CHICAGO | General Developments

[Jibba]

Developer Buys Historic Hollander Moving Site, Plans Boutique Offices With Restaurant, Apartments

[...]

LOGAN SQUARE — The 106-year-old Hollander Storage & Moving building site on Milwaukee Avenue will soon see new life as a mixed-use development.

About a year after hitting the market, the five-story masonry building at 2418 N. Milwaukee Ave., plus the neighboring single-story annex and adjoining parking lot, now belong to GW Properties. The Chicago-based developer officially bought the properties this week, according to broker Jim Cummings of Newmark Knight Frank.

The plan is to restore the Hollander building to its former glory and then convert it into boutique offices with a restaurant on the ground floor, according to Mitch Goltz, principal of GW Properties.

https://blockclubchicago.org/2018/08/08/developer-buys-historic-hollander-moving-site-plans-boutique-offices-with-restaurant-apartments/

Looking at GW's website gives me pause. They are strip-mall developers extraordinaire. Granted, it's just a warehouse, but the first level is nicely finished with heavy, well-defined piers and other nice masonry work. Hopefully at least that much is salvaged (they'll have to blow out the rest of the street-facing elevation, I'd think, hopefully sans cornice).

[Via Chicago]

it seems to be the intention

Goltz said he and his team are looking forward to preserving the historic building, which he described as “iconic.”

“The building is in great shape and there’s really cool architectural elements inside like marble floors, high ceilings and a safe,” Goltz said.

“It’s an important building in the neighborhood and we’ll do our best to preserve it,” the developer added.

[left of center]

excellent! i missed this one while i was out of town.

it's so nice to see those god-awful used car dealerships along western getting replaced by actual urban development.

they're fast becoming an endangered species along that stretch, thank pizza god!

Totally agree. Now if only the pizza gods, in their eternally cheesy mercy, found a way to rid us of this abomination (https://goo.gl/maps/zUUHvdgSYyL2) on the corner of Western and Iowa in my hood. I would be forever in their debt. Makes me fume every time I pass it by.

All glory to cheezus crust!

[harryc]

July 30

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/848/43954854631_41d62519c2_z.jpghttps://farm1.staticflickr.com/858/43906716882_47ab159f98_z.jpghttps://farm1.staticflickr.com/861/43906713762_f97d38c86d_z.jpg

[the urban politician]

Totally agree. Now if only the pizza gods, in their eternally cheesy mercy, found a way to rid us of this abomination (https://goo.gl/maps/zUUHvdgSYyL2) on the corner of Western and Iowa in my hood. I would be forever in their debt. Makes me fume every time I pass it by.

All glory to cheezus crust!

Sure, that offends the gentry, but at least it has character....

[harryc]

July 30

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1831/43906971322_35e2c0c317_h.jpg

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/859/43236546664_ebd4f0c8f9_h.jpg

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1773/43906967602_fb0585ac4b_h.jpg

[ardecila]

Totally agree. Now if only the pizza gods, in their eternally cheesy mercy, found a way to rid us of this abomination (https://goo.gl/maps/zUUHvdgSYyL2) on the corner of Western and Iowa in my hood. I would be forever in their debt. Makes me fume every time I pass it by.

All glory to cheezus crust!

Hell no! This lot is OK with me. Hopefully it outlives all of its used-car lot counterparts.

[LouisVanDerWright]

Hell no! This lot is OK with me. Hopefully it outlives all of its used-car lot counterparts.

Yeah, I love that one. It's prime for a good Parson'sing...

[modkris]

Totally agree. Now if only the pizza gods, in their eternally cheesy mercy, found a way to rid us of this abomination (https://goo.gl/maps/zUUHvdgSYyL2) on the corner of Western and Iowa in my hood. I would be forever in their debt. Makes me fume every time I pass it by.

All glory to cheezus crust!

:koko:Whaaaaat? YOU SUCK! Those vintage signs are the best things on Western for miles.

[wrab]

July 30

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/848/43954854631_41d62519c2_z.jpghttps://farm1.staticflickr.com/858/43906716882_47ab159f98_z.jpghttps://farm1.staticflickr.com/861/43906713762_f97d38c86d_z.jpg

Impressive job. Welcome back, Atlantic Bank Building/Welcome to Chicago, Hotel Julian!

[SIGSEGV]

Totally agree. Now if only the pizza gods, in their eternally cheesy mercy, found a way to rid us of this abomination (https://goo.gl/maps/zUUHvdgSYyL2) on the corner of Western and Iowa in my hood. I would be forever in their debt. Makes me fume every time I pass it by.

All glory to cheezus crust!

Nah, it's a nice homage to Iowa.

[BrinChi]

Totally agree. Now if only the pizza gods, in their eternally cheesy mercy, found a way to rid us of this abomination (https://goo.gl/maps/zUUHvdgSYyL2) on the corner of Western and Iowa in my hood. I would be forever in their debt. Makes me fume every time I pass it by.

All glory to cheezus crust!

No way! That place is awesome! It should be restored :)

[marothisu]

There was a new construction permit issued for a new 4 story, 39 unit building at 18th and State. All condos - known as 1802 S State

It will replace a 1 story building and parking lot:
https://www.google.com/maps/place/1802+S+State+St,+Chicago,+IL+60616/@41.8574763,-87.6272764,3a,90y,264.18h,83.29t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1swq9LPGWmkYQ61h6E19c50w!2e0!7i13312!8i6656!4m5!3m4!1s0x880e2c87cec1f60b:0xd92dc676c1ba4cdc!8m2!3d41.857599!4d-87.627658

Rendering here (nothing special): https://1802state.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/1802-S.-State-Rendering-Cropped-e1522262609867.jpg
Website: https://1802state.com/

[The Lurker]

I like that brick color. The design is a rehash of a rehash but its decent density for the area

[marothisu]

I saw the demo permits for this come in but didn't know what was planned here until now. Home of Sammy's Red Hots on Division (a little west of Wells) was sold to the Domain Group last month. They're planning micro apartments

https://therealdeal.com/chicago/2018/07/25/domain-group-plans-micro-apartments-on-near-north-side/

Domain wants to build a six-story, 105,000-square-foot micro-apartment building on the property, according to Imperial Realty’s Drew Neems, who represented Lashkariya. He said the site is zoned to allow for a 70-foot building. The units would be mostly studios and one-bedrooms.

Bird's eye view (includes the back building which was most recently an Indian restaurant):
https://www.google.com/maps/place/232+W+Division+St,+Chicago,+IL+60610/@41.9036521,-87.6367871,83a,35y,36.71h,45.02t/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x880fd348f3ec7ab1:0x5e59073aeab4313!8m2!3d41.9040849!4d-87.6357979

[harryc]

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1811/42177500980_a194c62b85_b.jpg

[harryc]

New owners - wanted more space for restauraunts - so they have "modified" this classic.

July 27

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1791/42177730620_25aab20117_h.jpg

Aug 6

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1815/43081248675_e7bc30642a_h.jpg

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1775/42177728390_52b51de0f3_h.jpg

Aug 8

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1792/43938467292_a8773d6c84_h.jpg

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1832/43938467542_c1e2a226e4_h.jpg

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1792/42177727980_5a4afd43c1_h.jpg

[harryc]

Aug 7

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1837/30127122428_8a63829a28_h.jpg

[left of center]

:koko:Whaaaaat? YOU SUCK! Those vintage signs are the best things on Western for miles.

No way! That place is awesome! It should be restored :)

Hell no! This lot is OK with me. Hopefully it outlives all of its used-car lot counterparts.

Welp, it appears I've struck a nerve :)

I'm entirely fine with saving Chicago's slowly disappearing neon sign heritage, but a low density, open air used car lot is a real crappy use of real estate, especially now that developments along Western Ave can be considered TOD and upzoned accordingly. A happy medium where the signs are preserved, either in a new development on site or moved to another site would be entirely fine by me. But keeping it as it is now, a site that is pretty much as autocentric as something can get (they do sell cars there, after all) seems like a waste to me.

[spyguy]

New owners - wanted more space for restauraunts - so they have "modified" this classic.

Can they continue next door with the Westin? Or better yet, tear it down.

---
4907 N Paulina - replacing four existing buildings with a 33 unit courtyard apartment building
https://s8.postimg.cc/ne7u87cf9/Screen_Shot_2018-08-12_at_10.07.31_AM.jpg

[Randomguy34]

^ Oh wow, this might be the first contemporary courtyard building I've seen. Do you know who are the developers and architect for this project?

Edit: Nevermind, did a quick search and found a summary sheet of the project. Architect/developers are Foster Dale/Hayes Properties: http://chicago47.org/wp-content/uploads/4907-N-Paulina-Summary-Sheet-7-11-18.pdf

[Via Chicago]

it looks like thats taking out some nice looking 2-flats

[Busy Bee]

^Mediocre at best. This is a net positive in terms of density and quality. I hope the details don't schrute the whole thing up.

[Buckman821]

Can they continue next door with the Westin? Or better yet, tear it down.

---
4907 N Paulina - replacing four existing buildings with a 33 unit courtyard apartment building
https://s8.postimg.cc/ne7u87cf9/Screen_Shot_2018-08-12_at_10.07.31_AM.jpg

Wow this is fascinating. I would love to know how they are handling the parking. Surface parked in the back maybe?

[Baronvonellis]

There was a wacky and ugly looking courtyard building built at the end of the last boom in 2009 put up at Belmont and the Chicago River. It's 6 floors with the first floor as the parking garage. I suppose this one could be like the old 4+1's. Those streets around Ravenswood have much longer lots than the standard Chicago lot length, so perhaps it's possible to have the garage in the back as well. Ideally the streets between Damen and Ashland from Montrose to Foster can be courtyard buildings. Alot of them are already. With the huge lot sizes there, they should all be upzoned for higher densities.

[Zerton]

Do you think Renzo Piano is flattered by the new McDonald's or trying to file a lawsuit?

[harryc]

Aug 7

With the Bentham site in the foreground - little bit of work at that last month.
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1775/30150945488_39ece83070_b.jpg

Slab edges sealed, insulated, and capped.
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1779/30150946818_1bd0bd40b4_b.jpg

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1797/30150949028_5d481d661a_b.jpg

[gebs]

Aug 7

With the Bentham site in the foreground - little bit of work at that last month.
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1775/30150945488_39ece83070_b.jpg


Am I the only one who feels like these two properties have taken forever to get anywhere? It feels like 1/2 of River North has sprouted up around them and they continue at a snail's pace.

[r18tdi]

Am I the only one who feels like these two properties have taken forever to get anywhere? It feels like 1/2 of River North has sprouted up around them and they continue at a snail's pace. Cedar Street likes taking its sweet time. Bush Temple phase one took, what, like four years?
The Bentham I assume is sluggish dependent on sales.

[Mikemak27]

Cedar Street likes taking its sweet time. Bush Temple phase one took, what, like four years?
The Bentham I assume is sluggish dependent on sales.

I would hate to be an investor with Cedar Street. Their return on capitol has to be much lower with how long it takes them to get projects completed. It must feel like a ponzi scheme waiting to get your return from them.

[Via Chicago]

^Mediocre at best. This is a net positive in terms of density and quality. I hope the details don't schrute the whole thing up.

i mean, those are literally what classic craftsman chicago 2-flats look like. if you dont like those i cant imagine there are others you do.

[PittsburghPA]

Does anyone follow buildingupchicago.com? Whoever ran the site would update it almost daily sometimes multiple times a day with some great content but its been well over a month since it was updated. I hope for their sake they are just enjoying a nice summer vacation!

[gebs]

Does anyone follow buildingupchicago.com? Whoever ran the site would update it almost daily sometimes multiple times a day with some great content but its been well over a month since it was updated. I hope for their sake they are just enjoying a nice summer vacation!

That site was masterfully conceived, managed, and updated by Daniel Schell. I appreciated not only his construction updates but his pun-filled descriptions, which showed how much he truly enjoyed scouting each location.

I for one hope everything is fine. Sometime earlier this year, a few posts on the site implied that Schell was focusing on personal priorities and shutting down the site. Not long after, he was back to posting. But I too have noticed the absence, and I'm sure we're not the only ones.

[wchicity]

That site was masterfully conceived, managed, and updated by Daniel Schell. I appreciated not only his construction updates but his pun-filled descriptions, which showed how much he truly enjoyed scouting each location.

I for one hope everything is fine. Sometime earlier this year, a few posts on the site implied that Schell was focusing on personal priorities and shutting down the site. Not long after, he was back to posting. But I too have noticed the absence, and I'm sure we're not the only ones.

Although the website isn't updated very often anymore, he's fairly active on twitter.

[Baronvonellis]

Alderman Pat Oconnor has downzoned a perfectly reasonable development at 5015-5039 N. Lincoln Avenue from 38 units and 38 parking spaces to 28 units and 36 parking spaces. But what really gets me is his explanation on his website! He insisted that the corner be a parking lot with green space along Lincoln Ave, and that the building have a GREATER than 1 parking space per unit. That 5 stories is too tall and dense for Lincoln Ave, and that retail isn't appropriate for Lincoln Ave.

This guy has been Alderman for 35 years! It's insane! He really needs to go, for someone with some urban sense! I'm in his ward and I voted against him in the last election, I hope he will leave in the next election.

[Steely Dan]

^ yeah, o'connor is a tool. i'd vote against him too, but i'm a block south of his ward boundary.

but does this mean that horrible strip mall along lincoln (https://www.google.com/maps/@41.9726456,-87.6911803,3a,90y,74.4h,92.95t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1smozKHuX2gQUsB2Z_iXPR1w!2e0!6s%2F%2Fgeo1.ggpht.com%2Fcbk%3Fpanoid%3DmozKHuX2gQUsB2Z_iXPR1w%26output%3Dthumbnail%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26thumb%3D2%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D98.43725%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i13312!8i6656) will bite the dust?

even with the alderman's meddlesome dumbing-down, i'll still take it.

[Jim in Chicago]

Alderman Pat Oconnor has downzoned a perfectly reasonable development at 5015-5039 N. Lincoln Avenue from 38 units and 38 parking spaces to 28 units and 36 parking spaces. But what really gets me is his explanation on his website! He insisted that the corner be a parking lot with green space along Lincoln Ave, and that the building have a GREATER than 1 parking space per unit. That 5 stories is too tall and dense for Lincoln Ave, and that retail isn't appropriate for Lincoln Ave.

This guy has been Alderman for 35 years! It's insane! He really needs to go, for someone with some urban sense! I'm in his ward and I voted against him in the last election, I hope he will leave in the next election.

And here I thought we were finally rounding the corner (pun intended) and were understanding how important it is to the Chicago streetscape to have buildings that hug the corners and tuck the parking in back. Oh well, another opportunity lost.

[Vlajos]

^ yeah, o'connor is a tool. i'd vote against him too, but i'm a block south of his ward boundary.

but does this mean that horrible strip mall along lincoln (https://www.google.com/maps/@41.9726456,-87.6911803,3a,90y,74.4h,92.95t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1smozKHuX2gQUsB2Z_iXPR1w!2e0!6s%2F%2Fgeo1.ggpht.com%2Fcbk%3Fpanoid%3DmozKHuX2gQUsB2Z_iXPR1w%26output%3Dthumbnail%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26thumb%3D2%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D98.43725%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i13312!8i6656) will bite the dust?

even with the alderman's meddlesome dumbing-down, i'll still take it.

I really hope that's bulldozed. It ruins that stretch of Lincoln.

[Baronvonellis]

Yea, that horrible strip mall will be gone! Which is great news! Although instead of a standard development with ground floor retail and built lot line to lot line, he insisted on having a small surface lot at the corner with some shrubbery lol :shrug:

It's like there's some Friends of the Strip Mall group that works with him

[Buckman821]

The explanation on his website is indeed pretty stunning in its stupidity but it seems like the final product will still be a huge improvement:

https://www.aldermanoconnor.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/20180523110641371-1.pdf

This stretch of Lincoln has actually had a remarkable amount of small scale infill development in the last 20 years and it feels very urban for being a decent walk away from the el.

[Chi-Sky21]

Yea, that horrible strip mall will be gone! Which is great news! Although instead of a standard development with ground floor retail and built lot line to lot line, he insisted on having a small surface lot at the corner with some shrubbery lol :shrug:

It's like there's some Friends of the Strip Mall group that works with him

some shrubbery that looks nice, and not too expensive....

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/e/eb/Knightni.jpg/400px-Knightni.jpg

[Jim in Chicago]

Yea, that horrible strip mall will be gone! Which is great news! Although instead of a standard development with ground floor retail and built lot line to lot line, he insisted on having a small surface lot at the corner with some shrubbery lol :shrug:

It's like there's some Friends of the Strip Mall group that works with him

Maybe he owns a dog and needs a place for it to go pee-pee.

[the urban politician]

Yeah, plus that parking lot can always get developed some time in the future

[moorhosj]

Thought people would get a kick out of the name, Noca Blu (https://www.nocablu.com/)

https://i.imgur.com/t2igrZq.jpg

[gebs]

Thought people would get a kick out of the name, Noca Blu (https://www.nocablu.com/)

https://i.imgur.com/t2igrZq.jpg

Haha, throwing meat with a stupid name to lions who hate meat with stupid names.

[LouisVanDerWright]

some shrubbery that looks nice, and not too expensive....

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/e/eb/Knightni.jpg/400px-Knightni.jpg

Next O'Conner will be asking for them to chop down the tallest tree in the forest..... WITHHHH A HERRING!

[Zerton]

Thought people would get a kick out of the name, Noca Blu (https://www.nocablu.com/)

https://i.imgur.com/t2igrZq.jpg

This building used an unusual prefab aluminum floor frame system. I watched them raising up the pieces for a weeks.

[maru2501]

sounds like a vodka or something

"I'll have a NocaBlu and tonic please"

[SDJackson]

This building used an unusual prefab aluminum floor frame system. I watched them raising up the pieces for a weeks.

They got their architectural inspiration from a 4+1 on Kenmore in Edgewater.

[west-town-brad]

They got their architectural inspiration from a 4+1 on Kenmore in Edgewater.

is it a 4+1 if the first floor is retail instead of parking?

[Near North Resident]

Thought people would get a kick out of the name, Noca Blu (https://www.nocablu.com/)

https://i.imgur.com/t2igrZq.jpg

North of Chicago Ave. Bougie Living Unit?

[RedCorsair87]

NoCA Blue doesn't look too bad based on the website. I like the vertical lines. I think it would have looked better with some light grey brick.

[Baronvonellis]

Next O'Conner will be asking for them to chop down the tallest tree in the forest..... WITHHHH A HERRING!

Haha, or demo the old strip mall ..... WITHHHH A HERRING!

Or blow up the strip mall with the The Holy Hand Grenade of Antioch!

[Barrelfish]

I think it's Nocablu because it is North of the California Blue line. Probably named by the same people who named the nearby MiCa apartments at Milwaukee and California. Still dumb though.

Also, lol at this juxtaposition in their promotional copy:
"Noca Blu is soon to be the newest and most luxurious apartment living experience in Logan Square"..."We are creating an active community that is in tune with the heartbeat of the neighborhood"

Putting your "luxurious" apartments in Logan square is more "jarring discord" than "in tune".

[The Lurker]

This one was topped out before I ever heard about it. Saw the completed frame in a picture a month or two ago and had to do a bunch of research to figure out what it was. I wish that would happen more often.

Anybody hear about the one at FUllerton & ClarK?

[west-town-brad]

"Noca Blu is soon to be the newest and most luxurious apartment living experience in Logan Square"..."We are creating an active community that is in tune with the heartbeat of the neighborhood"

Putting your "luxurious" apartments in Logan square is more "jarring discord" than "in tune".


is this more in tune:

We are bringing you non-renovated, poorly maintained, and undesirable housing at low low affordable prices.... looking for an illegally converted garden apartment that floods when it rains? logan square is your place! cash only please and no written leases.

[AlpacaObsessor]

All of these shitty abbreviations remind me of SoDoSoPa and CtPa Town from South Park

r7Dtn5_F3Us
miXMWJyOdgw

[marothisu]

In case anybody cares and pays attention to this stuff, the COO/CIO (aka global head of technology) of PNC Bank bought a mansion in Lincoln Park recently near where the CEO of Kellogg's just bought a mansion. Also the president of Fargo based Swanson Health Products (who has a Chicago office) bought at 800 N Michigan. He's the son of the founder and also bought a condo in Billionaires Row in NYC a handful of years ago.

[kolchak]

1323 West Morse Avenue

http://i66.tinypic.com/s4421w.jpg

AND...

6843 North Sheridan Road

http://i64.tinypic.com/abmb7o.jpg

http://i67.tinypic.com/s6m7fb.jpg

[the urban politician]

Finally! A proposal to kill off Aldermanic preoregative. It’s also a way to increase housing supply, which many of us have proposed as the fairer way to create affordable housing than passing laws that criminalize landlords and rob them of their rights:

https://blog.chicagocityscape.com/aldermen-push-to-desegregate-chicago-neighborhoods-9dc1e11fa7b0

Aldermen start push to desegregate Chicago neighborhoods

If a ward doesn’t have enough affordable housing, then a project that meets the on-site AH requirements could not be blocked

Earlier this year, the Metropolitan Planning Council released a study called “The Cost of Segregation” detailing the effects of racial and income segregation in Chicago, and outlining necessary institutional reforms to address the effects of racism in the city. By ending segregation, Chicago would have a stronger economy, higher earnings for Black residents, provide residents access to better schools, and lower crime rates.

A key recommendation to reduce segregation in Chicago’s housing market is to counterbalance the negative effects of “local control” by automatically approving certain multi-family housing proposals.
MPC’s specific suggestion is that “when a residential development with at least 10 percent affordability is proposed in a ward with less than 10 percent affordable housing, the proposed development can no longer be rejected or delayed indefinitely by the Alderman alone”.

[BuildThemTaller]

^ So long, parking lots!

The first is pretty bad, although I do like that the parking podium is almost flush with the building just to the east. Is that the Col. Jennifer Pritzker development on Morse? At least it is near the L and fills in a strip mall.

The second is the Target near the Loyola L stop. Looks like they are going to brick over that orange sheeting. That could turn out well. Man, that intersection around the Loyola stop has had a dramatic change in the past 3 years.

[k1052]

Finally! A proposal to kill off Aldermanic preoregative. It’s also a way to increase housing supply, which many of us have proposed as the fairer way to create affordable housing than passing laws that criminalize landlords and rob them of their rights:

https://blog.chicagocityscape.com/aldermen-push-to-desegregate-chicago-neighborhoods-9dc1e11fa7b0

The legislation also provides them a useful shield against any vocal groups trying to put the kibosh on otherwise rational developments. Most of the aldermen want development since it means more contributions, tax dollars, infrastructure money, etc. It's a tradeoff...give up some power for other gains down the road.

[the urban politician]

The legislation also provides them a useful shield against any vocal groups trying to put the kibosh on otherwise rational developments. Most of the aldermen want development since it means more contributions, tax dollars, infrastructure money, etc. It's a tradeoff...give up some power for other gains down the road.

Yes, plus with that shitbag Alderman Cochran about to head to jail for shaking down businesses in his ward (what is he, the 30th Alderman now who's been indicted?), it becomes increasingly evident that running your ward like a mob boss is a just ain't gonna keep flying in the 21st century.

[marothisu]

Google is reportedly opening up their first non pop up retail store in the world in Chicago in some connected buildings across from Nobu Hotel. Jaipur, Perez, etc were in these buildings.

[the urban politician]

Google is reportedly opening up their first non pop up retail store in the world in Chicago in some connected buildings across from Nobu Hotel. Jaipur, Perez, etc were in these buildings.

More than that.

It will be a 2 level flagship, their first of such a concept ever, and it will be in the Fulton Market.

It's over, guys, pack up your bags. The West Loop has set sail for greatness, and it ain't ever looking back...

[tjp]

That's exciting. I wonder if it bodes well for Chicago's chances of getting Google's new 5,000-job operations center we heard about earlier this year.

[10023]

So where are the restaurants going to go now?

[k1052]

So where are the restaurants going to go now?

Perez closed a while ago and Jaipur's lease was up anyway.

[jc5680]

That's exciting. I wonder if it bodes well for Chicago's chances of getting Google's new 5,000-job operations center we heard about earlier this year.

I wouldn't read too much into it in that regard.

Apple's first flagship was in Chicago too; there is a more than decent chance that played some role the choice of location.

[west-town-brad]

That's exciting. I wonder if it bodes well for Chicago's chances of getting Google's new 5,000-job operations center we heard about earlier this year.

yay google call center!

[bgsrand]

yay google call center!

Who cares what kind of operation is it? Could be a google shoe shine center for all I care.

[moorhosj]

yay google call center!

According to Crain's (http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20180109/BLOGS02/180109919/google-eyes-chicago-for-up-to-5-000-job-office-dallas-atlanta-boston-also-in-mix):

Sources familiar with the matter say the search engine giant is in advanced discussions with officials here and in other cities—reportedly including Boston, Atlanta and Dallas—about opening an operations center that could include administrative, research, support and other personnel for Google.

[LouisVanDerWright]

Yeah a call center would not be bad anyway, it's not like Chicago doesn't have a bunch of low skilled workers in poor neighborhoods that would love to make $15/hr just answering phones all day...

But tech companies don't do call centers, so I'll take 5000 Google jobs plz.

[Fvn]

Fifteen Fifty On The Park--
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Dkv_auRXgAIg-F1.jpg
Power Construction - https://twitter.com/Power_Construct/status/1030197777907757061

[marothisu]

Yeah a call center would not be bad anyway, it's not like Chicago doesn't have a bunch of low skilled workers in poor neighborhoods that would love to make $15/hr just answering phones all day...

But tech companies don't do call centers, so I'll take 5000 Google jobs plz.

I think some people take "operations center" way too seriously. Google hardly has any call center jobs - they might actually be contracted work and possibly even off shore. Google is actively working with a handful of other companies anyway to get rid of call center reps and replace them with "AI"-driven bots anyway. Operations Center for Google could mean many things - network engineers, management, data center types of jobs, etc.

Expect semi educated to very educated people for what they want to open and at least decently to very well paying. This is not going to be 5000 people who have $15/hr jobs answering phones from outside clients all day. Though you know, those types of jobs wouldn't be bad to have in other parts of town. But you know, what doesn't make the news is the fact that companies like Peoples Gas Light and Coke are planning or even building service centers with hundreds of jobs in areas like South Lawndale (west of Pulaski and south of the tracks near 33rd st). There's another one from them with hundreds of jobs up in North Park at Pulaski & Peterson. I have these on my Zoning Application map (https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=16mNP3GWAWH7xJ1ttzvOJD2CM4t3nopF3&ll=41.98906818272691%2C-87.72994860791323&z=17)

[the urban politician]

^ Im happy for the jobs but have you dealt with Peoples Gas? They make dysfunction a sport

[harryc]

Aug 13

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1839/43363737694_a8a55c4375_h.jpg

[marothisu]

^ Im happy for the jobs but have you dealt with Peoples Gas? They make dysfunction a sport

Nope, luckily. I think that usually any company that has to do with utilities or cable is the worst in regards to CSR. Hey, maybe they'll improve with new centers and training? hah okay probably not...

[BonoboZill4]

Just looked up Fifteen Fifty on the Park and I have to say... kind of disappointing for such a prominent sight :/

What do other people think about it, maybe I'm looking at it wrong, but I feel like it's a missed opportunity for something bold, not even necessarily that big, but bold for sure

[marothisu]

Just looked up Fifteen Fifty on the Park and I have to say... kind of disappointing for such a prominent sight :/

What do other people think about it, maybe I'm looking at it wrong, but I feel like it's a missed opportunity for something bold, not even necessarily that big, but bold for sure

My opinion is that while I wish it would be taller, it could be way worse. The height is *almost* high rise technically. Midrise is still nice at the 8 or 9 stories it is. I think it'll make a small impact for that corner. From the actual housing perspective, it makes sense to me. Expensive units overlooking Lincoln Park at a good location. It fits in with the area really. I think that if the gas station around the corner can sell and be redeveloped into something equally as tall or taller, then that little area will have a huge difference. Just in case you want to buy and redevelop :P

http://www.loopnet.com/Listing/130-W-North-Ave-Chicago-IL/8661121/

[Randomguy34]

Finally! A proposal to kill off Aldermanic preoregative. It’s also a way to increase housing supply, which many of us have proposed as the fairer way to create affordable housing than passing laws that criminalize landlords and rob them of their rights:

https://blog.chicagocityscape.com/aldermen-push-to-desegregate-chicago-neighborhoods-9dc1e11fa7b0

Oh wow, this is actually pretty amazing. Someone can propose an apartment building and get a guaranteed decision in 90 days from the city, all without having to deal with NIMBYs. Watch Lincoln Park suddenly get flooded with proposals if this goes into effect.

[west-town-brad]

Nope, luckily. I think that usually any company that has to do with utilities or cable is the worst in regards to CSR. Hey, maybe they'll improve with new centers and training? hah okay probably not...

I'm happy for the jobs and the possible investment... but it's going to be a glorified call center.

When the corner barber shop owner wants to run $200 worth of ads on google, they call the "google call center" for help. and it's the corner barber shops that are the last remaining growth area for the advertising services company known as google.

it's not like calling the comcast call center.... but it's a call center.

[harryc]

Aug 11

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1818/44090830581_ea50d1a05c_h.jpg

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1833/43184207815_282448fed1_h.jpg

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1792/44042102222_9ab3897296_h.jpg

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1799/44090827391_59d77c26c2_h.jpg

[harryc]

South Wabash

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1791/42282006460_aae33dd02b_h.jpg

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1815/44091004121_8dcc9eb275_h.jpg

[trvlr70]

^^^^^^^^^^^^
Hopefully this can be reversed.

[Jim in Chicago]

South Wabash

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1791/42282006460_aae33dd02b_h.jpg

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1815/44091004121_8dcc9eb275_h.jpg

Well, it will join the other atrocity that was inserted on Wabash just south of Harrison.

[marothisu]

I'm happy for the jobs and the possible investment... but it's going to be a glorified call center.

When the corner barber shop owner wants to run $200 worth of ads on google, they call the "google call center" for help. and it's the corner barber shops that are the last remaining growth area for the advertising services company known as google.

it's not like calling the comcast call center.... but it's a call center.

Are you talking about Google ops center or are you talking about Peoples? If you are talking about Google then I have my hand ready for a giant facepalm for thinking their "operations center" has to mostly do with CS. Most CS that Google has is contracted out. My girlfriend is in marketing for an ecommerce company, and she does things like run ad campaigns on Google. I guarantee you the CS part is more contracted out. Google is not opening an a 5000 person glorified call center. This is stupid, especially when they are literally inventing technology right now to literally get rid of CSR for many companies. You take the term way too literally. The word operations especially in tech could mean a million different things. I'm thinking and laughing to what I do right now, which is software development. I work with many people who work in "operations" which is basically an umbrella term with numerous different types of jobs...all high skilled and well paying. None have to do with CSR at all.

[harryc]

Aug 14

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1836/43185812225_14ac01d7a0_h.jpg

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1833/29154646637_e871500882_h.jpg

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1835/29154644977_9a84f50fbe_h.jpg

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1798/43185811565_d86b31326c_h.jpg

[OrdoSeclorum]

Oh wow, this is actually pretty amazing. Someone can propose an apartment building and get a guaranteed decision in 90 days from the city, all without having to deal with NIMBYs. Watch Lincoln Park suddenly get flooded with proposals if this goes into effect.

It seems almost too good to be true? I've read about it a couple places and it seems like it will make it much easier to get zoning changes that provide density?

Like, if someone proposes a six flat in an area that is zoned for single family only...

...if that area has less than 10% affordable housing.
...and if the six flat has one affordable unit

Then the zoning change will be approved automatically within 90-days unless the board actively denies it? And the alderman can't block it? Is that correct?

We're still a long way from where I'd like to be--we should be able to build courtyard buildings with no parking as-of-right just about anywhere in the city with no red tape. But, man, if this goes through and we get some good neighborhood infill, Chicago's going to be a much more pleasant place to live, work and spend time in in a decade or two.

[Chisouthside]

I was recently contacted by a recruiter for a google contract job to do batch data analysis for imagery taken inside businesses, they literally have people going inside everywhere and taking pictures and as much as google automates everything they still need people for individual QA, especially to refine their machine learning algorithms, when you're taking about the quantity of data that google processes theyre gonna need quite a few people. And thats just for picture data on tops of all the other data they process for google services. I know of another friend who works for another huge tech company in the southbay and his floor has a 100 people doing cloud data metrics alone, even with all the automation you still need quite a bit of humans



Are you talking about Google ops center or are you talking about Peoples? If you are talking about Google then I have my hand ready for a giant facepalm for thinking their "operations center" has to mostly do with CS. Most CS that Google has is contracted out. My girlfriend is in marketing for an ecommerce company, and she does things like run ad campaigns on Google. I guarantee you the CS part is more contracted out. Google is not opening an a 5000 person glorified call center. This is stupid, especially when they are literally inventing technology right now to literally get rid of CSR for many companies. You take the term way too literally. The word operations especially in tech could mean a million different things. I'm thinking and laughing to what I do right now, which is software development. I work with many people who work in "operations" which is basically an umbrella term with numerous different types of jobs...all high skilled and well paying. None have to do with CSR at all.

[Randomguy34]

It seems almost too good to be true? I've read about it a couple places and it seems like it will make it much easier to get zoning changes that provide density?

After reading it again, it seems that if it's a simply rezoning, then the project can be in any ward in the city. If it's a PD, then it must be in a ward with less than 10% affordable housing.

This will help a lot of smaller developers, who now they don't have to go through neighborhood organizations just to build a six flat. I can also imagine downtown developers benefiting since they can propose a massive project without having to deal with Ald Reilly.

[left of center]

Are you talking about Google ops center or are you talking about Peoples? If you are talking about Google then I have my hand ready for a giant facepalm for thinking their "operations center" has to mostly do with CS. Most CS that Google has is contracted out. My girlfriend is in marketing for an ecommerce company, and she does things like run ad campaigns on Google. I guarantee you the CS part is more contracted out. Google is not opening an a 5000 person glorified call center. This is stupid, especially when they are literally inventing technology right now to literally get rid of CSR for many companies. You take the term way too literally. The word operations especially in tech could mean a million different things. I'm thinking and laughing to what I do right now, which is software development. I work with many people who work in "operations" which is basically an umbrella term with numerous different types of jobs...all high skilled and well paying. None have to do with CSR at all.

That, and customer service departments like a call center aren't going into prime office markets. They are typically in rural and inexpensive areas of the country, where cost of living is low and so are the wages. There's a reason why anytime you call a major corp like Verizon or Comcast you get connected to people in Georgia, Oklahoma City, El Paso.... or India ;)

[Zerton]

is this more in tune:

We are bringing you non-renovated, poorly maintained, and undesirable housing at low low affordable prices.... looking for an illegally converted garden apartment that floods when it rains? logan square is your place! cash only please and no written leases.

:haha:

I've always thought the term "garden" unit was such a funny euphemism. Yeah... you're in the dirt! (I lived in a Logan Square garden unit for years.)

[harryc]

:haha:

I've always thought the term "garden" unit was such a funny euphemism. Yeah... you're in the dirt! (I lived in a Logan Square garden unit for years.)

The best thing is to combine the garden apartment with a clogged catch-basin. Never realized before that the tub is the lowest point in the system when it backs up.

[LouisVanDerWright]

The best thing is to combine the garden apartment with a clogged catch-basin. Never realized before that the tub is the lowest point in the system when it backs up.

The tub fills up with free "fertilizer" for your "garden unit" whenever it rains!

[PKDickman]

After reading it again, it seems that if it's a simply rezoning, then the project can be in any ward in the city. If it's a PD, then it must be in a ward with less than 10% affordable housing.

No it only applies to "affordable applications" as defined by the proposed ordinance which only occur in "underserved wards".

This will help a lot of smaller developers, who now they don't have to go through neighborhood organizations just to build a six flat. I can also imagine downtown developers benefiting since they can propose a massive project without having to deal with Ald Reilly.

Funny you should mention Reilly.
About the only ward I can think of that might qualify as underserved is the 42nd. Reilly of course didn't sign on.

Wicker Park, where I keep a close watch on these things, has had a major decline in affordable units over the years. But, according to the ACS our lower quartile contract rents are still below $900. Meaning around 25% of the units should qualify as affordable.

And we're probably the highest rent portion of the 1st and 32nd wards and are probably balancing the Streeterville portion of the 2nd.

A quick check of some Lincoln Park tracts, show pretty much the same thing.

Best I can tell, the only outcome would be to streamline some multi family downtown. And then only it they plan to build the required affordables on site. Which no one wants to do.

[Randomguy34]

No it only applies to "affordable applications" as defined by the proposed ordinance which only occur in "underserved wards".


Affordable applications were apparently given two definitions: A PD "for property located in an Underserved Ward", and "shall also mean any application for a zoning change which triggers the" ARO, assuming the application provides on site units. The article also highlighted the two definitions

About the only ward I can think of that might qualify as underserved is the 42nd. Reilly of course didn't sign on.
I believe the city's designates affordable units as being exclusively to people at 60% AMI or below, so a ward with cheap rents can still be considered underserved if the units aren't exclusive. In the ARO pilots, it looks like affordable units can be leased from 80%-100% AMI. Either way, I'm surprised that the ordinance was vague about this and didn't make this explicitly clear

[west-town-brad]

Are you talking about Google ops center or are you talking about Peoples? If you are talking about Google then I have my hand ready for a giant facepalm for thinking their "operations center" has to mostly do with CS. Most CS that Google has is contracted out. My girlfriend is in marketing for an ecommerce company, and she does things like run ad campaigns on Google. I guarantee you the CS part is more contracted out. Google is not opening an a 5000 person glorified call center. This is stupid, especially when they are literally inventing technology right now to literally get rid of CSR for many companies. You take the term way too literally. The word operations especially in tech could mean a million different things. I'm thinking and laughing to what I do right now, which is software development. I work with many people who work in "operations" which is basically an umbrella term with numerous different types of jobs...all high skilled and well paying. None have to do with CSR at all.

It's not stupid, but thanks.

I worked at Google for 3 years here in Chicago. I know what I'm talking about. 90% of Google employees are in ad sales/ad support.

It's a call center for selling ads to and supporting small companies like your corner barber shop that buy these ads. The SMB market requires a lot of manpower support.

But calling it a call center does not get tax incentives raining down on you from politicians now does it?

[PKDickman]

Affordable applications were apparently given two definitions: A PD "for property located in an Underserved Ward", and "shall also mean any application for a zoning change which triggers the" ARO, assuming the application provides on site units. The article also highlighted the two definitions

I still had the ordinance up on my computer and took another look.
You're right. They added the "any application the triggers" portion below the PD definition and it muddied the waters.

I believe the city's designates affordable units as being exclusively to people at 60% AMI or below, so a ward with cheap rents can still be considered underserved if the units aren't exclusive. In the ARO pilots, it looks like affordable units can be leased from 80%-100% AMI. Either way, I'm surprised that the ordinance was vague about this and didn't make this explicitly clear

The only definition that applies to this is 2-45-115(B)

“Affordable housing” means (1) with respect to rental housing, housing that is affordable to households earning up to 60 percent of the Chicago Primary Metropolitan Statistical Area median income

No mention of income limits, or eligibility criteria, just that it is affordable to them.

Works out to $889 for a studio and $1015 for a 1br.


The pilot areas are sections 117 and 119. Their definitions shouldn't apply, but 115 is sufficiently interwoven into those sections that I am uncertain as to whether this would apply to any pilot projects, all pilot projects, or just the "first units" in the pilot projects. In fact, it could supercede the pilot areas all together.

In any event, it is so poorly drafted that corporation council is gonna have a lot of billable hours working out the implications.

[LouisVanDerWright]

It's not stupid, but thanks.

I worked at Google for 3 years here in Chicago. I know what I'm talking about. 90% of Google employees are in ad sales/ad support.

It's a call center for selling ads to and supporting small companies like your corner barber shop that buy these ads. The SMB market requires a lot of manpower support.

But calling it a call center does not get tax incentives raining down on you from politicians now does it?

Except that's not a call center, just because people are using a phone doesn't mean it's a call center. No one I know would consider sales teams a "call center", that's absurd. Call center is like "umm my gas is shut off"... "Did you pay your bill?"... "No"... "..." Or "my Google home won't work"... "Did you plug it in"... "No"... "..."