CHICAGO: boom rundown - everything over 12 floors. v4 - Page 14

SamInTheLoop · #**261** Posted **Jan 8, 2007, 5:09 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by chicubs111

But we had the stats for this building awhile ago...and it was approved at the height of 570ft...They dont have to put this building through city approvall process again do they?

Don't quote me on this, but I don't think it needs to go through Plan Commission/City Council approval - just DPD administrative approvals...can anyone here more in the know re cityfront plaza confirm this?

SamInTheLoop · #**262** Posted **Jan 8, 2007, 5:14 AM**

Does anybody know the current status of Lexington Park? I haven't been by the site in several months. I read a couple weeks ago (can't remember the source) that this one was under construction (could have been incorrect information as we all know too often is the case). I'm very excited about this type of density in the (far) near south side. Just this project and 2100 (adaptive re-use lofts and new construction tower) combined would be well over 500 new units in the immediate vicinity...

SamInTheLoop · #**263** Posted **Jan 8, 2007, 5:16 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marcu

As many have already said, I hope the Aon keeps its fiscade. Is the old IBM keeping its fiscade during the conversion?

I'm not certain but I did read some news recently about the IBM condos - the owner is no longer planning to convert the section of lower floors to conds (this had been planned and reported in the media several months back). I think plans to convert some of the uppermost floors are still in the works though...

Chicago Shawn · #**264** Posted **Jan 8, 2007, 5:17 AM**

^Just an empty site with the sales center occupied building left over from previous demolition. Nothing else is happening there right now.

SamInTheLoop · #**265** Posted **Jan 8, 2007, 5:25 AM**

Greg Hinz has a great column in this week's Crain's. Apparently some type of affordable housing mandate will likely be voted on in the very near future. This does have a lot of relevance to the current high-rise condo boom. Hinz makes an excellent point - most likely to be hurt are mid-price units/middle-income buyers (I would add upper-middle as well). The most luxurious units/developments and wealthiest buyers will feel little impact. Many of the residential high-rises in this boom (of course not the tallest or highest-profile, but many of the type that make up the sheer numbers that define this boom) would be at least somewhat negatively impacted by a mandate. Overall nice piece by Hinz and I really do agree with his position (the sole burden of this very important issue - providing affordable housing for the city's vital workforce - shouldn't be placed squarely on the shoulders of the city's residential developers, as it is a much broader issue that should be dealt with by the entire population/business community and at a larger geography...

Tom Servo · #**266** Posted **Jan 8, 2007, 6:21 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by denizen467

It's like the oldest structure in the area. It is the house where the founder of the Tribune was born, or something like that. Someone else probably can give the details better than me.

So I'd say it's notable for its age/historical value rather than its architectural quality. I think that's just as important; seeing an ordinary 2 or 3 story house just off Michigan Ave gives a nice feel for the history of the city.

Wait... So this is going to be torn down? Does anyone have a picture?

sentinel · #**267** Posted **Jan 8, 2007, 10:37 PM**

Look in the sky everyone! It's a bird, no it's a plane! No, it's a bump!

honte · #**268** Posted **Jan 8, 2007, 11:02 PM**

^ Would someone please PM me some time and let me know what a Bump is and why people do it?

Monkey36 · #**269** Posted **Jan 8, 2007, 11:16 PM**

not sure this goes here, I'll move it to the general thread if not, but what is this millenium park building going on the NE corner of Mich and Randolf? isn't that where the cultural center and white diamond-topped building are?

BVictor1 · #**270** Posted **Jan 8, 2007, 11:31 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Monkey36

not sure this goes here, I'll move it to the general thread if not, but what is this millenium park building going on the NE corner of Mich and Randolf? isn't that where the cultural center and white diamond-topped building are?

The Cultural Center Center is on the southwest corner
The diamond building (Smurfitt-Stone) is on the northwest corner
Millennium Park is the southeast corner

and The Doral "Millennium Park Plaza" is in the northeast corner

SamInTheLoop · #**271** Posted **Jan 8, 2007, 11:41 PM**

So what are the additional towers potentially beginning construction in January?

I can think of a few:

- Aqua??
- Michigan Ave. Tower II??
- 353 N. Clark??

I'm sure I'm missing some obvious others, if anybody can help out...

SamInTheLoop · #**272** Posted **Jan 8, 2007, 11:47 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by denizen467

There was an article last Monday in the Tribune saying that O'Neil's, on the 150 E Ontario site, has closed, following the sale of the property to the developer.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chicago/chi-0701010182jan01,1,3905626.story
So the project takes one more step to realization. I'm not happy about the McCormick house coming down, so I guess that makes 2 Lucien LaGrange N. Mich residential projects that I'd rather see replaced with projects in other locations.

I have my doubts that the 150 E Ontario high-rise will actually happen. I think one of the trends that will emerge with the condo sales slowdown will be an evaporation of the fly-by-night developers and a reinforced dominance by the established Chicago market experts. I'm hoping this prediction of a flight to quality will hold in other aspects as well - design, construction, etc...

SamInTheLoop · #**273** Posted **Jan 8, 2007, 11:47 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by SamInTheLoop

So what are the additional towers potentially beginning construction in January?

I can think of a few:

- Aqua??
- Michigan Ave. Tower II??
- 353 N. Clark??

I'm sure I'm missing some obvious others, if anybody can help out...

Such as - The Streeter II

Sir Isaac Newton · #**274** Posted **Jan 8, 2007, 11:53 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by SamInTheLoop

So what are the additional towers potentially beginning construction in January?

I can think of a few:

- Aqua??
- Michigan Ave. Tower II??
- 353 N. Clark??

I'm sure I'm missing some obvious others, if anybody can help out...

In addition to 1600 Museum Park and Burnham Pointe which have already started (Page 1 still has them as site-prep right now), Astoria Tower may start relatively soon.

chicubs111 · #**275** Posted **Jan 9, 2007, 1:19 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by SamInTheLoop

I have my doubts that the 150 E Ontario high-rise will actually happen. I think one of the trends that will emerge with the condo sales slowdown will be an evaporation of the fly-by-night developers and a reinforced dominance by the established Chicago market experts. I'm hoping this prediction of a flight to quality will hold in other aspects as well - design, construction, etc...

Well that may be true...this building has been on the proposed board for a long time...but the design does have promise..hope it comes to a reality...just love how that area is changing before our eyes.

spyguy · #**276** Posted **Jan 9, 2007, 1:24 AM**

In Crain's a few months ago, there was an article stating that GHM was looking to open a new luxury hotel as part of 150 E. Ontario.

denizen467 · #**277** Posted **Jan 9, 2007, 1:31 AM**

maybe I'm just tired, but "GHM" isn't ringing a bell for me right now?

spyguy · #**278** Posted **Jan 9, 2007, 1:37 AM**

^They own a number of luxury hotels and resorts in Asia and I think Miami also. Google it and you might find some more info.

denizen467 · #**279** Posted **Jan 9, 2007, 1:45 AM**

Okay, they're a European boutique resort developer with a focus on exotic southeast Asian spots. It would be neat to have one of their properties in Chicago (although 150 E Ontario seems like one of the less likely city locations for such a thing..).

honte · #**280** Posted **Jan 9, 2007, 1:56 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by SamInTheLoop

I have my doubts that the 150 E Ontario high-rise will actually happen. I think one of the trends that will emerge with the condo sales slowdown will be an evaporation of the fly-by-night developers and a reinforced dominance by the established Chicago market experts. I'm hoping this prediction of a flight to quality will hold in other aspects as well - design, construction, etc...

I hope so! This is one I won't miss it if misses the boat.

It appears to me that there also has been a shift in the market toward modern designs. There hasn't been a major PoMo one built since Millennium Center. Or am I making this up?