If this goes through I think it will be viewed as a tremendous blunder. They're were better options here. This proposal is creatively stagnant and an injustice to such an important structure.

^ Agreed 100%. We need a higher creativity level coming out of the Planning Department, as well as higher standards.

Since they're getting rid of the middle, will the Ike go under the newly created towers or will that entire element of the building be removed?

I hope they choose a great design for the building

On a side note, they are filming scenes for THE DARK KNIGHT at the Post Office as we speak

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/l...l=chi-news-hed

$85 million development offering condos, shops

By Emma Graves Fitzsimmons
Tribune staff reporter
Published April 19, 2007

SOUTH SIDE -- A developer is planning an $85 million mixed-use project on a mostly abandoned block on the South Side.

The "Shops and Lofts at Forty-Seven" would be the largest proposed development in a series of revitalization projects for the area at 47th Street and Cottage Grove Avenue, according to plans unveiled Wednesday at a community meeting.

The project calls for more than 150 condominiums and dozens of office and retail spaces on a full block that is currently occupied by a liquor store bordered by several vacant lots and deteriorating buildings.

The plans were presented at a community meeting for the 43rd & Cottage Grove TIF Advisory Council that drew more than 100 people. Mahogany Ventures, an Ohio-based urban developer, plans to start work on the project next year.

The promise of a Starbucks shop, a gourmet produce store and a day spa -- along with restaurants and clothing stores -- was met with cheers from the crowd. Some shouted, "Hurry up and come" and "Welcome to the neighborhood."

The neighborhood sits near the 3rd Ward, where the need for development on the South Side played into the aldermanic race this week.

The advisory council's chairman, Susan Campbell, said she looks forward to working with Ald. Dorothy Tillman's successor, Pat Dowell, on these issues, calling it a "new era" for the South Side.

"I'm hoping now we'll be able to work together with the ward next door," she said. "I think [Dowell] understands the dynamics of revitalization."

The development would clear the area of drugs and beautify what is now an eyesore, said Rebekkah Ross, 31, a family physician, who recently bought a home with her husband a few blocks from the proposed development. Ross said she currently has to leave the neighborhood to shop or dine out.

"I see a lot of great changes in this neighborhood, but it seems like they can't come fast enough," Ross said. "We need basic services. I'm looking forward to it."

There is plenty of demand for the condos and town homes, which range from about $200,000 to $450,000, the developer said. The project also would provide an estimated 300 jobs.

----------

efitzsimmons@tribune.com


Copyright © 2007, Chicago Tribune

No, they are going to leave about 4 floors in the center from the old building. So, there's not going to be anything significant built or exciting to look forward to. The "Towers" are the existing wings, which don't look like towers now because of the building they're destroying in the middle.

old news but in the news today none the less.

Swissotel Chicago Announces Expansion Plan

http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/st...4570112&EDATE=

CHICAGO, IL UNITED STATES 04/19/2007


http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prn/20070420/AQF025

CHICAGO, April 20 /PRNewswire/ -- Renowned for its architecture and
location, the AAA Four-Diamond Swissotel Chicago is proud to announce a $47
million meeting and conference expansion plan, which will further enhance
its high profile status in Chicago. "This expansion will essentially change
the entire dynamic of the hotel by doubling the amount of meeting space,
allowing the property to compete for extensive meeting business," stated
Thomas Klein, Swissotel's vice president business development, The
Americas.
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20070420/AQF025 )
The 632-room property, located at 323 East Wacker Drive, will undergo
an expansion plan comprised of 50,000 square feet of meeting space
including a state-of-the-art 15,000 square foot ballroom. "The additional
meeting space, scheduled to open in June, 2009, in conjunction with the
current meeting space will render Swissotel Chicago as the ideal meeting
headquarter venue, whether it is an executive meeting for 15 or a
convention for 1,500," added Klein.
Swissotel Chicago's new facilities will be designed without pillars for
unobstructed viewing. Also, the meeting space will feature state-of-the-art
technology including wireless internet capabilities, 400 amp service,
extensive flexibility in lighting control and fiber optic cabling. The
largest ballroom within the new facility, which is approximately 15,000
square feet, will accommodate up to 1,500 theater style. Additionally, the
ceiling height will be in excess of 17 feet with integrated Sky Hook(TM)
hang points throughout the ballroom. Moreover, the facility will headline
14,000 square feet of pre-function space.
"The expansion will create a positive financial impact for the City of
Chicago with anticipation that the expanded facilities will generate
additional revenues to exceed $12 million annually," commented Klein.
Additionally, staffing levels will increase by adding approximately 75 new
employees, as necessary to facilitate the increased business levels.
Swissotel Chicago's conference expansion will be in the Lakeshore East
development, believed to be the largest parcel of downtown land under
development in a major U.S. city. This $4 billion mixed-use development in
the rapidly growing New East Side incorporates all the elements of a
traditional city community, a lifestyle center that includes homes for up
to 10,000 residents, 77,000 square feet of retail space, recreational
opportunities and amenities such as a lush 6-acre public park and a planned
charter elementary school. Some 40 percent of the site will remain vibrant
open space.
Swissotel Chicago (http://www.swissotelchicago.com) is a AAA Four
Diamond hotel offering 632 luxuriously oversized guestrooms and suites.
Designed by noted Chicago architect Harry Weese, the all-glass triangular
hotel is wedged into the confluence of the Chicago River and Lake Michigan.

Thanks SW and MR Dt for your efforts

Seeing the photo makes me wonder why they have yet to develop the plot north of river city....it seems like this is screaming build on me, build on me

There is also a nice plot south of river city along the river too. We should pool our monies and buy up these plots and drop in a version B around there.

^ The plots north and south of river city have been vacant for a long time for a number of reasons, but the one I've been told is the biggest reason is because of the soil that's at those sites. Those plots will be developed in the near future though, because it's becoming feasible in this market.

Adrian Smith is working on a big project just north of River City.

Do you have any details On this project and will it have boat access ie marina?

All we have is secondhand information that Adrian Smith might be working with the site. NOTHING beyond that. If the anonymous developer does decide to go through with it, though, I have confidence that it will rock our socks off - Smith designed NBC Tower AND Trump (i.e. he's a master of historicism and modernism).

However, there was a nice-looking fantasy proposal posted on here for that area (unofficially called Franklin Point). It had several Shanghai-style 60-story towers set back from the river, and 4-story townhouses fronting the river.

Yes, actually Smith said in the latest interview that there will be several towers, with courtyards in the centers. The courtyards would be partially marinas, the other parts green space.

However, it's not certain this design is a "go" yet.

NO! I dislike that man's work...especially if its going to be a Trump/Wolf Point developement.

Well, too bad. Adrian Smith is awesome in my book and I'd love to get one of his sustainable towers in Chicago.

I'm with Spyguy - Smith is a brilliant designer.

Anyway, just to make this clear, I am talking about the parcel directly north of River City. It's at Harrison and Wacker - quite a distance from Wolf Point.

As there been any ideas of how big the proposal is? Is it big tall/sq ft? I'm assuming we don't have numbers on height.

Smith is a brilliant engineer. As brilliant as they come but the aesthetic success of his buildings really come down to the collaboration between him and the architects who'll work out the actaul look of the tower.

I too would love at Chicago getting his sustainable tower design. It's really great on all levels.

Smith is a top-tier architect/engineer, and a new project (esp from his firm) should be celebrated.