CHICAGO | Boom rundown - everything over 12 floors. v5 - Page 176

Steely Dan · #**3501** Posted **Oct 2, 2007, 10:34 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by jstush04

is that a NONpainted-concrete facade??

no, that definitely looks like a painted concrete facade. that ubiquitous shitty beige color gives it away. for an unpainted concrete facade that's well done, check out The Contemporaine by Ralph Johnson of P+W.

i_am_hydrogen · #**3502** Posted **Oct 2, 2007, 10:59 PM**

AMLI 900 - Taken 9/28

the pope · #**3503** Posted **Oct 2, 2007, 11:30 PM**

hi,

I'm going to be in Chicago the weekend of October 12th.

I like skyscrapers and beers. The person I am probably staying with will have work obligations over the weekend. So I'll be on my own for some periods of time. Anyone want to meet up for a beer or something? (there is no obligation to hold my hand and personally guide me through chicago(i'm a big boy), I just want to meet a few of the faces I've encountered over the years on SSP, tie one on, and maybe get some candid advice about a potential move in the near future)

Also, is this the best chicago thread (on ssp) to get the attention of the chi-town forumers?

Bye

SolarWind · #**3504** Posted **Oct 2, 2007, 11:46 PM**

It looks like 155 North Wacker is under construction on the northwest side of the lot. I didn't have my camera with me, so no picture, but someone was photographing it while I walked by. Maybe the picture will show up here shortly.

Someone else should independently verify that caisson work has begun before any bananas are prematurely let loose.

ardecila · #**3505** Posted **Oct 3, 2007, 12:13 AM**

Thanks, hydro. I love all these projects that never get photographed, yet are HUGE projects for their respective areas.

I'm still waiting on Lexington Park and Astoria Tower.

EDIT: I found Lexington Park's website. No construction updates, but they definitely seem to be gender-biased. (see the page title)

Sir Isaac Newton · #**3506** Posted **Oct 3, 2007, 12:52 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by ardecila

Thanks, hydro. I love all these projects that never get photographed, yet are HUGE projects for their respective areas.

I'm still waiting on Lexington Park and Astoria Tower.

EDIT: I found Lexington Park's website. No construction updates, but they definitely seem to be gender-biased. (see the page title)

I walked by Astoria Tower today - there wasn't and hasn't been any activity there for at least a few weeks. Work on 1 East 8th is progressing - they are pretty much done with the first 2 floors and starting to work on the 3rd floor. I was by Lexington Park maybe a week ago...they were just starting to go vertical. My guess is that they are finishing up on the first floor - maybe starting to work on the second.

aaron38 · #**3507** Posted **Oct 3, 2007, 2:27 AM**

I went exploring the Lincoln Park 2520 website, because I could have sworn I read that it would be built with traditional masonry. But I couldn't find any mention of it. I did find a video that said the building would have detailed stonework, so it'll probably be a situation like 50 E Chestnut. Stone on the first few floors, painted concrete above. Eh...

The video did have this fairly cool aerial rendering:
(it looks better in motion)

On the whole I feel it's above average. I'm willing to accept the painted concrete due to the absense of a parking podium, decent massing and a good streetwall presence.

Tom In Chicago · #**3508** Posted **Oct 3, 2007, 3:10 AM**

The Pope - I like skyscrapers and beers.

Well you came to the right place. . .

. . .

Dr. Taco · #**3509** Posted **Oct 3, 2007, 4:03 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steely Dan

no, that definitely looks like a painted concrete facade. that ubiquitous shitty beige color gives it away. for an unpainted concrete facade that's well done, check out The Contemporaine by Ralph Johnson of P+W.

are you sure? it just looks so much like some kind of brick work in the rendering. Can they paint the building so it looks like it has brickwork or masonry or whatever done instead of painting?

the difference between the building being shitty and being better than average is the difference between painted-concrete and traditional masonry. Why can't developers get that into their head? potential buyers aren't stupid enough to not see the difference, are they...

tintinex · #**3510** Posted **Oct 3, 2007, 4:35 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by the pope

I like skyscrapers and beers.

You got our attention

pyropius · #**3511** Posted **Oct 3, 2007, 5:06 AM**

While you're talking about painted concrete, you might want to consider that purple and yellow thing just west of the red line in Edgewater/Uptown.

Nowhereman1280 · #**3512** Posted **Oct 3, 2007, 5:28 AM**

^^^ Haha, that think is sweet! Haha.

No really, I'm not quite sure what to think about that think. I suppose it will be horribly dated very quickly, if its not already. It has red on it too! The glass walkways/junctions in the middle are pretty cool!

I believe that one isn't painted concrete, but painted cinderblock instead...

visitor1030 · #**3513** Posted **Oct 3, 2007, 5:32 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sir Isaac Newton

I walked by Astoria Tower today - there wasn't and hasn't been any activity there for at least a few weeks. Work on 1 East 8th is progressing - they are pretty much done with the first 2 floors and starting to work on the 3rd floor. I was by Lexington Park maybe a week ago...they were just starting to go vertical. My guess is that they are finishing up on the first floor - maybe starting to work on the second.

The Astoria Tower is a mystery to me. I called around and emailed key players and no one seems to know why the project hasn't taken off. I signed a contract in 2005 and after two years, virtually nothing has changed. I 'm thinking about jumping ship on this one. I could have went with the Marquee on Michigan, Vision on State or Library Tower-all progressing well, but instead I chose the Great Pumpkin. I visited Vetro last week and they seem to have a great deal on parking. I don't know what to do. From my research, it seems Astoria Tower won't be completed until late 2009 or early 2010---if it is completed at all (no kidding). I actually Googled the location and another business claimed 9th and State. All my friends and co-workers are laughing at me like Charlie Brown.

F1 Tommy · #**3514** Posted **Oct 3, 2007, 10:18 AM**

Hi the pope,

You should try to get a boat cruise from Navy Pier.I think several of them
are still running.You can get some great photos.I like the river cruise the best.

Enjoy Chicago!!

museumparktom · #**3515** Posted **Oct 3, 2007, 1:26 PM**

I believe that there were some water issues as they were drilling the cassions. That was some time ago. Thought that they had resolved that issue. There should be some exit clauses in your contract. look closey. normally the developer has a window to deliver the project.

Steely Dan · #**3516** Posted **Oct 3, 2007, 1:44 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by jstush04

the difference between the building being shitty and being better than average is the difference between painted-concrete and traditional masonry. Why can't developers get that into their head? potential buyers aren't stupid enough to not see the difference, are they...

it's not that they're too stupid to notice the difference, they're just indifferent to the difference. for better or worse (certainly for worse to those of us on this board), we live in a country where the vast majority of people don't give two rat shits about how the exterior of their home looks, only what type of amenities and "luxury finishes" it offers on the inside. hence the explosion of vertical turds in river north.

the urban politician · #**3517** Posted **Oct 3, 2007, 2:14 PM**

Since Antheus is proposing a highrise, I thought I'd post this here as well:

According to the first letter (upper left corner) of this page of the Hyde Park Herald, there will be a community meeting today at 7pm with Antheus Capital. This meeting will discuss developments planned.

Looks like the NIMBY's are lining up.

I just thought I'd make you guys aware, if any of you live in Hyde Park and would like to attend

VivaLFuego · #**3518** Posted **Oct 3, 2007, 2:46 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by jstush04

4the difference between the building being shitty and being better than average is the difference between painted-concrete and traditional masonry. Why can't developers get that into their head? potential buyers aren't stupid enough to not see the difference, are they...

No, but "traditional buyers" can also perceive a several-thousand-dollar difference in the price of the unit.

i_am_hydrogen · #**3519** Posted **Oct 3, 2007, 2:46 PM**

More on Lincoln Park 2520:

North Tower - 337' to rooftop (355' to structural top)
Center Tower - 442'
South Tower - 235'

The developer is seeking to raise the height of the center tower to 468' and increase the number of townhomes from twelve, under the current plan, to twenty-two. St. James and Deming will be lined with brand new homes, which will look something like these Lagrange- designed homes:

HowardL · #**3520** Posted **Oct 3, 2007, 2:49 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by VivaLFuego

From the Brown Line, there appeared to be fencing along the site at the NE corner of Orleans and Huron. Anyone know what's going on at that site?

I walked past that site this morning and it's a parking lot now. The lot to the East expanded and is now a full block long.

Of course, it may well be temporary until a new development comes along, but still rather disheartening. Just as surface lots in River North were dwindling, this one just got bigger. Bollocks.