CHICAGO | General Developments

[joeg1985]

^ Lolz..... those advertisements.

[UrbanLibertine]

Ugh. I like those buildings. There are plenty of empty lots around those pretty buildings. :(

I went to a couple parties in the unit above it, and the tenants were forced to leave by their landlord at least six months ago for a new development, which they believed would include that corner lot.

[Jibba]

One missing detail may not seem like a big deal. An accumulation of them is, and that gestalt plays a big role in the vague but unsettling difference the more discerning eye notices between historic architecture and historicist architecture. It's death by a thousand cuts.

Exactly. This is what I mentioned to Tunney when I urged him to not advocate a half-retro building at Belmont/Clark. You can't just appropriate some historic elements and not others and expect it to incite a mental perception of historic or semi-historic. And the latter, especially, cannot be evoked because a building cannot look semi-historic. It either looks old (and old in a way of being of a certain period of past time) or it doesn't. If the gestalt is not there then there is nothing. You are either tricked into thinking that the building is older than it actually is or you see a weirdly proportioned cartoon that creates an aesthetic cognitive dissonance. (And that is at best. At worst you get an amalgamation of poorly interpreted references that looks like an architectural monster.)

[ardecila]

I've never heard the term "applied mullions." "Simulated divided lite" is the industry term for the muntin bars you see on most contemporary residential developments. They're pretty much standard at this point; true divided light is both very costly and very inefficient. IMO, the difference is noticeable. The latter has more depth while the former often really does look tacked on.

Yes and no. Modern double glazed windows often look equally weird with true divided lite, because the shadow lines are so deep.

Of course, there's no reason we couldn't produce new steel framed, single glazed divided windows (sometimes called "industrial sash") - it would be very easy and affordable to mass produce. There's just very little demand because the dang things are so energy-inefficient. You can still get them from Hope's or Crittall if you really want them, but now they are an expensive specialty product.

Long story short, applied muntins are by far the most economical way to get that industrial sash look without nightmarish energy bills.

[Skyguy_7]

Another Gang-designed boathouse destined for the city:

http://www.trbimg.com/img-5460f310/turbine/chi-eleanor-boat-housee-20141110/750/750x422

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/columnists/ct-bridgeport-boathouse-kamin-met-1110-20141110-column.html

[wierdaaron]

I can see some kind of mobile crane set up on the north side of Navy Pier. I'm not sure where along in their progress they are with the latest revamp. It seems like work over there doesn't get noticed compared to construction elsewhere because nobody can see it from close by because it's so detached from the rest of downtown.

[ChiTownWonder]

Another Gang-designed boathouse destined for the city

mmmm

[Skyguy_7]

I can see some kind of mobile crane set up on the north side of Navy Pier. I'm not sure where along in their progress they are with the latest revamp. It seems like work over there doesn't get noticed compared to construction elsewhere because nobody can see it from close by because it's so detached from the rest of downtown.

Are you certain it's not for the Halloween barge recovery?

[Skyguy_7]

The new Chase branch at Chicago and Larrabee

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-b0tMy4jzAP8/VGIY_wHGukI/AAAAAAAABrs/IyYaWgKFtnE/w735-h551-no/14%2B-%2B1

[wierdaaron]

DON'T GET YOUR HOPES UP! THIS ISN'T A REAL THING:

I was poking around Kreuk & Sexton's site for info about 130 N Franklin and I noticed this circa-2009 design for an "Abrahamic Interfaith Center" for the south side.

http://i.imgur.com/NWhvMSc.jpg (http://imgur.com/NWhvMSc)

http://www.ksarch.com/projects/AIC/AIC.php

It's a hell of a thing, but it doesn't look like it'll actually happen. Probably a design exercise more than anything, but it's interesting to see where their minds started to go after Spertus got them such acclaim.

[Busy Bee]

I love it, and it comes complete with a Eurostar high speed train! Yes please!

[Via Chicago]

The new Chase branch at Chicago and Larrabee

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-b0tMy4jzAP8/VGIY_wHGukI/AAAAAAAABrs/IyYaWgKFtnE/w735-h551-no/14%2B-%2B1

not that im happy with it, but ill admit this looks better than i expected

[the urban politician]

^ Yeah, at least they used stone

[Skyguy_7]

It would be a classy building out in the burbs.. At least it holds down a street corner.

[harryc]

Rees Rolling
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-SqdzAx2e55Y/VGJmxtUCqrI/AAAAAAACEKA/1T-Nr7myoJI/w1207-h905-no/P1060060.JPG

Auto place - scrapping crews starting on the inside.
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-lw0JK2V3XxU/VGJm2r18frI/AAAAAAACEKI/_E5F-Ft3goQ/w1207-h905-no/P1050883.JPG

ABC building - parts to be deom'd, being demo'd
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-e7qkYJX9LsM/VGJnWNBEsEI/AAAAAAACEKQ/etP8eDZlcSk/w1446-h905-no/P1060124.JPG

[the urban politician]

I think the apartment glut is starting to show.

I have a beautiful apartment that I'm having the hardest time filling. We are beginning to witness a renter's market. Sign of bad things to come....

[Tom Servo]

Rees Rolling
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-SqdzAx2e55Y/VGJmxtUCqrI/AAAAAAACEKA/1T-Nr7myoJI/w1207-h905-no/P1060060.JPG



I wish this were the norm.

[Ryanrule]

I think the apartment glut is starting to show.

I have a beautiful apartment that I'm having the hardest time filling. We are beginning to witness a renter's market. Sign of bad things to come....

bout damn time. the cost to own vs rent here is getting nuts.

also, post it. lets see.

[the urban politician]

bout damn time. the cost to own vs rent here is getting nuts.

also, post it. lets see.

Well, it's always slow from October onward. Nothing new there.

But damn it, this year it's quite a bit rougher than usual.

Anyhow, I don't want to take this thread in a different direction. It's all anecdotal, but one wonders if my own experience here is a sign of a bigger issue?

[LouisVanDerWright]

not that im happy with it, but ill admit this looks better than i expected

The ONLY thing that makes this even remotely acceptable is that there is some kind of strange jog in Larabee here and this building is actually to the West of the actual Ward's office building. The stone and corner holding qualities are nice, but if this were sitting smack dab in front of the Fields building then no thank you.

I think the apartment glut is starting to show.

I have a beautiful apartment that I'm having the hardest time filling. We are beginning to witness a renter's market. Sign of bad things to come....

If you are talking about the one in 235 WVB then it's probably more of a sign that CMK's layouts and subpar amenities just can't compete anymore. I just leased out a whole building in Logan Square in a single week. Not seeing any problems here.

[the urban politician]

T
If you are talking about the one in 235 WVB then it's probably more of a sign that CMK's layouts and subpar amenities just can't compete anymore. I just leased out a whole building in Logan Square in a single week. Not seeing any problems here.

^ No, not that one. I've never had issues leasing that out. It's in Ukrainian Village.

Also, it depends on pricing too, when you're out in the neighborhoods. If you're asking for more than $1500 or $1600 for an apartment, you are tapping a narrower market, then say $1200, just as an example. There are a LOT more renters at the latter price range out in the neighborhoods than the former.

[LouisVanDerWright]

How much are you asking? How many bedrooms? Are you going to pay me a commission when I bring you a tenant? Lol.

[Via Chicago]

I think the apartment glut is starting to show.

I have a beautiful apartment that I'm having the hardest time filling. We are beginning to witness a renter's market. Sign of bad things to come....

bad for who? as a renter....bring it on

[Ryanrule]

the only rental glut is the glut of shitty faux luxury shitty layout crappy trim/ge appliances boxes renting for 2x what they are worth. (ie all related construction)

[SamInTheLoop]

Crain's this morning reporting that there still will actually be a Target at Ashland and Belmont - although it will be a small urban format TargetExpress store of approximately 30,000 sq ft. So seems that Novak turned around and leased back to Target a portion of what presumably will be a larger retail component of whatever mixed-use project they have planned there (nothing new on the overall plan for the site in this article).

Additionally, a TargetExpress store is going into the former Fox & Obel space in South Streeterville.......

[SamInTheLoop]

There's a Brininstool and Lynch-designed apartment project proposed for 1350 S Union in the University Village area according to Heartland Real Estate Business - a trade rag. $35 million, 130 units, U-shaped building connected by courtyard and amenity space, developer Property Markets Group. I vaguely recall hearing something about this earlier....anybody know anything further? Did renderings surface here for this already? Can't seem to remember....

[Skyguy_7]

I also don't recall seeing them posted here:

http://www.multihousingnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/1350Union-300x254.jpg

Click for huge
http://www.multihousingnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/1350Union.jpg

Article
http://www.multihousingnews.com/news/pmg-announces-plans-for-development-at-university-village-in-chicago/1004105682.html

[Jibba]

I also don't recall seeing them posted here:


That first one is of the Milwaukee Ave proposal in Logan Square.

[SamInTheLoop]

^^ Ahh - now I remember! Thx.....

[Swicago Swi Sox]

Target planning a small Target Express in River East Art Center in old Fox and Obel space:

http://www.chicagobusiness.com/realestate/20141112/CRED03/141119932/target-bringing-small-stores-to-lakeview-streeterville

[harryc]

Narrowly missing the death blow the surface lot is back in business, restoring this island of urban desolation in an otherwise oppressively trendy area.
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-SnguINSC8sQ/VGOIagtGyiI/AAAAAAACEM0/hH_lsMzjJog/w751-h563-no/P1050441.JPG

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-nRUUYgNFa8Q/VGOIbUANbxI/AAAAAAACEM4/5GN5Q1qBB3o/w751-h563-no/P1050450.JPG
The walkway is being preserved.

[jcchii]

yes. ^ that's nasty

hopefully won't be too many years

[george]

Same lot after demo from 10/19

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/540/rbpsFX.jpg (https://imageshack.com/i/f0rbpsFXj)

[the urban politician]

Does anybody know what's being built on the SW corner of Division and Halsted?

Looks like it was formerly a vacant lot, but whatever is being built there holds the corner well. I like how the city is emphasizing that

[Skyguy_7]

^The new West Marine shop. It will have River access!

[Tom In Chicago]

Best news of the year. . .



Nando's chicken opening three locations here

November 12, 2014

Worldwide chicken chain Nando's Peri-Peri will launch its Chicago expansion with three restaurants in the city slated to open next year, company officials said. The privately held fast-casual chain, which began in South Africa in 1987 and has nearly 1,200 locations worldwide, plans to open its first store in spring on the bustling restaurant row at 945 W. Randolph St. in the West Loop, followed...

. . . that is all. . .

. . .

[bcp]

yes. ^ that's nasty

hopefully won't be too many years


They're asking...$40MM I believe? Might take a little bit...but wow, what a location for a large parcel.

[Skyguy_7]

^^In other chicken news, Buffalo Wild Wings has leased space in the new Maxwell development at the SE corner of Taylor and Clinton. They've really been lagging with locations in the city compared to their presence in the burbs.

[harryc]

Clark/LaSalle section
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-WfVP3Fldzi4/VGToYJhu4dI/AAAAAAACERU/3JEbzo-vErs/w1207-h905-no/P1050297.JPG
11/4

Dearborn/Clark section
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Qer4OPLMSxI/VGToZmzLJUI/AAAAAAACERo/XHkAn-zcKpk/w1207-h905-no/P1050326.JPG
11/5

[wierdaaron]

https://i.imgur.com/7drHiqrh.jpg

[jcchii]

They're asking...$40MM I believe? Might take a little bit...but wow, what a location for a large parcel.

that's what's been reported, yes.

perfect for major mixed use.

let's hope something comes together soonish

[wierdaaron]

Maggie Daley Park is starting to turn the color that parks usually are.

http://i.imgur.com/IyKHg8jl.jpg (http://imgur.com/IyKHg8j)

[denizen467]

Crain's this morning reporting that there still will actually be a Target at Ashland and Belmont - although it will be a small urban format TargetExpress store of approximately 30,000 sq ft. So seems that Novak turned around and leased back to Target a portion of what presumably will be a larger retail component of whatever mixed-use project they have planned there (nothing new on the overall plan for the site in this article).
Demolition of the old large structure is already underway, if it hasn't been mentioned here yet.

Narrowly missing the death blow the surface lot is back in business, restoring this island of urban desolation in an otherwise oppressively trendy area.

...
I hope the now-exposed Wabash viaduct ends up emphasizing to planners and the public that a 2-block rebuild, from Illinois up to where The Donald facilitated the rebuild near his tower (around Kinzie), is well overdue. Lower level especially, although rebuilding the viaduct would automatically eliminate the column supports that are one big issue on the lower level. Given how narrow and congested State Street is in southern RiNo, Lower Wabash could alleviate things if it returned to the land of the living. Plus, doing the viaduct now would be easier with the now-empty lot next door, and in addition, future construction on that empty lot could be a bit quicker if construction trucks didn't have to thread thru all those supports on Lower Wabash. In fact, still having the supports could theoretically throw a wrench into how the lower level of a future tower is laid out.

[the urban politician]

Looks like another P-street got approved (http://chi.streetsblog.org/2014/11/13/33rd-ward-p-streets-pass-noon-o-kabab-moving-to-car-centric-new-digs/)in Albany Park.

Great news. I really wish the city would expand this program even more aggressively.

Or even better, ban strip center development throughout large swaths of the city, at least in the lakefront hoods as well as within 1000 feet of CTA rail stops. Existing strip malls are grandfathered in, of course, until they are demolished, at which time they cannot be rebuilt in their present form.

I'm wondering if city leaders understand the concept that existing strip malls with huge amount of parking are cannibalizing businesses that are built up to the sidewalk and don't have parking. It makes it that much harder for these latter businesses to compete in all but the densest areas of the city. By allowing strip malls, the city is doing double duty of also making these traditional storefronts less desirable for retailers.

[SamInTheLoop]

^ Aye, Aye!! That last point of yours is a gem, and is especially important - I've thought about this often......this indeed is something that is having a negative impact on streetfront retail around the city.....just as one example, I know definitely believe it has been a nefarious force causing some of the retail struggle (granted for certain among other factors at play, some of which are certainly now subsiding) in recent years in parts of the South Loop........I do believe in outright bans here of certain built retail forms - certainly as you say within defined areas, mabye x from the core, y from the lake, z from transit, etc etc......

[SamInTheLoop]

Also on next week's Plan Commission agenda I noticed is a 7 story residential building proposed for (if memory is serving here) Milwaukee and Ashland. This is one I'm sure we've seen before in this thread, but I'm a little foggy on which one this is, precisely.....

[bcp]

^ pleeeeease be on the Wendy's site, or the parking lot across from WPAC....

[lu9]

Also on next week's Plan Commission agenda I noticed is a 7 story residential building proposed for (if memory is serving here) Milwaukee and Ashland. This is one I'm sure we've seen before in this thread, but I'm a little foggy on which one this is, precisely.....

Sorry, too lazy to post rendering, but it should be 1237-53 N. MILWAUKEE AVENUE

http://lgdevelopmentgroup.com/available-properties

[SamInTheLoop]

^ Aha......I do recall!

LG.....this is the same developer I think that is behind that 'stepped facade' West Loop residential proposal running into opposition from that NIMBY group, no?

[Skyguy_7]

^Wasn't a less-refined rendering of this posted a couple months ago?

http://lgdevelopmentgroup.com/sites/all/themes/thearlandgroup/images/1237-53-Milwaukee/01.jpg

[SamInTheLoop]

^ Sure was.....



Perhaps a good indication as any other that this boom is really now beginning to accelerate is that I am starting to really lose track of some of these proposals......I can keep a good number straight in my head, so either things are really heating up now, or I'm starting to lose it.....(or maybe both)....in any case, things are set to get more interesting! :)

[wierdaaron]

There's absolutely no reason that any development in the city of Chicago should have a parking lot between the building and the street. We shouldn't have to make special zones to enforce that, it should be ratified as an amendment to the Burnham plan.

[the urban politician]

^. I'm not opposed to it in outright auto-centric areas far from the city's core. But they should be the exception, not the rule

[SamInTheLoop]

^ I agree, as there are areas on the Western, SW, NW, probably far southern flanks of the city, where retail would just die and the shoppers and tax revenue would simply jump right over the city line to suburban cook county, in the same exact types of auto-focused strip centers.....for this reason, an outright ban probably not advisable.....

[wierdaaron]

Even if it's in the middle of auto-rama and needs an olympic-sized parking lot, put it behind the building. Parking-in-front developments just create more problems that will need to be fixed if the area ever decides to urbanize. It's a kind of debt you're saddling the future with.

Being from suburban Detroit and seeing cities try and fail to adapt from auto-centric to people centric (Troy, MI's abandoned Big Beaver Corridor Project was a valiant effort but was a lost cause), I cant help but see it as short-sighted.

[bcp]

this is what alleys are for...just ban curb cuts (exceptions only for when land has no alley)

[Chicago Shawn]

this is what alleys are for...just ban curb cuts (exceptions only for when land has no alley)

Agreed, but neighborhood alleys often go unused for commercial parking access. Look at how often there isn't access to an adjacent alley, this is because neighborhood groups put pressure on local alderman to prevent commercial traffic from using alleys in new development. It happens all the time. The great thing about P Streets, is that curb cuts can't be added to appease rear neighbors.

[SamInTheLoop]

^^, ^

Something else to consider is this: Where do you think some retail properties/stores will start putting their front/main/only customer access doors?.......wherever the parking is.........not all perhaps, but many will be tempted and some certainly will make this switch......how to address this??

[bcp]

sorry...what are P streets?

[Ch.G, Ch.G]

for pimps

[wierdaaron]

Streets where buildings must be up against the sidewalk, and any parking must be in the rear.

And Sam, I admit that it can create a problem of not knowing where to put the entrance or having to move the entrance from the back to the front if the market shifts from drivers to walkers. But moving an entrance seems like an easier problem than moving the whole building.

[marothisu]

40 unit affordable housing on a vacant lot at 17th and Damen in PIlsen was issued a building permit yesterday

Refresher: http://chicago.curbed.com/archives/2012/12/12/pilsen-flirts-with-affordable-housing-proposal-for-17th-damen.php

[Mr Downtown]

Parking-in-front is already prohibited in most of the city. The result, for strip malls built since 2004, has been that the merchants lock the sidewalk doors and post this sign: enter from parking lot.

[the urban politician]

Parking-in-front is already prohibited in most of the city.

Show me proof of this.

Also, if this is true why is a strip mall currently being built on N Broadway in Edgewater? With front parking, no less..

[ardecila]

Then how is Chody building a new strip mall at Foster/Broadway?

EDIT: got whooshed by TUP...

[the urban politician]

40 unit affordable housing on a vacant lot at 17th and Damen in PIlsen was issued a building permit yesterday

Refresher: http://chicago.curbed.com/archives/2012/12/12/pilsen-flirts-with-affordable-housing-proposal-for-17th-damen.php

I'm very happy to see this start to get moving.

As an owner in Pilsen, I'd rather see vacant lots disappear and replaced with active uses. And while I'm not a fan of Government-owned and operated subsidized housing, I have no problem with it if it is done by non for profits like this one.

Now if only those huge lots on the north side of 18th (just a few blocks west of Halsted) could get developed. They are a true eyesore.

[harryc]

Parking-in-front is already prohibited in most of the city. The result, for strip malls built since 2004, has been that the merchants lock the sidewalk doors and post this sign: enter from parking lot.

You're thinking of Michigan Ave in Dearborne Mi. very surreal, haven't seen that done in this great city.

[spyguy]

Formerly the New Graduate Residence Hall, designed by Edward Durell Stone
Current
https://farm7.staticflickr.com/6063/6099100016_c9db2c5182_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/ahXtWQ)
University of Chicago - New Graduate Residence Hall (https://flic.kr/p/ahXtWQ) by cerdsp (https://www.flickr.com/people/15434282@N00/), on Flickr
Future
http://i57.tinypic.com/9znf4p.jpg

[LouisVanDerWright]

If you are going to build a strip mall you better do it like this one at Armitage and California:

http://goo.gl/maps/Uko3i

I pass by this building all the time and think it actually benefits pedestrians in some ways. People are always cutting through the lot like it's a street which benefits the tenants as well by increasing their exposure to pedestrian traffic. The I beams even continue from the corner holding bank branch to the main retail buildings over the entrances to the lot which at least creates the illusion of a full streetwall.

[the urban politician]

^ Lipstick on a pig.

[ardecila]

No, that strip mall is truly a cut above. The PNC Bank holds the corner nicely and the steel beams and garden walls produce some of the psychological effects of a building along the street. That's a busy bus transfer corner too, so there's always pedestrian activity. The 7-11 in the strip mall, most of the traffic is easily walk-ins.

There's also a gate to the alley in the back corner, presumably for stores to take out their trash, but neighborhood residents use it as a shortcut to the bus stops.

Whether by accident or design, this is one of the better and more urban-friendly strip malls in the city. I would still trade it for a nice midrise with a retail base but it's nice for what it is.

[bcp]

it's certainly an improvement....still an awful under-use of the land...but these are property rights....

speaking of holding corners, i keep noticing intersections that are really, really degraded by either BP or Shell....seems they came through and really snapped up prime corners all around town at some point....while convenient at times, seems a bit much for a city with such great transit.

anybody know of a gas station that has closed in the last few years and been re-developed?

[spyguy]

https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5606/15163606123_9841919855_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/p6XrNT)
New Chinatown Chicago Public Library Branch Under Construction (https://flic.kr/p/p6XrNT) by Zol87 (https://www.flickr.com/people/54499054@N00/), on Flickr

[the urban politician]

anybody know of a gas station that has closed in the last few years and been re-developed?

A noteworthy one that immediately comes to mind is that condo project on North Ave in Wicker Park

[wierdaaron]

British School finally gets some class. Er, glass.

http://i.imgur.com/LONlYOel.jpg (http://imgur.com/LONlYOe)

Here's the huge staircase the people get to climb to get to their public park:

http://i.imgur.com/MrbEPQbl.jpg (http://imgur.com/MrbEPQb)

[ardecila]

Oof, that staircase... the Spanish Steps it is not.

[Chicago Shawn]

anybody know of a gas station that has closed in the last few years and been re-developed?

-1611 Hermitage as TUP mentioned; 4 story 17 unit condo building w/ retail. Almost finished.

-Apple Store at North/Clyborn

-30 West Erie (was already closed for a while, now a 13 story condo tower)

-LaSalle/Grand-NW corner; closed for a long time (about 15 years), waiting redevelopment.

-Harlem/57th, not torn down, but renovated into a Potbelly's.


I'm pretty sure there is another example out there, but I can't think of it.

[bcp]

^ thank you...very glad to see this is happening, bit by bit.

hold the corner baby!!

[CuBuffalo]

Just stumbled across these renderings for Sedgwick Properties new 30 unit building at 1550 N Bosworth.

https://www.facebook.com/pd987/timeline?ref=page_internal

[the urban politician]

Just stumbled across these renderings for Sedgwick Properties new 30 unit building at 1550 N Bosworth.

https://www.facebook.com/pd987/timeline?ref=page_internal

^ I had no idea there was something in the works for that lot. It will be really nice to see that lot developed. Sort of a "gateway" from the east to Wicker Park, certainly better than a weedy lot.

[LouisVanDerWright]

Looks like both 1550 N Bosworth AND 1521 W North are biting the dust. Something about a 4 story car dealership at that site at 1521?

[Via Chicago]

Show me proof of this.

Also, if this is true why is a strip mall currently being built on N Broadway in Edgewater? With front parking, no less..

not to mention the strip mall ACROSS THE STREET appears to be 1/2 vacant

north broadway feels like a lost cause sometimes

[ChickeNES]

-1611 Hermitage as TUP mentioned; 4 story 17 unit condo building w/ retail. Almost finished.

-Apple Store at North/Clyborn

-30 West Erie (was already closed for a while, now a 13 story condo tower)

-LaSalle/Grand-NW corner; closed for a long time (about 15 years), waiting redevelopment.

-Harlem/57th, not torn down, but renovated into a Potbelly's.


I'm pretty sure there is another example out there, but I can't think of it.

Vue53 in Hyde Park. Construction hasn't started yet, but they've already torn down the gas station.

Speaking of which, has anyone heard any news on when construction might begin?

[SamInTheLoop]

Streets where buildings must be up against the sidewalk, and any parking must be in the rear.

And Sam, I admit that it can create a problem of not knowing where to put the entrance or having to move the entrance from the back to the front if the market shifts from drivers to walkers. But moving an entrance seems like an easier problem than moving the whole building.


Very good point. Probably the right way to look at this (saw Mr Downtown also picked up on my concern as well, and it definitely has happened), that with time, as density and walkability increase in select areas, it sure is easy enough to just switch the 'front' entrance back.....

[jcchii]

wasn't the elysian (waldorf) site either a gas station or 7-11?

[SamInTheLoop]

Oof, that staircase... the Spanish Steps it is not.


What, you don't think this will be an instant classic public gathering space in Chicago? I can't wait first day open to grab lunch and head over and pick out a prime spot sit on the steps and relax over a leisurely lunch break....

(on a serious note thanks for the photo updates, aaron!)

[Via Chicago]

wow...$7500 fine for this. really sticking it to them

http://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/20141117/lincoln-park/owner-fined-7500-for-illegally-knocking-down-workers-cottage

good to know that if you want to violate your permit you can just do whatever the hell you want anyway and just chalk the rest up to the cost of doing business

[the urban politician]

wow...$7500 fine for this. really sticking it to them

http://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/20141117/lincoln-park/owner-fined-7500-for-illegally-knocking-down-workers-cottage

good to know that if you want to violate your permit you can just do whatever the hell you want anyway and just chalk the rest up to the cost of doing business

Novak must have connections higher up.

[Via Chicago]

Novak must have connections higher up.

if youre a construction company operating in the city of Chicago thats a given. not any less infuriating. he knew exactly what he was doing. you pull this kind of shit you should have to forfeit the property.

7500 is a joke and does nothing to dissuade or discourage this behavior from happening in the future

[harryc]

if youre a construction company operating in the city of Chicago thats a given. not any less infuriating. he knew exactly what he was doing. you pull this kind of shit you should have to forfeit the property.

7500 is a joke and does nothing to dissuade or discourage this behavior from happening in the future

Jail time ? (just kidding it's not like he shoplifted or stole a wallet).

[UPChicago]

Jail time ? (just kidding it's not like he shoplifted or stole a wallet).

He denied preservation the opportunity to bitch and moan about him doing what he pleased with his own property, the ultimate crime. I say lock him up and throw away the key.......

[r18tdi]

I say lock him up and throw away the key....... And his tubby son too.

[Via Chicago]

he does seem to have a habit of ignoring permits and zoning (that blue sculpture and non-regulation stone wall around his property come to mind)

anyway, it was a charming little house in an increasingly bland area. its unfortunate everyone feels the need to outdo themselves and cant appreciate some of the finer grained things that make the city interesting

[PKDickman]

he does seem to have a habit of ignoring permits and zoning (that blue sculpture and non-regulation stone wall around his property come to mind)

anyway, it was a charming little house in an increasingly bland area. its unfortunate everyone feels the need to outdo themselves and cant appreciate some of the finer grained things that make the city interesting

As cute as it was, this little house was not a landmark, not orange rated, nor was it in a landmark district.

It had no protection. the only thing Novak is guilty of, is not getting a demo permit.

[Via Chicago]

As cute as it was, this little house was not a landmark, not orange rated, nor was it in a landmark district.

It had no protection. the only thing Novak is guilty of, is not getting a demo permit.

youre correct. im sure its time was limited regardless of the owner but it still rubbed me the wrong way

[PKDickman]

youre correct. im sure its time was limited regardless of the owner but it still rubbed me the wrong way

It bothers me too.
But even as a NIMBY, I firmly believe that As Of Right means exactly that. An absolute right to do what you wish with the development rights you pay for when you purchase with the property.

Sad as this case may be, $7500 is a pretty steep fine for otherwise legal work done without a permit.
This is a crime that happens all over the city every day, and if it was the the owner of a two flat who enclosed his porch without a permit, a $7500 fine would seem astronomical.

[UPChicago]

It bothers me too.
But even as a NIMBY, I firmly believe that As Of Right means exactly that. An absolute right to do what you wish with the development rights you pay for when you purchase with the property.

Sad as this case may be, $7500 is a pretty steep fine for otherwise legal work done without a permit.
This is a crime that happens all over the city every day, and if it was the the owner of a two flat who enclosed his porch without a permit, a $7500 fine would seem astronomical.

I agree 100% if people feel so strongly about saving something they should purchase it, period.

[Tom Servo]

wasn't the elysian (waldorf) site either a gas station or 7-11?

There used to be a 7-11 on the SE corner at State and Walton. And then that athletic store on Walton used to be a big red building, like maybe 8-10 stories, and it was really old and shitty. But I forget what used to be on SW Rush/Walton corner. What is this question related to?

[r18tdi]

The only thing Novak is guilty of, is not getting a demo permit.
True.

...if you choose to ignore his history of bullshit -- such as the giant sculpture illegally overhanging the public right-of-way and the illegal stone wall (as other have noted above). Furthermore, he's no stranger to the city's permitting process and how things are done. Simply put, he knew better yet he thought the rules do not apply... again.

The neighborhood has been watching this potential project for a year (see link: http://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/20131115/lincoln-park/quaint-workers-cottage-on-armitage-could-be-expanded). Novak knew it would face public scrutiny (especially in a neighborhood where most people incorrectly assume historic = protected). Yet he still went ahead half-cocked. The arrogance!

At the end of the day all he's done is given the local NIMBYs more ammunition to use in their crusade against good projects in the future.

[ardecila]

Looks like both 1550 N Bosworth AND 1521 W North are biting the dust. Something about a 4 story car dealership at that site at 1521?

That's what the PD calls for. I'm not sure, it might be a standalone dealer for Sprinter commercial vans.

I really like seeing these awkward parcels along the highway fill in with sleek new architecture. I exited the Tri-State at the new Balmoral exit on Saturday past a block-long LED wall... pretty cool stuff, wish we had more of it. There's the El Centro building too which is in the same spirit.