CHICAGO | Boom rundown - everything over 12 floors. v5 - Page 52

SamInTheLoop · #**1021** Posted **May 15, 2007, 5:37 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by spyguy

I actually sort of disagree with this.

I'm all for making a 24/7 downtown, but I think we should be careful with prime spots downtown. While the occasional new residential building won't do much harm, filling up spots where potential office towers could go does not sound like a particularly good idea to me. That's why I tend to prefer projects like Randolph Tower, which also has no included parking.

Actually now that I think about it - why choose?! We could have the best of both worlds and have an office tower on the Franklin St. side (where the Walgreens is now on the corner) and a residential tower along wells St where that ugly garage is now...

Tom Servo · #**1022** Posted **May 15, 2007, 8:10 PM**

Hey, has anyone seen that ad on the north east lot of Wabash and Balbo (I think)? I was on the 146 the other day and saw it, and I didn't recognize the building in the picture. It looked like a fairly short glass tower. Does anyone know what I'm talking about, or should I go read the sign?

Also, if anyone is out taking pictures, could you take a picture of the Jewish Institute on Michigan? I'm NEVER down that way...

Steely Dan · #**1023** Posted **May 15, 2007, 8:22 PM**

200 north riverside and james place have now been added to page 1.

honte · #**1024** Posted **May 15, 2007, 8:47 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by AdrianXSands

Hey, has anyone seen that ad on the north east lot of Wabash and Balbo (I think)? I was on the 146 the other day and saw it, and I didn't recognize the building in the picture. It looked like a fairly short glass tower. Does anyone know what I'm talking about, or should I go read the sign?

Also, if anyone is out taking pictures, could you take a picture of the Jewish Institute on Michigan? I'm NEVER down that way...

I think this is the former Buddy Guy's Legends building that you're referring to. It's been replaced with the (much better-designed) aloft hotel proposal.

museumparktom · #**1025** Posted **May 15, 2007, 10:02 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by honte

I think this is the former Buddy Guy's Legends building that you're referring to. It's been replaced with the (much better-designed) aloft hotel proposal.

I'll grab a few tonight. There just about to the top. Made alot of progress in the last 2 weeks. I think that there is a thread on SSC. Honte has the scoop on that site.. the design is old. Rumors have it that Buddy Guys will end up in the Motor Row area near McCormick Place.

SamInTheLoop · #**1026** Posted **May 15, 2007, 11:04 PM**

Did anyone make the call yet - has construction officially started? When I went by a couple weeks ago they hadn't started drilling yet, but I assume they have by now - afterall we can ill afford to have rigs sit idle in the heart of this boom...

Chi_Coruscant · #**1027** Posted **May 16, 2007, 10:34 AM**

http://www.suntimes.com/business/roeder/386765,CST-FIN-Roeder16.article

Kennedys draw Wolf Point plan
Long-vacant parcel at bend in river might finally be developed

May 16, 2007
BY DAVID ROEDER Sun-Times Columnist

Over the years, the Kennedy family of political fame has done well by Chicago through a 62-year association with the Merchandise Mart, which it sold in 1998 but continues to run. However, it's never gotten the timing right with its neighboring property, Wolf Point, four of the most visible but underused acres downtown.

The family kept Wolf Point, where the Chicago River splits into north and south branches, when it sold the mart. Over the years, it's tried developing it or selling it. It has done little but convert it to landscaped parking and hunker down with its investment.

But sources now say the Kennedys are talking with developers to create a joint venture and build on the property. One entity the Kennedys are negotiating with is Hines Interests LP, active investors in downtown office construction. It is believed the Kennedys are open to other partners skilled in the condo market.

Christopher Kennedy, president of Merchandise Mart Properties Inc., declined to get into specifics. "We've talked with everybody in the city. This might be the right time to push Wolf Point," he said, adding that investor confidence in Chicago "has never been higher."

Kennedy said whatever is built on Wolf Point must complement the mart and the former Apparel Center, now with many tenants including the Chicago Sun-Times. But he said that if the market doesn't oblige, the family will do nothing rash.

"The Kennedys have been patient for 50 years. They're prepared to be patient forever," he said.

Greg Van Schaack, vice president for Hines, declined to comment.

BVictor1 · #**1028** Posted **May 16, 2007, 11:55 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chi_Coruscant

http://www.suntimes.com/business/roeder/386765,CST-FIN-Roeder16.article

Kennedys draw Wolf Point plan
Long-vacant parcel at bend in river might finally be developed

May 16, 2007
BY DAVID ROEDER Sun-Times Columnist

Over the years, the Kennedy family of political fame has done well by Chicago through a 62-year association with the Merchandise Mart, which it sold in 1998 but continues to run. However, it's never gotten the timing right with its neighboring property, Wolf Point, four of the most visible but underused acres downtown.

The family kept Wolf Point, where the Chicago River splits into north and south branches, when it sold the mart. Over the years, it's tried developing it or selling it. It has done little but convert it to landscaped parking and hunker down with its investment.

But sources now say the Kennedys are talking with developers to create a joint venture and build on the property. One entity the Kennedys are negotiating with is Hines Interests LP, active investors in downtown office construction. It is believed the Kennedys are open to other partners skilled in the condo market.

Christopher Kennedy, president of Merchandise Mart Properties Inc., declined to get into specifics. "We've talked with everybody in the city. This might be the right time to push Wolf Point," he said, adding that investor confidence in Chicago "has never been higher."

Kennedy said whatever is built on Wolf Point must complement the mart and the former Apparel Center, now with many tenants including the Chicago Sun-Times. But he said that if the market doesn't oblige, the family will do nothing rash.

"The Kennedys have been patient for 50 years. They're prepared to be patient forever," he said.

Greg Van Schaack, vice president for Hines, declined to comment.

All I know is that that fucker better be tall. And why in the hell would you want anything to complement the Apparel Mart? And don't give it to just Hines, they have a fear of building beyond 60-stories. I think this should be a consortium of developers to draw in more money, for more building uses which could add more height.

honte · #**1029** Posted **May 16, 2007, 12:24 PM**

^ Yeah, Hines has the ability (it seems) to draw the big tenants, but their skill seems to stop there when it comes to building truly amazing buildings in the Chicago market.

trvlr70 · #**1030** Posted **May 16, 2007, 1:02 PM**

(First of all, for all those people who refuted me that the Kennedy's own Wolf Point, well, I'll accept your apologies now.)

This is great news. So, at least we now that they are thinking condos instead of a 600 ft office building. But, how does any building compliment the former Apparel Center? The only thing I can think of is to completely obscure it from view.

Busy Bee · #**1031** Posted **May 16, 2007, 1:48 PM**

Compliment the Apparel Center? Wha? What kind of thinking is this? That's like touching up a rusty car with rust paint to make it match.

observer · #**1032** Posted **May 16, 2007, 1:54 PM**

If there was ever a site that warranted a design competition...surely this would be it....unless the architect is KPF, Renzo, Foster, or Raphael Vignoli...there should be a competition.

Alliance · #**1033** Posted **May 16, 2007, 1:55 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chi_Coruscant

Kennedy said whatever is built on Wolf Point must complement the mart and the former Apparel Center, now with many tenants including the Chicago Sun-Times. But he said that if the market doesn't oblige, the family will do nothing rash.

Good news, but

trvlr70 · #**1034** Posted **May 16, 2007, 2:01 PM**

Chicago's architectural enthusiasts have such high hopes for Wolf Point that is almost inevitable that we'll be disappointed unless it is in the same category as the Spire, TTC or Waterview.

Saber925 · #**1035** Posted **May 16, 2007, 2:09 PM**

I seem to remember that part of the deal when the Apparel Mart was built was that they would develop Wolf Point as a park. Anyone recall this agreement... and how they got out of it?

forumly_chgoman · #**1036** Posted **May 16, 2007, 2:14 PM**

Quote:

Kennedy said whatever is built on Wolf Point must complement the mart and the former Apparel Center, now with many tenants including the Chicago Sun-Times. But he said that if the market doesn't oblige, the family will do nothing rash.

Oh God....that is rather ominous....I do not know whether to feel hope or trepidation

trvlr70 · #**1037** Posted **May 16, 2007, 2:15 PM**

What does everyone envision at the site?

I'd like to see an iconic building along the lines of SF's Transamerica Pyramid designed by Foster. Or, perhaps perfectly cylindrical.

honte · #**1038** Posted **May 16, 2007, 2:20 PM**

^ I would like to see something three-sided, three-lobed, or Y shaped to represent the three branches of the river and the symbol of Chicago, not to mention site geometry.

Foster seems like a good choice!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Saber925

I seem to remember that part of the deal when the Apparel Mart was built was that they would develop Wolf Point as a park. Anyone recall this agreement... and how they got out of it?

It was a park... then a car park... then now maybe a car park with a building above it. Welcome to Chicago! If it didn't say "for perpetuity" in the agreement, then it probably was meaningless.

the urban politician · #**1039** Posted **May 16, 2007, 2:25 PM**

Hey guys, I'm not so sure that by saying it should 'complement' the Apparel center they necessarily are talking about architecture.

Remember, only we're obsessed with architecture--not most of the rest of society.

Perhaps they're saying that this structure should complement the uses/function of the Apparel Center?

trvlr70 · #**1040** Posted **May 16, 2007, 2:27 PM**

[QUOTE=honte;2838572]^ I would like to see something three-sided, three-lobed, or Y shaped to represent the three branches of the river and the symbol of Chicago, not to mention site geometry.

Foster seems like a good choice!

How about something like London's Tower Bridge/The Shard?