CHICAGO | General Developments

[LouisVanDerWright]

Originally Posted by Randomguy34

Alderman zoning news:

- Ald. Cardenas (12) is zoning the manufacturing on the 1900 S. block of Fairfield Ave to RS-3

I own lots of property in this pocket and had a good conversation with the Alderman about this. His intentions are pure, but I told him it should be zoned RT-4 like literally everything else in the area that isn't B, C, or M. He is rezoning that block because existing owners are having problems getting permits to retain residential uses in the M district.

[Ned.B]

Originally Posted by LouisVanDerWright

Just in time for them to rip it all up again in a few years when they build those expansions!

Have no fear, the work that is being done on Union Station now is being done in coordination with the Master Developer work and most will not be touched in a vertical expansion. And it is absolutely necessary work: the Great hall skylight and surrounding exterior walls have been taking in enough water over the last 20+ years to completely destroy a building of lesser construction. This project will provide a new weather tight and energy efficient skylight, restore the historic skylight below, restore the deteriorating plaster and stone surfaces in the Great Hall and original interior paint scheme as well as various exterior masonry repairs. Should all be positive improvements.

[harryc]

One of the cranes was coming down at McDonalds HQ yesterday.

[brian_b]

Originally Posted by marothisu

New 4 story elementary school in the South Loop was permitted yesterday (1601 S Dearborn, aka 16th and Dearborn) - will replace some industrial looking buildings which are looking out of place:

https://www.google.com/maps/place/16...8!4d-87.628406

It was a long-vacant US Postal Service maintenance facility and the site was cleared in the spring. Glad to hear that construction will start soon.

[Mr Downtown]

^Not sure if this is the absolute final design. I guess this is looking northwest, with Mariano's parking garage in the background:

[ardecila]

Originally Posted by Mr Downtown

^Not sure if this is the absolute final design. I guess this is looking northwest, with Mariano's parking garage in the background:

I think this is looking southeast from 16th/Dearborn. The building in the background is Jeanne Gang's Media Production Center, which is actually a blank featureless box on that side. Anyway, 16th Street is a much more pleasant front door for the school than 17th, which has trucks going to the Marianos loading dock, as well as lots of police reserved parking zones and an auto parts warehouse.

Also, if this was looking northwest, then that would mean the building has a setback with trees and a wide sidewalk along the alley, which doesn't make much sense on a tight site.

[marothisu]

Originally Posted by marothisu

Here's a good one. A developer is seeking a zoning change for the NW corner of Chicago Ave and Milwaukee Ave right near the Chicago Blue Line stop for a new 7 story, up to 106 unit building with ground floor commercial with only 18 parking spaces. Looks like it would get rid of that currency exchange, the vacant (?) People's Action building, and that building along Chicago Ave with Upgrade Cycle Works - and of course the empty surface space mostly on that entire site. Definitely an upgrade.

From Chicago Ave: https://www.google.com/maps/place/80...!4d-87.6559527
From Milwaukee Ave: https://www.google.com/maps/place/80...!4d-87.6559527

https://chicago.legistar.com/Legisla...vanced&Search=

Curbed ran an article on this after this was posted:
https://chicago.curbed.com/2017/9/7/...ent-river-west

[denizen467]

The Amazon HQ relocation (if that's their long term endgame) news today has overshadowed news of a smaller but notable local relocation: The 111 East Wacker lobby reconfiguration's main tenant will be the Chicago Architecture Foundation

[harryc]

Sept 6

Crane taking down a crane - later in the day they were using the yellow mobile crane to finish up.

[aaron38]

Is McD's almost done? What's left to do in that shot?

[LouisVanDerWright]

Originally Posted by aaron38

Is McD's almost done? What's left to do in that shot?

Well none of the walls are up.

[maru2501]

they want a true open-air plan

[the urban politician]

Originally Posted by aaron38

Is McD's almost done? What's left to do in that shot?

Huh?

Yeah, the tenants are moving in tommorrow.

[aaron38]

I just meant topped out.

[spyguy]

Drone shot of McD HQ (and other West Loop developments)


Gensler

[10023]

Originally Posted by maru2501

they want a true open-air plan

I hear that works really well in Chicago.

[harryc]

Sept 8



Old school foundation work


Modular design - heat exchanger

[harryc]

Sept 8

[the urban politician]

Decent infill. Parking lots just keep disappearing in the central area

[harryc]

Originally Posted by the urban politician

Decent infill. Parking lots just keep disappearing in the central area

No only parking lots - abandoned gas stations as well !

2013

Sept 8