CHICAGO | Boom rundown - everything over 12 floors. v5 - Page 21

Chi_Coruscant · #**401** Posted **Apr 17, 2007, 3:54 AM**

This must've been the tallest and largest project that Peebles Corp has undertaken. They have done typically on mid-rise project and building conversion into hotel. It seems there is some sort of trend for any developer (and/or architect) in making its first foray into Chicago real estate market with the largest project in their portfolio. Kelleher/Calatrava; Hines/Chilton-Packard; now Peebles/Arquitectonica.

bnk · #**402** Posted **Apr 17, 2007, 5:01 AM**

Are there any renders for this building?

I am having a hard time trying to find one.

Thanks in advance.

bnk

psumase · #**403** Posted **Apr 17, 2007, 1:08 PM**

I'm really hoping this project inspires another developer to tear down or renovate the buildings to the north of this site. All of the storefronts north of Radio Shack are hideous. As somebody else pointed out a few pages back, it's amazing that there can be such an ugly stretch on one of the world's best streets.
I'm happy for the development, but was really hoping for the supertall proposal to go through for this site. Regardless, any development is good news to me.

Steely Dan · #**404** Posted **Apr 17, 2007, 4:31 PM**

would someone from emporis please create an entry for this 50 story aquitectonica-designed tower at 300 N Michigan being proposed by the Peebles Corporation? thanks in advance.

museumparktom · #**405** Posted **Apr 17, 2007, 6:25 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Loopy

I walked by it today too. It really is some beautiful Holabird and Root Deco. I would like to hear more about the proposal though. Last year Roti announced that he wanted to tear it down to redevelop the land. So we are not dealing with an architecture lover here.

I took a walk at lunch and grabed these. 2 guys in suits were outside talking about the hotel conversion. Still very early in the planning and they didn't give up who they were with but at least they let me in.

Interior Lobby

Huge Depression Era Mural by by John Warren Norton

Original Deco Lighting Fixtures

New York Times Article yesterday
T HE Motor Club project is being developed by Samuel J. Roti, principal of Markwell Properties. Mr. Roti, who is 38, is also the developer of Dearborn Station, a restaurant and retail development housed in a historic train station that is the centerpiece of the Printers Row loft neighborhood.

The Motor Club building, a 14-story Art Deco gem that dates from 1928, is about a block from Michigan Avenue and many of its upper floors look out on expansive views of the Chicago River. Mr. Roti plans to capitalize on the building's proximity to the river by adding balconies on its west side off what will be the living rooms and master bedrooms. There will be one apartment of about 4,400 square feet per floor, with a duplex penthouse occupying the top two floors.

The building has a dramatic two-story lobby with a mural of a map of the United States by John Warren Norton; both it and the building itself are on the National Registry of Historic Places. Mr. Roti has retained the architect John Vinci to restore the lobby to its full 1930s glamour, including the reinstallation of two elaborate Art Deco chandeliers created for the building that have been in storage for the last 20 years. Mr. Roti said the total cost of renovating the building would be about $10 million.

"The building is a rare find," said Mr. Roti. "The floorplates are ideal for apartments and there is light on all four sides. There's also room for a parking garage next door. We've had a number of inquiries from people who currently live farther north on Michigan Avenue but are interested in larger apartments."

Steely Dan · #**406** Posted **Apr 17, 2007, 6:38 PM**

^ what a gem. thanks for the pics!

colemonkee · #**407** Posted **Apr 17, 2007, 8:28 PM**

Wow. The detail in the metalwork over the entrance is a rare find. They just don't build them like that anymore.

Alliance · #**408** Posted **Apr 17, 2007, 8:32 PM**

Wow. I'll have to walk by it sometime...a truly classic building.

ardecila · #**409** Posted **Apr 17, 2007, 8:45 PM**

Good to know it won't be demolished.

HowardL · #**410** Posted **Apr 17, 2007, 9:40 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by ardecila

Good to know it won't be demolished.

Nor facademized.

jcchii · #**411** Posted **Apr 17, 2007, 9:55 PM**

^ oooh, I like that term

honte · #**412** Posted **Apr 17, 2007, 10:02 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by museumparktom

Mr. Roti has retained the architect John Vinci to restore the lobby to its full 1930s glamour, including the reinstallation of two elaborate Art Deco chandeliers created for the building that have been in storage for the last 20 years. Mr. Roti said the total cost of renovating the building would be about $10 million.

Wow, this is thrilling. This building will be saved, and with Vinci on-board, probably a top-notch restoration to boot.

What's more, the Weese church next door probably isn't being pressured any more either.

Altering the west elevation might be a very good thing. That side is rather drab and was never meant to be such a high-visibility facade (as seen constantly from Wacker Drive). I wouldn't mind seeing some major alterations to that elevation, and I doubt landmarks would mind either (not that they have much say over the quality of the work, since they haven't protected this once-endangered building).

BVictor1 · #**413** Posted **Apr 17, 2007, 10:30 PM**

I believe that I saw a caisson crane on the Opus 110 site. I will try to drive past today and confirm that later.

SlatsGrobnik · #**414** Posted **Apr 17, 2007, 10:51 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by HowardL

Nor facademized.

I am insanely envious that you came up with that term.

Busy Bee · #**415** Posted **Apr 18, 2007, 12:06 AM**

Isn't this Roti fella the same guy that was tossing around the idea of raising the Church of Christ, Scientist church? Also, if anyone knows this, when did the Chicago Motor Club/AAA move from this building and where are they now? I thought I heard one time they moved out to Schaumburg or something, gag.

sentinel · #**416** Posted **Apr 18, 2007, 1:58 AM**

^^^ It is I believe, and since he's proposing to renovate this project instead of demolishing it (take a HINT Mr. Feifield!!!!!!!!) perhaps then he learned his leason.

Mr Downtown · #**417** Posted **Apr 18, 2007, 3:45 AM**

AAA Chicago Motor Club left the building in the mid-90s, relocating offices to Des Plaines and travel services to small offices like the one in the Thompson Center. Motorist services such as maps are now very much subsidiary to travel agency and insurance services.

I think it was Roti who was rumored to have approached 17th Church about purchase. But seeing this news, I'm wondering if he instead had approached them about buying the air rights so he could put lot-line windows or even balconies on that side. If so, that would be the best outcome imaginable, saving both the church and the Motor Club building for the foreseeable future.

The word façadomy has been around in preservation/planning circles since the late 80s.

Chi_Coruscant · #**418** Posted **Apr 18, 2007, 3:47 AM**

I thought I should post here because Chicago boom rundown thread is frequently viewed.

http://www.chicagobusiness.com/cgi-bin/mag/article.pl?article_id=27593

Development keeps city dynamic, competitive

Aldermanic elections and run-offs create anti-development rhetoric.

One would think that real estate development in a once run-down, gritty, rust-belt Midwestern city is bad. With little urban-planning research, the anti-development bandwagon seems one to join.

We see the many virtues of developing a city still losing population to suburbs and warmer climates — competition for residents and economic investment is fierce. Chicago must remain competitive.

Being anti-development appears virtuous: Not enough parking, congestion, gentrification and density are the buzzwords. Digging deeper, what is really happening? Residents with a piece of the pie don't want others to impinge. This is hypocritical and not in the interests of us all. Chicago must grow. It was gutted by mass exodus and lack of egress into the city from the 1950s to the 1980s. We lost time and hundreds of thousands of people and economic development.

While our counterparts like St. Louis and Detroit struggle to stay relevant in this global marketplace, Chicago marches dynamically forward. Who would have dreamed it? We are competing with warm-weather, expanding cities like Orlando, Las Vegas and Miami.

Don't reflexively hate development. Make certain it is designed well and that architects and developers create landmarks of tomorrow in a city world famous for architecture and revivals. With anti-development rhetoric, design is rarely mentioned. The cause should be world-class design with green architecture.

Bob O'Neill
President
Grant Park Conservancy
Chicago

bnk · #**419** Posted **Apr 18, 2007, 4:07 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by museumparktom

I took a walk at lunch and grabed these. 2 guys in suits were outside talking about the hotel conversion. Still very early in the planning and they didn't give up who they were with but at least they let me in.

The building has a dramatic two-story lobby with a mural of a map of the United States by John Warren Norton; both it and the building itself are on the National Registry of Historic Places. Mr. Roti has retained the architect John Vinci to restore the lobby to its full 1930s glamour, including the reinstallation of two elaborate Art Deco chandeliers created for the building that have been in storage for the last 20 years. Mr. Roti said the total cost of renovating the building would be about $10 million.

"The building is a rare find," said Mr. Roti. "The floorplates are ideal for apartments and there is light on all four sides. There's also room for a parking garage next door. ."

Nice haul MPT

Hotel conversion:? fingerscrossed:

the urban politician · #**420** Posted **Apr 18, 2007, 9:19 AM**

Not sure if this was already posted, but it was in the latest edition of Crains. Go Bob O'Neill!

http://www.chicagobusiness.com/cgi-bin/mag/article.pl?article_id=27593
Letters to the editor

Development keeps city dynamic, competitive
Aldermanic elections and run-offs create anti-development rhetoric.

One would think that real estate development in a once run-down, gritty, rust-belt Midwestern city is bad. With little urban-planning research, the anti-development bandwagon seems one to join.

We see the many virtues of developing a city still losing population to suburbs and warmer climates — competition for residents and economic investment is fierce. Chicago must remain competitive.

Being anti-development appears virtuous: Not enough parking, congestion, gentrification and density are the buzzwords. Digging deeper, what is really happening? Residents with a piece of the pie don't want others to impinge. This is hypocritical and not in the interests of us all. Chicago must grow. It was gutted by mass exodus and lack of egress into the city from the 1950s to the 1980s. We lost time and hundreds of thousands of people and economic development.

While our counterparts like St. Louis and Detroit struggle to stay relevant in this global marketplace, Chicago marches dynamically forward. Who would have dreamed it? We are competing with warm-weather, expanding cities like Orlando, Las Vegas and Miami.

Don't reflexively hate development. Make certain it is designed well and that architects and developers create landmarks of tomorrow in a city world famous for architecture and revivals. With anti-development rhetoric, design is rarely mentioned. The cause should be world-class design with green architecture.

Bob O'Neill
President
Grant Park Conservancy
Chicago