CHICAGO | General Developments

[BrinChi]

^ That's great. And now we know tangibly why that land wasn't an option for the Obama Library.

[w.miles2000]

I wanted to know, what is the name of that Gas station they building on the North East corner of 59th Wentworth in Chicago Englewood

[sentinel]

Originally Posted by moorhosj1

Article from Crain's has an image of the location, not a render.

I brought up U of C's planned expansion west of Washington Park many months ago, glad it's finally happening!

[nomarandlee]

Originally Posted by BrinChi

^ That's great. And now we know tangibly why that land wasn't an option for the Obama Library.

I think it's pretty obvious that this equation was that if Obama had chosen the Washington Square site the land wouldn't be open for this tech lab.

I will always think that the Washington Park site was the preferable of the two options between this and the Jackson Park location. Obama dismissed my opinion over a 2018 lunch so.....

Hopefully, the design of this building will be great. The community and site deserve a great anchor to help spur the neighborhood.

[SolarWind]

March 4, 2024

[BVictor1]

Originally Posted by Randomguy34

925 W Belmont | 11 stories | 210 units | 36 parking


https://www.44thward.org/development...925-w-belmont/

https://www.44thward.org/wp-content/...Site-Plans.pdf

There will be a public meeting for this project...

Date and time: Monday, March 18 · 7:30 - 10:30pm CDT

Location: 915 W Belmont Ave

[SolarWind]

March 11, 2024

[SolarWind]

March 14, 2024

[mh777]

Originally Posted by SolarWind

March 14, 2024

There's 3 projects that broke ground on that same block on Wabash at the same time? 1630 1700 1730.. awesome for the South Loop.

[gandalf612]

Originally Posted by mh777

There's 3 projects that broke ground on that same block on Wabash at the same time? 1630 1700 1730.. awesome for the South Loop.

It's en route between work and my pole dance studio, will have regular pics once it's consistently warm enough to bike again

[Jibba]

Originally Posted by BVictor1

https://www.44thward.org/wp-content/...Site-Plans.pdf

There will be a public meeting for this project...

Date and time: Monday, March 18 · 7:30 - 10:30pm CDT

Location: 915 W Belmont Ave

What was the feedback like at the meeting? I assume most folks think it's too tall?

My hope would be that the retail here attempts a different model for retail spacing and leasing -- smaller spaces, flexible spaces, new types of spaces (conducive to pop-ups or more transient concepts); different financing options to promote these different business types.

Retail is struggling; there's an opportunity here to try something different in a well-trafficked part of the city. Maybe the revenue from the unit density for a building of this size could help manage the risk.

[BrinChi]

Yeah it's a shame they're not preserving the existing storefronts and adding a setback tower. I count something like 9 separate retail spaces in that 200' of street frontage, and it appears this will be reduced to only about 3 in the new building. A large quantity of narrow/small retail is what makes urban living desirable so to replace small-scale, affordable retail with brand new, large, expensive retail seems like a step backward.

[Segun]

Aw man, first the Alley, now Belmont Army Vintage and The Gallery Bookstore are leaving. If they get rid of Egor's dungeon, they might as well rename the street.

[twister244]

Yeah, I'm normally not one to oppose a development, but man.... This stretch of Belmont is not something I think should go.

I was just walking down this stretch yesterday, and it's such a great stretch of organic retail/food right next to CTA. I don't recall seeing any spaces not being utilized, and I'm sure many folks who live in that area would also hate to see it go.

If the developer were to maintain the old facade/spaces, and integrate the new construction behind it, that would be great. But to just knock all of that down is depressing.....

[BVictor1]

Originally Posted by Jibba

What was the feedback like at the meeting? I assume most folks think it's too tall?

My hope would be that the retail here attempts a different model for retail spacing and leasing -- smaller spaces, flexible spaces, new types of spaces (conducive to pop-ups or more transient concepts); different financing options to promote these different business types.

Retail is struggling; there's an opportunity here to try something different in a well-trafficked part of the city. Maybe the revenue from the unit density for a building of this size could help manage the risk.

I went to the meeting and it was a full house. A mixture of older homeowners and younger individuals.

It was mixed, but more in favor.

An individual did ask about facade preservation. The developer said because of the multiple entryways and condition of the brick that was ruled out.

A few questions/concerns on height, but they were minor.

Several thought the proposal included too much parking with its proximity to the 'L'.

I don't foresee too many alterations.

[Randomguy34]

Grand Ave is finally feeling the Fulton Market boom. Proposal for a 61 foot, 72 unit building at 455 N Carpenter. This is across the street from Sterling Bay's development at 1100 W Grand

https://chicityclerkelms.chicago.gov...C-001DD80685D6

[r18tdi]

Originally Posted by Randomguy34

Grand Ave is finally feeling the Fulton Market boom. Proposal for a 61 foot, 72 unit building at 455 N Carpenter. This is across the street from Sterling Bay's development at 1100 W Grand

https://chicityclerkelms.chicago.gov...C-001DD80685D6

72 units and 30 parking spaces? Sounds pretty good to me.

[Randomguy34]

Blommer closing Chicago chocolate factory

The chocolate supplier today announced it will close its manufacturing plant at 600 W. Kinzie St. and relocate its headquarters and local research and development operation to the Merchandise Mart, according to a statement from the company. The production facility, well known for spreading the scent of cocoa throughout parts of the River West neighborhood, debuted as Blommer's original manufacturing plant in 1939.

The move not only marks the end of Blommer's long history on the site, but it also raises the prospect of the 5.5-acre property being sold for redevelopment. The company's plans for the facility are not clear, and a spokeswoman did not respond to a request for comment.

https://www.chicagobusiness.com/comm...colate-factory

[Busy Bee]

That makes me sad.

[BrinChi]

Yes, sad but not surprising given the transition to residential in the area. I just smelled the chocolate recently while in oldtown. I wonder where they will move manufacturing operations? Maybe they will try to stay in the city or area if they are keeping headquarters downtown.