CHICAGO | 680 North Rush | 752 FT / 229 M | 64 FLOORS | NEVER BUILT

[Marvel 33]

Originally Posted by spyguy

^That's why I am always a little shocked when people complain about Regatta. Did people not see the same renderings as I did? Because the crap that's going on the western side is what was shown in those renderings.

I know, you're right. I thought the same thing when people complain about the Regatta, since we all saw the renderings before they even started.

I really like this design though! I'm looking forward to this building being completed.

[Steely Dan]

Originally Posted by trvlr70

^^^^^^^^^
Okay, maybe not deceptive, but perhaps misleading. In all the renderings I saw, I never noticed one which clearly showed the building's west side. I thought the whole building was curvy and glassy apart from the base.

nope, the regatta rendering was not the slightest bit misleading when it came to the shape of the building, you just need to look closer. the image below clearly shows a rectangular building in plan with a rounded corner. nowhere in this image is it even hinted at that the whole tower would be rounded, or elliptical in plan.

[spyguy]

Also this one:

[Marvel 33]

^ Moral of the story: Look a little closer!

[BVictor1]

Originally Posted by trvlr70

The Canyon Ranch Spa and associated residences are going to be something very special for Chicago.

Can anyone confirm that the entire building will be elliptical or are the renderings deceptive, like the Regatta in LSE?

The entire building will be elliptical.

[spyguy]

I found these on DeStefano's new website. They also state it is a 67 story tower.




^Nice glass. Sort of like 30 West Oak renderings

^Center of the world? Reminds me of "the Bean"

^LOVE that base

[Awkab]

^ beautiful building

[Adam186]

Oh hell ya, that looks even better than the previous renderings. This must be built. Thanks for the update spyguy.

[HK Chicago]

DeStefano has always done B+ work in the city with some A- stuff abroad, but it looks like they really hit their stride here. A+ here. great form, surface, height, entry, base building, etc. I've had high hopes for this one, and this image has me sold 110%



For D+P, 2 of my favorites are the taller E Pearson tower and ABN. In general they are the best firm for working in balconies and columns while keeping the exterior form seamless (see RiverBends, 71 E Huron). We're lucky they're the interior architect for FS.

[jcchii]

that is quite nice. badly needed design in that area

[Chicago3rd]

Originally Posted by trvlr70

^^^^^^^^^
Okay, maybe not deceptive, but perhaps misleading. In all the renderings I saw, I never noticed one which clearly showed the building's west side. I thought the whole building was curvy and glassy apart from the base.

The west side was totally shocking to me too....still looking for a rendering showing it...




This building will top my most disappointing tower since I have been here the Erie.

I am going to trust the Episcopals on this new project!

[Adam186]

We've already discussed this.

[Marvel 33]

Not only I think the design of the building is very nice but I also love the texture of the structure!

I'm very excited about this tower!

[wrab]

Originally Posted by HK Chicago

DeStefano has always done B+ work in the city with some A- stuff abroad, but it looks like they really hit their stride here. A+ here. great form, surface, height, entry, base building, etc. I've had high hopes for this one, and this image has me sold 110%

For D+P, 2 of my favorites are the taller E Pearson tower and ABN. In general they are the best firm for working in balconies and columns while keeping the exterior form seamless (see RiverBends, 71 E Huron). We're lucky they're the interior architect for FS.

I just took a look at DeStefano's revamped website (here: http://www.destefanoandpartners.com/ ); the quality of some of their smaller projects - eg the State Emcy Ctr in Springfield - is first rate, IMHO. They've also added the design challenges & solutions for some of the projects, which is kinda fun. I'm beginning to think of 71 E Huron as DeStefano's liberated, Lowenburg-free version of the Regatta, or a grown-up version of Phillip Johnson's Lipstick Tower. What sexy skin!

[2PRUROCKS!]

Business
Canyon Ranch goes urban in plan for Chicago condos
By Levi J. Long
ARIZONA DAILY STAR
Tucson, Arizona | Published: 05.19.2006
advertisementTucson-based Canyon Ranch is planning to build a third "healthy living" residential community, this one in Chicago, as the company continues its quest to merge the wellness concept with high-priced residential developments.
Canyon Ranch and Chicago-based LR Development Co. are scheduled to announce the $450 million project today.
The companies plan to build Canyon Ranch Living-Chicago, a 67-story tower overlooking the Magnificent Mile, the city's renowned luxury shopping and entertainment district.
Touted as Canyon Ranch's first "urban lifestyle community," the high-rise will house a 65,000-square-foot health and wellness center, 256 luxury condos, 128 hotel-condominium rooms and more than 48,000 square feet of office space.
Along with other Canyon Ranch properties, the focus remains on health, with staff doctors, therapists and other specialists from the Cleveland Clinic available to serve residents. An exercise, fitness and spa center will be part of the center, merging with medical, nutritional and stress-management consultations, Canyon Ranch officials said.
The project is expected to break ground by early next year.
Canyon Ranch plans to break ground on another residential development this year in Miami Beach, Fla., and one in Bethesda, Md., is expected to open in 2008.
With plans to announce a new residential development every 18 months, Canyon Ranch has contemplated other potential sites in Los Angeles, New York City and Texas.
What makes the Chicago project different is its location in an urban center, said Kevin Kelly, president of Canyon Ranch. Behind New York City and Washington, D.C., Chicago ranks as Canyon Ranch's third-largest market for guests, Kelly said.
"It's a significant market for us," he said. "Chicago is a major urban hub in the country. We're going to be able to build in the heart of the city's retail and entertainment center."
Potential condo buyers should expect to pay between $1.2 million and $3 million for units ranging from about 1,600 to 3,000 square feet. Part of the complex will also include hotel rooms that can be purchased, similar to a time-share.
Susie Ellis, president of Spa Finder Inc., an international media and marketing company that tracks spa trends, said more residential developments are incorporating healthful-living programs into their plans.
"Canyon Ranch is in a good position to develop in Chicago," Ellis said. "This community is going to be like no other."


http://www.azstarnet.com/business/129824.php

[2PRUROCKS!]

May 18, 2006 10:45 PM US Eastern Timezone
Canyon Ranch Selects Chicago and LR Development for Nation's First Urban Lifestyle Community
TUCSON, Ariz.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 18, 2006--Spa and wellness pioneer Canyon Ranch and Chicago's LR Development Company are joining to create luxury condominiums, a hotel and a combination spa and wellness center in a 67-story tower overlooking the Magnificent Mile. Canyon Ranch Living - Chicago will be the first urban application of Canyon Ranch's innovative hotel-residence-wellness center concept.


"Our two companies have emerged as the recognized leaders in our respective industries -- Canyon Ranch leading the way in creating the wellness lifestyle and LR setting the standard for upscale urban living," said Thomas Weeks, president of LR. "Working together, we will do nothing less than introduce an entirely new lifestyle concept, centered on healthier living, for discerning urban residents."

The high-rise will include 256 residential condominiums, 128 hotel condominiums, a world-class 65,000-square-foot health and wellness center, a 100-seat gourmet restaurant featuring fresh healthy food, and parking. Located adjacent to St. James Cathedral, the new tower also will house 48,000 square feet of offices for the Episcopal Diocese of Chicago.

The development appeals to buyers seeking sophisticated urban living combined with a healthy lifestyle. A team of highly credentialed Canyon Ranch wellness professionals, including leading physicians with access to famed Cleveland Clinic, will offer residents an integrated approach to well-being through exercise and fitness activities, medical evaluations, nutrition and stress management consultations, spa treatments, body therapies, and an ongoing lecture series.

"For many years we have been looking to find the right partner and location in the great city of Chicago, which is home to many of our resort guests," said Canyon Ranch President Kevin Kelly. "Our extensive research indicates many people are passionate about a wellness-based lifestyle. We have been courted by several Chicago-area developers. With LR, we have found a company with the expertise, value system and location that match our very stringent criteria and will result in a project that complements our growing portfolio of residential offerings. Canyon Ranch Living - Chicago will respond to an enormous emerging market demand by offering the most advanced wellness lifestyle community available today."

The first Canyon Ranch Living community is under construction in Miami Beach on oceanfront property and will open in 2007. Canyon Ranch Living - Bethesda, scheduled for 2008, was announced in April. With the announcement of the third Living community in Chicago, coupled with two renowned destination resorts, three SpaClubs and partnership with the Cleveland Clinic, Canyon Ranch is formulating one of the largest integrative wellness networks in the country.

Architect DeStefano and Partners has created a sleek, contemporary tower, which will feature a curved glass curtainwall rising from an elliptical footprint. LR's in-house Synthesis Architecture and Design group, leveraging its extensive experience with customized private residences, will create the interiors. Robert D. Henry Architects will design the hotel and wellness center.

The development site, at Huron Street and Rush Street, is steps from the North Michigan Avenue retail corridor, in the heart of a neighborhood that combines some of the city's most desirable residences with a thriving hospitality and entertainment scene. "In recent years, Chicago has emerged as a major tourist destination and the country's fastest growing residential downtown," Kelly added. "We are very excited to have the opportunity to introduce our concept to this market with a partner that shares our commitment to innovation and quality."

A Planned Development (PD) ordinance governing development of the Chicago site passed City Council in February 2006. As part of the PD, LR will contribute over $1.5 million to the City of Chicago Affordable Housing Opportunity Fund. Sales of the residences are slated to begin in fall 2006, with completion projected for 2010.
http://home.businesswire.com/portal...895&newsLang=en

[honte]

Originally Posted by 2PRUROCKS!

"We are very excited to have the opportunity to introduce our concept to this market with a partner that shares our commitment to innovation and quality."

I don't mean to sound negative, but what exactly is the big "concept"? It sounds like your typical mixed-use Chicago high-rise program, except the restaurant is going to serve health food instead of Italian. Oh yeah, and there are going to be "personal trainers" in the lobby, reminding you before you get in your car that you look fat today?

Even though we've seen this proposal for a long time, I was hoping that the "wellness" thing would be more integrated into the actual architecture. I was envisioning hanging gardens; Norman Fosteresque sky lobbies with natural ventilation; a cantilevered, outdoor running track spiraling around the upper 10 stories; and so forth.

[HK Chicago]

^ Canyon Ranch ain't cheap or common... it's the new concept to Chicago.

[Richardsonhomebuyers]

I think a running track wrapped around the building might look just a little bit tacky.

[honte]

Originally Posted by Richardsonhomebuyers

I think a running track wrapped around the building might look just a little bit tacky.

Sorry, I guess the tongue-in-cheek can't be seen over the Internet... but something more "integrated," as I say, would have been nice.

Architecture seems usually to be second-thought - just design something nice, with balconies, that has the required number of parking spaces and the unit count the developer wants.