CHICAGO | General Developments

[the urban politician]

Seriously, why can't NWU employ this level of design downtown?

The new Kellogg School of Management is stunning! Only fitting for one of the world's top business schools.

Perhaps if their medical counterparts down in Streeterville held design to as high a regard, it would also say something to their medical staff (ie we strive to be better). Design isn't everything, of course, but it certainly says something about how you view yourself.

[ChiPhi]

^^^ I don't know about Northwestern, but I am currently working with some William Tsien dorms at my college (a top ten US News) that run around 30 million for just 160 beds. Don't get me started on how much the Steven Holl building in planning is going to cost.

I think it is better that Northwestern focuses on academics, but that isn't to say they couldn't makes something nice with a cheaper local team (Goetsch, Perkins and Will, or even SCB). Anyone got any pics of their streeterville stuff. I know they just put a giant parking structure up...

Also, are there any plans for that huge lot across from the Furniture Mart between, Eerie, Huron, Mclurg and Fairbanks. I believe NW owns that.

[markh9]

They've sealed up this site up pretty well...nearly put a scratch into my camera lens on an errant bit of chain-link while maneuvering around one of the few holes in the fence.

http://i.imgur.com/6nScu.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/qKrrG.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/sCTV1.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/WErJx.jpg

I wonder what sort of view the students in the Columbia dorms (on the left) will have once Jones rises?
http://i.imgur.com/Ufn74.jpg

Also, I can't remember if a decision has been reached regarding the fate of the old building. Any movement on that?

[ardecila]

Supposedly the old school will be torn down to be replaced (http://www.chicagojournal.com/News/08-10-2011/Park,_new_intersection_could_replace_old_Jones_College_Prep) with a park, and the dogleg in Harrison will be eliminated.

Personally, I'd prefer that the remainder of the old lot will probably be sold off or leased to the highest bidder. There's a vast, gigantic park two blocks away, and a pocket park on Dearborn.

[the urban politician]

^ What a waste.

They should sell the land off to a private developer.

[jdcpamba]

The old Jones College Prep building site should have been incorporated into future expansion of the school. One of the reasons for building the new school was the additional 300 seats provided for South Loop residents in a quality high school. But this school is going to fill up. With all the complaints about lack of good schools in Chicago, it would have made sense to allow room to grow for students in a good school.

[jdcpamba]

Short blurb in Sloopin about recent South Loop school developments. Not much, but contains a picture of the foundation of Roosevelt athletic facility.

http://www.sloopin.com/2012/03/educational-institutions-lead-way-for.html

[J_M_Tungsten]

Not sure how I feel about the park, but getting rid of the kink in Harrison is cool.

Today
Burberry
http://i592.photobucket.com/albums/tt1/JMTUNGSTEN/803d6946.jpg

http://i592.photobucket.com/albums/tt1/JMTUNGSTEN/4e43d90b.jpg

[Busy Bee]

Can anyone explain why after over a decade of streetscape beautification projects around downtown why those hideous Chicago variation cobrahead streetlights are STILL on Michigan Avenue north of the bridge? I thought I remember hearing a plan long ago under Daley of streetscaping Boul Mich north of the river with the same Boulevard Electroliers and such of S Mich. Does anyone here know of any CDOT plan to spruce up the most fashionable shopping district between the coasts sometime this decade?

[ChiTownCity]

53rd & Harper Court Development underway...

http://i.imgur.com/FIviQ.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/g564P.jpg

[ChiPhi]

^ What a waste.

They should sell the land off to a private developer.

The article makes it seem like the plan for now is to put a park there and doesn't address the long term. Considering the number of surface parking lots in the area, this seems the best course of action.

Also, anyone have any renders of the new school or the new address?

[ardecila]

Considering the number of surface parking lots in the area, this seems the best course of action.

The few surface lots that remain will soon be a memory. The city should get on this and sell off the land.

[the urban politician]

The few surface lots that remain will soon be a memory. The city should get on this and sell off the land.

^ I was just thinking a similar thing.

We are in a deep as shit recession, but as soon as a few things turn in the right direction, I think the South Loop is poised for a second boom.

Rents are getting ridiculous north of the river.

One bedrooms are renting for almost Manhattan-level prices these days.

[Mr Downtown]

The neighborhood and even the alderman would like to see the old Jones HS become an upper-grade division of South Loop Elementary, so families wouldn't have to leave the neighborhood. PBC seems dead-set against it, because they're in the business of building things, not keeping perfectly good buildings around for reuse.

The new Jones HS, NWC Polk & State:
http://img703.imageshack.us/img703/6987/9416lg.jpg

[J_M_Tungsten]

I think thas an old rendering. It's all white paneling now I thought,

[ChiPhi]

The few surface lots that remain will soon be a memory. The city should get on this and sell off the land.

While there are a lot of proposed projects for this area, nothing major has actually broken ground in the south loop. Because there are 4 surface parking lots in a one block radius, it seems prudent to make this into a park over an ugly parking lot and then sell off the land when it might actually be developed. Besides, if the city holds it until then, the values will rise and they'll get a profit (though the loss in taxes may mean that they'll break even).

[ardecila]

Northeastern El Centro Campus (Kimball & the Kennedy)

http://img42.imageshack.us/img42/6148/elcentro1.jpg

http://img215.imageshack.us/img215/5382/elcentro2.jpg

[wrab]

^ Damn! Good for El Centro.

Is that the blue sculpture from Armitage & Halsted in the bottom-right-hand corner?

[emathias]

Northeastern El Centro Campus (Kimball & the Kennedy)
...

Nice looking building, but am I the only one who thinks it's, at best, weird to put any kind of school directly abutting an expressway?

[ChiPhi]

Short blurb in Sloopin about recent South Loop school developments.
http://www.sloopin.com/2012/03/educational-institutions-lead-way-for.html

It's hard to tell from the render, is the East-West dorm being built at the corner of 9th and Wabash on the surface parking lot, or are they tearing down one of those nice loft buildings AND leaving a surface parking lot right next door. If so, I am much less enthused about this project.

[Buckman821]

Nice looking building, but am I the only one who thinks it's, at best, weird to put any kind of school directly abutting an expressway?

I think this is almost entirely about marketing which might make sense for a school that does seem to have much of a presence on the public conscience.

Does anybody have any more information about the purpose of this building? Isn't this fairly far from the rest of their campus?

[BWChicago]

Not exactly a pedestrian-friendly stretch of Kimball, and the site couldn't be more of a cul-de-sac

[Nowhereman1280]

Not exactly a pedestrian-friendly stretch of Kimball, and the site couldn't be more of a cul-de-sac

True but its what? Two blocks from Belmont blue? This area has major redevelopment potential if they can get more pedestian oriented uses such as this school in there.

JGMAs website says construction on that project is slated to begin mid summer this year. Would be fantastic to have such a flashy building right on the freeway like that.

[ardecila]

^ Of course, it doesn't hurt that you own property in the area...

The site was chosen for its proximity to Latino communities and its accessibility to the highway. I believe Northeastern wanted to provide a decent amount of on-site parking as well, so this large industrial site is good for that. It looks like that will be towards the rear of the site.

I wonder what's gonna happen to that Korean food market next door?

[Nowhereman1280]

Haha well Ill admit I am biased, but I also obviously really believe in this area or I wouldn't be placing such big bets on it.

The Joong Boo market is on the other side of Kimball and is safe for now I assume but im sure it will redevelop eventually.

[J_M_Tungsten]

Northeastern El Centro Campus (Kimball & the Kennedy)

http://img42.imageshack.us/img42/6148/elcentro1.jpg

http://img215.imageshack.us/img215/5382/elcentro2.jpg

This will be in a highly visible location. I am excited to see Chicago is starting to break the "traditional" architectural forms.

[spyguy]

The neighborhood and even the alderman would like to see the old Jones HS become an upper-grade division of South Loop Elementary,

Which one?


We are in a deep as shit recession, but as soon as a few things turn in the right direction, I think the South Loop is poised for a second boom.

A condo boom? I don't know...a lot of units being used as rental right now will go back to condos first. Although if the South Loop improves its offerings, that could change. Speaking of which...

McCaffery now says they've "executed leases and [are in] active negotiations with some of the most exciting tenants" for the Roosevelt Collection:


Ulta
H&M
Vapiano
Ann Taylor
White House Black Market
Lululemon
Z Gallerie
Yard House
Aveda
Bath & Body Works
Republic of Couture
Anthropologies
Arhaus
Sports Authority
Lettuce Entertain You
The Limited
Victoria's Secret
Jos. A. Bank

[tyler1]

^Wow.. That's actually a great line-up compared to what I'd expect in that location.

[Rizzo]

Northeastern El Centro Campus (Kimball & the Kennedy)

http://img42.imageshack.us/img42/6148/elcentro1.jpg

http://img215.imageshack.us/img215/5382/elcentro2.jpg

This is a JGMA project FYI. The design firm behind UNO 51st and IDPL in Pilsen

[BWChicago]

Which one?



A condo boom? I don't know...a lot of units being used as rental right now will go back to condos first. Although if the South Loop improves its offerings, that could change. Speaking of which...

McCaffery now says they've "executed leases and [are in] active negotiations with some of the most exciting tenants" for the Roosevelt Collection:


...April Fools?

[ardecila]

This is a JGMA project FYI. The design firm behind UNO 51st and IDPL in Pilsen

Thought I mentioned that already. Guess not... I really love their work, especially the Toyota Park Transit Center (Pace). They're doing a great job of bringing super-modernist design to the Bungalow Belt. Even downtown doesn't really have anything this avant-garde, let alone the suburbs.

http://img689.imageshack.us/img689/7884/toyotapark.jpg

[Rizzo]

Thought I mentioned that already. Guess not... I really love their work, especially the Toyota Park Transit Center (Pace). They're doing a great job of bringing super-modernist design to the Bungalow Belt. Even downtown doesn't really have anything this avant-garde, let alone the suburbs.

http://img689.imageshack.us/img689/7884/toyotapark.jpg


I think it's a lot easier to do cool and interesting architecture when it's on a smaller scale, like a school, park, transit center, business, etc.

When it's applied to larger buildings is where you see good design making a dent in the budget and the VE axe falls. :(

[untitledreality]

This will be in a highly visible location. I am excited to see Chicago is starting to break the "traditional" architectural forms.
Highly visible to those blasting by on the Kennedy, yes... but I wonder how much of an impact it will have on the surrounding neighborhood. Buried between the Kennedy on one side, RR tracks/Home Depot/Kmart on another and no presence whatsoever on Kimball. Its a shame IMO... it would have been pretty incredible to have this built where the Aldi's stands (I know it was never a possibility, but I can dream cant I?)

[Nowhereman1280]

^^^ Yes, but the Aldi's should be redeveloped into a very large, very dense, mixed use TOD. It's right on top of the EL and the freeway and essentially the only site like that in the city. Everywhere else the El is either in the freeway, or a ways off the freeway. Therefore the Aldi site is almost somewhere that should have a couple of small highrises on it with massive amounts of retail in the base.


In other news related to this project, apparently it's a go because they've started demolition on this project as of this morning. Half of one of the industrial buildings on that site is already razed and they are going at it hard right now. Drove by just a few minutes ago.




PS: Was stalking around on JGMA's website and found this design for another UNO school:

http://jgma.co/projects/uno-elementary-school/uno-elementary-school-01.html

Any idea if this is real or just an abandoned version of the UNO school that got built. I can't exactly place the site plan, but this is pretty freaking awesome looking.

PPS: Apparently this is the design for the UNO High School on 51st Street:

http://jgma.co/images/projects/uno-high-school/image-03.jpg

http://jgma.co/images/projects/uno-high-school/image-04.jpg

http://jgma.co/images/projects/uno-high-school/image-05.jpg

http://jgma.co/images/projects/uno-high-school/image-06.jpg

All Images sourced from JGMA's website.

Looks like the High School will complement the Elementary school's stainless paneling with copper paneling. Looks like JGMA is taking their interesting landscaping and site plans a step further with the HS.

[the urban politician]

^ Holy crap!

I'm suddenly in love with UNO schools

[Via Chicago]

Yea, they're killing it.

Also, it looks like that sculpture in the Kimball plan is an exact replica of the one that went up in one of the new Burling uber mansions

http://media.skylinenewspaper.com/photos/Publication/Article/2698-1.jpg

[ChiPhi]

^ Holy crap!

I'm suddenly in love with UNO schools

I have a family member who is a first grade teacher at an UNO school. She says that the designs are fine, but a little costly. Despite this, they do bring attention to the school, always a plus. She works at one of their original schools which looks like any midcentury brick school building. Her problem is that they keep zapping the good management from the less showy locations and bringing them to the new places. They prioritize the beautiful locations leaving students in neighborhoods without the well designed buildings so that funders will see the good looking places AND qualified principles.

Anyways, I'll say of UNO that the designs may bring attention to the schools, but are often wasteful considering the costs associated with education. I understand that good design can help greatly in the education of a child, but that design doesn't need to be futurist. What is more important is things that I'm sure these schools have (good light, open hallways, spaces conducive to group-work etc.). I'm also sure less expensive, less flashy buildings can and do achieve the same goals.

[Nowhereman1280]

^^^ The idea is that a funky, flashy, school will make kids WANT to go to school instead of dreading another day in a converted prison. If they feel like they are going to a place that is awesome and inviting, then they are going to want to spend more time there. Personally I don't see how your friends examples of them moving management around are in any way related to construction budgets. From what I understand moving the best teachers and management into the new schools is typical in charter schools as they are needed to get the schools off on the right foot. The first year of a new school is the most critical and is necessary to lay the groundwork for the school to function properly as an organization.

[ChiPhi]

The point that she conveyed to me was that they were under-allocating resources to buildings that they knew no one would care about. Obviously, she is a bit biased.

As per your idea about a beautiful building hoping to attract children, I understand that, but I'm not sure it works like that. The cool building may be exciting for a day, but I can't see how kids would understand design and, even subconsciously, understand the difference between this building and, say, a far less expensive, but still appealing building. It seems like a ploy to me. Like many educational organizations (epspecially private universities and colleges) they hope that a flashy building will make their school more attractive. Then more kids will apply and they will have more prestige. They can then turn to the government and show that more kids want to go their school, thus it must be better than the public options, thereby making themselves even more selective, prestigious etc and garnering more grants that could have gone to more efficient options building less expensive buildings.

It is a ploy to look more prestigious. Don't fall for it! Lots of schools do it. I thought that about UNO before I talked to my family member.

[Via Chicago]

FWIW, theres been plenty of criticism regarding the way Uno operates

http://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/unos-juan-rangel-talks-charter-schools/Content?oid=5683115
http://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/charter-schools-keep-budget-and-salaries-secret/Content?oid=4292439

[Nowhereman1280]

^^^ There has been plenty of criticism about the way just about every charter school operates, but I don't buy it. People make up these hypothesis that somehow the organizations are only motivated by endless expansion of their schools when in reality they are run by people who, at the end of the day, just want to educate children.

I say this after throwing myself into the debate in my neighborhood over the new ASPIRA school going up at Milwaukee and Central Park. I've gotten to know both sides of the issue and a lot of people who run ASPIRA and my conclusion is that the opposition almost always has ulterior motives (usually NIMBYISM / racism) behind their arguments.

The missing part of this argument is simple, what motivation do these schools have to just try to gorge themselves on grant money at the expense of the students? If they don't perform, they get shut down. So why would they neglect their students just to get another grant? Its not as if there is some profit motive or something driving them to try to expand recklessly at the expense of children and the people running these places couldn't be more down to earth. ASPIRA, I know, is run by a 60 something year old lady who is just another adorable abuela who happened to get into charter schools because she was given a chance to set up a better education for her grandchildren. UNO is probably a little more corporate than that, but still, its not as if there are these dark motives.

The first Reader article demonstrates these arguments all too well. It is nothing more than a thinly veiled attack on charter schools as a whole because the leftists over at the Reader don't like that "UNO is taking over a wing of the government" and is towing the dastardly CPS Teacher's Union line with complaints that UNO teachers are paid less. Well guess what chumps (directed at the Reader) the CPS and it's teachers union have demonstrated time and again that they are either utterly incompetent or really don't give a shit about educating children. This is why we created charter schools. The teachers unions exist for one reason: to represent the interests of teachers. They do not exist to teach. They do not exist to serve. They do not exist to help the children. They exist for teachers to help themselves. They are in panic mode that charter schools are paying "scabs" less and doing much much better than the CPS schools. They see Rahm closing in on them and their absurdly short work day. And this kind of anti-charter tripe is what results.

Let's not even get started about the neighborhood groups that are thinly veiled racists bent on quashing any attempt of hispanics to set up community centers in their neighborhood. In particular there is a fellow who calls himself "Logan Square Concerned Citizens", but is really just one person with a lot of leaflets. This fellow (an awkward white guy in a trench coat, creaper) is vehimently anti-charter and a bigot. His name is Larry Ligas and he once handed me a pamphlet suggesting that the Avondale ASPIRA school should not be built because ASPIRA "teaches radical politics" in their schools.

[ChiPhi]

^^^
I had a similar response to The Reader articles posted by Via Chicago (I also don't assume he holds these opinions). I will say that I am skeptical of charter schools. I think that many people accept them without thinking (which you seem not to have done), but, in general, they do a passable job where normal public schools have failed. I am always nervous about the general privatization and lack of transparency that surrounds schools like these and I think the types of buildings that they build reflect that (a goal of increasing notoriety) but public schools also have flaws (the strengths of the teacher's unions in deflecting attempts to find ways to evaluate teachers, including non-test based).

That being said, the people in charge of charter schools can (and sometimes do) benefit from the huge taxpayer funding and self-ascribed, unreleased salaries. The question is, are these BUILDINGS necessary (because this is a forum on buildings) and do they actually help educate children or promote the goals of one school battling for funding over another?

[Nowhereman1280]

^^^ I agree that there should be a greater level of transparency to charter schools (though I am uncomfortable with there being too much simply because part of the goal is to free these schools of those constraints as long as they get the job done).

Personally I do think there is a long term benefit to excellent school design. Remember, this is not a new trend. The original waves of public schools that once propelled the US school system to the top of the world (obviously no longer the case) consisted of structures of grandiose architecture. One needs only look at the historical schools in our city to see they were built to inspire students. When you see fantastic structures like Schurz High School or Lane Tech, you realize that design really is an important aspect of an educational facility.

In fact, I'd argue we need much MORE emphasis on design across the board in our schools. People constantly underestimate the effect the built environment has on sociological issues, but you need look no further than failures such as the projects to realize that it has an extremely potent, real effect on behavior.

[Nowhereman1280]

This may have been overlooked in my post before, but does anyone know where this is proposed for and if it is real? JGMA's website says it's another UNO School:

http://jgma.co/images/projects/uno-elementary-school/image-06.jpg

http://jgma.co/images/projects/uno-elementary-school/image-04.jpg

http://jgma.co/images/projects/uno-elementary-school/image-03.jpg

http://jgma.co/images/projects/uno-elementary-school/image-01.jpg

Doesn't look as well developed as the other designs so might just be conceptual.

Edit: Found the location: It appears to be proposed for this site in Belmont Central:

http://maps.google.com/maps?q=chicago&hl=en&ll=41.917495,-87.787467&spn=0.00665,0.009645&hnear=Chicago,+Cook,+Illinois&gl=us&t=h&z=17&layer=c&cbll=41.917143,-87.787678&panoid=zJRDp6vczX0ErCjkGrxfGQ&cbp=12,284.5,,0,0.6

Double Edit: Did some internet stalking and found out that it is, in fact, a very real proposal that, as of the end of last year, was awaiting zoning approval. Apparently Uno already has the cash lined up and contractor ready to break ground as soon as it is approved:

http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2011-12-12/news/ct-edit-charter-20111210_1_uno-charter-school-36th-ward

Any word what came of this?

Triple Edit: I feel like Spyguy today, digging up new plans and answering my own questions:

https://chicityclerk.com/journals/2012/jan18_2012/jan18_2012_Zoning.pdf

According to this the zoning change was approved by the council in January. Any word as to whether this is U/C yet? Can someone who spends a lot of time driving around on the West side looking at buildings answer this. (Buckman I'm looking at you).

[untitledreality]

^^^ since you're on a UNO kick I'll toss in the master plan for the campus at 51st and St. Louis (site of the JGMA school that opened last year) http://www.stlchicago.com/projects/uno-master-plan A whole lot of activity to look forward to during the full buildout.

Also from STL, their recent(ish) proposal for the next school to be built on the 51st/STL campus... dont know if it has gained any traction, but its another attractive piece of what could end up being a great cluster of buildings.

http://ad009cdnb.archdaily.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/1323469889-01-view-access-1000x500.jpg

http://ad009cdnb.archdaily.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/1323469902-03-view-plaza-day-101711-1000x466.jpg

http://ad009cdnb.archdaily.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/1323469914-05-gymassemblycafeteria-1000x532.jpg

images courtesy of ArchDaily (http://www.archdaily.com/191218/uno-charter-school-proposal-stl-architects/)

[the urban politician]

^ Gotta love the group of Indian/Asian students in the lower right corner of the pic.

Just a reminder to all that your school will be full of straight-A gunners

[Rizzo]

The Natchez School is being done by urban works I believe. But you can search the nets. There's like a dozen renderings of this school online, and all embody cool and interesting architecture. But I'm positive Urban Works is building it. The JGMA and STL designs are excellent as well. I think elevating this spirit in design is exactly what Chicago needs....especially when it comes to education

http://www.urbanworksarchitecture.com/projects/civic_11.html

[denizen467]

Coast and a television filming(?)
http://www.umich.edu/~ifmuth/construction/construction264.jpg
Good guess - will be a new NBC show, "Chicago Fire". Apparently produced by the creator of Law & Order.

Also, it seems they are trying to make it more realistic by including Da Mare. (Is there a better nickname than that out there for Emanuel?) I think it would have been cooler if Richard M. had been in a tv show like this, but his most famous brother went to the east coast, not the west coast.

Hopefully the Emanuel connection can help bring a bunch of filming here.

http://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/rahm-emanuel-chicago-fire-nbc-tv-show-144949205.html

Emanuel to Play Himself in Upcoming TV Show
By Mary Ann Ahern
Thursday, Mar 29, 2012

... "It's easier being mayor than playing mayor," said Emanuel. "I told them I’d do it under one condition: the TV show is making an investment to the firefighter's widow and orphans fund.”

"Chicago Fire" is a drama focusing on the men and women of the Chicago Fire Department and their everyday heroics. Emanuel's brother, Ari Emanuel, is a Beverly Hills-based talent agent, but it's currently unknown if he's involved with the production. ...

[ardecila]

Wow, this has flop written all over it. I don't see how they can make a serialized drama about firefighting... each individual fire is usually a freak occurrence, so there are no bad guys. Obviously Rescue Me did a good job with it, but only by creating really compelling characters. That's never been a strong point of Law & Order - and once you do that, it ceases to be a show about firefighting and becomes a show about a bunch of guys who happen to fight fires.

Not to get too O/T... I watched The Chicago Code when it was on, but it just wasn't a very good show. The Beast was awesome, but couldn't last after Swayze passed away.

[denizen467]

^ Well, y'might be jumping to conclusions a little too fast - I'm not really a tv watcher so I'm no expert, but couldn't you level somewhat similar allegations against hospital dramas? In ER or Chicago Hope, I think the differences in the patients' sicknesses wasn't as relevant as the characters and human stories, along with the fact that the shows were sort of just night-time soap operas revolving around the random baloney of the doctors' lives. Somehow those worked out. In a fire drama you can have those things plus lots of interesting visuals with scenery around the city, the el and alleys and high-rises, along with some action/disaster footage (depending on the show's budget).

I tried to make Chicago Code "appointment" tv for a couple weeks and I think one of its failings was that you could get pretty lost about the conniving going on unless you followed the story minute to minute and show to show. I mean if you missed any exchange involving the Delroy Lindo alderman, you'd basically be left guessing at what was going on. In contrast the typical crime drama has predictable issues and twists so you can tune-out occasionally, and each episode generally stands on its own with an easy wrap-up at the end. So I think CC was really too complex and tightly written for tv - which is really a compliment.

Great urban scenes in Chicago Code though (the main thing keeping this post marginally on topic).

[ardecila]

Yeah, this city is pretty much a cameraman's dream.

Shameless does a great job of giving the neighborhood feel. I was never quite in that economic bracket but it reminds me of my early years in Beverly. I'm not really a huge fan of the race-to-the-bottom attempt to keep making the show more twisted and dark, but occasionally the show gets a Dickensian feel and really shows how clever and enterprising poor people can be, which is a really refreshing contrast to the blame-game view of poverty that seems to be popular nowadays.

The show's mainly filmed in Little Village, I think... virtually all the characters are white and presumably Irish, but I guess Bridgeport and Brighton Park didn't offer the right feel. They're remarkably consistent, too - all the exterior shots are filmed in Chicago, which takes the crew all over the city. They've even shot in Highland Park.

[the urban politician]

Wow, this has flop written all over it. I don't see how they can make a serialized drama about firefighting... each individual fire is usually a freak occurrence, so there are no bad guys. Obviously Rescue Me did a good job with it, but only by creating really compelling characters. That's never been a strong point of Law & Order - and once you do that, it ceases to be a show about firefighting and becomes a show about a bunch of guys who happen to fight fires.

Not to get too O/T... I watched The Chicago Code when it was on, but it just wasn't a very good show. The Beast was awesome, but couldn't last after Swayze passed away.

^ Has anybody seen The Boss? How is that show? I don't even know what channel it's on, or when it comes on.

[BWChicago]

Boss is a bizarre show (on Starz), like King Lear set in a realistic Chicago, so it has a really strange juxtaposition of tones. It makes very good use of city locations, almost as good as The Beast did (anyone remember that show? Patrick Swayze's last work?)

[sentinel]

Boss is a bizarre show (on Starz), like King Lear set in a realistic Chicago, so it has a really strange juxtaposition of tones. It makes very good use of city locations, almost as good as The Beast did (anyone remember that show? Patrick Swayze's last work?)

My best friend worked on the first season of Boss and is hoping to get a call soon for the second season - he said Kelsey Grammar was incredibly nice and great to work with, in addition to everyone else on set.

In other filming news, the Wachowski siblings are rumored to be filing not one but THREE films in Chicago, perhaps starting some time this summer. Unconfirmed at this point but would be pretty cool nontheless (I believe a while ago someone had mentioned something about their studio on the N. side of the City still being around and operational :shrug:?)

[emathias]

Good guess - will be a new NBC show, "Chicago Fire". Apparently produced by the creator of Law & Order.

Also, it seems they are trying to make it more realistic by including Da Mare.
...

Law & Order always included the real New York mayors, too, so it's not too surprising that a show created by the same guy would do something similar.

Wow, this has flop written all over it. I don't see how they can make a serialized drama about firefighting... each individual fire is usually a freak occurrence, so there are no bad guys.
...
That's never been a strong point of Law & Order - and once you do that, it ceases to be a show about firefighting and becomes a show about a bunch of guys who happen to fight fires.

Not to get too O/T... I watched The Chicago Code when it was on, but it just wasn't a very good show. The Beast was awesome, but couldn't last after Swayze passed away.

Say what you will about the Law & Order, but I think its length of staying power and the enormous number of successful spin-offs it had speaks to its popularity and success as a format. Obviously not ever spinoff was a raging success, but I wouldn't bet against the guy's track records with this Chicago firefighter show.

...
Shameless does a great job of giving the neighborhood feel.
...

Shameless first season was a bit rough - I think it was a mistake for the episodes to so closely mirror the original UK episodes - but the second season was really excellent. I was a big fan of the UK original, and was skeptical of a US version, but it's won me over to be a big fan partly because the acting is great and partly because I like that they use the city.

^ Has anybody seen The Boss? How is that show? I don't even know what channel it's on, or when it comes on.

Boss is a bizarre show (on Starz), like King Lear set in a realistic Chicago, so it has a really strange juxtaposition of tones. It makes very good use of city locations, almost as good as The Beast did (anyone remember that show? Patrick Swayze's last work?)

My best friend worked on the first season of Boss and is hoping to get a call soon for the second season - he said Kelsey Grammar was incredibly nice and great to work with, in addition to everyone else on set.

I love Boss, too. It really does an excellent job with the city, and its "fiction" certainly has a lot of overlap with reality (though not completely - I don't think modern corruption here is nearly as deadly as it is in the show).

In other filming news, the Wachowski siblings are rumored to be filing not one but THREE films in Chicago, perhaps starting some time this summer. Unconfirmed at this point but would be pretty cool nontheless (I believe a while ago someone had mentioned something about their studio on the N. side of the City still being around and operational :shrug:?)

That would be awesome.

[ardecila]

Say what you will about the Law & Order, but I think its length of staying power and the enormous number of successful spin-offs it had speaks to its popularity and success as a format. Obviously not ever spinoff was a raging success, but I wouldn't bet against the guy's track records with this Chicago firefighter show.

I like Law & Order but I don't think the formula will translate to a firehouse, just like it didn't work for Trial by Jury, LA, Deadline, or Conviction.

For every one of Dick Wolf's mega-successes, he has two or three failures.

[Ch.G, Ch.G]

There's also The Good Wife, which I've never seen but which is supposed to be pretty, er, good?

[spyguy]

Now that the Payless Shoes building has been renovated, it looks like it's the Gap's turn (no more glass block!):

http://www.chicagorealestatedaily.com/article/20120403/CRED03/120409940/oak-park-investor-buys-gap-store-in-logan-square

Oak Park investor buys Gap store in Logan Square
April 03, 2012

A venture of real estate firm R. P. Fox & Associates paid $2.4 million to buy a mostly vacant 42,000-square-foot building at 2778 N. Milwaukee Ave. that has one key tenant, Gap Inc., county records show. San Francisco-based Gap occupies about 14,000 square feet on the first floor. The Oak Park-based real estate firm plans to convert the upper floors of the four-story building into apartments, sources say.

A few blocks south at Milwaukee and Spaulding, the owner plans to modify the facade in hopes of leasing the retail space but I hope they choose to work the building's original design instead.
http://img687.imageshack.us/img687/7328/1327962886.png

[Buckman821]

For a moment I thought that rendering was for the gap store. I was ready to strap myself to the building.

Edit: I can't tell what building this rendering is for.

Is it this one?
http://maps.google.com/maps?q=milwaukee+and+spaulding+chicago&hl=en&ll=41.930986,-87.710509&spn=0.009275,0.021007&safe=off&fb=1&gl=us&hq=milwaukee+and+spaulding&hnear=0x880e2c3cd0f4cbed:0xafe0a6ad09c0c000,Chicago,+IL&cid=0,0,7285912086064637747&t=h&z=16&layer=c&cbll=41.931037,-87.710605&panoid=wZfXnsw7WiDWxGgOxqvjlA&cbp=12,168.35,,0,-3.59

Because if so that is equally upsetting. There's an art deco gem of a facade behind that. If this new owner screws up either of these buildings I'm going to be furious.

[Nowhereman1280]

^^^ That is an outrage. The existing terra cotta facade of that building is in fantastic shape. The city needs to landmark this one right away if these morons so much as think about going forward with this bull shit.

Edit: I made the same brain fart as Buckman. This building is not the gem at the corner, but the building at Milwaukee and Spaulding. They should still restore the facade on this building as it is a hidden gem that spent 50 years under corrugated metal and is perfectly preserved as a result. All they need to do is bust out the cinder blocks and they are on their way.

Also, FYI Crains, neither of those buildings is 4 stories, the Gap is 3 stories and the one they want to mutilate is 2 stories...


In any case, looks like my bets on the Milwaukee/Diversey intersection are going to pay off. I own two properties within 4 blocks of there and have another two under contract. Gentrify, Gentrify, Gentrify! We are on our way to being the next Milwaukee/Damen!!!

[Ch.G, Ch.G]

In any case, looks like my bets on the Milwaukee/Diversey intersection are going to pay off. I own two properties within 4 blocks of there and have another two under contract. Gentrify, Gentrify, Gentrify! We are on our way to being the next Milwaukee/Damen!!!

I can't remember if I (or anyone else) mentioned, but the Logan Theater had a huge re-opening weekend. I heard their shows were all sold out. (One dollar ticket, one dollar popcorn, one dollar soft drink; four retro movies.)

[Nowhereman1280]

I can't remember if I (or anyone else) mentioned, but the Logan Theater had a huge re-opening weekend. I heard their shows were all sold out. (One dollar ticket, one dollar popcorn, one dollar soft drink; four retro movies.)

Yeah, myself and two other forumers (Aic and Buckman) took a walk around Logan Square last week and stopped in here to check out the renovations. It's pretty fantastic. The details in the new bar they added are pretty much spot on for the time frame and the entire place had a wonderful historic, yet modernized, feel to it. I'll definitely be a regular patron once they are showing something other than "The Lorax" and "John Carter" Lol...

[Rizzo]

^^^ That is an outrage. The existing terra cotta facade of that building is in fantastic shape. The city needs to landmark this one right away if these morons so much as think about going forward with this bull shit.

Edit: I made the same brain fart as Buckman. This building is not the gem at the corner, but the building at Milwaukee and Spaulding. They should still restore the facade on this building as it is a hidden gem that spent 50 years under corrugated metal and is perfectly preserved as a result. All they need to do is bust out the cinder blocks and they are on their way.

Also, FYI Crains, neither of those buildings is 4 stories, the Gap is 3 stories and the one they want to mutilate is 2 stories...


In any case, looks like my bets on the Milwaukee/Diversey intersection are going to pay off. I own two properties within 4 blocks of there and have another two under contract. Gentrify, Gentrify, Gentrify! We are on our way to being the next Milwaukee/Damen!!!

I wonder what's under that aluminum. The facade beneath can't be that bad to justify an entire modification. They'd be better off repairing and restoring the existing building.

[Nowhereman1280]

I wonder what's under that aluminum. The facade beneath can't be that bad to justify an entire modification. They'd be better off repairing and restoring the existing building.

I know what's under the aluminum. Take a look at the facade that is exposed just to the right on Spaulding. Now imagine that with windows that have been bricked over with cinder block. That's what it all looks like including excellent bas-relief looking medallions above the windows. They just tore all of the corrugated metal off of it about a month ago and you can see almost everything right now. The first floor has been completely mutilated, but I'm sure they would prefer to update that anyhow because of the obvious aversion tenants have to old-style storefronts now-a-days.

[denizen467]

April gets going with a bang:

(For comparison, I understand the huge Whole Foods around the corner is 70000sf.)


Bucksbaum, Structured close deal for New City Y site
By: Ryan Ori
April 04, 2012
http://www.chicagorealestatedaily.com/article/20120404/CRED03/120409916/bucksbaum-structured-close-deal-for-new-city-y-site

... Mr. Bucksbaum and the project's original developer, Structured Development LLC, have formed a new venture to develop the 8.2-acre parcel just south of the bustling intersection of Halsted Street and Clybourn and North avenues. In a deal that closed last week, an undisclosed investment by Mr. Bucksbaum and a $31 million loan from J. P. Morgan Asset Management helped settle a foreclosure case against the site, confirms J. Michael Drew, a principal in Chicago-based Structured.

On Monday, a Structured joint venture also closed on the sale for more than $30 million of a retail center formerly anchored by a Borders store, 755 W. North Ave. ...

The Bucksbaum-Structured venture is moving ahead with a slightly smaller plan, which includes 370,000 square feet of retail, 280 apartments and more than 1,000 parking spaces.

Milwaukee-based Roundy's Supermarkets Inc. already has signed on as the anchor tenant to operate an 80,000-square-foot Mariano's Fresh Market grocery store. Mr. Drew says a deal is being finalized for a 14-screen, 1,800-seat movie theater. ...

[aic4ever]

That's a lot of retail that's going to be happening relatively soon, particularly if McCaffery's list of retailers for Roosevelt is accurate. I hope it is. Higher end stuff coming down to the south side can only help spur further south side development and expansion.

[the urban politician]

Good to know that the New City Y project is finally going forward.

Interestingly, has anybody else noticed that they brought residential back into the project? I thought they had eliminated it altogether.

[Via Chicago]

For a moment I thought that rendering was for the gap store. I was ready to strap myself to the building.

Edit: I can't tell what building this rendering is for.

Is it this one?
http://maps.google.com/maps?q=milwaukee+and+spaulding+chicago&hl=en&ll=41.930986,-87.710509&spn=0.009275,0.021007&safe=off&fb=1&gl=us&hq=milwaukee+and+spaulding&hnear=0x880e2c3cd0f4cbed:0xafe0a6ad09c0c000,Chicago,+IL&cid=0,0,7285912086064637747&t=h&z=16&layer=c&cbll=41.931037,-87.710605&panoid=wZfXnsw7WiDWxGgOxqvjlA&cbp=12,168.35,,0,-3.59

Because if so that is equally upsetting. There's an art deco gem of a facade behind that. If this new owner screws up either of these buildings I'm going to be furious.

haha. That place used to be known as The Mopery a couple years ago....good times were had
http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-mopery-chicago

[k1052]

Milwaukee-based Roundy's Supermarkets Inc. already has signed on as the anchor tenant to operate an 80,000-square-foot Mariano's Fresh Market grocery store. Mr. Drew says a deal is being finalized for a 14-screen, 1,800-seat movie theater. ...

Theater is going to be tricky. The proximity to Webster Place theater is problematic, this is what eventually killed Piper's Alley and why the Logan can't get first run film.

[the urban politician]

^ Plus this development will have parking.

The problem in Chicago is that all the new retail developments have their own parking, and that always puts the older prewar stuff at a disadvantage. This sets up a domino effect where you simply HAVE to have parking to compete.

Hence all the strip malls

:yuck:

[Dirt Lawyer]

Theater is going to be tricky. The proximity to Webster Place theater is problematic, this is what eventually killed Piper's Alley and why the Logan can't get first run film.

Don't worry too much; I think it is a good plan that will work. That's all I can say for now. :)

[lawfin]

April gets going with a bang:

(For comparison, I understand the huge Whole Foods around the corner is 70000sf.)


Bucksbaum, Structured close deal for New City Y site
By: Ryan Ori
April 04, 2012
http://www.chicagorealestatedaily.com/article/20120404/CRED03/120409916/bucksbaum-structured-close-deal-for-new-city-y-site

... Mr. Bucksbaum and the project's original developer, Structured Development LLC, have formed a new venture to develop the 8.2-acre parcel just south of the bustling intersection of Halsted Street and Clybourn and North avenues. In a deal that closed last week, an undisclosed investment by Mr. Bucksbaum and a $31 million loan from J. P. Morgan Asset Management helped settle a foreclosure case against the site, confirms J. Michael Drew, a principal in Chicago-based Structured.

On Monday, a Structured joint venture also closed on the sale for more than $30 million of a retail center formerly anchored by a Borders store, 755 W. North Ave. ...

The Bucksbaum-Structured venture is moving ahead with a slightly smaller plan, which includes 370,000 square feet of retail, 280 apartments and more than 1,000 parking spaces.

Milwaukee-based Roundy's Supermarkets Inc. already has signed on as the anchor tenant to operate an 80,000-square-foot Mariano's Fresh Market grocery store. Mr. Drew says a deal is being finalized for a 14-screen, 1,800-seat movie theater. ...

This is awful. North / Clybourn continue their march into suburban style autocentric hell. What could have been if the design was simply more urban in form. This whole area is a massive missed opportunity.

[spyguy]

70+ unit apartment building with a daycare and retail on Division (City Farm site)
http://img31.imageshack.us/img31/9940/division1f.jpg

Remember a long time ago when a developer proposed a ~20 story condo building across the street from where the new Cabrini-Green Target store is supposed to go? Of course not. That's when Lagrange actually produced decent towers. Anyway, that site is now for sale.
http://img832.imageshack.us/img832/3563/division3n.png

[Via Chicago]

This is awful. North / Clybourn continue their march into suburban style autocentric hell. What could have been if the design was simply more urban in form. This whole area is a massive missed opportunity.

Its really kind of staggering just how poorly this entire area was re-developed...and yet it continues unabated. Does nobody in the upper echelons of city government give a shit about this stuff? You're talking about the built environment that is likely going to be sticking around for at least 2 generations, and its like a monkey scribbled some lines on a piece of paper and got it stamped. Whats the point of all these master plans if nobody follows them or is held accountable?

[the urban politician]

This is awful. North / Clybourn continue their march into suburban style autocentric hell. What could have been if the design was simply more urban in form. This whole area is a massive missed opportunity.

^ Actually, the design of the New City site is pretty good.

Besides, there is no way you are going to fit all of the retail & apartments and over 1,000 parking spots onto that site unless you go vertical with the parking.

[the urban politician]

A few updates:

1. I drove by the shell of a condo building on Belmont just west of the Chicago river today. If any of you recall, it was bought by an apartment developer about a year or year and a half ago. I saw a bunch of workers at the site with hard hats. Looks like they are about to restart renovation into apartments. I didn't see a permit on the site, though.

2. There is a condo building proposed for the triangle just north of the Chinatown Square shopping center, called "Windfall square". It looks nice. Problem is, I don't know how old the proposal is and I cannot find a website for it. I don't recall seeing that sign last time I was in Chinatown, though (about 2 years ago), and I don't think it's that See Wong guy either.

3. The Webster Square development seems to be in pause mode. I was just there and looking around. The permits are all there, the equipment is there, but there is nobody inside. They are in the middle of demo/renovation of the garage (which was supposed to be the grocery store) but, again, I saw nobody working.

4. I think that UNO school near the Belmont Blue Line stop is about to begin construction, unless I am incorrect. The white industrial buildings just east of the Kennedy (just as you enter it from Kimball) are under demolition. Isn't that the site where the school is supposed to go?

That is all. Even for an economic downturn, construction in Chicago (outside of a handful of towers downtown) seems to be at an all time low in the neighborhoods, at least as far as I can remember. Pretty much nothing going on. Perhaps everybody is too busy enjoying what the city has to offer--all over town the streets are seem to be teeming with people. Must be the improved weather.

[ardecila]

The site planning for New City is great. The garage can be torn down and redeveloped in the future without touching the retail/residential buildings, which makes it infinitely superior to a typical strip mall.

TUP, I don't think they ever eliminated residential from New City, but they did axe the flatiron building on the corner after the condo market tanked. Now the res. units are in mid-rises above the retail.

[ardecila]

Theater is going to be tricky. The proximity to Webster Place theater is problematic, this is what eventually killed Piper's Alley and why the Logan can't get first run film.

I think the opposite is more likely; New City theaters kill Webster Place. It will have more screens and be right at a Red Line stop, plus it will be state-of-the-art with contemporary design.

[k1052]

I think the opposite is more likely; New City theaters kill Webster Place. It will have more screens and be right at a Red Line stop, plus it will be state-of-the-art with contemporary design.

All things being equal I'd agree but there are some industry specific issues that could cause a problem. There is an arcane practice called "clearing" which means that two theaters in close proximity run buy different operators can't run the same titles, at least at time of release. This starved the Piper's Alley theater of film for years and also the Logan (City North in that case). Logan has finally managed to go mid-run after their renovation...opening films a few weeks after the City North. I am doubtful that Regal is going to roll over and die in the face of a new possible first run competitor recently after they bought the units.

[Nowhereman1280]

4. I think that UNO school near the Belmont Blue Line stop is about to begin construction, unless I am incorrect. The white industrial buildings just east of the Kennedy (just as you enter it from Kimball) are under demolition. Isn't that the site where the school is supposed to go?


It's not an UNO School, it's a satellite campus of Northeastern Illinois University and yes, the demo is just about complete. There were only a few walls remaining last night and I expect they will be gone when I ride by it on the train (you get a view of the site right before you go into the tunnel for Belmont) in a few minutes here.

I can't imagine the developers would be tearing down what looked to be fairly modern warehouse buildings unless the deal was sealed and the property sold or leased to Northeastern for construction of their new school. Hope this means that sweet design is signed and sealed and in the process of being delivered.

[Rizzo]

70+ unit apartment building with a daycare and retail on Division (City Farm site)
http://img31.imageshack.us/img31/9940/division1f.jpg

Remember a long time ago when a developer proposed a ~20 story condo building across the street from where the new Cabrini-Green Target store is supposed to go? Of course not. That's when Lagrange actually produced decent towers. Anyway, that site is now for sale.
http://img832.imageshack.us/img832/3563/division3n.png

I like that Division proposal. Even as a midrise, it should have a good presence. The tower in the cancelled proposal is okay. I don't like all that greenspace. The building reminds me of Riverhouse in Grand Rapids a bit, although Riverhouse goes right up to the street, and has the freeway pass by pretty close behind

http://www.grriverhouse.com/exterior

[denizen467]

Northeastern El Centro Campus (Kimball & the Kennedy)
http://img42.imageshack.us/img42/6148/elcentro1.jpg
I'm glad the site doesn't include the HQ of Novak Construction (next door to the nw), which has on its roof the whimsical year-round lighted seasonal displays, especially throughout December. That's a fan favorite among family and friends when coming in on the Kennedy (and presumably to many Metra riders too).

Also, it looks like that sculpture in the Kimball plan is an exact replica of the one that went up in one of the new Burling uber mansions
Interestingly, if you look closely at that Burling/Armitage manse, it has a Novak Construction logo on a cornerstone. And as mentioned the new Northeastern El Centro is, suspiciously, right next to Novak Construction HQ. Maybe Novak is building El Centro and the mansion is Mr. Novak's new house, or something? The plot thickens...

[ardecila]

It might just be a joke by the JGMA team, knowing the Novak connection. Or maybe Novak is trying to build good will in the neighborhood, so he's loaning the sculpture to an organization that happens to be opening up next to his offices. That way he can still see it every day, but doesn't have to deal with the neighbors complaining.

FWIW, I like the sculpture where it is. It's far more attractive than many of the precast Ye Olde Chateaus in that area, and it's a very unique element in the streetscape. Marshall Field's also suspended a giant piece of metal over the public right of way, but I don't see anyone complaining about that.

[denizen467]

a giant piece of metal over the public right of way
Why I am drawing a blank here.

[ardecila]

http://wwwdelivery.superstock.com/WI/223/1606/PreviewComp/SuperStock_1606-26892.jpg
[source] (http://www.superstock.com/stock-photos-images/1606-26892)

[denizen467]

^ I eventually thought of that but forgot they were cantilevered so far out. But I don't see much relevance of those to the Novak sculpture situation..

Now about that new avatar... Should I counter with one of the old Kennedy Budweiser sign (if I can find it)? I never understood the "R E A D" thing by the way.

[ardecila]

^^ READ is a prolific tagger in New Orleans. I really just wanted some gritty shotgun houses, the graffiti was a bonus.

Many of the complaints about the Burling/Armitage sculpture were issues of taste that were veiled in a complaint about safety. The only legal standing the neighbors had to challenge the sculpture was that it overhung the public sidewalk (and would, of course, eventually come crashing down killing a mother and her newborn) - but balconies, signage, and all kinds of other stuff frequently cantilevers over the sidewalk, especially in Chicago.

[denizen467]

^ Had no idea about the sculpture ersatz complaints; now I understand why you brought up Field's.
Are there many balconies (at least, say, in new construction) that actually extend out over public property? If so I assume they aren't being forced to pay air rights usage.

[ardecila]

New construction typically avoids it, but adaptive re-use projects often have to do this, especially for industrial/loft conversions. I don't think they pay the city rent per se, but they do have to get permission from CDOT, which probably comes attached with a fee.

[Nowhereman1280]

PS, drove by the construction site last night and notice "Novak Construction" market equipment on site. It appears they are the ones building it. Would make sense considering they'd have an edge bidding on the contract being neighbors and all. Travel can be a large expense to take into account when you've got supervisors and construction managers charging $100+/Hour and driving 30 minutes to and from HQ every day...

[wrab]

Yea, they're killing it.

Also, it looks like that sculpture in the Kimball plan is an exact replica of the one that went up in one of the new Burling uber mansions

http://media.skylinenewspaper.com/photos/Publication/Article/2698-1.jpg

Yes - I mentioned that in my post here (http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showpost.php?p=5649641&postcount=15218). Thanks for the visual.

[tyler1]

Have they released renderings or plans for the New City site?

[i_am_hydrogen]

^Not that I know. And considering the plan calls for 1000 parking spaces, you probably don't want to see it.

[emathias]

The facade of a building and the property line aren't necessarily contiguous, even when the sidewalk comes all the way up to the building so I'd imagine that at least in the case of some buildings any balconies are still only over privately-owned property.

[Mr Downtown]

Anything extending onto or over the public ROW must get an ordinance passed each year and pay a fee (usually $300 or so for a simple awning, but several thousand for something like the Palmer House awning on Monroe). The City Council Journal containing the ordinances—each with a drawing—is quite the study in amateur architectural draftsmanship.

[ardecila]

Yeah - before the City Clerk switched to their new online system, I used to come across the permit applications routinely while browsing for PD filings.

[ChiPhi]

An article (http://www.chicagojournal.com/News/04-04-2012/Motor_Row_revs_up) today from the Chicago Reader.

Out-of-towners are whisked in and out of the convention center by shuttle bus or taxi, few even thinking to take a look at the surrounding areas, the South Loop and Motor Row... But Gleichman is in a unique situation to change that. With her husband, Karl Norberg, they control the fates of at least six properties on South Michigan Avenue and 23rd Street in Motor Row, and they’re embroiled in a fight to keep another big piece of land on Cermak Road, as well.

If all the projects they’re working on come to pass, they could control a massive portion of one of the biggest new redevelopments to hit Chicago in years, creating restaurants, retail and thousands of hotel rooms for the horde of conventioneers who visit McCormick Place each year.

http://i.imgur.com/IXZx2.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/3qlZU.jpg

The site plan is from this Scribd document (http://www.scribd.com/doc/88007538/Motor-Row-Plans).

[the urban politician]

^Not that I know. And considering the plan calls for 1000 parking spaces, you probably don't want to see it.

^ The renderings for the New City Y project have been around for a long time. Is there anything to suggest that the plan will change dramatically from what has already been proposed and approved by the city?

[ChiPhi]

They are lowering the number of residences (http://chicago.curbed.com/archives/2012/04/04/structureds-new-city-ambitions-alive-and-well.php) from 490 to 280. It means lower density (obviously) and will probably also result in a footprint that is smaller (with more surface parking) or a less height.

[the urban politician]

They are lowering the number of residences (http://chicago.curbed.com/archives/2012/04/04/structureds-new-city-ambitions-alive-and-well.php) from 490 to 280. It means lower density (obviously) and will probably also result in a footprint that is smaller (with more surface parking) or a less height.

^ Less height I believe, but surface parking makes zero sense.

Looking at the original site plan, by cutting the residential in half I can see the apartment tower being shrunk. The amount of retail, however, is staying about the same. Where are you going to get room for 1000 surface parking spaces?

Hell, you'd probably have to fill the entire 8.2 acre lot in order to do that, and I'm doubtful that even that is enough space.