[Alliance]

^^ what a failure.

Amen.

[i_am_hydrogen]

CTA 'super station' in a hole
Over-budget project halted—for the most part

By Jon Hilkevitch |Tribune reporter
11:04 PM CDT, June 11, 2008

Faced with runaway costs, the CTA (http://www.chicagotribune.com/topic/travel/commuting/chicago-transit-authority-ORGOV000082.topic) and City Hall slammed the emergency brakes Wednesday on ambitious plans to build a "super station" in downtown's Block 37 to speed express trains to both Chicago's airports.

A combined $213 million has been spent on the project, yet there is not much more than a massive hole in the ground to show for it.

...

Acting on Huberman's recommendation, the CTA board indefinitely delayed the controversial station—but not before agreeing to spend an additional $45.6 million. That money will be used to pour concrete slab floors and do other preliminary work on the skeleton of the future station and to complete the shell of the connector tunnel, all by the end of the year, officials said.

Without spending the additional $45.6 million, Huberman said, the CTA would have virtually no chance of attracting private developers to rescue the transit project.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-cta-block37-webjun12,0,3643712.story?track=rss

[wrab]

Well, at least CTA has some new management now. Perhaps this latest embarrassment, coupled with the IOC's recent pan, will shake things up some more...

[bnk]

That is one devastating article and a damn fiasco. :( I suspect that the express service and station will not ever be completed in the way it was envisioned.

What would the cost of new lines above and or below grade to each airport cost in this day in age?

[shaberko]

This part of the article was encouraging:

"Our office building is not dependent on it," said Michael Newman, CEO of Golub & Co., which has mostly completed a 16-story office building at the site. Only one floor remains to be leased, and tenants include CBS and Morningstar.

Freed and Associates, which is building a mixed-use project in Block 37, also said it was not greatly affected.

"Our Block 37 project will provide access to both the CTA Red and Blue Lines via the pedway level of the project," the company said in a statement. "The opening of the retail portion of the project next spring will be followed by construction of a hotel and a residential component that are already in the planning phase."

Freed's tenants so far include a David Barton Gym; a Rosa Mexicano Restaurant; a Lettuce Entertain You restaurant; Muvico Entertainment, a multiscreen movie theater; and apparel retailer Club Monaco.

[honte]

Even if the station just sits for the next 40 years, I am glad they built it. It's probably the only part of this development that I don't consider a missed opportunity. Some day, people will be glad that the right of way was preserved and that the infrastructure is possible. It's like the hole in the Post Office that didn't make much sense for 30 or so years.

[cbotnyse]

Even if the station just sits for the next 40 years, I am glad they built it. It's probably the only part of this development that I don't consider a missed opportunity. Some day, people will be glad that the right of way was preserved and that the infrastructure is possible. It's like the hole in the Post Office that didn't make much sense for 30 or so years.I agree, and I was glad to hear they are spending the extra money to make it happen.

It was just so discouraging to read something like this failing. You'd think this portion of the project would be of utmost importance and handled with special care. Its embarrassing something could get this far and just stop.

[the urban politician]

^ Embarrassing, I guess.... But is it really?

I mean, is anybody really surprised at this? Pretty much all of us knew that nobody had signed on to the airport express, so why the sudden rush of dissappointed grumblings?

[cbotnyse]

what do you mean "nobody had signed on to it"?

[the urban politician]

^ Meaning there was no private entity involved with the project as of yet.

A private entity was going to pay for a large chunk of this thing after all--not the city, not the State, and certainly not the Federal Govt

[cbotnyse]

^ Meaning there was no private entity involved with the project as of yet.

A private entity was going to pay for a large chunk of this thing after all--not the city, not the State, and certainly not the Federal GovtI was not sure how or from who the funding would come from. I am disappointed that this particular part of the project didn't have the highest priority, even before they broke ground on B37.

[the urban politician]

^ What do you mean it didn't have the highest priority? They spent hundreds of millions of dollars on it. What else did you expect the city to do? If they didn't act now, building a station below a huge 4 level retail center with office, apt, and hotel towers would have been an enormously expensive task.

We're talking about a major, multi-billion dollar project here. Chicago just doesn't have that kind of money to spend on one item. It never did--those of you who were actually expecting a complete build out of this project to happen as a natural progression to Block 37 are simply being unrealistic.

[cbotnyse]

multi-billion??? are you sure its that much? where did you get that figure?

so you're saying they started this knowing it wouldn't get finished?

[SolarWind]

June 10, 2008

http://img386.imageshack.us/img386/7374/dsc0281vg6.jpg

[Alliance]

That grey stuff above and below the glas stripes...thats not permenant is it?

[emathias]

multi-billion??? are you sure its that much? where did you get that figure?

so you're saying they started this knowing it wouldn't get finished?

The station itself won't be multi-billion, but the entire Airport Express concept is. A lot of track work to make actual express service to O'Hare work as an express.

[depaulhifi]

Hey guys, long time no talky... just wanted to poke my head in and ask if anyone's heard news on whether or not a grocery store (Whole Foods) is moving in? Is the cta's colossal failure of a superstation going to impede work on the Washington Red Line station opening later this year?

[spyguy]

Hey guys, long time no talky... just wanted to poke my head in and ask if anyone's heard news on whether or not a grocery store (Whole Foods) is moving in?

I don't think there's going to be a grocery store in B37, however, Fox & Obel is opening a store in the Carson's building.

[cbotnyse]

The station itself won't be multi-billion, but the entire Airport Express concept is. A lot of track work to make actual express service to O'Hare work as an express.do you have a link to these numbers? I've never heard muti-billion talked about. and what track work? did they plan to built a new dedicated track for this?

[k1052]

do you have a link to these numbers? I've never heard muti-billion talked about. and what track work? did they plan to built a new dedicated track for this?

As I recall the cost for adding passing sidings to route around normal service would have run almost $800M to add to the Blue Line elevated and Orange Line.

A Kennedy-UP alignment was estimated around $1.5B

Neither of these figures inculded the B37 station expenditure AFAIK.

[hdtvtechno]

Another bummer
CBS2 news studio opening is delayed until September...:(

[2PRUROCKS!]

What’s next for Block 37’s not-so-super station?: Hinz
By: Greg Hinz June 18, 2008
(Crain’s) — In Amsterdam, fliers who arrive at Schiphol Airport can board an express train that will whisk them downtown in 20 minutes or so. The story is the same in London and Paris and Hong Kong and even Moscow, for heaven’s sake: reliable, affordable, fast transport to the city center.

http://www.chicagobusiness.com/cgi-bin/news.pl?id=29870

[woodrow]

That grey stuff above and below the glas stripes...thats not permenant is it?

The grey stuff and the banding is the understructure for waving metal bands. Will look kinda woven. Some of it is up on State at Washington. Right now the strips are covered with protective film. Should look pretty good.

[jjk1103]

What’s next for Block 37’s not-so-super station?: Hinz
By: Greg Hinz June 18, 2008
(Crain’s) — In Amsterdam, fliers who arrive at Schiphol Airport can board an express train that will whisk them downtown in 20 minutes or so. The story is the same in London and Paris and Hong Kong and even Moscow, for heaven’s sake: reliable, affordable, fast transport to the city center.

http://www.chicagobusiness.com/cgi-bin/news.pl?id=29870

....they all enjoy massive national government funding.....the CTA has to beg for nickels and dimes....

[intrepidDesign]

This has to get done if we get the Olympics. For the love of Pete, Chicago has one of (if not THE) highest sales tax in the US, where is all that money going?? Maybe it's time to clean house at the CTA. Sorry to rant off topic, but I would hate to see the station not get built, considering how long B37 sat as an empty lot :hell:

[Busy Bee]

This has to get done if we get the Olympics.

That's sort of cart before the horse. More realistically, because we don't have this done might be a reason we may not get the Olympics. Sad but true.

[Eventually...Chicago]

the CTA is doing all it can. cut them some slack, at least they are dreaming big and taking risks.

In my professional life i see the enormous difference between union labor and non-union prices. I wonder how cheaply some of these large public projects could be built without unions strong arming them.

[emathias]

This has to get done if we get the Olympics. For the love of Pete, Chicago has one of (if not THE) highest sales tax in the US, where is all that money going?? Maybe it's time to clean house at the CTA. Sorry to rant off topic, but I would hate to see the station not get built, considering how long B37 sat as an empty lot :hell:

The CTA is NOT the cause of our high sales taxes - their take is 1% (less than a tenth of the total sales tax burden).

And if you paid attention, there have been some pretty significant housecleanings at the CTA over the past 18 months.

[intrepidDesign]

I never said the CTA caused high sales tax, where did you get that? I'm saying if Cook county is charging that much sales tax, how come so many important government projects like the B37 station are underfunded.

[nomarandlee]

What’s next for Block 37’s not-so-super station?: Hinz
By: Greg Hinz June 18, 2008
(Crain’s) — In Amsterdam, fliers who arrive at Schiphol Airport can board an express train that will whisk them downtown in 20 minutes or so. The story is the same in London and Paris and Hong Kong and even Moscow, for heaven’s sake: reliable, affordable, fast transport to the city center.

http://www.chicagobusiness.com/cgi-bin/news.pl?id=29870

I really like the idea of number four (of couse its the most expensive) most of all because I just think like the article speculates that trying to do a full run express on the blue line route could potentially be too cumbersome to run every fifteen minutes for 20 hours per day year round. Having a link up to Jeff Park or a few neighborhood stops would also make sense since I think a fair number of people will not becoming from downtown but still would still prefer to pay a bit more for a quicker airport service to O'Hare, plus it could arguable double as an express commuter service though that could be trying to juggle to many balls in the air at once. I do wonder if the 21 minute time for that alignment has the 1 or 2 neighborhood stops included in that estimate.

[the urban politician]

That's sort of cart before the horse. More realistically, because we don't have this done might be a reason we may not get the Olympics. Sad but true.

^ :shrug: :rolleyes:

What is wrong with some of you people?

What in God's name makes you think that having a Block 37 Superstation somehow has any bearing whatsoever on Chicago's Olympic Bid? For the love of God, people, I know you're disappointed but come on..

[simcityaustin]

^ :shrug: :rolleyes:

What is wrong with some of you people?

What in God's name makes you think that having a Block 37 Superstation somehow has any bearing whatsoever on Chicago's Olympic Bid? For the love of God, people, I know you're disappointed but come on..

Are you kidding me? Maybe this one specific project failure isn't going to have a huge bearing on the decision, but when the Olympic committee cites transit as one of our cities major downfalls, to have them watch our major current transit development in our city fall apart isn't going to help improve their opinion. Not to mention that this is a development would be nice for all the athletes and tourist flying into O'Hare for the games.

I do believe the CTA has some good (or at least better then in the past) management, but we really need to kick it into high gear, figure out why we always have huge cost overruns, and get transit projects completed.

[the urban politician]

^ The response to this is in the Olympics Thread

[JMO_0121]

I have a question? I really haven't been able to find any information on this project. How many towers will be built? Because I know there are two tower there, a highrise and a 3 or 4 storey building. Where is the other building going to be built, I dont see any space? Is there a rendering? Im sorry for asking I know many here will become very mad and if you are going to post something bad, just dont post anything at all. Thanks

[emathias]

I never said the CTA caused high sales tax, where did you get that? ...

You said: "For the love of Pete, Chicago has one of (if not THE) highest sales tax in the US, where is all that money going?? Maybe it's time to clean house at the CTA."

Common grammar deconstruction would lead a reasonable person to believe that you are calling for housecleaning at the CTA because there are high sales taxes, ergo your sentence is communicating that you fault the CTA for the sales tax rate (otherwise, why tie housecleaning there to your rant on sales tax?).

[Nowhereman1280]

This has to get done if we get the Olympics. For the love of Pete, Chicago has one of (if not THE) highest sales tax in the US, where is all that money going?? Maybe it's time to clean house at the CTA. Sorry to rant off topic, but I would hate to see the station not get built, considering how long B37 sat as an empty lot :hell:

Its going to make up for the income tax which is 0% in Chicago and Cook County... :shrug:

Or how about the below average property taxes... :shrug:

[Breezyfingers]

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3122/2595936303_1d5731dcf8_o.jpg

[harryc]

Breezy :previous: you get around - and a square :previous:

[Breezyfingers]

:previous:
Heh-Heh.

[harryc]

Still digging
1http://lh6.ggpht.com/harry.r.carmichael/SF1RTwB9KTI/AAAAAAAAplY/szVtpp_W9_8/P1400104.JPG?imgmax=720
2http://lh3.ggpht.com/harry.r.carmichael/SF1RWUxEb_I/AAAAAAAAplk/GqV-T6e1aZo/P1400105.JPG?imgmax=800
3http://lh6.ggpht.com/harry.r.carmichael/SF1RX8HdSUI/AAAAAAAApl0/kZoGvT4roZI/P1400106.JPG?imgmax=720
4http://lh3.ggpht.com/harry.r.carmichael/SF1RaPFBeaI/AAAAAAAApmA/nFRXwzcCzeo/P1400107.JPG?imgmax=720
5http://lh6.ggpht.com/harry.r.carmichael/SF1RcdFDqqI/AAAAAAAApmM/D-GoCPJCxwM/P1400108.JPG?imgmax=720

[jjk1103]

...can someone post a sketch as to what the superstation was supposed to look like ? ...when the roughed out station is complete, will the CTA at least be able to use it to ferry equipment between the Blue and Red lines ?

[ardecila]

^^ Yes, assuming they lay tracks. That's more expensive than it sounds, but I expect CTA will lay a single track connecting the Red/Blue Lines for equipment moves.

One interesting thing about the Block 37 tunnel is that, if the junction on the Blue Line at Lake/Canal is extended a few blocks west and through a subway portal, the Green Line could be re-routed to the subways from the Loop (Lake Street elevated -> Blue Line subway -> Red Line subway -> South Main Line).

Of course, this would require the closure of Clinton station... but I'm just musing.

[harryc]

June 10
1http://lh4.ggpht.com/harry.r.carmichael/SFD8x4QoVkI/AAAAAAAApCw/CYXMlnUKLnA/P1390392.JPG?imgmax=720

June 16
in context
2http://lh4.ggpht.com/harry.r.carmichael/SF93X9PFifI/AAAAAAAApwY/7E3sGCMi1fs/P1400089.JPG?imgmax=800

3http://lh6.ggpht.com/harry.r.carmichael/SF93Z9uTqfI/AAAAAAAApwo/9zRPbiMDYdo/P1400113.JPG?imgmax=640

June 17
4http://lh3.ggpht.com/harry.r.carmichael/SF93a0l08yI/AAAAAAAApw0/tF8aWMpTSWI/P1400291.JPG?imgmax=640

June 19
5http://lh5.ggpht.com/harry.r.carmichael/SF93fKn9yAI/AAAAAAAApxM/QuJnESF6lkk/P1400636.JPG?imgmax=800

6http://lh4.ggpht.com/harry.r.carmichael/SF93goDS-OI/AAAAAAAApxY/8BLSBIfBm8M/P1400639.JPG?imgmax=640

7http://lh5.ggpht.com/harry.r.carmichael/SF93h_Cyf6I/AAAAAAAApxk/EWUhVjiJ-Rg/P1400641.JPG?imgmax=800

8http://lh4.ggpht.com/harry.r.carmichael/SF93ize53VI/AAAAAAAApxw/0mRP7Tm6v-g/P1400643.JPG?imgmax=800

Working in the basement
9http://lh4.ggpht.com/harry.r.carmichael/SF93mebHbwI/AAAAAAAApyM/bdOTizjQ6Xk/P1400627.JPG?imgmax=720

10

[Taft]

June 10
...
6http://lh4.ggpht.com/harry.r.carmichael/SF93goDS-OI/AAAAAAAApxY/8BLSBIfBm8M/P1400639.JPG?imgmax=640
...


This portion of the building has a lot of promise, IMO. The smooth, angled metal patches (stainless steel?) create a unique pattern which should be interesting from a variety of angles. I'm not sure I see it as cohesive with the rest of the facade, but I'm still excited to see the final product.

Great shots, Harry.

Taft

[spyguy]

http://img168.imageshack.us/img168/8246/77835025xk3.jpg
http://img165.imageshack.us/img165/8600/31597704by7.jpg
http://img165.imageshack.us/img165/6380/85048834id6.jpg
http://img165.imageshack.us/img165/2245/90268502lc2.jpg
Interior
http://img165.imageshack.us/img165/5186/98808108sr8.jpg
http://img168.imageshack.us/img168/6317/83610832rv4.jpg
http://img168.imageshack.us/img168/6259/31739862xw5.jpg
http://img165.imageshack.us/img165/5555/26833985xb3.jpg

[Mr Roboto]

^I wonder if its really going to look that bright and cheezy. Well, if anything i just hope it brings even more life to state street. And with a movie theatre, that would certainly help.

[aaron38]

I don't follow Block 37 very much, and I didn't see anything with a quick skim of the thread. What's the schedule for finishing this off?

[StatenIslander237]

http://img165.imageshack.us/img165/5186/98808108sr8.jpg
http://img168.imageshack.us/img168/6317/83610832rv4.jpg


Chicagoans really do love their urban malls. (Chicago Place, Water Tower, Westfield Northbridge, Merchandise Mart, etc.) Not a big fan of these (excluding MM). Whenever I went to Chicago Place (for Taco Bell :D ) The entire place was empty, including the storefronts. Hopefully this mall will be a success.

[honte]

Chicagoans really do love their urban malls.

Do we? I think the developers and tenants like them. I don't know anyone personally who would prefer to shop in these places though.

[ardecila]

Merchandise Mart isn't a mall exactly... the products sold there definitely do not have mass appeal, and many of the vendors there are exclusive outposts of the companies they represent. In other words, the Mart is often the only place to get many high-end building materials, appliances, textiles, etc, and people who want those products HAVE to go to the Mart. But if you want, for example, Abercrombie & Fitch, Gap, Kate Spade, Victoria's Secret, or GameStop - stores that appeal to the masses - you definitely won't be going there. Heck, many of the "stores" in the Mart have nothing in stock and don't sell to the public.

Isn't Chicago Place being redeveloped as a hotel or something? It was never very successful, but Water Tower Place has fared better, and North Bridge seems to be doing well, although it's really too recent to judge how it will do in the long term. I think Chicago Place always tried to cater to a more middle-class market, which doesn't really jive with the Mag Mile's concept of "destination shopping" - favoring high-end stores you can't find in Woodfield, Oakbrook, or Orland Square. Chicago Place failed because people could go to any of those suburban malls for the same stuff, so why go to Michigan Avenue?

[emathias]

Do we? I think the developers and tenants like them. I don't know anyone personally who would prefer to shop in these places though.

Yeah, every time I go into 900 N or Watertower or north bridge, I can't help but wonder how different Streeterville and River North (not to mention th estretch of Michigan between the River and randolph) might be if all that retail was street-level instead of in a bunch of malls. I'd much rather have had State Street and St. Clair benefit from a lot of the stores in the Malls, or east-west streets like Ohio and Ontario. There are dozens of ways I'd have rather seen that retail distributed than in vertical malls

[ardecila]

Vertical malls are hardly a phenomenon of Chicago developers, BTW - Minneapolis has 2, I believe. Cleveland may have one, and New York has several. I'm sure they exist in other cities as well (Philly, Boston, DC).

[Norsider]

Why vertical malls in dowtown Chicago, you ask???

One word: WINTER

[jjk1103]

Why vertical malls in dowtown Chicago, you ask???

One word: WINTER

.....you are not allowed to speak the "W" word until October

[StatenIslander237]

...and New York has several.

I only know of two in all of Manhattan. The Manhattan Mall (which is somewhat dingy and cavernous, and the butt of many jokes; it's proximity to Herald Square and Macy's doesn't help), and the Shops at Time Warner Center (built in 2004, very new and very open; also VERY high-end). You could mention Trump Tower or the WFC shops, etc., etc. ...but they are not really the same set-up of such an establishment.

That was why I made my previous comment, because I am used to almost exclusively street-level storefronts here in New York.

[ardecila]

Yeah, those were the two that I was thinking of. The Shops at Columbus Circle, in fact, is architecturally similar to The Shops at North Bridge here in Chicago - both have 4-story, curving arcades, they opened at the same time, and both feature high-end retailers (although Columbus Circle more so). The architects were not the same, however.

Also... isn't there a mall at the base of One Beacon Court?

[chex]

that aluminium part looks very cool!

[colemonkee]

8http://lh4.ggpht.com/harry.r.carmichael/SF93ize53VI/AAAAAAAApxw/0mRP7Tm6v-g/P1400643.JPG?imgmax=800
Very Gehry'esque. Someone should check the pedestrian bridge in Millennium Park for missing panels...

[emathias]

Yeah, those were the two that I was thinking of. The Shops at Columbus Circle, in fact, is architecturally similar to The Shops at North Bridge here in Chicago - both have 4-story, curving arcades, they opened at the same time, and both feature high-end retailers (although Columbus Circle more so). The architects were not the same, however.
...

I don't think they're similar at all in feel. The Columbus Circle mall feels light-years more open - likely because you get a spectacular view east along 59th/Central Park South and into the Park through huge windows from the central mall area. You don't get anything like that at North Bridge.

[ardecila]

Obviously not. Who'd want to look out, in the middle of the shopping arcade, onto the ugly canyon that is Grand Avenue?

[harryc]

http://lh3.ggpht.com/harry.r.carmichael/SG4r4DQMUjI/AAAAAAAArpU/jh7BcLvNwQs/P1420624.JPG?imgmax=720

http://lh3.ggpht.com/harry.r.carmichael/SG4r5XoToGI/AAAAAAAArpg/2MaYPYbuD7A/P1420619.JPG?imgmax=640

http://lh6.ggpht.com/harry.r.carmichael/SG4r7IanE3I/AAAAAAAArps/shIINrrAbWU/P1420622.JPG?imgmax=720

[Nowhereman1280]

^^^ I don't care what anyone else says, I love this building!

[nomarandlee]

Yea, I like the office portion a good deal (wouldn't mind it if it was a bit taller but no big deal) however the mall still looks like it will underwhelm. Maybe the residential component can be a saving grace to this project. Also until the CTA station is done years upon years from now the whole thing deserves an incomplete.

[spyguy]

http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chicago-block-37-pedway-jul8,0,7704765.story

Orange Julius, Japanese cream puffs on menu at Block 37 pedway
By Robert Manor
12:36 PM CDT, July 8, 2008

The master developer of Block 37 said it has leased an eclectic group of merchants for the Pedway level linking the project to the adjacent CTA Red and Blue subway lines.

...They include Au Bon Pain, Beard Papa's, a dual Dairy Queen-Orange Julius, the Gateway News and Freshii.

[honte]

^ Well, I teased people for being excited about Dairy Queen, but now it's my turn to be excited... love the Orange Julius!

[the urban politician]

^ Orange Julius? Please... Beard Papa's is the shit. Been to the one in New York. Now that's unique, and little cafes like this are exactly what I wish to see at Block 37

[firstcranialnerve]

That's awesome... actually, this makes it more like a typical asian subway in a big city.... ssome inner city subway stations in HK had Mrs Fields cookies of all things...pity more stations here don't have decent retail.

This question has probably been killed to death, but have they created the base of the residential core, like the bottom of an elevator shaft that will be built upon if necessary?

[honte]

^ Orange Julius? Please... Beard Papa's is the shit. Been to the one in New York. Now that's unique, and little cafes like this are exactly what I wish to see at Block 37

No, it's perfect. Growing up, only the trashiest malls out in newly burgeoning suburbs had Orange Julius, and it was a special treat to go out there for it. It seems so perfect for what Block 37 has become.

[spyguy]

http://www.chicagorealestatedaily.com/cgi-bin/news.pl?id=30147

Godiva, Steve Madden planned for Block 37
By Andrew Schroedter, July 10, 2008

• Aveda, a manufacturer of plant-based hair and skin care products, has leased about 6,000 square feet.
• Lululemon Athletica, a seller of athletic and yoga wear, has leased 2,555 square feet.
• Steve Madden has leased 1,750 square feet.
• Godiva Chocolatier is to open a 1,000-square-foot boutique.
• Sabon, a bath and body products seller, has leased 811 square feet.

[BVictor1]

http://www.chicagorealestatedaily.com/cgi-bin/news.pl?id=30147

Godiva, Steve Madden planned for Block 37
By Andrew Schroedter, July 10, 2008

• Aveda, a manufacturer of plant-based hair and skin care products, has leased about 6,000 square feet.
• Lululemon Athletica, a seller of athletic and yoga wear, has leased 2,555 square feet.
• Steve Madden has leased 1,750 square feet.
• Godiva Chocolatier is to open a 1,000-square-foot boutique.
• Sabon, a bath and body products seller, has leased 811 square feet.

This place is going to be a hotbed of activity.

[ardecila]

Here's a list of known tenants for Block 37 that I compiled.

Above Ground Tenants
Muvico Theaters
Rosa Mexicano
Lululemon Athletica
Aveda
Godiva
Sabon
Steve Madden
David Barton Gym
Puma
unknown Lettuce Entertain You restaurant
unknown Lettuce Entertain You coffee shop
Club Monaco

Pedway Level Tenants
Au Bon Pain
Beard Papa's
Dairy Queen/Orange Julius
Freshii
Gateway News

Possible Tenants
Apple Store
Bebe
Zara
J. Crew
Coach
unknown small live theatre

[spyguy]

^Nice list. I was thinking about doing something similar but then got kinda lazy...

IIRC there's also a Club Monaco, some kind of coffee shop by Lettuce, and possibly a small live theater.

[the urban politician]

Architectural grumblings aside, Block 37 is turning out to be pretty exciting. Fingers crossed..

[Taft]

Here's a list of known tenants for Block 37 that I compiled.


Great work!

Probably a very redundant question, but...has the theater been confirmed?

Taft

[ardecila]

The Muvico theater has been confirmed, yes. There were many articles about it last fall - it's the main attraction for B37, with the closest multiplex many blocks away in Streeterville. It will get its own giant marquee on the Randolph side to match the Oriental Theater one across the street, although I think the Muvico one will be a bit more modern-themed.

I just edited the list, btw.

spyguy, I'm not sure where you heard about a live venue in B37, but I thought that was just a speculation. (not that I'd ask you to reveal your sources...)

[nomarandlee]

nvmd

[the urban politician]

I'm just wondering now if there is any reason why the developer isn't moving forward with the apartment aspect of the project?

Here are my reasons:

1) This would be the only apt project u/c at least in a few blocks' vicinity
2) Clearly they could market the fact that you'd be a above a huge shopping center as well as a burgeoning State St
3) Hello? You're above the city's 2 busiest transit lines, as well as very near the Green, Orange, Brown, Bronze, Gray, Turqouise, yadda yadda every friggin transit line!

[k1052]

The Muvico theater has been confirmed, yes. There were many articles about it last fall - it's the main attraction for B37, with the closest multiplex many blocks away in Streeterville. It will get its own giant marquee on the Randolph side to match the Oriental Theater one across the street, although I think the Muvico one will be a bit more modern-themed.

I just edited the list, btw.

spyguy, I'm not sure where you heard about a live venue in B37, but I thought that was just a speculation. (not that I'd ask you to reveal your sources...)

Muvico is well known for their overdone interiors, it could be anything from interesting to incredibly tacky.

[the urban politician]

It will get its own giant marquee on the Randolph side to match the Oriental Theater one across the street, although I think the Muvico one will be a bit more modern-themed.

^ Great news on the Marquee. I really hope it's done well.

And I'm glad that this theater will cost a lot. One of the biggest pet peeves I have in my neighborhood is the annoying teenagers who come in droves to the theater and make all their noise while I'm trying to enjoy a good movie.

Price um out, I say..

[sentinel]

I think this tenant line-up is looking pretty good so far and hope it only gets better. Working in streeterville in the REAC building, there are always a shit-load of tourists (especially in warmer months) walking by and going down to Navy Pier and I think about how important recognized/very-well known landmarks in the City are for bringing in tourist dollars. Therefore given the fact that Millenium Park is literally two blocks from Block 37 I really hope that many more, potentially big-name retailers and other businesses recognize the proximity of this development to Millenium Park as being a potential boon in both tourist dollars and local money as well and will want to be a part of Block 37.

[Marcu]

And I'm glad that this theater will cost a lot. One of the biggest pet peeves I have in my neighborhood is the annoying teenagers who come in droves to the theater and make all their noise while I'm trying to enjoy a good movie.

Price um out, I say..



Yeah seriously. I mean who wants to pay less than $10 for a movie.

[Breezyfingers]

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3182/2660011664_ef4bb8b7a3_o.jpg

The reflections on the office portion of the building look great from all directions.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2228/2659254551_bcfdf51cea_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2225/2659254531_7e4d06fede_o.jpg

[SolarWind]

July 15, 2008

http://img233.imageshack.us/img233/9081/dsc0091eu3.jpg

http://img136.imageshack.us/img136/7049/dsc0090nr3.jpg

[sammyg]

Workers have started to install the LED screens above the studio. Right now it looks like the ticker, but I'm sure the video screens will come soon.

[harryc]

A message from your Union local
http://lh3.ggpht.com/harry.r.carmichael/SIHcqVFo9CI/AAAAAAAAssM/qs_9_hsOJFs/IMG_3329.JPG?imgmax=720

http://lh5.ggpht.com/harry.r.carmichael/SIHcsPzHlEI/AAAAAAAAssY/YVnQnQSsFYc/IMG_3334.JPG?imgmax=800

http://lh6.ggpht.com/harry.r.carmichael/SIHcuHvoA4I/AAAAAAAAssk/CLg32eTT5fU/IMG_3337.JPG?imgmax=800

http://lh6.ggpht.com/harry.r.carmichael/SIHcvu1qYTI/AAAAAAAAss0/L0sp-d0mBvw/2008_07_18B.JPG?imgmax=800

[hdtvtechno]

Workers have started to install the LED screens above the studio. Right now it looks like the ticker, but I'm sure the video screens will come soon.

That thing will be a Jumbotron.. i think thats how u spell it..
It will show live newscasts along with the Weathercasts
CBS2 newsanchor Ann State announced it on the newscast the other day...

[hdtvtechno]

LOL @ that Union sign.. :D

[harryc]

http://lh5.ggpht.com/harry.r.carmichael/SIa01IoaakI/AAAAAAAAtNY/C6V_OEzxPhI/IMG_3730.JPG?imgmax=720

http://lh4.ggpht.com/harry.r.carmichael/SIa027NaP1I/AAAAAAAAtNw/8k80vOqYq8w/IMG_3739.JPG?imgmax=800

[simcityaustin]

It's so big and yet so dinky at the same time.

However, I wish Chicago had some more glitz and light and neon to it.

I KNOW most forumers here disagree 100% with me, but having been to Asia and seeing how the signs and televisions liven up the city, I think Chicago really lacks in showing off its' buildings at night. This is a good start though.

I don't want a Times Square, but maybe because the theater district already has a good bit of lighting and lower levels of residential and high amounts of tourists, that could possibly be a good spot to allow a little more lighting and jumbotrons and what not.

[cbotnyse]

^^ I agree with you and I think that area is getting a little more glitz and light. I've noticed the Joffrey Ballet sign on State is very big and bright.

I agree with you about that new sign. Its big, but oddly small at the same time. I like it though.

[the urban politician]

ooooooh, aaaaahhh.....

[the urban politician]

Oh another note, looking at the above 2 photographs, there is NO WAY in hell developers aren't eyeing that Old Navy site. I mean, come on! That thing just oozes dollar signs..

[ardecila]

I would love a highrise there too (there used to be one) but I believe that Old Navy is one of the most profitable locations in the chain. Are they gonna give that up for the one-time cash of selling it to a developer?

I like the LED screen so far... they're having some technical problems with those triangular artifacts in the corners. It'll look a lot better when they get the rest of those screens installed. I mean, I wasn't expecting something crazy-cool like the ABC ticker in Times Square.

[10023]

I would love a highrise there too (there used to be one) but I believe that Old Navy is one of the most profitable locations in the chain. Are they gonna give that up for the one-time cash of selling it to a developer?
Not their call. There's no chance in hell that Gap, Inc. owns that building. When the lease is up the landlord can do whatever they want with it. Retail leases are typically 10-15 years, so depending on how long Old Navy has been there and when they last renewed their list, they're probably out of there at some point if there's any interest in the property from developers.

[honte]

I would love a highrise there too (there used to be one) but I believe that Old Navy is one of the most profitable locations in the chain. Are they gonna give that up for the one-time cash of selling it to a developer?

Remember how the Reliance Building went up? The precedent is literally right across the street!

[i_am_hydrogen]

Taken today:
http://img521.imageshack.us/img521/5319/b37723zj1.jpg

http://img77.imageshack.us/img77/2638/b377232aa2.jpg

http://img507.imageshack.us/img507/3065/b377233wu3.jpg

[chicubs111]

http://lh5.ggpht.com/harry.r.carmichael/SIa01IoaakI/AAAAAAAAtNY/C6V_OEzxPhI/IMG_3730.JPG?imgmax=720

http://lh4.ggpht.com/harry.r.carmichael/SIa027NaP1I/AAAAAAAAtNw/8k80vOqYq8w/IMG_3739.JPG?imgmax=800

Am i missing something here ...but that obvsiouly is just the middle piece of the jumbotron...gonna place in the left and right portions...the screen is not just that middle piece?

[VivaLFuego]

I would love a highrise there too (there used to be one)
http://www.patsabin.com/illinois/columbus.jpg
:(

It's funny, because the Loop/theater district used to be a bright lights district... Chicago had tons of neon signange all over downtown, like the absurdly large billboards over Grant Park. It was considered a blight, and (generally) banned, until now everyone wants their own Times Square so bright lights are in vogue again. The grass is always greener, I guess.

[simcityaustin]

It's funny, because the Loop/theater district used to be a bright lights district... Chicago had tons of neon signange all over downtown, like the absurdly large billboards over Grant Park. It was considered a blight, and (generally) banned, until now everyone wants their own Times Square so bright lights are in vogue again. The grass is always greener, I guess.

I think the key is updating the signage and keeping it fresh. Strict approval process is also needed, and every few year signs should be updated. Obviously only high definition signage and LED type neons would be acceptable, and would need to look modern.

[VivaLFuego]

Strict approval process is also needed, and every few year signs should be updated. Obviously only high definition signage and LED type neons would be acceptable, and would need to look modern.

Ay, comrade.