CHICAGO | General Developments

[Loopy]

meaning, housing a Carson's? why, because Carson's is downscale? (i actually think that first floor currently is a bit dank for a splendid state street space.)
No, because it is a "Department Store", a dying institution. I understand that there is a lot of disagreement on this issue (see Lynn Becker's blog for the other perspective), but I would rather see a well done and prosperous arcade concept than perennially depressed Department Store that uses the full space.

[Dan in Chicago]

Yeah that's a definite no. The last thing we need is constant derailments, slow zones, and 40 or so incompetent cta personnel hanging around stations doing nothing on a regular basis.

I third that. As a regular user of the Metra Electric Line, the absolute last thing I want for it is to be taken over by the CTA. Don't try to fix what isn't broken. Metra is consistently on time, whereas taking the CTA inevitably entails endless waiting. And I certainly hope they don't plan to replace the comfortable Metra cars with dirty el cars with hard plastic seats.

[brian_b]

Interesting. What's the total sales for the West Town community area then? I know the West Town community area is demolishing all others in terms of demo and construction permits issued...

It looks like there were 1355 sales in West Town compared to 1568 in 2005.

The combination of the free GIS data available from the Census Department and the City website and the free property transfer record downloads on Crain's website makes it pretty easy for anyone to do research like this. Probably scares the crap out of a lot of real estate companies :tup:

[aaron38]

My new transit wishlist:

1) Circle Line
2) Some sort of subway or light rail connecting Union Station with River North/Streeterville/Navy Pier and other L lines nearby


I was doing some pie in the sky daydreaming about bringing transit to streeterville, and it seems as though there is a good fit with the general circle line plan.

The current plan is for the circle line to merge with the red line at North/Clyborn and then head south. But what if it detoured?
I don't know which billionaire would pay the bill, but in my mind, this is how Streeterville and Lake Shore East L service should be created.

Put a new transfer station at State and Oak. This would give a stop for the Elysian, Rush Street district and surrounding developments. From that stop, the circle line would split off to the east.
A station would be at Chicago and Fairbanks to give L service to the University Hospital complex. The line would head south, with a Fairbanks/Grand stop smack in the middle of the Streeterville redevelopment.
Then the line would head under the river for an LSE park station, before rejoining the red line at either Lake or Washington.

http://img357.imageshack.us/img357/451/modifiedl2zq9.th.jpg
http://img357.imageshack.us/my.php?image=modifiedl2zq9.jpg

[honte]

^ Good start. A suggested change: instead of going the costliest route back into the Loop to connect with the Red Line, just continue south into Grant Park. From there, the Circle Line should jump into the IC right of way and add stops at Roosevelt / Museum Campus / Soldier Field, McCormick Place, and continue south to 35th. Then it would head west, add a superstation at 35th Red, Green, and Metra stations, one more in Bridgeport at Halsted, and then head up Ashland to meet the Orange line at the planned connection.

[aaron38]

^ While I agree it would be great to get an L stop at the museum campus, if the fiinal goal is to get rid of car usage in the city core, then I think it's necessary to have a mass transit link from the loop to the uber dense LSE/Streeterville areas.
I don't know if it would have the high ridership needed if riders always had to transfer up to Clark/Division (or Oak) to get to the loop. I'm talking about adding some of those crossovers that make the manhattan subway system usefull for daily life.

[headcase]

Didn't know where else to put this, since it isn't a development, but I thought some people here would be interested.

The next Friends of Downtown Brown Bag presentation
Thursday, January 4th at 12.15
Chicago Cultural Center
Millennium Park Room, 5th floor southeast

Looptopia
Ty Tabing, Executive Director of the Chicago Loop Alliance, will discuss Looptopia, a new all night Celebration of Downtown scheduled for May 11th. Based on “White Nights” events such as in Paris and Rome, Looptopia will transform Chicago with all kinds of site-specific cultural performances, art and media installations, and a sunrise concert at Millennium Park.

[honte]

^ While I agree it would be great to get an L stop at the museum campus, if the fiinal goal is to get rid of car usage in the city core, then I think it's necessary to have a mass transit link from the loop to the uber dense LSE/Streeterville areas.
I don't know if it would have the high ridership needed if riders always had to transfer up to Clark/Division (or Oak) to get to the loop. I'm talking about adding some of those crossovers that make the manhattan subway system usefull for daily life.

Yeah, maybe. I think a Pedway link at Randolph could work, but it would be a long walk to the Red Line. Or have it swing closer to Michigan perhaps to link 1/2 block to the Loop elevated. Anyway, we can continue this over in the transit thread if you like.

[the urban politician]

http://www.ci.chi.il.us/city/webportal/portalContentItemAction.do?BV_SessionID=@@@@0531781746.1167798977@@@@&BV_EngineID=cccdaddjkeikgedcefecelldffhdfhg.0&contentOID=536948207&contenTypeName=COC_EDITORIAL&topChannelName=Dept&blockName=Planning+And+Development%2FI+Want+To&context=dept&channelId=0&programId=0&entityName=Planning+And+Development&deptMainCategoryOID=
2006 Year in Review
Improving the economy and quality of life in Chicago's neighborhoods was the priority for the Department of Planning and Development in 2006 by creating opportunities for the growth, sustainability and preservation of the diverse communities that make Chicago one of the best places to live, work and raise a family.

"Our efforts focused on helping businesses and developers realize the opportunities that exist within communities which leads to more jobs, retail growth and affordable housing choices," said Lori T. Healey, commissioner of the Department of Planning and Development.

Part of that effort included sponsoring the first-ever Grocery Store Expo, designed to generate interest in Chicago's neighborhoods among major grocery store chains. The day-long expo, which attracted retailers from throughout the country, showcased available business opportunities and city programs.

Our ever expanding downtown continues to thrive and serve as the city's economic engine, but development can be found in every corner of Chicago. From the North Side to the South Side to the West Side and to downtown, the department has retained and recruited thousands of jobs at companies like United Airlines, which is relocating to Wacker Drive from the suburbs, Blommers Chocolate, which updated its plant in the Kinzie Industrial Corridor, Coca-Cola, which is renovating a former Helene Curtis facility in Humboldt Park, Steelhead Corporation, a metals company moving from Bedford Park to the Southwest Side, and MiFab, a plumbing distributor that moved from Canada to the Far South Side.

Department efforts have received national recognition including the U.S Environmental Protection Agency Smart Growth award for a transit oriented project with the Bethel Center in West Garfield Park which transformed a former contaminated brownfield into a community anchor.

This year, economic development initiatives created nearly 3,000 jobs and retained 5,800 others throughout the city. One program that directly relates to job creation and retention are Planned Manufacturing Districts (PMD).

Through the use of strict zoning requirements, PMDs provide the means for local industrial, manufacturing and technology-based companies to expand as well as incentives for businesses outside of Chicago to relocate here. Since their inception, PMDs have been responsible for generating more than $1 billion in private and public investment, making Chicago a national model in industrial retention and growth.

Small businesses will get assistance to help them expand through a new City program. The Small Business Development Fund will make $5 million in low interest loans available over the next five years to qualified neighborhood companies for improvements to their operations and increases in their workforce.

Many development efforts have been aided through the Tax Increment Financing program, which has proven to be one of the city's most effective private-public partnership tools. In 2006, the program leveraged more than $960 million in private investment through $210 million in public assistance.

In addition to helping to spur development projects, most of which would not be possible without the use of TIF, the program also funded other initiatives such as TIF Works which has provided training for thousands of Chicagoans seeking industrial jobs.

On the housing front, the city's financial initiatives along with the support of the Department of Housing and the Chicago Housing Authority is helping to advance the Plan for Transformation through the creation of approximately 1,000 affordable housing and CHA replacement units for Chicago families in 2006.

The Department successfully negotiated land sales totaling almost $18 million in 2006 through sealed bids, the Adjacent Neighbors Land Acquisition (ANLAP) program, and other initiatives which have helped us transform blighted and underutilized sites into productive properties.

Preserving Chicago's past is just as important as building its future. The City was recently honored by the National Trust for Historic Preservation for its efforts to preserve and restore Mather Tower, a 41-story skyscraper built in 1928. Utilizing city and other public incentives, the building was completely rehabilitated into first-class office and hotel space.

Earlier this year the city took steps to protect historic water tanks by requiring an automatic review of all proposed demolitions. Constructed of wood and metal, the tanks were a familiar fixture of our skyline. Once numbering in the thousands, less than 200 rooftop and free-standing tanks remain.

Official landmark status was granted this year to one district and fourteen individual buildings, including the Palmer House Hotel, Mundelein College Skyscraper, Roberts Temple and the Carl Sandburg House. These new designations bring the total number of landmark buildings to 237 buildings, and the number of landmark districts to 49 encompassing some 7,600 buildings.

To improve and protect Chicago's valuable natural resources, the Department of Planning and Development, along with the Mayor's Nature and Wildlife Committee and more than 30 conservation organizations, published the first-ever Chicago Nature and Wildlife Plan. The plan identifies 4,800 acres of prairies, savannas, dunes, woodlands and wetlands, and sets forth techniques for keeping these areas habitat friendly.

Chicago remains a recognized leader when it comes to incorporating green technology into urban developments. Currently, more than 250 green roof projects totaling more than 2.8 million square feet have built or are planned on public and private buildings throughout Chicago, more than any other city in the country.

[LA21st]

State and Illinois - yes I think there is retail TUP :)
http://img131.imageshack.us/img131/9657/stateilqu9.jpg

Weiss Architecture

Its not special, but the ground floor retail helps. Better than the stinking lot there now.

[LA21st]

meaning, housing a Carson's? why, because Carson's is downscale? (i actually think that first floor currently is a bit dank for a splendid state street space.)

Carsons should move to

South Loop, east of State or
River North, west of Clark or
West Loop ANYWHERE

These places need retail badly.

[spyguy]

http://www.nearwestgazette.com/Archive/0107/newsstory0107e.htm

Courthouse goes condo

By Marie Balice Ward

The vacant building at 1340 S. Michigan Ave., which was erected in 1922 as a furniture company and served most recently as the Cook County Domestic Violence Court before the court moved to 555 W. Harrison St. in 2005, soon will experience yet another of several metamorphoses when it is converted to condominiums.

The classic revival building’s white terra cotta façade “will be preserved,” vowed Sebastian Sobieski, an agent with Realty Group, which has teamed with Concept Developers on the project.

The façade boasts non-structural terra cotta columns topped by elaborate capitals that rise on either side of recessed windows. The building’s ornate cornice also is in the classic revival style, and the roof offers impressive panoramic views.

“We plan to renovate the building’s façade and create loft style condominiums, possibly with overhanging balconies on the sides of the building,” Sobieski said. “We anticipate there will be 55-plus units that will be from 1,000 to 1,300 square feet in size. There might also be terraces on the building’s third floor.”

Sobieski’s group is “working with architects to develop a design and floor plans,” he said. Renovations may add “a couple of stories for penthouse units without interfering with the façade.”

Project architects Hartshorne + Plunkard, based in Chicago, specialize in adaptive reuse, historical preservation, and planning for single- and multi-unit residential properties.

The lofts will have 12 foot ceilings, open brick walls, and exposed electrical and ventilation systems. Sobieski suggested the building will appeal to young professionals who have lived in the area more than five years and are ready for a change of scenery.

Work is expected to begin in early 2007. The sales office currently at 1326 S. Michigan Ave. will move to accommodate construction of a second, adjacent project at 1330 S. Michigan Ave., Concept Developers’ and Realty Group’s Azure Towers. A new 18-story glass-enclosed highrise, Azure Towers will offer luxury amenities such as state of the art safety systems, a landscaped roof, a residents-only fitness center, and an entertainment room with direct access to the rooftop park.

[VivaLFuego]

Honestly if they just gut the building and reuse it as office/retail/residence space, I don't think they'd get the same sort of fight as slapping that facade on a parking garage.

[the urban politician]

http://www.nearwestgazette.com/Archive/0107/newsstory0107h.htm
Mayor Daley wants more ‘super dorms’ like University Center

By Stacie Johnson

Mayor Richard M. Daley wants more college dormitories, patterned after the University Center in the South Loop, built in the city.

This “superdorm,” the nation’s largest multi-school residential facility, opened in 2004 at State Street and Congress Parkway under a $151 million partnership among Roosevelt University, DePaul University, and Columbia College. Undergraduate, graduate, and professional students from the three schools live there, and those attending Robert Morris College now call the center home after their school joined the partnership.

More than 1,700 students live in the 18-story center, creating economic success and resulting in a waiting list for space and increased enrollment in Loop-based schools and other schools in the downtown area. Said Daley, “We hope to explore more options, build more facilities...whether it is converting an older building, whether it is building a new one.”

Daley wants the next dorm to have not only rooms for students but what he called a "side entrance" for employees that would lead to apartments for professors and college staff.

Plans are in the initial assessment stages, according to Constance Buscemi, spokesperson for the City of Chicago Department of Planning and Development.

“It hasn’t become formal yet," she said. "There are ongoing conversations with several colleges and universities downtown. The one issue that comes up with almost all, as enrollment increases, is the need for dorm space. Thus, we are working with individual colleges as they assess their needs to see where they are at now and their plan for future needs.”

Roosevelt President Chuck Middleton has said his university is interested in expanding residential capacity by at least 450 beds. “We're growing, as are other institutions downtown," he said.

"Everybody needs more beds downtown.”

Whether Roosevelt residential students would be included in another superdorm or a Roosevelt-only dorm remains under study.

Currently, a University Center studio apartment with kitchen and private bath rents for $1,142 a month. Students sharing a traditional four-person dorm room pay between $710 and $753 a month and about $2,200 annually for a meal plan. The facility also provides a laundry room with 75 washers and dryers, a game room, and an exercise room.

[LA21st]

University Center has had a HUGE impact on the South Loop. More retail and restaurants opened, and more to come.

[Marcu]

University Center has had a HUGE impact on the South Loop. More retail and restaurants opened, and more to come.

It also drew more students to the Loop universities as they developed a "not just loop commuter school" image

[budman]

Its not special, but the ground floor retail helps. Better than the stinking lot there now.

^I missed this...which corner of State and Illinois is being referenced here, and where can I get more info on the project? I work very close by.

[honte]

^ Judging from the direction of traffic in the rendering, and the greenspace shown, I think we're talking about the NW corner. However, I don't think we really know.

[honte]

Seeing Solarwind's great shots of the Legacy project reminded me to mention that facade stabilization at Sullivan's Pilgrim Baptist Church is underway... :tup:

[sentinel]

Seeing Solarwind's great shots of the Legacy project reminded me to mention that facade stabilization at Sullivan's Pilgrim Baptist Church is underway... :tup:

WHOA! Wait, what??! I could have sworn that the shell was going to be/is demolished???

[honte]

^ Unfortunately, I've been a bit out of the preservation loop lately, so you might know more than me. But tearing down this building (shell) would be a national crime.

I saw large white, pre-assembled trusses being erected on the sidewalk yesterday in a premeditated fashion, quite reminiscent of the Legacy. I guess these could be used for a piece-by-piece deconstruction, but I doubt there would be so much trouble if they were just going to toss the thing.

I will go past the site tomorrow during the day and check out what is going on.

[Loopy]

http://cbs2chicago.com/local/local_story_005191803.html

Congregation Says Church Will Rise From Its Ashes

Suzanne Le Mignot
Reporting

(CBS) CHICAGO The legendary Pilgrim Baptist Church went up in flames a year ago, but the church is poised to rise from the ashes.

CBS 2's Suzanne Le Mignot reports plans for the church's rebirth are underway.

The church is still in the process of interviewing architects for the rebuilding project. They have been given estimates for anywhere from $10 million to $40 million for construction.

The deacon says the congregation is determined to see Pilgrim Baptist rebuilt.

Deacon Robert Vaughn described the anguish in his heart when seeing his beloved Pilgrim Baptist Church go up in flames, one year ago.

"I saw all in shape, in form, as it came down like a window shade. And that was when I was not able anymore to just speak, I was just bursting into tears," Vaughn said.

The congregation is now looking ahead to the day their church returns to its former beauty.

Large yellow metal beams hold up the church's 50-foot walls. Enormous cement blocks secure the foundation.

So far, $1.2 million has been spent towards the rebuilding effort.

The historic church designed by Adler and Sullivan, is considered to be the birthplace of gospel music. Thomas A. Dorsey created that sound there in the 1930s.

An original portrait of Dorsey was lost in the fire, but the Chicago History Museum recreated the portrait as a gift.

"Sometimes God allows things to happen to people to bring them down, in terms of bringing them more into unity, to bring them right back up," said senior pastor Keith Gordon.

Gordon says maybe this fire happened to bring this community closer together and that the church, which was once a synagogue, will in its new form unite people of all faiths on the Near South Side.

The deacon of Pilgrim Baptist Church says the kindness of the community has been overwhelming.

The church recently received $400,000 in private donations for the rebuilding effort, and the Pritzker Family Foundation is providing matching funds of up to $500,000.

(© MMVII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)

[trvlr70]

^^^^^^^
I think a later date would have been smarter. I never plan outdoor activities until July in Chicago...just to be sure. That being said, I remember an Independence Day party in Winnetka in the seventies in the mid-fifties. That's Chicago!

[headcase]

^^^^^^^
I think a later date would have been smarter. I never plan outdoor activities until July in Chicago...just to be sure. That being said, I remember an Independence Day party in Winnetka in the seventies in the mid-fifties. That's Chicago!

One of the reason given for the date was two or three of the colleges downtown have graduation that day (they don't want to do it after then because they will lose part of the audience.)

SSDD

[spyguy]

http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/chi-0701090327jan10,1,5493389.story

Columbia College Chicago has picked four finalists for the college's proposed media production center, including Santa Monica, Calif.-based Morphosis, whose principal Thom Mayne won the 2005 Pritzker Architecture Prize.

Two Chicago firms are among the finalists: Studio Gang, headed by Jeanne Gang; and Brininstool + Lynch, led by partners Brad Lynch and David Brininstool.

The fourth finalist is New York City-based Helfand Architecture, headed by Margaret Helfand.

A selection committee will meet with the finalists in February, asking them to discuss their design philosophies and other issues. A decision is expected in early March, according to a university spokeswoman.

The media production center is proposed to be built at the southwest corner of State and 16th Streets on a vacant lot now owned by the City of Chicago.

[honte]

^ Wow!

[BVictor1]

Okay, I have no idea where the Chicago Under-12floors thread went, so I will post this here.


1/10/2007 10:00:00 PM Email this article • Print this article
New gateway for Bucktown?
Condo proposal moves forward, but commercial buildings still up in the air

By TIMOTHY INKLEBARGER, Staff Writer


A proposed seven-story condominium on North Ave. near the Kennedy Expressway is moving forward, but the future is uncertain for two commercial buildings that are also part of the area's planned development.


http://www.chicagojournal.com/ftp/webimages/elevation1.jpg

In 2005, developer J. Paul Beitler told the Wicker Park Committee that the site at the 1500 block of North Ave. - where a vacant restaurant and empty lot now stand - would likely be the new site of a LaSalle National Bank facility, condominium building and Mercedes-Benz car dealership. The commercial buildings would be located just to the west of the Kennedy Expressway and the condominiums would sit just east of that on the south side of North Ave. Plans for the commercial ventures, however, have been put on hold after businesses backed out of the deal, according to 1st Ward Alderman Manny Flores.

Flores said the residential building that will contain about 30 condos just west of Bosworth Ave. is moving forward. But he assured that the other two buildings would be developed as commercial, largely due to neighbor's concerns about traffic congestion in the area.

"That concern is a valid concern, but these decisions are not made in a vacuum," Flores said, noting that he has held public meetings on the proposal to take input from neighbors. "I informed the residents publicly that we had been approached by other folks who wanted to amend the planned development for the purposes of building all residential, and you know what my answer to that was - no, no and no. We worked hard as a community to get this plan and we are going to get this plan."

Flores said that prior to the plans for the condos and commercial buildings, McDonald's proposed building a restaurant at the southeastern site. Neighbors battled the restaurant plan in court and ultimately prevailed.

"We fought hard to control the use of that property," Flores said. "I put in $10,000 of my own money fighting that."

He said Stillpoint Development, the managing member of the landowner Chigal 1550, LLC, is requesting an amendment to the planned development that would reduce the height of the building from eight stories to seven and allow for more unit.

State Rep. John Fritchey who serves as legal counsel to Stillpoint said the original planned development approved in 2005, allowed for a 93 foot tall building with 23 units. The new proposal is shorter-it's only 78 feet tall-but would contain 30 units and 30 parking spaces. The plan also calls for about 1,100 feet of retail space on the ground floor. Fritchey said he hopes to have the proposal before the Chicago Plan Commission in the next month or two. If approved, the amended plan will head to the city zoning committee and then the full City Council for approval.

"To have such visible land lay dormant is in nobody's interest," he said. "The one thing the community is unified in is they want to see progress. There's been a lot of time spent by the alderman and the neighborhood to come up with a vision and a plan."

The commercial buildings detailed in the planned development would not change under the proposed amendment from Chigal 1550, according to Flores.

The planned development allows the commercial building on the north side of north to stand 71 feet tall and contain 88 off-street parking spaces. The building on the south side of the street can stand 61 feet tall and contain 107 off-street parking spaces, according to the planned development.


http://www.chicagojournal.com/ftp/webimages/elevation3.jpg

[VivaLFuego]

Okay, I have no idea where the Chicago Under-12floors thread went, so I will post this here.


1/10/2007 10:00:00 PM Email this article • Print this article
New gateway for Bucktown?
Condo proposal moves forward, but commercial buildings still up in the air

By TIMOTHY INKLEBARGER, Staff Writer


A proposed seven-story condominium on North Ave. near the Kennedy Expressway is moving forward, but the future is uncertain for two commercial buildings that are also part of the area's planned development.


http://www.chicagojournal.com/ftp/webimages/elevation1.jpg

In 2005, developer J. Paul Beitler told the Wicker Park Committee that the site at the 1500 block of North Ave. - where a vacant restaurant and empty lot now stand - would likely be the new site of a LaSalle National Bank facility, condominium building and Mercedes-Benz car dealership. The commercial buildings would be located just to the west of the Kennedy Expressway and the condominiums would sit just east of that on the south side of North Ave. Plans for the commercial ventures, however, have been put on hold after businesses backed out of the deal, according to 1st Ward Alderman Manny Flores.

Flores said the residential building that will contain about 30 condos just west of Bosworth Ave. is moving forward. But he assured that the other two buildings would be developed as commercial, largely due to neighbor's concerns about traffic congestion in the area.

"That concern is a valid concern, but these decisions are not made in a vacuum," Flores said, noting that he has held public meetings on the proposal to take input from neighbors. "I informed the residents publicly that we had been approached by other folks who wanted to amend the planned development for the purposes of building all residential, and you know what my answer to that was - no, no and no. We worked hard as a community to get this plan and we are going to get this plan."

Flores said that prior to the plans for the condos and commercial buildings, McDonald's proposed building a restaurant at the southeastern site. Neighbors battled the restaurant plan in court and ultimately prevailed.

"We fought hard to control the use of that property," Flores said. "I put in $10,000 of my own money fighting that."

He said Stillpoint Development, the managing member of the landowner Chigal 1550, LLC, is requesting an amendment to the planned development that would reduce the height of the building from eight stories to seven and allow for more unit.

State Rep. John Fritchey who serves as legal counsel to Stillpoint said the original planned development approved in 2005, allowed for a 93 foot tall building with 23 units. The new proposal is shorter-it's only 78 feet tall-but would contain 30 units and 30 parking spaces. The plan also calls for about 1,100 feet of retail space on the ground floor. Fritchey said he hopes to have the proposal before the Chicago Plan Commission in the next month or two. If approved, the amended plan will head to the city zoning committee and then the full City Council for approval.

"To have such visible land lay dormant is in nobody's interest," he said. "The one thing the community is unified in is they want to see progress. There's been a lot of time spent by the alderman and the neighborhood to come up with a vision and a plan."

The commercial buildings detailed in the planned development would not change under the proposed amendment from Chigal 1550, according to Flores.

The planned development allows the commercial building on the north side of north to stand 71 feet tall and contain 88 off-street parking spaces. The building on the south side of the street can stand 61 feet tall and contain 107 off-street parking spaces, according to the planned development.


http://www.chicagojournal.com/ftp/webimages/elevation3.jpg

I love how NIMBYs think you can build commercial spaces in order to generate retail, rather than providing the residential density to actually support long stretches of ped-friendly retail...

[BuildCTPlace]

Here's Green Bay Rd & Emerson St (Evanston), the Grand Bend at Green Bay project. Construction on the six-story building has reached the fourth floor (as of Jan 5, 2007).
http://img117.imageshack.us/img117/1281/dsc03527cj1.jpg

[Chicago2020]

What ever happened to this project

http://img208.imageshack.us/img208/6783/lckpe08fk5.jpg

[Latoso]

:previous: What is that?

[sentinel]

What ever happened to this project

http://img208.imageshack.us/img208/6783/lckpe08fk5.jpg

That was never a real proposed project I believe. That was designed by Joe Valerio as part of an exhibit promoted by Stanley Tigerman to create fantasical visions of Chicago.

[Tom Servo]

Can someone get some recent photos of the Spertus Institute? Also is there a rendering of the new Belmont Army anywhere?

[SamInTheLoop]

Not sure if this was previously discussed, but this substantial 3-building development (new British School, Retail, Parking) is on tomorrow's Plan Commission meeting agenda. IMO very nice design by Valerio Dewalt Train.

[brian_b]

Why is it going before the Plan Commission? It's already under construction!

[budman]

That red brick building with the ivy on the river facade is the Great Lakes Building, built ~1913, and I am quite sure that is a designated city landmark, thankfully too because its the last Chicago school building on Wacker Drive. There is no need for a park there, as the planned riverwalk will wrap around the bend up to this site. The area in front of 333 W. Wacker will become a grand staircase, which is why the limestone ballistrade was never reinstalled there.




Ask and ye shall recieve. You remember the blurb a while back about a rental apartment company from San Antonio planning a 32 story building at Wells and Kinzie? Well, guess who they hired. ;) Victor has a copy of the PD perhaps he can provide more info, but from the poor rendering that I saw, it looks fantastic. And it has 4 levels of retail toboot.

^Is there a source I can reference for a comprehensive summary of the planned riverwalk? We have been hearing about one for years, but I havent seen any action. I recall that the city put out bids, only got a few, and they all called for doing things the city said it didnt want to do. It seems as if there are already piece meal riverwalks up and down the river (put together by individual projects), but nothing continuous from Lake to Michigan (which is what I thought was called for).

Also, is that building at Kinzie and Wells a done deal? Will it be an office building with first floor retail? Do we know the schedule?

[Chicago Shawn]

^Is there a source I can reference for a comprehensive summary of the planned riverwalk? We have been hearing about one for years, but I havent seen any action. I recall that the city put out bids, only got a few, and they all called for doing things the city said it didnt want to do. It seems as if there are already piece meal riverwalks up and down the river (put together by individual projects), but nothing continuous from Lake to Michigan (which is what I thought was called for).

Also, is that building at Kinzie and Wells a done deal? Will it be an office building with first floor retail? Do we know the schedule?

The city restarted the bidding by breaking the project up into compentents for individual contarctors. Beyond that, I have no idea when that is supposed to move forward. The higher than expected bids are what is holding the project up. The floating walkway has already been approved by the Army Corp of Engineers. This was told to me by a CDOT official a while back.

The office building at Kinzie and Wells is dead, plan on a 32 story residential building for the site.

[honte]

^ Great news about the bridge getting some attention. It's an iconic part of the Drive and there are obviously better ways to meet accessibility guidelines other than tearing it down.

[spyguy]

For LA21st: I think honte is referring to 250 S Wacker

D2 Realty is doing an extensive renovation of the building
http://www.250southwacker.com/

Rendering:
http://img223.imageshack.us/img223/3055/250wackerrendering2ar7.jpg

[Steely Dan]

^ wow! i haven't seen a rendering of the recladding of this. if the finished product turns out anything like that, this building is gonna be pretty damn sharp.

[denizen467]

The floating walkway has already been approved by the Army Corp of Engineers. This was told to me by a CDOT official a while back.
Where would this go? Any idea why they wouldn't anchor it to the riverbed? Is it cheaper or is it just because it's more interesting that way?

[honte]

Thanks Spyguy, yes that's what I was talking about in the 300 N. LaSalle thread. I wasn't sure of the exact address.

This is one of the few recladding projects citywide that I think will have a positive outcome. When people constantly say this building is fugly, I've always had to say, "Well, Loebl, Schlossman, and Bennet was a great firm and the building has a nice form, but something went wrong with the materials..." Now hopefully it should be better appreciated.

Ironically, one of the oldest Loebl + Schlossman designs (and their earliest high-rise, to my knowledge), the Fashion Trades Building, is also being reclad right now. It's right around the corner, also visible from the Sears Tower. But this one is being ruined. It was a nice Art Deco building and there will soon be nothing of the old design left. The new glass looks tacky too.

[Nowhereman1280]

Where would this go? Any idea why they wouldn't anchor it to the riverbed? Is it cheaper or is it just because it's more interesting that way?

I'm fairly certain that they wouldn't anchor it to the riverbed because of the already restricted flow of the river by all of walls/development boxing it in. If you suddenly lined the side of the river with a structure consisting of hundreds of piles for ten or fifteen feet out into the river, then it would become a massive ice trap, which is never good. Granted, I don't know how much the river ever really freezes over anymore, but if it ever did, a few hundred feet by ten or fifteen feet of piles would certainly become and ice trap when the ice breaks in the spring and could possibly create Ice dams, which are dangerous and a pain in the ass to get rid of. I don't know for sure however, I've never really noticed whether they keep the river open or not, do they icebreak it? Even so, I imagine large amounts of ice would flow down in chunks from further up river and get hung up on any structure relying on piles.

[Mr Downtown]

I've never really noticed whether they keep the river open or not, do they icebreak it?

Yes, there's a fireboat that runs back and forth when needed.

[Tom Servo]

http://img223.imageshack.us/img223/3055/250wackerrendering2ar7.jpg

Wow this looks great! Let's hope it turns out this clean.

[woodrow]

As I was walking by the Lakeview East Chamber of Commerce office today, I noticed renderings for the new Dominnic's / condo tower where the old Broadway Dominic's stood. I think I like it. BIG

Really trying to emphasize the horizontal aspect of this large piece of property. Mainly glass, with buff colored brick and what appear to be white or off-white horizontal panels. The building is 5 levels and steps back on levels 3,4,and 5. Long balconies facing Broadway. The grocery store takes up most of the first (and second?) level with at least two more retail spaces. I couldn't tell from the renderings where the loading dock was located. May be a problem

Sorry my description is crappy. Recap. Emphasis on the horizontal, buff brick (only on level one, not much on Broadway) Very glassy, and horizontal panels, set-backs on condo floors and long, sweeping balconies (terraces or verndas).

Oh, and build it. I am tired of dragging my ass up to Treasure Island or Jewel.

[Taft]

As I was walking by the Lakeview East Chamber of Commerce office today, I noticed renderings for the new Dominnic's / condo tower where the old Broadway Dominic's stood. I think I like it. BIG

Really trying to emphasize the horizontal aspect of this large piece of property. Mainly glass, with buff colored brick and what appear to be white or off-white horizontal panels. The building is 5 levels and steps back on levels 3,4,and 5. Long balconies facing Broadway. The grocery store takes up most of the first (and second?) level with at least two more retail spaces. I couldn't tell from the renderings where the loading dock was located. May be a problem

Sorry my description is crappy. Recap. Emphasis on the horizontal, buff brick (only on level one, not much on Broadway) Very glassy, and horizontal panels, set-backs on condo floors and long, sweeping balconies (terraces or verndas).

Oh, and build it. I am tired of dragging my ass up to Treasure Island or Jewel.

Sounds all right. I always thought the old Dominick's use of that land was a waste. It will be nice to see a multistory, multi use building going up on the site, even if it isn't perfect.

I'm with you: put it up already! I miss my neighborhood grocery.

Taft

[the urban politician]

^ Just out of curiosity, how did the old Dominick's use of land take place? I'm I right to assume it was set back with a parking lot out front?

[honte]

^ Almost. It was set side-to-side on a narrow lot with big box turned 90 degrees and a parking lot to the south.

Some time in the past, someone in their infinite wisdom rezoned Broadway for commerical, despite the fact that it was a mix of commercial storefronts, flats, and houses. I'm going to bet this was during the major zoning rewrite in the 1950s. So in several places, historic buildings came down for parking. The concept of mixed residential/commercial districts was nearly forgotten to Chicago's zoning planners until the last decade.

In this case, the building looked to be c. 1970s, so I am not certain exactly what was on that site historically, but I'm pretty sure it would have been a collection of smaller Victorian-era structures.

They are still having preservation problems along Broadway due to this commercial zoning to this day.

[the urban politician]

^ Ahh, well given that description, I believe I've seen that Dominick's. Holy shit, it burned down?

Anyhow, it was a suburban nightmare so it's good to see that it will be replaced by something 1,000 times better

[denizen467]

You may be able to see how it looked on Google Maps's satellite photo. Was it the large structure north of the Broadway parking lot between Wellington and Barry?

Those satellite photo sites can be frustrating when they're a few years behind, but the flip side of the coin is that they can also act as a sort of wayback machine..

[brian_b]

^ Yes that's exactly it. I used to live a couple blocks away and shopped there frequently. While it wasn't exactly the best use of a large lot, it was definitely good for the neighborhood.

[Busy Bee]

An older article I dug on the project... do we know if Hartshorne Plunkard is still designing this?

Oct. 24, 2006
By Brandon Glenn

New Lakeview Dominick's proposed for old site
Building where store burned down last year also would have condos

(Crain’s) — A 65-foot-high mixed-use building featuring a 40,000-square-foot Dominick’s Finer Foods and three floors of condominiums could go up at the Lakeview site where a Dominick’s burned down last year.

Alderman Tom Tunney (44th) confirmed the early plans for the property at 3012 N. Broadway, which is set to be purchased by developer Michael O’Connor of Dionysius LLC. The previous Dominick’s at the site was gutted by an accidental fire in June 2005.

“The community has told me very clearly that a full-service supermarket is desperately needed in that area,” Mr. Tunney said.

The plans call for the grocery store to occupy the building’s first floor and about half of the second floor, Mr. Tunney said. The other half of the second floor would be devoted to parking, as would an underground floor.

The building would be topped by three stories, or about 45 units, of condominiums, Mr. Tunney said.

Mr. O’Connor said his deal to purchase the site “hasn’t closed yet, but the contract is hard.” He would buy the property from the DiMatteo family, whose ancestor Dominick founded the grocery store chain. Dominick’s is now owned by Pleasanton, Calif.-based Safeway Inc.

A representative from the DiMatteo family’s real estate arm did not return a call seeking comment.

Mr. O’Connor declined to provide specifics on the plans before a Thursday night meeting with local residents.

Mr. O’Connor and the project’s architects, Chicago firm Hartshorne Plunkard Architecture, plan to present detailed plans at the Thursday meeting at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church in Lakeview.

“We’ve talked to community members to get an idea of what are the key concerns of the community, and come up with a plan to get something they’ll embrace and like,” Mr. O’Connor said.

He said he’s still negotiating an agreement with Dominick’s to lease part of the site. “We’re very close but nothing’s been finalized yet,” he said.

A Dominick’s spokeswoman did not return a call seeking comment.

A key piece of the project would be a zoning change Mr. O’Connor is seeking. Buildings on the property are currently prohibited from exceeding 50 feet in height; Mr. O’Connor hopes for a zoning change to allow buildings to reach 65 feet.

Mr. O’Connor will ask for support for the zoning change from a community group, South East Lake View Neighbors, at the Thursday meeting. The zoning change must pass the City Council, Mr. Tunney said. After that, Mr. O’Connor would be eligible to begin construction.

Mr. Tunney said he will reserve judgment on the zoning request until he sees the presentation. The City Council almost always follows the wishes of the local alderman in zoning matters in his or her ward.

A representative from the neighborhood group did not return a call seeking comment.

Mr. Tunney said he hopes that if the zoning change is approved, construction starts next spring. The project would take between 12 and 18 months to complete, he said.

Maureen Martino, executive director or the Lakeview East Chamber of Commerce, echoed Mr. Tunney in saying the supermarket’s return would be welcome.

“We’re very ecstatic that they’re coming back,” she said. The grocery store “was very missed in the community,” she said.

[pip]

There was a tiny blub in the SunTimes weekly real estate section last week about this proposal. There will be 80 condos, I believe, and a full service supermarket on the land of the supermarket that I watched burn down.

I came to an interesting conclusion last week. When talking to people about this proposal everyone did not care or were glad that there will be condos on this parcel of land and they were definetly all glad there will be a supermarket. Than through a friend I met someone from some Lakeview Action group or something. I asked him what he thought of this proposal - he wanted less density and more parking. He was so anti condo on this site it was strange.

So he was the only one I met who does not like this proposal and apparently the group he belongs too. The conslusion I came to is that these NIMBY groups do not represent what the average person thinks. The average person does not give a shit and they want things to be able to walk too and good transit. These NIMBY groups are well organized and are very vocal about this anti development stance which is why the group formed here on SSP and SSC is so very important. There needs to be two voices. Also maybe the city does realize that these NIMBY groups are fringe groups and that is why they are always losing. Still they are a scary prospect and definetly need a counter voice since we cannot count on forever the City siding with our opinions.

[the urban politician]

There was a tiny blub in the SunTimes weekly real estate section last week about this proposal. There will be 80 condos, I believe, and a full service supermarket on the land of the supermarket that I watched burn down.

I came to an interesting conclusion last week. When talking to people about this proposal everyone did not care or were glad that there will be condos on this parcel of land and they were definetly all glad there will be a supermarket. Than through a friend I met someone from some Lakeview Action group or something. I asked him what he thought of this proposal - he wanted less density and more parking. He was so anti condo on this site it was strange.

So he was the only one I met who does not like this proposal and apparently the group he belongs too. The conslusion I came to is that these NIMBY groups do not represent what the average person thinks. The average person does not give a shit and they want things to be able to walk too and good transit. These NIMBY groups are well organized and are very vocal about this anti development stance which is why the group formed here on SSP and SSC is so very important. There needs to be two voices. Also maybe the city does realize that these NIMBY groups are fringe groups and that is why they are always losing. Still they are a scary prospect and definetly need a counter voice since we cannot count on forever the City siding with our opinions.

^ A great post, pip. And I wholeheartedly agree that we need a counter-voice to these community groups. CBP is a great start, but ultimately it would be nice to have 'branches' of CBP within several communities, just to focus on that community in particular and act as the voice of reason opposing these fringe NIMBY groups.

I imagine (and I'm doubtful this would come to fruition any time soon, but who knows) some offshoots of CBP in various neighborhoods that come up with some development recommendations for that particular hood that promote density, walking, and transit use while preserving (and adding to) the hood's architectural beauty. These plans get submitted to the Alderman's office along with signatures of local residents in support of it.

Something like this in the South Loop would be great, to counteract the silly density limits imposed by current interpretations of the Central Area Plan. I honestly think it is this older generation of middle-aged types that are more anti-density and addicted to their cars, but I believe a younger generation (35 and younger) is more willing to adapt to a changing urban lifestyle and can embrace the benefits that density has to offer.

[the urban politician]

http://www.chicagotribune.com/classified/realestate/realestate/chi-0701210425jan21,0,6083399.story?coll=chi-classifiedrealestate-hed
Retail, residential to mix in S. Shore
Neighborhood ready for `spark'

By Jeanette Almada
Special to the Tribune
Published January 21, 2007

A mixed-use development with 34 condominiums is planned for a vacant city-owned parcel on the northeast corner of 71st Street and Paxton Avenue in the South Shore neighborhood.

The development entity, Doc Toast LLC, has agreed to pay the city the appraised market-rate value for the land--$275,000 for the 25,193-square-foot tract at 2204-24 E. 71st St.

The LLC is a partnership between Chicago-area rehabber Herschel Tolson; attorney and investor William Lowry; and Oak Park-based architect and builder John Schiess of Metropolis Architects and Builders.

Schiess has designed and built custom-houses in neighborhoods including North Kenwood, Pilsen and Humboldt Park. And Metropolis has designed several projects that are underway or completed in Oak Park, such as Opera Club Condominiums, Madison Square Townhomes and Maple Square Townhomes.

"On this corner of the South Shore neighborhood, we think we will be a catalyst for change. It is an area that is idling, just waiting for a spark. I see a big transformation on [71st Street] in the next three to five years," Schiess said.

"There are great storefronts with great character, 1920s and '30s architecture that need rehab more than new construction. There are plenty of vacant lots but the streetscape is just great, and those lots can be used for parking to support new retail. There is enough new housing in the periphery ... we looked at that and said `boy, the people who live in this housing will really need services,'" Schiess said.

The Chicago Community Development Commission approved the land sale in December. City Council approval is expected in February, Schiess said.

The developer will build 26 two-bed, 2 1/2- bath units with 970 to 1,100 square feet; two 912-square-foot 1-bed, 1 1/2-bath condos and six 1,100- to 1,166-square-foot three-bed, 2 1/2-bath units. They will be priced from $250,000 to $275,000.

The building will have 8,600 square feet of ground-floor retail space, Schiess said. A restaurateur has submitted a letter to the developer expressing interesting in opening a sit-down pancake house there.

"We are looking for a tenant that can offer services, a food pantry type of place that will meet needs of condo owners or a bookstore," Schiess said.

The developer will sell the units through an independent realty agent, from an on-site sales center that will open in early spring. Construction is expected to begin in early summer, Schiess said.

[the urban politician]

http://www.chicagotribune.com/classified/realestate/realestate/chi-0701210409jan21,0,6738761.story?coll=chi-classifiedrealestate-hed
Non-profit group to build mixed-used project in Brighton Park

By Jeanette Almada
Special to the Tribune
Published January 21, 2007

A non-profit community organization will build a mixed-use project in the Brighton Park neighborhood that will include office space and housing for seniors.

The Back of the Yards Neighborhood Council won approval to build the project from the December ChicagoPlan Commission, which oversees large developments.

The non-profit group will build the mixed-use project on a 15,770-square-foot site on the east side of Spaulding Avenue near 47th Street.

Residential housing is just north of that site, a few light industrial building are to the south and west and a city-approved business planned development is slated just to the southeast.

The developer will raze two buildings a brick two-story commercial building at 3256 W. 47th St., and a vacant two-story residential building at 3246 W. 47th St., to make way for an eight-story building.

"We hope to begin demolition in early spring," said Marina Rey, executive director of the Back of the Yard Neighborhood Council.

The eight-story building will have 60 units of unassisted housing for seniors on floors three through eight, according to Alex Thompson, vice president of Chicago-based Recon Development LTD, which has been hired as consultant on the project.

Back of the Yards Neighborhood Council will move its office to the second floor of the building from 1751 W. 47th St.

Along with a theater/dance center/gymnasium and a day-care center with room for 125 children, the first floor will have a center with a meeting room and offices for the senior portion of the building, said Thompson. "We are talking to seniors property managers" to oversee those operations.

Back of the Yards Neighborhood Council has created an entity called Brighton Park Seniors Neighborhood Council to develop the project, Thompson said. It is seeking low-income housing tax credits from the Chicago Department of Housing and the Illinois Housing Development Authority, Thompson said.

It also will seek Tax Increment Financing for the project, though the amount of assistance has not been determined, Thompson said.

Chicago-based KLLM Architects has designed the building.

"We hope to have all of the financing in place by spring and will begin construction then," Thompson said.

[LA21st]

Wow, that is great for both projects. Im always in favor of new mixed use projects in the neighborhoods, more so with the Southside though. How many floors for the S.Shore development? Probably 3-4 since they dont mention it.

[LA21st]

The Brighton Park project is only 2 blocks south of the Orange Line Kedzie stop too.

[VivaLFuego]

^ Great.

And the 71st/Paxton development is right on the Metra Electric, of course.

So much potential for more TOD all around the city....since the city isn't taking the lead, it would be awesome if more private developers really focused on utlizing our transit infrastructure.

[the urban politician]

So much potential for more TOD all around the city....since the city isn't taking the lead, it would be awesome if more private developers really focused on utlizing our transit infrastructure.

^ That's not really true.

Check out neighborhood Quality-of-Life plans (in pdf format) at www.newcommunities.org

[honte]

"There are great storefronts with great character, 1920s and '30s architecture that need rehab more than new construction. There are plenty of vacant lots but the streetscape is just great, and those lots can be used for parking to support new retail. There is enough new housing in the periphery ... we looked at that and said `boy, the people who live in this housing will really need services,'" Schiess said.


Wow, this is great to hear a developer coming in with respect for the neighborhood - and not looking at every parcel as a place to max out profits by tearing everything down.

Also, in case anyone was wondering, I checked into the two Brighton Park buildings that would be coming down for the 8-story building, and there will be no loss of good buildings in this case.

[the urban politician]

http://www.columbiachronicle.com/paper/campus.php?id=3250
Four firms in running to design facility
By Amanda MaurerPrint
Campus Editor

http://www.columbiachronicle.com/paper/images/3250_1.jpeg
The city gave Columbia the arch from the former Famous Players-Lasky
Corporation building, 1327 S. Wabash Ave. The college will incorporate this arch into the proposed Media Production Center.

After receiving approval from Columbia’s board of trustees to begin a $20 million fundraising campaign in October for the Media Production Center, the college has taken another step toward constructing its first building.

In December, Columbia narrowed down a list of 29 architecture firms to four, which are in the running to design the Media Production Center, a facility to be located at 1632 S. State St.

Some of the Media Production Center’s proposed amenities include two sound stages, a motion capture studio and an animation lab. Administrators believe the center will fulfill the college’s growing need for additional studio and professional equipment space.

Starting this February, each firm will go through one last interview for the design commission, when they’ll explain their design philosophy, approach and ability to stay within budget. Columbia officials said they would like to have a firm selected by March.

“I know we’re going to have the opportunity to meet with four very creative firms who have definitely made their mark in the industry,” said Doreen Bartoni, dean of the School of Media Arts. “It will be wonderful to see what they bring to our subsequent meetings.”

Although the city has promised the property’s sale to Columbia, the purchase process cannot officially begin until a final proposal and budget are established for the Media Production Center. Alicia Berg, vice president of Campus Environment, could not reveal the property’s value, as the college has not yet finalized negotiations to purchase it from the city. The land at 1632 S. State St. is currently empty.

For additional assistance in selecting the most qualified architecture firms, the college has teamed with Martha Thorne, executive director of the Pritzker Architecture Prize.

“The great opportunity, in my mind, is the ability to invigorate the college’s community … with a tangible and beautiful new facility,” Thorne said in an e-mail. “A new building can express the college’s optimism in and direction for its future. It can also create a visible presence for the college in downtown Chicago that will not only serve the students who use the MPC, but also add to the college’s identity in the city.”

The four architecture firms are New York-based Helfand Architecture, Morphosis of Los Angeles and Chicago firms Studio Gang Architects and Brininstool + Lynch.

All firms have completed institutional projects similar to the Media Production Center, Berg said. However, the architecture selection committee’s final choice will depend on a firm’s ability to listen to the college, work with the Columbia community and provide practical and quality architecture.

“We don’t want a really marvelous building that really isn’t functional,” Berg said.

http://www.columbiachronicle.com/paper/images/3250_2.jpeg
A chain link fence overgrown with plant life surrounds the currently vacant lot at 1632 S. State St. Columbia will purchase the property for its new Media Production Center.

Each firm must also consider the college’s desire to keep the budget cost-effective. Berg could not reveal an estimated budget for the Media Production Center because she has not seen final design proposals.

A $20 million capital campaign began last year to help raise funds for the Media Production Center. Currently, the college has raised around $6 million, according to Eric Winston, vice president of Institutional Advancement.

While the campaign will go toward purchasing the land and the construction process, Winston said the $20 million will also fund scholarships and endowments. He said the college would like to reach its goal in two or three years.

“They’ve already been given enough information to know the budget is going to be tight, and that it’s going to be a design challenge for them,” Berg said.

In addition, the architects have been asked to incorporate an arch from a building located at 1327 S. Wabash Ave. The building’s arch reads “Famous Players Lasky Corporation,” the former home to Paramount Pictures’ parent company.

The building at 1327 S. Wabash Ave. is scheduled to be demolished by another developer. The city decided to save the arch by giving it to the college as a public benefit, Berg said.

“[Officials from the city of Chicago] thought it would be kind of nifty if we just reused that arch from an old film building to a new film building,” Berg said.

Thorne said the Media Production Center, as the college’s first construction project, holds special meaning for Columbia.

“This architecture of a new building can also be a reflection of how an institution sees itself,” Thorne said in an e-mail. “This is not a literal reflection, but reflects an attitude towards its role in the city, the importance of the built environment, sustainability and other matters.”

[TowerGuy37]

Has anybody heard about the rumors flying around that WHOLE FOODS pulled the plug out from the this project? HOpe not the south loop needs this! Anynone know anything?

[sentinel]

Has anybody heard about the rumors flying around that WHOLE FOODS pulled the plug out from the this project? HOpe not the south loop needs this! Anynone know anything?

Uh :sly: Southgate Market has almost finished construction and should be open extremely soon, if it hasn't opened already...You're pretty out of the loop, huh?:tup:

[honte]

^ Some of the stores there are open already. Whole Foods is not, but they are still listing their participation on their web site, and build-out is pretty far along I believe.

[oopy493]

Has anybody heard about the rumors flying around that WHOLE FOODS pulled the plug out from the this project? HOpe not the south loop needs this! Anynone know anything?

There was an article a couple months back about Whole Foods delaying their opening to figure out the best product assortment (I can't recall where). I think DSW and Office Depot are both open. Panera definitely is. A couple weeks ago it didn't look like any of Whole Food's buildout had been done, but I was driving by, so it's hard to say for sure.

The Home Depot just around the corner is opening Feb 1 according to their job listings. Unfortunately, Whole Foods hasn't begun listing jobs for the Southgate Market store at their website, I suppose that is a bad sign for any reasonably soon opening. Oh well, probably better to save my money than spend it on delicious $30/lb cheese.

[Loopy]

None of the Southgate retailers are very enthusiastic about sharing their Sunday hours with the Maxwell Street (Flea) Market, and Whole Foods is no exception.

The Market is scheduled to be relocated to Des Plaines Avenue in September. Look for a Whole Foods Grand Opening about that time.

[dvidler]

I am very happy to see that they will be keeping this in the south loop. The master plan called for the media production center to be in a remote location. With Columbia College looking to build the production center, student center, and performance center within close radius of each other this will add a great sense of a college campus.

Hopefully Columbia College will be involved in more student dorms to be built , like the University Village, which will add to this sense of college campus.

[trvlr70]

Lifted of the news releases from CDOT on City's web site.... dated 01/18/07


Couch Place improvement
http://egov.cityofchicago.org/webportal/COCWebPortal/COC_EDITORIAL/CouchPlacerendering.JPG

CDOT crews are working on an improvement project along Couch Place between State and Dearborn. The work will create a pedestrian-friendly corridor, similar to Couch Place east of State Street.


The project includes new concrete pavers, new decorative light fixtures, arched entranceways, new banners and advertising display boxes, and drainage improvements


Parking and pedestrian impacts


Work will occur during day and evening hours. During construction, pedestrian access will be restricted. Access will be maintained to building exit doors and service doors along Couch Place. Existing parking prohibitions will remain in place.

The project is scheduled to be complete by early April.

Believe it or not, this is one of my favorite little projects in Chicago right now. I love the direction the city is going on this one.

Are any other alley's in the city going to go through the same process? It reminds me of the one off Rush by Le Colonial.

[brian_b]

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

Developer decides to go upscale with new West Loop condos

January 24, 2007
BY DAVID ROEDER Sun-Times Columnist
The $250,000-to-$400,000 condo has become the standard offering in the West Loop. The product is so generic that many of the neighborhood's developments seem indistinguishable. Now, along comes a West Loop project that's tilted decidedly upscale.
Think of "pre-construction" pricing starting at around $700,000 per unit. Think of two balconies per home, high ceilings and lots of attention lavished on the kitchens and bathrooms.

The project in question is due to be built at 23 N. Aberdeen. Geoffrey Ruttenberg's Brixton Group Ltd. is planning two five-story buildings overlooking a courtyard.

Forty-eight homes are in the design, the smallest of them being 2,000 square feet. These will be three- or four-bedroom units, which have sometimes been a hard sell close to downtown.

But Ruttenberg, son of well-known developer David "Buzz" Ruttenberg, clearly thinks the market is ready for luxury housing aimed at families. He commissioned a design by architectural firm, FitzGerald & Associates, that combines limestone and steel to provide a contemporary twist on the traditional loft look of the surroundings.

Ruttenberg has started marketing the homes and plans to start construction in late February. He hopes to deliver the first 24 residences late this year.

Not to nit-pick, but the 250-400k "condo" in the West Loop is really a loft, and a generic one at that. They are absolutely right in that regard.

What I'd really like to see is a 250-400k condo in the West Loop where the developer hired an architect to think about the real needs of someone working downtown. Consider a husband and wife that both have professional jobs. Where's the closet space to store the 10-15 pairs of pants that must be hung, the 20-30 shirts that must be hung, the 10-15 suits that must be hung? What about a closet by the door that's big enough for all the jackets needed to match up the outfit combinations? How about a pantry to store enough food so a "family" too busy to shop can do so only once a month? Perhaps a den/office in all 1BR condos so some work can get done at home.

[Taft]

Believe it or not, this is one of my favorite little projects in Chicago right now. I love the direction the city is going on this one.

Are any other alley's in the city going to go through the same process? It reminds me of the one off Rush by Le Colonial.

No kidding! Imagine if many of the loop's allies were converted like this, with little shops, bars and restaurants pocketed away all over the loop. To me, it would give the city a more "london-ish" feel (for lack of better words).

I'd definitely like to see more projects like these. With the increased residential development in the loop, there is definitely going to be a need for more residential oriented businesses: convenience store, groceries, bars, hardware, etc. Given the business-oriented businesses aren't going anywhere, I'd imagine more space will be needed. This is a great way to provide it.

Or we could go like tokyo and go up...

Taft

[the urban politician]

^ Will Couch place have shops lining it? I know, maybe it's a stupid question, but I'm just asking in case someone knows

[bnk]

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-0701250199jan25,1,5984194.story

Elgin hospital construction hits a snag
Project manager walks off the job in contract dispute

By Charles Sheehan
Tribune staff reporter

January 25, 2007

Officials at Sherman Hospital are facing another controversy in their efforts to build a $310 million facility in Elgin after the construction team overseeing the project quit in a contract dispute.

The hospital and BMI Joint Venture worked for two years on the project without a contract and were unable to reach agreement on the terms, BMI spokesman Tom Porter said Wednesday.

But according to hospital spokeswoman Christine Priester, the hospital has a legally binding contract with BMI and administrators are reviewing their options.

"A price was established, and there was a binding contract. However, they have made it clear that they do not intend to honor the agreement," Priester said.

Porter said that in September, BMI tendered a proposed contract, which was signed by officials of the joint venture, but withdrew the terms before hospital officials signed it.

"Despite extensive contract negotiations and working together for approximately two years, the parties did not reach agreement on terms," he said.

Porter, executive vice president of Barton Malow, one of the companies in the joint venture, said the firms packed up their trailers Friday and removed heavy machinery from the site of the 255-bed hospital under construction at Randall and Big Timber Roads on Elgin's booming northwest side.

Barton Malow, of Southfield, Mich., was the project manager, along with Elgin-based IHC Construction Cos.

Sherman's plan to relocate its main hospital from 934 Center St., on Elgin's east side, to a new facility has been opposed by rival Provena St. Joseph Hospital.

Provena St. Joseph had argued during hearings before the Illinois Health Facilities Planning Board that it could lose patients to Sherman's new hospital less than 4 miles away and that its financial health would be threatened. After the state board approved Sherman's plan, Provena filed a lawsuit in Cook County Circuit Court challenging the decision.

Construction of the new hospital began in June, and subcontractors continue to work at the site, Priester said. Sherman has brought in a temporary construction manager to oversee the project until a new company is chosen, she said.

The completion date, scheduled for late 2009, has not changed, she said.

Sherman is reviewing bids from several construction companies that have shown interest in the project, Priester said.

Meanwhile, lawyers for Provena St. Joseph filed legal documents Wednesday alleging that Sherman deliberately concealed information from the state board about shrinking patient numbers.

Provena St. Joseph said Sherman's inpatient days for medical and surgical beds dropped from 50,241 in 2004 to 41,834 in 2005, information that was not included in its request for state approval.

Sherman said the number of inpatient days declined but the most up-to-date numbers were submitted to the state board during the review process.

"We submitted everything we were required to submit, and there was a lot of time between that process and when it was approved," Priester said.

"Patient volume is declining all over, but that has nothing to do with our need for a new hospital. Some of our rooms date back to 1912, and we need to modernize."

Provena St. Joseph has said Sherman's new hospital would cost Provena between $8.7 million and $17.7 million a year in revenue.

Susana Lopatka, acting chairwoman of the planning board, said during a December meeting that potential losses at Provena St. Joseph do not fall within the board's purview.

"We determined that it was not the role of this board to maintain or protect the market share for any health-care facility," Lopatka said.

Circuit Judge Peter Flynn could rule next month on Provena's challenge of the board's decision.

[LA21st]

^ Will Couch place have shops lining it? I know, maybe it's a stupid question, but I'm just asking in case someone knows

That would be cool. I could see come nightclubs or trendy bars going there, like in Fulton Market.

[ardecila]

They're doing this Couch Place renovation essentially for Looptopia, when segments of Couch Place will have booths, vendors, and even a cabaret show somewhere.

[nomarandlee]

No kidding! Imagine if many of the loop's allies were converted like this, with little shops, bars and restaurants pocketed away all over the loop. To me, it would give the city a more "london-ish" feel (for lack of better words).

I'd definitely like to see more projects like these. With the increased residential development in the loop, there is definitely going to be a need for more residential oriented businesses: convenience store, groceries, bars, hardware, etc. Given the business-oriented businesses aren't going anywhere, I'd imagine more space will be needed. This is a great way to provide it.

Taft

I agree, Chicago could use some more ped gems like that. Obviously they are all over Europe but I was impressed when I came across a thread last year when I saw these little gems in a Melbourne thread. I would like to see more allies like these....

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?p=5688108&highlight=Degraves+Street#post5688108
Via The Collector over at SSC...http://www.thecollectormm.com/

Degraves Street
http://www.thecollectormm.com/gallery/photography/City/slides/Degraves1.jpg
http://www.thecollectormm.com/gallery/photography/City/slides/Degraves5.jpg
http://www.thecollectormm.com/gallery/photography/City/slides/Degraves6.jpg

George Parade
http://www.thecollectormm.com/gallery/photography/City/slides/GeorgeParade2.jpg
Some whacky art at Hosier Lane
http://www.thecollectormm.com/gallery/photography/City/slides/HosierLane3.jpg

[headcase]

They're doing this Couch Place renovation essentially for Looptopia, when segments of Couch Place will have booths, vendors, and even a cabaret show somewhere.

Actually the Couch Pl renovation has been planned since prior to Looptopia, it's just one of those perfect storm moments when everything lines up perfectly. If I remember correctly from the FOD Looptopia the TIF that is funding the Couch PL renovation is expiring so the work has to start or they loose the money. So the Looptopia people worked with the city so that the grand opening could be during Looptoopia, but it isn't being done because of Looptopia.

Any my understanding of Couch Pl is that is is just supposed to be a clean place to get from the Goodman to the Chicago, which is kinda strange to me, I mean how many people go between those two venues at any given time? :shrug:

SSDD

[Taft]

Any my understanding of Couch Pl is that is is just supposed to be a clean place to get from the Goodman to the Chicago, which is kinda strange to me, I mean how many people go between those two venues at any given time? :shrug:

SSDD

That's disappointing. Put a few shops and restaurants in there and people might actually go between the two. Maybe they can/will make it available for booths and vendors during the hospitable months of the year...

Taft

[trvlr70]

I think if the renovation is sucessful enough, then the businesses will follow. Right now, that alley is downright frightening. The scale will be appropriate for pedestrians-only establishments like cafe's, etc..

[trvlr70]

^^^^^^^^^^^^
What an asshole!

[VivaLFuego]

^ headcase is that you?

;)

[Chicago Shawn]

The Central Loop, which encompasses the Roosevelt Road corridor, has experienced a surge of residential construction 230 percent greater than the Chicago Department of Planning and Development had forecast in 2003. People occupy 4,135 units, with thousands more on the way.


This is exactley why the Central Area Plan needs to be re-examined as planned by the city and why the Near South Community Plan should also be scrapped and redone. Niether of the guideline plans accounted for the sheer amount of new demand for downtown real estate. We should be planning for keeping up with market conditions, rather than putting a lid on our city's future potential. 230% over a forecast made 3 years ago, is insane and yet awesome at the same time. Demand for downtown living still is hot, hot, hot!

[headcase]

^ headcase is that you?

;)


:haha: You know, if you aged me about 10 years it wouldn't be too far off...

SSDD

[SamInTheLoop]

The Central Loop, which encompasses the Roosevelt Road corridor, has experienced a surge of residential construction 230 percent greater than the Chicago Department of Planning and Development had forecast in 2003. People occupy 4,135 units, with thousands more on the way.


This is exactley why the Central Area Plan needs to be re-examined as planned by the city and why the Near South Community Plan should also be scrapped and redone. Niether of the guideline plans accounted for the sheer amount of new demand for downtown real estate. We should be planning for keeping up with market conditions, rather than putting a lid on our city's future potential. 230% over a forecast made 3 years ago, is insane and yet awesome at the same time. Demand for downtown living still is hot, hot, hot!

^Absolutely! Do you think there's any change dpd will actually do this? I hope so. It is amazing what a difference 4 or 5 years has made in considering future potential...

[itsnotrequired]

Another Forumer at work...


'Artifact' stolen from Loop landmark

By Azam Ahmed
Tribune staff reporter
Published January 26, 2007, 2:39 PM CST


A man who snatched the top of a newel post from a landmark Chicago building may have thought he was getting away with a valuable architectural artifact, but it was just a reproduction—and police have his picture on a security video, authorities said today.

The incident occurred about 2:30 p.m., Jan. 12, at the Monadnock Building in downtown Chicago, police said. The decorative piece was removed from a staircase on the building's first floor, according to police Officer Marcel Bright.


http://www.chicagotribune.com/media/photo/2007-01/27582724.jpg

Monadnock Building (Tribune archive photo by Alex Garcia)
July 17, 2004

Security video stills

http://www.chicagotribune.com/media/photo/2007-01/27582269.jpg


A building security camera recorded the theft, and detectives are reviewing the video footage, Bright said. No arrests have been made in the incident.

Stills of the video obtained by the Tribune show a backpack-wearing man, who police believe is 35 to 40 years old, walking down a building corridor and into the stairwell. He removes a newel post top by hand from the top corner of a staircase and puts it in the backpack.

"These pictures are so brazen," said Tim Samuelson, cultural historian for the Chicago Department of Cultural affairs. But the theft of historical components from landmarks, he said, "is not that unusual, unfortunately."

Bill Donnell, one of the owners of the Monadnock, 53 W. Jackson Blvd., said the missing piece is a replica of the original newel post, which was replaced about 20 years ago. In the 28 years his group has owned the property, Donnell added, "I don't remember something like this ever happening before."

The Monadnock was the last skyscraper built as a masonry wall-bearing structure, requiring walls six feet thick at its base to support the weight of its upper floors, according to the City of Chicago's Landmarks Web site.

Designed by Chicago architects Burnham & Root and Holabird & Roche and completed in 1893, the Monadnock was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1970 and designated a Chicago city landmark in 1973, according to its Web site.

"I think this is someone maybe wanting a souvenir of a historic building to sit around," Samuelson said. "But if someone loves historic architecture that much why would they do something to destroy it?"

You missed the best part of the story:

The ornament was one of about 200 newel post tops throughout the 17-story building at 53 W. Jackson Blvd. The remaining 199 are original cast iron fixtures; the stolen one happened to be the only replica, he said.

:lmao:

[denizen467]

A typical Home Depot store generates $43 million in yearly revenue
Great to hear about all the jobs and tax revenue just injected downtown.

Though I wonder why the bozos haven't updated homedepot.com yet to show that there's a new store there now.

[Chicago Shawn]

^Absolutely! Do you think there's any change dpd will actually do this? I hope so. It is amazing what a difference 4 or 5 years has made in considering future potential...

Actually, yes! Sam Assafia from DPD has mentioned that the Central Area Plan "Really did not go far enough." (Btw, if you never heard this man speak before, go to a public lecture with him; he is the sermon preacher for the followers of urbanity. This brilliant man is also the one who brought the tall and thin ideas into city hall.). He is also stressing "Framing our natural reasources", that is, filling in land around the Lake, River and parks with higher densities and attractive buildings to make the spaces more active with people, and enhance our city's unique features.

[denizen467]

^ Do you know what his title or division is? I tried to find out more about him on the DPD website. Sounds like we're very lucky to have him. He's the one who came over from San Francisco, right?

[spyguy]

http://chicagobusiness.com/cgi-bin/mag/article.pl?article_id=27166&bt=barneys&arc=n&searchType=

Barneys move may shake up Oak
Block of boutiques could see development wave

By Thomas A. Corfman and Eddie Baeb

Barneys New York is close to a deal that would move its Oak Street store across the street and double its size in a proposed new building, a development that would signal a dramatic transformation of the tree-lined block of quiet boutiques and salons.

The luxury department store would lease about 100,000 square feet in a five-story structure to be built on the site bounded by Oak, Rush and State streets, according to sources familiar with the negotiations between Barneys and developer Mark Hunt of Chicago-based M Development LLC. Mr. Hunt declines to comment.

Barneys would move in two years when its lease expires on its 46,000-square-foot store at 25 E. Oak St.

The Chicago location is a fraction of the size of Barneys' flagship stores in Manhattan and Beverly Hills, Calif. A spokeswoman for Barneys, a division of New York-based Jones Apparel Group Inc., didn't return calls for comment.

Oak Street, once a quaint strip of gray-stone and red-brick buildings, is already a haven for national and European luxury retailers such as Italian clothier Prada and French leather-goods designer Hermès. But a Barneys deal would be a key step in a wave of new development along Oak Street, including possibly the retailer's current site.

That, in turn, could boost other developers' chances of luring high-end retailers to nearby projects, such as the Elysian Hotel, under construction at Rush and Walton streets, and a proposed mixed-use development for a site at State and Walton that includes the Scottish Rite Cathedral, say real estate brokers not involved in the Barneys deal.

"With the lack of supply of high-rent, specialty-store space along Michigan Avenue, this deal could open up significant opportunities for new fashion and high-end-goods retailers to come to Chicago," says Stanley Nitzberg, a principal in Mid-America Real Estate Corp., an Oakbook Terrace-based retail real estate firm.

The new Barneys building could also include a Citigroup Inc. bank branch at the corner of State and Oak, sources say. The branch would move from a 6,800-square-foot storefront that's part of the Esquire Theater building at 58 E. Oak St., which is owned by Mr. Hunt. He is working up plans to replace the shuttered theater with a retail and boutique hotel development. If the Barneys move is completed, its current site is expected to draw interest from developers.

But the department store's current landlord also is expected to market the space to new tenants and could charge substantially higher rent. Barneys, which has been at the location since 1992, currently pays an estimated rent of less than $28 a square foot a year, not including taxes and expenses. That figure is well below the market on Oak, where prime street-level space can rent for $250 a square foot. Ben Ashkenazy, president of New York-based Ashkenazy Acquisition Corp. and a member of the landlord group, did not return calls requesting comment.

http://img181.imageshack.us/img181/6550/og012907oof3.gif

[Chicago Shawn]

^ Do you know what his title or division is? I tried to find out more about him on the DPD website. Sounds like we're very lucky to have him. He's the one who came over from San Francisco, right?


Yes, that's him. His title is Depty Cheif of Staff for Economic Development. The city is being pro-active and is having him lecture to community groups on the benifits of higher density TOD developement city wide.


I believe there is a really nice old building at Stae and Oak that would be leveled for that Barney's project. I really wish they would do something taller at Oak and Rush instead, but of course taller buildings is one of the 7 deadly sins to the folks who live over there.

[VivaLFuego]

^ If memory serves, there are a couple cool buildings on that site for the proposed new Barney's...

[SamInTheLoop]

Actually, yes! Sam Assafia from DPD has mentioned that the Central Area Plan "Really did not go far enough." (Btw, if you never heard this man speak before, go to a public lecture with him; he is the sermon preacher for the followers of urbanity. This brilliant man is also the one who brought the tall and thin ideas into city hall.). He is also stressing "Framing our natural reasources", that is, filling in land around the Lake, River and parks with higher densities and attractive buildings to make the spaces more active with people, and enhance our city's unique features.

I think he's great and hope to hear him speak soon. I also love the fact that the city is actively getting him out there in front of the neighborhood groups so they can get some solid urban education. Love the theme of "framing our natural resources" - that's a winner if I ever heard one...

[the urban politician]

^ If memory serves, there are a couple cool buildings on that site for the proposed new Barney's...

^ There is no need for any demolition in River North, considering all the existing parking lots.

How sad and pathetic...

[Chicago Shawn]

State Street, demolition of two worn, but otherwise very nice buildings:

http://198.173.15.21/ccao/ParcelDetails.asp?PIN=17032060010000&CalledBy=&DialogYN=

http://198.173.15.21/ccao/ParcelDetails.asp?PIN=17032060020000&CalledBy=&DialogYN=

Rush Street, which I wish they were limited to...

http://198.173.15.21/ccao/ParcelDetails.asp?PIN=17032060090000&CalledBy=&DialogYN=
http://198.173.15.21/ccao/ParcelDetails.asp?PIN=17032060100000&CalledBy=&DialogYN=

[Tom Servo]

NO! Why tear something down?! Build on the existing vacant lots! I hate news like this!

[Tom Servo]

What is it about New York based companies coming to Chicago and messing with our buildings?!

[BorisMolotov]

Im sure Ill get bashed for this, but from what Im seeing recently, New York doesnt seem to have much respect for their older buildings (eg, the Drake to be demolished for a new hotel)

[honte]

http://198.173.15.21/ccao/ParcelDetails.asp?PIN=17032060020000&CalledBy=&DialogYN=


943 N. is especially interesting. At the least, they should build a sliver building that would bring them more visibility and save this one in the process.

[Tom Servo]

Im sure Ill get bashed for this, but from what Im seeing recently, New York doesnt seem to have much respect for their older buildings (eg, the Drake to be demolished for a new hotel)

I'm just sick of anything New York period.
IE, the whole Macy's thing! :hell: