[Haworthia]

How is this project urban sprawl. Last time I checked I didnt see any 850 ft towers in my neighborhood

Just a joke. Alliance misspoke and called this project a "suburb building" as opposed to a "superb building".

[firstcranialnerve]

On the Agenda this is only listed at $60million.. why is the cost so low? I would expect more than 100 for a 70+ storey building.

[Nowhereman1280]

^^^ Its probably only for part of the project, perhaps it for the demolition phase or some of the foundation work?

[Alliance]

*places bets on demo*

[ardecila]

I hope the limestone from the old tower can be salvaged and used elsewhere... that stuff isn't cheap nowadays.

[Chicagoguy]

Have they decided on when they are looking to start this? I had heard it was already going to be underway but then business started doing really well and they couldnt afford to not have those rooms available?

[BVictor1]

On the Agenda this is only listed at $60million.. why is the cost so low? I would expect more than 100 for a 70+ storey building.

that might just be the shell construction

[chicubs111]

Im wondering whats going on with this building?...they stated they wanted to wait till occupancy rates went down so it would be more profitable for them to tear down the neighboring tower and put this one up?...well occupancy rates are way down

[trvlr70]

Im wondering whats going on with this building?...they stated they wanted to wait till occupancy rates went down so it would be more profitable for them to tear down the neighboring tower and put this one up?...well occupancy rates are way down

But unfortuneately so is the demand for high end condos. I don't think anything will happen for a long, long time.

[Chicagoguy]

But unfortuneately so is the demand for high end condos. I don't think anything will happen for a long, long time.

Wait I thought that this was going to more hotel rooms for the most part...

[trvlr70]

Wait I thought that this was going to more hotel rooms for the most part...

I don't remember what portion of the new structure was planned to be condo or hotel rooms, but the condo portion was significant. As a matter of fact, I don't know that, if built as planned, there would even be any increase in hotel rooms since the existing 50's era wing will be torn down.

[Pandemonious]

From the renderings, it looks like only the bottom or so 20 floors are hotel (pretty much the entire base section where it attaches to the lower portion of the south tower), unless they will have hotel rooms with balconies, which I doubt...

[Steely Dan]

it was my understanding that this expansion would result in a net loss of rooms for the hotel, thus the main driving force behind the new tower was the luxury condos, and with the state of the real estate market and the economy................... "outlook not so good"

[Roaming]

This tower if built will be so incredible in the skyline! Oh well.

[BVictor1]

Going to a meeting/presentation on this project this evening.

I have heard a "rumor" that what they wanted to do was get the zoning approval for the tower and then possibly sell it. I'll find out more this evening.

[nomarandlee]

:previous: Well........:D

[modkris]

what happened BVic?

[chicubs111]

Come on Vic....you come and tease us about this meeting and leave us hanging without a clue????:shrug: :shrug:

[BVictor1]

Sorry about the delay.


Anyway, this is what i found out:

-This proposal isn't dead, just in a holding pattern. They still want to move forward, but that will be a few years down the line.

-The number of floors hasn't changed, about 71. I'm not sure what the exact height is. I thought I heard about 800', but I didn't get a chance to see the boards.

-There will be about 300 condos and 150 hotel rooms.

-Hotel access will be relocated to Illinois allowing the frontage along Michigan Avenue to be retail/rest.

-They would still like to build a plaza of about 9,000 sq ft. over Grand Ave. The alderman wants at least 50% to be green.

That's all I really have.

[Dr. Taco]

Thanks for the update, Bvictor

[nomarandlee]

Thanks BVic, about as good of news as could be expected.

[Jibba]

Thanks for the update, BVic. I'm glad they're holding on to their plans. Not the most inspiring design, but if the quality is half-way decent I think it will really add something to Michigan Avenue (and additions are sorely needed). The plaza idea over Grand Avenue sounds good enough, and only not "great" because of the P-word. What's wrong with a pocket park space? I don't know the logistics for building plantable soil systems into a space built over a roadway, but I'm sure it's doable. How much could 9000 sq. ft. of trees really cost, anyway? In place of a bunch of useless granite-slab benches I'd say it's a wash. Well, whatever; at least 50% green sounds promising, I guess. And, at any rate, I guess I don't see Strategic shelling out for a more public-oriented space that's green and inviting; they'd rather spend their dough on something they know no one will want to use but will increase access to their hotel.

[GregBear24]

Perhaps our old friend TIF may help a green plaza get built. I like the concept of a pocket-park idea better though- plus I like the way it sounds.

[denizen467]

-Hotel access will be relocated to Illinois allowing the frontage along Michigan Avenue to be retail/rest.
If they want an entry atrium similar to what they currently have, that seems it would involve some demolition of the historic interiors on the south side of the original tower. Any ideas based on what they said?

[Ronnie Yau]

I hope that construction will start
on this project.

[CHAPINM1]

I hope that construction will start
on this project.

I hear you there! :tup:

[lawfin]

I hope that construction will start
on this project.

Unless you've heard something the rest of us are unaware of......this is unlikely anytime soon if ever

[spyguy]

Not a whole lot of detail but Geller says that the north tower will be upgraded and there will be "fairly dramatic" changes to the exterior. So I think it's safe to say that this proposed tower is dead for the foreseeable future.

http://www.chicagorealestatedaily.com/article/20120302/CRED01/120309952/hotel-exec-expects-slow-and-steady-2012

Hotel exec expects 'slow and steady' 2012
By: Alby Gallun March 02, 2012

Laurence Geller is counting on Chicago hoteliers to put up better numbers for a third straight year as the local hotel market continues to recover from its worst downturn in more than a half-century.

[ardecila]

I wonder what that means. The north tower is simple but dramatic, clad in limestone with 50 years of patina. Please god, don't bastardize it.

[nomarandlee]

I actually liked the idea in the prior plans to deck over part of Grand to create a plaza. Hope that at least is still in the cards. A nice plaza there would help spruce up the retail of the building to the south which looks more like a thrift alley right now.

[jcchii]

capping grand would be great

[ardecila]

I wonder what that means. The north tower is simple but dramatic, clad in limestone with 50 years of patina. Please god, don't bastardize it.

Man, was I mistaken. I was probably thinking of the east annex on Tribune Tower.

The north tower of Intercontinental is a rather undistinguished 1960s modern building with a sad-looking curtain wall. Only the facade facing Michigan is limestone (with a great patina) but it's a sheer wall.

I'm guessing any "big splash" things will happen to this blank wall.