CHICAGO | Highrise Projects & Construction - Page 366

Steely Dan · #**7301** Posted: **Mar 29, 2012, 8:39 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hayward

Didnt we hear the rainforest cafe building was up for sale and may possibly be doomed?

seriously? i didn't hear that, but would welcome the news with open arms.

Nowhereman1280 · #**7302** Posted: **Mar 29, 2012, 8:57 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steely Dan

seriously? i didn't hear that, but would welcome the news with open arms.

Was on the market last year, but it seems to be off market now. Here's the old Loopnet listing:

http://www.loopnet.com/Listing/17191...et-Chicago-IL/

Looks like they have a lease through 2017 with no more options to extend so who know what'll happen.

lawfin · #**7303** Posted: **Mar 29, 2012, 9:16 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hayward

Didnt we hear the rainforest cafe building was up for sale and may possibly be doomed?

REALLY! That would be fantastic....it's not April 1 so I hope you ain't fooln' round

If we could get Mcd's to redevelop; in one of my fantasy version of the universe Mcd's would take pride in their "hometown" and build an HQ worthy of the massive corp that it is. Something on the order of the first several floors showcasing different Mcd's menus from across the world; maybe have each floor represent a continent or something with rotating country menus. It would / could be s showcase / tourist attraction....way cooler than the campy thing there now.

Also move their school there maybe but this is probably more problematic.

A nice 1-2 millilon sq ft office / commercial space in the 650-750 ft variety would be great.

after all Mcd's was in the Loop until the early '70s when they fled to the 'burbs.

emathias · #**7304** Posted: **Mar 29, 2012, 9:52 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by lawfin

...
If we could get Mcd's to ... Something on the order of the first several floors showcasing different Mcd's menus from across the world; maybe have each floor represent a continent or something with rotating country menus. It would / could be s showcase / tourist attraction....way cooler than the campy thing there now.
...

I'm glad I'm not the only person who's thought of that and advocates it whenever the subject arise. Gives me hope that maybe McD's will consider it, too.

BorisMolotov · #**7305** Posted: **Mar 29, 2012, 10:40 PM**

Quote:

If we could get Mcd's to redevelop; in one of my fantasy version of the universe Mcd's would take pride in their "hometown" and build an HQ worthy of the massive corp that it is. Something on the order of the first several floors showcasing different Mcd's menus from across the world; maybe have each floor represent a continent or something with rotating country menus. It would / could be s showcase / tourist attraction....way cooler than the campy thing there now.

I know someone high up at McDonalds from church and I've asked him about relocation since places like Sara Lee were doing it (another person at my church works there) and he says they're quite happy in Oak Brook. Among other things, it's more centralized to the entire Chicagoland area than downtown Chicago.

Sidenote: The McDonalds on campus in Oak Brook there is much bigger and nicer than the Rock n' Roll McDonalds as well. I do like the idea of showcasing the international menu though.

ardecila · #**7306** Posted: **Mar 30, 2012, 1:24 AM**

Oak Brook also offers very quick travel times to O'Hare and, yes, is dead-center to all of Chicagoland. I really wish they would consider some sort of Tysons Corner-esque transformation. Maybe if they ever extend the Blue Line from Forest Park...

I don't think there's anything wrong with having multiple centers around Chicagoland if those centers are walkable, easily accessible from the city and connected to each other via good roads and transit.

Hayward · #**7307** Posted: **Mar 30, 2012, 1:44 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by ardecila

Oak Brook also offers very quick travel times to O'Hare and, yes, is dead-center to all of Chicagoland. I really wish they would consider some sort of Tysons Corner-esque transformation.

I hate how both Schaumburg and Oak Brook have very large mall and I can't get to them easily by rail transit.

Heck at least I could take Amtrak to Somerset of Troy back when I lived in Ann Arbor!

ardecila · #**7308** Posted: **Mar 30, 2012, 1:55 AM**

If you're willing to do that, surely the Blue Line + Pace bus is not that bad. The bus connecting Rosemont to the Northwest Transit Center near Woodfield is one of the few Pace lines with decent service.

Hayward · #**7309** Posted: **Mar 30, 2012, 2:03 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by ardecila

If you're willing to do that, surely the Blue Line + Pace bus is not that bad. The bus connecting Rosemont to the Northwest Transit Center near Woodfield is one of the few Pace lines with decent service.

Taking the blue to O'hare is torture enough for me. Don't get me wrong, I'm happy we have it. It's just all the stops...then a transfer.

Metra would be more effective with speed, but it gets me nowhere near.

Nowhereman1280 · #**7310** Posted: **Mar 30, 2012, 1:34 PM**

^^^ Oh come now, the Blue Line to O'Hare isn't that bad. It takes like 35 to 40 minutes to get from downtown to O'Hare depending on where you are starting. That's generally much less than driving with traffic.

However, there is no reason to ever go to Woodfield when you live in an area with the best shopping in the city. Also I'm sure Shaumburg would be mortified at any proposed extension of the CTA or other mass transit to their mall because it would "draw the minorities" out there.

Mr Downtown · #**7311** Posted: **Mar 30, 2012, 2:37 PM**

Average weekday driving time from Circle to O'Hare is 23 minutes. Minimum average (at midnight) is 17 minutes; maximum average (morning rush) is 40 minutes. Jackson to O'Hare by Blue Line is 44 minutes.

And gentlemen, the transit thread is here.

rgolch · #**7312** Posted: **Mar 30, 2012, 7:37 PM**

Anyone have a map (i.e. google maps overlay) showing were current construction projects are occurring?

ChiPhi · #**7313** Posted: **Mar 30, 2012, 8:33 PM**

I've got two. One from Skyscraper Page and one from Yo Chicago.

BorisMolotov · #**7314** Posted: **Mar 31, 2012, 12:28 AM**

Quote:

Also I'm sure Shaumburg would be mortified at any proposed extension of the CTA or other mass transit to their mall because it would "draw the minorities" out there.

Schaumburg already has a relatively high minority population. It's only about 72% white, less when you take out Hispanics.

rgolch · #**7315** Posted: **Mar 31, 2012, 1:23 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChiPhi

I've got two. One from Skyscraper Page and one from Yo Chicago.

The first one is great. You guys should think about linking it to the first page, filtering out the built ones...

ChiPhi · #**7316** Posted: **Mar 31, 2012, 1:44 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by BorisMolotov

Schaumburg already has a relatively high minority population. It's only about 72% white, less when you take out Hispanics.

Now if only they weren't a disgusting sprawl town, I might consider living there.

i_am_hydrogen · #**7317** Posted: **Mar 31, 2012, 1:59 AM**

It looks like Ald. Cappleman is doing the right thing and putting his support behind 3750 N. Halsted despite foolhardy and myopic community opposition.

the urban politician · #**7318** Posted: **Mar 31, 2012, 2:11 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by i_am_hydrogen

It looks like Ald. Cappleman is doing the right thing and putting his support behind 3750 N. Halsted despite foolhardy and myopic community opposition.

Had to bust out the smiley on this news.

Do you have a link?

i_am_hydrogen · #**7319** Posted: **Mar 31, 2012, 2:18 AM**

Nope. The article is from Inside-Booster, which doesn't have a website.

ardecila · #**7320** Posted: **Mar 31, 2012, 3:38 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by i_am_hydrogen

Nope. The article is from Inside-Booster, which doesn't have a website.

Never fear, the NIMBYs have obtained a copy.

(PDF) http://www.halstedneighbors.org/wp-c...er_Proof_3.pdf

Looking at the elevations just makes it clear how absurd this opposition really is. This site is surrounded by buildings taller than the proposed one.