CHICAGO | Optima Center Chicago | 442 ft | 42 FLOORS | COM - Page 8

ChiPhi · #**141** Posted **May 5, 2012, 7:40 PM**

^^^ I have been thinking the same thing lately, as much as I love this building (and it is a wonderfully executed curtain wall box) I wish that it did more to address its location. Still, I'm not complaining at all about this building.

ChiPhi · #**142** Posted **May 15, 2012, 9:50 PM**

It's above the street!

markh9 · #**143** Posted **May 17, 2012, 2:04 AM**

Great shots, ChiPhi! I have a two minor additions of my own:

Optima among the streetscape

Rizzo · #**144** Posted **May 17, 2012, 6:10 PM**

5/17 Lunch

J_M_Tungsten · #**145** Posted **May 18, 2012, 12:39 AM**

Ugh, is there anything planned for that giant parking lot?

ChiPhi · #**146** Posted **May 18, 2012, 12:47 AM**

^^^
Not as of now as far as I know. This area has way too many parking lots. It is, imo, the most prime location for some infill. A while ago I posted an image from google maps (I reposted it below). This area is so prime, right between the loop, lake, Navy Pier, and Michigan Ave; I just can't believe all of these lots sit empty like this. Two are being filled in with Optima and the Ronald McDonald House, but it is still overwhelmingly sterile and empty.

Dan in Chicago · #**147** Posted **May 18, 2012, 2:51 AM**

In case anyone missed it in the compilation thread, the height for Optima will be 442'-5" according to the latest blueprints, as measured from St. Clair. The height was added to the thread title.

Michi · #**148** Posted **May 19, 2012, 3:40 AM**

May 18, 2012
Optima Center from Willis Tower

J_M_Tungsten · #**149** Posted **May 19, 2012, 5:46 PM**

^^^ with the new Kemper sign as well!

ardecila · #**150** Posted **May 19, 2012, 6:53 PM**

Kenner sign looks good. Better than Unitrin.

Michi · #**151** Posted **May 27, 2012, 10:36 PM**

May 26, 2012

Sorry for the aweful lighting.

george · #**152** Posted **Jun 3, 2012, 10:13 PM**

6-3

Ristorante Volare did a nice job expanding into the neighboring building that abuts the homogenized Ronald McDonald House.
Optima rises upward.

Busy Bee · #**153** Posted **Jun 3, 2012, 11:38 PM**

^With the RonMcHouse built, whats the chances that this corner lot would ever see a sliver high rise?

Tom Servo · #**154** Posted **Jun 4, 2012, 12:06 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Busy Bee

^With the RonMcHouse built, whats the chances that this corner lot would ever see a sliver high rise?

Jesus, some of the shit said on this forum is just ridiculous.

the urban politician · #**155** Posted **Jun 4, 2012, 6:02 AM**

^ Yeah, if anything, Streeterville needs small buildings like Ristorante Volare

denizen467 · #**156** Posted **Jun 4, 2012, 8:11 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Busy Bee

^With the RonMcHouse built, whats the chances that this corner lot would ever see a sliver high rise?

Only after decades, when land there is so valuable to warrant it ... but by then it would also make sense also to tear down Hamburglar House and combine these two lots, so I hope you are quite young or very healthy.

SamInTheLoop · #**157** Posted **Jun 4, 2012, 2:10 PM**

So Optima is listed as the GC on this project. I wonder if they build projects other than those in which Optima is the developer.......if not it certainly would seem like an unusual arrangement, because to my knowledge Optima doesn't pump out that many projects. I'm certainly no construction industry expert, but how could you justify keeping on-board the gc resources it takes to build such large projects, but only to use so sparingly? Certainly at face value it would appear quite inefficient. Would be very interested to know how this works.....

SamInTheLoop · #**158** Posted **Jun 4, 2012, 3:07 PM**

[QUOTE=george;5721820]6-3

QUOTE]

This happens to me sometimes, when looking at poured-in-place concrete towers under construction, but does it appear to any one else that the 2nd fl (above the upper st level) isn't perfectly level, or is it just my eyes playing tricks on me, or does it not quite matter because this is a parking floor?

Also, if someone can get a close-up of the temporary supports used to hold up the formwork under recently poured concrete (again, clearly no construction expert, or I could tell you what they're called!) of the lower floors of this one.....they definitely lack the, ah, I'd say - uniformity - , at least to the casual observers eyes (maybe I wouldn't go so far as to say jerry-rigging) of those at most of the sites I observe - at least those built by the major GCs.......again, inference to, and wondering if any connection to my post above.....

ChiPhi · #**159** Posted **Jun 4, 2012, 3:47 PM**

^^^
I'm quite sure those uneven floors are for parking. If you recall the rendering, it has that dark glass parking floors.

Nowhereman1280 · #**160** Posted **Jun 4, 2012, 3:48 PM**

^^^ It isn't level, it's gradually sloping to create the "ramp". This is a lower slope than we are used to seeing...