[Dr. Taco]

^^ Haven't you seen the marketing materials for this building?

"Spectacular Views" . . . "Unparalleled Quality" . . . "Every Floor a Transfer Floor!"

:lmao:

[denizen467]

In keeping with the building's purported 1890s style, they are constructing it on a very tight schedule - in exact accordance with the revelations and innovations that allowed the birth of skyscrapers.
Only the finest quarterhorses will be employed in hauling bricks and mortar and iron and coal to the site.

[Cbautz]

Only the finest quarterhorses will be employed in hauling bricks and mortar and iron and coal to the site.


Funny. This building really bites the big one. I can't wait to ride the wrought iron, caged elevator. Sorry to be off topic a little, but this is what we are all thinking with this one.

[harryc]

^^ Haven't you seen the marketing materials for this building?

. . "Every Floor a Transfer Floor!"

What is meant by this ? a structural transfer floor ? transfer between elevator banks ?

[Dr. Taco]

^ haha, no, he was joking, explaining the apparent crawling pace of the building by a made-up marketing phrase

[brett7three]

Only the finest quarterhorses will be employed in hauling bricks and mortar and iron and coal to the site.

LOL (-;

I wonder when the gallows will open up in the courtyard?

[10023]

LOL (-;

I wonder when the gallows will open up in the courtyard?

I think the guillotine would fit better with the 19th century French theme...

[Nowhereman1280]

^^^ Gotta be ready for the next revolution!

[Chi649]

^^ Haven't you seen the marketing materials for this building?

"Spectacular Views" . . . "Unparalleled Quality" . . . "Every Floor a Transfer Floor!"Speaking of marketing, there was an article that mentioned Elysian in the Trib a couple of weeks ago where Lucien LaGrange was quoted in saying:

"The building will be visible from afar, because it's the tallest building west of Michigan Avenue and north of the river."

http://www.chicagotribune.com/classified/realestate/newhomes/chi-mxa1123goldnov23,0,7612887.story?page=2

Um, hello, reality check needed :rolleyes:

[Alliance]

LaGrange needs a MASSIVE reality check. "guilded age redux" my rear end. This thread should be closed if for nothing other than pure spite.

[Ecker]

http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb167/EckerTallness/Chicago%20Construction%2012-10-2007/IMG_4123.jpg

http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb167/EckerTallness/Chicago%20Construction%2012-10-2007/IMG_4125.jpg

http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb167/EckerTallness/Chicago%20Construction%2012-10-2007/IMG_4126.jpg

http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb167/EckerTallness/Chicago%20Construction%2012-10-2007/IMG_4127.jpg

http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb167/EckerTallness/Chicago%20Construction%2012-10-2007/IMG_4130.jpg

http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb167/EckerTallness/Chicago%20Construction%2012-10-2007/IMG_4129.jpg

http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb167/EckerTallness/Chicago%20Construction%2012-10-2007/IMG_4132.jpg

http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb167/EckerTallness/Chicago%20Construction%2012-10-2007/IMG_4134.jpg

http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb167/EckerTallness/Chicago%20Construction%2012-10-2007/IMG_4135.jpg

[brett7three]

I think the guillotine would fit better with the 19th century French theme...

Yes, the Gallows is a bit "medieval" for a building of this style... Just being overly dramatic...

[SportsWorld]

It might not be the most original, unique and beautiful design of all the new projects in Chicago but I like the fact that is pretty slender, tall and it's in a great location!

I like it becuase it gives an old fashioned look that blends in well with the rest of the city. I know many people now would rather have "new," but how can you not love a 700 footer like this one?

[Alliance]

how can you not love a 700 footer like this one?

Honestly, breathing is more difficult.

[MrLakepoint]

:previous: Ecker....Great shots....Thank You... :worship: I think that this building will help the neighborhood out by covering up that old parking lot that was such a waste for years. I live a few blocks South of here and I never get the time to pay attention to this building even when I go to the starbucks just 10 feet away (too busy). But again Thank You for the great shots...

P.S. does it look like there is any movement at 10 Delaware and the twin shakes across the street?

[Ecker]

You're welcome, Mr. L.P.

As for the other projects nearby, 10 East Delaware is still down in the pit. The formwork on the core is just about at street level, but the rest is still a story or two down. There's a photo of the site in the post I put in the rundown thread if you're curious to see what it looks like.

Walton on the Park (the two tower blue thing) is still idle. They've patched up the back of the mansions that are part of this project after demolishing the additions to them, but the rest of the site shows no signs that construction is imminent.

[MrLakepoint]

You're welcome, Mr. L.P.

As for the other projects nearby, 10 East Delaware is still down in the pit. The formwork on the core is just about at street level, but the rest is still a story or two down. There's a photo of the site in the post I put in the rundown thread if you're curious to see what it looks like.

Walton on the Park (the two tower blue thing) is still idle. They've patched up the back of the mansions that are part of this project after demolishing the additions to them, but the rest of the site shows no signs that construction is imminent.

Thanks again for the info. I am so busy lately that I cannot find the time to walk by there and just gaze, but I do get a moment to browse here from time to time. I couldnt remember the Walton on the park name...lmao.

[VA_Gentleman]

I noticed that most of the projects in Chicago are reinforced concrete. Can they build these year round, or do they have to stop pouring when it reaches a certain temperature.

[fleury]

You know...i can hardly believe how much critisism this building is getting. I think its pretty f'ing sweet! I love the style, imagine how boring a city would be if every building was modern with a glass facade. A city like that would have no character. I can't wait to see this one finished, although it may take a while...i think its worth waiting for. You people are crazy, I would take this building in Denver any day.

[Beck4ABigChicago]

You know...i can hardly believe how much critisism this building is getting. I think its pretty f'ing sweet! I love the style, imagine how boring a city would be if every building was modern with a glass facade. A city like that would have no character. I can't wait to see this one finished, although it may take a while...i think its worth waiting for. You people are crazy, I would take this building in Denver any day.

^ (Theo)Fleury, I agree with you 100%. It's not an easy crowd in here though. I just hope that the harping on the building does discourage people like Ecker from keeping us updated with is great pics....thanks Eck, keep them coming, some of us are interested in seeing this building going up.

[Ecker]

Don't worry, Beck, I'll keep 'em coming.

The Elysian is the project I live closest to, so it's easy for me to photograph it. Besides I'm more in the moderate camp that believes this building isn't so bad even though it is not my taste.

I'm a huge fan of adventuresome modern architecture. I wish everything built in the city was as cool as the Contemporaine or Solstice on the Park, but there are a lot of people (with lots of money - and really that's what counts) who want to live in a "classic" looking building. (You should have see all the ladies-who-lunch that showed up to Lagrange's CAF lecture a couple months ago.) In the end I'm much more concerned about quality, materials and proportion than style.

[BorisMolotov]

I guess I have really low standards, but this building is okay. It could be better, a lot better, but a lot worse. But that's just my personal preference. In the end, will it matter? No. And keep in mind, people have different tastes, so developers need to appeal to lots of different tastes with many different style buildings. This is in a high-end neighborhood, and apparently high-end people want this style to live in. Fine. If you want to live in glassy buildings, go to Streeterville. If lofts are your thing, go to the West Loop. If balconies are your thing, go to Lakeshore East.

Since I don't actually live in Chicago, I really don't care what get's built (except for universally agreed upon trash like Grand Plaza) as long as it builds and extends the skyline, and contributes to the atmosphere when I am downtown.

[Rocket1]

I guess I have really low standards, but this building is okay. It could be better, a lot better, but a lot worse. But that's just my personal preference. In the end, will it matter? No. And keep in mind, people have different tastes, so developers need to appeal to lots of different tastes with many different style buildings. This is in a high-end neighborhood, and apparently high-end people want this style to live in. Fine. If you want to live in glassy buildings, go to Streeterville. If lofts are your thing, go to the West Loop. If balconies are your thing, go to Lakeshore East.

Since I don't actually live in Chicago, I really don't care what get's built (except for universally agreed upon trash like Grand Plaza) as long as it builds and extends the skyline, and contributes to the atmosphere when I am downtown.

Well said.

Though you failed to mention River North (other than Grand Plaza)

IMHO, that whole area would be better off if the city claimed eminent domain, and tore down all the high-rise crap there.

[HighRiser]

Currently the building is pouring a floor a week for the last 3 weeks, which given the wheather, snow and icing conditions on several days is picking up the pace. Logistics on a PT and heavy vertical reinforcement concrete tower have not made this the easiest superstructure to build. Throw in a small lot with about 300 weld plates cast into the structure per floor and of course it takes time to get lined out and on the fast track. Making remarks about appearance of a building is a personal viewpoint and well respected but to make judgement on fast something should be built is nothing but couch quarterbacks on Sunday afternoon.

[brett7three]

^ (Theo)Fleury, I agree with you 100%. It's not an easy crowd in here though. I just hope that the harping on the building does discourage people like Ecker from keeping us updated with is great pics....thanks Eck, keep them coming, some of us are interested in seeing this building going up.

No argument that we need variety. All modern, Avante Garde, etc. is a VERY bad thing... The problem is that the area where this is being built has little variety and this building seems to exacerbate the problem (urban desert?... in the architectural sense...?)

I wouldn't object to this building if there was more variety in the neighborhood.

[honte]

HighRiser, thanks very much for that informed perspective. Nothing beats posts from guys with hands-on knowledge about these projects - knowledge that most of us are not lucky enough to gain otherwise. Hope you can come back periodically and keep us updated.

Good luck with all those weld plates! Geesh.

[Tom Servo]

All modern, Avante Garde, etc. is a VERY bad thing...

what are you trying to say? i didn't really understand your post... and what do you by this :previous:

[brett7three]

what are you trying to say? i didn't really understand your post... and what do you by this :previous:

I am trying to say that the Earth is flat... /-: JK


No... Actually... I'm saying that having an ALL Modern, or All Avante Garde (look at Dubai, afterall) architectural template for an area of the city may be bad... After all, Chicago is a city of architectural variety.

Having variety is nice, But the Elysian is just another slab of painted concrete when included in the River North/Mag Mile area where it is being constructed... I wish it was replaced by something that stood out in the area and improved our skyline from the Northwest. Something "different" and iconic.

From personal taste, I would like to see more avante gard works in Chicago, similar to Aqua, the Spire, etc. I like this idea because Chicago is a city that should always be pushing into new territory in terms of architecture.... By this point I mean, unique, new, fresh, inspiring, different (maybe a little more futuristic)... but certainly iconic... I want to see the next great architectural movement rise out of this city... What I DO NOT WANT is to see avante gard architecture that is "Cartoonish" and inelegant (some works from Las Vegas and Dubai come to mind)...

We have had Wright, Sullivan, Mies, (some would also say Smith and some conemporaries) etc. driving the architectural movements of the city, it would be nice to see someone else take the torch and carry it forward...

[Ch.G, Ch.G]

The materials of a building should suit its design. If you're using a modern vocabulary, make sure the glass is high quality. If you're imitating old French designs, use masonry.

Even if Elysian were situated in, say, the South Loop or Lakeshore East where contemporary designs proliferate, it would still look terrible despite contributing to diversity of design. No way will precast concrete slabs ever suit the Second Empire style.

[aaron38]

10 E Delaware in the foreground, Elysian in back
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r86/aaron38/Chicago%2012-26-07/IMG_0141.jpg

All Elysian. Balconies are now evident
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r86/aaron38/Chicago%2012-26-07/IMG_0142.jpg

[simcityaustin]

Thanks for the update! However, I thought this one would speed up after foundation, but it doesn't seem like it has.

[Nowhereman1280]

^^^ It's definately picked up the pace since a couple weeks ago. There were no floors with balconies on them like a month ago, now there are four. They are probably nearing a floor a week pace now. We'll see how long this is sustained though, it looks like there might be a transfer floor or something part of the way up.

[VivaLFuego]

It has definitely picked up pace recently....It took a very long time from caissons to getting out of the ground, but this was a very complicated site, and don't think it was particularly slow given the site/design constraints (with 4 underground levels, abuting a subway line!)..... but this is from someone who has very little experience in construction.

[SolarWind]

January 3, 2008

http://img137.imageshack.us/img137/1743/dsc0058ql0.jpg

http://img137.imageshack.us/img137/711/dsc0063gt4.jpg

[Ecker]

http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb167/EckerTallness/Chicago%20Construction%201-6-08/IMG_4184.jpg

http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb167/EckerTallness/Chicago%20Construction%201-6-08/IMG_4185.jpg

http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb167/EckerTallness/Chicago%20Construction%201-6-08/IMG_4186.jpg

[aaron38]

From Washington Square Park
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r86/aaron38/Chicago%201-06-08/IMG_0187.jpg

[Frank 77]

I love the area where it is getting up.

[chex]

chicago is booming...

[jcchii]

i keep waiting to be able to see the crane from a couple of spots.

is it still slo-mo?

[the urban politician]

Can't wait to see the cladding go up, especially the limestone planned for the lowest floors. What particularly excites me is that we actually won't be seeing parking levels

[Northwest]

Its been over a month since the last photo updates on Elysian... anything interesting happening here? The last photos seemed to indicate about 10 - 12 floors have been built. Where are we at now?

[migueltorres]

Its been over a month since the last photo updates on Elysian... anything interesting happening here? The last photos seemed to indicate about 10 - 12 floors have been built. Where are we at now?

from the boom rundown thread...

Some pics I took last weekend.

The Clare @ Watertower

The Elysian

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2039/2256369867_c59386d1ca.jpg?v=0

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2110/2256367599_d1d89f6db6.jpg?v=0

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2018/2257162354_57c2437454.jpg?v=0

[HighRiser]

Framing 20th floor, next set non typical 25-29,precast started west side.:)

[ardecila]

Framing 20th floor, next set non typical 25-29,precast started west side.:)

does non-typical imply a transfer floor, or is the floorplate simply changing shape?

[jc5680]

I saw that some of the precast was up at ground level on the west side today. Looks like the entry way portion was installed. Looked pretty decent...but I was passing in a bus.

[HighRiser]

25= taller ceiling
26= taller ceiling
27= taller ceiling, balcony drop offs,thicker slabs, corewall modifications
28= true transfer 72 inch slabs, column reconfiguration,core modifications
29= complete transfersequence, outrigger wall modifications, balcony 1
floor configurations, complete column dropoffs, start new column
sequence
30= new Balcony configuration, start new sequence with misc mods to 50, taller ceilings

Non typical can be used to describe any non repeating pattern. Transfer is usually in reference to a load transfer with columns and supports moving from one location to another, usually changing the shape of the building.

[ardecila]

my god, i love construction. :cool:

[VA_Gentleman]

25= taller ceiling
26= taller ceiling
27= taller ceiling, balcony drop offs,thicker slabs, corewall modifications
28= true transfer 72 inch slabs, column reconfiguration,core modifications
29= complete transfersequence, outrigger wall modifications, balcony 1
floor configurations, complete column dropoffs, start new column
sequence
30= new Balcony configuration, start new sequence with misc mods to 50, taller ceilings

Non typical can be used to describe any non repeating pattern. Transfer is usually in reference to a load transfer with columns and supports moving from one location to another, usually changing the shape of the building.

Interesting information. I guess this means construction will be slow.

[SolarWind]

February 15, 2008

http://img443.imageshack.us/img443/7483/dsc0093tx7.jpg

http://img443.imageshack.us/img443/3852/dsc0096ah5.jpg

http://img165.imageshack.us/img165/4346/dsc0101ya7.jpg

http://img443.imageshack.us/img443/5239/dsc0100rk9.jpg

[the urban politician]

^ Nice pics. That doesn't look like limestone as they had promised, but I can't tell..

[photoLith]

I like it so far, the stonework doesnt look cheap and crappy, like it could have.

[jcchii]

yeah that seems decent

[the urban politician]

^ So it is limestone?

[10023]

It'll probably be limestone at the base and painted concrete above. Hard to tell from pics whether it is in fact limestone though.

[Michi]

Sexy facade! :)

[aaron38]

The color looks a bit too uniform to be limestone. It might be, but I think it's precast. But it's real masonry joints, not fake ones painted in.
There are several condo buildings in the burbs built that way, and they look good.

I'm hoping that's the same way 10 E. Delaware is being built.

[sentinel]

It does look like precast; when I was working at the U of Chicago GSB we used the same thing and it had the same texture/uniform look - it holds up nicely and still looks clean and sharp even 3 years later...

[Nowhereman1280]

^^^ Its probably precast, It came in huge sheets like precast... Unless they were huge panels of pre-assembled limestone veneers..

[Alliance]

Sexy facade! :)

Ohhh...I hope to god you're joking.

[CGII]

Compare:

Precast: The Elysian
http://img443.imageshack.us/img443/3852/dsc0096ah5.jpg
SolarWind

Limestone: 15 CPW
http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z70/Scruffy66/DSC05895.jpg
Scruffy


I'm so sorry, Chicago.

[honte]

^ They're both ugly. One just cost a fortune...

In fact, as much as I hate LaGrange, I think his facade looks better, based on your photos. It has more relief and texture.

[CGII]

15 CPW is uninteresting and making the architectural statement of a potatoe but I'd hardly call it ugly, especially considering the quality of the materials used. Elysian is likely to be much worse than 15 CPW, especially considering the precast.

[spyguy]

Elysian is likely to be much worse than 15 CPW, especially considering the precast.

Also considering the fact that 15 CPW has something like ~$2 billion in sales.

[the urban politician]

I'm sure this thing will turn out decent, but I have to admit I'm pretty disappointed that limestone won't be a part of the base, as had been mentioned before.

[honte]

^ There probably will be limestone "accents" somewhere.

[Michi]

Ohhh...I hope to god you're joking.
Why would I be joking? It's not Tribune Tower, but this is 2008. It's going to come out much nicer than perceived once it is complete.

[Northwest]

Im not 100% sure this isnt real limestone yet, but in any case the texture does appear much more flat and uniform on Elysian than it is on 15 CPW.
This tower still gets my appreciation though... its a good thing for our fine city! :)
Please keep the photos coming, and thank you HighRiser for the interesting information!

[Ecker]

I guarantee you it isn't real limestone. I've seen it in person. It's obviously pre-cast concrete.

[Brian.]

Can someone explain the general negativity towards precast on this project or for that matter on this site as a whole? It seems like if it’s not done is shiny, sparkly or reflective surfaces, it somehow is a bust architecturally.

[Chitown]

Can someone explain the general negativity towards precast on this project or for that matter on this site as a whole? It seems like if it’s not done is shiny, sparkly or reflective surfaces, it somehow is a bust architecturally.
People don't generally like precast. It's sort of a cheapy material.

[wrab]

^ For me, the precast surface is often just too uniform & flat for a large historicist building like this. The effect can be cartoonish. The precedents would be the limestone surfaces of Chicago's great Deco towers, eg Palmolive, CBOT, etc., which are neither shiny nor reflective, but have just enough surface variation to spread out the light and engage the eye IMHO

[Tom Servo]

Can someone explain the general negativity towards precast on this project or for that matter on this site as a whole? It seems like if it’s not done is shiny, sparkly or reflective surfaces, it somehow is a bust architecturally.

this whole project is not just a bust, it is a discrace architecturally. i don't care what materials are used; it is awful. the precast panels come as no surprise, and i really don't care. they could use italian marble and i still wouldn't hesitate to dismiss this thing. my negativity isn't because the materials; it's from a hatred for bad design.

[Brian.]

People don't generally like precast. It's sort of a cheapy material.

Really...In our world we generally are considered the premium product compared to brick or sitecast concrete. I can't comment on the price of a glass clad building.

^ For me, the precast surface is often just too uniform & flat for a large historicist building like this. The effect can be cartoonish. The precedents would be the limestone surfaces of Chicago's great Deco towers, eg Palmolive, CBOT, etc., which are neither shiny nor reflective, but have just enough surface variation to spread out the light and engage the eye IMHO

Ah...that again comes down to price. If an architect repeats a pattern it makes the building much more cost effecient. If each panel were one of a kind the building may never get built do to cost.

I do understand what you are saying. It's not like saying they don't build them like they used to, but more like they don't PAY for them like they used to.

[Nowhereman1280]

^^^ Yep, I'm generally not a fan of pre-cast cladding for those very issues, but that's not to say it can't be done right, I've seen several buildings that use Precast and use it well.

[Brian.]

Well...It's paid the bills for the last 14 years so I can't say that I am unbiased. For this project I will focus on the craftsmanship of the precast to judge its beauty. It's not like the architect really cares what I think of his design anyway.

[VivaLFuego]

Can someone explain the general negativity towards precast on this project or for that matter on this site as a whole? It seems like if it’s not done is shiny, sparkly or reflective surfaces, it somehow is a bust architecturally.

Nay, it's a bust if the glass isn't of utmost PERFECTION in smoothness and reflectivity.

I also wonder; I mean pre-cast gives alot more flexibility aesthetically than poured-in-place, the latter of which takes serious skill (think Bertrand Goldberg) to make attractive. Pre-cast can be ugly but it's also a relatively affordable way to put an attractive facade on a concrete building.

In regards to the application of pre-cast on the Elysian, I'm still taking a wait-and-see approach, but I think it will be tolerable; certainly not as classy as the early renderings, but not as awful as some people seem to expect.

[above thoughts not from a construction expert by any means, just a forum junkie]

[Sir Isaac Newton]

Drove by the Elysian in a cab last night....it's definitely starting to get up there in height....had to have been at least 10 stories high if not 15 or so....

[honte]

Precast can be done well, I concur. But I have never seen a Chicago project that does this. There is a book out there of cutting-edge designs that use precast, and they all are quite stunning. The trick is (aside from having good design talent) not to impersonate other kinds of materials.

[koops65]

I'm not certain what the height is supposed to be for this tower, and I haven't read the entire thread, but 205m is not 686ft, in fact it is equal to 672.5ft, conversely, if the 686ft figure is more accurate, then it should be 209m, I dont mean to be critical here, but the title is inaccurate and should be changed...

Regardless of the math inconsistencies, this is a beautiful looking tower, and I hope the finished product looks as good...

[10023]

15 CPW is uninteresting and making the architectural statement of a potatoe but I'd hardly call it ugly, especially considering the quality of the materials used. Elysian is likely to be much worse than 15 CPW, especially considering the precast.

I walk past 15 CPW most days. It's not a stunning piece of architecture by any means, but it is a perfectly good fill-in building. It has mass and presence, rather than looking like a Potemkin facade slapped onto a quickly constructed condo tower. The limestone will also age better. And the CPW side is much better than the Broadway side (retailers obviously want big glass windows, but it doesn't quite work with the architecture of the building).

A great cityscape consists of a lot of solid "background" buildings that set off the great buildings as the "stars" of the show.

[andydie]

Hiya guys,

was thinking about a tower i could add and which wasn´t nearly done so i chose this one as the latest one to add to my video collection:

http://de.youtube.com/watch?v=EloUSYCaT-k

Enjoy:)

Music: Justin Timberlake - Lovestoned (DJ Tiesto Remix)

[Chicago Shawn]

^Nice video addition.

Older photos from 02-02-2008
Elysian
https://community.emporis.com/images/6/2008/02/595269.jpg

https://community.emporis.com/images/6/2008/02/595276.jpg

https://community.emporis.com/images/6/2008/02/595277.jpg

https://community.emporis.com/images/6/2008/02/595282.jpg

https://community.emporis.com/images/6/2008/02/595285.jpg

10 East Delaware crane assembly:
https://community.emporis.com/images/6/2008/02/595257.jpg

https://community.emporis.com/images/6/2008/02/595260.jpg

https://community.emporis.com/images/6/2008/02/595262.jpg

https://community.emporis.com/images/6/2008/02/595264.jpg

https://community.emporis.com/images/6/2008/02/595265.jpg

[jet cm]

Precast can be done well, I concur. But I have never seen a Chicago project that does this. There is a book out there of cutting-edge designs that use precast, and they all are quite stunning. The trick is (aside from having good design talent) not to impersonate other kinds of materials.

77 W. Wacker is 100% precast (though granite veneered).

I agree completely with the ColoPrecaster's comment "they just don't spend like they used to". 100 N. Riverside (Boeing) was 100% hand set granite. I remember thinking at 77 how much more that one would have cost to hand set vs. precast.

[honte]

^ That's a good example of a high-quality facade.

[Complex01]

Nice more cranes...

:yes:

[DIESELPOLO]

I love this building for real, for real.

[James2390]

I'm really excited for this one. I love it, it's so 90s. It's kind of refreshing to see this being that 90% of everything else that's being built is all glass.

[migueltorres]

I'm really excited for this one. I love it, it's so 90s. It's kind of refreshing to see this being that 90% of everything else that's being built is all glass.

the problem is that the whole 10% left has been built within a few blocks radius from this site. Although I do like this building.

[Nowhereman1280]

^^^ I've said this a million times, that is a completely inaccurate statement. Within 2 blocks of this site there are only like 2 or 3 buildings that have precast while there are numerous (probably 75%) highrise buildings made of Grannite, limestone, glass, brick, and anodized aluminum...

All the precast crap you talk about is at least 4 blocks south of there.

[Alliance]

Not to mention its not the use of precast that is as issue, but the use of prcast to imitate other materials.

[Surrealplaces]

I'm not a big fan of this project, but it's still nice to see it's making good progress.

[Nowhereman1280]

Not to mention its not the use of precast that is as issue, but the use of prcast to imitate other materials.

Agreed, its not the "use" of precast that I'm against, its the "abuse" of precast that irks me.

[Brian.]

Not to mention its not the use of precast that is as issue, but the use of prcast to imitate other materials.

Ah...yes...thats the owners of projects trying to get the best of both worlds. The speed of precast and the look of stone.

[Haworthia]

Taken today (3/01/08) by me from John Hancock.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2158/2303363118_04f753225a.jpg?v=0

The crane was moving while I took this shot. That was kind of neat.

This was my first time going up to Hancock's observation deck. I don't know the name of the tower that is between Hancock and The Elysian construction site, but it gave some perspective on The Elysian. That tower looks pretty neat from a distance, but up top, you can really tell that time is not treating that it well. I think the same will be true of Elysian. It will make for prettier postcards, but it'll show it's age when you get close.

Anyone know the tower I'm referring to?

[honte]

^ 900 N. Michigan probably.

[honte]

YoChicago reports an expected June TO date for Elysian.

[jet cm]

'deleted smart aleck comment'

[aaron38]

YoChicago reports an expected June TO date for Elysian.

June 2008?? How is that even possible? That's 12 weeks and they've got over 40 floors to go. 24 floors in that time frame maybe, but not 40.

[Northwest]

June is far too optimistic. Perhaps June 2009...

[James2390]

This kind of reminds me of Park Tower's third cousin's sister's friend down the street.