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Old Posted Dec 1, 2007, 2:48 AM
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10023 10023 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tom In Chicago View Post
I disagree. . . Aqua isn't that groundbreaking. . . it's interesting, but nothing more than that. . . and the podium is pretty hideous. . . it's just too big and doesn't help with the existing experience of isolation one gets walking around Illinois Center. . .
The problem is that it's elevated above Columbus. When I initially saw plans (as a lurker here), and of course didn't read anything, it looked to me like the top of the Aqua podium would be level with Columbus and accessible. I thought it was perfect that they bridged the gap between the elevated Columbus Drive and lower park with a "upper park" and a long staircase. But alas, it'll look like a big one story blank wall along Columbus.

I think it would have been awesome to link the Lakeshore East park with Lake Street (or is it Water Street?) by way of a big, sweeping, Spanish Steps type staircase with retail along that side of the park, where the Aqua townhomes are.