Don't you think the loop could handle pretty much an unlimited amount of retail? My understanding is that the reason some retail sits vacant is because of the price point. Neighborhood shops, cafes, and restaurants might jump at the chance to get downtown exposure at the right price point. Maybe we'd get places to buy local produce too.

Come enjoy a nice latte to the wonderful smells of urine and garbage...maybe you will be lucky and catch one of the native homeless sleeping near you!!

New tower Proposed
 

https://blockclubchicago.org/2020/01...artment-tower/


new tower proposed in cappelmans ward!

^ from the rendering, the historic school building looks to be staying, the new tower looks like it would go on the parking lot in back of the school.

but the blockclub article headline makes it sound like the new tower would replace the old school building. awfully misleading.....

Read further down.
That says it's a rehab and a tower addition.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/colum...kwm-story.html

Aspen Dental plans huge expansion, signs lease to anchor 19-story Fulton Market office tower

Ryan Ori
By RYAN ORI
CHICAGO TRIBUNE |
JAN 29, 2020 | 2:54 PM

Why, why, why did they choose that varying patterned multi-colored brick for 800 Fulton? How does that blend in with the stock of historical West Loop buildings?

Maybe someday it will have kitsch appeal but for me its too much. Very disappointing for an otherwise great building.

353 W Grand 1/29

https://i.imgur.com/PTpyJPd.jpg?1

https://i.imgur.com/KYDOw28.jpg?1

^^ Wow. That went up quickly.

Yes it is. Now can we take care of that office max?

450-488 N LaSalle
 

January 30, 2020

The Grand - 369 W Grand
 

January 30, 2020

448 N Lasalle
 

Edit: thought Solar's post above was for 306 W Erie, which Revcon has also started. Please ignore.

I believe someone once told me there is some sort of rail tracks, or some form of equipment that doesn't allow for anything larger to go in that parcel, in which case I'd take a park.

There's an interstate onramp there but it doesn't seem to be disallowing a taller building from going up. :shrug:

Permit for 50 E Randolph issued yesterday

https://s3-prod.chicagobusiness.com/...rendering1.png

there is a comed substation next to the office depot. just look at google maps.

The Office Depot property is Zoned DX-7.

As long as there are no Com Ed right of ways under the parking lot, I don't see why it could not be built on.

Building on or above the Com Ed substation would never happen.
It is just way too expensive.

50 E Randy' is such a waste of space for the prime lot that it is. I hate to complain, since it is vaporizing a parking garage, but c'mon. Make no little plans!

320 Sangamon (and FM, and 353 Grand, etc)