction but just a concrete shell. Looked like it was going to be first floor retail and either two or three floors of parking above.

Given how far the area is from transit and the reality of the residential permit parking situation around there (I oppose the rampant abuse of how the program has been implemented, but it is what it is, and Ald. Stone's implementation of only enforcing them for a few hours a day is actually among the better in the city)... this really isn't a bad development.

Thanks for the update. Good to see this project hasn’t stalled indefinitely, as I have feared. A parking garage is not the worst thing in the world at this location. I just The last thing Devon needed was a stalled construction sight breaking up the commercial district. I just wish this project didn’t require TIF funds and was instead rented out to nearby businesses like Patel Brothers at market rates.

Also, for those interested the streets north side of Devon do not have permit parking restrictions. Just those south of Devon do.

[Chicago Shawn]

^We already have.

http://img116.imageshack.us/img116/5923/parkmichigan9dy.jpg

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I know plenty of people beyond myself who would have welcomed this addition to this city; and considering that 900 feet is APPROVED for Michigan/Roosevelt, this tower concept is not at all out of context.

This proposal had been around for a long time, and had it not seen so much NIMBY resistance, it would have been approved and probably would have started construction before the housing market fell apart. If the YWCA does get torn down and if the ornate facade is lost forever, then the South Loop NIMBYs can pat themselves on the back for a job well done. Another historic building will disappear in exchange for a vacant lot right on Michigan Avenue and Grant Park. Victory, Indeed.

[Busy Bee]

^On the bright side, perhaps when the market returns there will be an effort to take all those Jet/Ebony buildings down(maybe keep Essex) and do a multi-building development there that will truly be worthy of the Michigan streetwall.

[Hayward]

^ Still no demo permit. But people are watching this one.

-----

Cityscapes
by Blair Kamin
October 28, 2009

Landmarks Illinois: Old YWCA building in Michigan Avenue historic district may come down

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y150/wjcordier/6a00d834518cc969e20120a62d16d4970b-.jpg

With city-hired contractors tearing down the first of the targeted Walter Gropius buildings at the former Michael Reese Hospital campus, it's not a good day on the historic preservation front. Jim Peters, president of Landmarks Illinois passed along some more bad news in the following email:

"Unless a miracle happens, the old YWCA Building at 830 S. Michigan Ave., one of the oldest buildings on the Michigan Avenue Streetwall [historic district], will likely be demolished in the near future.

"The owner this week applied for a demolition permit, after repeated citations by the city’s Building Department. The parties were in court today at the Daley Center and the case has been continued to November 12. Alderman [Bob] Fioretti’s office was there, as were we and some neighbors.


"The building’s existing timber structure is truly in abysmal shape—largely due to decades of absolute neglect by former owners (Johnson Publishing the most notable). There was a recent inspection by the city’s building commissioner, as well as a structural report by an outside engineering firm. No demo[lition] order by the city yet (for dangerous conditions), but I wouldn’t be surprised if that’s next, a la the Lexington Hotel back in the mid-90s.

"The notion of propping up and saving the façade has been discussed, but the costs of that appear excessive and there’s no obvious funding source."

http://featuresblogs.chicagotribune.com/theskyline/2009/10/landmarks-illinois-ymca-building-in-michigan-avenue-historic-district-may-come-down.html



Those who know me are aware I'm a huge historic preservationist, but this building I cannot imagine looking even half decent after a renovation. Let's face it, in comparison to other buildings going up during it's time, this one would be considered on the low end. Really the only thing good about it is it's old. . . .

Let's face it, I'd rather see a shiny new tower go up here instead of at the expensive of some other historic building of better architecture.

[Nowhereman1280]

^On the bright side, perhaps when the market returns there will be an effort to take all those Jet/Ebony buildings down(maybe keep Essex) and do a multi-building development there that will truly be worthy of the Michigan streetwall.

Or we'll end up with a bunch of LaGrange POMO bullshit blighting the wall.

[Busy Bee]

That's the spirit.

[ardecila]

^On the bright side, perhaps when the market returns there will be an effort to take all those Jet/Ebony buildings down(maybe keep Essex) and do a multi-building development there that will truly be worthy of the Michigan streetwall.

Despite the Jet/Ebony building's eminent ugliness, it does bear a significant place in Chicago history for the fact that it is a highly visible building designed by a black architect (Moutoussamy) on Chicago's most premier street, and built in a time when racial conflict, segregation, and redlining restricted the rights of Chicago's black community.

I don't know whether Moutoussamy intended the building to be a huge "f*** you" to the perceived white establishment of Michigan Avenue, or whether he intended the building to exist harmoniously in the streetscape.

[lawfin]

^We already have.

http://img116.imageshack.us/img116/5923/parkmichigan9dy.jpg
Cue the Manfredini spooky shadow music....oh those shadows

[Chicagoguy]

Michael Kors Collection is now open. Zara on Michigan Ave opens today. The new Victoria's Secret open last week.

Marc Jacobs Collection has coming Spring 2010 signs in the window.

Thanks for the update. I hope they get some high end boutiques to move into the few spaces that will be vacant on Oak Street as well.

[Mr Downtown]

It's hilarious to read that were it not for "NIMBY resistance," people would already be living in Park Michigan. The design didn't pass wind tunnel tests. The developer couldn't even start construction on the project he already had fully approved (Park 1000). He never got approval from Landmarks or CDOT (to close the alley), much less DPD staff, and no public meeting (other than the developer's own self-promotion) was ever even held.

[Chicagoguy]

Also thought I would post this. This building hasn't been completed very long. It is a new luxury midrise just across the street from the Kimball Brownline stop. Kimball Station has 60 units, high end luxury upgrades, floor to ceiling windows, and the top floor has amazing views of the city. You can see the skyline from Rogers Park to the loop. It is nice to see a little more density go up in an area that doesn't have too much of it.

http://buildings.atproperties.com/developments/KimballStation/index.html

[Chicago Shawn]

It's hilarious to read that were it not for "NIMBY resistance," people would already be living in Park Michigan. The design didn't pass wind tunnel tests. The developer couldn't even start construction on the project he already had fully approved (Park 1000). He never got approval from Landmarks or CDOT (to close the alley), much less DPD staff, and no public meeting (other than the developer's own self-promotion) was ever even held.

I never said people would be living in it, but rather I said it would have stood a chance at starting construction before the housing bust.

-There was a public meeting at Jones College Prep. I was there, and I remember the homemade signs and Peter Ziv running his mouth and trying to compare it to Burnham Pointe.

-The 830 project never moved forward beyond one meeting because Alderman Heithcock was fighting for votes and wasn't about to push forward on any controversial project. Then we had the 2nd ward run-off and we all know that Heithcock lost.

-Perhaps, I am wrong, but I thought that was a private alley running through the site. The project never sought to close the alley, but have a pass through under the connector between the tower and the YWCA facadectomy.

-If the project doesn't move forward as a proposal, then it obviously will no longer seek DPD or Landmarks approvals. Those things take time, and I don't recall an outright denial ever being issued.

-The tower was made to be as slender as possible, hence why it was so tall. This was an accommodation made, in part, to block as few views as possible. It turned out the tower was too narrow as designed, and some changes were made after the wind tunnel tests were conducted.

-Its true that Barr couldn't get 1000 South Michigan off the ground, but neither could 2 other developers. This was a different concept then what was being sold at 1000 (which did a good number of pre-sales). 830 would have been chock full of high-end units with unobstructed views of the park (much moreso, than what was offered at the short and squat 1000), and at the time was a very successful product, as seen by The Legacy, One Museum Park, One Musuem Park West, 340 on the Park and The Colombian.

[spyguy]

http://www.chicagobusiness.com/cgi-bin/mag/article.pl?articleId=32573

Dorms for the dead
By: Alby Gallun and Thomas A. Corfman

The dead may breathe new life into the Three Arts Club in the Gold Coast.

Once a 110-room dormitory for women artists, the landmark building could become a permanent home to the cremated remains of as many as 15,000 people.

...Alderman Brendan Reilly (42nd), whose ward includes the property, is reserving judgment but likes the proposed project's limited impact on traffic.
---

Let's recap.

-We could have had a small upscale boutique hotel but that plan was killed over objections to a rooftop pool. Soho House made a number of concessions but eventually pulled out after neighbors threatened to vote the precinct dry.
-Plans for a private elementary school were panned partly because of traffic concerns.

So now the best plan for this beautiful building is to house the remains of dead people because they don't make noise or create much traffic.

[aic4ever]

http://www.chicagobusiness.com/mag/images/articles/32573.jpg

Dorms for the dead
By: Alby Gallun and Thomas A. Corfman

The dead may breathe new life into the Three Arts Club in the Gold Coast.

Once a 110-room dormitory for women artists, the landmark building could become a permanent home to the cremated remains of as many as 15,000 people.

...Alderman Brendan Reilly (42nd), whose ward includes the property, is reserving judgment but likes the proposed project's limited impact on traffic.
---

Let's recap.

-We could have had a small upscale boutique hotel but that plan was killed over objections to a rooftop pool. Soho House made a number of concessions but eventually pulled out after neighbors threatened to vote the precinct dry.
-Plans for a private elementary school were panned partly because of traffic concerns.

So now the best plan for this beautiful building is to house the remains of dead people because they don't make noise or create much traffic.

What a shame. Soho House was such a fun project for that building.

[ardecila]

John Ronan gets acclaimed when he envisions the same usage for the Old Post Office, but when it gets pitched for this building, you all balk.

Obviously, the Post Office presents several irritating aspects that make traditional re-use challenging, while this project could conceivably work as an active use. But an innovative use of urban land is still an innovative use of urban land.

[VivaLFuego]

http://www.chicagobusiness.com/cgi-bin/mag/article.pl?articleId=32573

Dorms for the dead
By: Alby Gallun and Thomas A. Corfman

The dead may breathe new life into the Three Arts Club in the Gold Coast.

Once a 110-room dormitory for women artists, the landmark building could become a permanent home to the cremated remains of as many as 15,000 people.

...Alderman Brendan Reilly (42nd), whose ward includes the property, is reserving judgment but likes the proposed project's limited impact on traffic.
---

Let's recap.

-We could have had a small upscale boutique hotel but that plan was killed over objections to a rooftop pool. Soho House made a number of concessions but eventually pulled out after neighbors threatened to vote the precinct dry.
-Plans for a private elementary school were panned partly because of traffic concerns.

So now the best plan for this beautiful building is to house the remains of dead people because they don't make noise or create much traffic.

:haha: :haha: :haha: :haha: :haha: :haha:

[a chicago bearcat]

So now the best plan for this beautiful building is to house the remains of dead people because they don't make noise or create much traffic.

Don't forget, they also don't swim.

[Chicago Shawn]

http://www.chicagobusiness.com/cgi-bin/mag/article.pl?articleId=32573

Dorms for the dead
By: Alby Gallun and Thomas A. Corfman

The dead may breathe new life into the Three Arts Club in the Gold Coast.

Once a 110-room dormitory for women artists, the landmark building could become a permanent home to the cremated remains of as many as 15,000 people.

...Alderman Brendan Reilly (42nd), whose ward includes the property, is reserving judgment but likes the proposed project's limited impact on traffic.
---

Let's recap.

-We could have had a small upscale boutique hotel but that plan was killed over objections to a rooftop pool. Soho House made a number of concessions but eventually pulled out after neighbors threatened to vote the precinct dry.
-Plans for a private elementary school were panned partly because of traffic concerns.

So now the best plan for this beautiful building is to house the remains of dead people because they don't make noise or create much traffic.


Will this be run by a religious organization? I'm interested in knowing if this piece of prime real estate will remain in tax exempt status for eternity. If so, then I would prefer another use that will generate revenue for our cash strapped city and county, especially with the budget deficits as large as they are right now.

In general, I am glad this building my find an adaptive re-use that will preserve it. This type of a use will probably keep all or at least most of the the interior features worth saving.

[spyguy]

John Ronan gets acclaimed when he envisions the same usage for the Old Post Office, but when it gets pitched for this building, you all balk.

Obviously, the Post Office presents several irritating aspects that make traditional re-use challenging, while this project could conceivably work as an active use. But an innovative use of urban land is still an innovative use of urban land.

But I'm not sure an innovative program is needed here, or that the most innovative use is necessarily the best. For example, a hotel will certainly employ more people than a columbarium.

And as you noted, there are quite a few differences between the two. The reuse plans for the post office are limited by its massive size, poor condition, and location, not by neighborhood opposition. The same is not true for the 3 Arts building.

Will this be run by a religious organization? I'm interested in knowing if this piece of prime real estate will remain in tax exempt status for eternity. If so, then I would prefer another use that will generate revenue for our cash strapped city and county, especially with the budget deficits as large as they are right now.


The article doesn't say.

I'm just thinking out loud, but there are probably some other long term issues to take into consideration. First, this building is going to see fewer and fewer visitors as time goes on. 100 years after it reaches capacity, who is going to use the building besides the caretaker? Doesn't seem like a good use of a prime location.

The article mentions an endowment for building maintenance. Whether that'll be enough to cover any very large unforeseen expenses, I don't know, and what happens if not, I don't know. Once it becomes a resting place for cremated remains it'll be difficult to sell, convert, or even demolish the building in the future.

[VivaLFuego]

I'm pondering the irony that 3 blocks north, Lincoln Park was an improvement to the urban environment necessitating the removal of human remains, and now the only viable way to preserve the urban environment (per NIMBY orthodoxy) is to... bring in some human remains.

There's a lesson to be drawn here, but I can't quite put my finger on it.

[aic4ever]

Will this be run by a religious organization? I'm interested in knowing if this piece of prime real estate will remain in tax exempt status for eternity. If so, then I would prefer another use that will generate revenue for our cash strapped city and county, especially with the budget deficits as large as they are right now.

In general, I am glad this building my find an adaptive re-use that will preserve it. This type of a use will probably keep all or at least most of the the interior features worth saving.

Not only would it be tax-exempt, it would probably get TIF money.

[SamInTheLoop]

I never said people would be living in it, but rather I said it would have stood a chance at starting construction before the housing bust.

-There was a public meeting at Jones College Prep. I was there, and I remember the homemade signs and Peter Ziv running his mouth and trying to compare it to Burnham Pointe.

-The 830 project never moved forward beyond one meeting because Alderman Heithcock was fighting for votes and wasn't about to push forward on any controversial project. Then we had the 2nd ward run-off and we all know that Heithcock lost.

-Perhaps, I am wrong, but I thought that was a private alley running through the site. The project never sought to close the alley, but have a pass through under the connector between the tower and the YWCA facadectomy.

-If the project doesn't move forward as a proposal, then it obviously will no longer seek DPD or Landmarks approvals. Those things take time, and I don't recall an outright denial ever being issued.

-The tower was made to be as slender as possible, hence why it was so tall. This was an accommodation made, in part, to block as few views as possible. It turned out the tower was too narrow as designed, and some changes were made after the wind tunnel tests were conducted.

-Its true that Barr couldn't get 1000 South Michigan off the ground, but neither could 2 other developers. This was a different concept then what was being sold at 1000 (which did a good number of pre-sales). 830 would have been chock full of high-end units with unobstructed views of the park (much moreso, than what was offered at the short and squat 1000), and at the time was a very successful product, as seen by The Legacy, One Museum Park, One Musuem Park West, 340 on the Park and The Colombian.


The Park Michigan proposal was a pretty solid project from an architectural/urban design/skyline enhancement and balancing standpoint - very appropriate to have something at approximately that height in that location - particularly given its overall massing. The ridiculous fears of selective placement of some buildings of greater than 500-600 ft height in the neighborhood need to be beaten back through comprehensive education for area NIMBYs on cost/benefit trade-offs to the community. Further, this absurd aversion by some to a scurge of shadows on the park or elsewhere in the neighborhood from a proposal of this slenderness (or preferably a few buildings in the vicinity of such height) needs to also be confronted and aleviated head-on.

Again, very solid proposal, pity it wasn't from a much better developer than Renaissant, which was demonstrably of fairly lilmited capability - what else did this guy actually deliver - Vision on State? Was he also maybe a partner in some of the trashier work in Central Station? The fact that he couldn't get 1000 South Michigan off the ground at the point in the market cycle when it was taken by Renaissant over speaks volumes about his generally low capabilities as a big-league developer...

[emathias]

Not only would it be tax-exempt, it would probably get TIF money.

TIF money for something that generates practically zero economic activity and doesn't help alleviate dead zones (pun intended)?

[ChicagoChicago]

TIF money for something that generates practically zero economic activity and doesn't help alleviate dead zones (pun intended)?

It's what the Nimby's want. Let them pay for it with their property taxes.

[aic4ever]

TIF money for something that generates practically zero economic activity and doesn't help alleviate dead zones (pun intended)?

You would be surprised just how much TIF money goes to things like schools and not-for-profits that don't pay property tax, despite what the City would have you believe about higher assessed values, not indexed for inflation, and incoming "private" money, which they calculate as being ANY money not funded from the TIF, whether it be actual private money, or other tax dollars.

[a chicago bearcat]

You would be surprised just how much TIF money goes to things like schools and not-for-profits that don't pay property tax, despite what the City would have you believe about higher assessed values, not indexed for inflation, and incoming "private" money, which they calculate as being ANY money not funded from the TIF, whether it be actual private money, or other tax dollars.

I believe that TIF was originally there to improve the district, not to help developers. Not-for-profits, building restoration and schools tend to strengthen a community in it's early stages, increasing property values. Which leads to more taxes in the TIF district, and ideally more investment.

The whole system is a bit twisted, and I'd be in favor of taking a lot of the TIF districts in the healthier parts of downtown, disband them, put the money currently set aside for them, and put it into a restoration fund to help historic and public structures in the future.

I just think some sort of TIF reorganization would help us refocus TaxIncrementedFinancing to projects that are culturally, not purely economically driven. (I fine line as many restoration projects requiring funds are driven by economic needs)

[a chicago bearcat]

Also, if you let a historic structure fall into such disrepair that it requires demolition in a historic district.

I propose losing your property rights to the city, or something along the lines of getting a landlord to have a financial incentive for preservation. I'm mainly talking Streetwall, because this YWCA stuff really bugs me.

[emathias]

You would be surprised just how much TIF money goes to things like schools and not-for-profits that don't pay property tax, despite what the City would have you believe about higher assessed values, not indexed for inflation, and incoming "private" money, which they calculate as being ANY money not funded from the TIF, whether it be actual private money, or other tax dollars.

As long as TIFs are used for something that either generates economic activity or makes the area more attractive, I think that's appropriate. Schools both generate economic activity and make areas more attractive, so even though they don't pay taxes I think they're perfectly appropriate. I wouldn't mind non-profits getting the money, either, as long as they met one or both of those criteria. But I think a dead zone or whatever it's called fails on both counts.

[Nowhereman1280]

Also, if you let a historic structure fall into such disrepair that it requires demolition in a historic district.

I propose losing your property rights to the city, or something along the lines of getting a landlord to have a financial incentive for preservation. I'm mainly talking Streetwall, because this YWCA stuff really bugs me.

I propose a Georgist land tax system where there is a Land Value Tax or "single tax" on land. This would mean that the "value" of the land determines how much tax you pay, not the value of the improvements. In other words, the amount of taxes paid on what is now viewed as the "more valuable" landmarked building would be the same as if it were an empty lot. So that means its in the property owner's best interest to keep their lot occupied with a revenue producing building at all times since they can't get property tax discounts by making the property "less valuable" by tearing down a building and operating a parking lot.

I think a pure system like this would be ridiculous, but one that somewhat resembles it would greatly reduce the temptation to demolish properties or let them fall into disrepair.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Single_Tax

Someone on here one noted that Pittsburgh or somewhere has a similar tax system that may have contributed to their relatively low tear-down rate and lack of vacant lots.

[Haworthia]

I propose a Georgist land tax system where there is a Land Value Tax or "single tax" on land. This would mean that the "value" of the land determines how much tax you pay, not the value of the improvements. In other words, the amount of taxes paid on what is now viewed as the "more valuable" landmarked building would be the same as if it were an empty lot. So that means its in the property owner's best interest to keep their lot occupied with a revenue producing building at all times since they can't get property tax discounts by making the property "less valuable" by tearing down a building and operating a parking lot.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Single_Tax

I like the idea of a Land Value Tax, but I'm not convinced it would save historic structures. Wouldn't that just add pressure to tear down an historic structure and build something larger?

I think some sort of tax discount would be needed for Historic structures. That way, there is market pressure to get rid of parking lots in dense areas, but not pressure to level historic structures.

[VivaLFuego]

Without getting too far OT, the "ideal" would seem to be a tax based primarily on land value but with some portion of the assessment based on the economic value of the improvements (we're too heavily skewed towards valuing the replacement value of improvements than the land, now, which incentivizes teardowns for either parking lots or simple land-banking and speculative flipping). A landmarked structure as a parcel's improvement could be called a (relatively) negative economic use from the landowner's perspective and thus landmarking could reduce that property's tax burden at the expense of the surrounding parcels that 'benefit' from their proximity to the landmark.

Agreed that a 'single tax' based solely on land gives incentive only for highest-and-best use at all times - it disincentivizes parking lots (progress over the current system) but does little to directly protect landmarks.

[Nowhereman1280]

^^^ Well ideally it would be combined with strong preservation laws which we do not have at the moment. The city could also give a tax break that would greatly incentivize landmarking for eligible properties. Or, they could make system where properties they want "landmarked" could be completely exempted from the "land value tax" portion of the property tax if the owners apply for landmarking. There also needs to be a way the city can force landmarking down the throats of certain buildings that are too valuable to lose.

[Mr Downtown]

Why do you say we do not have strong preservation laws? I think Chicago has only lost four individual landmarks (two to fire, one to neglect, one to de-landmarking so that Block 37 would not be delayed) since the "new" landmark ordinance took effect in the mid-80s. As for tax exemption, we already have the Class L exemption. Landmarking is forced down the throats of certain buildings that are too valuable to lose—with the exception of buildings currently used for religious services.

Under a Georgist system, the YWCA would have been lost years ago, because the "inherent value" of the land on Michigan Avenue would be so great that a building of such modest size could not support it. Georgist schemes also usually give way too much emphasis to transportation access, which is now fairly ubiquitous. What really determines the value of land today is how much rich people want it.

[Hayward]

I can't see this use for the building ending well in the future. From my observation of these types of structures, they tend to fall quickly into neglect and disrepair, under such use. There's too few people to complain when something goes wrong, so problems go unfixed. Someone mentioned a "caretaker" likely running things and I agree that something like that will happen.

[Nowhereman1280]

Why do you say we do not have strong preservation laws? I think Chicago has only lost four individual landmarks (two to fire, one to neglect, one to de-landmarking so that Block 37 would not be delayed) since the "new" landmark ordinance took effect in the mid-80s. As for tax exemption, we already have the Class L exemption. Landmarking is forced down the throats of certain buildings that are too valuable to lose—with the exception of buildings currently used for religious services.

By stronger I mean two things 1. an ordinance that doesn't get struck down in the courts and 2. an ordinance that landmarks more buildings and gives more incentive to the owners to landmark their property.

Under a Georgist system, the YWCA would have been lost years ago, because the "inherent value" of the land on Michigan Avenue would be so great that a building of such modest size could not support it. Georgist schemes also usually give way too much emphasis to transportation access, which is now fairly ubiquitous. What really determines the value of land today is how much rich people want it.

Except under a Georgist system where there are more laws than just property tax laws (I don't know in what world you think a Georgian tax system could or would exist in the absence of other laws), the building would still have been protected by zoning laws (in the event that there were some sort of height restriction or restriction on what you can build fronting michigan ave) and our landmarking ordinance. Clearly I was not advocating a pure interpretation of Henry George's theories or I would as be advocating the complete destruction of the concept of land ownership, which is absurd and, if you pay attention to my political leanings, something I would clearly despise...

And who says that Georgian systems put an emphasis on transportation access? Thats only one way of assessing the "value" of the land. There is no mandated way of valuing land in order for something to be a Land Value Tax, it can be valued however seems most accurate. Maybe there are systems in existence that tend to lean towards transportation, but I don't know of them. The best way to determine the value of land is to abstract its market value from sales data, not to make some arbitrary number up based on proximity to transportation.

[intrepidDesign]

From IFP Chicago:

A $5 million state grant approved Friday set in motion the purchase of the former Ryerson steel property that will be converted into the biggest state-of- the-art film studio outside of Hollywood.

Cinespace Chicago, located on 50 acres of prime city property on the Near Southwest Side, is now under construction and one 330,000-sq. ft. stage could be ready for action by January.

more in the link

http://www.ifpchicago.org/chicago-gets-80-million-studio-complex/

[BVictor1]

Looks like there is a fire at Columbus Plaza downtown on Wacker Drive. It's hard to see where the smoke is coming from from my current location. I don't think it's anything major.

[BorisMolotov]

^ Thats great news for the film industry here. How much cheaper is it to produce movies outside of Hollywood? I know Toronto has really cheap production studios.

[VivaLFuego]

Looks like there is a fire at the Hyatt downtown. It's hard to see where the smoke is coming from from my current location. I don't think it's anything major.

It's a rooftop HVAC unit, per one of my friends who works in an upper floor at 2PRU with a direct view...

[ardecila]

^ Thats great news for the film industry here. How much cheaper is it to produce movies outside of Hollywood? I know Toronto has really cheap production studios.

It depends. Various cities and states offer substantial tax breaks on film production, which comes in handy if you plan to do a lot of on-location work and you want a convenient, nearby place to shoot stage scenes. Chicago attracts a fair number of movies for on-location filming, so it makes sense to have a sizable studio here, just like New York has Silvercup. I'm looking forward to seeing Chicago stand in for generic cities more often, as is the case with LA.

[the urban politician]

From IFP Chicago:

A $5 million state grant approved Friday set in motion the purchase of the former Ryerson steel property that will be converted into the biggest state-of- the-art film studio outside of Hollywood.

Cinespace Chicago, located on 50 acres of prime city property on the Near Southwest Side, is now under construction and one 330,000-sq. ft. stage could be ready for action by January.

more in the link

http://www.ifpchicago.org/chicago-gets-80-million-studio-complex/

^ Is this the same studio they were talking about a few years ago? This is great news

[Mr Downtown]

By stronger I mean two things 1. an ordinance that doesn't get struck down in the courts and 2. an ordinance that landmarks more buildings and gives more incentive to the owners to landmark their property.

Chicago's ordinance has certainly not been struck down. No part of it is even threatened except the automatic approval portion. The bizarre appellate court decision tells more about the poor reasoning skills of long-ballot electees than it does about the city's ordinance, which is virtually identical to the ones in other cities, which have been upheld ever since Penn Central.

And what incentives do you think would be stronger than the Class L scheme?


the building would still have been protected by zoning laws (in the event that there were some sort of height restriction or restriction on what you can build fronting michigan ave) and our landmarking ordinance.

But the zoning has allowed 264-foot buildings on that site since the turn of the century, 400-footers since 1923, and virtually no limit since 1957. If the owner had been paying property tax based on the site's inherent value instead of the more modest improvements, this little building would have been replaced decades before it could have even been considered a landmark.

[ardecila]

^ Maybe, but it wouldn't have been torn down with no uncertain future. If market demand did not support a bigger building, then it would have been renovated to serve another purpose.

[BWChicago]

It seems relevant to post the run-down of incentives for historic rehab: http://egov.cityofchicago.org/Landmarks/pdf/Incentives_Flyer2.pdf

[emathias]

Anyone seen any news on Staybridge since the last note that they might start up again on November 1st?

I haven't seen much going on there this week yet, and the "weather-protection" hasn't been re-attached in a while, giving it a definitely ratty look.

I have noticed that they re-posted their sidewalk and street impact permits, most of which expire around the end of November.

[SamInTheLoop]

Does anybody know if this project has officially begun construction, or at least site prep? I have not been down there in ages to see for myself...


Posted by Spyguy

http://img202.imageshack.us/img202/9747/hospital1.jpg

[Busy Bee]

It was already built, and then its' rocket boosters took it to Nebula 9.

[jcchii]

^no kidding

all your base are belong to us

[VivaLFuego]

I'm in Hyde Park pretty often, I'll try to swing by the site this weekend.

Random trivia, my grandfather ran a Sinclair gas station across the street (NW corner of 57th & Cottage) back in the day...

[Baronvonellis]

The new medical center is definitely under construction. The last time I was over there was in August, and they were doing foundation work. I would imagine they are coming along pretty good with it now.

[the urban politician]

^ Good to hear, esp since it's basically replacing parking lots.

Chicago now has 3 University hospitals u/c right now in the city. Add to that the Women's Hospital & Stroger built a couple of years ago and VAMC completed last year, and we're seeing the close of a whole era of modernizing Chicago's healthcare infrastructure.

I've also heard rumblings that Mt Sinai on the SW side plans a new hospital, pending financing.

[BVictor1]

Does anybody know if this project has officially begun construction, or at least site prep? I have not been down there in ages to see for myself...


Posted by Spyguy

http://img202.imageshack.us/img202/9747/hospital1.jpg

They finished caissons in August and the site has been dug out. There's a big ass hole in the ground currently. The elevator core is also starting to rise. This is about 1-mile from my house, and I'll try to get some shots in the next few days.

[ChicagoismynewBlog]

^^ I have a feeling that in 20 years, this thing will be such a massive eyesore and will be really costly to demolish...it's a gigantic block...like the old main post office of hospital buildings.

http://chicagoismynewblog.wordpress.com

[Busy Bee]

Ugly hospitals DON'T get torn down unless they also happen to be functionally obsolete, and that won't be the case here.

[Chicagoguy]

It depends. Various cities and states offer substantial tax breaks on film production, which comes in handy if you plan to do a lot of on-location work and you want a convenient, nearby place to shoot stage scenes. Chicago attracts a fair number of movies for on-location filming, so it makes sense to have a sizable studio here, just like New York has Silvercup. I'm looking forward to seeing Chicago stand in for generic cities more often, as is the case with LA.

Yes this is great news, and it just sucks that it is coming right when Oprah is probably going to be leaving. She is basically all we have left, lol. I mean does anything even film at NBC Tower anymore? I feel this city really doesnt take advantage of all it has to offer. And with Jerry and now Oprah leaving, it will take us off the map almost completely.

[the urban politician]

Yes this is great news, and it just sucks that it is coming right when Oprah is probably going to be leaving. She is basically all we have left, lol. I mean does anything even film at NBC Tower anymore? I feel this city really doesnt take advantage of all it has to offer. And with Jerry and now Oprah leaving, it will take us off the map almost completely.

^ If it makes you feel better, Chicago never was on the map.

Jerry and Oprah really weren't enough to make Chicago a media center by any sense of the term. Chicago has only to gain, not lose, at this point. I don't think we need to go through this all again, but I'm guessing we're all pretty much in agreement that Chicago is the most unknown, underrepresented major city in the country, if not the western hemisphere?

[denizen467]

Chicago never was on the map.

Jerry and Oprah really weren't enough to make Chicago a media center by any sense of the term. Chicago has only to gain, not lose, at this point. I don't think we need to go through this all again, but I'm guessing we're all pretty much in agreement that Chicago is the most unknown, underrepresented major city in the country, if not the western hemisphere?


Not sure exactly what "map" all of you are referring to, but I'd say it was and is on the map, though admittedly a distant 3rd or 4th (give or take). Oprah is one of the most famous shows in the country and every Friday her show is called "Fridays Live in Chicago", with ample emphasis of the cityscapes here. The city is very much in the national consciousness. She launched her season premiere on the Michigan Avenue bridge and regularly has in-depth interviews where she scoops all other shows with mega-celebrities, which become must-see pop culture replayed on other news and entertainment shows. Et cetera.

Daily interviews on virtually all of the major national news networks are done live with the Chicago River in the background or from one of the streetside studios. Remote interviews in all other cities (NY, DC and Atlanta are the only regular exceptions; a few other cities including LA have only occasional exceptions) are done with obviously stale photo backdrops. Financial tv networks have "pitside" studios at the CME they regularly broadcast from. ESPN's daily live debate show includes a journalist from Chicago. David Letterman and Conan O'Brien, as well as Ellen DeGeneres and others occasionally relocate their shows to Chicago for up to an entire week. WGN studios recently was joined by CLTV studios moving from Oak Brook and perhaps there will be some growing critical mass there. WTTW (and WBEZ, though that's radio) continually produce national programming. These are little things that keep Chicago on the "map". So aside from LA/NY/DC, Chicago has really just Atlanta as a competitor.

If the map you're talking about is quantity and quality of studios/professionals for scripted television and movies, then sure, Chicago is nothing compared to LA, but then in the US nowhere else is. And Chicago remains a favorite for location shoots.

As far as live broadcast or unscripted television, Chicago's central location and easy air access (especially for celebrities jetting between LA and NY), and continual draw of visitors to fill daily studio audiences, should keep it on the "map" in a modest way in the long term, even if a hiatus arises if Oprah leaves.

[emathias]

The black granite "Sears Tower" on the Wacker side have been removed and they are in the middle of installing a black granite "Willis Tower" in its place.

I, for one, am very happy to see the stupid painted steel cover replaced.

Now if the City would just fix that damn lake-sized puddle in front of the sign ...

[spyguy]

Reva and David Logan Center for the Creative and Performing Arts
http://img26.imageshack.us/img26/2681/wc2736image.jpg
http://img36.imageshack.us/img36/4976/wc2737image.jpg
http://img26.imageshack.us/img26/3327/wc2738image.jpg
http://img63.imageshack.us/img63/6140/wc2739image.jpg
http://img5.imageshack.us/img5/2172/wc2740image.jpg
http://img14.imageshack.us/img14/4518/wc2741image.jpg

http://news.uchicago.edu/news.php?asset_id=1768

Detailed plans for Logan Arts Center to be unveiled Nov. 10

Architects Tod Williams and Billie Tsien will unveil detailed plans for the $100 million Reva and David Logan Center for the Creative and Performing Arts at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 10 at the University of Chicago Law School. The event is free and open to the public.

The husband–and–wife team also will provide insight into the creative process that has elevated them to international acclaim as preeminent designers of public arts and culture spaces. Well–known for their elegant, modernist design and subtle integration of context, Williams and Tsien were selected in June 2007 to design the Logan Arts Center. This event will mark the first public viewing of their ambitious plans for the complex, which is slated to open in spring of 2012 south of Midway Plaisance.

The luminous glass and stone structure will have 170,000 square feet of space, bridging architecture and art and providing a framework for uniting artistic theory with practice—a hallmark of the University’s approach to the arts. Many departments and disciplines will share the facility, including visual arts, theater, music, as well as cinema and media studies. The structure will add much needed space to the University’s vibrant arts scene, and will feature studios, rehearsal space, director’s cut screening rooms, state–of–the art acoustical theaters, lecture rooms and set–building shops.

In addition, the center will serve as a southern gateway to campus, opening the University to its neighborhood and the city, and providing a place for distinguished local and international artists and scholars to create, debate, exhibit and perform.

[Busy Bee]

Very nice.

[AdrianXSands]

wow, that's really nice.
but what ever happend with this performing arts center?
http://www.aiany.org/eOCULUS/newsletter/wp-content/uploads/2007/06/uchi-ccpa-approach.jpg

[BVictor1]

wow, that's really nice.
but what ever happend with this performing arts center?
http://www.aiany.org/eOCULUS/newsletter/wp-content/uploads/2007/06/uchi-ccpa-approach.jpg

Well, it appears as if things have changed :shrug:

[AdrianXSands]

i know... :(

why can't university of chicago just have two performing arts centers? :cool:

seriously though... tw+bt is so cool, i'd be happy with anything they design.

[spyguy]

^Yeah, I really liked that version too. But I think that was always just an initial concept as part of the design contest. It was bound to change after meeting with various departments. For example, the cantilever at the top had a cafe with a retractable roof. Cool? Very. Good use of the University's money? Probably not.

[spyguy]

http://newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/towerticker/2009/11/museum-of-broadcast-communications-gets-state-money-others-get-honors.html

Museum of Broadcast Communications gets state money; others get honors
By Phil Rosenthal

Bruce DuMont on Saturday announced a $6 million appropriation from the cash-strapped state of Illinois that should facilitate completion of stalled construction on the Museum of Broadcast Communications.

[ardecila]

Oh, thank god. We can finally get rid of that eyesore on Kinzie and finish off the modernization of that street. Truth be told, I completely forgot it was still there.

[the urban politician]

Oh, thank god. We can finally get rid of that eyesore on Kinzie and finish off the modernization of that street. Truth be told, I completely forgot it was still there.

^ I agree that it's great news--but what are you implying when you say 'modernization'? Are you perchance referring to mass transit improvements?

[sentinel]

Reva and David Logan Center for the Creative and Performing Arts


http://news.uchicago.edu/news.php?asset_id=1768

Detailed plans for Logan Arts Center to be unveiled Nov. 10

Architects Tod Williams and Billie Tsien will unveil detailed plans for the $100 million Reva and David Logan Center for the Creative and Performing Arts at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 10 at the University of Chicago Law School. The event is free and open to the public...

Thanks, as always spyguy - Well, it's not necessarily as cool in some aspects as the original competition model, I have to say I am happy with the design and very happy about the location, bringing more interesting architecture to the South Side..and happier still about the adjacency and (more importantly) salvation of the Loredo Taft Midway studios. I'm kinda confused because the skylights seem to be facing north, which probably won't see much light in the colder months, but then I was wondering if it's a deliberate way of bringing indirect sunlight into the upper studios, instead of glaring, direct sunlight. Also, LOVE the last image of the pre-cast limestone, carrying on the tradition of the limestone buildings on campus.

[the urban politician]

^ Technically, doesn't this count as a highrise (ie over 12 stories) proposal?

[Pandemonious]

Looks to be technically 12 floors exactly, according to the section. Either way, it is a very attractive design. I am really digging the color and scale of the stone cladding. I like it a lot more than the competition version.

[emathias]

^ I agree that it's great news--but what are you implying when you say 'modernization'? Are you perchance referring to mass transit improvements?

I think he just means that once that's done there won't be any more surface lots or half-constructed shells on Kinzie east of Orleans.

Now if the stretch of State between Kinzie and Illinois could just be perked up a little - those vintage buildings would looks awesome if they were rehabbed - it would just be a big improvement if the Law Bulletin removed the concrete blocks from their window spaces, for that matter. And someone needs to do something about that ugly parking garage on the NE corner of State and Kinzie.

[ardecila]

I think he just means that once that's done there won't be any more surface lots or half-constructed shells on Kinzie east of Orleans.

Now if the stretch of State between Kinzie and Illinois could just be perked up a little - those vintage buildings would looks awesome if they were rehabbed - it would just be a big improvement if the Law Bulletin removed the concrete blocks from their window spaces, for that matter. And someone needs to do something about that ugly parking garage on the NE corner of State and Kinzie.

Yea... there's been quite a bit of development on Kinzie - EnV, Greenway Garage, 353 N Clark, Marina Tower hotel renovation, the Marriott/SpringHill Suites building, 400 N LaSalle & garage, the Sterling, and Dearborn Plaza. The street is now filled in, for all intents and purposes, from its beginning at Lower Michigan to the North Branch of the river. K Station will extend that corridor all the way to Halsted, with the exception of Blommer Chocolate's parking lot and a little lot at Canal/Kinzie that is reserved for the Carroll transitway and green space.

I don't know anything more about the Carroll transitway than you do, though... but I assume that IF the city decides to build bus lanes on Kinzie instead of Carroll, then a significant streetscaping will accompany that. The city's been reluctant to give Kinzie a makeover, despite the intense development there, and it's problematic, since Kinzie has huge 2-foot curbs, literally crumbling sidewalks, and other conditions that aggravate the pedestrian. The lack of a coherent riverwalk on the north bank means that Kinzie is really the only east-west path for pedestrians. Other streets in the downtown area might be boring and in need of some sprucing-up, but Kinzie is really the only one that's unsafe.

[VivaLFuego]

Yea... there's been quite a bit of development on Kinzie - EnV, Greenway Garage, 353 N Clark, Marina Tower hotel renovation, the Marriott/SpringHill Suites building, 400 N LaSalle & garage, the Sterling, and Dearborn Plaza. The street is now filled in, for all intents and purposes, from its beginning at Lower Michigan to the North Branch of the river. K Station will extend that corridor all the way to Halsted, with the exception of Blommer Chocolate's parking lot and a little lot at Canal/Kinzie that is reserved for the Carroll transitway and green space.

I don't know anything more about the Carroll transitway than you do, though... but I assume that IF the city decides to build bus lanes on Kinzie instead of Carroll, then a significant streetscaping will accompany that. The city's been reluctant to give Kinzie a makeover, despite the intense development there, and it's problematic, since Kinzie has huge 2-foot curbs, literally crumbling sidewalks, and other conditions that aggravate the pedestrian. The lack of a coherent riverwalk on the north bank means that Kinzie is really the only east-west path for pedestrians. Other streets in the downtown area might be boring and in need of some sprucing-up, but Kinzie is really the only one that's unsafe.

Yeah, parts of Kinzie are so old, that it also still has (or had, until recently at least) a few purple glass "skylights" to provide light to the vaulted sidewalks. I call dibs on those...

[Nowhereman1280]

^ Technically, doesn't this count as a highrise (ie over 12 stories) proposal?

The plan appears to show this building to be well over 150' as well which would also qualify it as a highrise. Thats important on this one since its got such irregular floor heights due to the interesting diversity of uses.

[ih8spires]

I am very happy to hear the Museum of Brodcast Communications is going to be finished. :yes: I wonder if the previous announcment of a Johny Rocket and other restaraunt are still in the plans. I hope the Redfish across the street will come back to life too.

[ih8spires]

As for the parking garage on the NE corner of State and Kinzie, I don't think it is to bad. It has a fairly good looking skin that goes with IBM and hides the cars and structure inside. Also, it has a little life with a Hertz, Donkin Donuts, and a convinience store.
They spent some money on it as well. They repaired a lot of the concrete this past Summer. So, I don't think tearing it down is in the plans. I remember hearing it was built to be added on to in the future, kind of like BCBS. Does anyone know about that and if so, what the structure could support?

[emathias]

As for the parking garage on the NE corner of State and Kinzie, I don't think it is to bad. It has a fairly good looking skin that goes with IBM and hides the cars and structure inside. Also, it has a little life with a Hertz, Donkin Donuts, and a convinience store.
They spent some money on it as well. They repaired a lot of the concrete this past Summer. So, I don't think tearing it down is in the plans. I remember hearing it was built to be added on to in the future, kind of like BCBS. Does anyone know about that and if so, what the structure could support?

I wasn't necessarily advocating it being torn down, just that, at least on the State side, something be done so it isn't such a black hole, sucking up all the light there. During the day, it's just ugly, but at night it absorbs a lot of light, making that stretch decidedly less friendly than parts north of it.