CHICAGO | General Developments

[LouisVanDerWright]

new midrise in lincoln square announced:


source: https://chicago.urbanize.city/post/mixed-use-development-proposed-4640-n-western


together with the 51 new units in the affordable housing midrise due to start soon on the block north, that would total 124 new housing units right next to the western brown line stop.

Fucking abomination. Destroy that nice arts and crafts commercial building for this carbuncle? No thanks.

[ardecila]

If it’s cheap, then it’s cheap done well, to me. The massing is simple and taut, the fenestration is in good proportion to the volume, and the materials are used deliberately and intentionally. It’s miles ahead of the likes of this https://maps.app.goo.gl/ubsEZ2yAj1XsXrVSA?g_st=ic, for example.

The Armitage/Western building is a little too imposing, to me. The sidewalk there is so narrow (especially on Armitage) that the building feels actively hostile, especially with a busy bus stop right there. A setback, arcade, some other kind of feature should have been provided.

I guess the building facades are OK, but I can't get past the terrible urban insertion.

[r18tdi]

...for this carbuncle? No thanks.
10/10 word choice. :cheers:

[jpIllInoIs]

Fucking abomination. Destroy that nice arts and crafts commercial building for this carbuncle? No thanks.

And the existing Art Deco next to the L was supposed to be restored with the original panels which supposedly are in storage. Render makes no indication of Art Deco finishes. Clearly the column caps are not shown. :hell:

[Jibba]

The Armitage/Western building is a little too imposing, to me. The sidewalk there is so narrow (especially on Armitage) that the building feels actively hostile, especially with a busy bus stop right there. A setback, arcade, some other kind of feature should have been provided.

I guess the building facades are OK, but I can't get past the terrible urban insertion.

It's definitely right up next to you passing by it. I imagine it might feel better once the area around it is cleaned of debris, fencing, etc. I don't find its presence hostile in any way, though; imposing, perhaps, if only for its proximity to oneself, but not hostile. The building material is warm and humanely scaled, the voids in the mass are generous and porous, and the integration with the ground is authentic and clean -- it's not turning its back on you.

[west-town-brad]

It's definitely right up next to you passing by it. I imagine it might feel better once the area around it is cleaned of debris, fencing, etc. I don't find its presence hostile in any way, though; imposing, perhaps, if only for its proximity to oneself, but not hostile. The building material is warm and humanely scaled, the voids in the mass are generous and porous, and the integration with the ground is authentic and clean -- it's not turning its back on you.

That armitage sidewalk is indeed very narrow. Not sure why it’s so narrow in this location as it’s clearly different that the surrounding area. This has been the case though since it was a bank drive through. Likely due to the bus stop taking up traffic lanes in a very congested corner.

The building bulk is definitely appropriate for this corner. I pushed the alderman’s office for higher density back in 2018 but the builder didn’t want to ask for a zoning change (affordable unit required).

The utility brick and corrugated metal panels are low cost. We have many better examples for new construction in the area and this does not compare well. I’ll take it though…. Hopefully the retail does not sit empty for the next 10 years.

[Mr Downtown]

I don't know the backstory [for 1225 S. Indiana]

It's actually because of the view corridors that were guaranteed by deed restrictions in order to sell units in the surrounding highrises. In particular, one was recorded in favor of 1235 S. Indiana that limits anything on this site to 75 feet above CCD.

[LouisVanDerWright]

And the existing Art Deco next to the L was supposed to be restored with the original panels which supposedly are in storage. Render makes no indication of Art Deco finishes. Clearly the column caps are not shown. :hell:

Who is the developer/owner of this? The alderman needs to just down zone this to nothing unless they are gonna play ball. Unacceptable proposal.

[r18tdi]

Affordable Apartments Near O’Hare On Hold Due To Housing Market Changes
High interest rates, fewer people moving and a slowing economy have affected the local and national housing market, experts said.

https://blockclubchicago.org/2023/04/10/affordable-apartments-near-ohare-on-hold-due-to-housing-market-changes/

https://lede-admin.blockclubchicago.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2021/08/oharedev.jpg

Sheesh. After all the fighting, hand-wringing, and subsidies... and this project may not happen?

[west-town-brad]

Sheesh. After all the fighting, hand-wringing, and subsidies... and this project may not happen?

interesting that this article bills this as an "affordable apartment project" when only 59 of the 297 units are actually classified as affordable (per the linked article)

usually these projects are billed as OH MY HERE WE GO AGAIN MORE LUXURY APARTMENTS even when they have the same ratio of affordable units as this one

[Jibba]

2700 block-E side N Lincoln

Surprisingly nice-looking infill. Posting full-size so detail is shown. Here's what it replaced: https://goo.gl/maps/HFGb3JhzGxndK8mg6

https://i.imgur.com/6r0Ye5C.jpg

Edit: This is a daycare, apparently. Article on YIMBY: https://chicagoyimby.com/2021/07/construction-commences-on-three-story-daycare-at-2745-n-lincoln-avenue-in-lincoln-park.html

[west-town-brad]

^ nice brickwork

is that a mary kay tesla?

[Busy Bee]

Looks really good. One could nitpick about some of the refinement of the ornament...but who are we kidding?

LOL. A old lady that lived next door when I was growing up was a Mary Kay lady with a pink Caddy Eldorado in the driveway.

[pip]

very nice infill

[HomrQT]

2700 block-E side N Lincoln

Surprisingly nice-looking infill. Posting full-size so detail is shown. Here's what it replaced: https://goo.gl/maps/HFGb3JhzGxndK8mg6


Simple and wonderful. You could continue to fill the entire city with this and similar, and it would be a slam dunk.

[BruceP]

Simple and wonderful. You could continue to fill the entire city with this and similar, and it would be a slam dunk.

So good you could pick this one up and plop it down in Mayfair in London and it'd look like it's been there since 1790, including the color of the brick.

[SteelMonkey]

Really nice

[Via Chicago]

when i was scrolling quickly i just assumed that was a rehab project of some old school or something. looks phenomenal.

[Via Chicago]

on the flip side, drama in Oak Park regarding Pleasant House...

https://chicagolandarchitecture.substack.com/p/the-desecration-of-pleasant-home

[Randomguy34]

Permits issued for 43 Green phase 2

[Rizzo]

The Lincoln Ave project is a daycare I believe. And I recall seeing an exact copy of it somewhere else in the city biking around. Just can’t remember where

[ardecila]

Permits issued for 43 Green phase 2

Dope. Between this and the tower at Damen/Lake, it's a good time for Green Line TOD. Unlike the Blue Line TOD, these are mostly affordable housing.

[SolarWind]

April 13, 2023

https://imgur.com/jbz6ctI.jpg

https://imgur.com/YpQKzNC.jpg

https://imgur.com/THOqelA.jpg

https://imgur.com/JoyQZDI.jpg

https://imgur.com/gBVYe3L.jpg

https://imgur.com/BBpLKwb.jpg

[SolarWind]

April 13, 2023

https://imgur.com/VTROhFX.jpg

https://imgur.com/aCTU6Yt.jpg

https://imgur.com/L2JS59t.jpg

[SolarWind]

April 6, 2023

https://imgur.com/3FVNqs1.jpg

[SolarWind]

April 10, 2023

https://imgur.com/khJQsHE.jpg

[SolarWind]

April 10, 2023

https://imgur.com/3xXB1Tl.jpg

[left of center]

April 10, 2023




Great that the holes on that stretch of Chicago Ave are getting filled in. As available developable land begins to become more scarce in that neighborhood, lets hope that gets developers more interested in building on some of the CHA land to the north of Chicago. I imagine the reason those parcels have not been redeveloped yet is due to the requirements for a high percentage of subsidized/low income units, increasing the costs of those projects.

[SIGSEGV]

Does anybody know what's going on with Solstice on the Park? Seems like they're doing significant exterior work, which is unexpected for a relatively new building...

[Klippenstein]

Does anybody know what's going on with Solstice on the Park? Seems like they're doing significant exterior work, which is unexpected for a relatively new building...

Some of the exterior cladding came off and so they put up scaffolding, took off all the corner pieces and stopped letting their school use their playground. It's been like that for months. I'm not sure what's the hold up.

[Zerton]

2700 block-E side N Lincoln

Surprisingly nice-looking infill. Posting full-size so detail is shown. Here's what it replaced: https://goo.gl/maps/HFGb3JhzGxndK8mg6

https://i.imgur.com/6r0Ye5C.jpg

Edit: This is a daycare, apparently. Article on YIMBY: https://chicagoyimby.com/2021/07/construction-commences-on-three-story-daycare-at-2745-n-lincoln-avenue-in-lincoln-park.html

Wow, it's nice to see some decorative brickwork. So many developers cheap out now.

[Toasty Joe]

^And traditionally "breaks up the massing" with depth and subtle (yet tasteful) masonry work. Night & day from the cheap crap being put up here and in other cities

[Mr Downtown]

Man, that is really well executed.

Do we know the architect?

[F1 Tommy]

Looks like some of the buildings around D.C.

I also love 1020 W Randolph, it looks like it could have been built in 1890!! Great little building.

[r18tdi]

Looks like some of the buildings around D.C.

I also love 1020 W Randolph, it looks like it could have been built in 1890!! Great little building.

Agreed, and it replaced a fugly drive-thru bank to boot.

[pilsenarch]

https://chicagoyimby.com/2021/07/construction-commences-on-three-story-daycare-at-2745-n-lincoln-avenue-in-lincoln-park.html

[Jibba]

Agreed, and it replaced a fugly drive-thru bank to boot.

It's nice but looks too deliberate an attempt at facsimile to me when something merely referential would have maybe looked better? The ye olde appearance is belied by the 'floating' parapet; makes the piers look like they're not upholding anything (which, of course, they aren't).

It kinda rests in that uncanny valley of resemblance for me.

[Toasty Joe]

It's nice but looks too deliberate an attempt at facsimile to me when something merely referential would have maybe looked better? The ye olde appearance is belied by the 'floating' parapet; makes the piers look like they're not upholding anything (which, of course, they aren't).

It kinda rests in that uncanny valley of resemblance for me.

Damn just enjoy a solid building with a quality facade. They're getting rarer by the day.

[Jibba]

Damn just enjoy a solid building with a quality facade. They're getting rarer by the day.

I think it's nice, as I said. But it's also a bit hokey. I am OK wanting for more in that regard.

Many cities in Europe do this kind of thing very well -- they retain the parts of the vernacular that are of value and render them through modern materials and methods to transfigure them. You wind up with a building that is at once harmonious with its historical neighbors and fully of its time. Rather than what we have here, which is something attempting to create the illusion that is is the historical thing, through purely superficial means. And the illusion is broken in several ways, leading to the perceptual dissonance that I get from it. Yes, I'd rather have the material richness and texture of this building than one attempting a less effortful illusion (which is a lot of the low-rise stuff going up in the same area), but in general I don't like intentions of this type in architecture (or any domain of life for that matter).

[left of center]

Damn just enjoy a solid building with a quality facade. They're getting rarer by the day.

Agreed. This building looks authentic and not like some cheap Disney-esque architectural revival. Very well executed. Would not mind to see more examples like this going up in the city.

[F1 Tommy]

I think it's nice, as I said. But it's also a bit hokey. I am OK wanting for more in that regard.

Many cities in Europe do this kind of thing very well -- they retain the parts of the vernacular that are of value and render them through modern materials and methods to transfigure them. You wind up with a building that is at once harmonious with its historical neighbors and fully of its time. Rather than what we have here, which is something attempting to create the illusion that is is the historical thing, through purely superficial means. And the illusion is broken in several ways, leading to the perceptual dissonance that I get from it. Yes, I'd rather have the material richness and texture of this building than one attempting a less effortful illusion (which is a lot of the low-rise stuff going up in the same area), but in general I don't like intentions of this type in architecture (or any domain of life for that matter).

What your saying is true, and especially in Italy and France they do some almost perfect replicas. We should not discourage them from building this type of building as it really does ad a historical element even if it is not perfectly accurate. Hell I would love for someone to put up a few not perfect replicas of the 1893 Worlds Fair buildings in a new entertainment district. Those Casinos could have been the place for that but I am sure we will get some Vegas style crap instead, although they did do Venice in Vegas.

[DCReid]

https://www.bisnow.com/chicago/news/commercial-real-estate/report-chicago-could-be-americas-largest-city-without-a-downtown-bus-station-118616



Greyhound Site Redevelopment Would Make Chicago America’s Largest City Without A Downtown Bus Station
Chicago
April 20, 2023 Katharine Carlon, Central U.S. Editor

A critical hub for more than 500,000 mostly lower-income travelers and Chicago’s reputation as the Midwest’s most important travel crossroads are at risk, according to a new study highlighting the likelihood its privately owned downtown Greyhound bus terminal will be permanently shuttered.

CBRE was hired to market the 630 West Harrison St. station in February after the land was sold to real estate investment and management firm Twenty Lake Holdings in December, part of a $140M deal for 33 Greyhound properties nationwide. CBRE officials have said the 88K SF site could be razed to make way for two high-rise towers, most likely containing apartments, Crain’s Chicago Business reported.

But a report published Wednesday by DePaul University’s Chaddick Institute for Metropolitan Development said allowing that to happen could be a grievous mistake and urged city, county and transit authorities to act swiftly to acquire it and operate it in “a manner like public airports, railroad stations, and transit hubs.”

Government agencies in 10 of the country’s 14 largest metro areas provide public accommodations for intercity bus lines, according to the report.


“Allowing the closure of the Greyhound Station without giving passengers an attractive alternative that is both centrally located and equipped with an indoor waiting room would make metropolitan Chicago a weak link in the national intercity bus system,” authors Joseph P. Schwieterman, Carrie Craig and Angelia Millsap said in the report.

The station serves as many as 557,000 passengers annually, per the report, and is busier than nearby airports in Champaign and Rockford. Many of those travelers are low-income, disabled or have no access to vehicles. It is also a connection nexus in the Midwest, offering about 55 scheduled buses daily in addition to servicing interline partners like Barron’s Burlington Trailways, Miller Trailway/Hoosier Ride and Burlington Trailways.

“It’s hard to imagine the city providing a high-quality station anytime soon if this opportunity slips away,” Schwieterman told the Chicago Tribune.

“Intercity bus is the most economical form of travel, which makes it hugely important to marginalized groups or low income groups. People or households that can’t afford cars rely on the bus for everyday travel needs. Buses go many places Amtrak doesn’t serve, so there’s simply no other option for a lot of people.”

Fifteen of the 25 largest metropolitan areas in the United States provide Greyhound or other bus lines access to public facilities in downtown areas, including security arrangements, off-street arrival and departure areas, and connecting opportunities with other transportation services, the report said. Should Chicago’s downtown station close and Greyhound move out of downtown or to a curbside location, the city would be the largest metropolitan area in the country without a publicly provided downtown terminal location, per the report.

Cities like Charlottesville, Virginia, Portland, Oregon, and Tampa, Florida, have shifted to curbside pickups in the wake of former Greyhound owner FirstGroup selling off its station assets two years ago — a solution report authors said would be “untenable” in Chicago.

“Metropolitan Chicago would be the only urbanized region with more than 2.5 million people in which passengers are forced to wait outside with average winter temperatures below 40 [degrees],” the report said, noting Chicago’s average January temperature is just 22 degrees and the city has an average annual snowfall of 38 inches.

Contact Katharine Carlon at katharine.carlon@bisnow.com

[twister244]

So here's some good news to wake up to regarding the Congress theater:

https://chicagoyimby.com/2023/04/financing-cleared-to-move-forward-with-congress-theater-restoration.html

[jpIllInoIs]

https://www.bisnow.com/chicago/news/commercial-real-estate/report-chicago-could-be-americas-largest-city-without-a-downtown-bus-station-118616



Greyhound Site Redevelopment Would Make Chicago America’s Largest City Without A Downtown Bus Station
Chicago
April 20, 2023 Katharine Carlon, Central U.S. Editor

A critical hub for more than 500,000 mostly lower-income travelers and Chicago’s reputation as the Midwest’s most important travel crossroads are at risk, according to a new study highlighting the likelihood its privately owned downtown Greyhound bus terminal will be permanently shuttered.

CBRE was hired to market the 630 West Harrison St. station in February after the land was sold to real estate investment and management firm Twenty Lake Holdings in December, part of a $140M deal for 33 Greyhound properties nationwide. CBRE officials have said the 88K SF site could be razed to make way for two high-rise towers, most likely containing apartments, Crain’s Chicago Business reported.

But a report published Wednesday by DePaul University’s Chaddick Institute for Metropolitan Development said allowing that to happen could be a grievous mistake and urged city, county and transit authorities to act swiftly to acquire it and operate it in “a manner like public airports, railroad stations, and transit hubs.”

Government agencies in 10 of the country’s 14 largest metro areas provide public accommodations for intercity bus lines, according to the report.


“Allowing the closure of the Greyhound Station without giving passengers an attractive alternative that is both centrally located and equipped with an indoor waiting room would make metropolitan Chicago a weak link in the national intercity bus system,” authors Joseph P. Schwieterman, Carrie Craig and Angelia Millsap said in the report.

The station serves as many as 557,000 passengers annually, per the report, and is busier than nearby airports in Champaign and Rockford. Many of those travelers are low-income, disabled or have no access to vehicles. It is also a connection nexus in the Midwest, offering about 55 scheduled buses daily in addition to servicing interline partners like Barron’s Burlington Trailways, Miller Trailway/Hoosier Ride and Burlington Trailways.

“It’s hard to imagine the city providing a high-quality station anytime soon if this opportunity slips away,” Schwieterman told the Chicago Tribune.

“Intercity bus is the most economical form of travel, which makes it hugely important to marginalized groups or low income groups. People or households that can’t afford cars rely on the bus for everyday travel needs. Buses go many places Amtrak doesn’t serve, so there’s simply no other option for a lot of people.”

Fifteen of the 25 largest metropolitan areas in the United States provide Greyhound or other bus lines access to public facilities in downtown areas, including security arrangements, off-street arrival and departure areas, and connecting opportunities with other transportation services, the report said. Should Chicago’s downtown station close and Greyhound move out of downtown or to a curbside location, the city would be the largest metropolitan area in the country without a publicly provided downtown terminal location, per the report.

Cities like Charlottesville, Virginia, Portland, Oregon, and Tampa, Florida, have shifted to curbside pickups in the wake of former Greyhound owner FirstGroup selling off its station assets two years ago — a solution report authors said would be “untenable” in Chicago.

“Metropolitan Chicago would be the only urbanized region with more than 2.5 million people in which passengers are forced to wait outside with average winter temperatures below 40 [degrees],” the report said, noting Chicago’s average January temperature is just 22 degrees and the city has an average annual snowfall of 38 inches.

Contact Katharine Carlon at katharine.carlon@bisnow.com

Sounds like Greyhound Corp Execs expect Chicago (and other cities) to pick up the tab for their station facilities. I mean Greyhound SOLD their station. Now there is no station. More corporate greed looking for public handouts.

[LouisVanDerWright]

on the flip side, drama in Oak Park regarding Pleasant House...

https://chicagolandarchitecture.substack.com/p/the-desecration-of-pleasant-home

I was prepared to give them a pass because they were sanded out or something, but you can see in the dumpster pics that there was at least 3/16 or 1/4 in of flange left on the groves. Could easily have sanded that again or maybe even two more times.

[galleyfox]

Sounds like Greyhound Corp Execs expect Chicago (and other cities) to pick up the tab for their station facilities. I mean Greyhound SOLD their station. Now there is no station. More corporate greed looking for public handouts.

Greyhound is a dying company. The reality is that they’ll add some stops at Union Station, 95th and Cumberland transfer stations and suburban Amtrak stations, and maybe some late hour strip mall or gas station. Then they’ll call it a day.

They wouldn’t even bother leasing a station if the city built one for them.

[ardecila]

Other large cities have publicly-funded bus terminals. Chicago never bothered. You reap what you sow... if leaders want to have bus connections at the region's transit hub, they'll have to pay for it. Presumably they can add a $1 tax on bus tickets or something to fund a new terminal somewhere.

I recommend setting up a bus terminal under the Eisenhower viaduct. It's basically free land, it's sorta out of the elements and it's right next to the current bus terminal. They can build a modest heated building with a waiting room and a concession/Dunkin Donuts.

[BruceP]

Other large cities have publicly-funded bus terminals. Chicago never bothered. You reap what you sow... if leaders want to have bus connections at the region's transit hub, they'll have to pay for it. Presumably they can add a $1 tax on bus tickets or something to fund a new terminal somewhere.

I recommend setting up a bus terminal under the Eisenhower viaduct. It's basically free land, it's sorta out of the elements and it's right next to the current bus terminal. They can build a modest heated building with a waiting room and a concession/Dunkin Donuts.

Brilliant. And it's convenient to the Blue Line stop at Clinton (I'm guessin' most riders would prefer using the CTA to get to the station than a Uber). There also appears to be plenty of room to park a number of busses along that stretch.

[Tcmetro]

Indian Trails to Michigan operates out of 95th/Dan Ryan. I believe Burlington Trailways is operating out of Union Station, alongside Van Galder. I think Flixbus is operating out of the Greyhound station now.

In any case, I wouldn't be surprised if they moved the terminal to a CTA station outside of Downtown. Given most of the Greyhound routes go south/east/west, 95th/Dan Ryan makes the most sense. The only route they have going north is the Wisconsin/Minneapolis runs.

[left of center]

I recommend setting up a bus terminal under the Eisenhower viaduct. It's basically free land, it's sorta out of the elements and it's right next to the current bus terminal. They can build a modest heated building with a waiting room and a concession/Dunkin Donuts.

IDOT would never allow it. They are very weird when it comes to anything infringing or interfering with their ROW/property.

Is having a downtown bus station a necessity? As Tcmetro said, 95th/Dan Ryan is already an intercity bus hub of sorts. There is a direct connection downtown already via the red line from that location as well. The only reason I would think that keeping a downtown bus station open would be for connections to Amtrak at Union, although I figure most people using Greyhound would connect to another bus line. And I doubt many business travelers are using Greyhound that would need the station to have close proximity to the CBD.

[ardecila]

People connect from Amtrak, Metra, CTA to Greyhound. Putting it at 95th is terrible - it’s even more hostile to car and taxi pickups than the current location, and the transit connections are far more limited.

As for IDOT - fire the whole lot of them for all I care. They need to be dragged kicking and screaming into the 21st century on design standards, highway caps, and urban integration etc. I can’t believe Ohio is lapping us on this kind of thing.

[left of center]

People connect from Amtrak, Metra, CTA to Greyhound. Putting it at 95th is terrible - it’s even more hostile to car and taxi pickups than the current location, and the transit connections are far more limited.

As for IDOT - fire the whole lot of them for all I care. They need to be dragged kicking and screaming into the 21st century on design standards, highway caps, and urban integration etc. I can’t believe Ohio is lapping us on this kind of thing.

No argument here, IDOT is probably the main reason no one is seriously discussing a cap over 90/94 in the West Loop. They are absolute dinosaurs in that regard.

Is there any room for Greyhound at the West Loop Transit Center to the north of BMO tower? I have a feeling the CTA would not want to share that spot with anyone however.

[SIGSEGV]

The BMO garage is the perfect place for an inter city bus terminal, but that ship has probably sailed ..

[nomarandlee]

The BMO garage is the perfect place for an inter city bus terminal, but that ship has probably sailed ..

I would put the Holiday Inn Parking lot high up as well. Granted is a private lot I am sure.

[Busy Bee]

As for IDOT - fire the whole lot of them for all I care. They need to be dragged kicking and screaming into the 21st century on design standards, highway caps, and urban integration etc. I can’t believe Ohio is lapping us on this kind of thing.


Preach. The only thing I like about IDOT is their logo.

[Mr Downtown]

Last time I saw this movie, in 1984, Greyhound wanted to just abandon downtown and set up a shack in the Kmart parking lot at Addison & the Kennedy (where the Olive Garden is now). Somehow they were persuaded to build the current building.

Intercity buses are going through death throes similar to passenger rail in the mid-1960s, but the barrier to entry is so low—a couple of used $100K buses—that it sort of continues to look like something private enterprise can handle. We need more state-subsidized networks like Colorado's Bustang operation, connecting small cities to big-city hubs in a way train service can only do at quadruple the subsidy.

Canal Street over the Union Station tracks has to be rebuilt in the next five years (the TIF is already in place for this). It wouldn't be the worst idea in the world for the easternmost lane to be given sawtooth curbs and a canopied sidewalk that could be an on-street intercity bus terminal auxiliary to Union Station. Amtrak would, I'm sure, insist on separate waiting room and restroom facilities to keep "those people" away from Amtrak patrons.

[ardecila]

No argument here, IDOT is probably the main reason no one is seriously discussing a cap over 90/94 in the West Loop. They are absolute dinosaurs in that regard.

Somehow IDOT is perfectly happy to propose caps or landscaped bridges over Lake Shore Drive, though…

For highway caps there is a genuine concern over hazmat in a tunnel (not a concern on LSD as trucks are banned). But allowing a transportation use under an IDOT structure doesn’t seem any different from allowing the expansion of the 95th St CTA station in their ROW.

[BVictor1]

2024 Central Area Plan Update

Central Area Plan Update Webinar | Thursday, April 27 at 6 PM
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_kEnNvqnpQ7-YG_Z8yigizg#/registration

https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/sites/central-area-plan/home.html

[west-town-brad]

MegaBus used to have a pickup/dropoff on the public street in the South Loop by the old post office area... not sure why that can't be done for greyhound or whatever. I've got my corporate greed pitchfork ready though if needed for tonight's rally.

[SolarWind]

April 24, 2023

https://imgur.com/GaBBxwT.jpg

[SolarWind]

April 24, 2023

https://imgur.com/OqKJDCq.jpg

https://imgur.com/Q344UaB.jpg

[SolarWind]

April 24, 2023

https://imgur.com/bdOeyVE.jpg

https://imgur.com/YlTW2rw.jpg

https://imgur.com/AA93TTe.jpg

[twister244]

732 is such an amazing development. Not only does it blend in seamlessly with it's neighbors, but it does so with such a narrow width. I absolutely love developments like this as it both preserves it's neighbors but also enhances the block by offering new construction space. Bravo.

[Rizzo]

^ There’s also a sense of completeness with the windows above the party wall since it’s landmarked next door

[r18tdi]

^ There’s also a sense of completeness with the windows above the party wall since it’s landmarked next door

Yes, excellent point.

[BrinChi]

Interesting that those buildings are landmarked given what they've torn down in the west loop previously. I'm nevertheless glad that they are landmarked.

[left of center]

^ I think they are part of the wider Fulton Market Landmark District that encompasses a lot of buildings in and around the Fulton Market/West Loop neighborhood. They are probably not anything special in of themselves, but they do act as "contributing properties" and thus adds to the historical integrity of the landmark district overall.

Sadly the city has allowed a lot of historically significant properties to be torn down. Glad that the came to their senses in this neighborhood, where rampant development could have erased the entire feel of the area.

[Rizzo]

Sorry this is a little OT and probably best for general discussions. But I biked past this today.
https://crmproperties.com/properties/clybourn-place/

Goose island moving to the salt shed, Bed Bath and Beyond in serious trouble, and Patagonia also moved to new locations. I’d like to see a mixed use building plopped into that parking lot and re-incorporate those original facades. Possibly create an alley plaza thing between the old goose island space and a new residential building with ground floor commercial space that caters to restaurants and entertainment….because there’s tons of vacant retail space in that area

[kolchak]

Took this shot of State last night. If they were planning on demoing the whole site why would they be removing the structure that sits between? Gives me hope that the buildings might survive after all

https://i.postimg.cc/1t8Bgr1W/20230426-214000.jpg

[left of center]

Took this shot of State last night. If they were planning on demoing the whole site why would they be removing the structure that sits between? Gives me hope that the buildings might survive after all

https://i.postimg.cc/1t8Bgr1W/20230426-214000.jpg

They are only removing one of the middle buildings, which the GSA has deemed structurally unsafe. The remaining buildings are safe for now. :fingerscrossed:

[west-town-brad]

732 W Randolph is nice and all but the side elevation (party wall) with all of those windows is a little visually confusing. If this was on the corner, is this the design we would see? Looks like a punch card or something. The lack of window muntins does not help.

[ardecila]

732 W Randolph is nice and all but the side elevation (party wall) with all of those windows is a little visually confusing. If this was on the corner, is this the design we would see? Looks like a punch card or something. The lack of window muntins does not help.

There's some kind of subtle two-tone effect that is supposed to happen in the party wall brick. Not sure if the brick color actually changes, or just the mortar color. It's hard to see right now until they do a final acid wash. but the renderings certainly showed (https://www.randolphofficecenter.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/1-730-W-Randolph-SW-view_streetview_for-print@2x.png)it. Unfortunately it may end up being too subtle to notice from the street.

The front elevation looks like it will have some serious depth to it, very similar to what was shown in renderings.

[nomarandlee]

Took this shot of State last night. If they were planning on demoing the whole site why would they be removing the structure that sits between? Gives me hope that the buildings might survive after all

https://i.postimg.cc/1t8Bgr1W/20230426-214000.jpg

I really hope they survive. A new mid-block plaza between two renovated historic buildings would be the ultimate scenario in my mind.

[ithakas]

I thought the CA Ventures proposal was pretty ideal:

https://chicago.curbed.com/2017/6/1/15725988/state-street-century-consumers-building-chicago

There's already a small mid-block plaza just to the south that could be very nice if not used to turn the block into a fortress!

[chicubs111]

I really hope they survive. A new mid-block plaza between two renovated historic buildings would be the ultimate scenario in my mind.

^ absolutely something along the lines of this would be perfect..new to the city...wonder if Chicago is ready for something more elaborate than just a pocket park and some cheap lawn furniture..

https://fastly.4sqi.net/img/general/width960/33415554_TceLfmZdvnWlV0_Jr0mC6AQnG0l28wF1kjM-OQJ_RcI.jpg

[SolarWind]

April 25, 2023

https://imgur.com/qy463Kv.jpg

[SolarWind]

April 27, 2023

https://imgur.com/ar7ltYL.jpg

[SolarWind]

April 24, 2023

https://imgur.com/kiAlNTu.jpg

https://imgur.com/A7BOgpc.jpg

[SolarWind]

April 24, 2023

https://imgur.com/t5PoKLo.jpg

[SolarWind]

April 24, 2023

https://imgur.com/xqnvqh4.jpg

https://imgur.com/YtYtS5s.jpg

[SolarWind]

April 27, 2023

https://imgur.com/pBEVRQ6.jpg

https://imgur.com/1urDMqZ.jpg

https://imgur.com/WKYNnMv.jpg

https://imgur.com/58R682Q.jpg

https://imgur.com/3WaJpyc.jpg

https://imgur.com/zOx5fF7.jpg

https://imgur.com/izQBPSO.jpg

https://imgur.com/hraeluX.jpg

https://imgur.com/YxLhcun.jpg

[SolarWind]

April 27, 2023

https://imgur.com/mm2awmC.jpg

https://imgur.com/XMbK4jJ.jpg

https://imgur.com/8j2NRfR.jpg

[SolarWind]

April 27, 2023

https://imgur.com/6BTM5Ym.jpg

https://imgur.com/wLG7sMm.jpg

A 6620DT Geoprobe on site.

For sale listing for the site:
https://www.loopnet.com/Listing/1223-Lake-Chicago-IL/24966028/

[wchicity]

April 27, 2023

https://imgur.com/mm2awmC.jpg

https://imgur.com/XMbK4jJ.jpg

https://imgur.com/8j2NRfR.jpg

Yikes, this turned out a bit rough. What is up with the signage? So unnecessary for residential.

[Handro]

Yikes, this turned out a bit rough. What is up with the signage? So unnecessary for residential.

Yea this is awful. Oops.

[gebs]

April 27, 2023

https://imgur.com/pBEVRQ6.jpg


This thing already blocks so much of the view to downtown from 90/94.

[emailspyro@gmail.com]

This thing already blocks so much of the view to downtown from 90/94.

Agree and will only get worse with all the traffic. Terrible development and surprised some architecture and urbanism in here actually like it. Worse development

[glowrock]

Agree and will only get worse with all the traffic. Terrible development and surprised some architecture and urbanism in here actually like it. Worse development


Traffic concerns and blocked views? Holy NIMBY, Batman! ;). Seriously though, warehouses and distribution centers are greatly needed as close to the center of the city as possible. At least this thing is multilevel, stacked distribution space with an integrated parking garage so it's not surrounded by a sea of asphalt like the vast majority of distribution centers buildings.

It's not some amazing development, but honestly I just don't see what the big deal is and why it causes some of you so much angst.

Aaron (Glowrock)

[west-town-brad]

Traffic concerns and blocked views? Holy NIMBY, Batman! ;). Seriously though, warehouses and distribution centers are greatly needed as close to the center of the city as possible. At least this thing is multilevel, stacked distribution space with an integrated parking garage so it's not surrounded by a sea of asphalt like the vast majority of distribution centers buildings.

It's not some amazing development, but honestly I just don't see what the big deal is and why it causes some of you so much angst.

Aaron (Glowrock)

block views..... FROM THE HIGHWAY LOL

[r18tdi]

Yikes, this turned out a bit rough. What is up with the signage? So unnecessary for residential.

Yikes indeed. Now imagine it after a few seasons of rain and highway pollution streak the white facade. This thing will only look nastier as it weathers/patinas, and I doubt ownership will pay to keep it clean.

If I were FitzGerald I'd try to remove my name and list "Alan Smithee" as the architect.

[pilsenarch]

Yikes indeed. Now imagine it after a few seasons of rain and highway pollution streak the white facade. This thing will only look nastier as it weathers/patinas, and I doubt ownership will pay to keep it clean.

If I were FitzGerald I'd try to remove my name and list "Alan Smithee" as the architect.

This is an embarrassment... they concocted a few visual tricks on the various elevations, but the one facing the Kennedy looks like a big double-wide... unfortunately viewed by hundreds of thousands every day...

[ATL Champion]

wbVUG1PflUk


quite a few cranes in the air

[ardecila]

This thing already blocks so much of the view to downtown from 90/94.

I mean, the really good view is 3/4 mile north as the Kennedy rises over the Bloomingdale Trail. The warehouse has no impact on that view, you can't see the warehouse until you go around St Stanislaus Kostka church. If Lincoln Yards North ever gets going, it will block that view though.

That's the nature of big dynamic cities though! Just a few years ago the CTA transfer bridge at Ashland/Lake offered a western panorama of the skyline. Now the skyline has engulfed the station, like something from The Little House!

[SolarWind]

May 4, 2023

https://imgur.com/lo3WP1R.jpg

https://imgur.com/6ZrPlXw.jpg

https://imgur.com/NMiXtei.jpg

https://imgur.com/83zppfz.jpg

[SolarWind]

May 4, 2023

https://imgur.com/FZKYyhe.jpg

https://imgur.com/BGWBaRH.jpg

[Randomguy34]

One of the first permits for the 47th & St Lawrence development have been issued at 4706 S. St Lawrence

https://chicago.urbanize.city/sites/default/files/styles/social_1200x630/public/background/2023-04/LEAD%20IMG%20535%20E.%2047th%20-%207%20-%20SGW%20Architecture%20%26%20Design.jpg?itok=SmoRWw4C
https://chicago.urbanize.city/post/mixed-use-development-planned-535-e-47th

[KWillChicago]

Why is the Guinness factory dragging so much? Has there been holds on permits or something? Also anyone know what their plan is to prevent future tagging?

[Randomguy34]

2 more developers gain city support to convert LaSalle Street offices into apartments, retail

Two additional developments were chosen to advance to the next stage of the city’s review process on Friday through the LaSalle Reimagined initiative, which aims to convert some of LaSalle’s 5 million square feet of vacant space into residential and retail use. The city invited developers to submit redevelopment proposals in September, and nine developers originally submitted proposals. Three developments were selected in March.
...
The office-to-residential conversions would invest nearly $1 billion downtown and are expected to bring more than 1,600 new apartments to the central business district, including more than 600 affordable units, if approved by the Community Development Commission and City Council, according to Friday’s news release.

The two additional sites to receive city support are at 105 W. Adams St. and 30 N. LaSalle St. Both development groups submitted new applications in April for tax increment financing dollars — funds that developers can access to make infrastructure and other community improvements by tapping into funds pooled together by neighborhood property taxes.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-biz-lasalle-st-update-20230505-5as7m4f7jfanzar2kl677f24hm-story.html

[ardecila]

That's exciting. I didn't realize there would be a 2nd round so soon.

I hope the city got a commitment from 105 W Adams to finally do a facade restoration. That has to be the biggest eyesore in the Loop. Complicated deal because the building ownership is split 3 ways with a condominium arrangement between Club Quarters, upper floors + retail spaces.

I have to wonder, is 30 N LaSalle really unsuitable for office? It's got big floorplates, big windows, and could easily be renovated into Class A with some creative design. Does it really need a bailout from TIF to convert to residential? IIRC only the lower floors are going residential, so they clearly think the highrise levels are still desirable for office.

[Randomguy34]

^ Based on the renderings, it looks like it will be cleaned

https://chicago.urbanize.city/sites/default/files/styles/950w/public/2023-03/105%20W.%20Adams%20-%20The%20Clark%20Adams%20Renewal%20-%20DesignBridge.jpg?itok=ajn2e0Sg
https://chicago.urbanize.city/post/lasalle-reimagined-105-w-adams