CHICAGO | General Developments

[harryc]

Dearborn - State


Dearborn Bridge




Dearborn - Clark

[wierdaaron]

From what I've seen of the riverwalk construction, they're filling in the new section (between the current river edge and the metal sheeting) with gravel. Does that gravel go all the way down to the riverbed? Like, effectively narrowing the river? I always envisioned the new riverwalk being suspended over the water somehow. I don't think I really care, but it's interesting that they're filling all that in.

I bet the friends of the river people would have liked to integrate some underwater fish retreats into the new structure. They're in the process of dropping several metal tubes onto the river bed for fish to chill out in and make fishy babies, in hopes of increasing the fish population of the river now that the water's pretty clean. I don't even know if the fish hotel is still there, I don't remember seeing it in the last few years.

[emathias]

Originally Posted by chicagogreg

^ Agreed. Not sure about the reasons behind it, but for an institution that parallels (and in some areas, is greater than) Ivies like Yale, Princeton, etc., U of C rarely seems to receive the nationwide name-recognition it deserves.

Many of the Ivies are older than the United States itself - Harvard is the oldest college in the United States; the U of C is barely over 100 years old. That's at least part of the difference.

[sentinel]

Originally Posted by emathias

Many of the Ivies are older than the United States itself - Harvard is the oldest college in the United States; the U of C is barely over 100 years old. That's at least part of the difference.

Not really sure if age of the institution matters, rather what they produce...in which case U of C is at the same level in many many respects as all of the East Coast Ivies, as evidenced by their consistent ranking in the top 10 of universities in the U.S. Coupled with the fact that some of the most important economic theories of the past 60-70 years were developed at U of C, this new institution will be bellwether for decades to come, even more so than what's produced at Ivy league equivalents.

[wierdaaron]

Northwestern University is called that because when it was formed, Chicago was the northwest of America.

[HomrQT]

Originally Posted by Skyguy_7

Holy crap. I was not efficient at calculus, but I'd be willing to sit through 3-hour sessions on a Monday if the lectures were in that building.

Hubba hubba, that's some good looking architecture.

[Link N. Parker]

Well, I just got to meet and shake hands with the Honorable Rahm Emmanuel.

There was a party at the new, yet-to-be-opened Intelligentsia at 1611 Division, to honor the artist who painted the art installation on the side of that building. Great to meet the mayor there and to see the interior of the new coffee bar. I spoke with some of the people there who work for the firm that designed the building, and they mentioned that not only is the coffee shop getting to go online July 17, but the PNC bank is starting their build-out as well, and that there have been "many inquiries" from possible retail tenants for the corner space, but they are being very selective in looking for a tenant that will be just the right fit, but are getting close to choosing a tenant. I asked them about the Wendys location, and they said they have looked into it, would love to have an option to buy out that location, and that they are optimistic for that in the near future, but Wendys has stated that that location is actually very profitable for them and so it make take a higher price to buy them out.

[LouisVanDerWright]

Originally Posted by Link N. Parker

Well, I just got to meet and shake hands with the Honorable Rahm Emmanuel.

There was a party at the new, yet-to-be-opened Intelligentsia at 1611 Division, to honor the artist who painted the art installation on the side of that building. Great to meet the mayor there and to see the interior of the new coffee bar. I spoke with some of the people there who work for the firm that designed the building, and they mentioned that not only is the coffee shop getting to go online July 17, but the PNC bank is starting their build-out as well, and that there have been "many inquiries" from possible retail tenants for the corner space, but they are being very selective in looking for a tenant that will be just the right fit, but are getting close to choosing a tenant. I asked them about the Wendys location, and they said they have looked into it, would love to have an option to buy out that location, and that they are optimistic for that in the near future, but Wendys has stated that that location is actually very profitable for them and so it make take a higher price to buy them out.

Easy solution: put the Wendys on the corner and build another one of these babies where the Wendy's is now.

[The Lurker]

Originally Posted by LouisVanDerWright

Easy solution: put the Wendys on the corner and build another one of these babies where the Wendy's is now.

No! Not another one. I really like the chaotic window pattern and would not like to see it copied to death quite yet. I wouldn't mind seeing the artwork replaced with something else though, preferably something with bold colors.

[Ch.G, Ch.G]

Originally Posted by UPChicago

I assume they were hired by the group placing the bid. But it seems like that is one option of a few to redevelop the site. There were also renders for a casino option at that site.

Originally Posted by emathias

Many of the Ivies are older than the United States itself - Harvard is the oldest college in the United States; the U of C is barely over 100 years old. That's at least part of the difference.

Stanford and MIT are pretty young, too.

The University of Chicago is highly regarded in the academic community. The breadth and quality of its graduate programs are matched by three others in the country, five at most.

There are many things the average person doesn't know about Chicago and the country in general. Regarding the former, start making a mental list of the prestigious institutions (i.e., best in the country or second or third at worst) located here (Shedd, Adler, Field, Art Institute, Science and Industry, Symphony, etc.). Now think of how many people outside those respective fields either know about those places period or associate them with Chicago. In my experience, very few do.

I also have a theory that the name might be part of it. People confuse the University of Pennsylvania and Penn State all the time, much to the chagrin of the Quakers. Tell someone around here that you attend Columbia and what school will they think of first? How many schools have Loyola in the name? This might be a huuuuuge stretch, but I really do believe schools named after places (aside from the athletic powerhouses) or schools that share a name are at a bit of a disadvantage in this regard. I guarantee you that, even here, there is a substantial minority (maybe even a majority) who confuse U of C and UIC. I sometimes wonder how things would be if the school had a more unique named—Rockefeller or Field or something. Again, I realize this might be totally crazy and would not be surprised by snorting or head-scratching.

Lastly, ask the average person to name the Ivies and they'll tell you Harvard, Yale, and maybe Princeton. The Ivy League is more of a concept than anything else. Say you went to an Ivy and people know what you're talking about. Say you went to Brown or Dartmouth or especially the University of Pennsylvania and you'll probably get a shrug.

ETA: To make this post a bit more relevant, I am so so so impressed with the University's commitment to architecture. Nothing historicist, nothing too flashy—two directions I think most schools pursue. The Milton Friedman Institute is gorgeous.

[ChickeNES]

Originally Posted by Ch.G, Ch.G

I also have a theory that the name might be part of it. People confuse the University of Pennsylvania and Penn State all the time, much to the chagrin of the Quakers. Tell someone around here that you attend Columbia and what school will they think of first? ... I guarantee you that, even here, there is a substantial minority (maybe even a majority) who confuse U of C and UIC. I sometimes wonder how things would be if the school had a more unique named—Rockefeller or Field or something. Again, I realize this might be totally crazy and would not be surprised by snorting or head-scratching.

As someone who graduated from UofC and now works there this is pretty much the case. I've even had friends who were dropped off at UIC-Circle after asking their cabbie to take them to UofC. I'm from Texas originally, and when I told people I was going to UofC I'd hear "Why do you want to go there?" and "It's cheap because it's a state school, right?"

-----

Anyway, I'm hoping with all the money that the University is putting into the neighborhood that development will pick up. There were a decent number of projects in the pipeline that stalled after the recession that I hope regain traction, including Solstice in the Park and the unnamed? tower that was planned for 53rd and Cornell. Relatedly, does anyone know what is happening with Vue53? I live a block from the site and they had signs up announcing beginning of construction during late May, but it's now July and nothing has happened since. I do know a building permit was issued for the basement/foundation around that time, so I'm curious why nothing has happened.

[denizen467]

Originally Posted by Link N. Parker

There was a party at the new, yet-to-be-opened Intelligentsia at 1611 Division [. . .] I spoke with some of the people there who work for the firm that designed the building, and they mentioned that [. . .] and that there have been "many inquiries" from possible retail tenants for the corner space, but they are being very selective in looking for a tenant that will be just the right fit, but are getting close to choosing a tenant. I asked them about the Wendys location, and they said they have looked into it, would love to have an option to buy out that location

Was the developer of the building there - I think he happens to be one of the executives or co owners of Intelligentsia or something like that.

Originally Posted by Ch.G, Ch.G

Stanford and MIT are pretty young, too.

The University of Chicago is highly regarded in the academic community. The breadth and quality of its graduate programs are matched by three others in the country, five at most.

There are many things the average person doesn't know about Chicago and the country in general. Regarding the former, start making a mental list of the prestigious institutions (i.e., best in the country or second or third at worst) located here (Shedd, Adler, Field, Art Institute, Science and Industry, Symphony, etc.). Now think of how many people outside those respective fields either know about those places period or associate them with Chicago. In my experience, very few do.

I also have a theory that the name might be part of it. People confuse the University of Pennsylvania and Penn State all the time, much to the chagrin of the Quakers. Tell someone around here that you attend Columbia and what school will they think of first? How many schools have Loyola in the name? This might be a huuuuuge stretch, but I really do believe schools named after places (aside from the athletic powerhouses) or schools that share a name are at a bit of a disadvantage in this regard. I guarantee you that, even here, there is a substantial minority (maybe even a majority) who confuse U of C and UIC. I sometimes wonder how things would be if the school had a more unique named—Rockefeller or Field or something. Again, I realize this might be totally crazy and would not be surprised by snorting or head-scratching.

Lastly, ask the average person to name the Ivies and they'll tell you Harvard, Yale, and maybe Princeton. The Ivy League is more of a concept than anything else. Say you went to an Ivy and people know what you're talking about. Say you went to Brown or Dartmouth or especially the University of Pennsylvania and you'll probably get a shrug.

And especially Cornell too. Also, completely agree about U Chicago. Btw, did you kiss the blarney stone or get your keyboard fixed or something? Usually you post a terse sentence or two at most, but this time you seem like practically a different person. Feel free to continue exercising any gift of gab you have.

[sukwoo]

The Ivies have been around for an extra hundred years than U of C, and as mentioned before, the collective 8 colleges have a bigger brand than any individual college. They also have Division I sports teams. All three of these factors give the Ivies larger mind-share than the relatively young U of C.

Also, the undergraduate class at U of C has been relatively small historically (so much smaller alumni network), although its grown in size in recent years. While the professional schools have always had a stellar reputation in academic circles, when I started graduate school at the U of C 20 years ago, the undergraduate college was relatively unknown by the general population. The number of applicants to the college was quite low, and the admission rate was shockingly high (50%) for such an elite school.

[wierdaaron]

The restaurant taking over the Fultons on the River spot will have water taxi service. That's new, right? The only water taxi stop on the main branch is down by wendella, right?

http://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/20140...r-taxi-service

[Link N. Parker]

Originally Posted by denizen467

Was the developer of the building there - I think he happens to be one of the executives or co owners of Intelligentsia or something like that.

And especially Cornell too. Also, completely agree about U Chicago. Btw, did you kiss the blarney stone or get your keyboard fixed or something? Usually you post a terse sentence or two at most, but this time you seem like practically a different person. Feel free to continue exercising any gift of gab you have.

The person I spoke to was an employee of the design firm. I did meet one of the owners of Inelligentsia, I think he said his name was Jeff (??) I cannot remember his last name.

[Ch.G, Ch.G]

Originally Posted by sukwoo

The Ivies have been around for an extra hundred years than U of C, and as mentioned before, the collective 8 colleges have a bigger brand than any individual college. They also have Division I sports teams. All three of these factors give the Ivies larger mind-share than the relatively young U of C.

I agree to an extent, but, again: Stanford, MIT. Also, that the Ivy League is Division I is, like, a technicality, and does nothing for their status outside the Ivy League itself. (Once upon a time, they were serious athletic contenders, but those days have mostly long since passed.)

[Mr Downtown]

Originally Posted by wierdaaron

The only water taxi stop on the main branch is down by wendella, right?

No, Wendella has stopped at Reid-Murdoch Center for several years now.

Shoreline has a stop at Wells & Wacker, but they operate more like a sightseeing ride (no timetable) than a transit option, so I've taken them off most of my maps.

[Ch.G, Ch.G]

Originally Posted by denizen467

And especially Cornell too. Also, completely agree about U Chicago. Btw, did you kiss the blarney stone or get your keyboard fixed or something? Usually you post a terse sentence or two at most, but this time you seem like practically a different person. Feel free to continue exercising any gift of gab you have.

[wrab]

Originally Posted by chicagogreg

.....Not sure about the reasons behind it, but for an institution that parallels (and in some areas, is greater than) Ivies like Yale, Princeton, etc., U of C rarely seems to receive the nationwide name-recognition it deserves.

That is changing rapidly. The U of C's undergrad acceptance rate is now just over 8% - about the same as MIT's. Stanford is the USA's most selective for 2014 at 5%, followed by Harvard & Yale at about 6%, Columbia & Princeton at 7%, and U of C & MIT at 8%.

Link

[emathias]

Originally Posted by sentinel

Not really sure if age of the institution matters, rather what they produce...in which case U of C is at the same level in many many respects as all of the East Coast Ivies, as evidenced by their consistent ranking in the top 10 of universities in the U.S. Coupled with the fact that some of the most important economic theories of the past 60-70 years were developed at U of C, this new institution will be bellwether for decades to come, even more so than what's produced at Ivy league equivalents.

Originally Posted by Ch.G, Ch.G

I agree to an extent, but, again: Stanford, MIT. Also, that the Ivy League is Division I is, like, a technicality, and does nothing for their status outside the Ivy League itself. (Once upon a time, they were serious athletic contenders, but those days have mostly long since passed.)

Outside of tech, I don't think Stanford or MIT have the recognition of Harvard or Yale.

The extra time is important because they've had additional time to become intertwined in cultural works - books, history, news, etc, and to build a political base of support that becomes part of the storyline of politicians who went there.

U of C doesn't have that to the same extent Harvard does, and neither do Stanford and MIT. In time, they may. Obama's affiliation with U of C will help to that end even as his attendance at Harvard also helps cement their reputation, and I imagine that the longer U of C is around, the more its name will become part of the cultural fabric of the country even outside of Chicago and the midwest. Let's not forget that the world's most famous anthropologist, a household name at least in the English-speaking world, was a professor at the University of Chicago even if he was fictional.

And, really, name recognition among popular culture or "the man on the street" doesn't mean much. People in academia and those who need the skills U of C imparts on its students have huge respect for the U of C and at the end of the day that matters far, far more than being a household name does.