CHICAGO | 500 N Lake Shore Drive | 497 FT / 151 M | 47 FLOORS | COM

[denizen467]

Originally Posted by Duck From NY

What do you mean start over with the trees in 2015?

I'm curious, when did they reverse the flow of the Chicago river away from the lake?

The reversal of flow of the Chicago River was completed in 1900. Oddly enough it's kind of easy to forget that date, but I just remind myself that the more complicated, malaria-ridden Panama Canal project needed another decade and a half (and a scientific discovery of the link between mosquitoes and sickness) before it was opened, in 1914.

As far as Daley Bicentennial Park goes, it sits on top of an underground parking garage that is due for a partial rebuild (particularly its leaking roof) beginning this year. This will involve basically scraping the entire park off of the garage. In addition, the replacement park, the subject of a lot of controversy, will have a completely different concept and layout (and name). Demolition is supposed to start this fall, with construction taking a little over 2 years. Planting of the new park is then scheduled to begin the following spring, in 2015. http://www.northgrantpark.org.

I guess there will be again an opportunity for some historical aerial photos for a couple years, while the park's "underbelly" is undergoing surgery.

[Duck From NY]

Originally Posted by denizen467

The reversal of flow of the Chicago River was completed in 1900. Oddly enough it's kind of easy to forget that date, but I just remind myself that the more complicated, malaria-ridden Panama Canal project needed another decade and a half (and a scientific discovery of the link between mosquitoes and sickness) before it was opened, in 1914.

As far as Daley Bicentennial Park goes, it sits on top of an underground parking garage that is due for a partial rebuild (particularly its leaking roof) beginning this year. This will involve basically scraping the entire park off of the garage. In addition, the replacement park, the subject of a lot of controversy, will have a completely different concept and layout (and name). Demolition is supposed to start this fall, with construction taking a little over 2 years. Planting of the new park is then scheduled to begin the following spring, in 2015. http://www.northgrantpark.org.

I guess there will be again an opportunity for some historical aerial photos for a couple years, while the park's "underbelly" is undergoing surgery.

I had no idea the reversal was that long ago, thanks.

I really don't like the redesign of the park. It fits with the smaller older buildings and the general feel of the city the way it is now.

[JDMChicago]

Originally Posted by Duck From NY

I had no idea the reversal was that long ago, thanks.

I really don't like the redesign of the park. It fits with the smaller older buildings and the general feel of the city the way it is now.

I agree, I like the symmetry of it now.

[J_M_Tungsten]

Originally Posted by modkris

Regarding the photos 7 posts back- the second one looks to be from about 2008 with the Tides under construction. It would be nice to see a 2012 version of this shot. Even more of a dramatic change.

Best I can do for ya!

Originally Posted by BraveNewWorld

It has changed pretty drastically, in a good way!

[sentinel]

Today

[J_M_Tungsten]

Based on that shot, it looks as though they changed their minds about putting balconies on this one from the page 1 renderings. Kinda boring without some breaks in the walls.

From 1st page

[ThatOneGuy]

I think it looks better like that.

[nergie]

Sometimes, simplicity is the best form IMHO.

[photoLith]

I hate balconies, they break up the form of buildings.

[arkitekte]

Originally Posted by photoLith

I hate balconies, they break up the form of buildings.

Unless the form follows the function.

[J_M_Tungsten]

The glass is interesting on this one, but other than that, it's now just another rectangular box.

[joeg1985]

I agree. I think in this case the balconies would have added a little more interest to the building. The different colors and shades in the glass aren't dramatic enough to create interest.

[ardecila]

Originally Posted by photoLith

I hate balconies, they break up the form of buildings.

Not a hard and fast rule. Balconies generally look awful on traditionalist buildings unless you make it look like a warehouse conversion, where the balconies are literally tacked onto the building in a completely different style. Then you sort of ignore them and focus on the main building.

In a modernist building, balconies can absolutely be handled gracefully; breaking up the gigantic mass of a monolithic glass box can be a good thing.

[Duck From NY]

Originally Posted by ardecila

Not a hard and fast rule. Balconies generally look awful on traditionalist buildings unless you make it look like a warehouse conversion, where the balconies are literally tacked onto the building in a completely different style. Then you sort of ignore them and focus on the main building.

In a modernist building, balconies can absolutely be handled gracefully; breaking up the gigantic mass of a monolithic glass box can be a good thing.

-
One word: AQUA

[the urban politician]

I don't think we can rule out balconies based on the latest pictures. Are you sure they haven't just been relocated to the southern end of the west wall of the building?

[Swicago Swi Sox]

Also, if I were searching for a new apartment or condo, one without a balcony would be a deal breaker for me.

[J_M_Tungsten]

Originally Posted by the urban politician

I don't think we can rule out balconies based on the latest pictures. Are you sure they haven't just been relocated to the southern end of the west wall of the building?

It's possible, but the balconies on the south facade don't seem to be there as well. At least not where the original rendering depicts. The may be moved more west on the south facade, but it's not looking like it.

[ardecila]

Originally Posted by the urban politician

I don't think we can rule out balconies based on the latest pictures. Are you sure they haven't just been relocated to the southern end of the west wall of the building?

You mean where the skip is located? Yeah, that's possible I suppose.

[Guiltyspark]

We have pictures from all sides. No balconies.

[george]

10-23