This is becoming a really annoying trend now, and it needs to stop.
Farwell, 29-39 South Lasalle, and now the Lakeshore Athletic Club.
Common themes:
1. Landmark buildings involved in new development on important streets (Michigan, LaSalle, LSD).
2. Developers claim that there are no other options and they need to demolish all or part of the building in order to save it.
3. Preservation groups and neighbhorhood groups unite in opposition.
4. Natarus & Co. accept the developer's rationale with no questions asked.
5. Landmarks Commission does nothing.
6. Not only are historically significant buildings destroyed, but the replacements usually have little density or height, significant parking, and mediocre designs.
And the real kicker,
7. The replacements are all designed by Lucien Lagrange.
And if you haven't guessed it already, I'm 100% against this new project that will further ruin the area's character.
(Image from Preservation Chicago)
^Destroying this building also ruins the cool effect between the old and new (Mies).
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