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

[Steely Dan]

yet another 700+ foot proposal for the windy city:



Guys and girls, I have some fantastic news.

Also, I just got an email from LR Development, and the original height of 65 East Huron is back on track. The building will be 64 stories and 720'. I will have a rendering to post tomorrow.


Here's a part of the email that I received:

Butler,

Your guess regarding the height for the Huron-Rush project is correct. The building would be back at its previously approved height of 720', approximately 64 occupied floors. Just so you can get an idea how long it takes for something like this to develop, we were working on the expanded building when we met over the summer. The update in the paper this morning is the item I hinted at during our discussion when I said that we might have a way to get the height back in the building. I have attached a rendering of the view of the building from the west.

As for the tower at Illinois and Lake Shore Drive, we wouldn't be working on it as hard as we are if we didn't think that there was a good chance that it would be built. Obviously, there is still a lot of work to do on the development of the design of the building and the necessary approvals, but we are confident. I don't have any images to send you at this time, but maybe in the near future.


ENJOY:):):)


http://img459.imageshack.us/img459/3222/canyonranch1mv5.jpg


ain't she a beaut?

[spyguy]

Well, it has been proposed for a long time. But it looks to be more a reality now that Canyon Ranch signed on.

[colemonkee]

I really wish they would have kept the hole intact, but it's still a fine looking building, and a great addition to the Chicago skyline.

[trvlr70]

Don't you think it would be better to post the correct rendering? I thought the architects 86'ed the opening near the top. But, regardless, she's a beauty.

[Steely Dan]

^ uhhh, i did post the correct rendering dude, it's the same one that victor just got from the developer minutes ago.

[Marvel 33]

Wow, that's great! 720' is the same height of One Museum Park in the Central Station development. I always loved the design of this building, simple but very unique and sleek.

I can't get over all the great news we're getting for Chicago!

[trvlr70]

Is the building perfectly elliptical or is the west side angular?

[spyguy]

Let's hope it is completely round, but that's a question I've wondered too.

[Jaroslaw]

It's good... what's with the apparently blank white wall on the right, though? "Textured" concrete? Probably the parking garage...

[spyguy]

It's been all the renderings so far, if I remember correctly. Except this time it has this weird yellow front side.

[Jonovision]

That's a really nice tower. Chicago is doing great!

[TransitEngr]

The KeyHole reminds me of a skyscraper in Dallas that stores its automatic window washing machine inside the keyhole... hidden away from view. Granted... that skyscraper in Dallas is hideous. I wonder if the developers will do the same thing here.

[Steely Dan]

^ well, the "key-hole" feature has now been plugged, as evidenced by the rendering at the top of the page, and given that this looks like a flat-roofed building, i would imagine that any window washing equipment will simply be kept up there.

[Norsider]

"I don't have any images to send you at this time, but maybe in the near future."

Steely, are you sure BVic got that picture from the developer?

[Steely Dan]

^ yes. the part of victor's post you quoted was about the beitler telecom tower, not 65 east huron.

[spyguy]

So is 500 LSD just...gone? If we're going to lose that we deserve to at least see a good rendering of what we're [potentially] losing.

[HK Chicago]

It's good... what's with the apparently blank white wall on the right, though? "Textured" concrete? Probably the parking garage...

They've definitely changed that part. I really liked the original parking structure as it left the elliptical form intact at ground level for much of the tower. It looks like the updated base looks very similar so it may even be for the better.

One major improvement is the extra "floor" at the crown... while it won't be as striking as the 2 "floors" on 111 S Wacker, I really like this detail as it gives the tower a proper crown w/o breaking the vertical pattern.

[Stephenapolis]

That is a nice sharp looking tower.

[Jaroslaw]

Given that it's a quarter-block lot, I wonder if the square thing isn't a car elevator? Although that feature was blamed for slow sales at the Riverbend...

[jcchii]

almost any version of that design would be a breath of fresh air in that area

[MNdude]

can you guys give minneapolis one 700 footer proposal.........i mean with what you guys have comming down the pipes, one 700footer would hardly matter ;)

[James Bond Agent 007]

It's round!

[spyguy]

Yes it is. And maybe greenish-blue! It's a miracle, maybe we can finally get out of the "blues."

[SevenSevenThree]

Is anyone else not seeing the new rendering? All I see is the old one with the open cut out feature.

[James Bond Agent 007]

^
I can see it fine.

[MNdude]

^
I can see it fine.

Yeah I can see it fine too...strange

[2PRUROCKS!]

Is anyone else not seeing the new rendering? All I see is the old one with the open cut out feature.

Yeah I'm not sure whats up one my computer at work I saw the new rendering, but now at home I only see the old rendering?

[spyguy]

Perhaps you need to clear your cache. Here it is again, on imageshack this time:

http://img68.imageshack.us/img68/1663/632465easthuron1dx.jpg

[Adam186]

Always looking out for everybody, huh? I saw it fine though. I just wanted to say thank you for all your contributions on this site and SSC!

[Jularc]

Wow that tower is just beautiful! :)

[sentinel]

Holy moly! I think I like that even more now! Just gorgeous!

[Steely Dan]

Perhaps you need to clear your cache.


yep, that's the problem some people are having. when i get new images for projects, i simply overwrite the old images, so that means that the image URLs remain the same, and if people have the old image file cached, then it will come up on their screen even though i have switched out the old image with the new one on the SSP server. simply pressing the refresh button should solve this problem most of the time.

[BVictor1]

"I don't have any images to send you at this time, but maybe in the near future."

Steely, are you sure BVic got that picture from the developer?

Yes dude. I got the rendering from the developer.

When he said "but maybe in the near future", he was talking about high-resolution images for the 2,000' tower in Streeterville.

[HK Chicago]

back to the side structure... I bet it's a good portion of Canyon Ranch, as their program requires a 100% isolated interior... the most we'll ever see of it is a mini lobby with a single elevator door inside. Unless of course they build down, there's a lot of required private space that would fit right into the taller side structure.

[2PRUROCKS!]

Emporis has this building listed at a structural height of 730ft and a roof height of 720ft. Any further detail on this Victor, Shawn, Dan (Steely or Chicago), Tom. Is there a screen that extends 1ft above the mechanical penthouse on the roof? Should the title of the thread be altered to reflect this? Should the page 1 list of the Boom run down thread be changed to reflect this?

[Dr Nevergold]

Now that's a gorgeous tower.

[Adam186]

Emporis has this building listed at a structural height of 730ft and a roof height of 720ft. Any further detail on this Victor, Shawn, Dan (Steely or Chicago), Tom. Is there a screen that extends 1ft above the mechanical penthouse on the roof? Should the title of the thread be altered to reflect this? Should the page 1 list of the Boom run down thread be changed to reflect this?

The glass crown on the top looks like it's about 10 ft. I vote we change the thread name to "CHICAGO: 65 East Huron - 730' offical/720' roof/64 floors".

[HK Chicago]

I'd assume the screen at the top hides a mechanical penthouse that's ~10' tall, if not taller... so the roof and structural height are probably the same height.

[Steely Dan]

Emporis has this building listed at a structural height of 730ft and a roof height of 720ft. Any further detail on this Victor, Shawn, Dan (Steely or Chicago), Tom. Is there a screen that extends 1ft above the mechanical penthouse on the roof? Should the title of the thread be altered to reflect this? Should the page 1 list of the Boom run down thread be changed to reflect this?

well, if emporis is now listing it as 730'/720', then i suppose i should change it here as well, for consistency's sake. thanks for picking up the discrepancy.

[BVictor1]

Emporis has this building listed at a structural height of 730ft and a roof height of 720ft. Any further detail on this Victor, Shawn, Dan (Steely or Chicago), Tom. Is there a screen that extends 1ft above the mechanical penthouse on the roof? Should the title of the thread be altered to reflect this? Should the page 1 list of the Boom run down thread be changed to reflect this?

well, if emporis is now listing it as 730'/720', then i suppose i should change it here as well, for consistency's sake. thanks for picking up the discrepancy.

The 730' height is questionable at this time. It hasn't been determined yet. I asked my contact at LR sure, and they said that hasn't been finalized. When I can get more information I will post it here.

The zoning application also says 720' roof 730' to the top of the building.

[spyguy]

http://globest.com/news/440_440/chicago/141416-1.html

Condo Developers Fill Void in $250M Tower Design
By Mark Ruda

Now that LR Development has closed a five-story “sky window” in its 65-story condominium tower proposed for Huron and Rush streets, the company is hoping to begin construction by early 2007. Also added into the $250-million building’s design, criticized by city officials when it came to the plan commission in late 2003, is a 65,000-sf Canyon Ranch fitness center.

In addition to 330 condominiums and 120 hotel condominiums, the elliptical glass and aluminum building at the southwest corner of Huron and Rush streets will have 38,000 sf of office space for the Chicago diocese of the Episcopal Church, which is providing a ground lease to LR Development. Canyon Ranch will be spread over the 13th through 16th floors in the building at 65 E. Huron St., as well as have a restaurant on the second floor.

The hotel condos are planned for the 18th through 23rd floors, with the residential condos filling the 25th through 65th floors. Gone, however, is a five-story open void below the penthouse units. Filling in the hole at the top of the tower results in a 15% increase in the building’s square footage to nearly 800,000 sf, requiring Thursday’s recommendation by the plan commission.

LR Development president Tom Meeks tells GlobeSt.com units are likely to be priced in the neighborhood of $650 sf. Construction is expected to take about three years, he says, indicating there is no shortage of lenders. “We have a tremendous amont of interest in financing,” Meeks tells GlobeSt.com.

However, opposition remains from the Streeterville Organization of Active Residents, which notes 13 projects are underway or in the works that would add 5,000 units to the neighborhood. In addition, Canyon Ranch is expected to increase traffic, even though the building will include a 450-space valet parking garage.

“We’ve already down-zoned 75% of River North,” says 42nd Ward Alderman Burton Natarus. “We can’t down-zone everything because we’ll get another zoning lawsuit.”

[Steely Dan]

^ so, we have now have a target timeframe for construction start in early 2007. i will wait with eager anticipation, as this is still one of my top 5 favorite proposals on the table right now, even if the void up top has been closed.

[jcchii]

with so much apparently locked in already on this one, I'm surprised they are talking 07

[BVictor1]

with so much apparently locked in already on this one, I'm surprised they are talking 07

Well, they still have a quota of units to sell and that will take several months at least, then there's the demolition of the current structure which will certainly take several months. 2007 sounds like a realistic projection.

[Steely Dan]

from the boom rundown thread:

These are pics of 65 E. Huron BVictor managed to get a snapshot of during one of his underground reconnaisance missions over a year ago (yeah, I've been rummaging the archives of this old lunker of a thread):

http://images.snapfish.com/33%3B8%3B94723232%7Ffp47%3Dot%3E2329%3D959%3D583%3DXROQDF%3E2323639%3A2%3B637ot1lsi

http://images.snapfish.com/33%3B8%3B94723232%7Ffp63%3Dot%3E2329%3D959%3D583%3DXROQDF%3E2323639%3A34%3B%3B3ot1lsi

http://images.snapfish.com/33%3B8%3B94723232%7Ffp64%3Dot%3E2329%3D959%3D583%3DXROQDF%3E2323639%3A367%3B3ot1lsi

http://images.snapfish.com/33%3B8%3B94723232%7Ffp3%3B%3Dot%3E2329%3D959%3D583%3DXROQDF%3E2323639%3A36896ot1lsi

^There is something appealing about the base of this building--it really overwhelms you--no setback and right in-your-face. Plus the church and some tiny pre-war buildings are right next door. It has the potential to make an incredibly powerful statement. Does anyone else notice this?

[TransitEngr]

Did the official address of this change to 71 E. Huron? (forgive me if someone already asked that a month ago).

[chiphile]

.

[chiphile]

^shit i'm on crack and it won't let me delete, some help? thanks!

And for some reason it won't let me delete myself, I'm logged in correctly and everything.

[spyguy]

Click edit. Then check the checkbox at the top and hit the Delete button.

[BVictor1]

There is a new sign in front of the Episcopal diocese' building at 65 East Huron announcing that 71 East Huron is "Coming Soon". That's right boys and girls, it's no longer 65 East Huron, but 71 East Huron.

Steely, you need to update the thread name.

[BVictor1]

Here's that advertisement mentioned...

http://images.snapfish.com/345939365%7Ffp337%3Enu%3D3238%3E868%3E492%3EWSNRCG%3D323343468%3B6%3A%3Anu0mrj

http://images.snapfish.com/345939365%7Ffp338%3Enu%3D3238%3E868%3E492%3EWSNRCG%3D3233434695428nu0mrj

[dvidler]

So will they be knocking down the existing building or just build next to it?

[Marvel 33]

This is going to be a good looking tower!

[beachdoc06]

I keep getting 4th presbyterian and 71 Huron mixed up. I think it's the church that you can seen at the bottom of the diagram that gets me. How close are these two projects? They're about the same height if I remember correctly.

[Fabb]

This design is not very contemporary. It reminds me of the 70s. But I like it.

[BANKofMANHATTAN]

I like it!

What is the tower peeking out behind it's left side in the rendering? anyone?

[JACKinBeantown]

Interesting looking building. Chicago seems to be getting a lot of big buildings recently. Maybe on a larger scale than New York, even though New York has quite a few large buildings going up too. We'll see if the French Tower ever actually gets built. It's unfortunate that because of September 11, Chicago may soon have a more impressive skyline than New York.

[Marvel 33]

Chicago may soon have a more impressive skyline than New York.

I thought we already did! :D

[Marvel 33]

I keep getting 4th presbyterian and 71 Huron mixed up. I think it's the church that you can seen at the bottom of the diagram that gets me. How close are these two projects? They're about the same height if I remember correctly.


4th Presbitarian has had many road blocks along the way. Especially from all the NIMBYs in the neighborhood. Currently the project seems to be on hold and it might never be built.

71 Huron looks a lot more promessing!

[beachdoc06]

^ sorry...i should've wrote how close in proximity are these two projects.

[Steely Dan]

^ they're about 4 blocks from each other, but 4th pres probably won't be built, at least not as currently planned.

you can always check out Tom In Chicago's awesome development map thread to get locations for all of chicago's highrise developments:

Tom In Chicago’s highrise development maps (http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?threadid=94367)

[beachdoc06]

thanks- I tooked at the awsome map before and thought i had figured it out. but it's nice to have input from others.

[Dan in Chicago]

What is the tower peeking out behind it's left side in the rendering? anyone?

That's a very foreshortened view of City Place, the building at the SW corner of Michigan & Huron with the arched top.

[BVictor1]

I heard some interesting information about the height of this tower. Now this is unofficial as the tower is still in the design stages, but it's possible that it will be in the 735'-750' range. As I said this is still unofficial. We must wait until we can see the actual blueprints, but I figured I should share.

[Marino33]

750' would be a nice increase on the height from 720'. I just moved to Chicago and I haven't been following all these threads but does this tower have a pretty good chance of actually being built or what do you guys think?

[Steely Dan]

^ yeah, i would say this one has a pretty good chance of happening. of course it all depends on how sales go, but LR is a very reputable outift. they know what they're doing and they seem to have put together a pretty top-notch product with this tower.

barring major market crashes and other unforeseen goofiness, i put this one in the "when", not "if", category.

[BVictor1]

I got this rendering yesterday from LR Development. It's a perspective view from Huron and Rush Street towards the residential lobby.

https://extranet.emporis.com/files/transfer/6/2006/01/432006.jpg

[colemonkee]

^ That rendering makes it look like it will have green glass. And polished granite sidewalks. ;)

[spyguy]

And polished granite sidewalks. ;)

That's how we do it :haha:

Great rendering BVictor

[buildup]

Now that's a beautiful residential tower!

For any of the Philly forumers that pass by, doesn't 71 East Huron look like a mix of Comcast Center and the Murano?

[Marvel 33]

^ That rendering makes it look like it will have green glass. And polished granite sidewalks. ;)

Wow, that's exactly what I was thinking. Nice looking granite sidewalks!

[Chase Unperson]

^ That rendering makes it look like it will have green glass. And polished granite sidewalks. ;)

and marble streets with ivory inlay crosswalks and shiny happy people.

It's gotta be the soma.

[2PRUROCKS!]

Major buildings set for Chicago, San Diego, Salt Lake City
'Church of the Future' planned now

By Pat McCaughan
Monday, April 03, 2006
[Episcopal News Service] The church of the future just may be connected to a high-rise. The Diocese of Chicago is moving forward with plans to erect a 64-story elliptical-shaped glass office and condominium tower, which will double its current space and help fund future ministry, said Michael Stephenson, canon for development.
Located on the city's upscale residential North side, the new building will house offices for the diocese, St. James Cathedral and Episcopal Charities and Community Services.

"The space will also include a 65,000 square-foot Canyon Ranch health and wellness center and restaurant, 100 hotel condominiums connected with Canyon Ranch and another 330 private condominium units," Stephenson said.

"It is planned that the new building will be the greenest high-rise building in Chicago, in the forefront of environmental and energy conservation designs," he said. The building, which will also include several floors of parking, is planned to replace the current five-story diocesan and cathedral office building, constructed in 1967.

The Chicago development mirrors a growing national trend among churches of all denominations seeking to maximize land use for ministry, said the Rev. Cindy Voorhees of Voorhees Design (see related story).

"Such churches are typically in inner cities where the real estate market has skyrocketed and a renaissance is occurring in the city and the church has now become again the center point of the city," said Voorhees, a church designer for 16 years and associate rector at St. John's Episcopal Church in Los Angeles. "The churches realize that they can be a more integral part of the city if they offer more direct services, so they partner with developers to do that."

In addition to Episcopal churches, Voorhees' current clientele includes Presbyterian, Baptist, Calvary and nondenominational churches, as well as a synagogue. Typically, such projects can include retail space and underground parking, as well as low-income and high-end housing units like condominiums.

"It's not everyone's model, but this is more millennium thinking, in my view. I think the church needs to become more entrepreneurial in the use of assets. Why not use the land for the benefit of the city and the church?" said Voorhees. "You have churches with a lot of land and very little parking, so they put in underground parking beneath retail outlets and it becomes one big happy family, a kind of symbiotic relationship where everyone wins."

Bishop William Persell of Chicago praised city officials for supporting the plan. "The building's design will be notable on the skyline of our great city, known for its architecture, and the new diocesan and cathedral center and the proceeds from the property lease will greatly enhance our mission," he said.

"Proceeds from the ground lease will fund future mission of the diocese in such areas as congregational development, church starts or more direct ministries," added David Skidmore, communications director.

Construction is expected to start in early 2007 with completion in late 2009.

Additionally, the plans for the new office center have sparked a renewed interest in refurbishing and rendering more accessible nearby St. James Cathedral, Skidmore said. "The Cathedral in tandem is considering innovative approaches to redesign of space in keeping with renovation plans developed in the 1980s that were never realized."

http://www.episcopalchurch.org/3577_73287_ENG_HTM.htm

[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?

[hudthestud2020]

and marble streets with ivory inlay crosswalks and shiny happy people.

Passers-by in renderings are always hot. Much thinner than Chicagoans generally.

[STR]

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?

It seems that the tower will be round. The renders show it at least 3/4ths of the tower will be. There will be a retangular lowrise portion on the south side of the lot.

[Steely Dan]

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

yes, the entire tower is elliptical in plan, except for the rectangular podium portion at the base that STR mentioned above.

and i fail to see how the rebndering for the regatta was deceptive with regards to the shape of the building. the rendering shows a rectangular building with a corner curve, which is what they have built.

[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.

[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.

[Boisebro]

What is the tower peeking out behind it's left side in the rendering? anyone?

i'm pretty sure that's the side view of City Place:

http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=116739

[Marvel 33]

^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]

^^^^^^^^^
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.

http://skyscraperpage.com/gallery/data/554/6324the_regatta.jpg

[spyguy]

Also this one:
http://img382.imageshack.us/img382/2569/3956686zs.jpg

[Marvel 33]

^ Moral of the story: Look a little closer!

[BVictor1]

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. :shrug:

http://img503.imageshack.us/img503/5528/71huron17bu.jpg
http://img47.imageshack.us/img47/2431/71huron25xu.jpg
http://img47.imageshack.us/img47/6710/71huron39mb.jpg
^Nice glass. Sort of like 30 West Oak renderings
http://img47.imageshack.us/img47/4564/71huron58on.jpg
^Center of the world? Reminds me of "the Bean"
http://img47.imageshack.us/img47/6758/71huron48ze.jpg
^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%

http://img47.imageshack.us/img47/6710/71huron39mb.jpg

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]

^^^^^^^^^
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...

http://wilthe3rd.smugmug.com/photos/65040217-M.jpg
http://wilthe3rd.smugmug.com/photos/65040256-M.jpg

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]

http://img47.imageshack.us/img47/2431/71huron25xu.jpg

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! :cheers:

[wrab]

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]

"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]

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.