CHICAGO | 108 North State (Block 37)

[the urban politician]

Originally Posted by spyguy

Well State Street is getting a new Burlington Coat Factory, which is somewhat like a Lord & Taylor.

^ What?

Does that mean that Lord & Taylor is out, or is this just separate news that you're reporting that has nothing to do with the Lord & Taylor prospect?

[tyler1]

Where's Burlington Coat Factory going? The old Filene's space?

[spyguy]

Originally Posted by tyler1

Where's Burlington Coat Factory going? The old Filene's space?

Yes.

Originally Posted by the urban politician

Does that mean that Lord & Taylor is out, or is this just separate news that you're reporting that has nothing to do with the Lord & Taylor prospect?

I just find it kind of funny that people want another department store on State Street, as if that's going to be a huge draw. There's really not much of a difference between Lord & Taylor (slightly more upscale than the typical Macy's) and Macy's on State.

[Chicagoguy]

Originally Posted by Nowhereman1280

^^^ There is no additional demand for any broadway in Chicago style crap downtown. Chicago's real theater scene (like most of its non-Rainforest Cafe culture) is in the neighborhoods and a lot of what they are doing in the neighborhood theaters blows away anything downtown and even a lot of what they do in NYC. There seems to be unlimited demand for neighborhood theaters in Chicago as I can't seem to go a month without seeing another one opening up. As much as I am enamored with downtown Chicago, the real strength of the city lies in its neighborhoods.

I actually have a few friends that work closely with Broadway in Chicago and they have said that Chicago misses out on a lot of shows that are on traveling tours due to our lack of theater space at that time. We especially run into the shortage problem when we have long running shows playing like Wicked and Jersey Boys did. We have a similar situation coming up again as Jersey Boys returns for 2 months in May and The Book of Mormon starts its long run here in December with its own Chicago cast. Not saying that the space could physically or structurally handle a theater that size with the stage requirements needed, but another theater in that area would definitely be welcome.

I know the shows that play there aren't "true Chicago theater" productions but they bring in a large amount of tourism to the area. Not many people will travel 100 miles to see a show in Uptown at the Black Ensemble Theater, etc...but there are a lot of people who will travel into town to see Fidler on the Roof, eat at a restaurant in the area, and stay for a night in a nearby hotel. The neighborhood theaters are great for people who live here and true theater fans, but for tourist they just aren't as easily accessible. It's the same situation NYC has with there shows "Off Broadway". They tend to be amazing productions but unless you speak to someone local you would never know anything about it.

All just my thoughts and wishful thinking...but it's such a great area of town and it is such a shame how dead it gets down there most nights after 7:30.

[Nowhereman1280]

^^^ I believe the problem Chicago has is not that it doesn't have sufficiant theater space, but that it doesn't have adaquete theaters. We were just discussing the fact that the theater facilities in Chicago often aren't up to snuff for some of the bigger productions.

[Vlajos]

Originally Posted by spyguy

I just find it kind of funny that people want another department store on State Street, as if that's going to be a huge draw. There's really not much of a difference between Lord & Taylor (slightly more upscale than the typical Macy's) and Macy's on State.

I agree, though it's better than nothing.

[the urban politician]

Originally Posted by spyguy

Yes.
I just find it kind of funny that people want another department store on State Street, as if that's going to be a huge draw. There's really not much of a difference between Lord & Taylor (slightly more upscale than the typical Macy's) and Macy's on State.

^ State St deserves to be more than just a ho-hum discount shopping strip.*

Even today I still think it has yet to figure out its identity. To some degree it's a ho-hum discount shopping strip, but it also has elements of a destination retail center with Macy's and some of the shops at Block 37. What new retailers sign on will shape its future identity, and I'm hoping for the latter.

Burlington Coat Factory, to me, is a bit of a disappointment. Every mall in America has one of those.

Just my 2 cents

* FYI, there is nothing wrong with a discount shopping strip if it at least includes some edgy shops that you won't find in any suburban mall. Broadway through the several blocks north and south of Houston in Manhattan comes to mind. I'd love to see State St develop into something similar

[Chicagoguy]

Originally Posted by the urban politician

^ State St deserves to be more than just a ho-hum discount shopping strip.*

Even today I still think it has yet to figure out its identity. To some degree it's a ho-hum discount shopping strip, but it also has elements of a destination retail center with Macy's and some of the shops at Block 37. What new retailers sign on will shape its future identity, and I'm hoping for the latter.

Burlington Coat Factory, to me, is a bit of a disappointment. Every mall in America has one of those.

Just my 2 cents

* FYI, there is nothing wrong with a discount shopping strip if it at least includes some edgy shops that you won't find in any suburban mall. Broadway through the several blocks north and south of Houston in Manhattan comes to mind. I'd love to see State St develop into something similar

I more so see State Street as having a fine mix between Herald Square and Times Square, if comparing to New York. It offers that entertainment aspect of Times Square but also the similar shopping venues of Herald Square (Macy's, H&M, Duane Reade aka Walgreens, etc).

I agree with TUP that State Street has yet to fully find its identity but I think another large anchor tenant will help do that. The large Border's location is still available is it not? Looking forward to much more development in this area soon...I know the Old Navy site will most likely be redeveloped in the next few years as well! Good things are on the horizon for State Street!

[paytonc]

I, too, see Herald Square as a better analogue than SoHo. Or it's Yonge + Dundas to Boul Mich's Bloor.

Originally Posted by sammyg

It would be nice to have a small black-box theater in the loop, so some of the small theater companies can reach a bigger audience than they do in the neighborhoods, but Block 37 would be out of their price range.

Agreed -- but the city already runs two black box theaters just down the street:
http://www.dcatheater.org/

I remember that pre-MoMo, the city owned what had been a Walgreens on that site (ever since Rubloff put up the taxpayer building post-Masonic Temple?) and operated a black-box theater there.

[jcchii]

MOMO was a great add.

I agree on all the comments. Needs to be a mix and not just the normal garbage that just can't afford Mich Ave

[SamInTheLoop]

Originally Posted by the urban politician

My opinion stands:

Convert the upper levels into ballroom & meeting space and build a new hotel on Block 37, as previously planned, as well as an apartment tower eventually. If a department store wants the second floor then great, but otherwise the only retail that makes sense is at street level.

I don't see a live theatre happening, although eventually a high end movie house with a marquee on Randolph may not be a bad idea.

Definitely disagree that the existing upper level space should be converted to space for the future hotel's use. There will be some space available above the current level 4 for meeting space in the hotel not huge spaces clearly, but enough - I believe that was planned when Loews was planning their first Chicago hotel at Block 37. Best uses for fls 3 and 4 I think continue to be a higher-end movie theater with food, a larger upscale food venue(s), and another entertainment venue. Hopefully the city has already informed CIM Group that a casino is completely off the table (dumb, dumb idea for Block 37), and they've selected a great leasing team that is ready to move on getting this thing leased up to a good selection of tenants, like yesterday.....

[BWChicago]

auntie anne's in block 37 has closed.

[spyguy]

http://www.suntimes.com/business/roe...ield-park.html

Former Bear Shaun Gayle plans gym for E. Garlield Park
BY DAVID ROEDER July 3, 2012

...FATE ON STATE: The Block 37 complex in the Loop has had well-documented trouble cutting its 70-percent vacancy rate, but now is there trouble with current tenants? Andy’s Frozen Custard, which has had a store in the pedway nearly two years, said it is closing Saturday, a day after company President Andy Kuntz promises to show up to dish out complimentary custard as a send-off.

Kuntz said “traffic was just not where it needed to be” for the Block 37 store. He said the chain’s other locations in Evanston, Bolingbrook and Oak Lawn are doing fine.

Los Angeles-based CIM Group has owned Block 37 since April. A CIM spokeswoman wouldn’t directly address the custard closure but said, “The company is currently working on a comprehensive repositioning strategy for the property which includes a merchandising plan, evaluating the tenant mix, and implementing a rebranding and property signage program that will commence this fall. “
---

Does anyone who has been inside lately know if Michelle Tan or Malabar (the local boutiques) on the second floor have closed yet? I also remember hearing that business has been slow for the hair salon on top.

They're also trying to get a restaurant for the first two floors where Rosa Mexicano was originally intended.

[Rizzo]

I don't know if it's been discussed in this thread, but has anyone found the layout and design of the mall in general pretty bad? It suffers from the same dilemma as Chicago place.

I think architects thought stores would receive the bulk of their visibility from the street with those large windows and then customers would head on inside. But the inside has this odd sized atrium and little visibility. The lighting and finishes feel stale. Cool-White fluorescent lighting in a mall, why?

They also made a mistake by putting the food court in the lower level. Yes, I realize it's the pedway level and makes some sense, but developing a solid roster of eateries in a generous sized food court would create a customer pressure system that would send people up escalators past other floors. The pedway level would have then been left for coffee places, convenience stores and a gym.

[J_M_Tungsten]

Yet another fail in the history of Block 37.

[chicubs111]

Originally Posted by J_M_Tungsten

Yet another fail in the history of Block 37.

yea its such a fail cause of the stupid Daley administration so desperate for something to go there ..they ending up choosing MIlls corp which should be ashamed of such a disastrous piece of work!.. We had a prime spot in the center of downtown Chicago,..this could of been a very special project with a significant architectural statement but noo the city chooses a crappy suburban developer with absolutely no vision...i would of rather had it sit empty until something appropriate came by

[jcchii]

seems a few places have had success there at least

[ardecila]

Originally Posted by Hayward

I don't know if it's been discussed in this thread, but has anyone found the layout and design of the mall in general pretty bad? It suffers from the same dilemma as Chicago place.

I think architects thought stores would receive the bulk of their visibility from the street with those large windows and then customers would head on inside. But the inside has this odd sized atrium and little visibility. The lighting and finishes feel stale. Cool-White fluorescent lighting in a mall, why?

They also made a mistake by putting the food court in the lower level. Yes, I realize it's the pedway level and makes some sense, but developing a solid roster of eateries in a generous sized food court would create a customer pressure system that would send people up escalators past other floors. The pedway level would have then been left for coffee places, convenience stores and a gym.

The movie theater was supposed to fill the upper-level void, and Lettuce Entertain You pledged to open a food court up there as well like the operation they run at Water Tower Place.

A movie theater is still the best choice for the upper level; the transit accessibility is a bonus because Chicago doesn't have any megaplexes near the L. Now there's Kerasotes at Roosevelt and possibly an ArcLight at Clybourn.

I love the finishes inside, although you're right that the atrium does a terrible job of giving visibility to stores across levels. It seems the only multi-level centers that do well, anywhere, are those with entrances on the upper levels. Mall developers realized this decades ago, which is why most large malls terraformed their parking lots to create an artificial slope to embed the mall in. Unfortunately, you can't really do this in a flat city.

[nomarandlee]

I agree with your assessment in full except the part about putting a food court on the upper levels. Putting the eateries between Red/Blue line pathways was definitely the right move. If they had put the eateries on the second or third floors I would any that have managed to stick around would have ended up closing in the first few months. People who want to squeeze in a quick lunch on their business lunch don't want to have traverse escalators and mall crowds in order get an essentially fast food lunch IMO.

Unless you are Harrods or Neiman Marcus offereing destination eats I don't think that a mall/department store can depend on the fast order cafes/restaurants to help draw people to the retail.

If there had been a more open layout with a more unique sense of place I think it would have drawn more people in to eat and shop. Having to go up another escalator in order to get any idea and a view of just five to six stores on each level in a relatively confined mall just doesn't do much for most shoppers I think.

Right now it feels perfectly adequate with very typical mall finishing's on the inside which give shoppers absolutely no reason to stop in ad appreciate it from the inside. This is in contrast to Northbridge or WTP which have at least a slight semblance of individual character by mall standards.

[spyguy]

The pedway actually isn't the food court. There were supposed to be restaurants on the corner of Dearborn and Randolph plus a Lettuce Entertain You food court on the third floor.

Foodlife would be a huge hit with Loop workers bored of the same chains on every block. Going up a few floors for lunch at North Bridge, WTP, even 900 North never really phased me or apparently other people as those places are regularly packed. And the escalator situation is actually better at Block 37 than those other malls. CIM really needs to work out a deal to get that open and maybe convince them to open a Foodease, M Burger, etc. as well.

Here's the view from the future rooftop garden:

Stragler Chicago Photo by Parakeet Unplugged, on Flickr