CHICAGO | General Developments [Archive] - Page 230

Link N. Parker

Mar 7, 2014, 1:27 AM

I've long been a fan of Method brand home cleaning products, so it was interesting to hear that the company will be building its first US manufacturing facility in the Pullman neighborhood of Chicago's south side.

Method is an earth-friendly company and their design for the $30m facility reflects this, with a green roof, solar panels, and a giant wind turbine. Similar to Apple's new Cupertino facility, the building itself will be surrounded in green space which they'll maintain. They're aiming for the facility to be rated LEED Platinum.

The facility is expected to create 100 local jobs and construction has already started. Rahm was there for the groundbreaking.

Renderings from Curbed article (http://chicago.curbed.com/archives/2014/03/05/behold-renderings-of-methods-new-pullman-factory.php):

http://cdn.cstatic.net/images/gridfs/53174c66f92ea109330076a7/rendering1.jpg

http://cdn.cstatic.net/images/gridfs/53174c6af92ea109330076bb/rendering2.jpg

The company is SF-based, so I can only assume the reason for locating this plant here was tax incentives and lobbying. Either way, the fact that this is inside the city limits is pretty impressive.

This is pretty cool; its too bad they couldnt have made the front of the factory close to the street/sidewalk. Employees could have arrived by bus (or a future BRT line) and just walked to the front door. Meanwhile, loading/delivery trucks would pull to the rear via a wide access alley.

Link N. Parker

Mar 7, 2014, 1:31 AM

Someone recently dropped $6 million to spruce up the area around the John A. Logan statue. http://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/20131120/south-loop/grant-parks-logan-monument-poised-for-6m-rehab-thanks-anonymous-donor

I'd love for them to cover the tracks and "finish" the park but someone will have to come up with the money and the plan at the same time.

If I were a billionaire, I would pretty much do exactly the same thing. I would find a way to fund the infrastructure necessary to cover the tracks and create a seamless park. I would also find a way to enable walkability from the Loop, to Soldier Field.

I would also find a way to buy up contigous access rights to the banks of the North Branch, and build a public access park/bikeway/riverwalk that connects to the riverwalk they are putting in down in the Loop.

From there, I would also find a way to connect the new 606 bike path to the river path I built.

If I were only a billionaire...

Skyguy_7

Mar 7, 2014, 1:14 PM

Apologies for another garbage drive-by shot, though lots of activity to see here. This makes two large lots adjacent to the UC eaten up this year. Should change the area dramatically.
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-qsxd9m5hm1g/UxjrnMZWuII/AAAAAAAAAfs/MnR6mhJeYhY/w746-h559-no/14+-+1

Vlajos

Mar 7, 2014, 2:55 PM

Agreed, though since all of the locations are still in the grocery business, I'm a bit concerned about how this will play out in the long run. Did Dominicks fail because of a flawed business model, or because the city was over-retailed? I'd be interested in seeing some data. What's generally regarded as a sustainable grocery store to resident ratio?

Yes, Safeway is now selling itself after closing down Dominick's. It's a failed company.

http://www.thestreet.com/story/12520970/1/cerberus-backed-albertsons-to-buy-safeway-for-40-a-share.html

Funny thing is, the parent of Jewel is the buyer.

MayorOfChicago

Mar 7, 2014, 4:30 PM

Regarding the 62 acre lot, where would one plop the entry point? I'm assuming that Roosevelt would be the best bet without doing some sort of crazy flyover, but a single point of entry/exit is a kind of scary idea for a LSE-sized piece of property with thousands of people.
OR...
The only means of travel could be by rail; Metra makes a station with a connection to the red line at Chinatown and has a sort of shuttle service.
A little out there?

Yeah, that's kinda SimCity :)

The way I see it is you would have decent connections, but obviuosly lacking in auto access. This would be a great place for a casino though

1) Entrance off Roosevelt Road seems obvious, entrance across from the Roosevelt Collection.

2) Possible southbound entrance into the area from Clark Street directly south of the Roosevelt intersection. The road would have to continue past the metra tracks before it would depress into the parking garage that I assume would sit towards the north end of the land and be below Roosevelt grade.

3) Wells Street has a cutout under Roosevelt Road and it could fairly easily be improved and 4-land from the Congress directly south into this development. The only tight spot is a small area directly south of Polk. This would create fairly easy access from the expressways via Congress as well as the downtown area. Roosevelt would be an alternate entrance for east/west traffic or those coming from Lakeshore.

4) The only "easy" access from the south might be at the very southern edge near the metra tracks. They're already elevated into the land over Clark Street. Right near that point you might be able to burrow an auto entrance that creeps under the tracks directly north of that elevated bridge.

5) Or improve Wentworth from Cermak north and then flyover the tracks where Wentworth currently stops. Lots of room, just put in a bridge.

6) Water Taxi stop, especially if there was a casino there, this would be such an easy way for tourists or visitors downtown to jump the boat at Michigan Ave or the train stations and get to the site. During warm weather only, obviously.

7) Access from the Red Line is pretty easy at Roosevelt, along with the Orange and Green assuming the casino is towards the north end of the site with parking under. The southern stretches would be more residential I assume.

8) The parking structure would have to be complicated, but it would reasonably involve the lower Wells Street access, upper Roosevelt access and have entrance/exit points at those spots.

Or put the casino directly to the west of the Roosevelt Collection and north of Roosevelt along the River. Access from Roosevelt as well as Wells and a River Taxi stop.

Chi-Sky21

Mar 7, 2014, 4:53 PM

I think they should just move those tracks a little west to make it perfectly aligned with where it goes under roosevelt and sink the tracks from 15th on in then you could have access at 15th and the submerged tracks allow for the site to be more easily developed. I still think over by McCormick place makes the most sense for the casino.

Kenmore

Mar 7, 2014, 5:29 PM

nothing concrete but the big picture thinking seems to be in the right place

The plan included several proposed multi-story buildings along Broadway and by the Uptown entertainment district at Lawrence Ave. and Broadway, near the Riviera Theatre, Aragon Ballroom and vacant Uptown Theatre.

....

At Lawrence, near the heart of the Uptown entertainment district that officials are attempting to revive, the planners posed the idea of using the parking lot across from the Aragon Ballroom to build a "mixed-use development" and three-story parking garage.

They said the lot was useful during concert nights but otherwise an underutilized "eyesore."

North of Lawrence to Ainsle Avenue on the east side of Broadway, the planners proposed park space, a three-to-five story parking structure, a boutique hotel and other mixed-use development.

The planners also suggested residential development at the former Aon Building parking structure and further use of the parking for entertainment events.

lots of parking in the plans but it's probably neccesary and isn't of the surface variety so, i'll take it.

http://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/20140307/edgewater/uptown-entertainment-district-would-get-boost-under-north-broadway-plan

Mr Downtown

Mar 7, 2014, 7:54 PM

A Wells-Wentworth connector has been planned for decades. I'm pretty sure CDOT has a study under way right now to tell them the geometric characteristics. One of the consultants told me he'd been thinking "what would Olmsted do?" and pondering the possibility of a permeable network rather than a single heavy-traffic arterial. I've tried to get people to call it "Riverside Boulevard" because of the different picture that puts in their mind. "Wells-Wentworth connector" is too much like "Franklin Street connector," the 1970s plan for an expressway-style extension of the Dan Ryan Chinatown spur.

When Rezmar bought the property a decade ago, the Metra tracks were on an easement that could have been relocated to the center of the property. But a fee-simple arrangement has now been concluded with Metra, and they're notoriously difficult to move or even deal with.

Wells offers access at the north, Wentworth at the south (though everyone insists on using the poorly aligned existing century-old C&WI subway under the St. Charles Air Line rather than a properly located new underpass). A stub at 13th would go over the tracks from Clark. There's the opportunity to get 15th St. under the tracks at Clark, but it will take some political courage and a little money. Access from Roosevelt Road could be allowed to percolate down to ground level through shopping centers or similar large developments, or even just ramp down between parking podiums, as Field Blvd does entering Lake Shore East from Randolph.

I think offering the parcel to a single developer is a terrible idea. Instead, the city should build a network of streets dividing the site into small blocks, and parcel the land out a few acres at a time. Call it the Battery Park City model if you wish, but it's also how great cities have developed for 2500 years.

Steely Dan

Mar 7, 2014, 8:03 PM

marothisu

Mar 7, 2014, 9:08 PM

This is bound to piss off most people in here. Remember that proposal right next to the Sheridan Red Line stop? There was a meeting last night and residents wanted more parking and less units. Furthermore, one resident went as far as saying TOD is basically a fad and a stupid law. What the fuck is wrong with people? This is right next to a transit stop and they want less density? You have to be kidding me - get the hell out of the city if you don't like it. I hope to god the developers don't listen to these idiots. I do agree that preserving the original building would be cool, but as the developer notes it costs more to do that than they want to spend. Still a cool building though and at least the design of the proposal doesn't suck.

http://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/20140305/lakeview/modern-development-near-sheridan-l-questioned-on-parking-density

wierdaaron

Mar 7, 2014, 9:38 PM

Adding to MrD, given that seems like it would take pretty considerable political will in order to spruce up that parcel and make it accessible (connector streets, relaying Metra tracks, under/overpasses), and the fact that the mayor himself is putting pressure on it, it's getting harder and harder to not think casino. Or at least something else with a civic bent to it. The only other things I can think of that would warrant eminent domain and relaying train tracks are Obama library, some kind of museum or park, maybe a university campus or stadium. I just cant see all that government energy being spent on an ikea with some apartments on top. Naturally they don't want to say what it's for until they've secured it, otherwise the landowners might start paying attention.

And if moving train tracks was an option, imagine how much easier developing the SL/PR area would have been if the tracks were buried until north of 9th street.

Mr Downtown

Mar 7, 2014, 10:35 PM

pretty considerable political will in order to spruce up that parcel . . . it's getting harder and harder to not think casino.

I'm not so sure. I think every mayor wants to be seen as a builder, and it's a really prominent parcel to have lying fallow.

And no one is talking about moving railroad tracks, unfortunately.

With its usual proactive planning process, the city will put it out for proposals and see what comes in and how much TIF they want. It would be nice for a big chunk of River South TIF money to go to building the Clinton subway, with a stop in the middle of this property.

the urban politician

Mar 7, 2014, 10:36 PM

I think offering the parcel to a single developer is a terrible idea. Instead, the city should build a network of streets dividing the site into small blocks, and parcel the land out a few acres at a time. Call it the Battery Park City model if you wish, but it's also how great cities have developed for 2500 years.

^ YES, YES, YES!

Not only in regards to this project, but to many projects I have grown weary of the whole "sell off a 40 acre site to a single developer who will come up with a master plan after 140 community meetings" process that has taken over this town.

For multiple reasons that I won't go into here, I would like to see the city go back to breaking up large parcels into individual prezoned lots and selling them off individually. I would love to see more of a push to return to that.

Chi-Sky21

Mar 8, 2014, 3:23 AM

I must be a complete idealist but i always envisioned 1 large project for the entire site focused on a large public square along the river. Tall and high density along roosevelt, multi layers of about 5 story buildings along clark, an L stop (screwed by the nearby chinatown stop). To the south, some park along with docking for wendella/water taxi. Somehow something European / st marks square came to mind. You need some other draw to the site though....not sure what that is, and of course you need to somehow hide the tracks across the river. To NOT do something EPIC with the only HUGE piece of land near downtown along the river seems like a missed opportunity. Of course all of this would take someone who doesn't really care about profits and wants to do something for the overall benefit of the city...not likely. Where have all the altruistic billionaires gone?

wierdaaron

Mar 8, 2014, 4:05 AM

The only way commercial developers know how to do anything close to that is lifestyle centers (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lifestyle_center_(retail)) like CityPlace in Palm Beach or the ones popping up like daisies in suburban DC, all car-centric areas dominated by lowrise homes and where land is cheap in bulk. I really don't know if someone could pull it off in a downtown area, in one swoop.

If it's just a mixed use development project run by one company it would fare no better than Roosevelt Collection which is just across the street and had the same goals, yet only languishes on fumes today.

And not to start rumors or nuthin', but if Rahm was so interested in finding ways to add enough seats to Soldier Field to qualify for a superbowl, I wonder if he's noticed that you can fit 3 Soldier Fields on that lot...

http://i.imgur.com/T8SZfyn.jpg

denizen467

Mar 8, 2014, 5:46 AM

Sooo... What does this mean for the Jewel at Clark/Division which was to be Jewel under Tower of Jewel? Really too bad as I was fantasizing about the demise of that horrific strip mall complex at Division/Clybourn
I would assume it means it gets a fortunately-timed temporary new location while 1210 Clark is constructed. After construction, the New City Mariano's should be complete, so one really wonders whether Jewel will try to continue at Division/Clybourn.

nothing concrete but the big picture thinking seems to be in the right place

lots of parking in the plans but it's probably neccesary and isn't of the surface variety so, i'll take it.

http://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/20140307/edgewater/uptown-entertainment-district-would-get-boost-under-north-broadway-plan
In other Uptown news, the first Sonic in the city limits is about to open on Wilson between Sheridan and Kenmore. I think that's the site of a former McDonald's where shootings were not unheard of ... hopefully things turn the corner in this neighborhood.

J_M_Tungsten

Mar 8, 2014, 7:42 AM

Yesterday
Soho House
http://i592.photobucket.com/albums/tt1/JMTUNGSTEN/New%20pics/557AF27C-129C-412D-B615-504360E889AD.jpg (http://s592.photobucket.com/user/JMTUNGSTEN/media/New%20pics/557AF27C-129C-412D-B615-504360E889AD.jpg.html)

That coffee shop/minor retail development on Chicago in front of The Montgomery
http://i592.photobucket.com/albums/tt1/JMTUNGSTEN/New%20pics/2FFAEAA1-4A40-45C0-A398-843292DC6314.jpg (http://s592.photobucket.com/user/JMTUNGSTEN/media/New%20pics/2FFAEAA1-4A40-45C0-A398-843292DC6314.jpg.html)

Jesse White Community Center (also on Chicago)
http://i592.photobucket.com/albums/tt1/JMTUNGSTEN/New%20pics/30C1EBFD-CF72-44E7-A311-DF576A568FBE.jpg (http://s592.photobucket.com/user/JMTUNGSTEN/media/New%20pics/30C1EBFD-CF72-44E7-A311-DF576A568FBE.jpg.html)

http://i592.photobucket.com/albums/tt1/JMTUNGSTEN/New%20pics/74661DCF-8BCB-497A-993D-083097298393.jpg (http://s592.photobucket.com/user/JMTUNGSTEN/media/New%20pics/74661DCF-8BCB-497A-993D-083097298393.jpg.html)

Buckman821

Mar 8, 2014, 3:26 PM

In other Uptown news, the first Sonic in the city limits is about to open on Wilson between Sheridan and Kenmore. I think that's the site of a former McDonald's where shootings were not unheard of ... hopefully things turn the corner in this neighborhood.

I believe it is next door to that McDonalds. So we're now going to have not one but two drive thrus within spitting distance of the upcoming $200+ Million new Wilson station. Granted you are correct about this being the worst pocket of Uptown, but I have to say, that given the context of the new station, I really think Cappleman dropped the ball on this one. I would have rather seen the site sit vacant for a while and hold out for mixed use.

ardecila

Mar 8, 2014, 3:34 PM

Interesting that Osterman now refers to a "mega" CTA station at Bryn Mawr. Is CTA considering an express/local station there? It would fill the gap between Loyola and Wilson nicely. I'm not sure there's enough activity there to warrant an express train stop, though. It's not exactly a city-wide hub of hustle/bustle, and the very things that make it nice (great low-scaled architecture, easy access to the lake, etc) would be jeopardized by densifying.

LouisVanDerWright

Mar 8, 2014, 4:47 PM

FYI, there is a big ass derrick set up on the roof of the Chicago Athletic Club. Looks like that renovation is getting really serious. Someone should get a shot of it, I tried with my cellphone but it was super grainy.

Interesting that Osterman now refers to a "mega" CTA station at Bryn Mawr. Is CTA considering an express/local station there? It would fill the gap between Loyola and Wilson nicely. I'm not sure there's enough activity there to warrant an express train stop, though. It's not exactly a city-wide hub of hustle/bustle, and the very things that make it nice (great low-scaled architecture, easy access to the lake, etc) would be jeopardized by densifying.

I don't know, I might disagree with you about Bryn Mawr. I think Bryn Mawr is possibly the nicest, most urban, stop on the Red Line between Loyola and Addison. It seems to be one of the few stops north of Addison where the station spills out into a truly urban, walkable, retail strip. The other nice thing about Bryn Mawr is that I think there is a lot of potential for TOD along Broadway up there which hopefully will start being realized if a "mega station" is constructed. They really need to put Hollywood and Broadway on a road diet in conjunction with that project though.

LouisVanDerWright

Mar 8, 2014, 5:06 PM

Cross posted from Chicago Economy thread on account of awesomeness and relevance:

IITs innovation center project gets rolling with $10 million gift (http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20140307/NEWS13/140309829/iits-innovation-center-project-gets-rolling-with-10-million-gift#)

:tup:

Most relevant for this thread:

The school today announced it hired John Ronan Architects of Chicago and Shepley Bulfinch of Boston as architects for the 100,000-square-foot building.

Can't wait to see how awesome of a building Ronan comes up with for an architecturally significant organization like IIT.

Do we even know where this new building will be built yet? Is it on IIT's campus? If so, which vacant parcel will it gobble up. We are slowing starting to chip away at the vacant parcels between Hyde Park and South Loop and hopefully IIT will do it's part and gobble up some of their parking lots for this. If not, then I'll be extremely curious to see where they end up placing it. It could be awesome to have this center built in River North or the West Loop (or even on Goose Island near the national center recently announced).

LouisVanDerWright

Mar 8, 2014, 5:31 PM

Sorry for the triple post, but in other news it looks like the cassions for Loyola's new business school are being drilled now on the South half of the site. They still haven't torn down the last remaining rowhome...

-------------------------

Also, in lieu of a quadruple post:

http://chicago.curbed.com/archives/2014/03/07/allerton-hotels-long-closed-tip-top-tap-may-be-revived.php

Allerton Hotel's TIP TOP TAP to Potentially Reopen

This would be totally awesome.

Chicago_Forever

Mar 8, 2014, 6:24 PM

Cross posted from Chicago Economy thread on account of awesomeness and relevance:

Most relevant for this thread:

Can't wait to see how awesome of a building Ronan comes up with for an architecturally significant organization like IIT.

Do we even know where this new building will be built yet? Is it on IIT's campus? If so, which vacant parcel will it gobble up. We are slowing starting to chip away at the vacant parcels between Hyde Park and South Loop and hopefully IIT will do it's part and gobble up some of their parking lots for this. If not, then I'll be extremely curious to see where they end up placing it. It could be awesome to have this center built in River North or the West Loop (or even on Goose Island near the national center recently announced).

Yes, it's supposed to be on IIT's campus in Bronzeville. A couple years ago when the project was first announced, I believe there were a conceptual rendering showing the institute being right on the Dan Ryan.

Then again, I just look on ITT's website and it says a specific site on campus hasn't been chosen.

spyguy

Mar 8, 2014, 7:52 PM

It looks like the developer is moving forward this design:
http://i58.tinypic.com/16aacsx.jpg
122 apartments, 52 parking spots, retail

And just for fun, the "modern" alternative
http://i57.tinypic.com/2s0bvgj.jpg

Tom Servo

Mar 8, 2014, 7:58 PM

This will replace the diner? What a gem.

Link N. Parker

Mar 8, 2014, 8:22 PM

ChiTownCity

Mar 8, 2014, 8:45 PM

Tom Servo

Mar 8, 2014, 8:48 PM

Is it just me or does the drawing look a lot different from the rendering? Which one is more recent? The rendering looks a lot more aesthetically appealing to me just judging off of the two images (not talking about the modern alternative)...

The drawing is looking at the building from the east. The rendering is showing the north face of the building.

marothisu

Mar 8, 2014, 9:20 PM

It looks like the developer is moving forward this design:

Is there an estimated start period for this? I'm going to randomly assume summer or early fall

denizen467

Mar 8, 2014, 11:21 PM

^ So, based on what Tom Servo pointed out, it's "L" shaped in plan.

Not a fan of that glass design anyway.

emathias

Mar 9, 2014, 1:25 AM

The drawing is looking at the building from the east. The rendering is showing the north face of the building.

^ So, based on what Tom Servo pointed out, it's "L" shaped in plan.

Not a fan of that glass design anyway.

The rendering is from the north, but east across Clark. It's still primarily a view of the north face of the building, so I don't think there's an reason to think it's an "L"-shaped building.

JDMChicago

Mar 9, 2014, 1:59 AM

The rendering is from the north, but east across Clark. It's still primarily a view of the north face of the building, so I don't think there's an reason to think it's an "L"-shaped building.

The village theatre is on Clark, it looks like this wraps around from north ave to that small Sandburg building driveway/street thats over there.

Ch.G, Ch.G

Mar 9, 2014, 2:08 AM

The rendering is from the north, but east across Clark. It's still primarily a view of the north face of the building, so I don't think there's an reason to think it's an "L"-shaped building.

How do you explain the portion behind the Village Theater building in the elevation, then?

ardecila

Mar 9, 2014, 4:11 AM

Just to end the speculation...

http://i58.tinypic.com/4046u.jpg

george

Mar 9, 2014, 3:53 PM

Judging by the fuzzy rendering, it looks like a mini-me relative of Lincoln Park 2550.

george

Mar 9, 2014, 3:53 PM

3/7

12 S. Michigan Ave, Chicago Athletic Association building > New 240-room hotel, rooftop crane going at it.

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/713/p4ta.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/jtp4taj)

ardecila

Mar 9, 2014, 5:15 PM

Too bad they can't fix that sagging pier on the Gage Building while they've got that scaffolding up...

Jibba

Mar 9, 2014, 9:22 PM

^right?!

denizen467

Mar 9, 2014, 11:32 PM

Am I the only one who didn't know about this until now? Does this mean everyone in the northern 1/3 of that building has their pens & pencils rolling off their desks all the time?

Unrelated question, but ardecila, are you no longer insouciant but still unconventionally bicoastal? Or is it in fact the other way round?

J_M_Tungsten

Mar 9, 2014, 11:38 PM

Today
New City
http://i592.photobucket.com/albums/tt1/JMTUNGSTEN/New%20pics/5b69f2cde222a842268df3a90e49e1fe.jpg

ardecila

Mar 9, 2014, 11:48 PM

A close up:
http://i62.tinypic.com/2wc2o1i.jpg
src (http://brusharchitects.com/gage-building/)

even larger (http://brusharchitects.com/wp-content/gallery/gage-building/18-s-michigan-gage-5.jpg)

george

Mar 10, 2014, 2:19 AM

The floors & ceilings on that north section were no doubt leveled years ago. Prop up the window units a few inches or leave them. The glazed terra cotta horizontal facade elements between the windows/piers or columns (forget what those are called) just needs to be reset/rebuilt level. All it takes is money.

harryc

Mar 10, 2014, 2:23 AM

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-cli_L1BkEyY/Uxz8UUZ6DLI/AAAAAAAB3Fk/0shApr8xoE0/w958-h719-no/IMG_1347.JPG
3/6

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-CI2uRkn2mU0/Uxz8WZCDMKI/AAAAAAAB3Fw/DiOWFQLMHuA/w958-h598-no/IMG_1370.JPG
3/7

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-U0b_LOB1sSM/Uxz8XOo45TI/AAAAAAAB3F0/iu2kE_zjbN0/w958-h719-no/IMG_1493.JPG
3/7

harryc

Mar 10, 2014, 2:32 AM

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PnQlUKT8nos/Ux0jzu4xilI/AAAAAAAB3GE/v2v8MWuhLEc/w958-h719-no/IMG_1505.JPG

ardecila

Mar 10, 2014, 4:29 AM

That Fulton Market project is dragging on for ages. The cost advantages of renovating an existing building are definitely eroding on this project...

spyguy

Mar 10, 2014, 5:23 AM

Not sure why the annex building is taking a while as well...
http://i60.tinypic.com/jafj9c.jpg

harryc

Mar 10, 2014, 12:39 PM

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-OJkygeiRLmk/Ux2xuaxGL6I/AAAAAAAB3HY/3F5mN4xMHHg/w751-h563-no/IMG_1061.JPG

Nice that they left the trees.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fEhKW_qhRL4/Ux2xvJ-fh2I/AAAAAAAB3Hc/eaAMD8tUuPc/w751-h563-no/IMG_1064.JPG

wrab

Mar 10, 2014, 5:26 PM

A close up:
http://i62.tinypic.com/2wc2o1i.jpg
src (http://brusharchitects.com/gage-building/)

even larger (http://brusharchitects.com/wp-content/gallery/gage-building/18-s-michigan-gage-5.jpg)

Ownership considered rehab a while ago; if I recall correctly, issues of cost & structural integrity kept them from moving forward.

Busy Bee

Mar 10, 2014, 5:35 PM

If it's structurally sound, leave well enough alone. View it as character. Older European squares are no less beautiful because theyre often lined with slouching sagging buildings.

left of center

Mar 10, 2014, 9:45 PM

If it's structurally sound, leave well enough alone. View it as character. Older European squares are no less beautiful because theyre often lined with slouching sagging buildings.

I was going to say, is it structurally stable? As long as there is no need to fear bricks or terracotta falling on pedestrians on Boul Mich, then it can be left alone. Its barely noticeable from street/park level anyhow. Adds a bit of charm and character, if anything.

daperpkazoo

Mar 10, 2014, 10:07 PM

Yes, it's supposed to be on IIT's campus in Bronzeville. A couple years ago when the project was first announced, I believe there were a conceptual rendering showing the institute being right on the Dan Ryan.

Then again, I just look on ITT's website and it says a specific site on campus hasn't been chosen.

There were several conceptual designs released about a year ago, all of which sited the project on the parking lot between the Rock Island tracks and Federal Street, north of Machinery Hall, south of Vandercook.

J_M_Tungsten

Mar 11, 2014, 2:27 AM

^That would be great! Looking forward to that happening

Today
Wells and Scott
http://i592.photobucket.com/albums/tt1/JMTUNGSTEN/New%20pics/05E821B1-DA17-412C-A86A-5EBAC6613AF3.jpg (http://s592.photobucket.com/user/JMTUNGSTEN/media/New%20pics/05E821B1-DA17-412C-A86A-5EBAC6613AF3.jpg.html)

the urban politician

Mar 11, 2014, 12:32 PM

the urban politician

Mar 11, 2014, 5:02 PM

Buckman821

Mar 11, 2014, 5:06 PM

According to Crains, the developer of the Old Colony Building is switching to student housing for 490 beds.

Financing in place, ready to start.

That's a decent amount of density for that area. I've always questioned how much an office to residential conversion "increases" density since office uses are pretty intense as well. However, my assumption is that most office conversions involve buildings that already have very high vacancies, so the residential conversion naturally is a significant density boost.

I can't help but be a little bummed out by this. This is one of the most architecturally and historically significant of all Chicago office buildings. I just wish it could remain office. I guess I'm just sentimental like that.
:shrug:

wierdaaron

Mar 11, 2014, 5:10 PM

LouisVanDerWright

Mar 11, 2014, 5:36 PM

^^^ I thought I mentioned Old Colony was going student housing a while ago? The developer put the entire deal together and then sold it to Campus Acquisitions before they even had permits. Bang up development work.

Also, don't fret about the original use of the building. Multiple floors are going to retain their original office finishes in most areas. The redevelopment is being carried out hand in hand with landmarks and is retaining a high degree of the historically significant finishes. Only floors that were already completely mutilated beyond recognition after a century of office use are being allowed to be completely gutted. Everywhere else will retain the original, film noir, frosted glass doors, look of the original office use.

All-in-all I can't think of a better reuse for a historic building like this than to house our students and indoctrinate them in the ways of great Chicago architecture while they are young.

From mid February:

That Old Colony rehab is going to be really great. They are even preserving the historic finishes and layouts on several floors. They were originally going to do it as apartments but sold the project to campus acquisitions for student housing before they even broke ground. Now that's how you develop...

Link N. Parker

Mar 11, 2014, 5:56 PM

^Just a month ago they were talking residential. http://www.suntimes.com/business/18259381-420/colony-building-goes-residential-under-plan.html

I'm guessing the place is so old and busted they didn't think they could get high end rents. That will probably start becoming even more popular with rehabs of these older office buildings. They probably looked at hotel options as well.

Actually, I have been thinking a great deal about this lately, despite all of the awesome new office buildings out there, I am sensing that with work-from-home initiatives that a lot of companies are implementing, that demand for office space int he Loop will actually drop.

Look at it this way: For the past 8 years, I have been working in an position that brings me thru the AON building pretty much every day. When I first started working there, the building was BUSTLING with workers all day, every day...workers who either lived in the city or lived in the burbs. Today? The place looks/feels deserted, and this is because a large portion of the workforce in that building has gone to a work from home model. So many of the employees no longer go to the office, that they have large amounts of retail sitting empty. They also had a large cafeteria that was open to the public, but that is closed now (but this is also due in part to the fact that one tenant in the building moved to the Merchandise Mart). My employer, its the same thing, we are moving to a work-from-home model where most employees work from home every other day, and share a cubicle with another employee (known as 'cubicle hotelling'). They have shrunk the cubes, and are hotelling, and will close off and rent out those floors to other companies for rental income.

This, I think, will lead to a shrink in demand for Loop office space, as employees work from home more. So, unless more companies move to chicago, we may be faced with an overhang of office space that will need to be converted to residential.

wierdaaron

Mar 11, 2014, 5:56 PM

Must have missed that because I didnt recognize the building by name. I have appointments inside Monadnock every once in a while so I see the area quite a bit. That building, if I'm remembering it correctly, could definitely use some ground-level love. Most things south of Congress are catering toward students (fast casual food and bars). It'd be interesting if that moved up a few blocks.

the urban politician

Mar 11, 2014, 6:09 PM

Actually, I have been thinking a great deal about this lately, despite all of the awesome new office buildings out there, I am sensing that with work-from-home initiatives that a lot of companies are implementing, that demand for office space int he Loop will actually drop.

Look at it this way: For the past 8 years, I have been working in an position that brings me thru the AON building pretty much every day. When I first started working there, the building was BUSTLING with workers all day, every day...workers who either lived in the city or lived in the burbs. Today? The place looks/feels deserted, and this is because a large portion of the workforce in that building has gone to a work from home model. So many of the employees no longer go to the office, that they have large amounts of retail sitting empty. They also had a large cafeteria that was open to the public, but that is closed now (but this is also due in part to the fact that one tenant in the building moved to the Merchandise Mart). My employer, its the same thing, we are moving to a work-from-home model where most employees work from home every other day, and share a cubicle with another employee (known as 'cubicle hotelling'). They have shrunk the cubes, and are hotelling, and will close off and rent out those floors to other companies for rental income.

This, I think, will lead to a shrink in demand for Loop office space, as employees work from home more. So, unless more companies move to chicago, we may be faced with an overhang of office space that will need to be converted to residential.

So this answers my question: office to residential truly does "increase" density.

And I agree that the work-from-home model seems to be becoming more popular, especially among higher up executives. The office overhang conversion to hotels/residential is a great thing for downtown because it preserves or even enhances density without seeing the loss of historic buildings.

intrepidDesign

Mar 11, 2014, 8:51 PM

Looks like the Madison is TO.

http://i1161.photobucket.com/albums/q514/intrepidDesign/madison01_zps17825fb2.jpg (http://s1161.photobucket.com/user/intrepidDesign/media/madison01_zps17825fb2.jpg.html)

http://i1161.photobucket.com/albums/q514/intrepidDesign/madison02_zpsfea90f74.jpg (http://s1161.photobucket.com/user/intrepidDesign/media/madison02_zpsfea90f74.jpg.html)

I remember getting lunch at the greasy spoon on the corner there, they made a mean grill cheese. Anyway, this should really hold that corner well.

le_brew

Mar 11, 2014, 9:56 PM

I'm not so sure. I think every mayor wants to be seen as a builder, and it's a really prominent parcel to have lying fallow.

And no one is talking about moving railroad tracks, unfortunately.

With its usual proactive planning process, the city will put it out for proposals and see what comes in and how much TIF they want. It would be nice for a big chunk of River South TIF money to go to building the Clinton subway, with a stop in the middle of this property.

your discussion reminded me that this was an issue back in the late 1980s. our mayor Eugene sawyer let this opportunity to construct a trench, pass up. . .

METRA STANDS FIRM ON LAND NEAR LOOP
Gary Washburn, Transportation writer. Chicago Tribune [Chicago, Ill] 29 Feb 1988: 5.

The future of 150 acres of prime real estate south of the Loop could depend on how the property owners respond to a virtual ultimatum from Metra, the commuter rail arm of the Regional Transportation Authority.

At issue is relocation of Rock Island rail tracks that bisect a parcel 1 1/2 times the size of the Loop, reputed to be the largest contiguous piece of vacant land adjacent to the downtown of any major city in North America. Metra operates the Rock Island commuter line.

Chicago Pacific Corp., one of several major owners of the land, has sought a rail realignment that would switch the Rock Island terminal from LaSalle Street Station to Union Station. Such a move would open up the property for a huge office, shopping and residential development.

But after months of discussion, study and debate, Metra has rejected the proposal as impractical and last week delivered this edict to Chicago Pacific and the other property owners: Propose a program to put the tracks in a below- ground "cut" along the eastern edge of the South Loop property or forever lose the opportunity to move them.

"I would suggest that the train is leaving the station on this issue very, very shortly," said Donald Udstuen, a Metra board member.

needless to say, the train left the station. . .

brian_b

Mar 12, 2014, 2:24 AM

Chicago Pacific Corp., one of several major owners of the land, has sought a rail realignment that would switch the Rock Island terminal from LaSalle Street Station to Union Station. Such a move would open up the property for a huge office, shopping and residential development.

But after months of discussion, study and debate, Metra has rejected the proposal as impractical and last week delivered this edict to Chicago Pacific and the other property owners: Propose a program to put the tracks in a below- ground "cut" along the eastern edge of the South Loop property or forever lose the opportunity to move them.

"I would suggest that the train is leaving the station on this issue very, very shortly," said Donald Udstuen, a Metra board member.
[/I]

needless to say, the train left the station. . .

And in hindsight, I think Metra was right about wanting a trench. Can you imagine Union Station during rush hour if the LaSalle Street Station trains were there? It already feels like it's running above capacity.

le_brew

Mar 12, 2014, 3:02 PM

Can you imagine Union Station during rush hour if the LaSalle Street Station trains were there? It already feels like it's running above capacity.

you're right, that's why i'd advocate for using that empty post office bldg to absorb much of that traffic.

but that's a transit forum discussion.

Mr Downtown

Mar 12, 2014, 3:08 PM

^Yeah, I was very involved with this issue at the time. Metra's tracks were on a "relocatable easement" through the land that's still vacant and the land that became Target/Amli 900/Roosevelt Collection. The owner of part of that land, U.S. Equities, commissioned a study "proving" that the Rock Island trains could be moved to Union Station. This would have given Bob Wislow a big chunk of near-Loop land unencumbered by all those trains. After all, he'd done it at One Financial Place, where he moved the trains south an entire block. But Metra said a moveable easement doesn't mean you can evict us; legally we still have to get from one end of the property to the other.

As I've said before, if someone had just had the foresight to put the Metra tracks up on a viaduct (and Roosevelt down on the ground) we'd have been a lot better off. But the two projects were planned and built separately three years apart, what today we'd describe as thinking in silos.

Jibba

Mar 12, 2014, 3:35 PM

Apartments planned for Logan Square:

http://www.chicagobusiness.com/realestate/20140312/CRED03/140319904/developer-plans-78-apartments-in-logan-square#

I would guess that the property includes everything up to the SE edge of the parking lot and entry area for the self-storage place. That same parking lot and entry looks to be set in to what was once a contiguous warehouse (based on the appearance of the two buildings on either side), so I'm wondering if that property was parceled out at some point or if the developer was able to get it parceled out now.

Edit: Looking at the parcel from above, another possibility is that only the low-slung, tan-brick warehouse will be demolished, and the two apartment buildings will be situated on a north-south axis along Campbell.

SamInTheLoop

Mar 12, 2014, 3:35 PM

So this answers my question: office to residential truly does "increase" density.

And I agree that the work-from-home model seems to be becoming more popular, especially among higher up executives. The office overhang conversion to hotels/residential is a great thing for downtown because it preserves or even enhances density without seeing the loss of historic buildings.

This is a very interesting question to me, particularly as it relates to office density trends. The tricky part in analyzing this stuff, is that while it is true that 'flexible' workplace arrangements have certainly increased, eg working from home part of the time, etc - don't forget the major counteracting force of corporations squeezing significantly more 'work stations' into a given amount of overall space, and doing everything else under the sun for space utilization and cost efficiencies....a wager might be that, on net, 'live' population density of offices has not really declined, and in fact, may have trended somewhat higher....

Skyguy_7

Mar 12, 2014, 3:53 PM

I noticed last night that a barge-crane is in place between Congress and Harrison, on the Post Office [west] side of the river. Does anyone have any idea as to why? :shrug:

ardecila

Mar 12, 2014, 5:03 PM

As I've said before, if someone had just had the foresight to put the Metra tracks up on a viaduct (and Roosevelt down on the ground) we'd have been a lot better off. But the two projects were planned and built separately three years apart, what today we'd describe as thinking in silos.

A trench would have been cool. Ultimately I think it's good that we saved LaSalle as a capacity reliever for Union... I don't think anybody in 1988 saw the resurgence of Amtrak and Metra service that we've witnessed in the last 25 years. On the other hand, a connection from the Rock Island into Union Station would come in handy right now as IDOT prepares to build one for St. Louis trains (IDOT wants it at 40th Street while I and other activists want 16th).

I didn't realize a full relocation of the Rock Island was part of the discussion even after the current LaSalle was built... I guess it explains to some extent the cheap, temporary feel of LaSalle - US Equities was playing a long game to move Rock Island trains to Union. It ended up backfiring on everybody - screwing US Equities, South Loop development, and 25 years' worth of Metra commuters.

Chicago_Forever

Mar 12, 2014, 6:36 PM

I'v been a member of Skyscraperpage for about 7 years now. I started out as mostly a lurker but then started to post. I don't recall if it's here or Skyscrapercity, which I'm also a member of, but there was a thread on Chicago cultural, entertainment, sport and art projects that basically provided updates on construction and news related to those topics. I wonder what ever happened to that thread and if maybe it could be brought back because I think there are a lot of projects out there that are falling through the cracks.

What got me thinking about starting resurrecting the old thread or starting a new one is the Navy Pier Flyover. It's something I've been looking forward to for a while. The funny thing is, just as it crossed my mind this morning, I noticed that TUP posted an update in the transportation thread saying work was imminent.

I also looked up the health museum and they have a website up and have opened a temporary location at the site at which they wish to develop into the actual museum.

The Navy Pier redesign - work in progress
The River Walk extension - work in progress
The Navy Pier Flyover - work - eminent
The Bloomingdale Trail (606) - work in progress
Maggie Daley Park - work in progress
Grant Park skate park - proposed/eminent
The national Museum of Health and Medicine - IDK
Chicago Casino (it's inevitable)
Chicago Helicopter Express Tours (fighting NIMBYs)
Obama Presidential Library - TBD
Uptown Music District - IDK
Bulls practice facility - work in progress

I'm not sure if there are any projects that I'm forgetting but anyone if free to add other to the list. Finally, I don't know how to upload pictures so if wants to do that, it would be great.

LouisVanDerWright

Mar 12, 2014, 6:39 PM

^^^ Possible addition of seats to Soldier Field
Chicago 2028??? LOL

the urban politician

Mar 12, 2014, 6:55 PM

While it's a good idea, most threads of that sort just tend to disappear after a while unless they are getting updated very frequently.

I have a question: I forgot what it was, but there was going to be some sort of digital museum of some sort in the Loop. I think we all discussed it about 2 years ago. The whole exterior of the building was going to have digital symbols or something of the sort all over it. I can't for the life of me remember what kind of museum it was or what it was going to be called, but it was a really cool idea. I'm wondering if that is still planned? Anybody know what I'm referring to?

the urban politician

Mar 12, 2014, 7:01 PM

The national Museum of Health and Medicine - IDK

^ Ahh yes, this was what I was talking about above. Here is their website:

http://nmhmchicago.org/index.php/about-mm/the-building-abt

Is there anybody who knows the status of this project?

Chicago_Forever

Mar 12, 2014, 7:06 PM

^You're right about these threads disappearing due to lack of updates but maybe if a more wide range of projects are covered it would help. Anyway, the digital museum that you're talking about is the health museum that I mentioned. It's called the National Museum of Health and Medicine of Chicago >>>http://nmhmchicago.org

You beat me to it but according to a video that was uploaded to their website a week ago, some time in 2015 the given grand opening date. I know the've been fundraising for a while too. The location is 175 West Washington St.

nomarandlee

Mar 12, 2014, 7:13 PM

I'm not sure if there are any projects that I'm forgetting but anyone if free to add other to the list. Finally, I don't know how to upload pictures so if wants to do that, it would be great.

Ongoing Northerly Island construction is a big one.

woodrow

Mar 12, 2014, 8:07 PM

Ongoing Northerly Island construction is a big one.

HUGE! and there is NOTHING out there on it. The Park District's page is lacking anything up to date, newspapers, DNAInfo, Chicago Curbed, Chicago Architecture....zero

About a month ago I was going down LSD and looked over and there are HILLS on Northerly Island now.

LouisVanDerWright

Mar 12, 2014, 8:10 PM

^^^ Not exactly the most accessible or convenient site to document. Send out Harry on a boat!

^You're right about these threads disappearing due to lack of updates but maybe if a more wide range of projects are covered it would help. Anyway, the digital museum that you're talking about is the health museum that I mentioned. It's called the National Museum of Health and Medicine of Chicago >>>http://nmhmchicago.org

You beat me to it but according to a video that was uploaded to their website a week ago, some time in 2015 the given grand opening date. I know the've been fundraising for a while too. The location is 175 West Washington St.

I just heard that building is under contract to be turned into a bar/restaurant so do we think this project is dead or going to have to find a different location? Either that or my information is bad which it might be because sometimes the guy that told me that is a total blowhard...

brian_b

Mar 13, 2014, 3:09 AM

HUGE! and there is NOTHING out there on it. The Park District's page is lacking anything up to date, newspapers, DNAInfo, Chicago Curbed, Chicago Architecture....zero

About a month ago I was going down LSD and looked over and there are HILLS on Northerly Island now.

Hills? That's all you've got? ;)

There's a pond in the middle of it all, with a channel that leads out to the lake, and a little bridge that crosses the channel so the circle loop path around the entire park can still exist.

But about those hills:

The hills will ... provide new and expanded camping groves and will accentuate the view corridors from Northerly Island to downtown. In particular, the sight lines will correlate with the celestial calendar, aligning the visitor experience with constellations overhead. Lastly, the increase in elevation of the hills will prevent bird strikes at McCormick Place.

http://www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/depts/mayor/press_room/press_releases/2012/august_2012/u_s_army_corps_increasesgrantfundingfornortherlyislandhabitatdev.html

I can see the work fairly well from my condo gym; the Corps of Engineers work appears to be nearly completed. Hopefully the city can get the funding for the Studio Gang portion.

Baronvonellis

Mar 13, 2014, 3:36 PM

/\ /\ Cool! do you have any pictures?

emathias

Mar 13, 2014, 3:58 PM

Hills? That's all you've got? ;)
...
But about those hills:
...

The hills will ... provide new and expanded camping groves and will accentuate the view corridors from Northerly Island to downtown. In particular, the sight lines will correlate with the celestial calendar, aligning the visitor experience with constellations overhead. Lastly, the increase in elevation of the hills will prevent bird strikes at McCormick Place.

More and more anti-union in this town ...

r18tdi

Mar 13, 2014, 4:06 PM

More and more anti-union in this town ...
*ba-dum-tiss*

the urban politician

Mar 13, 2014, 4:26 PM

harryc

Mar 13, 2014, 5:44 PM

According to the Sun-Times, Cook County is now commissioning a $2.4 million "study" to determine how to best repurpose Cook County Hospital.

And that is precisely why this State and City are in such a financial hole. Thanks, shitty leaders, once again.

Please save this facade
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-lC1Pa7xtweM/TwXfbrnenrI/AAAAAAAB3M0/qVT-rbmKtaY/w751-h563-no/P1900083.JPG
May 2011

harryc

Mar 13, 2014, 5:46 PM

More and more anti-union in this town ...

I like it when the birds strike ;-)
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-MFFeIHx9VkM/UFD2n8S2PfI/AAAAAAABsLA/gmuf9Vj8alE/w901-h563-no/P1140142.JPG

wierdaaron

Mar 13, 2014, 7:54 PM

Looks like they've started some work on the 333 N Mich retail rehab.

http://i.imgur.com/hodRTpFl.jpg (http://imgur.com/hodRTpF)

(Don't be confused by the fact that the bus shelter has been outfitted to look like a Nespresso machine...)

There haven't been any renders of this yet, right?

the urban politician

Mar 13, 2014, 8:14 PM

^. Isn't the whole building being rehabbed as well?

wierdaaron

Mar 13, 2014, 8:31 PM

^I thought it was just the retail and lobby.

Rizzo

Mar 13, 2014, 8:31 PM

There's renders in the temporary lobby

Mr Downtown

Mar 13, 2014, 8:35 PM

Cook County is now commissioning a $2.4 million "study" to determine how to best repurpose Cook County Hospital. . . .And that is precisely why this State and City are in such a financial hole. Thanks, shitty leaders, once again.

Is the answer obvious to you? Please share with us.

Buckman821

Mar 13, 2014, 8:39 PM

Is the answer obvious to you? Please share with us.

It should be pretty obvious. If they don't have a need for the building they should sell it to the highest bidder, with the necessary historic protections of course.

BWChicago

Mar 13, 2014, 9:59 PM

Didn't Landmarks Illinois cover the hospital reuse pretty well?

ardecila

Mar 14, 2014, 2:42 AM

Yeah, $2.4M for a study? Is there enough work to keep 24 well-paid professionals busy for a whole year?

Chi-Sky21

Mar 14, 2014, 2:56 AM

I would rather they just hand the 2.4 million over to whoever the allow to purchase it to redevelop it to help preserve the facade. But they will spend this, then in the end use even MORE money to accomplish the same thing. I think save the facade, tear down the rest, turn it into a medical research incubator for Chicago.

LouisVanDerWright

Mar 14, 2014, 4:17 AM

Yeah, there is a reason why developers don't commission $2.4 million studies to see what kind of building to build. Anyone who knows anything about real estate should be able to quickly determine the practical uses for the property at little to no cost. This $2.4 million study is a pathetic waste of taxpayer money. They should sell it off to the highest bidder and give them an extra $2.4 million in TIF.

the urban politician

Mar 14, 2014, 12:09 PM

Is the answer obvious to you? Please share with us.

^ I will tell you what's obvious: $2.4 million of your and my tax dollars just to study how to repurpose a building and some surrounding land is nothing short of a SCANDAL

Skyguy_7

Mar 14, 2014, 12:52 PM

Looks like they've started some work on the 333 N Mich retail rehab.

http://i.imgur.com/hodRTpFl.jpg (http://imgur.com/hodRTpF)

Looks like this is part of the long-overdue Blackhawks Store expansion. I believe Fannie May is going to be ousted, which makes sense, as the Hawks store is a much bigger draw. My company used to do 333's HVAC upgrades, until they received that grant and brought in a new property management team. Those were the days.. Crains reports (http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20140314/NEWS07/140319821/blackhawks-to-expand-michigan-avenue-store?r=9008I5407689E4T#)

guesswho

Mar 14, 2014, 1:05 PM

^ I will tell you what's obvious: $2.4 million of your and my tax dollars just to study how to repurpose a building and some surrounding land is nothing short of a SCANDAL
I wonder how the consulting firm that won the job (Chicago Consultants Studio Inc) is related to / friendly with / has donated to someone who made the decision to award them $2.4MM.....

Either someone wants to buy it or they don't, there you go Preckwinkle, I'll take my $2.4MM now and just beat Chicago Consultants Studio by 89 days!

BVictor1

Mar 14, 2014, 2:05 PM

http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20140313/NEWS03/140319822/special-olympics-chicago-aims-to-build-sports-complex-on-near-west?r=5335B4707812H8Y

Special Olympics Chicago aims to build sports complex on Near West Side

By Kristen Schorsch March 13, 2014

Special Olympics Chicago is in early talks to build a $30 million sports complex in the Illinois Medical District, an economic development agency on the Near West Side.
Plans call for a field house, an outdoor stadium with a running track and a multipurpose playing field to be built on about 12 acres of vacant land at 14th Street and Damen Avenue, said Jay Doherty, president of the City Club of Chicago and a Special Olympics Chicago volunteer who is leading the fundraising effort. The hope is to have the complex up and running before 2018, the organization's 50th anniversary, he said

lu9

Mar 14, 2014, 2:15 PM

http://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/20140314/wicker-park/rick-bayless-xoco-wicker-park-building-plans-get-green-light-from-city

Rick Bayless' XOCO Wicker Park Building Plans Get Green Light from City

By Alisa Hauser on March 14, 2014 7:26am

WICKER PARK — Rick Bayless's second XOCO outpost has been inching closer to opening on the southeast corner of Milwaukee Avenue and Honore Street, and on Thursday the exterior plans for the famed chef's new restaurant got preliminary approval from the city's Landmark Commission.

Having frequented the RN XOCO, its obvious why Rick wants the entrance on Honore. I don't see the issue...