CHICAGO | Highrise Projects & Construction

[ardecila]

Originally Posted by SamInTheLoop

If no said connection, how annoying would it be if you were a K2 resident, and simply wanted to make a Jewel run (which would seem to be a very common occurrence for the vast majority of future K2 residents).....I've gotta think Fifield is building some sort of connection...

I'm guessing the K2 garage will have an exit to Union St, where there is a stair up to the Jewel parking lot.

[jcchii]

501 n. Clark is what again?

[Hayward]

Originally Posted by jcchii

501 n. Clark is what again?

That would be the pink Italianate structure that was just demolished for the hotel project.

[VivaLFuego]

Originally Posted by ardecila

I'm guessing the K2 garage will have an exit to Union St, where there is a stair up to the Jewel parking lot.

Sounds like a pleasant trek when loaded up with bags or a granny cart.

[emathias]

Originally Posted by SamInTheLoop

If no said connection, how annoying would it be if you were a K2 resident, and simply wanted to make a Jewel run (which would seem to be a very common occurrence for the vast majority of future K2 residents).....I've gotta think Fifield is building some sort of connection...

I know most other people ridicule my call for an extension of the Merchandise Mart Plaza road over the river and over the ground-level Metra tracks to Halsted, but this would be one more example of an advantage to having that bit of infrastructure. Even just skipping the bridge, elevating Jefferson and capping the rails between Jefferson and Halsted would have enabled some better neighborhood continuity (and would be a lot less expensive than a new bridge).

That would have enabled Jefferson and Union to be through-streets, tying that area into the rest of the area much better. You could then look into re-opening the Union viaduct north of Kinzie and punched Union through to Grand, bring the whole area back onto the grid.

[untitledreality]

Originally Posted by J_M_Tungsten

^^^What's going to be on the lot to the east of it?

Just utilizing the empty lot next door for extra space... give it a few more years and there will be another high rise parked there.

[Hayward]

Originally Posted by emathias

I know most other people ridicule my call for an extension of the Merchandise Mart Plaza road over the river and over the ground-level Metra tracks to Halsted, but this would be one more example of an advantage to having that bit of infrastructure. Even just skipping the bridge, elevating Jefferson and capping the rails between Jefferson and Halsted would have enabled some better neighborhood continuity (and would be a lot less expensive than a new bridge).

That would have enabled Jefferson and Union to be through-streets, tying that area into the rest of the area much better. You could then look into re-opening the Union viaduct north of Kinzie and punched Union through to Grand, bring the whole area back onto the grid.

In hindsight before that area developed to what it is today, that would have been a very successful idea. When you say "call for" I interpret that as you think something like a pedestrian plaza bridge over the tracks should be built.

Today, that's nearly impossible. Some of those midrise buildings on either side of the tracks would have to come down if the tracks were to be completely covered over. I can explain this in more detail, but take my word. A smaller elevated pedestrian walk could be constructed over the alley, but I think it would be important to mention that adding another "bridge" to the area just creates more darkened streets below. Not to mention, the existing buildings would fail to address the new public way since they already turn their backs to the rail line. Again, had the streets been double decked in the first place, this would have made a lot more sense.

[spyguy]

http://www.suntimes.com/business/roe...enefactor.html

Historic Rosenwald awaits new benefactor
DAVID ROEDER October 18, 2011

...GOING VERTICAL: Not to be outdone by the construction of other South Loop schools, East-West University has announced plans for a 17-story Student Life Center at 825 S. Wabash. Designed by Holabird & Root, the building will connect to the school’s Loftrium Building at 815 S. Wabash and include dorms for 220 students, plus an auditorium, gym and other functions.

Construction should start in December and completion is expected in time for the fall term of 2013.

[sentinel]

Originally Posted by spyguy

http://www.suntimes.com/business/roe...enefactor.html

Historic Rosenwald awaits new benefactor
DAVID ROEDER October 18, 2011

...GOING VERTICAL: Not to be outdone by the construction of other South Loop schools, East-West University has announced plans for a 17-story Student Life Center at 825 S. Wabash. Designed by Holabird & Root, the building will connect to the school’s Loftrium Building at 815 S. Wabash and include dorms for 220 students, plus an auditorium, gym and other functions.

Construction should start in December and completion is expected in time for the fall term of 2013.

say what???

[Ch.G, Ch.G]

The design looks very promising, but it appears they're going to raze two six story buildings, neither of which appears to be in the greatest shape but frustrating nevertheless considering the empty lot to their south and the two story parking garage to the Loftrium Building's north...

[untitledreality]

Originally Posted by Ch.G, Ch.G

but it appears they're going to raze two six story buildings

Already razed. Happened a while ago.

Very sad considering they were both handsome mid rises and that both the Northwest corner and Southwest corner of the block is occupied by parking. Hell, the entire Wabash corridor from Jackson South to Roosevelt is a surface parking lot wasteland... this was an opportunity missed IMO.

[Ch.G, Ch.G]

Yikes. Didn't realize. Thanks for clarifying.

[the urban politician]

Great news on the E-W University dorm.

Is that ground level commercial I'm seeing? The illustration of the street level is vague. Also, in the interior rendering I'm seeing Sbarro and Panda Express as well as Starbucks. Is that supposed to be some sort of interior food court? If so, I'm doubting that a mere 220 dorms will support such businesses unless they have street access

[the urban politician]

Originally Posted by untitledreality

Very sad considering they were both handsome mid rises and that both the Northwest corner and Southwest corner of the block is occupied by parking. Hell, the entire Wabash corridor from Jackson South to Roosevelt is a surface parking lot wasteland... this was an opportunity missed IMO.

^ The march of urbanity is a very slow one, ain't it?

The growth of the 'footprint' of urban density is aggravatingly slow, but that's what you get when you try to create develop densely in a pedestrian-friendly manner--new projects are better off built close to existing development. One lot at a time, and in the case of the South Loop, I'm guessing we're probably talking about another 50 years before you'll see many of these lots finally disappear.

This is radically different from the pace of suburban development we have seen in our lifetimes, in which acres and acres of farmland are developed into shopping centers and housing subdivisions within only a few years.

[george]

Yeah, that's a shame.



http://maps.google.com/maps?q=825+s+...ed=0CB8Q8gEwAA

[jdcpamba]

I live around the corner from 815 S. Wabash, watch the news/forums everyday, and this project came completely out of left field for me. Having been in and around the South Loop since the mid 90s, it is amazing to me the amount of construction and activity related to the universities and schools in the area and the massive influx of students to the area. I believe Columbia also bought the the Jones Publishing building on Michigan Avenue next to this project.

[i_am_hydrogen]

I toured Smith+Gill last weekend as part of Open House Chicago. The architect-cum-tour guide mentioned that Willis Tower hotel project is "in the approval stages." I was relieved to hear it wasn't dead.

[Hayward]

Originally Posted by george

Yeah, that's a shame.



http://maps.google.com/maps?q=825+s+...ed=0CB8Q8gEwAA

Here's the demolition photos from November of 2009




If you go back to around that date in this thread, you'll find quite a few more photos.



I like the proposal, but too bad it couldn't have been built next door and the older buildings retained. Anyway, this will more than likely have a public food court, which is beneficial to the workers and students in that area.

[J_M_Tungsten]

Honestly, it's not a big loss at all IMO. I'd much rather have a nice, new, usable building than a couple of old, run down, buildings.

[untitledreality]

Originally Posted by J_M_Tungsten

Honestly, it's not a big loss at all IMO. I'd much rather have a nice, new, usable building than a couple of old, run down, buildings.

Good thing we tore down the run down Garrick too... and the run down mansions of Prairie Ave... the Masonic Temple sure was a dump... the outdated Stock Exchange Building... oh, and since we were building a "nice, new, usable" Stock Exchange Building good thing we thought to tear down the old Grand Central Station to replace it with the new, beautiful, LaSalle Street station platforms fully integrated into the new CSE! Genius!!!


...granted these buildings were nowhere near the significance of those I just listed, but they still held ties to our past, still had great street presence and were still within their usable lifespans. With so much vacant land in this city why must we always demolish our past?