CHICAGO | General Developments

[ardecila]

Interesting. I hope Schaumburg pushes for a decent site plan. The Meacham overpass has always been envisioned as a stop on a future I-90 transit line; the convention center to the northeast and the office park to the southeast were designed with just that possibility in mind. Initially it will be bus transit, maybe with an upgrade to rail later on.

The new I-90 project also includes a ramp at Meacham, which it did not have previously.

[wierdaaron]

A while ago someone was teasing the idea of a secret highrise building project that cantilevers over a landmark building...

I think it was about this. http://chicago.curbed.com/archives/2...lton-hotel.php

[jc5680]

Originally Posted by wierdaaron

A while ago someone was teasing the idea of a secret highrise building project that cantilevers over a landmark building...

I think it was about this. http://chicago.curbed.com/archives/2...lton-hotel.php

Before that we have already seen renders for that parcel.(Can't remember if it cantilevered though) Originally there was discussion of Virgin building something new there instead of renovating where they are now.

edit: couldn't find the full render but here is the entrance view and a Kamin article about it:

[Chicago_Forever]

Originally Posted by wierdaaron

A while ago someone was teasing the idea of a secret highrise building project that cantilevers over a landmark building...

I think it was about this. http://chicago.curbed.com/archives/2...lton-hotel.php

That person also stated that the height of that secret high rise could potentially be between 55 to 70 stories so highly doubt this s it. The proposal on this site is only 27 stories.

[LouisVanDerWright]

Originally Posted by wierdaaron

A while ago someone was teasing the idea of a secret highrise building project that cantilevers over a landmark building...

I think it was about this. http://chicago.curbed.com/archives/2...lton-hotel.php

Nope, good guess though. No one is going to guess the site I'm talking about because, well, it's hardly even a site.

[sentinel]

Originally Posted by LouisVanDerWright

Nope, good guess though. No one is going to guess the site I'm talking about because, well, it's hardly even a site.

[wierdaaron]

It's not a site... is it a state of mind?

That lot is so narrow, it makes me curious what the tallest/narrowest building might be. That is, tallest building with the smallest footprint/silhouette.

[untitledreality]

Originally Posted by wierdaaron

That lot is so narrow, it makes me curious what the tallest/narrowest building might be. That is, tallest building with the smallest footprint/silhouette.

SHoP just released images of a Manhattan highrise on 57th street that has 43 feet of frontage and is 1200-1300ft~ tall... pretty tough to beat a 30+ slenderness ratio with a fully occupy-able structure.

[marothisu]

Hmm, 3 building permits with a combined estimated cost of $46,780,000 were issued on Friday for Navy Pier. Over $22 Mil of that is improvements to the South Dock and Headhouse Plaza (and landscaping). Is this part of the new plans we saw recently?

Also I was up near Halsted Flats yesterday. Didn't take a picture for some reason, but it looks great. It looked like 75% of the exterior glass had been installed, but I didn't see the entire building. Funny how it is 15 stories but doesn't appear to be very tall. I think it's because it looks a little meatier than some other buildings. I like the look of it though. Also the new Senior LGBT housing on Halsted just north of Addison has its first floor mostly done (framing).

[harryc]

Work continues on the new upper level walkway on Grand E of Michigan




Form meets electrical vault ;-)


The Burger joint unsure on it's windows.

[jc5680]

The trib has quite a nice gallery up for DePaul's new theater building

[Ch.G, Ch.G]

So... this happened.

[the urban politician]

^ The developer clearly isn't bribing the right people

[UKVGuy]

Originally Posted by Ch.G, Ch.G

So... this happened.

Yep -- saw that earlier. Makes me embarrassed for the alderman, the neighborhood and the city. For all the complaints of rising crime, they had a chance to establish increased foot traffic and 24-hour security. And they blew it. Not to mention the opportunity to introduce some interesting architecture to the street.

[marothisu]

Originally Posted by Ch.G, Ch.G

So... this happened.

What an embarrassment. What are the chances if it doesn't work out in Boystown that it could work out in say...Andersonville? I know the average tourist may not be aware of Andersonville, but that neighborhood is quite charming. I wonder if its residents would oppose it (afterall, Andersonville Guesthouse is expanding as we speak).

[ardecila]

It would probably face the same opposition as in Boystown, but Osterman or O'Connor might allow it. The downside is that Andersonville is even less transit-accessible than Boystown: further from the Loop, not near any rail stations, and only local bus service.

Remember that Tunney is already in major hot water with his constituents over Wrigley Field, even though Emanuel is really behind that one - he won't be approving any more controversial projects for at least a few years. I wouldn't hold out hope for anything exciting with that Clark/Belmont proposal at the Dunkin Donuts site.

[the urban politician]

Originally Posted by ardecila

I wouldn't hold out hope for anything exciting with that Clark/Belmont proposal at the Dunkin Donuts site.

^ To be honest, what can be built as-of-right there is basically exciting enough for me. Make it kind of modern and funky, and there you go. I certainly don't think we need tall buildings all over town. I am all about midrise density

[Vlajos]

Originally Posted by ardecila

It would probably face the same opposition as in Boystown, but Osterman or O'Connor might allow it. The downside is that Andersonville is even less transit-accessible than Boystown: further from the Loop, not near any rail stations, and only local bus service.

Remember that Tunney is already in major hot water with his constituents over Wrigley Field, even though Emanuel is really behind that one - he won't be approving any more controversial projects for at least a few years. I wouldn't hold out hope for anything exciting with that Clark/Belmont proposal at the Dunkin Donuts site.

I'm not sure why you would say Andersonville is not near transit. There are very accessible Red Line stops at Berwyn and Bryn Mawr.

[Rizzo]

Originally Posted by Vlajos

I'm not sure why you would say Andersonville is not near transit. There are very accessible Red Line stops at Berwyn and Bryn Mawr.

Maybe accessible but not quite convenient. Went to a pizza place up there and I felt I had just crossed the threshold where it would be inconvenient to commute. I think a brisk walk took maybe 15 minutes from the red line. Maybe that's not bad. But in the winter walking to...and possibly waiting a few moments for the train, I'd opt for the bus.

My general rule of thumb is if it takes more than 20 minutes at a reasonable pace to reach a rapid transit station, it's not within the transit corridor. I'm sure there's actually some scientific measurement, but from a human perspective and I guess personal opinion Andersonville may just be a little out of the way from the Red Line.

[marothisu]

In other news, a developer plans on building a 78 unit apartment building near Grand & Western, and then 24 condos near the same intersection as well. It would also add 2000 sq ft of commercial space to the condo building(s) and over 16,000 sq ft of commercial space in the apartment building.

Looks like part of his selling point is the Metra and people who work in the Loop/West Loop who want to live that way and have an easy commute.

http://www.chicagorealestatedaily.co...s-in-west-town