CHICAGO | Boom rundown - everything over 12 floors. v5

[Vince]

Residents started moving into 600N Fairbanks today. I would say it will be complete by the New Year

[EarlyBuyer]

Flooring and trimwork at the new LSE Sales Center/Design and Finishes Selection Center, located in the retail level of The Regatta, is being installed this week and next.

I'm told that the new sales center and the existing four-trailers combined sales center on upper Wacker, will operate in tandem during a TBD transition period.

[wrab]

Some unfortunate developments re Franklin Point:

http://chicagobusiness.com/cgi-bin/news.pl?id=27048&pageNo=2

Developer, investor sue each other (Crain’s)
.....The legal tussle involves a proposed 3.5-million-square-foot mixed-use project along the Chicago River, which would be one of the biggest developments in the city, as well as a condominium high-rise planned for the 2000 block of South Prairie Avenue. The dispute raises questions about Mr. Augunas’ ability to finance either project, especially amid a sluggish condo market.....

[wrab]

55 W Wacker has gone (office) condo, and will also be getting a lobby renovation - I like this brutalist tower & am glad it isn't getting a raze:

http://www.55westwacker.com/

[chicubs111]

Originally Posted by wrabbit

Some unfortunate developments re Franklin Point:

http://chicagobusiness.com/cgi-bin/news.pl?id=27048&pageNo=2

Developer, investor sue each other (Crain’s)
.....The legal tussle involves a proposed 3.5-million-square-foot mixed-use project along the Chicago River, which would be one of the biggest developments in the city, as well as a condominium high-rise planned for the 2000 block of South Prairie Avenue. The dispute raises questions about Mr. Augunas’ ability to finance either project, especially amid a sluggish condo market.....

I didnt know that franklin point had a building around the size of 3.5 million sq? ...I remember wolf point mentioned around that size...but the articlem mentions that franklin point will not be affected by the legal issues.

[Alliance]

umm...franklin point is NOT wolf point.

[spyguy]

http://www.chicagorealestatedaily.com/cgi-bin/page.pl?id=2166

Chicago — Union Station Mixed-Use, 300 W. Adams St., 1.2 million-sq.-ft. mixed-use development, April 2008, $120 million.

Chicago — Peoria St. Residential Development, 111 S. Peoria St., 146-unit condominium development, June 2008, $20 million.

[emathias]

I live near Erie and Franklin, and received a letter in the mail today from John J. George, the attorney representing McCaffery Interests, which is looking to amend Sub-Area B of Residential Business Planned Development #326, which is 212-232 W Erie and 659-667 N Franklin (between Hooters and the "L", basically).

I know there's been a proposed project called <a href="http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=flairtower-chicago-il-usa">Flair Tower</a> (Flair being the name of the communications company that owns the land) for that plot listed on Emporis for a couple years, but with the housing troubles I'd always assumed it was one of those projects that just fell by the wayside. <a href="http://flairagency.com/FlairMainSite.html">Flair Communications</a> website says (click on "Flair House" on the left and then "Flair Tower Future") they'll move into the tower in 2009, but it uses the older Emporis stats in the description instead of the ones in the notice I received.

The letter lists 201 "dwelling units" and only 185 parking spots, so I'm sure there will be some neighborhood opposition (not from me, though, since I own a parking spot and no car, so the fewer spots the better for my resale value :-) ). The Flair Tower on Emporis lists 167 units with 209 parking spots, so I'm wondering if it's the same tower, just reconfigured to be rental apartments instead of condos. It would partially block some of my urban view, but for the most part I'd be happy to see something go up on that site. Anyone have any additional info?

[BVictor1]

I was taking photos in Daniel Webster Park at 14th and Indiana/Prairie taking a few photos and I ran into a few "persons" from PDNA who were attempting to collect signatures to support the alderman in the downzoning of the X/O site.

[spyguy]

Again, according to Hyde Park Urbanist, there will be a meeting regarding Solstice on the Park on November 15 at 7 PM in Bret Harte School.

[bnk]

Originally Posted by BVictor1

I was taking photos in Daniel Webster Park at 14th and Indiana/Prairie taking a few photos and I ran into a few "persons" from PDNA who were attempting to collect signatures to support the alderman in the downzoning of the X/O site.

Did you jawbone these "persons" and set them straight?

You must have powerful restraint to talk about this without mentioning any confrontation whatsoever.

[BVictor1]

Originally Posted by bnk

Did you jawbone these "persons" and set them straight?

You must have powerful restraint to talk about this without mentioning any confrontation whatsoever.

I was so totally tempted. I just smiled and walked away. As I said, one of the ladies recognized me from the GP Towers meeting, and she basically said I know you don't want to sign this.

[Chicago Shawn]

1400 Museum Park









Marquee Michigan Avenue





1720 South Michigan















Astoria Tower from afar, (Red crane in the center)



Michigan Avenue Tower II

[VivaLFuego]

Originally Posted by spyguy

Again, according to Hyde Park Urbanist, there will be a meeting regarding Solstice on the Park on November 15 at 7 PM in Bret Harte School.

Hmm. Go to class, or go to meeting, go to class, or go to meeting...

[Chicago Shawn]

Originally Posted by bnk

Did you jawbone these "persons" and set them straight?

You must have powerful restraint to talk about this without mentioning any confrontation whatsoever.

I was there too. I said "there is a building the same height as one of the towers right across the street already under construction. Its been approved, and this will bring a lawsuit against the city at a time it can not afford." She just ignored me and walked on down the sidewalk to drum support for thier cause OUTSIDE of the Prairie District. Whatever, she is too ignorant to relieze her little rag-tag group will loose. Wecome to the big city bitch.

Anyway, some more construction eye candy; MoMo from 10-30-2007

[ardecila]

Hmm.. lot of things here I want to comment on.

Re the small building behind theWit: Since this building has a generous setback, it would be great if a bike storage facility was set up here in the little plaza that's formed. It'd be a lot safer than the bike-posts on State, and more convenient than the garage in MP. If not that, than a small sidewalk cafe would be nice.

Re the recladding of Doral: Glad to see it happen. I notice the "Metra" sign in the rendering. Is this just speculation, or will Millennium Station finally get a dignified entrance? From what I know of Millennium Station's underground layout (admittedly, it's all based on my spatial sense and not diagrams), the lower level of Beaubien Court would come between this entrance and the station - there would need to be a connection built somehow. I need to do some exploring down there one of these days, preferably during the daytime, and flesh out my mental diagram of the area. Locked doors turn the lower levels of Illinois Center into a land of cul-de-sacs much worse than anything in suburbia.

Re the new rendering of Catalyst: The initial version of the project was great. I think the second version was just out of left field, so that we would welcome with open arms the more restrained use of color on the 3rd one, which was the goal all along. I don't mind the new one, as long as the white parts aren't brilliant white.

Re 505 North Clark: There is a Hyatt Place planned for the site in 2010; apparently Hyatt thinks it's worthwhile to soil-test right now and if conditions are favorable, to proceed with their plans early.

[Jaroslaw]

Near south, May 2005 and October 2007. I had no idea two years ago that I would have to point the camera into the sky in the future, hence these don't match up, can anyone help?

The crane for 1600 MP is visible on the middle left, OMPW will not obscure it.

[the urban politician]

^ Wow, the Columbian really adds to that sense of enclosure that you get in the 2nd pic

[i_am_hydrogen]

Originally Posted by Nowhereman1280

So the whole Doral/MPplaza building will be reclad with black panels? That should look much better...

They've already covered up those ugly tan strips on the north facade. I'll try to get a photo of it.

From http://www.chicagoarchitecture.info:

[EarlyBuyer]

Thanks Jaroslaw for the 2005-2007 photo retrospective. I love that stuff.