Lots of info on it here: http://blog.chicagoarchitecture.info...li-clark-polk/
http://i592.photobucket.com/albums/t...AD99DC955E.jpg

The project manager says the architecture has changed significantly since the photo above was taken in a dark barroom. But he wouldn't send a rendering, saying they wanted to save the reveal for marketing reasons.

The two L-shaped buildings will be 11 stories each.

Interesting. I'm very curious to see it now. Hopefully they don't use leftover Amli River North Beige to cover it!

I spoke too soon,
Further reading shows that they scratched out the part that says Type 1 is only for rezonings.

That means for an FAR increase you have to go through the PD rigamarole including public hearing and Council vote.

But, since council vote and possible hearings are only required for rezonings, the height and density increases are all in the hands of the Administrator.

That probably makes sense. My years as a nimby have taught me that requests for FAR increases without a corresponding density increase means giant 2500 sq ft condos.

The people who buy those are probably not taking the bus to work.

That's the beauty of the zoning code, the more times you read it the more you find out.

The parking reduction is available to all transit served B,C,M,D zones, not just the -3s.
Up to 50% for residential parking. Up to 100% for commercial parking but if commercial wants more than 50% they have to ask the alderman. He has ten days to respond.
And it says "may be reduced" so it is not automatic. You have to bring doughnuts.

The other stuff is for the -3s only.

Game Changer?
 

Notorious Uptown apartment building to get $14 million rehab

"Apartment investor Cedar Street Co. paid $7.5 million to buy Uptown's historic Lawrence House out of foreclosure, with plans to convert the dilapidated building into modern apartments.

Chicago-based Cedar Street bought the 12-story building at 1020 W. Lawrence Ave. from a venture managed by Hodo and Sam Menetti that has owned the property since 2000, according to property records. Cedar Street, which has been scooping up distressed residential properties on Chicago's North Side, plans to spend an additional $14 million renovating the building, which will serve as the flagship location for the firm's Flats Chicago brand, said co-founders Jay Michael and Alex Samoylovich"

http://www.chicagorealestatedaily.co...-million-rehab

Can the Flats be the game changer Uptown needs? People are beginning to wonder if they are stalled because none of the other properties are open yet. But seeing this story it would appear that they have money. You don't spend $7.5 million on a building if you’re other properties stalled, right?

As a new resident of Uptown and the city I've heard that there have been many decades where Uptown was head to be on the upswing. I think that with news like this from Flats and other developers changing buildings in the neighborhood, combined with the cities infrastructure improvements, Uptown is truly going to see it's day once again. There is so much investment going into the neighborhood. Crazy amounts. I just hope that the gentrification process can be done correctly and people of all incomes continue to dwell in the neighborhood. So much of what I love about Uptown only exists because of the diversity that is in the neighborhood. I would hate to see that leave.

I do suspect there is an element of land banking in the Cedar St./FLATS model and they getting a lot of press for their moves in Uptown but they're certainly not the only player in the neighborhood which has seen a flurry of interest over the last year; Imperial Realty Co. has apartment plans at the Combined Insurance Building on Broadway, the Somerset is mid-renovations, Horizon just finished a mid-rise on Sheridan, Maryville seems destined for apartments, etc.

Whether it's a knife catching party or an actual game changer is yet to be seen but the recent developments and looming infrastructure improvements are noteworthy.

They better not f*cking paint it gray.

Just moved to Uptown, this is good news maybe I should buy before the gentrification kicks in full steam.... Uptown has way too high a concentration of supportive housing it's not health for any neighborhood.

More than anything, when it comes ot Uptown, I'd like to see some upzoning of surface lots / strip malls along Broadway around Wilson/Lawrence. With the upcoming station makeover I think there will be a great window for some intense TOD...the kind that would likely be killed by NIMBYs in most of the city but may gain traction in Uptown as it appears the community is eager to increase the proportion of market rate to subsidize housing.

That's a worry of mine. I hope they're not extending and leveraging too much...

As i mentioned above, I'm willing to concede an element of land banking in their business plan but I live by a couple of their buildings further north and although the progress is slow, it certainly hasn't stalled.

Glad to hear progress is being made on the flats buildings. It's hard to tell from the outside with rennovations on the inside.

Uptown Theatre
 

For me the Uptown Game Changer would be a renovation and restoration of the Uptown Theater. Why that has languished for 30 years is beyond me. Can't we get a media savvy Angel investor who has money to burn and a passion for changing destinies to fund or at least launch a campaign? Someone who can use her notoriety and high level connections for a publicity campaign to rally tens of thousands of people to raise a few million to put this building back to work in a broadcasting production capacity.:shrug:

I think there are 80-100 million reasons....and they come in dollar form. Not to mention a sound business plan to recoup that. The damage from burst pipes alone is supposed to be monumental.

Anyway, too much stock seems to be placed on the theater as a lynchpin to revitalization. Yes, its important and would be huge, but the neighborhood already has the Riv/Aaragon/Green Mill, among other destinations. Its not like Uptown is Englewood...in the scheme of things, its fairly healthy and vibrant.

Although speaking of which, does anyone know whats going on with the Riv? It seems like they havent booked shows in a while, and when I walked past the other day there are building permits and it looked like the lobby was torn up.

I'd like to see the Borders land an awesome tenant. That would be a clear sign that all these proposals are indeed sparking a change.

The Riv and the Aragon got dinged for a number of code violations a few months back. I assume this is corrective action to clear up any issues before Mickelson asks for a load of TIF money to rehab the Uptown. Wouldn't look to good to be in court with the city you need to pry millions out of.

Also the recent saga with the Congress probably woke them up.

I think the whole idea of branding Uptown as an entertainment district is a bit of a white elephant, in particular the renovation of the Uptown Theatre. But if that's the goal, the area Uptown should be focusing development energy on it isn't large venues like the Riv/Aragon/Uptown but fine grain bars/club venues which are almost non-existent in the neighborhood. The problem is there is only so much demand for live music in Chicago and what exists is already well absorbed by small/mid sized venues in more established neighborhoods or growing scenes like Logan/Humboldt.

EDIT: and yes, there is no way in this universe the Uptown can be made profitable, if it's ever restored it will simply be because some filthy rich person wants it to be.

I definitely agree. Everyone seems to have this vision that magically Uptown is going to become this northern outpost of "Broadway in Chicago"... if that happens it would be nice, but in the meantime some bars and restaurants would be welcome. That entire stretch of Clark alone (south of Andersonville and before Graceland) feels greatly underutilized, especially that weird 2 block stretch filled with nothing but wholesale shops. I mean, Carol's is a national treasure, but it'd be nice to have something else within walking distance ;)

And speaking of music venues, a new one is opening up in Pilsen's Thalia Hall. Can't remember if this has been covered here, but the owners of the Empty Bottle/Longman & Eagle are renovating the space and should have the first booking by NYE. Should be incredible once its fixed up
http://www.chicagorealestatedaily.co...20130806003952

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