[SkokieSwift]

How exactly is this lawsuit against the FORMER developer an "obstacle" against Block 37's progression? Talk about muckraking...

[jjk1103]

....I just walked by the site and there is some sort of serious "something" going on over there ?? ................I don't know what it was but State and Washington were both very busy with construction related activity.

[ardecila]

It's official... subway construction has BEGUN! Since it doesn't have caissons, I was waiting for the slurry wall to be poured, which began today.

Sorry about the bad quality... Macy's has really let things go to the dogs, including the cleanliness of their windows. (you can see a reflected floral sofa in the shot).
http://img440.imageshack.us/img440/2372/b371ph9.jpg

[harryc]

....I just walked by the site and there is some sort of serious "something" going on over there ?? ................I don't know what it was but State and Washington were both very busy with construction related activity.

It's official... subway construction has BEGUN! Since it doesn't have caissons, I was waiting for the slurry wall to be poured, which began today.
...snip...


That looks like a ( clean ) trench digger, narrow set of buckets with a BIG hydrolic system to bite out a thin trench ( slurry wall )

From earlier this summer at block 37.
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1358/858362128_3f7b570c15.jpg?v=0

[jjk1103]

....they were working under the lights at about 10pm tonight....there is just a huge amount of activity on the site ! There is a giant crane sitting in the middle of State st......

[Tom Servo]

Яыкпонский яз:thrasher:

[SamInTheLoop]

^ They obviously need to build the bottom few stories of the core for the residential tower(s), as the residential component sits on top of the retail/dining/entertainment base, which covers the majority of the block. Freed has not yet decided exactly what the residential component will consist of, but the Illinois Real Estate Journal reported earlier this month that an announcement is expected within a few months...

[APPRAISER]

I don't know if this has been asked already, but how many stories are the residental towers?

[SolarWind]

.

[SolarWind]

July 19, 2007

http://img227.imageshack.us/img227/6462/dsc0288copyvm7.jpg

http://img460.imageshack.us/img460/3792/block37yx8.jpg

[SolarWind]

July 20, 2007

http://img460.imageshack.us/img460/2429/dsc0002copyvt1.jpg

http://img227.imageshack.us/img227/1448/dsc0219copynx9.jpg

http://img523.imageshack.us/img523/4114/dsc0234copyyo0.jpg.

[left of center]

ugh, i just hate how the CBS/Morningstar office tower is so short and stubby. This is literally in the center of the city, sitting on the confluence of 2 CTA lines that run 24 hours, at the center of the city's future airport express, and right at the city's historic retail and civic center. How could the economics of this project ever allow this? I just hope the residential towers make up for it in terms of height.

Atleast the design is coming out alright. Nothing great, but decent.

In 10 or 20 years, this sucker is getting torn down for a much larger office tower as it is, IMO. The land its on is too valuable.

[chicubs111]

I alwasy felt the tower was too short as well...They rushed this project and wanted to get something off the ground because of all the failures with it but I mean common,..this is a great spot for a 60 story iconic tower...I mean the whole concept would look better with a much taller tower.

[museumparktom]

:previous: This is the shortest of 3 towers and I think that the CBS tower height is in keeping with it's surronding structures. It's infill.

[cbotnyse]

I alwasy felt the tower was too short as well...They rushed this project and wanted to get something off the ground because of all the failures with it but I mean common,..this is a great spot for a 60 story iconic tower...I mean the whole concept would look better with a much taller tower.agreed....heck they could have put the Spire here. This is kinda disappointing considering its central location. I dont think this building will get any notice in the skyline.

[Sir Isaac Newton]

Just because a development doesn't have a major impact on the skyline doesn't mean it won't have a major impact on the streetlife and the city as a whole. I think that for this project, a far greater emphasis was put on greatly increasing the amenities and the streetlife in the heart of the Loop (especially since the Loop is relatively inactive at night), as well as the the public transit improvement aspect of the project. I have no problem with that, at all. We have plenty of amazing buildings going up right now that are going to have an emormous impact on our skyline, which I'm very excited about; but not every single development has to be this way.

[cbotnyse]

Just because a development doesn't have a major impact on the skyline doesn't mean it won't have a major impact on the streetlife and the city as a whole. I think that for this project, a far greater emphasis was put on greatly increasing the amenities and the streetlife in the heart of the Loop (especially since the Loop is relatively inactive at night), as well as the the public transit improvement aspect of the project. I have no problem with that, at all. We have plenty of amazing buildings going up right now that are going to have an emormous impact on our skyline, which I'm very excited about; but not every single development has to be this way.I completely agree with you....I'm just a stubborn bastard and want every building to add to our skyline. However I really couldnt ask for more with Trump, Spire, Waterview, Aqua, One Museum Park, this list goes on and on right now.

State Street could use a boost to the street life, especially at night. This project will no doubt add to that.

[Tom Servo]

икипд

[nomarandlee]

that is why i was opposed to a 1000 footer next to the carb. carbon building..

Mind cramp, what 1,000ft building near C&C?

[headcase]

Mind cramp, what 1,000ft building near C&C?

I assume he is talking about the Walgreen's site at 300 N. Michigan. The owners were talking about selling the buildings, and as soon as people heard that they were saying it would be a great supertall site. I don't think there was anything concrete.

SSDD

[jjk1103]

.....there is just HUGE construction activity at Washington and State....there is a huge structural beam sitting in the middle of State waiting to go somewhere ?

[Eventually...Chicago]

I was at an ICSC function tonight and the focus was the "state of state" with freed and assoc. being the main guests along with a chairman from the chicago loop alliance. He gave a talk about block 37 and the carson building (which will now be called "sullivan center") he showed a slide with the components to the block 37 project. The residential portion appeared about 2 to 2.5 times taller than the office portion. If anyone has any other specific questions about this project, ask me now before i forget!

[nomarandlee]

Were the slides you saw new or radically differant then previous renderings shown here before? Can you tell if there has been any substantial changes? Did they show any images of what the corridors or atrium will look like?

[jjk1103]

....when are they planning to open the State Street retail and the CBS studios ?

[Eventually...Chicago]

nomarandlee-

The slides were the images that we have known from all along. No significant changes shown. Freed & assoc. put up some slides showing all the floor plates from the subway platform to the second floor retail. Cool stuff. They will be reconnecting the pedway from macy's to city hall and they also showed the track configuration for the interchange between the red line and the blue line. The pedway will have retail along both sides and the presenter stated that instead of the usual low ceilings that the pedway has that the retail areas will be of normal storefront height, which is good for the claustrophobic.

[hdtvtechno]

....when are they planning to open the State Street retail and the CBS studios ?

Spring 2008

[SamInTheLoop]

....when are they planning to open the State Street retail and the CBS studios ?

Acutally just the office building is coming online in spring 2008. Originally, the retail component was set to open fall 2008, however the latest I've heard is that it will now be spring 2009. Residential or residential/hotel component, fall 2010.....

[jjk1103]

.......they aready have the steel up for the retail side, why should it take untill 2009 to building out something that is only going to be 3 stories at most ?

[honte]

^ They are allowing room for 4 more changes of developers, a handful of lawsuits, union strikes, tunnel collapse, and mayoral caprice.

[Hayward]

I know it would be nice to have a taller building on the site, but it's also nice to have a few shorter buildings throughout. Good midrise area with a backdrop of skyscrapers. I'd take this over one giant mass of skyscrapers any day.

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/247/524285488_debc34cf02_b.jpg
mine

[museumparktom]

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/247/524285488_debc34cf02_b.jpg


Hayard, Very nice Black and White image. Well Done:rock: :rock:

[Chicago2020]

August 2

http://img370.imageshack.us/img370/7646/dsc00673mx5.jpg

http://img102.imageshack.us/img102/6524/dsc00675xd1.jpg

[Hayward]

Hayard, Very nice Black and White image. Well Done:rock: :rock:


Thanks! I used to take pictures every month from the 37th "dead mechanical floor' of the Carbide and Carbon building. You could see many of the major Chicago projects (especially Trump Tower) from that vantage point. Anyone could just walk off the street and go up and take photos...which is why I think they eventually disabled elevator access to that floor last month.

[LaSalle.St.Station]

There is suppposed to be a tower on the State/Rudolph corner, but i don't see the foundation work for it. I only see the podium on rudolph and dearborn. I'm guessing we lost a tower in this grand scheme along the way. Perhaps the Rudolph/dearborn tower is to be a mass greater tower to encompass both the orig planned units a both localles

[SamInTheLoop]

^ They are allowing room for 4 more changes of developers, a handful of lawsuits, union strikes, tunnel collapse, and mayoral caprice.

:haha:


And the fact that they still have to actually lease the vast majority of the retail space....

[forumly_chgoman]

^^^^If my memory serves aren't their supposed to be two more building at this site? I forget their sizes though?

[hdtvtechno]

Acutally just the office building is coming online in spring 2008. Originally, the retail component was set to open fall 2008, however the latest I've heard is that it will now be spring 2009. Residential or residential/hotel component, fall 2010.....

The office building is coming online in spring 2008 which includes the CBS2 Studios

[jjk1103]

There is suppposed to be a tower on the State/Rudolph corner, but i don't see the foundation work for it. I only see the podium on rudolph and dearborn. I'm guessing we lost a tower in this grand scheme along the way. Perhaps the Rudolph/dearborn tower is to be a mass greater tower to encompass both the orig planned units a both localles

......."Rudolph" ??! :haha: ...is that like: Rudolph the red nosed reindeer?

[LaSalle.St.Station]

yep, i use mispellings to attract attention to my innane commentary. But, long live that f'n red nosed raIN DEER.


bUT Seriously, it looks like there is just going to be one super structure on the Dearborn/Randolf side. or is that Randolph.

[APPRAISER]

Hey guys,
I've asked this question a few times with no responses, but does anyone know how many floors the residential and hotel towers are suppose to be?
I haven't been following for very long, so sorry if its already been brought up.

thanks!

[honte]

^ No, no one knows what is happening with those at the moment (unless they have a connection to the developer).

[APPRAISER]

Thanks honte!!

Just wondering.

[headcase]

Hey guys,
I've asked this question a few times with no responses, but does anyone know how many floors the residential and hotel towers are suppose to be?
I haven't been following for very long, so sorry if its already been brought up.

thanks!


It's changed hands and developer's so many times, no one is really sure. The only think that is currently written is stone is that the PD is capped at 500'. Of course I'm sure that could be reviewed if the developer wanted, but I really don't understand that entire political process.

SSDD

[ambient]

Here are some photos shot yesterday... I looks like there is in fact a core going up along Randolph Street (on the left side of the site in the second photo). Can anyone confirm this?
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1057/1130317804_ec07b108af_o.jpg
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1399/1130317288_94b8e997d6_o.jpg

[BorisMolotov]

^ That seems awfully close to the street if that is a core.

[10023]

Where exactly is this "grand atrium" that was supposed to be part of the project going to go? I don't see any hole in the middle.

Did that get value engineered out of the project?

I remember once that one day this parcel would have something similar to the Sony Center at Potsdamer Platz in Berlin... oh well.

Also, 5-6 stories is way too short for any structure being built in the central Loop. The standard roof line should be at least the height of the Fields building.

[vexxed82]

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1057/1130317804_ec07b108af_o.jpg

What an awesome reflection....:rock:

[brian_b]

I remember once that one day this parcel would have something similar to the Sony Center at Potsdamer Platz in Berlin... oh well.

We already have the original in Chicago ;)

[nomarandlee]

Where exactly is this "grand atrium" that was supposed to be part of the project going to go? I don't see any hole in the middle.

Did that get value engineered out of the project?.

Yea, I am really not seeing it either. If there is one planned it looks like it will be pretty small. I also wonder if the rooftop garden and artistic "frieze" are out as well. I can't follow what is going on with this project anymore.

[Chitown]

What an awesome reflection....:rock:
You beat me to it. When I first looked at that picture, I didn't immediately realize that was a reflection; amazing.

[ardecila]

Yea, I am really not seeing it either. If there is one planned it looks like it will be pretty small. I also wonder if the rooftop garden and artistic "frieze" are out as well.

You see the trapezoid-shaped hole in the roof? That's the glass roof of the atrium. The thing will be tiny.

The rooftop garden is a go. The frieze, however, had been cancelled.

[honte]

^ "Yea sure, get dos stupid arts offa der, but if der's no roof trees, yous guys is gonna loose yer occupantsy permit, getit?"

I can't follow what is going on with this project anymore.

Me either. It's all too depressing. :(

[nomarandlee]

You see the trapezoid-shaped hole in the roof? That's the glass roof of the atrium. The thing will be tiny.

The rooftop garden is a go. The frieze, however, had been cancelled.

Thanks for the clarification Ardecila

Now hopefully we can hope it matches the abundant spectacular prisms of light of Randhurst. We can only hope to be so lucky...

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/81/232770875_a72d126098.jpg?v=0
:yuck:

[chicubs111]

You see the trapezoid-shaped hole in the roof? That's the glass roof of the atrium. The thing will be tiny.

The rooftop garden is a go. The frieze, however, had been cancelled.

where do you get your information? Who said the artistic frieze is cancelled? that is going on the reatail section i believe which hasnt even started putting up its skin yet.

[Alliance]

You beat me to it. When I first looked at that picture, I didn't immediately realize that was a reflection; amazing.

In the photo yes, but too bad it's not that nice in person.

[VivaLFuego]

What a pathetic atrium. I worry this place won't have much allure as a public space without one. It'll just be a shopping mall, with little drawing people to the upper floors, and little emphasis on it's transit connections.

[10023]

So what you're saying is, there won't be a space like I was hoping for inside?

http://www.berlin-info.de/deutsch/sights/big/potsdamer_platz_sony_center.jpg

http://content.answers.com/main/content/wp/en-commons/thumb/5/5a/250px-SonyCenterAtNight.jpg


Why did it take so long to pick a developer for this to get a normal mall? And whose design is it?

[VivaLFuego]

The atrium looks to be roughly 20 ft on a side......really pathetic.

[forumly_chgoman]

For such a grand location this is such a mediocre execution......small minded

[vexxed82]

I was looking forever to find the hole...i found it, but I still can't believe it. Is it at all possible that large depressed area full of the rusty metal will become the floor of the atrium?

[Dr. Taco]

^^^ I say we just close or delete this thread in an effort to remove the building from our thoughts. I feel like harsh criticism of this building has already come and gone, but I really wish they had used this space better. And I'm not even talking about simply building it taller. If there is gonna be public space inside, such as a "grand" atrium, then why not make it spectacular!

But, you know, I guess I should reserve final judgment till its done (pretty fitting, huh :rolleyes:)

[ardecila]

where do you get your information? Who said the artistic frieze is cancelled? that is going on the reatail section i believe which hasnt even started putting up its skin yet.

The artistic frieze was part of Ralph Johnson's design, from Perkins and Will.

The design that was chosen is by SCB and Goettsch. The renderings of that design show no frieze.

I don't think I posted this exploded rendering earlier... it's on a board at the site, but I had to take the picture in the middle of State Street on a red light.

http://img502.imageshack.us/img502/4285/b371bx6.jpg

[ambient]

This is from June 14, 2007, and I think I've correctly pointed out where the atrium is going to be... Does anyone know if this is correct?

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1408/1141957490_55cf614569_b.jpg

[chicubs111]

I dont know...I will wait till its done to give my opinoin on it but i just felt that the city wanted something on here as fast as possible and gave in alot om the design....I mean a freaking huge parcel of land right in the middle of the city...they should of had the best architects in the world draw up sketches for something amazing...I mean we waited this long who cares if you wait a littel bit longer

[APPRAISER]

With that last picture, Is that the residential entrance on the left that look like a core?

[SamInTheLoop]

The artistic frieze was part of Ralph Johnson's design, from Perkins and Will.

The design that was chosen is by SCB and Goettsch. The renderings of that design show no frieze.

I don't think I posted this exploded rendering earlier... it's on a board at the site, but I had to take the picture in the middle of State Street on a red light.

http://img502.imageshack.us/img502/4285/b371bx6.jpg


SCB and Goettsch? Huh? The retail-entertainment-dining podium is designed by Gensler...

[Knightwing]

I'm sure this has been previously discussed countless times but will the CBS studio be visible from the street like the ABC studios down the street? I am thinking so but I'm not entirely sure.

[museumparktom]

CBS Studio has the Washington and Dearborn Street Corner and will look west onto Daley Plaza and the Picasso.

[jpIllInoIs]

^ I count a 35 storey residential on top of the 4 storey retail. Total 39 Storey residential tower

[Alliance]

^^^ I say we just close or delete this thread in an effort to remove the building from our thoughts. I feel like harsh criticism of this building has already come and gone, but I really wish they had used this space better. And I'm not even talking about simply building it taller. If there is gonna be public space inside, such as a "grand" atrium, then why not make it spectacular!

But, you know, I guess I should reserve final judgment till its done (pretty fitting, huh :rolleyes:)

I agree. Axe this thread and spare us the pain.

[Untitled]

^^ agree as well. This is the only Chicago thread that bores me.

[forumly_chgoman]

^^^The go away

[ambient]

In an effort to enliven this post, I'll post another photo.

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1272/1186423214_f36db41b7a_o.jpg


Are there any renderings of the so called "super station" that is to be beneath this site?

Also, it may be worth noting that although this may not be the most exciting construction project to watch, it can still be a successful, human scale project that connects the two sides of the loop: business and leisure. Business in the front, party in the back.

Which makes it the mullet of projects? Maybe. But it still might work.

[spyguy]

^That's an awesome vantage point. Thanks for the pic.

[the urban politician]

I'm not really as let down by this project as the rest of you.

Okay, it could have been snazzier or more architecturally distinct, but it was a VACANT BLOCK for 18 years and I HATED that!

It completely sucked the life out of that part of the loop, and from State St.

What's going up in its place will eventually be an incredibly successful and vibrant retail and rail hub (regardless if it doesn't give a hard-on to picky architecture critics), and it will finally reestablish streetwalls along all 4 streets, as well as finally filling that stupid vacant hole that SUCKED for so long. So I say yippie that this thing is finally happening.

[SolarWind]

In an effort to enliven this post, I'll post another photo.

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1272/1186423214_f36db41b7a_o.jpg
Damn, that's a great photo, ambient. Thanks and I hope you continue to post pictures in the future. Can you see any other construction sites from up there, like Trump Tower?

[10023]

I'm not really as let down by this project as the rest of you.

Okay, it could have been snazzier or more architecturally distinct, but it was a VACANT BLOCK for 18 years and I HATED that!

It completely sucked the life out of that part of the loop, and from State St.

What's going up in its place will eventually be an incredibly successful and vibrant retail and rail hub (regardless if it doesn't give a hard-on to picky architecture critics), and it will finally reestablish streetwalls along all 4 streets, as well as finally filling that stupid vacant hole that SUCKED for so long. So I say yippie that this thing is finally happening.
Or it's going to turn into Chicago's version of the Manhattan Mall. Which is also across from Macy's. Bleh.

http://www.manhattanmallny.com/

I think the only people who go there get to it by taking the Port Authority bus, if you know what I mean. Certainly not the way to go if the city wants to bring State Street back to its glory days. In fact the very presence of a Manhattan Mall type collection of shops would completely shut off the the resurgence of the Loop as a residential neighborhood. There's a reason no one wants to live near Herald Square in Manhattan. You would simply not be able to sell $2 million condos nearby.

[ambient]

Some photos from today to show some of its street presence:
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1263/1195783750_44572eee0f_o.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1003/1195785540_0de48c9f8c_o.jpg

And finally, here's a detail of the core being poured along the Randolph side of the site:
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1208/1194917017_81742a6153_o.jpg


I talked with some people today about the site: It is indeed the residential tower core that's going up for a 40-story tower that is along Randolph street. Work on the tower is not expected for a while. In fact, the crane on the northeast corner of the site (see some of my previous photos for aerial views) is supposed to come down in the next couple of weeks.
Also, in case anyone else wondered why there wasn't a hole in the ground before this site started to grow: The site is being completely mined out. It will go down 80' from grade. They are finishing up the 'slurry wall' right now, at the corner of Randolph and Dearborn. The slurry wall work is done at night. Once the slurry wall is finished, then the excavation crews will dig, McHugh will be pouring mud slabs only 2" thick, lay down bar, pour a floor; then the excavation starts again and repeat down to 80'. This process was chosen because of the two subway tunnels and the Com-Ed lines that run underneath the site right now. This is a very slow process, and could be why the commercial opening dates that have been mentioned are so far out on the calendar.
I'm still holding out hope for this project. The structure seems approachable from the street.

[ambient]

One more thing:
Thankfully, the relatively squat State Street side of this site will at least save us a wonderful view of the Reliance Building... This photo was shot today from the corner of State and Randolph.
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1269/1196007384_23d3944d47_o.jpg

[bnk]

Thanks for the photos and information ambient. I look forward to more of your good work.:tup:

Welcome to SSP

[the urban politician]

Or it's going to turn into Chicago's version of the Manhattan Mall. Which is also across from Macy's. Bleh.

http://www.manhattanmallny.com/

I think the only people who go there get to it by taking the Port Authority bus, if you know what I mean. Certainly not the way to go if the city wants to bring State Street back to its glory days. In fact the very presence of a Manhattan Mall type collection of shops would completely shut off the the resurgence of the Loop as a residential neighborhood. There's a reason no one wants to live near Herald Square in Manhattan. You would simply not be able to sell $2 million condos nearby.

^ No need for the link, I've been to the Manhattan mall. I live here, you know ;)

But yes, that's a possibility. It all depends on the design. I'm not going to assume the worst just yet

[ardecila]

SCB and Goettsch? Huh? The retail-entertainment-dining podium is designed by Gensler...

Whoops, my bad. SCB did the Morningstar tower, and Goettsch did the interiors of the CBS studio.

[Alliance]

One more thing:
Thankfully, the relatively squat State Street side of this site will at least save us a wonderful view of the Reliance Building... This photo was shot today from the corner of State and Randolph.

Hehe....everytime I go to take pics of this site, I always end up with more pics of the Reliance building :rolleyes: .

[honte]

Whoops, my bad. SCB did the Morningstar tower, and Goettsch did the interiors of the CBS studio.

Really? I was under the impression that Perkins+Will did the tower, with SCB doing the unexecuted residential towers that are now in limbo.

[i_am_hydrogen]

amazing shot, ambient. I've never been able to get a camera into the Daley Center, which is a shame because the views are amazing up there.

[cactus22minus1]

Yes ambient... awesome photos... and I'm totally jealous of your D200! ;)

[ambient]

Thanks for the compliments. I would not recommend anyone trying to take a camera into Daley Center; security takes this very, very seriously.

Yes, SolarWind, there are some good views of Trump Tower, especially now that the building is tall. I'll get some new shots in the next couple of weeks.

Here is the last I heard of who is designing what and where:
Golub's portion is a 16-story, 440,000-square-foot office tower that is 80 percent leased to two tenants, Morningstar -- with 236,000 square feet -- and WBBM-TV, the local CBS affiliate. The architect is Ralph Johnson of the locally based Perkins & Will.

Freed's portion is a 400,000-square-foot retail mall that is also to include an elaborate new subway station for the Chicago Transit Authority. The designer is Grant Uhlir of Gensler. Freed also has the rights to develop a second phase of the project consisting of 800 residential or hotel units.

Hope this helps.

[ambient]

Kind of a dreary day...

This is not a very good view of Block 37, but I like the way it shows Block 37 and MoMo going up across the intersection of State and Randolph and how these two projects have really added to the density of the loop. There was a lot of open space in this area before!

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1072/1223809163_63d540fe06_o.jpg

[giovani kun2]

fantastic pictures :)

[VivaLFuego]

^Nice pic, and of course imagine the 30 story hotel on the NE corner of State/Lake, and the ~35ish story residential highrise on the SW corner of Dearborn/Randolph.

[Busy Bee]

^And imagine if that ugly turd pile all-the-grace-of-a-1970's-parking deck Harold Washington College wasn't there, and a beautiful 90 story tower was, even if it blocked some view of the Jewelers Building. I've advocated that site before for a supertall as I think it would be perfectly set back from Wacker but looming over it like a real son-of-a-bitch. http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

[BorisMolotov]

I think the one behind MoMo is worse..

[i_am_hydrogen]

Kind of a dreary day...

This is not a very good view of Block 37, but I like the way it shows Block 37 and MoMo going up across the intersection of State and Randolph and how these two projects have really added to the density of the loop. There was a lot of open space in this area before!

Nice shot. And it'll only get more dense with the completion of the Wit.

[jjk1103]

....is the massive construction that has been occuring at State & Washington for the last month or so all related to the CTA or is it something else ?

[Chitown]

Kind of a dreary day...

This is not a very good view of Block 37, but I like the way it shows Block 37 and MoMo going up across the intersection of State and Randolph and how these two projects have really added to the density of the loop. There was a lot of open space in this area before!

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1072/1223809163_63d540fe06_o.jpg
Are they ever going to go ahead and finish MOMO? What gives?

[i_am_hydrogen]

Are they ever going to go ahead and finish MOMO? What gives?

Not to take things too far off-topic as this is the B37 thread, but there's been a lot of progress with the cladding over the past few weeks. It shouldn't be long now.

[Alliance]

Sunday August 26th:

B37 in Context:

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e399/delta2094/100_9167.jpg

[Busy Bee]

CTA explores Block 37 deal
Millions over budget, city talks privatization with Skyway firm

(Crain’s) — The massive subway station under construction at Block 37 is running as much as $150 million over budget, a shortfall that has prompted city officials to move to privatize the project.

Sources close to the matter say the city has begun discussions with Macquarie — the Australian investment bank that two years ago paid the city $1.82 billion to lease the Chicago Skyway — about buying or leasing the Chicago Transit Authority station underneath the high-profile retail and office complex now being built.

http://www.chicagobusiness.com/cgi-bin/news.pl?id=26228&seenIt=1

[jjk1103]

....is the CBS (Morningstar) Building topped out ? ...there are A/C units on one part of the roof so I am assuming so.............

[SamInTheLoop]

CTA explores Block 37 deal
Millions over budget, city talks privatization with Skyway firm

(Crain’s) — The massive subway station under construction at Block 37 is running as much as $150 million over budget, a shortfall that has prompted city officials to move to privatize the project.

Sources close to the matter say the city has begun discussions with Macquarie — the Australian investment bank that two years ago paid the city $1.82 billion to lease the Chicago Skyway — about buying or leasing the Chicago Transit Authority station underneath the high-profile retail and office complex now being built.

http://www.chicagobusiness.com/cgi-bin/news.pl?id=26228&seenIt=1


$150 million over budget?! If accurate, this was an incredibly poorly-planned and budgeted project - for the CTA portion. Not that it should be a huge surprise, given the CTA and city's record for being on budget on large projects, but 70% over budget with more than a year of construction left is a pretty impressive feat indeed...