CHICAGO | General Developments

[the urban politician]

^ Luckily Arena has had a history of promoting density, even against NIMBY complaints. He apparently approved a 98 unit senior center nearby that the NIMBYs opposed as well.

[Justin_Chicago]

The City created a website to seek site selection input for the proposed Lucas Cultural Arts Museum. I personally recommended the corner of Roosevelt/Columbus Drive/Michigan as an opportunity to cover the metra tracks on the southwest end of the park.

http://www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/narr/misc/lucas-cultural-arts-museum-task-force.html

[Link N. Parker]

The City created a website to seek site selection input for the proposed Lucas Cultural Arts Museum. I personally recommended the corner of Roosevelt/Columbus Drive/Michigan as an opportunity to cover the metra tracks on the southwest end of the park.

http://www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/narr/misc/lucas-cultural-arts-museum-task-force.html

Good idea! I have gone to the site and submitted the same idea based on your idea. Hopefully the city sees our proposals and acts on them.

[marothisu]

I wish the city owned the parking lot at State & Chicago. That would be a good site for it....maybe. Hmmm where to put it.

[Skyguy_7]

The City created a website to seek site selection input for the proposed Lucas Cultural Arts Museum. I personally recommended the corner of Roosevelt/Columbus Drive/Michigan as an opportunity to cover the metra tracks on the southwest end of the park.

http://www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/narr/misc/lucas-cultural-arts-museum-task-force.html

Great idea! I've unleashed my inner Burnham and made the same recommendation.

[marothisu]

I like the idea of covering up the tracks on Roosevelt/Columbus but wouldn't that require more money to build over it?

[marothisu]

How about the north end of Washington Park? I know it's not downtown, but it's near the 51st Street Green Line stop, really close to the Expressway, and close to the U of Chicago, for which he's given money to. The area could need the help, but it's not necessarily in an area that is overly dangerous. They were going to put some Olympic stuff there anyway..

[joeg1985]

Looking at the plans for the CTA Brown line flyover I noticed this random rendering for a new building on the southeast corner of Ainslie and Broadway in Uptown. Any one have any idea why they would have this rendering or what it's for? Is it an actual project or are they just showing what TOD could look like?

The Red/Purple tracks are right next to this lot.

http://www.transitchicago.com/news_initiatives/planning/rpm/bypass.aspx

http://www.transitchicago.com/news_initiatives/planning/rpm/bypass.aspx

[wierdaaron]

I'm pretty sure those renders are to demonstrate that the buildings they'd have to demolish to build the flyover could be replaced with Transit Oriented Development. I'm not sure if they're actual real-world designs or just illustrative concepts.

[rigby]

Also to everyone - I have included the link to my two maps (2014 new construction building permits and Chicago construction projects) in my signature now at the suggestion of another user. Both are up to date

I appreciate your construction maps, you can easily see what's going on across the city.
I do have question since looking at your map, I actually forgot all about the work being done at Navy Pier and Northern Island. Do you have any updates on what's going at the Pier and Northern Island ?

[r18tdi]

Do you have any updates on what's going at the Pier and Northern Island ?
Northerly Island is in the process of being transformed from a crow sanctuary to a crow sanctuary with some hills and a retention pond. Really exciting stuff.

[marothisu]

I appreciate your construction maps, you can easily see what's going on across the city.
I do have question since looking at your map, I actually forgot all about the work being done at Navy Pier and Northern Island. Do you have any updates on what's going at the Pier and Northern Island ?

No problem. I'm not really sure what's going on there. I know that the Pier was issued a bunch of building permits in September (I think) mainly for landscaping changes. I'm guessing they'll continue the work soon if they haven't already. Actually not sure if they started - I only assume they did and stopped due to the crappy winter. I believe the entire transformation might have a completion date of Summer 2015.

[Ned.B]

No problem. I'm not really sure what's going on there. I know that the Pier was issued a bunch of building permits in September (I think) mainly for landscaping changes. I'm guessing they'll continue the work soon if they haven't already. Actually not sure if they started - I only assume they did and stopped due to the crappy winter. I believe the entire transformation might have a completion date of Summer 2015.

Construction on the Pier has definitely started. Phase one appears to be around the east entrance and running down the south edge to the Shakespeare Theater (including an expanded upper terrace with a new grand stair and elevators connecting the lower and upper levels. Two weeks ago, all of the steel work was completed for these elements.

From what the employees at the theater said, the construction schedule is the opposite. All work will take place in the fall, winter, and spring and halt between Memorial Day and Labor Day during peak tourism season. I was also told work would be completed in spring 2016.

[woodrow]

I appreciate your construction maps, you can easily see what's going on across the city.
I do have question since looking at your map, I actually forgot all about the work being done at Navy Pier and Northern Island. Do you have any updates on what's going at the Pier and Northern Island ?

Very cool stuff at both. Really excited by what is going on at Northerly Island. The CPD has been really bad with updates.

Here is a link to the master plan - http://www.cpdit01.com/resources/planning-and-development.home/pdf.frameworkplans/Northerly%20Island%20Framework%20Plan.pdf

The bigger projects - creating the reef, sinking the ship, etc. will be done later. Right now they are creating the wetlands and lagoon and the hills.

[jcchii]

re: Lucas

level rainforest cafe and put it there

[sentinel]

The City created a website to seek site selection input for the proposed Lucas Cultural Arts Museum. I personally recommended the corner of Roosevelt/Columbus Drive/Michigan as an opportunity to cover the metra tracks on the southwest end of the park.

http://www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/narr/misc/lucas-cultural-arts-museum-task-force.html

Glad they did that - I put my two cents in: the Old Post office is ideal.
Split it into three developments; the Lucas museum in the largest, middle portion, with room to spare for expansion, theater(s), meeting space, etc.

The north potion facing Van Buren with the lovely, Art-Deco lobby should be converted to a high-end business/tourist hotel because of adjacency to Union Station (similar to the JW Marriott).

The south portion facing the new(er) post office should be federal offices or a branch of the NEA/specialized Visual Arts academy or college, etc.

Tie it all together with a new expansive glass winter-garden on the roof for four-season events to be shared by all facilities. Boom.

Keep and entomb all of the existing asbestos (what worked for a post office can work for a museum) and upgrade all of the HVAC and you have a lovely world-class facility that can be the envy of the rest of the world.

Considering the current owner Davies isn't doing sh*t with that building, buy him out and move forward.

[Rizzo]

No problem. I'm not really sure what's going on there. I know that the Pier was issued a bunch of building permits in September (I think) mainly for landscaping changes. I'm guessing they'll continue the work soon if they haven't already. Actually not sure if they started - I only assume they did and stopped due to the crappy winter. I believe the entire transformation might have a completion date of Summer 2015.

Major work. I went by there a couple week ago. The midway from the street back past the food court had been totally demolished and was being entirely rebuilt.

Quite the impressive steel structure being built with curving forms. I'm certain they'd be enclosing it by now.

Portions of the Ferris wheel had been dismantled for refurbishment.

As you point out, entire transformation will probably be ready summer 2015 with the western part of the pier opening this summer.

[Justin_Chicago]

I like the idea of covering up the tracks on Roosevelt/Columbus but wouldn't that require more money to build over it?

If George Lucas is willing to contribute ~$1B (construction and endowment) towards the art museum, then maybe he is willing to spend another ~$50M - $100M to cap the metra tracks. Also, this location is right next to the Field Museum and the Adler Planetarium. Lastly, you cannot beat the skyline views from this location, which such a scenic view is a priority given his demands for the Presidio Park location in San Francisco.

Feel free to submit a better idea though! I figured there are few opportunities to find private investment to beautify the park.
http://www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/narr/misc/lucas-cultural-arts-museum-task-force.html

Maybe some inspired enterprising individuals will start visual arts companies in Chicago if we win this museum! We have a new industry for World Business Chicago to recruit.

[marothisu]

I gave them two ideas. One for Michigan/Roosevelt/Columbus capping the Metra tracks and the other for Washington Park around 51st and Martin Luther King Jr Drive near the 51st St Green Line stop.

[the urban politician]

Putting the Lucas Museum at Grant Park is the worst idea because the last thing Lucas needs is more political resistance. I can guarantee you that there will be a lot of that if the city tries to build a new structure on the park.

The best bet is city owned land downtown, if there is any, or to convince a land owner to lease it to them. Navy Pier, something around McCormick Place, or the Post Office are the best options that don't require some sort of eminent domain, won't create a lot of political resistance, and can quickly land on Lucas' lap to mull moving forward on.

[marothisu]

Putting the Lucas Museum at Grant Park is the worst idea because the last thing Lucas needs is more political resistance. I can guarantee you that there will be a lot of that if the city tries to build a new structure on the park.

The best bet is city owned land downtown, if there is any, or to convince a land owner to lease it to them. Navy Pier, something around McCormick Place, or the Post Office are the best options that don't require some sort of eminent domain, won't create a lot of political resistance, and can quickly land on Lucas' lap to mull moving forward on.

True re: Political resistence but I think it would be less here than in SF, honestly. Navy Pier is already undergoing big renovations so I doubt it's going to put that in there.

I wish there was a way for all of those parking lots at State & Chicago to become city land LOL That would be an interesting site to put it at.

[r18tdi]

Would building the Lucas museum on top of the Jardine water filtration plant be feasible?

Just spit ballin' here.

[Busy Bee]

Besides Hyde Park, straddling the Blue Line subway portal between Milwaukee and Linden in Logan Square would be freakin sweet.

http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q286/urbsinhorto/imagejpg1.jpg (http://s139.photobucket.com/user/urbsinhorto/media/imagejpg1.jpg.html)

[Rizzo]

Would building the Lucas museum on top of the Jardine water filtration plant be feasible?

Just spit ballin' here.

I don't see why not. Especially if the plant is in need of upgrades.

[Ch.G, Ch.G]

Boo. That thing is baller. Lakeside Center is an awesome idea.

[marothisu]

Looks like the conversion of the old Studebaker showroom at 2014-38 South Michigan Ave into 65 apartment units + ground floor retail was approved last month by the zoning committee and a building permit to the tune of $9M was issued on 4/16 for it. Looks like the vacant lot just south of it will be converted into 54 parking spaces for it (ugh).


Info I've gathered via the April agenda (in a few days)

* There is a proposed conversion of a 5 story building at 3141 N Sheffield, which is near the Belmont Red/Purple/Brown line stop and just south of the Vic. It says 80 apartments and ground floor retail. Patch and Curbed had articles about this one last May and apparently there will be a rooftop health club too. Yay TOD! Hope this one is approved!

http://lakeview.patch.com/groups/editors-picks/p/lake-view-s-oldest-business-being-developed-into-lofts-retail
http://chicago.curbed.com/archives/2013/05/14/uplifting-conversion-planned-for-warehouse-beside-the-vic.php
http://o1.aolcdn.com/dims-shared/dims3/PATCH/format/jpg/quality/82/resize/442x295/http://hss-prod.hss.aol.com/hss/storage/patch/1d2b54d2f6e006c3a247eb80d82498bf

They plan to maintain the historic brick building while adding nice features like decorative lighting to the outside to move away from the industrial feel.

“You basically have a fortress now—it’s dark all night, and it’s dark during the day,” Kaiser said. “We’re cutting out a lot of new windows to get bright light into the space. … We’re working within the existing structure to create this loft-style apartment feel.”

There will be six two-bedroom apartments—four of which will have rooftop terraces—combined with 50 one-bedroom units and 24 efficiency apartments. Rent is estimated to cost $800-$1000 for the studios, $1200-$1350 for the one-bedroom units and less than $2000 for the two-bedroom spaces.

* Proposed 46 unit hotel in the former Borden's Dairy building at 312 W Chestnut. I wrote about this already but I'll try again! Same owners as Urban Holiday in Wicker Park. 352-60 W Chestnut

http://chicago.curbed.com/uploads/new-hotel-thumb.png


* 914 W Monroe (Monroe and Sangamon/Peoria) - Proposed 6 story, 8 unit building + 12 parking space first floor garage. Looks like it is a 1 story warehouse/industrial building right now. Right across the street from Mary Bartelme Park. Sangamon Partners LLC

* 924 W Monroe (Monroe and Sangamon) - Proposed 7 story, 10 unit building + 12 parking space first floor garage. Looks like it is a 1 story warehouse/industrial building right now. Right across the street from Mary Bartelme Park. Sangamon Partners LLC

* 23 S Sangamon (Monroe/Madison and Sangamon) - Proposed 7 story, 10 unit building + 13 parking space first floor garage. Vacant lot/1 story warehouse/industrial building right now. Right across the street from Mary Bartelme Park. Sangamon Partners LLC

* New music venue space at 2310-26 W Fulton from Style Matters DJs (http://www.stylemattersdjs.com)? Not sure if this is just a special use one time thing or permanent. Probably just one time use but hey I can dream right?


Also, from February
* 328 W Wisconsin (Wisconsin & Orleans) - Establish a 4 story, 8 unit building.
* 2100 W Eastwood (near the Damen Brown Line stop) - Old firehouse to be converted into SFH

[Mr Roboto]

Here is a link to the pdna pdf of the entire presentation for the McPier event center, data center, and Marquis hotel (not much new information on the hotel). Has some massing models, and some pretty detailed renderings of the data center - its apparently 12 stories and 270 feet tall.

Also has a some other renderings of developments in the south loop, like on Cullerton and Wabash, Cullerton and State (the Blue Star auto). It also shows the townhome development at 1900 S Calumet (plan and profiles).

http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=0012CenBX7LDzUAE8lmAsAzhfku5lZzO_uD3C0Ws49sweWzbTrdB786CWTcwktEbZjTNZq1KenpCw49Ry9jSUQSUoBaAfEZEIN304a1YqZV84gG_6MzhGFSy7Wo6ykr2CKtSPH7Dqki2-7Q2qPSlxKWLnJ0m8Ad7DypIJIMdTcK7QSjg6bnOFWBXKG4RKs6kPkWfHR5tqqLTH6M0iYeHvU8mdgyHmjKXY7izlnFC0U_Gggl61LHxHOXSs503cuC4duuOEgO4cyGus5-C1it8-AFqw==&c=OVbUhkOvZSDpcwvNxII8aM_Xg85Y6GQWlgIPUVBcwQC4pB7qq9LVBg==&ch=askZpffVM_J6S3zzdZkHbm_hRxo433semZuXdOff7M2EuXFvtnqgVg==

[Kngkyle]

Would building the Lucas museum on top of the Jardine water filtration plant be feasible?

Just spit ballin' here.

Ooo I really like that idea. It adds public use to lake front land currently closed off to the public. I think it's a bit more 'special' than between Michigan and Columbus at Roosevelt, and that seems to be something Lucas is really looking for.

Feasibility does sound like it could be an issue, but would it really be much more difficult than decking over the tracks?

[wierdaaron]

There might be debate over whether a George Lucas museum would really be all that "public use". Sure it'd be open to the public, but so is a Starbucks. I don't know if a museum dedicated to a private interest is all that public. Would a Motorola Museum qualify for public use? A JP Morgan Chase Financial Planning Awareness Museum?

Just because there's big bags of cash being thrown around and the word museum is involved, it doesn't mean we should start giving away waterfront land to movie memorabilia warehouses.

[the urban politician]

^. I think a museum is public if has allowances for free admission

[ardecila]

Yeah, that's pretty much the tradeoff. Museums seeking public lakefront land have historically offered free admission to Illinois and/or Chicago residents at certain dates and times.

Grant Park between Randolph and 11th Place has a special prohibition on buildings, but the rest of the lakefront does not. New buildings on the lakefront are handled on a case-by-case basis. In the case of Lakeside Center, I think a Lucas Museum would be a far more public use than a convention center holding events that are only open to a privileged few, or to those who pay astronomical prices for entry.

[Mr Downtown]

The "Museums in the Parks" are a special category. They get tax revenue from the Park District. In return, they're required to offer free admission to Illinois residents 52 days out of the year.

[Mister Uptempo]

There might be debate over whether a George Lucas museum would really be all that "public use". Sure it'd be open to the public, but so is a Starbucks. I don't know if a museum dedicated to a private interest is all that public. Would a Motorola Museum qualify for public use? A JP Morgan Chase Financial Planning Awareness Museum?

Just because there's big bags of cash being thrown around and the word museum is involved, it doesn't mean we should start giving away waterfront land to movie memorabilia warehouses.

To be fair, the Lucas Museum is more than a collection of Star Wars tchotchke.

Has Lucas even mentioned how much space he may need if he locates the museum in Chicago? I ask because looking at the presentation Lucas made for the Presidio site (http://www.presidio.gov/about/Documents/Lucas%20Cultural%20Arts%20Museum%20FINAL.pdf), the entire museum would have been 93,000-97,000 square feet total, which would fill about a third of one floor at Lakeside Center. I don't know whether the guidelines put in place by the Presidio Trust dictated the facility's size, or whether that's all the square footage Lucas really needs.

[OhioGuy]

New renderings of the DePaul stadium courtesy of Chicago Architecture Blog:

http://www.chicagoarchitecture.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/DePaul-University-Basketball-Arena-by-Cesar-Pelli05-1024x716.jpg

http://www.chicagoarchitecture.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/DePaul-University-Basketball-Arena-by-Cesar-Pelli04-1024x716.jpg

http://www.chicagoarchitecture.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/DePaul-University-Basketball-Arena-by-Cesar-Pelli03-1024x652.jpg

http://www.chicagoarchitecture.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/DePaul-University-Basketball-Arena-by-Cesar-Pelli01-1024x716.jpg

Unfortunately no new renderings of the hotel tower portion of the project.

More details here: http://www.chicagoarchitecture.org/2014/04/14/mcpier-is-still-trying-to-sell-its-elevate-chicago-expansion-to-neighbors/

I haven't seen any word on whether this new arena would be built solely for basketball or whether it can accommodate a NHL sized ice rink? I'm not at all implying using it for NHL purposes, just wondering if it's being designed in a way that is multipurpose or one that's focused mainly on basketball? For example the United Center easily accommodates both the NBA and NHL, however the new Barclays Center for the Brooklyn Nets, which was designed exclusively for basketball and is now trying to accommodate the NHL's Islanders, has a rather awkward configuration for hockey. If it can accommodate an ice rink, is there an estimated capacity for that configuration?

[tjp]

Anyone heard what's going on at Halsted and Oakdale? A rather large, vacant building was razed last week.

[ardecila]

^ Sadly, this does not include the parking lot on the corner, which is parking for Gaslight Village across the street.

http://i.imgur.com/ewq2p0D.jpg

[Chicagoguy]

I haven't seen any word on whether this new arena would be built solely for basketball or whether it can accommodate a NHL sized ice rink? I'm not at all implying using it for NHL purposes, just wondering if it's being designed in a way that is multipurpose or one that's focused mainly on basketball? For example the United Center easily accommodates both the NBA and NHL, however the new Barclays Center for the Brooklyn Nets, which was designed exclusively for basketball and is now trying to accommodate the NHL's Islanders, has a rather awkward configuration for hockey. If it can accommodate an ice rink, is there an estimated capacity for that configuration?

I was thinking the same thing, but not for an NHL configuration.
I was more interested in a Chicago ATP/WTA professional tennis tournament. Over in Europe there are many large scale indoor tennis tournaments such as the Open GDF Suez in Paris, and The Porsche Tennis Grand Prix (going on now) in Stuttgart. I would think that McCormick place would have the space for many indoor courts with temporary seating, and once this arena is completely it would make a great central court. The popularity of tennis has definitely been on the upswing, especially in the US. It saddens me that smaller cities like Charleston, Cinncinatti, Birmingham, New Haven, Stanford, etc have fairly decent sized professional tennis tournaments. Having an indoor court could be an asset to Chicago with the ability to host a tournament in the winter months prior to the first major of the year, the Austrailian Open. I know it is probably just wishful thinking, but I think it could definitely be a great way to attract more tourist to Chicago. I go to Cinncinatti every year for the Western and Southern Open, and if it weren't for that tournament I would not have any real reason to visit.

[marothisu]

2938-48 N Halsted is supposed to be 25 units I believe. Nice kind of TOD and cool since that place on Sheffield just south of the Belmont stop not far away is being renovated into 80 loft apartments.

[spyguy]

Proposed Jackson Park pavilion
http://i58.tinypic.com/2vamcrq.jpg
http://www.project120chicago.org/

[munchymunch]

Nice modern design, not bad.

[harryc]

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-bRqjCL939uo/U1RyYzvnQuI/AAAAAAAB4Nc/bAKcon1HrT0/w958-h598-no/P1010580.JPG

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-h9KUUtb_BhI/U1RyYBWGTWI/AAAAAAAB4NU/Wa1hF4jFb2I/w958-h719-no/P1010570.JPG

Staking out some new turf
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-XkAxul24XCM/U1RyXtGXTsI/AAAAAAAB4NM/RuFvP_OOYTc/w957-h597-no/P1010567.JPG

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-PPKShF5fEhw/U1RyW4wnoOI/AAAAAAAB4NE/eJeaGC1YNeY/w958-h598-no/P1010561.JPG

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mE_PQ38boRo/U1RyWGXg3BI/AAAAAAAB4M8/hC8eKz6Sj80/w958-h719-no/P1010558.JPG

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-qJlRiXZJc4U/U1RyVoZfpJI/AAAAAAAB4M0/7WqZ_WkDOks/w957-h597-no/P1010443.JPG

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-V7VN3ivE1nU/U1RxihRWbgI/AAAAAAAB4Ms/7X7NDUIV6sA/w958-h719-no/P1010424.JPG

[marothisu]

Circa 922. 922 W Washington (Washington & Sangamon). 11 stories, 104 apartments, and a 130 space parking garage. April 19, 2014. I'm guessing this one will be topped out by July or even sooner.

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

[denizen467]

Boo. That thing is baller. Lakeside Center is an awesome idea.
Plus, for security reasons, nobody is going to put the world's largest water filtration plant, and the water source for the country's 3rd largest city, underneath a tourist attraction drawing millions, much less one that has a large staff and that includes tons of giant exhibits, rooms, back rooms, storage, truck deliveries, etc.

Has Lucas even mentioned how much space he may need if he locates the museum in Chicago?
It will be much larger than the amount proposed at the Presidio; he has tons of items and too many would remain in storage in the limited space in the Presidio plan.

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

Can the Soldier Field parking lots/structures be built upon? There's lotsa lonely unbuilt emptiness between Soldier Field and Lakeside Center.

[tjp]

^ Sadly, this does not include the parking lot on the corner, which is parking for Gaslight Village across the street.

http://i.imgur.com/ewq2p0D.jpg


Thanks, ardecila! Too bad about the parking lot. At least its rather small, from what I can remember.

[SamInTheLoop]

Would building the Lucas museum on top of the Jardine water filtration plant be feasible?

Just spit ballin' here.


:haha:



Folks, this was a joke.

[LouisVanDerWright]

Looks like my dream of a second major bikepath connection to downtown is inching closer to reality. Here are some images from The Chicago Architecture Blog of the proposed flyover bridge between California Park and Clark Park:

http://www.chicagoarchitecture.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Addison-Street-Underbridge-Rendering-1024x958.jpg

http://www.chicagoarchitecture.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Addison-Street-Underbridge-Rendering-2-1024x958.jpg

http://www.chicagoarchitecture.org/2014/04/21/elevated-serpentine-underbridge-will-connect-two-north-side-parks/

Does anyone know if this is funded and, if so, when they are supposed to start on it? I like the design, looks like Cor Ten steel railings?

[Mikemak27]

More West Town condo infill.

http://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/20140421/west-town/developers-plan-demolish-two-late-1800s-buildings-along-huron-for-condos

[wierdaaron]

South Loop British School

http://i.imgur.com/5x9IziKl.jpg (http://imgur.com/5x9IziK)

http://i.imgur.com/Y3gK3Zjl.jpg (http://imgur.com/Y3gK3Zj)

http://i.imgur.com/MMK8g79l.jpg (http://imgur.com/MMK8g79)

Once-grand staircase:

http://i.imgur.com/14edpGNl.jpg (http://imgur.com/14edpGN)

http://i.imgur.com/X074vszl.jpg (http://imgur.com/X074vsz)

http://i.imgur.com/yoddzFnl.jpg (http://imgur.com/yoddzFn)

http://i.imgur.com/GzcWYl7l.jpg (http://imgur.com/GzcWYl7)

[marothisu]

I think it was on here that someone noticed that in the El flyover/bypass project renderings, there were some new buildings shown. People on here said they aren't new buildings, just showing in context and what not.

Turns out that user was right - the CTA wants to redevelop part of Wilton Ave along the tracks that they currently own or land they are looking to buy around the Belmont station. Right now there's nothing on there and they want to put some mixed use buildings there.

http://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/20140417/lakeview/cta-would-redevelop-wilton-ave-with-transit-oriented-projects-after-bypass#

[ChickeNES]

Sorry, wrong thread

[VivaLFuego]

* 23 S Sangamon (Monroe/Madison and Sangamon) - Proposed 7 story, 10 unit building + 13 parking space first floor garage. Vacant lot/1 story warehouse/industrial building right now. Right across the street from Mary Bartelme Park. Sangamon Partners LLC


Isn't this the Merit School of Music?

[marothisu]

Isn't this the Merit School of Music?

Just checked all those three buildings and none of them are for the Merit School of Music. However, it IS next door to the Merit School of Music but it looks as if it'll be saved

[SamInTheLoop]

Thanks for posting the photos, weirdaaron.

Don't want to read to much into it of course, but it is interesting that the new rendering (at least my assumption is it's new, as I don't believe I've seen this particular one before) of the school prominently features the planned residential tower.....I wonder if 'McHackeffery' plans to launch it soon? Anybody think there's a greater than 3% chance they will go with any designer other than Antunovich?.................yeah, didn't think so :(

[r18tdi]

Anybody think there's a greater than 3% chance they will go with any designer other than Antunovich?.................yeah, didn't think so :(
Love it.

[k1052]

Thanks for posting the photos, weirdaaron.

Don't want to read to much into it of course, but it is interesting that the new rendering (at least my assumption is it's new, as I don't believe I've seen this particular one before) of the school prominently features the planned residential tower.....I wonder if 'McHackeffery' plans to launch it soon? Anybody think there's a greater than 3% chance they will go with any designer other than Antunovich?.................yeah, didn't think so :(

If McCaffery couldn't get the rental tower going during the hottest multifamily rental residential market in recent memory I don't think it's very likely they ever will. I suspect either their partner isn't interested in putting up the cash nor does McCaffery want to put their own money in.

[wierdaaron]

That RC Phase 2 tower has been in most of the British School renderings, I believe. The rendering in that banner isn't even the most recent, as far as I know. The revised plan for the field next door includes an enclosed half-court rather than a full field.

[Rizzo]

Sorry if this has been asked, but are there any plans to create a pedestrian connection from the mall level of RC over across the tracks to just south of Amli?

[marothisu]

Isn't this the Merit School of Music?

Just passed by this - they have already demolished half of the buildings next to Merit for these three buildings to be built there.

[simon07]

Heavy dirt machinery & movement at 1345 S. Wabash.

[Via Chicago]

some photos of Motorola's new space

http://chicago.curbed.com/archives/2014/04/22/here-is-your-first-look-inside-motorola-mobilitys-brand-spankin-new-global-hq.php

not too shabby

[ardecila]

Sorry if this has been asked, but are there any plans to create a pedestrian connection from the mall level of RC over across the tracks to just south of Amli?

No. The 9th St underpass is the closest thing, but it seems to have stalled.

[streetline]

Sorry if this has been asked, but are there any plans to create a pedestrian connection from the mall level of RC over across the tracks to just south of Amli?

I really wish there were. Turning the deep cul-de-sac into a pedestrian bypass of the intersection seems like an obvious way to tie it more closely to the potential customers to the northeast.



On another topic, it seems like the former Red No 5 club at Halsted and Hubbard (440 N Halsted) is being torn down. Does anyone know what is planned in it's place?

[marothisu]

On another topic, it seems like the former Red No 5 club at Halsted and Hubbard (440 N Halsted) is being torn down. Does anyone know what is planned in it's place?

I found the building permit for that - owned by Mokin Development. Also looks like they found asbestos in the building in March. Mokin is under Regency Development Group. Found it on their site - 9 units all for sale and looks like 4 stories. It also looks like ground floor commercial/retail in the rendering? While not super dense, it is denser than what was there before and it's around a blue line stop. Also not too far up the road at about Huron and Milwaukee (but like Huron & Morgan) is where a 12 unit building was given a building permit in late January.

Shitty render. I'm sure it'll look better in real life
http://regencydevelopmentgroup.com/project/440-n-halsted-chicago-il/
http://regencydevelopmentgroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/004-614x546.jpg

[Mr Downtown]

I tried to get an overpass of the Rock Island tracks included when Roosevelt Collection was being designed (back then we thought there would be significant retail on the D2 parcel north of Target), but no go. When we were fighting about the British School last year, I tried to get a more terraced approach that would make the shopping more approachable from Printers Row, but you all know how that turned out.

I think the current owners don't even see access from the north as an issue. In their world everyone drives in from Roosevelt Road, or if they're really down and out (or employees) they walk up from the Red Line station at Roosevelt & State.

[spyguy]

On Larrabee between Oak and Hobbie, there are two smaller developments:
1) 4 story condo project with 8 units, no retail
2) 6 story condo project with 9 units and ground floor retail

And on Sedgwick and Locust, there's a proposal for a 7 story, 40 unit development which would require the demolition of St. Dominic's.

---
Finally found a decent rendering of that project on Halsted and Lake:
http://i60.tinypic.com/wi8rxj.jpg
Yeah

[ardecila]

Yes, tear down one of the only buildings with historic character for 1/2 mi in any direction... great move.

[spyguy]

Yes, tear down one of the only buildings with historic character for 1/2 mi in any direction... great move.

I don't know the exact details so I can't say for certain if it's true, but apparently a condition of the sale is that the church be demolished.

[streetline]

I found the building permit for that - owned by Mokin Development. Also looks like they found asbestos in the building in March. Mokin is under Regency Development Group. Found it on their site - 9 units all for sale and looks like 4 stories. It also looks like ground floor commercial/retail in the rendering? While not super dense, it is denser than what was there before and it's around a blue line stop. Also not too far up the road at about Huron and Milwaukee (but like Huron & Morgan) is where a 12 unit building was given a building permit in late January.

Shitty render. I'm sure it'll look better in real life
...

Thanks, and Agreed. It's better than what's there, but given that it's a block from the first blue line station outside the loop, it could stand to be denser.



On Larrabee between Oak and Hobbie, there are two smaller developments:
1) 4 story condo project with 8 units, no retail
2) 6 story condo project with 9 units and ground floor retail

And on Sedgwick and Locust, there's a proposal for a 7 story, 40 unit development which would require the demolition of St. Dominic's.

---
Finally found a decent rendering of that project on Halsted and Lake:
...
Yeah

Well, at least #1&2 are good news.
Not reusing that church is a real waste. I wish they'd just convert it and keep the rectory while building taller on the lot to the south. Does character and charm count for nothing in marketing a development?

...Oh, it's a condition of the sale... why would someone do that?

[Rizzo]

I don't know the exact details so I can't say for certain if it's true, but apparently a condition of the sale is that the church be demolished.

That's very unfortunate if true. I walked by there yesterday. The church is a great building and would make a great residential conversion.

[ardecila]

Or a restaurant, club, etc... It's not a masterpiece like St Boniface so I don't mind if they alter it heavily. It's also a touchstone to the neighborhood's Sicilian past, in the pre-Cabrini era (CHA named the rowhouses after Cabrini because she was Italian and did social work nearby).

[HomrQT]

Yes, tear down one of the only buildings with historic character for 1/2 mi in any direction... great move.

Seriously, do people not want to live in remodeled older buildings anymore??

[Kenmore]

some photos of Motorola's new space

http://chicago.curbed.com/archives/2014/04/22/here-is-your-first-look-inside-motorola-mobilitys-brand-spankin-new-global-hq.php

not too shabby

they've come a long way since the Harvard campus...looks cool.

[Skyguy_7]

I don't know the exact details so I can't say for certain if it's true, but apparently a condition of the sale is that the church be demolished.

Speaking of bad news for old churches; last week, I noticed the red "X" posted at St Boniface Church nearby. (Nobel and Chestnut)
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tUtCwcQRKKs/U1e2w_lyc1I/AAAAAAAAArY/ujFXRgGA9zs/w420-h559-no/14+-+1

An article about failed efforts to save it (http://news.eastvillagechicago.org/2013/12/developer-explores-st-boniface-sale.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+eastvillagechicago+%28East+Village+Association%2C+neighbors+working+together+in+Chicago%27s+West+Town+community%29)

[Chi-Sky21]

I always thought St Boniface would be perfect for the Polish Museum of America (2 blocks north) to take over and move into. It would be a shame to lose this building.

[LouisVanDerWright]

Speaking of bad news for old churches; last week, I noticed the red "X" posted at St Boniface Church nearby. (Nobel and Chestnut)

The red X's don't mean anything other than "this building is vacant, do not enter in the event of a fire". They are there to warn firefighters that the building is vacant and secure and that they should not enter it to search for victims if the property is ablaze. Source: I have buildings that have the red X on them, the city is not tearing them down unless I start neglecting them.

Seriously, do people not want to live in remodeled older buildings anymore??

That has nothing to do with it. For some reason the seller is requiring it be torn down as a condition of sale. Even if that were not the case, it is incredibly expensive to try to slice and dice special use buildings like churches into new uses. It's not impossible, but it is often not economically feasible. Old factories, old residential buildings, old office buildings etc are all easy to repurpose because they were not built for a special use. Old Churches are inherently hard to use because they were so purpose built to be a large open space with no divisions. Pretty hard to divide a space purposely designed to not have partitions.

[SamInTheLoop]

I think the current owners don't even see access from the north as an issue. In their world everyone drives in from Roosevelt Road, or if they're really down and out (or employees) they walk up from the Red Line station at Roosevelt & State.



What morons, if this is truly what they think (and all observational evidence suggests this and backs you up here that they in fact likely do think this way). In fact (I have no data at hand to back up, but this is my theory), I actually believe that you have a decidedly more affluent demographic on average that would be walking to RC (or at least part of time walking to RC) than those who only arrive by auto. Walking to RC - coming from any direction, with the N/NE being a major source....obviously for many, walking does mean the quickest route is in fact the Roosevelt entrance, but for an also sizeable proportion it does not.
Now, this is just the 'business' perspective here - my point is that I think the center is attracting sizeable numbers of lower/lower-middle income south and west siders, for the simple reason that there is very little in the way of proximate comparable (more or less 'urban lifestyle center/entertainment' retail) options for a very large population covering an also very large geographic area. And, arrival for this demographic I believe - despite numerous transit options - is likely largely by auto.

Again, this is just the 'smart' business perspective - but, on the other hand, if it were the case that the frequent/sometimes overall 'walk-to center' demographic - and just to the N/NE in particular - were not a 'target demographic', ie lower/lower-middle income profile, they should still have great pedestrian access north from RC - because, well, that's just how good cities work, and it's the right thing to do. The city should (should have) mandated that this was the case if the developer/current owner seemed disinclined to ensure this on their own (actually it should have been mandated, period - sometimes it is actually nothing that nudges one in the desired direction than a good 'ole mandate)....

At any rate, time and time again we come back to a core recurring theme: Dan 'McHackeffery' and little Clayton are not your sharpest real estate tools in this town........but, perhaps they'll do better at US Steel? (jk, of course!).....


And, before someone else mentions it, yes, as reported in Crain's this morning RC has landed Container Store, Banana Republic and Lululemon - and, no, this does not in any way vindicate 'McHackeffery' for its exceptionally awful overall observable performance at the center since buying it (but it is certainly good news nonetheless).....

[Skyguy_7]

The red X's don't mean anything other than "this building is vacant, do not enter in the event of a fire". They are there to warn firefighters that the building is vacant and secure and that they should not enter it to search for victims if the property is ablaze. Source: I have buildings that have the red X on them, the city is not tearing them down unless I start neglecting them.

Makes sense. I've been conditioned to believe X means demo because every time I've caught a teardown in progress, there was an X on the building. Ha.

Did anyone catch the fire along the Kennedy yesterday, at 955 W Grand? It was once the old "Gospel League Home," which has been for sale for quite some time. ..Enter vacant lot stage..

[Loopy]

No. The 9th St underpass is the closest thing, but it seems to have stalled.

Do you know for sure whether the underpass had a sidewalk component?

[Chi-Sky21]

Did anyone catch the fire along the Kennedy yesterday, at 955 W Grand? It was once the old "Gospel League Home," which has been for sale for quite some time. ..Enter vacant lot stage..

I liked that building. Mighty convenient for it to have a fire i would say though.

[LouisVanDerWright]

^^^ Don't worry that was fake. See below. The building is actually in the process of being landmarked right now.



Did anyone catch the fire along the Kennedy yesterday, at 955 W Grand? It was once the old "Gospel League Home," which has been for sale for quite some time. ..Enter vacant lot stage..

Actually there was no fire there. I thought the same thing when I first saw that, but it turns out that was actually just an elaborate scene being filmed for Chicago Fire. They must be doing their jobs if they fooled so many people into thinking it was real. They had smoke machines and fire engines spraying the building and everything.

[Skyguy_7]

Yep they definitely fooled me. Filming for Chi Fi was my first guess, but I looked closer and even saw soot around the busted-out windows. Hope you guys are watching the show. They do a fantastic job of featuring the city and seem to really embrace Chicago.

The "Fire"
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-oUUPRljhLHQ/U1fvTNL9duI/AAAAAAAAAsU/u0kVC1LL_fM/w574-h430-no/14+-+1

[OrdoSeclorum]

^^^ Don't worry that was fake. See below. The building is actually in the process of being landmarked right now.



Actually there was no fire there. I thought the same thing when I first saw that, but it turns out that was actually just an elaborate scene being filmed for Chicago Fire. They must be doing their jobs if they fooled so many people into thinking it was real. They had smoke machines and fire engines spraying the building and everything.

Oh, that makes so much more sense. Last week I biked by and saw broken windows and soot but I ALSO noticed two security guards there and I couldn't figure out what why.

[emathias]

...
And on Sedgwick and Locust, there's a proposal for a 7 story, 40 unit development which would require the demolition of St. Dominic's.
...

That's too bad - my partner was just photographing that this past weekend as part of a project he's putting together documenting the enormous economic chasms that exist roughly along the Chicago Avenue corridor between the River and Michigan Avenue - i.e. you have Groupon's headquarters, the multi-million-dollar mansions just south of Chicago Ave, the Cabrini rowhouses, drug dealers, hipsters, students from Moody and Loyola, homeless, business people, artists, various social agencies, including at least one methadone clinic and the YMCA Lawson House, and exotic car dealers within a couple blocks including a Bently/Lambo dealer and a McLaren dealer. It's an incredible idea to document a lot of this before it all becomes homogenized and I'm pretty excited to see him take it on as really his first large-scale photo-journalism project.

Seriously, do people not want to live in remodeled older buildings anymore??

I want to and I do.

Speaking of bad news for old churches; last week, I noticed the red "X" posted at St Boniface Church nearby. (Nobel and Chestnut)
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tUtCwcQRKKs/U1e2w_lyc1I/AAAAAAAAArY/ujFXRgGA9zs/w420-h559-no/14+-+1

An article about failed efforts to save it (http://news.eastvillagechicago.org/2013/12/developer-explores-st-boniface-sale.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+eastvillagechicago+%28East+Village+Association%2C+neighbors+working+together+in+Chicago%27s+West+Town+community%29)

That sucks. My partner grew up bit further west, in the Ukrainian Village, and always liked that church, too.

[jcchii]

the X is just a sign for fire crews and emergency personnel that the structure has been deemed unsafe, not imminent demo

[Jibba]

Finally found a decent rendering of that project on Halsted and Lake:
http://i60.tinypic.com/wi8rxj.jpg
Yeah

That glinting disco-ball effect, what!

[Mr Downtown]

Do you know for sure whether the [Ninth Street] underpass had a sidewalk component?

Yes, when it's built there will be a sidewalk. Why would you think otherwise?

The through lanes of Clark under Roosevelt is the only street I can think of in the entire city that lacks a sidewalk.

the X is just a sign for fire crews and emergency personnel that the structure has been deemed unsafe

I've seen different descriptions, but I think technically all it means is that the structure is unoccupied.

[ardecila]

I actually believe that you have a decidedly more affluent demographic on average that would be walking to RC (or at least part of time walking to RC) than those who only arrive by auto....

The city should (should have) mandated that this was the case if the developer/current owner seemed disinclined to ensure this on their own (actually it should have been mandated, period - sometimes it is actually nothing that nudges one in the desired direction than a good 'ole mandate)....

Maybe you're right, but the city has totally dropped the ball when it comes to infrastructure in the South Loop. Considering the huge size of the Near South TIF, this is inexcusable. The biggest investment in the last decade was the auto sewer they built at Roosevelt/Clark.

Congress and the Rock Island are both huge barriers in the neighborhood that the city has done nothing about. For god's sake, there are still jersey barriers sitting on the Polk sidewalk in front of Folio Square.

And, before someone else mentions it, yes, as reported in Crain's this morning RC has landed Container Store, Banana Republic and Lululemon - and, no, this does not in any way vindicate 'McHackeffery' for its exceptionally awful overall observable performance

Sure it vindicates them. America is massively overbuilt on retail space and large chains are expanding at a very slow pace after getting burned in the recession. McCaffery's deal with the lender likely requires them to sign AAA tenants, but it's not possible to do that quickly in today's environment. They have filled RC with as many local businesses as they could manage (bevello, Bridgeport Coffee, Haberdash, ROC, etc) but those slots for AAA tenants are a bitch to fill.

[Rizzo]

On a side note, I was surprised at the lower rents at RC....significantly lower than pretty much everything in the downtown area. Location? Current conditions?

[denizen467]

^ Part of it is probably a result of the same thing Mr Downtown touched on (below) - the feel may be like it's not really part of the South Loop but in some separated neighborhood area (and inside a shopping center). Also, I made a visit there once and it didn't have the professionally-run feel like most new rental highrises have; there was kind of a dormitory feel to it. Plus, all lowrise units, with most of them having kind of crappy views (like the motor court).
I think the current owners don't even see access from the north as an issue. In their world everyone drives in from Roosevelt Road, or if they're really down and out (or employees) they walk up from the Red Line station at Roosevelt & State.


==========


2-story high, half-block long steel frame has been erected at Weed & Fremont (sw corner). Who's going in when it's finished?

[marothisu]

Interesting. 2437, 2443, 2445, 2451, and 2457 W Irving Park Rd (around Irving Park and Western) all issued demolition permits basically under the ownership of Noah Properties, who's been building a lot of stuff in UK Village, Roscoe Village, etc. I wonder if these will turn into SFH or multi unit building(s). Hopefully mixed use multi unit..

[Justin_Chicago]

I performed my civic duty and recommended the idea to cap the Museum Campus / 11th Street - Metra Station at last night's public meeting for the Lucas Arts Cultural Museum.

Today's article on CBS Local mentions some of the recommendations, including this nice tidbit:

"The Grant Park site was touted by Levar Hoard of Interactive Design Architects, who said it would attract families as well as art students from nearby colleges and universities, and would not destroy existing park land. He would build it by covering over the Metra Electric tracks, the same method employed to create the space for Millennium Park."

http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2014/04/23/star-wars-fans-come-out-in-force-for-george-lucas-museum-meeting/

[Justin_Chicago]

Interesting. 2437, 2443, 2445, 2451, and 2457 W Irving Park Rd (around Irving Park and Western) all issued demolition permits basically under the ownership of Noah Properties, who's been building a lot of stuff in UK Village, Roscoe Village, etc. I wonder if these will turn into SFH or multi unit building(s). Hopefully mixed use multi unit..

Usually any new development in the 47th Ward is listed on the following website, but I only see an announcement for 2532-2544 W. Irving Park, unless this was presented more than 6 months ago. Noah Properties is developing this address with 3 story flats (6 dwelling units each):
http://chicago47.org/wp-content/uploads/2532-W-Irving-Park-Plans-07-01-13.pdf

http://chicago47.org/zoningdevelopment-cases/

[LouisVanDerWright]

That sucks. My partner grew up bit further west, in the Ukrainian Village, and always liked that church, too.

St. Boniface is fine for now, the preservation community is keeping a very close eye on it. They claimed they had a new development team lined up a while ago, but I have yet to see anything materialize. There is no reason not to save this particular church because the economics of the surrounding area can totally support it unlike many churches we are losing on the South Side.

[marothisu]

Usually any new development in the 47th Ward is listed on the following website, but I only see an announcement for 2532-2544 W. Irving Park, unless this was presented more than 6 months ago. Noah Properties is developing this address with 3 story flats (6 dwelling units each):
http://chicago47.org/wp-content/uploads/2532-W-Irving-Park-Plans-07-01-13.pdf

http://chicago47.org/zoningdevelopment-cases/


Good to know about that ward. 2532 had a demolition permit as well of course. I wonder if they'll put a few more of these in the 2400 block too.

[Vlajos]

Usually any new development in the 47th Ward is listed on the following website, but I only see an announcement for 2532-2544 W. Irving Park, unless this was presented more than 6 months ago. Noah Properties is developing this address with 3 story flats (6 dwelling units each):
http://chicago47.org/wp-content/uploads/2532-W-Irving-Park-Plans-07-01-13.pdf

http://chicago47.org/zoningdevelopment-cases/

Good to know about that ward. 2532 had a demolition permit as well of course. I wonder if they'll put a few more of these in the 2400 block too.

Alderman Pawar is great. I like that he has this information on his website.

[Justin_Chicago]

Alderman Pawar is great. I like that he has this information on his website.

True, but then you get frustrated when a proposal to tear down an old dilapidated SFH to construct a new 4 story (4 dwelling unit) building is not approved.
http://chicago47.org/wp-content/uploads/4111-N.-Western-drawings-10-23-13.pdf

Another proposal to replace a SFH with a 6 condo unit was rejected here:
http://chicago47.org/wp-content/uploads/4440-N.-Winchester-info-form.pdf

[marothisu]

Alderman Pawar is great. I like that he has this information on his website.

It would be great if more wards did this - I don't care whether the information is favorable or not. It's good to know what's going on. I think Daniel Solis for the 25th ward is pretty good about this too.




On another note, I don't know if you guys saw this but the Chicago Loop Alliance has a new plan to make some use of some alleys in the Loop with art, music (dj), food, drink, etc. Looks like there will be 5, the first one on May 1:
http://loopchicago.com/cla/projects-and-programs/activate


I think we need more of this - I wish more things were done with alleys

[nomarandlee]

I performed my civic duty and recommended the idea to cap the Museum Campus / 11th Street - Metra Station at last night's public meeting for the Lucas Arts Cultural Museum.

Today's article on CBS Local mentions some of the recommendations, including this nice tidbit:

"The Grant Park site was touted by Levar Hoard of Interactive Design Architects, who said it would attract families as well as art students from nearby colleges and universities, and would not destroy existing park land. He would build it by covering over the Metra Electric tracks, the same method employed to create the space for Millennium Park."

http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2014/04/23/star-wars-fans-come-out-in-force-for-george-lucas-museum-meeting/

Awesome. That would definitely be a great site IMO. Though I think the city should basically say "put it where you want it" be it the OPO, Museum Campus, Washington Park (across from an Obama Library), M.Reese Hosp, South Works site etc. All but the lakefront path or Grant Park (north of 11th) should basically be fair game IMO.

[bnk]

I defiantly favor Justins plan and do everything we can to advance that idea. Thanks for attending and contributing.

[SamInTheLoop]

Maybe you're right, but the city has totally dropped the ball when it comes to infrastructure in the South Loop. Considering the huge size of the Near South TIF, this is inexcusable. The biggest investment in the last decade was the auto sewer they built at Roosevelt/Clark.

Congress and the Rock Island are both huge barriers in the neighborhood that the city has done nothing about. For god's sake, there are still jersey barriers sitting on the Polk sidewalk in front of Folio Square.



Sure it vindicates them. America is massively overbuilt on retail space and large chains are expanding at a very slow pace after getting burned in the recession. McCaffery's deal with the lender likely requires them to sign AAA tenants, but it's not possible to do that quickly in today's environment. They have filled RC with as many local businesses as they could manage (bevello, Bridgeport Coffee, Haberdash, ROC, etc) but those slots for AAA tenants are a bitch to fill.



On, first point - you're certainly not going to find an argument here - the city has really dropped the ball........indefensible really..


Second point, on RC - huh? Is that supposed to be in jest?

Just a couple opening points - Republic of Couture (is this Chicago-based?) has to my knowledge never opened - assuming something is going on there, and obvoiusly wondering if that tenancy is in trouble. At minimum there's there is some kind of bizarrely long delay. Bevello was a Southern import and actually closed 4 or 5 months after they opened. They're long gone.

While true that the US is over-stored (aggregate gross leasable area still towers over other mature markets) - it's tremendously higher than in countries such as Australia and Canada, and Western European countries, etc), this is not by any means necessarily true of urban areas - in fact, national (and to some extent increasingly international) strong credit retailers are recognizing this - and are focusing much of their expansion (admittedly less aggressive overall than pre financial crisis) in under-retailed urban markets (large and dense population, large aggregate discretionary income/spending potential, lower competition levels, and in certain areas (downtown chicago, anyone?, other city cores and neighborhoods around the country), even growing populations and affluence to boot. So RC's remarkably poor performance in leasing the last 1.5-2 years (it's been 3 years now - or nearly 3 years, since 'McHackeffery' purchased it at a low cost basis) is inexcusable - period. That they are now announcing (or leaked to press by them or someone else) 3 quality national/international tenants would certainly not meet any reasonable assessment as to 'vindication'.

Again, from an urbanist's/pedestrian's standpoint, what the developer/current owner of RC have done is completely BS, and should not have been permitted - points Mr Downtown brought up regarding what they're doing 'out the back'. However, from the perspective of most national retailers, they could give two flying f#c%s - trust me, the design, while there are issues, has not been a major contributor to 'McHackeffery's' dismal leasing performance at the center - it is of their own very evident (in the observable results) acute leasing incompetence.

They could definitely still turn it around - I very much hope that they do, by the way. Never mistake analysis and keen assessment for some sort of bias.