CHICAGO | General Developments

[Busy Bee]

^DePaul's new academic building perhaps?

[Nowhereman1280]

Ahhh yes, that was definitely it.

[M II A II R II K]

A walk on warm fall day: 'The Spire is dead! Long live Navy Pier!'


November 10th, 2010

Read More: http://featuresblogs.chicagotribune.com/theskyline/2010/11/a-walk-on-warm-fall-day-the-spire-is-dead-long-live-navy-pier-.html

You know the old saying about life: When one door closes, another opens. Well, it's true in architecture, too, as I just realized after walking to the corner of Illinois Street and Lake Shore Drive--right next to the Chicago Spire hole and within eyeshot of Navy Pier. The Spire is dead! Long live Navy Pier! Chicago isn't going to build a 2,000-foot-tall, twisting tower, so it can focus its civic energy on rebuilding--and re-imagining--a 3,300-foot-long, ramrod straight pier. We were going to stare at the skyscraper icon, but we can stare at--and walk right through--the lakefront icon.

- Restoring the pier's clean-lined image, the silhouette it projects to the city and the lake, has to be a major part of the revitalization that pier officials announced Wednesday. Yet the experience of the individual on foot is every bit as important as the image the pier projects to people behind the wheel on Lake Shore Drive.

- How can a tourist from Oshkosh get to the pier without running through traffic jams? Can an indoor ice skating rink help make the pier more alluring in the winter? How can the child on the pier, which is elevated above the surface of Lake Michigan, get closer to the water so she could reach out and touch it--or feel its calming coolness on a warm summer day?

- On Wednesday, according to Bob O'Neill, who heads the Grant Park Conservancy, pier officials meeting with an advisory panel of civic and business groups were talking up the need for new connections to the water and bringing more greenery to the hard-surfaced pier. Currently, the greenery largely consists of ugly wood planter boxes.

- But just how the pier is greened is a big question mark. You could scatter little patches of grass or other green toupees on its surface. Or you could integrate such greenery into an overall design. That points to the need for pier officials to ask for redesign teams that include landscape architects as well as architects and traffic engineers.

- The teams will face real constraints. The budget is not going to be Millennium Park's $500 million--more like one-tenth of that, at least for starters. Beyond the proposed expansion of the Shakespeare Theater, much of the existing structure will remain, though there will be plenty of room for interior re-configuration.




http://featuresblogs.chicagotribune.com/.a/6a00d834518cc969e20133f5be5705970b-800wi

[Rizzo]

The food court areas feel like 1993. Navy pier's essentials will be making repairs. I've noticed some of the metal stairs are in awful shape.

[BorisMolotov]

^ My thoughts exactly. Regarding the amusement park area, do it right or don't do it at all. Make the place actually thrilling or don't have any other rides other than the Ferris Wheel. I hate that its like the rent-a-carnival at fourth of July.

[Rizzo]

Ahhh yes, that was definitely it.


LOL, sorry about that. And oh, I agree as well.

[ardecila]

^ My thoughts exactly. Regarding the amusement park area, do it right or don't do it at all. Make the place actually thrilling or don't have any other rides other than the Ferris Wheel. I hate that its like the rent-a-carnival at fourth of July.

The problem is that carrying liability insurance for roller coasters is very, very expensive. The design/engineering and construction of major thrill rides is also very expensive. Amusement parks are able to get away with it because they charge a large admission to the park and they overprice everything inside the park from food to souvenirs. Navy Pier doesn't charge admission, and they can't overprice stuff too high because they don't have a fully-captive audience (i.e. people can leave the pier to go eat).

Zamperla did some interesting stuff at Coney Island. I wonder if they'd be interested in operating an amusement section of Navy Pier (the current rides section, plus Skyline Stage). They don't have any roller coasters except for a kiddie coaster, but the range and assortment of rides has proven very popular with families and small children in NY.

[Rizzo]

I'm curious how Santa Monica runs their pier then. They have a roller coaster and you pay per ride. It was cheap if I remember...$3.... I wouldn't place the cost and convenience of food and concessions any different than an amusement park. They are pricey, and yet the food court is still packed with people. Heck people go to Navy Pier just to eat.

[Rizzo]

FYI, the Mather building on Michigan Avenue now has on site with the sidewalk partially blocked. Looks like renovations are about to begin (finally)

[ethereal_reality]

I've been out of the city too long. I can't picture the Mather Building.





This is all I could find online.

http://img210.imageshack.us/img210/4161/1matherbuildingrenov.jpg
loopnet.com

[Rizzo]

http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Chicago,+IL&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Chicago,+Cook,+Illinois&gl=us&ei=rF3cTJKUKIbCnAerppwX&ved=0CCEQ8gEwAA&ll=41.887624,-87.62458&spn=0.000765,0.001049&t=h&z=20&layer=c&cbll=41.887624,-87.62458&panoid=I5vgRs3qsNL6_pGQ6nT46Q&cbp=12,264.46,,0,-19.9

It's a good terra cotta building. I like the facade, but the whole exterior will change. Basically it sounds like they will have parts of the facade exposed in the interior (the archway). The cornice I believe will still be visible on the exterior. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong.

[ethereal_reality]

Thanks for the link. It's a very handsome building with pleasing proportions.

[Remy_Bork]

The Mather is such a great building. It's a real landmark on the river. I can't imagine them changing it too much.

[ethereal_reality]

I think you might have it confused with the Mather Tower.

[Remy_Bork]

Oh, I'm a doofus. I thought it was the building with the tall round tower on the other side of the block. The one you posted looks like a nice old building too, though.

[J_M_Tungsten]

So when I was driving down Orleans to the highway today, I noticed that the Cabrini reds are fenced off and it looks like windows are already being removed. Will this be demolished in the next couple of months then?

[Rizzo]

Correct, they are to be demolished very soon. Oddly, there's still a bunch of lights on inside, but it's unlikely anyone is living there.

[J_M_Tungsten]

Are they going to remain vacant lots after they get knocked down?

[aic4ever]

Correct, they are to be demolished very soon. Oddly, there's still a bunch of lights on inside, but it's unlikely anyone is living there.

City Ordinance, I believe. Same reason lights are kept on in buildings that are under construction. Because god forbid any miscreants get hurt while in the process of breaking in because they can't see.

[VivaLFuego]

The next zoning committee agenda has a See Wong zoning request for a 5-story building with 65,000 sq ft of retail and 60 hotel rooms at "2101-2115 S. Archer; 2100-2114 S. Wentworth."

Anyone know anything about this? Renderings? Looks like it would be on the irregularly shaped grocery parking lot on the sharp SW corner of the Archer/Wentworth intersection, so it's definitely an interesting site for a semi-prominent building.

[the urban politician]

^ Great news!

I have been waiting to see that lot (and the lots east of it) developed.

I like Chinatown, but I don't love it. The Chinatown square development is a great development retail-wise, but the surface parking there leaves much to be desired. A multilevel project at the site you mention will help towards finally creating some enclosure in that area.

[BorisMolotov]

The problem is that carrying liability insurance for roller coasters is very, very expensive.

^ As much as a roller coaster would be nice, I really didn't expect one due to the reasons you mentioned. It's just that those stupid swings and a minigolf course that no one ever seems to use look really bad there IMO. You don't think they could put at least one or two good thrill rides there?

Maybe charge an admission into a small park there.

[Rizzo]

You can't charge admission (not even on a small one). It wouldn't be profitable.

Amusement parks can charge admission because people go there to ride a multitude of rides and would prefer not to pay per ride.

Piers can charge per ride. Understand it like this, The existing rides at Navy Pier are a side attraction. People can choose what they want to ride without having to spend alot. You'll turn away older customers for example, who want a relaxing ride on the ferris wheel to see the city. They don't want to pay $8 to ride everything. Okay, so charge a small admission....well now you are just losing money since people are "buying cheaper in bulk" as opposed to paying for the mini gulf, ferris wheel, and swing ride separately.

It makes alot more sense to charge a higher ticket price for just the roller coaster if you were building one. Problem solved

[ardecila]

^ As much as a roller coaster would be nice, I really didn't expect one due to the reasons you mentioned. It's just that those stupid swings and a minigolf course that no one ever seems to use look really bad there IMO. You don't think they could put at least one or two good thrill rides there?

Maybe charge an admission into a small park there.

As I mentioned, Zamperla has done some interesting things at Coney Island, bringing an assortment of their most popular rides to a compact site. Since they're a manufacturer, they can easily move rides in and out seasonally, reselling the rides to other parks, testing out new designs for popularity, etc. It also frees up the city (of NY) from having to purchase/operate/maintain the rides - they just award a one-price contract.

They can and do charge admission - $26 for a four-hour pass, or $30 for a six-hour pass. I'm not sure how the enforcement works, but I'm sure it works somehow. I don't know why they couldn't charge admission for a similar park at Navy Pier, assuming that the range of rides and games was roughly equivalent.

I've always thought that the city should have an amusement park, even if it's just a small one. Historically, there were many parks in the city and inner suburbs, and today it's difficult and expensive for people to get up to Gurnee, especially people from lower-income neighborhoods in the city. Navy Pier is easily accessible by public transportation, and it's the ideal place for an amusement area in the city that is geared to kids and young adults from the city - not to tourists. Coney's Luna Park offers an excellent model for this, and it's been extremely successful (although it's only been open for one year).

I do think the ferris wheel should stay, or be replaced with a bigger one - the ferris wheel is an iconic part of Navy Pier. Maybe replace the gondolas with something sleeker, and re-design the lighting scheme? Ideally, it would not be included in the amusement park pricing scheme, so it would be "outside the fence", so to speak.

[Vertigo]

The wimpy Ferris Wheel has always been an issue with me at Navy Pier. Even before the bigger ones were built. If there is a place that should have a big Ferris Wheel, it's Chicago. After all, It made it's debut here. It should be associated with the city the same way skyscrapers are. Yet most visitors(and many locals) are completely unaware of the connection.

Even though I know it will never happen, I've always thought it would be cool to have a chairlift running the length of the pier. Great way to enjoy the view and avoid the crowds below.

[ardecila]

The next zoning committee agenda has a See Wong zoning request for a 5-story building with 65,000 sq ft of retail and 60 hotel rooms at "2101-2115 S. Archer; 2100-2114 S. Wentworth."

Anyone know anything about this? Renderings? Looks like it would be on the irregularly shaped grocery parking lot on the sharp SW corner of the Archer/Wentworth intersection, so it's definitely an interesting site for a semi-prominent building.

Since it is a See Wong project, the architect is almost certainly Haylock. I wouldn't expect anything too grand from them - everything to come out of that firm is shitty design. I doubt the 5-story building will even hold the corner properly - they'll probably shoehorn a rectangular building into the site and make some awkward little triangular greenspaces with black-iron fencing.

I say this after learning that the so-ugly-it's-cool Hong Kong-style design for Eastern Tower has been replaced by a Haylock shitbox. Ordinarily, I wouldn't be too concerned about the design quality for a Chinatown project, but this is particularly upsetting, given that Eastern Tower had an interesting design previously.

Eastern Tower (red building in the aerial)
http://img710.imageshack.us/img710/5937/easterntower.jpg

http://img715.imageshack.us/img715/7783/easterntower2.jpg

[Busy Bee]

Ahhh shit.

[spyguy]

Since it is a See Wong project, the architect is almost certainly Haylock. I wouldn't expect anything too grand from them - everything to come out of that firm is shitty design. I doubt the 5-story building will even hold the corner properly - they'll probably shoehorn a rectangular building into the site and make some awkward little triangular greenspaces with black-iron fencing.

I say this after learning that the so-ugly-it's-cool Hong Kong-style design for Eastern Tower has been replaced by a Haylock shitbox. Ordinarily, I wouldn't be too concerned about the design quality for a Chinatown project, but this is particularly upsetting, given that Eastern Tower had an interesting design previously.

It is a Haylock design, just like both versions of Eastern Tower. And it's built right up to the lot line.

[spyguy]

Montrose Green
1819 W Montrose - right next to the CTA station
Retail/office/residential
http://img703.imageshack.us/img703/8876/maccorner.jpg
http://img243.imageshack.us/img243/8161/macfull.jpg

The previous proposal was for the Montrose Art Center. The architect and basic design remains the same.
http://img600.imageshack.us/img600/9844/montrose1.jpg
http://img155.imageshack.us/img155/2425/montrose2.jpg

[Baronvonellis]

Wow, that's pretty wacky. Looks like retail facing an alley. I've never seen that before. Wish it was taller though.

In other news for that area the addition to the Old Town School of Folk music is under construction. When I went by there the other day there were lots of construction equipment on the site working and the foundation looks like it was getting ready to be poured. The Old Town School of Folk Music is a big driver of the retail for the area. I see lots of people walking around with guitars around there, and going to the restaurants and shops after class. This would just about double the amount of musicians around there. Lincoln Square is turning into Lincoln Park North.

[J_M_Tungsten]

The future of Old Town?
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4038/5140905829_9c74901759_b.jpg
From Sekkle's Portland, Oregon Thread
http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=186292

[Busy Bee]

Awesome! 5 suburban kids pretending to be homeless Roma.

[Nowhereman1280]

^^^ You mean the future of Lincoln Square?


I love lincoln square, one of my favorite neighborhoods in Chicago. Just as nice as Lincoln Park, but a lot more laid back.

[denizen467]

Site prep work has started on at the ex Gansevoort site, with the north side of Illinois Street also being narrowed by jersey barriers. We don't have renders of what's going there, do we?

[Nowhereman1280]

??? I thought that site was supposed to be stalled or cancelled? Hopefully they are moving ahead with the original design because it was gorgeous...

The AIA gave it an award as a cancelled project...


http://www.aiachicago.org/special_features/2010DEA/images/photos/com_285_02Gansevoortfront.jpg
aiachicago.org

[denizen467]

^ I think the hotel was cancelled, but isn't some pub or something going there? It was never clear whether it was going to be just a throwaway 2-story commercial (like next door) or mid-rise commercial with other uses on top.

[the urban politician]

^ It will be a 2 level commercial building, one of the tenants will be a bar, the same bar that's in Wrigleyville (forgot the name).

Yay.

[spyguy]

^They actually pulled out and were replaced by Cantina Laredo. So I assume that's what is going up.

In other news, the Trib (http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-biz-1114-state-street-20101114,0,46022,full.story) mentions that Target is still in talks for a 125,000 sf store in Sullivan Center and could be joined by a 25,000 sf DSW. I've always thought the large empty space in Citadel Center would be a better fit for DSW considering the layout and the number of shoe stores on that block.

[denizen467]

^ I was curious - found these numbers. A Sullivan Center store would not be much different from their other city stores (which now have groceries anyway).

http://pressroom.target.com/pr/news/fastfacts.aspx

Target operates two store formats:

General Merchandise stores ... are typically one-level stores within major community or regional shopping districts. This is our most prevalent store format which is approximately 126,000 square feet in size. ...

SuperTarget stores ... an average size of 174,000 square feet per store, SuperTarget’s mix of grocery and merchandise delights our guests by offering the convenience of one-stop shopping.

[ChiTownCity]

^They actually pulled out and were replaced by Cantina Laredo. So I assume that's what is going up.

In other news, the Trib (http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-biz-1114-state-street-20101114,0,46022,full.story) mentions that Target is still in talks for a 125,000 sf store in Sullivan Center and could be joined by a 25,000 sf DSW. I've always thought the large empty space in Citadel Center would be a better fit for DSW considering the layout and the number of shoe stores on that block.

So the highrise is actually going up then?

[ardecila]

So the highrise is actually going up then?

No. It will still be a small-scaled building, but it will house Cantina Laredo instead of John Barleycorn.

It is a Haylock design, just like both versions of Eastern Tower. And it's built right up to the lot line.

Really? I just assumed the first design had been done by a Chinese architect, given Haylock's track record of fake-traditionalist buildings. I wonder why they went more conservative? I was really looking forward to seeing a bit of Shenzhen rising along the Stevenson.

If the lot line comment was about the Archer/Wentworth site, then that's good. I can't really hold it to any higher standard than that.

[BVictor1]

http://featuresblogs.chicagotribune.com/.a/6a00d834518cc969e2013488568b6c970c-800wi
LINK (http://featuresblogs.chicagotribune.com/.a/6a00d834518cc969e2013488568b6c970c-popup)

I'd have 2 nodes, and eastern one and a western one.

I'd have the land to the west of the tracks as densely built up as possible. High-rise condos along with some senior residences; maybe a school depending upon the need or a library. Point is that the eastern node would be more neighborhood like.

I'd deck over the tracks and have that as a circulation drive to access the 2 nodes and possibly use that drive occasional as a Midway for neighborhood events.

On the western side of the tracks you could have space for an addition of McCormick Place along with a casino. These wouldn't be flat roof structures like the current MP buildings, but Id have towers rising from them.

Hopefully this activity along with the rebuilding of LM to the south would prompt the building of a Metra stop at 31st.

[lawfin]

Awesome! 5 suburban kids pretending to be homeless Roma.

^^^^Yeah....no shit :)

I think he Meant future of Old Town School of Folk Music.,,which is in Lincoln Square

[a chicago bearcat]

^^^^Yeah....no shit :)

I think he Meant future of Old Town School of Folk Music.,,which is in Lincoln Square

yes, but it kind of overlooks the fact that lincoln square has had that demographic for more than a decade. Does anyone remember the clientele of the Vila Kula tea room & garden? the area is getting less bohemian, not more.

[spyguy]

These plans were presented in September so it's possible that what's presented at this week's meeting will differ.

All photos & info from NEAR (http://neweastside.org/MPtoNavyPier5.html):

Proposal includes a pedestrian bridge over LSD, relocating the Cancer Survivors garden, and raising the elevation of part of the park.

http://img87.imageshack.us/img87/214/img0992v.jpg
http://img249.imageshack.us/img249/6439/img0988o.jpg
http://img530.imageshack.us/img530/2867/img0993p.jpg
http://img585.imageshack.us/img585/8154/img0994q.jpg
http://img201.imageshack.us/img201/359/img0995mm.jpg

[Tom In Chicago]

I like the beer garden. . .

[spyguy]

^Just don't drink and sled. I like the winter wonderland image the most. Perhaps it's because we never see snow in a rendering; it's always a gorgeous 70 degree day with no clouds and everything is radioactive green.

[sentinel]

New Ogden school from today; ext. masonry will probably be completely up within a month (at least on the north elevation).

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4112/5177464088_5173e455a9_b.jpg
Sorry for the poor image quality (stupid camera phone)

[eaguir3]

finally sledding in downtown Chicago!

[the urban politician]

Up close the brickwork on the Ogden School looks pretty nice

[ardecila]

A sled hill is definitely a good idea. The closest sled hill is at Soldier Field - convenient for South Loop kids, not so much for Streeterville or Lakeshore East.

The plan is, overall, very Olmstedian and romantic (as MVVA tends to do). It looks like a little slice of Central Park, and while I like the look, I'm concerned about the effect it will have on the Beaux-Arts nature of the park - first and foremost, the elimination and possibly the blockage of the Field Boulevard axis. The view from the north steps of the Field Museum is one of the most powerful urban vistas in the country. You'd have to go to Philadelphia to see something similar, or Paris. LSE's master plan wisely chose to emphasize this axis with a monumental, symmetrical building. I hope Van Valkenburgh can address this issue in the final design.

The concession might also pose an question from the "no buildings in the park" standpoint. Previously, the city got away with some questionable park buildings, but now that there's much more public awareness of the Ward decision, the situation might be different.

[SamInTheLoop]

Another partial conversion of an office building. This one will also have a restaurant/bar on the first floor and possibly a rooftop bar.

http://www.chicagorealestatedaily.com/article/20101104/CRED01/101109922/q-a-with-michael-reschke-on-new-luxury-hotel

Q&A with Michael Reschke on new luxury hotel
By: Colleen Lobner November 04, 2010

...Where does the 11 S. LaSalle project stand?
It's another historic building that we're looking at doing a conversion of that building to a luxury boutique hotel. It'd be smaller, it'd only be 240 rooms. And it would have far less meeting and ballroom space. It'd be more of a luxury boutique hotel.

Has that been on hold?
No, it's not on hold. We're working with the city and our alderman right now on project approvals.

What about financing for that project?
The equity has been committed. We expect that the project will be financed with 50% debt and 50% equity, and myself and my German partner are committed to fund the equity. We'd hope to start construction by second quarter of 2011 with an opening in 2013. That one we think we can hit right at the peak of the market.
http://img254.imageshack.us/img254/9697/editionhotel.jpg


Great news on Reschke's next planned LaSalle street hotel conversion......I really hope the JW Marriott does fantastic business in its first several months, as that will certainly bode well for the 11 S. LaSalle project. Also I'm very happy to see Reschke concentrate on adaptive re-use projects, as his new construction projects typically see design range from the preposterously bad at worst to the approaching mediocrity at best...

[sentinel]

Grant Park Conservancy meeting scheduled for this wed. 11.17, which was to have discussed the North Grant Park renovation has been canceled.

[ChicagoChicago]

Whirlpool training center opens at Reid Murdoch

10-Nov-10 – The 96-year-old Reid Murdoch Center was not showing its age on Tuesday, as the riverfront landmark unveiled new kitchens, laundry rooms, garages, and outdoor entertainment areas – all part of a 30,000 square foot training and “brand experience” center for home appliance maker Whirlpool....As part of the renovation, the Whirlpool logo was added to the east and west sides of the clock tower.




http://www.marinacityonline.com/image/whirlpool1.jpg

http://www.marinacityonline.com/news/murdoch1110.htm

[J_M_Tungsten]

Firestone in the south loop http://i592.photobucket.com/albums/tt1/JMTUNGSTEN/84cd1c05.jpg

[i_am_hydrogen]

Whirlpool training center opens at Reid Murdoch



http://www.marinacityonline.com/image/whirlpool1.jpg

http://www.marinacityonline.com/news/murdoch1110.htm

I'm all for job creation, but I really don't care for this project. Why did Whirpool have to build an addition on top of a historic landmark? Why couldn't it just find space to rent in a regular office building?

[tintinex]

I tool this last week and forgot to post

Sullivan Center. Red awning going up (maybe Target?)


http://lh5.ggpht.com/_cvIpUKFCTaU/TOGwLd2CftI/AAAAAAAAiYk/FNOecYWQHG8/s640/10%204%3A10%3A33%20PM.jpg

[Mr Downtown]

Why did Whirlpool have to build an addition on top of a historic landmark?

To get the visibility from Merchandise Mart visitors.

This movement to have street-level (or rooftop) visibility seems to be driving a lot of leasing and rehab in that neighborhood. I'll bet the signage on the clock tower was the first thing negotiated.

[the urban politician]

Firestone in the south loop http://i592.photobucket.com/albums/tt1/JMTUNGSTEN/84cd1c05.jpg

^ Brick?

You can put lipstick on a pig..

[Busy Bee]

Great land use. What a joke.

[denizen467]

I'm all for job creation, but I really don't care for this project. Why did Whirpool have to build an addition on top of a historic landmark? Why couldn't it just find space to rent in a regular office building?
I'm not thrilled that a washing machine logo ends up on a riverside landmark building, but I do think it's not a bad idea to create unique urban spaces and vistas and then showcase them to a steady stream of visitors from around the country. Ultimately if there's no major change visible from street level anywhere, I don't have a major objection since the logo won't be there forever. In the future it could just as well end up a nice restaurant or banquet space or conceivably the whole building could become a hotel one day (just prayin' it'd be a tasteful boutique and not a cheap chain).

A few blocks away, Sears has opened 2 unrelated interactive showrooms-cum-event spaces for 2 of its major brands -- Kenmore and Craftsman. They actually film videos in them; in the Craftsman one they have a small production center, and they film interactive demos of their products in highly-decorated sets, and then send them streaming live to the web (or maybe even HGTV or channels like that). Anyone can drop by and tour the showroom and be in the "studio audience" while their people are doing a demo (at the entrance they actually get you to sign your name and waive objections to being broadcast). Something like this a bit closer to Michigan Avenue (or on Navy Pier) could actually end up being a fun, mini-destination in itself.

Whirlpool is based just around the Lake in soutwestern Michigan, so maybe they thought Chicago was a much better location than having visitors trek all the way to Benton Harbor. It would be cool to see Caterpillar, John Deere, Harley, and other regional companies decide to build a visitor/training/research/etc. nexus in Chicago too. May I assert that having an Airport Express -- even if not high-speed -- would make this much more of a no-brainer, too?

[pottebaum]

I tool this last week and forgot to post

Sullivan Center. Red awning going up (maybe Target?)


http://lh5.ggpht.com/_cvIpUKFCTaU/TOGwLd2CftI/AAAAAAAAiYk/FNOecYWQHG8/s640/10%204%3A10%3A33%20PM.jpg

I saw that, too. Gawdd they did such a good job of restoring that building!

[Chicago Shawn]

A few blocks away, Sears has opened 2 unrelated interactive showrooms-cum-event spaces for 2 of its major brands -- Kenmore and Craftsman. They actually film videos in them; in the Craftsman one they have a small production center, and they film interactive demos of their products in highly-decorated sets, and then send them streaming live to the web (or maybe even HGTV or channels like that). Anyone can drop by and tour the showroom and be in the "studio audience" while their people are doing a demo (at the entrance they actually get you to sign your name and waive objections to being broadcast). Something like this a bit closer to Michigan Avenue (or on Navy Pier) could actually end up being a fun, mini-destination in itself.

Whirlpool is based just around the Lake in soutwestern Michigan, so maybe they thought Chicago was a much better location than having visitors trek all the way to Benton Harbor. It would be cool to see Caterpillar, John Deere, Harley, and other regional companies decide to build a visitor/training/research/etc. nexus in Chicago too. May I assert that having an Airport Express -- even if not high-speed -- would make this much more of a no-brainer, too?

100% agreed on your last point.

Where is the Sears demo center at? Sounds cool, but I have not heard a single thing about it.

[jdcpamba]

There is soil testing going on at the vacant lot south of the Jones College Prep on State Street where the mission used to be. I know the school was looking at expanding, but I haven't seen any plans.

[Baronvonellis]

I actually tried to get a job as an audio visual tech at that Whirlpool center, but they said they lost my resume and didn't hire me.

[sentinel]

There is soil testing going on at the vacant lot south of the Jones College Prep on State Street where the mission used to be. I know the school was looking at expanding, but I haven't seen any plans.
The renderings below were posted by spyguy a few weeks ago..

8 floors, 1 floor underground parking
Perkins + Will
http://img828.imageshack.us/img828/6690/wjprep1.jpg
http://img258.imageshack.us/img258/5602/wjprep2.jpg

[J_M_Tungsten]

West loop loft conversion project 11-16

http://i592.photobucket.com/albums/tt1/JMTUNGSTEN/9f02e46d.jpg

http://i592.photobucket.com/albums/tt1/JMTUNGSTEN/88d0c504.jpg

[denizen467]

100% agreed on your last point.

Where is the Sears demo center at? Sounds cool, but I have not heard a single thing about it.

Craftsman is in the red loft at Huron & Franklin, up a short flight of stairs. Kenmore (not as involved or interesting) is on the same block, the next corner east. Easy way to remember is the two sort of bookend the Graham Elliot restaurant (not that I know much about the restaurant but the Pres dined there recently).

http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20100807/ISSUE01/308079980

Sears to open first Craftsman tool store in Chicago's River North gallery district
By: Thomas A. Corfman and Angela Evans August 09, 2010

Sears Holdings Corp. is opening its first Craftsman store in River North, a neighborhood better known for fancy restaurants and art galleries than power saws and monkey wrenches.

In a bid to buff up its well-known line of tools, the retail giant plans to open an "experience" store within 30 days at Huron and Franklin streets, in a six-story loft building that also houses the restaurant owned by celebrated chef Graham Elliot.

. . .

[ardecila]

West loop loft conversion project 11-16

http://i592.photobucket.com/albums/tt1/JMTUNGSTEN/88d0c504.jpg

Well, this is pretty sterile. They did add a fourth story, though. I guess it just testifies to the amazing adaptable nature of Chicago warehouse construction, though.

[Standpoor]

I'm not thrilled that a washing machine logo ends up on a riverside landmark building, but I do think it's not a bad idea to create unique urban spaces and vistas and then showcase them to a steady stream of visitors from around the country. Ultimately if there's no major change visible from street level anywhere, I don't have a major objection since the logo won't be there forever. In the future it could just as well end up a nice restaurant or banquet space or conceivably the whole building could become a hotel one day (just prayin' it'd be a tasteful boutique and not a cheap chain).

Whirlpool is based just around the Lake in soutwestern Michigan, so maybe they thought Chicago was a much better location than having visitors trek all the way to Benton Harbor. It would be cool to see Caterpillar, John Deere, Harley, and other regional companies decide to build a visitor/training/research/etc. nexus in Chicago too. May I assert that having an Airport Express -- even if not high-speed -- would make this much more of a no-brainer, too?

Honestly, it is one of the most benign advertising signs I have seen. Granted it is on one of the coolest buildings downtown but it is very small and in proportion with the overall feel of the clock tower. It looks as if it lights up but I have not seen it at night so maybe it is a bit garish then, I will reserve judgement until then.

Did Whirlpool build the addition or are they just renting the space. I do not think you can fault them for renting a vacant space. And I do not fault the owners for the addition. I have never seen the addition from the street and that building remains gorgeous.

This space replaces a similar concept for Whirlpool that used to be in Atlanta. Why Atlanta? I do not know. There was always rumors about Whirlpool moving to Georgia but I think with this move and building a new campus in Benton Harbor, those have died down.

I will take an airport non-stop run, please. Or how about a commuter train through Berrien County. Both would certainly make my life a lot easier. Oh wait, the only powerful person in the country who would care about a train through Berrien County is going to be redistricted into oblivion. Fantastic.

[SamInTheLoop]

Looks like the new Jones College Prep is on a faster track than I had figured. New PBC document has construction beginning early in the new year. Very much looking forward to another Ralph Johnson beauty in the neighborhood....

[Rizzo]

Well, this is pretty sterile. They did add a fourth story, though. I guess it just testifies to the amazing adaptable nature of Chicago warehouse construction, though.

OK, we need to pick our battles here. Not every renovation has to blow us away. I think they did an excellent job. The brick looks distressed, the lintels have a small relief, the pilasters pop out nicely, and they kept the integrity of the original building.

[Nowhereman1280]

^^^ In my opinion that's a phenomenal addition. I mean what do you want them to do? Add a giant glass box on top? In 20 years that addition will be completely unnoticeable and just blend in to the neighborhood. It will also add and entire floor of density and tax revenue to the neighborhood...

[ardecila]

^^^ In my opinion that's a phenomenal addition. I mean what do you want them to do? Add a giant glass box on top? In 20 years that addition will be completely unnoticeable and just blend in to the neighborhood. It will also add and entire floor of density and tax revenue to the neighborhood...

I only said that in light of the fact that they're recladding an 80-year-old building with a facade similar to what was there before, but with none of the patina that made the building attractive in the first place. It just seems like a ton of effort for very little gain.

Of course, I don't know the details. Maybe the old facade was unstable, or they needed to create a better insulation barrier.

[i_am_hydrogen]

OhioGuy - I moved your post to the Wrigley Field thread.

http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=146817

[Tom In Chicago]

Tower crane coming down at the Lakeshore East Village Market. . .

http://www.pbase.com/temper/image/130439875.jpg

. . .

[the urban politician]

I really wish something could be done about this disease known as NIMBYism.

I'm guessing this project is far, far, far from approval, and I"m predicting we'll eventually end up with 4 story townhomes on this site. Can't believe an Alderman who's leaving office doesn't have what it takes to approve a perfectly good project.. :hell:

Residents opposed to plans for Lincoln Park Hospital speak out at developer-sponsored meeting (://www.skylinenewspaper.com/News/11-17-2010/Residents_opposed_to_plans_for_Lincoln_Park_Hospital_speak_out_at_developer-sponsored_meeting")
11/17/2010 10:00 PM

By IAN FULLERTON
Contributing reporter


In new renderings for the reuse of the Lincoln Park Hospital campus include 162 residential units and nearly 100,000 square feet of office and retail space across 3-acres.
Neighbors who oppose designs for a mixed-use redevelopment of the shuttered Lincoln Park Hospital are bearing down hard on the latest iteration of the plan.

Owners Michael Supera and Richard Zisook recently unveiled their revised proposal to build 162 residential units and nearly 100,000 square feet of office and retail space across the 3-acre medical campus.

The project, dubbed “Webster Square,” would reuse the hospital’s 12-story main building, located at 550 W. Webster, and develop a 12,000 square foot “boutique” grocery store at the site of an existing parking garage across the street. Designs also include six floors of medical office space, a fitness center for residents and a green roof on the parking structure.

Though garnering some local support, the plan has again received substantial disapproval from a band of neighbors who hold that the development will upset the character of the neighborhood by increasing traffic flow and pressing retail space into this historically residential pocket of Lincoln Park.

Lincoln Park resident Gary Raju said that the scaled-back plans did little to lessen his distaste for the project. Raju was one of about eighty community stakeholders who came to hash out the reworked plans at a presentation given by the development team last Wednesday.

“Both proposals are not consistent with the character of community,” said Raju, who lives just north of the main hospital building. “They’re just moving the same puzzle pieces around.”

The meeting, held in the basement of the Francis W. Parker School, was led by Marilyn Katz, a consultant hired by the developers to shop out the plan to residents.

Supera and Zisook seek a zoning change for the property, which now can only operate as a medical facility. The hospital closed in 2008.

Initial designs for the project, introduced in early 2010, imagined over 200 condo and townhouse-style residences and 30,000 square feet of retail built on the property. The proposal also hinted at leasing the retail space for a Walgreens and included senior housing in the residential piece.

This vision was met by scorn from many residents, as told by signs that read “No High-Rise, No Retail” in the windows of homes bordering the site.

Ald. Vi Daley (43rd) told residents at a town hall meeting in January that she would block the project’s advancement pending full buy-in from the neighborhood, which would likely require the deletion of retail from the plan and a markdown in residential unit density.

But if current sentiments prevail, that endorsement, regardless of the latest revision, could still be a long way off.

The continued presence of retail space in the plan remained a deal-breaker for residents who were concerned that a grocery store would increase traffic in the area and bring added risks to pedestrian safety. The project might encourage other developers to solicit similar retail components into the area, Raju said.

“Then it stops becoming a traditional working community, and it loses its charm,” he said. :rolleyes:

During the nearly two-hour presentation, neighbors launched a volley of questions at Katz, regarding—among other things—parking arrangements, use of green space, and protocol for loading delivery trucks coming in and out of the site. Some voiced fears that the proposed grocery store would encroach on Carnival Foods, a local grocer located a block southeast of the site, while others construed that the expected visitor traffic to the development was being wrongly weighed against previous traffic levels at the hospital, which rarely came close to meeting its 450-bed capacity in the years before it closed.

Central to the message of the audience, who at times shouted over each other to speak their disdain for the plans, was the feeling that the developers had not come back with a plan different from the one they had rejected nearly a year ago.

This, coupled with fears that Daley would try to move the proposal through city approval before she leaves office in May, left neighbors ruffled.

“There’s a concern that the tide may be shifting,” stated former Ald. Marty Oberman, who had previously come out in opposition to the development. “We’re not sure when the decision is going to be made.”

About six people in the audience raised their hands when asked to identify themselves as supporters of the Webster Square plan.

After the meeting, Katz said that the developers knew they couldn’t please everyone.

“There are certain people who will not be moved, and they’ve tried to delay the process as much as they can,” she said.

The new plan, she said, contained a number of changes sensitive to the residents’ concerns. This included the removal of all retail north of Webster, no use of public alleys and no increase in building height, said Katz. “There was a lot of responsiveness,” she said.

Katz also stated that the reactions expressed at presentation, which was intended to be a private meeting, she said, were not representative of the entire neighborhood. She said that the developers had received over 150 letters of support for the new plans from residents in recent weeks.

Daley’s chief of staff Chuck Eastwood said that—despite the show of resistance at the Parker meeting—resident views on the development, as he saw it, were still “very divided,” noting the alderman’s office had also received e-mails and letters written in support of the project. Eastwood said that important thing was not to rush the process, but to identify how to move forward.

“Whether it’s this project, or a reiteration of it, or whether it’s something completely different,” he said. “You can’t just let it sit there.”

Eastwood said that a community meeting on the proposal will be held at the end of November.

Zisook and Supera won the deed to the hospital property after settling a $31 million foreclosure suit with previous owner Mark Hunt in October 2009.

The partners have completed a number of residential condo developments on the North Side over the last few decades, including, most recently, projects at 600 and 530 N. Lake Shore Drive and the Whitney at 1301 N. Dearborn.

[Alliance]

“Then it stops becoming a traditional working community, and it loses its charm,” he said.

Priceless.

I don't know about his traditional working community, but in mine I need to get groceries.

[spyguy]

The project might encourage other developers to solicit similar retail components into the area, Raju said.

The stores are coming, the stores are coming! Activity, jobs, tax revenue, convenience - the horror (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qh2sWSVRrmo)!

The developer is also marketing the entire existing building as medical office space in case the neighbors reject this plan. So I don't think the neighbors can force them to raze the hospital and only build townhomes. If they object then they may be stuck with the same buildings they hate with very few benefits to show for it.

[Busy Bee]

Don't sweat it - and this sounds harsh - but most of those old yahoos have one foot in the grave or soon will. Its a generational thing, I hope.

[Chicago Shawn]

The stores are coming, the stores are coming! Activity, jobs, tax revenue, convenience - the horror (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qh2sWSVRrmo)!

The developer is also marketing the entire existing building as medical office space in case the neighbors reject this plan. So I don't think the neighbors can force them to raze the hospital and only build townhomes. If they object then they may be stuck with the same buildings they hate with very few benefits to show for it.

^Good. That is exactly what should happen, make the idiots realize the impact of their stupidity. Or better yet, re-open the hospital.

How can the NIMBYs claim "out of context" and an "increase of traffic" when this was a high-rise HOSPITAL that has been there for years. Seriously, how can these people be so fucking stupid; and shame on Vi Daley for giving credence to these bullshit claims.

[Tom In Chicago]

Another shot of the tower crane coming down at the Lakeshore East Village Market. . .

http://www.pbase.com/temper/image/130440845.jpg

. . .

[SamInTheLoop]

^ maybe the last major concrete pour was on Tuesday (unless they will be pouring concrete over metal deck on areas of the third floor (which I'm assuming will be mostly steel-framed) roof, as they did on the roof of the eastern, 1-story section.....I can't wait for this center to open...it may be as little as 6-months away or so....

[J_M_Tungsten]

Tower crane coming down at the Lakeshore East Village Market. . .

http://www.pbase.com/temper/image/130439875.jpg

. . .

I'm envious of your locations today :tup:

[J_M_Tungsten]

I feel like lakeshore east would be an awesome place to live, but is the appeal of it that it is so isolated? Its one road in, one road out. I also feel like this area is unable to see any more tall buildings, just for the fact that I'm sure the neighboring buildings would hate to lose the views they have.

[EarlyBuyer]

Great shots Tom, thanks for posting them!

[J_M_Tungsten]

Does anyone know the status of the AMLI project in River North?

[Tom In Chicago]

I'm envious of your locations today :tup:

Home and work. . . my locations every day :)

. . .

[Tom In Chicago]

I feel like lakeshore east would be an awesome place to live, but is the appeal of it that it is so isolated? Its one road in, one road out. I also feel like this area is unable to see any more tall buildings, just for the fact that I'm sure the neighboring buildings would hate to lose the views they have.

Well it's really two roads since you can include Wacker drive access, albeit lower Wacker, which still gets use from people entering/exiting buildings along Wacker as well as Field Drive traffic. . .

It's still somewhat an isolated area though, but not as much as it was 5 years ago when I moved here. . . it's surprisingly busy actually and there's retail in the area that most people don't know about which is handy. . . both 195 and 155 Harbor Drives have small grocery stores in them and up until last month 400 Randolph had a convenience store. . . we still have a bar&grill in 400 though which is nice. . . aside from that the coffee shop and CVS are the only new additions that I find useful. . . the Chase branch at 340 is fine if you need cash in a pinch. . .

The area already has a master plan with other buildings already proposed so there's not much any of the existing residences can do to complain. . . although I'd certainly expect them to do exactly that :rolleyes:

. . .

[VivaLFuego]

Don't sweat it - and this sounds harsh - but most of those old yahoos have one foot in the grave or soon will. Its a generational thing, I hope.

Having attended last year's meeting, I think this is largely accurate. The old guard are motivated by sticking it to The Man (big bad developers ruining our neighborhood) as this is the paradigm of their formative years; completely missing the irony that as they've grown older and richer, they became The Man. I was amazed, though not too surprised in retrospect, at how many of the old timers longed for the days that they were young hip gentrifiers fixing up and deconverting flophouses into SFHs, and most of the people in the neighborhood (except for them) were too poor to own cars. Plentiful street parking.

In 15 years, community development meetings will definitely be a different experience.

[aic4ever]

New Company
www.precisecs.com

[the urban politician]

Posted by an agent of the developer of the Lincoln Park Hospital project:

Alderman Vi Daley has scheduled an community meeting (open to the public...) for Tuesday, November 30th at 7:00 PM in the Lincoln Park High School auditorium where we will present the most recent version of our proposal. After that, we need the Alderman to support us and get on the agenda of the Plan Commission, hopefully in December. Best case scenario, the zoning ordinance would be voted on in City Council in January. If that happens, we will be ready to file for building permits immediately.

Thanks for the interest. PLEASE support us and get the word out to like minded folks.

[Rizzo]

I'm surprised the residents are complacent with a vacant hospital building. Let it sit open like Michael Reese then.

[the urban politician]

^ Personally, I'm surprised it can't be used as a hospital any more.

We're talking about one of the wealthiest neighborhoods in the country here. Tons of insured patients!

[Rizzo]

BTW, anyone notice Chicago Place the last couple of months. You can see straight through. They've removed the escalators and capped the atrium floors off. I'm certain they demolished the atrium elevator tower as well since it currently cannot serve any purpose other than a misplaced artifact of the old mall. I remember I got my hand jammed in the doors trying to hold it open for someone.... ah the old times, Taco Bell on the 9th floor.

[ardecila]

t-shirts and Taco Bell... now where will I go for cheap food on the Mag Mile?

[Chicagoguy]

BTW, anyone notice Chicago Place the last couple of months. You can see straight through. They've removed the escalators and capped the atrium floors off. I'm certain they demolished the atrium elevator tower as well since it currently cannot serve any purpose other than a misplaced artifact of the old mall. I remember I got my hand jammed in the doors trying to hold it open for someone.... ah the old times, Taco Bell on the 9th floor.

The upper floors are being converted into office space and the first floor, possibly second as well is going to be a new store. "All Saints" based out of the UK I believe it set to open by the end of the year.

[denizen467]

I feel like lakeshore east would be an awesome place to live, but is the appeal of it that it is so isolated? Its one road in, one road out.
In addition to Tom's comment, there's also access under/next to the Lancaster to Lower Harbor / Lower Randolph. So the residents have enough back door routes (albeit to the bowels of the street grid) that they don't have to worry about a roadway bottleneck.

[denizen467]

The quasi-fugly parking garage building just east of 600 Chicago Avenue (fmr Ward's warehouse) and across from fmr Ward's HQ is the future location of a new Joe Perillo dealership. They are supposed to open there next month - seems like it's the Bentley/Lamborghini operations they recently acquired plus the Saab/Lincoln they already had, relocating from Diversey, or something along those lines.

The road accessing the facility (different entrance from the Larrabee garage entrance) is a funny (actually foreboding, with a glaring "do not enter" sign and fencing) 20-yard stub street that leads smack in to/out of low-rise Cabrini-Green, so it will be amusing to see how they make the location appealing to customers. Customers driving 6-figure vehicles, no less. Surely this will end up sprucing up this stretch of the street, one way or another.

[builder]

The stores are coming, the stores are coming! Activity, jobs, tax revenue, convenience - the horror (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qh2sWSVRrmo)!

The developer is also marketing the entire existing building as medical office space in case the neighbors reject this plan. So I don't think the neighbors can force them to raze the hospital and only build townhomes. If they object then they may be stuck with the same buildings they hate with very few benefits to show for it.

FULL DISCLOSURE: I am part of the development team for Webster Square.

Great point, spyguy. There is nothing that can force us to tear down the buildings, but there are real risks to the neighborhood if the rezoning application is not allowed to be heard.

It continues to amaze me how people fail to understand that the reason cities grow and stay strong is doe to density and diversity of use. There are so many reasons that this project makes sense for the neighborhood. The ones who are complaining the most will be the first ones in the door of The Fresh Market when it opens!

As much as I have a vested interest in the success of the project, I am in this business because I believe in what we do. We live and work in the shadow of the site and have been developing here successfully for over 40 years.

I welcome critical feedback on our proposal and encourage all interested parties to attend the upcoming community meeting (open to the public) hosted by Alderman Vi Daley on Tuesday, November 30th at 7:00 PM at the Lincoln Park High School auditorium.

For more info and facts about the project go to:

http://www.webstersq.com