CHICAGO | General Developments

[Notyrview]

You guys, Zaha Hadid is the best choice for this project. Something alien like the Abu Dhabi Performing Arts Center would complement both Lucas's narrative legacy and the city's as a leading advocate of bold architecture.

[Mr Downtown]

It seems to be a very common misconception that this will be a museum about George Lucas rather than a museum by him.

Yes, there's no doubt that the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art will draw at least as many patrons as Milwaukee's Grohmann Museum, the world’s most comprehensive art collection dedicated to the evolution of human work.

[Busy Bee]

Yeah Zaha Hadid came to mind immediately. But so did Jean Nouvel, morphisis, Norman Foster. Even Richard Meier could pull off a galactic utopia aesthetic.

[bnk]

If only Anca Petrescu was still with us.
I'd force her on the "Friends of the surface Parking lots"

[Notyrview]

Yeah Zaha Hadid came to mind immediately. But so did Jean Nouvel, morphisis, Norman Foster. Even Richard Meier could pull off a galactic utopia aesthetic.

Uh, yes, Jean Nouvel. I think he could pull it off and keep it at cost. So could herzog de meuron.

[SamInTheLoop]

Don't forget about Robert AM Stern... could be a strong choice for a traditional design.




;)



Fuck - 2 sterns going up at (just about) the lakefront simultaneously - that could turn me into a nimby - a psychotic break at minimum......


To give our Chicago design talent some love, how about:

- Krueck and Sexton
- John Ronan
- Jeanne Gang
- Joe Valerio
- Juan Moreno

???



I really hope some can persuade Lucas to make a serious attempt to actually do architecture with the museum........not trying to be negative, but I just don't have a great feeling about what we're going to get here.....

[Jibba]

^I would actually love to see what Ronan could do. A larger but no less elegant riff on the Poetry Foundation would be fantastic (monolithic yet delicate and revealing).

Uh, yes, Jean Nouvel. I think he could pull it off and keep it at cost. So could herzog de meuron.

Herzog would be one of the few celebrity firms I would like to see have a proposal. They have a penchant for drawing from local historical types and making it work really well (CaixaForum, Parrish museum, Vitra Haus). Spare me the over-rationalized parametric BS from Hadid et al... Also, Peter Zumthor would make something amazingly earthen and stoic--perfect for the Chicago lakefront.

[Jibba]

http://grahamfoundation.org/newsletter/?blog_id=1530

"In the fall of 2015, the inaugural Chicago Architecture Biennial—an international forum on architecture and the designed environment—will open in Chicago. The Biennial will bring the world’s leading architectural talent together to explore the ideas, ambitions, and challenges facing the contemporary city in an age of accelerated change. Featuring the work of both established and emerging architects, the Biennial will address the major concerns of our time: the social, environmental, aesthetic, technological, and economic issues that shape the world we live in."

[LouisVanDerWright]

^^^ Yeah, Rahm proposing an architecture biennial is rich considering the fact that he basically completely gutted the landmarks commission and then forced the demolition of Prentice. Hopefully it will draw a bunch of big time architects who can have speaking slots all around the city devoted to deriding Rahm's handling of Prentice. Everyone knows Rahm doesn't give a shit about our architecture so I'm not sure how he thinks he has the credibility to start a world class architecture expo.

[Jibba]

The Graham is involved, so the event is in good hands, let me assure you. They are unheard of among most of my friends and colleagues (and even some of my design-nerd friends), but they have excellent curatorial and programmatic chops.

I'm bummed about Prentice too, but I wouldn't be so rash as to say "Rahm doesn't give a shit about our architecture" (granted, that sounds like an emotionally charged opinion, so I won't hold you to it that strongly). More than architecture was at stake in the case of Prentice, and while the whole charade of landmarking and un-landmarking was a bit absurd (to convey their aptitude and integrity by recognizing the value of the building for a few hours), I wouldn't extrapolate from that one event any preservation paradigm much less a broader administrative architectural philosophy.

[the urban politician]

Greg Hinz in Crains blogs (http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20140626/BLOGS02/140629862/elitists-on-parade-in-opposition-to-proposed-lucas-museum) about the lakefront protectionist idiots and makes many of the same arguments that we've made, but I also found this excerpt noteworthy:

CRITICS ARE TIMELESS

I'd urge those folks to consider what's at the core of the Art Institute's collection. Works that, according to one mid-19th century critic, are less finished than "wallpaper in its embryonic form." Works that were banned from the leading museums of Paris, works that, as another critic at the time put it, are filled with "aberrations" that "no sensible human being could countenance."

I'm talking, of course, about the French impressionists, whose work now is beloved, regardless of what the chattering classes mumbled along the Seine in the 1870s. In what surely was a bit of vanity, they were collected by Mrs. Potter Palmer and some other founders of the Art Institute.

The point: Art tastes change. So do museums. This one, like them all, will need to grow beyond its initial founder. But don't dismiss other people's tastes as pedestrian. Or suggest that Maxfield Parrish lacked any of Monet's or Renoir's sense of light and color.

[wierdaaron]

Despite having already taken a side, I find this whole issue kind of fascinating and think it's something you might not see in other cities. Both sides have valid points in my mind, and arguments are made for both sides with roots reaching back to the founding of the city and forward into an unknown future. People want to adhere to a city plan, and people want to see the city improved. I like this. It's nuanced. I wish more politics were like this.

[Notyrview]

^Spare me the over-rationalized parametric BS from Hadid et al...

Whatever that means, it is far more interesting than almost anything we ever see in Chicago.

[SamInTheLoop]

More old Cabrini Green news -

A 9 story, 94 unit building has received a permit for new construction on a vacant lot at 459 W Division (Division & Cleveland). Around the corner at 1151 N Cleveland, a 12 unit building received a permit yesterday. There will be 63 total parking spots amongst the two buildings out of 106 units. This is part of another phase of Parkside at Old Town.

From a website talking about it from March:


If the larger one is the project I'm thinking of, very much looking forward to this one as it's a desperately needed change from 'ye olde time dogshit' design that's plagued the Cabrini redevelopment mid and low rise stuff to-date....

[Jibba]

Whatever that means, it is far more interesting than almost anything we ever see in Chicago.

It's mentioned in an interview with Patrik Schumacher that sums it up:

http://archrecord.construction.com/news/2014/03/140319-Newsmaker-Patrik-Schumacher.asp

I have no problem with an "interesting" building, but their projects are interesting as far as being exceptionally curvilinear. They also have no qualms about forsaking local history for their own motives (see above interview). That in and of itself can be seen as admirable and can make for a great building, but I would prefer something ideologically harmonious with its surroundings, especially for a campus setting (this does not preclude something innovative). If we're going for "interesting" (taken to mean immediately affecting), I'd rather see H&D (or Koolhas or Snohetta) over Zaha.

[marothisu]

If the larger one is the project I'm thinking of, very much looking forward to this one as it's a desperately needed change from 'ye olde time dogshit' design that's plagued the Cabrini redevelopment mid and low rise stuff to-date....

Both Spyguy and Curbed talked about this about a month ago. Landon Bone Baker are the architects but I can't find anything on their page about it.


Speaking of LBB, it seems as if the next phase of Woodlawn Park in Woodlawn south of the U of C is going to ramp up maybe. Something like 15 buildings around Cottage Grove and 61st/62nd have been issued demolition permits this year. I know that on Cottage Grove there was a new construction permit for a 5 story senior housing center issued in April or May. I think this is all supposed to be phase 3 and in total there are supposed to be 404 mixed income units.

http://landonbonebaker.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/WP1_corner-bldg-rendering.jpg

[Notyrview]

It's mentioned in an interview with Patrik Schumacher that sums it up:

http://archrecord.construction.com/news/2014/03/140319-Newsmaker-Patrik-Schumacher.asp

I have no problem with an "interesting" building, but their projects are interesting as far as being exceptionally curvilinear. They also have no qualms about forsaking local history for their own motives (see above interview). That in and of itself can be seen as admirable and can make for a great building, but I would prefer something ideologically harmonious with its surroundings, especially for a campus setting (this does not preclude something innovative). If we're going for "interesting" (taken to mean immediately affecting), I'd rather see H&D (or Koolhas or Snohetta) over Zaha.

Oh I forgot about Koolhas. I'd rather see that too. The Seattle Public Library is one of the coolest buildings I've ever been in.

[austinChiVA]

It's mentioned in an interview with Patrik Schumacher that sums it up:

http://archrecord.construction.com/news/2014/03/140319-Newsmaker-Patrik-Schumacher.asp

I have no problem with an "interesting" building, but their projects are interesting as far as being exceptionally curvilinear. They also have no qualms about forsaking local history for their own motives (see above interview). That in and of itself can be seen as admirable and can make for a great building, but I would prefer something ideologically harmonious with its surroundings, especially for a campus setting (this does not preclude something innovative). If we're going for "interesting" (taken to mean immediately affecting), I'd rather see H&D (or Koolhas or Snohetta) over Zaha.

Let's not forget the vagina stadium Zaha designed for Qatar: http://i.huffpost.com/gen/1471686/thumbs/o-AECOM-570.jpg?6

[denizen467]

More old Cabrini Green news -

A 9 story, 94 unit building has received a permit for new construction on a vacant lot at 459 W Division (Division & Cleveland). Around the corner at 1151 N Cleveland, a 12 unit building received a permit yesterday. There will be 63 total parking spots amongst the two buildings out of 106 units. This is part of another phase of Parkside at Old Town.
There are also some rowhouses under construction (site prep) now at Oak & Cleveland: www.basecamprivernorth.com (http://www.basecamprivernorth.com)


======================


The blank concrete west facade on 1611 W Division now has a large piece of art covering a big portion of it. Not sure this was the best execution (maybe not yet completed?), but giant art is usually welcome in my book.

[ChiTownWonder]

earlier this year there was news of lighting the Chicago river. any news of this? i meant when are these lights supposed to go up if they are still planned?

[marothisu]

earlier this year there was news of lighting the Chicago river. any news of this? i meant when are these lights supposed to go up if they are still planned?

It won't happen for awhile. I think they just started accepting bids for the work in the last month only.

[spyguy]

More old Cabrini Green news -

A 9 story, 94 unit building has received a permit for new construction on a vacant lot at 459 W Division (Division & Cleveland). Around the corner at 1151 N Cleveland, a 12 unit building received a permit yesterday. There will be 63 total parking spots amongst the two buildings out of 106 units. This is part of another phase of Parkside at Old Town.

From a website talking about it from March:

Across the street, it looks like Brinshore is dusting off plans for Division and Clybourn. This is a 7 story, 84 unit building with retail.

[the urban politician]

^ Wow.

The old Cabrini Green area looks like it's about to go butt crazy in the next few years. I am excited to see this area transform from gunfire warzone to a nice urban neighborhood worthy of a new L stop.

[SamInTheLoop]

Both Spyguy and Curbed talked about this about a month ago. Landon Bone Baker are the architects but I can't find anything on their page about it.



I am absolutely certain I saw a rendering of it a few months ago, but now it seems absolutely nowhere to be found...........anyhow, hope it hasn't changed from that rendering.....


^ I know. This could actually be a really nice area by the end of the decade.......exciting times....

[marothisu]

Across the street, it looks like Brinshore is dusting off plans for Division and Clybourn. This is a 7 story, 84 unit building with retail.

Nice. Is there an exact address, or if it's at the corner - which corner?


Also, it looks like 1323 S Michigan (~Michigan & 13th) is seeking zoning change to convert to 30 units. Currently 7 stories and possibly unoccupied and owned by a bank via foreclosure.

[sukwoo]

It is not a question of what one would prefer, it is a question of what the Lakefront Protection Ordinance dictates.

Wouldn't the LPO also ban private development at the US Steel Southworks location now that LSD has been extended southward?

[Mr Downtown]

^I've been chuckling about that all week, about how Dan McCaffery, having insisted that the new US 41 roadway be called Lake Shore Drive, is now hoist by his own petard.

Of course, the practical effect of the ordinance is nil. The Plan Commission will approve whatever he wants.

[sukwoo]

^I've been chuckling about that all week, about how Dan McCaffery, having insisted that the new US 41 roadway be called Lake Shore Drive, is now hoist by his own petard.

Of course, the practical effect of the ordinance is nil. The Plan Commission will approve whatever he wants.

But if Friends of the Parks wants to be intellectually consistent, they should also be suing McCaffery to preserve the slag heaps from development.

[wierdaaron]

FotP is pretty consistent but I don't know about intellectual.

[Link N. Parker]

Across the street, it looks like Brinshore is dusting off plans for Division and Clybourn. This is a 7 story, 84 unit building with retail.

Is this the development you are referring to?

If so, it looks good. Do you know on what corner it will be built?

http://www.brinshore.com/dev/clybourn-division/

EDIT: I answered my own question. I scrolled further down on the website, and I see that it is being built on the triangle-shaped corner lot that currently holds the "Urban Farm" or whatever it is called. This is great news. I cannot stand that farm being there. Not that I am against urban farming (I am a huge supporter of the concept in general) but I dont like the farm being located right there.

The development looks decent enough, although I wish they were actually holding the corner with a true corner-shaped building. The building I see in the design has one of those concave corners that will allow the corner to sport a small park-like area. Not bad at all but I like the hard-corner look myself.

[Baronvonellis]

Looks like where the urban farm is now.

[Tom In Chicago]

To give our Chicago design talent some love, how about:

- Krueck and Sexton
- John Ronan
- Jeanne Gang
- Joe Valerio
- Juan Moreno

???



Smith+Gill??? :cool:

. . .

[marothisu]

Updated construction data 1/1/2014 - 6/26/2014 from New Construction building permits:

* 3865 units in new multi unit buildings (1997 units in Mixed Use buildings, 461 units in transitional living/other type, 1407 units in purely residential buildings).

* 276 new single family homes

[Mr Downtown]

Any permits issued for 1100 S. Clark? This week they've been pulling out old foundations and crap near the surface, the urban equivalent of grubbing.

[marothisu]

Any permits issued for 1100 S. Clark? This week they've been pulling out old foundations and crap near the surface, the urban equivalent of grubbing.

Isn't 1100 S Clark where Target is...?

[wierdaaron]

Between Target and AMLI 900. There's been a render for a residential midsize (unsure rent or condo) but no concretes.

[LouisVanDerWright]

Updated construction data 1/1/2014 - 6/26/2014 from New Construction building permits:

* 3865 units in new multi unit buildings (1997 units in Mixed Use buildings, 461 units in transitional living/other type, 1407 units in purely residential buildings).

* 276 new single family homes

Wow, those are healthy numbers. Wonder if we will eclipse 10,000 units/year next year? Maybe we can still break that threshold with a strong second half of the year?

[SamInTheLoop]

Just walked past.....this is the JDL project....design by HP.....469 units....saw 29 stories quoted but looked more like 25 to me.....overall nice design but with a shitty motor court.....at the moment a dozer, 2 excavators and a smallish piece of Thatcher equipment on site, the last of which my guess being for soil borings.....hope we move to foundation work quickly on this one....the south loop is waking up at last from its long slumber...it's time to build (1001 S State - open invitation for you to join the festivities)....

[wierdaaron]

design by HP

Hewlet-Packard or Haymes-Pappageorge?

[wierdaaron]

A bit off-topic but a little relevant to the lakefront/park preservationist against private development angle, what do people think about the Argo tea pavilion in Connors Park?

Background: http://chicago.curbed.com/archives/2014/04/22/confusion-brews-in-the-connors-park-argo-tea-experiment.php

It's a public park still, but with a private Argo tea restaurant built inside. I'm going to have a chance to speak with the CEO of Argo about it, so I'm curious about some takes other than my own.

[SamInTheLoop]

^^ Hartshorne and Plunkard - like Pappageorge Haymes, but with more talent....

[marothisu]

A bit off-topic but a little relevant to the lakefront/park preservationist against private development angle, what do people think about the Argo tea pavilion in Connors Park?

Background: http://chicago.curbed.com/archives/2014/04/22/confusion-brews-in-the-connors-park-argo-tea-experiment.php

It's a public park still, but with a private Argo tea restaurant built inside. I'm going to have a chance to speak with the CEO of Argo about it, so I'm curious about some takes other than my own.

I live right by it and love the thing. Before, it wasn't bad but it was under utilized. I think it's unique and I love relaxing there just in general. I don't think it's 100% the same as Lucas's thing, but yeah similar in a way. Lucas's museum is much more cultural though in the end and a bigger asset than the Argo.

[wierdaaron]

Definitely, yeah, but private use of public land has always been a hot issue in town, so the Argo pavilion has been interesting to me. The fact that it's a local company probably has a lot to do with it, but once the precedent is set who's going to be the arbiter of good taste that stops a Starbucks or Dunkin Donuts from popping up in every park in the future?

Similarly, that little pop-up PNC bank in Grant Park is so vexing to me. It was brought up in the last parks district meeting and their rationale for allowing it is that it's not a permanent structure (it's like a shipping container) so it doesnt violate any ordinances. But why a bank? I'm sure the money is nice for the park's budget, but if a big orange metal bank is okay why not have a pop-up 7-11 right next to it? Or a whole hooverville of temporary private businesses using park land to hawk their wares?

It just scares me a bit that most of these decisions are ad-hoc, not based on a set guideline but rather a gut sense of what's right and what's too much. That means that if an idiot or corrupt person is ever in charge of having those gut feelings, the parks could all go to hell.

[r18tdi]

Haymes-Pappageorge going pretty hard at Diversey and Hampden site.

[denizen467]

The North/Clybourn district will be getting live comedy pretty soon. ImprovOlympic aka iO is finally planning its opening across from Whole Foods, with a target date of August 1st.

Hopefully this growth will eventually chase out those ugly strip club buildings.

[ardecila]

Hmm, strippers or improv... such a difficult choice! Pity me my modern dilemmas! ;)

[marothisu]

Wow, those are healthy numbers. Wonder if we will eclipse 10,000 units/year next year? Maybe we can still break that threshold with a strong second half of the year?

It certainly would be interesting and great if that could happen! I think it could. Compare it with last year at the same time - 2613 units (909 mixed use units, 1562 units in residential only buildings, and 143 senior units) and 235 SFH. That means 2014 is so far ahead by 1252 units and 41 SFH versus 2013 YTD.

[spyguy]

UofChicago posted some nice photos of the Becker-Friedman Institute building post-renovations: http://facilities.uchicago.edu/construction/current/5757south-university/

http://i59.tinypic.com/fmtm54.jpg
http://i57.tinypic.com/359fev4.jpg
http://i58.tinypic.com/9i8ump.jpg
http://i57.tinypic.com/ok0sci.jpg
http://i62.tinypic.com/2lbcduw.jpg
http://i60.tinypic.com/2emljqa.jpg

[george]

6-28

1611 W Division art banners

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/843/yk49n.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/nfyk49nj)

[Notyrview]

That is one sick TOD Wendy's.

[r18tdi]

6-28

1611 W Division art banners

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/843/yk49n.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/nfyk49nj)
Looks like petrified dino turds.
And yet I'm strangely OK with that.

[Link N. Parker]

That is one sick TOD Wendy's.

I have been hoping someone comes along and buys out that Wendys and builds something amazing on the property.

[Ch.G, Ch.G]

So dope

[the urban politician]

Yeah that Wendy's is just so out of place now, like a throwback to 1979

[J_M_Tungsten]

Yesterday
Google
http://i592.photobucket.com/albums/tt1/JMTUNGSTEN/New%20pics/BAEE48A0-0390-495A-8793-3FDC21E23B09.jpg (http://s592.photobucket.com/user/JMTUNGSTEN/media/New%20pics/BAEE48A0-0390-495A-8793-3FDC21E23B09.jpg.html)

http://i592.photobucket.com/albums/tt1/JMTUNGSTEN/New%20pics/1BFB0EDF-0D6C-4409-9ED2-C5BA4E174A29.jpg (http://s592.photobucket.com/user/JMTUNGSTEN/media/New%20pics/1BFB0EDF-0D6C-4409-9ED2-C5BA4E174A29.jpg.html)

[sentinel]

UofChicago posted some nice photos of the Becker-Friedman Institute building post-renovations: http://facilities.uchicago.edu/construction/current/5757south-university/

http://i59.tinypic.com/fmtm54.jpg
http://i57.tinypic.com/359fev4.jpg
http://i58.tinypic.com/9i8ump.jpg
http://i57.tinypic.com/ok0sci.jpg
http://i62.tinypic.com/2lbcduw.jpg
http://i60.tinypic.com/2emljqa.jpg

Deliberate full repost, because it deserves to be seen again. Thanks for the heads-up spyguy. U of C just (almost) always seems to nail it with projects like this. So happy this pretty significant global institution is in Chicago and within one of the best renovation projects I've seen in recent years.

[chicagogreg]

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

[sentinel]

^^I couldn't resist so per spyguy's original post, here are some more images of the Becker Friedman project at U of C :D (incidentally, I haven't seen anything recently posted for the new building addition on the north side of the existing building):

http://facilities.uchicago.edu/construction/current/5757south-university/

http://c011035cf99f431605b3-347991228b46ee9d365964d5afc064e2.r90.cf2.rackcdn.com/featuredprojects/58th_Street_Promenade1.jpg

http://c011035cf99f431605b3-347991228b46ee9d365964d5afc064e2.r90.cf2.rackcdn.com/featuredprojects/Entry_Day1.jpg

http://c011035cf99f431605b3-347991228b46ee9d365964d5afc064e2.r90.cf2.rackcdn.com/featuredprojects/SW_Entry_Detail1.jpg

http://c011035cf99f431605b3-347991228b46ee9d365964d5afc064e2.r90.cf2.rackcdn.com/featuredprojects/West_Entry_Staircase1.jpg

http://c011035cf99f431605b3-347991228b46ee9d365964d5afc064e2.r90.cf2.rackcdn.com/featuredprojects/Tiered_Classroom_Former_library1.jpg

http://c011035cf99f431605b3-347991228b46ee9d365964d5afc064e2.r90.cf2.rackcdn.com/featuredprojects/Grad_Commons_Detail1.jpg

http://c011035cf99f431605b3-347991228b46ee9d365964d5afc064e2.r90.cf2.rackcdn.com/featuredprojects/5757_May_2014.jpg

[Skyguy_7]

http://i57.tinypic.com/359fev4.jpg
Holy crap. I was not efficient at calculus, but I'd be willing to sit through 3-hour sessions on a Monday if the lectures were in that building.

[Busy Bee]

Love the Milton Friedman Institute

Love the building. The man, not so much.

[harryc]

Dearborn - State
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-lyjl0w3gw18/U7FmlioeEVI/AAAAAAAB6lY/cZaUBN5bkuY/w958-h719-no/P1020700.JPG

Dearborn Bridge
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-5C-XO5mDKrw/U7Fmn0w5XNI/AAAAAAAB6lg/SlbX-bMz7fI/w958-h719-no/P1020712.JPG

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-3fY0T-OCE2o/U7Fmpbi7nBI/AAAAAAAB6lo/7ZCcx982ABM/w637-h849-no/P1020728.JPG

Dearborn - Clark
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-ZcoIlDfRMAo/U7Fmr-NnEoI/AAAAAAAB6lw/dl4-e9W9A3w/w958-h719-no/P1020741.JPG

[wierdaaron]

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

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

[emathias]

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

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

[sentinel]

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

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

[wierdaaron]

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

[HomrQT]

http://i57.tinypic.com/359fev4.jpg
Holy crap. I was not efficient at calculus, but I'd be willing to sit through 3-hour sessions on a Monday if the lectures were in that building.

Hubba hubba, that's some good looking architecture.

[Link N. Parker]

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

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

[LouisVanDerWright]

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

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

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

[The Lurker]

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

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

[Ch.G, Ch.G]

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

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

Stanford and MIT are pretty young, too.

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

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

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

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

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

[ChickeNES]

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


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

-----

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

[denizen467]

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

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

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

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

Lastly, ask the average person to name the Ivies and they'll tell you Harvard, Yale, and maybe Princeton. The Ivy League is more of a concept than anything else. Say you went to an Ivy and people know what you're talking about. Say you went to Brown or Dartmouth or especially the University of Pennsylvania and you'll probably get a shrug.
And especially Cornell too. Also, completely agree about U Chicago. Btw, did you kiss the blarney stone or get your keyboard fixed or something? Usually you post a terse sentence or two at most, but this time you seem like practically a different person. Feel free to continue exercising any gift of gab you have.

[sukwoo]

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

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

[wierdaaron]

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

http://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/20140701/river-north/river-roast-opens-july-17-with-waterfront-patio-water-taxi-service

[Link N. Parker]

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

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

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

[Ch.G, Ch.G]

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

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

[Mr Downtown]

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

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

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

[Ch.G, Ch.G]

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

:hug:

[wrab]

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

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

Link (http://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/09/us/led-by-stanfords-5-top-colleges-acceptance-rates-hit-new-lows.htm)

[emathias]

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

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

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

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

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

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

[emathias]

The demolition work for 707 N Wells is well under way should complete this week.

Along those lines, I have a meeting with the developers tomorrow. I'm the condo board president for buildings that directly abut the construction and we'll be talking through some items that impact us.

If anyone with experience with construction directly adjacent to existing buildings was willing to send me a P.M. with tips or pointers on things I should be bringing up with them I'd surely appreciate it. So far we want to talk to them about any maintenance that should be done to our brick walls prior to them having their walls 8 inches from ours, about their 6-8 month blockading of the shared alley, and a few similar things, but maybe there are other less obvious things that someone with direct experience with this sort of situation might know about that I should bring up with them. I expect it to be a cordial, productive meeting and don't expect it to be conflict-oriented, so any tips on keeping it that way would be welcome, too.

[LouisVanDerWright]

PS, that tower planned for across from Target on Division must be moving forward as they've cleared the entire site now.

[marothisu]

PS, that tower planned for across from Target on Division must be moving forward as they've cleared the entire site now.

Yeah, it's actually been leveled completely for about a month now. YoChicago wrote about it 3 weeks ago: http://yochicago.com/demolition-complete-at-division-street-apartment-site/35471/


In other, smaller news - 3 new 6 unit buildings are coming to the 1800 block of N California on vacant lots just north of the 606 (as well as a new SFH on vacant lot next to all of them). The good news is that it was originally supposed to be all SFHs and is part of the California Estates area (http://yochicago.com/new-construction-on-the-former-site-of-california-estates/26833/). So we get some increased density from what was originally supposed to go there.

[marothisu]

Curbed has an article about the 29 story, 469 unit building at 1000 S Clark. Looks like it's officially in site prep mode

http://chicago.curbed.com/archives/2014/07/02/site-prep-begins-for-south-loops-latest-apartment-tower.php

[Jim in Chicago]

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

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

Finally registered after lurking for several years since I just had to post about this building.

The UofC is in a somewhat unique position. It doesn't actually have the same recognition in the US as the Ivies, but is very, very well known world-wide and draws scholars - especially at the Graduate level - from around the world. Chicago is actually a member of a group called the "Ivies Plus" which in addition to MIT and Stanford mentioned above also included Duke and Hopkins. Although only established in 1893 (in a second incarnation, hence the use of the Phoenix on the logo) it was deliberately founded as a complete institution and grew rapidly. In almost every metric it can hold its own against the Ivies.

Back to the building, which is the point here. It is stunning, and even more so is the transformation of the former street between it and the Oriental Institute across the way. Everyone should take a journey down to Hyde Park to see it in real life.

[emathias]

707 N Wells is still waiting on building permits, but they expect them soon. When it does get built, it will be built on caissons and not piles, if anyone was curious.

Also, the building on the NW corner of Clark and Huron is going forward although I don't have any timeline for it.

[marothisu]

Also, the building on the NW corner of Clark and Huron is going forward although I don't have any timeline for it.

That's awesome - no timeline at all even when they should expect to start any work? Another downtown surface lot bites the dust...

[SamInTheLoop]

^^ ^ Huron and Clark is the mid-rise designed by Booth Hansen, correct?

Also, emathias, any last minute design changes, to make 707 look a little less....I don't know.....brutally ugly?? Any smidgen of hope?

[SamInTheLoop]

Finally registered after lurking for several years since I just had to post about this building.

The UofC is in a somewhat unique position. It doesn't actually have the same recognition in the US as the Ivies, but is very, very well known world-wide and draws scholars - especially at the Graduate level - from around the world. Chicago is actually a member of a group called the "Ivies Plus" which in addition to MIT and Stanford mentioned above also included Duke and Hopkins. Although only established in 1893 (in a second incarnation, hence the use of the Phoenix on the logo) it was deliberately founded as a complete institution and grew rapidly. In almost every metric it can hold its own against the Ivies.

Back to the building, which is the point here. It is stunning, and even more so is the transformation of the former street between it and the Oriental Institute across the way. Everyone should take a journey down to Hyde Park to see it in real life.


How rude of us - welcome to (posting on) the forum!

[johneboy96]

Anyone know why they're already removing the new shops at northbridge signage and wall thing on grand and Rush?

[LouisVanDerWright]

Anyone know why they're already removing the new shops at northbridge signage and wall thing on grand and Rush?

Maybe they realized it is ass ugly and less comprehensible than the previous signage...

[JDMChicago]

Anyone know why they're already removing the new shops at northbridge signage and wall thing on grand and Rush?

I think the plan is to cut windows into the Grand Ave side.

[the urban politician]

^. I hope so, they have to do something. The shops at North Bridge has no less than a detestable design. It looks like it belongs in Minneapolis or something. Just a lousy piece of shit of a building. More windows would help, but I wish they would do even more than that liven its street presence

[guesswho]

^ Agreed. If anyone has been to Singapore - the Vivo City Mall (probably the same size or larger than Northbridge) sets the gold standard for urban malls in my opinion.

I kind of wish Navy Pier was a virtual reincarnation of Vivo City, so then us local Chicagoans would actually want to spend time at Navy Pier alongside the tourists.

[brian_b]

Although only established in 1893 (in a second incarnation, hence the use of the Phoenix on the logo) it was deliberately founded as a complete institution and grew rapidly. In almost every metric it can hold its own against the Ivies.

Sure, but the purpose is far different than the Ivies - reflected in the school motto "Crescat scientia; vita excolatur" - "Let knowledge grow from more to more; and so be human life enriched." Rockefeller purposely funded a midwestern university to be geographically and fundamentally distanced from the Ivies. The advancement of human knowledge is the primary purpose; education of a student body is only by necessity. It has attracted scholars from around the world because it allowed them the freedom that few other universities offered.

100 years ago, the difference was noticeable; in modern times universities have evolved so much that it is hard to notice. Which is part of the reason that U of C is undertaking such a massive construction and development spree. It is a recognition that it must do more to continue to attract the kind of people it used to take for granted.

[marothisu]

^ Agreed. If anyone has been to Singapore - the Vivo City Mall (probably the same size or larger than Northbridge) sets the gold standard for urban malls in my opinion.

I kind of wish Navy Pier was a virtual reincarnation of Vivo City, so then us local Chicagoans would actually want to spend time at Navy Pier alongside the tourists.

I went there last year - it's rather an interesting mall. I didn't find it anything that special to be honest, though the building design was cool and the fact that a tram goes directly to it is also cool (you can technically find that in Arlington, VA too).

It's much different than the mall in Chicago though because in reality, it's not really surrounded by much. It's next to water, but there's a bunch of open land across the street from it and actually quite a bit around it that's fairly open. You have to go a little north of that before it starts filling up and even then, while there's many high rises there they are more suburban and have some space between them. Which in Singapore is nice because that whole area is so lush.

This is what I'm talking about which is not that far from Vivo City:
https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xaf1/t1.0-9/310028_10101163978459800_106581093_n.jpg

A shot of the mall:
https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/936164_10101163978829060_1654160842_n.jpg?oh=6a78347123ba8d1f1b5829e0906d12e6&oe=5423A951&__gda__=1412116106_5a85659c681178f2aa710b86cc3bb23f

Area just a little west of Vivo:
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/t1.0-9/946082_10101164019352850_876272405_n.jpg


I do think that a better comparison is Navy Pier though - but they're still completely different things. Navy Pier is more of an entertainment center with touristy things while Vivo City is a legitimate mall. I do think they should adopt the Tram thing though.


Also, some interesting architecture outside of that:
https://scontent-b-iad.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/t1.0-9/934740_10101164017082400_667449878_n.jpg

[wierdaaron]

Speaking of Navy Pier, there's a public meeting about it on Tuesday at 6pm. 375 E. Chicago Ave., First Floor. I hope they've got some firm details.

[Remy_Bork]

Here are some images of the Chinatown Library site. They are of particularly poor quality, but give you an idea of how much has been done.

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3864/14379925158_3dab4e7ab7_b.jpg

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2926/14566549545_454c3e946d_b.jpg

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5582/14543458676_4fd919a3e5_b.jpg

[marothisu]

^ You beat me to it. I was planning on going there this weekend to check it out and take some pics. My last pics were just after they cleared off that parking lot. Should be a very welcome addition to the neighborhood!

P.S. Did you see how far along that 72 room hotel is on Archer/Wentworth? A month or so ago it was 3 floor high with one more to go. Moving along very slowly.

[Remy_Bork]

Yeah, I could take a couple pictures of that too. It's being built extremely slowly, and all but stopped for over a month. They have just about topped out the fourth floor though. I've only ever seen one or two guys working on it.