Nov 23









Nov 26

so will the plaza float over the river's edge? would have been nice to build steps and/or some kind of a landing right down to the water... or does the water level change too much to permit that?

It looks like the WPS riverfront will look exactly like the WPE and WPS riverfront. There will be a walkway on piers suspended a couple feet above the water's edge. Considering the amount of flooding they've had along the Riverwalk, this looks like a good design. It's basically right on the water without having to deal with potential flooding.

https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/mUSB...nt_south.0.png

^ It’s of course a yuge improvement from what was there...overgrown bushes and weeds. Harry can provide an image to attest.

2013

Would look better as a park at the base of a single supertall..but yeah..still good.

Feel like this image is indicative of how afraid developers are of using trees and heavy foliage for landscaping. I understand because of the nature of downtown and skyscrapers, it makes growing large plants difficult, but I think it would be so cool if we could maintain this tree lined walking area rather than the sterile pavement walkway that is going to be built.

Nov 30





Dec 3

The other side of the river, below River Point Tower, is lined with firs. Those are to hide the podium, but it's a nice addition and looks better every year the trees get taller. And didn't they plant a somewhat sparse orchard of cherry trees along the river in front of WPE? At any rate, the amount of access and natural environments added to that part of the river over the past decade has been impressive.

^ Trees are great but this area of the river is by no means providing "natural areas." There are nice landscaped plazas promoting public accessibility to the riverfront, but not really a destination to escape the busy city like a park should.

I remember plans for transforming the north branch into more of an outdoor recreation center, possibly involved with Lincoln Yards? Hope that project gains some traction, Chicagoans are active people so I'm sure it would get good use.

^Why would you want to escape the city at that specific location? It's a celebration of the city, a place to marvel at the wonders of water, steel, concrete, and glass with a few carefully sculpted lawns and shade trees. There are other places to go and escape the city. This spot, which used to be a private parking lot, a viaduct with two levels of streets, and a railroad tracks are now publicly-accessible spaces with some of the most breathtaking city views in the world.

^ The developers have provided an excellent viewing, lounging and pedestrian experience. If more interaction with the water is desired then the city will need to lead the effort to extend the riverwalk around this bend, A very expensive proposition.

still wish there was some more height or drama at the top, but excited for this to punch a bit higher than 110 N Wacker to help get a western cascading effect down from Sears when viewed from the north:

https://scontent-ort2-1.cdninstagram...026oe=5FFD5B69

Barry Butler - https://www.instagram.com/p/CInqLJ9JEhu/

The lack of visual intrigue that this view may have is, I think, more than matched by the explosion of beautiful images we've seen looking west on the river. Anyone taking a picture from LondonHouse, or even the Wabash Avenue bridge, gets an instant Pulitzer.

I like that view. City looks thicc.

Yeah that riverwalk is a little underwhelming compared to the masterpiece public space on the other side. But it should be nice regardless! Not much different than Ward Park, the other riverwalks up along the North Branch, etc.

A few from my phone today.

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

https://i.imgur.com/hgDscH8.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/Dzn8vYh.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/EO02VD4.jpg

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

^ Incredible formwork.

Also, I can't believe they took out their main point of access. Perhaps they'll build/pour the next level so they'll be able to better-use the whole thing as a staging lot.

Yeah it looks like they're hustling to get that deck poured. They're just pumping the concrete a little further, lol.

Also looks like a lot of materials lying around, they may have asked the trades to frontload their deliveries a bit to account for the outage of the access point.

That is quite the phone ! ty