CHICAGO | Boom rundown - everything over 12 floors. v5

[Chicago Shawn]

Originally Posted by spyguy

http://chicagobusiness.com/cgi-bin/mag/article.pl?article_id=29057

Alter's grand hotel plan
1,500-room complex at McCormick Place could include casino
Eddie Baeb and Alby Gallun

...Alter hired architect Lucien Lagrange to design two 21-story hotel towers with a total of 1,500 rooms, which would make it the fourth-largest hotel in the city, the person says.

Disapointing, is there any reason why this could not be stacked into one tower behind the loft structure, other than ruffeling feathers with PDNA?

[honte]

^ That's exactly the "compromise" I'd like to see. Their hotel would have higher visibility and better views from the rooms. The only downside for them, as I see it, would be loss of street entrance on Cermak.

However, two ideas come to mind: 1) Create a grand entry to the (ultra-modern, of course) hotel tower by using the classical ground floor of the loft building. This would lead to the hotel tower beyond. Residences or offices could exist in the floors above the lobby in refurbished loft space. 2) Two distinct hotel experiences, operated together. The old building would become a "boutique, loft-style" hotel featuring a taste of hip big-city living, and the tower to the north would offer the traditional experience. They each would have their own entries, but could share support features.

[Mr Roboto]

Thats a shame about that old loft building for the Alter hotel. Sounds totally unnecessary, when theres tons of empty space just one or two blocks west. That building is really cool.

As far as PDNA, I wouldnt know if they care since the buildings are only proposed to be 21 stories, and is along Cermak. They seem to only give a shit when the height is closer to 30 or 40 stories, and when its closer to their precious little 'district', which is more around 18th and cullerton. But, maybe Im wrong.

[Cbautz]

Taken Today,

Clare and Trump


Trump Closeup - Getting tall


What is going on here. Does anyone know of any plans for this?

[harryc]

One of the mystery buildings I see from the office [ full set http://picasaweb.google.com/harry.r.carmichael/757_N_Orleans_Gammonley_Condos ]

[Via Chicago]

Originally Posted by harryc

One of the mystery buildings I see from the office

I've been wondering what that one is going to look like too. I work a few blocks west of there and pass it on my lunch hour all the time.

[wrab]

Originally Posted by spyguy

http://chicagobusiness.com/cgi-bin/mag/article.pl?article_id=29057

Alter's grand hotel plan
1,500-room complex at McCormick Place could include casino
Eddie Baeb and Alby Gallun

...Alter hired architect Lucien Lagrange to design two 21-story hotel towers with a total of 1,500 rooms, which would make it the fourth-largest hotel in the city, the person says.

I wonder if we'll be getting the modern Lagrange or the frou-frou Lagrange. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for modern but fear that we'll be getting frou frou. Blackstone Lite, anyone?

[Alliance]

[Cbautz]

^Nice. I like this one. I hope it turns out as well as I hope.

[Ecker]

The Clare and Elysian


New Signage at Walton on the Park




Ten East Delaware


Just starting to rise above street level


The Clare


Paint test


550 St. Clair








Fairbanks


Parkview West




Streeter Place








600 NLSD






I remember hearing something about a project behind 600 NLSD a while ago. Anyone want to refresh my memory?


Avenue East


Fairbanks and 600 North Fairbanks


550 St. Clair


The Tides


MoMo


Library Tower




Astoria Tower


Burnham Pointe (The curtain wall seems to be progressing very slowly...)


AMLI 900


1401 State






I did Marquee Michigan a favor and put it in black and white...


Mich Ave Tower II & 1400 MP


1555 Wabash






Lexington Park (another slow one)


From Cermak Red Line

[the urban politician]

Originally Posted by Jaroslaw

That's a real pity about the Alter site(s). On both the north corners of Cermak and Prairie, half block to the west of this, there are large short worthless buildings...

This is the guy in question, McCormick 2007 is behind me:



From the west:

^ I can't think of a more horrible thing than to tamper with this lovely streetscape, especially when there is ample available land to develop on.

I have long admired this little area along Prarie and Cermak, and have considered its beauty a potential "spark" to development around it, and instead we have the potential to see it destroyed for NO reason. These buildings create a wonderful streetscape as a group, and the whole effect is greatly diminished by demolishing one of them and keeping the other behind.

If PDNA really gives 2 shits about their lovely, so-called "historic streetscape" instead of paying it lip-service whilst essentially being another anti-highrise NIMBY group, then this is their call to action, IMO. If you REALLY care about the character of your neighborhood as opposed to simply trying to keep automobile counts low without regard to appearances, then this demolition is worth protesting.

[Tom Servo]

these turned out worse than i thought...

so much crap in this city...

[aaron38]

Originally Posted by Ecker

Library Tower

Great photo tour Ecker.
I think Library Tower is turning out quite well. I want to see more brick as an alternative to all glass or painted concrete.

[aaron38]

Originally Posted by Chicago Shawn

Also, I am really tired of hearing about the "charm" of Oak Street. Most of those buildings have been stripped of historic features in renovations and installations of large display windows. As far as scale, there is a 20 story mid-block high-rise with no setbacks at 40 East Oak, about 100 feet west of the Esquire Theater, which obviously does not upset the "low-rise feel" of the street, because everyone seems to forget about it. A 12 story hotel will do nothing more to change the precived scale of the street. Furthermore, there is also quite a bit of community support in favor of the hotel.

I just walked past 40 E Oak today, and that's the propper scale of the street, if not taller. The low rises immediately on either side of 40 E Oak are crap (not the Esquire), and should be replaced by towers that form an integrated streetwall there.

[CenIL_LA]

Originally Posted by the urban politician

^ I can't think of a more horrible thing than to tamper with this lovely streetscape, especially when there is ample available land to develop on.

I have long admired this little area along Prarie and Cermak, and have considered its beauty a potential "spark" to development around it, and instead we have the potential to see it destroyed for NO reason. These buildings create a wonderful streetscape as a group, and the whole effect is greatly diminished by demolishing one of them and keeping the other behind.

If PDNA really gives 2 shits about their lovely, so-called "historic streetscape" instead of paying it lip-service whilst essentially being another anti-highrise NIMBY group, then this is their call to action, IMO. If you REALLY care about the character of your neighborhood as opposed to simply trying to keep automobile counts low without regard to appearances, then this demolition is worth protesting.

yes there is no reason why they have to tear down this building. It is in immaculate condition. It also shows visitors the diversity of chicago and its history. All to come to a wrecking ball for another shitty hotel? I cant believe it. People dont have to be steps away from a convention center. People know how to walk and will go there anyway for the good convention facilities. We dont need to destroy the small bits of the niegborhood that are left. PDNA definately needs to get on this...especially since it will mean more foot traffic for them anyways which they wont want.

[jjk1103]

Originally Posted by AdrianXSands

these turned out worse than i thought...

so much crap in this city...

......I think these exposed concrete buildings are going to look absolutely terrible in a few years when the concrete gets discolored with age....

[Nowhereman1280]

Originally Posted by jjk1103

......I think these exposed concrete buildings are going to look absolutely terrible in a few years when the concrete gets discolored with age....

This isn't exposed concrete, its going to painted, look at the north (left) tower.

Also, no, exposed concrete does not look worse with age, I think it looks better. It doesn't discolor much at all if it is properly maintained.

[GregBear24]

Is it possible that the old loft building at prairie/cermak could be used for the casino? I think a casino in a big old loft building would kick ass and be unique to any casino i've ever heard of. I'm in love with all those old loft buildings; PDNA better step up for this when they attack x/o, which would replace a POS commercial building.

[Ch.G, Ch.G]

Originally Posted by Jaroslaw

That's a real pity about the Alter site(s). On both the north corners of Cermak and Prairie, half block to the west of this, there are large short worthless buildings...

This is the guy in question, McCormick 2007 is behind me:



From the west:



From the Hyatt, on the left side. The tech center (actually one of the most important internet traffic interchanges in America) is on the right:



====

I've tried to find some more information on the diesel-powered cranes, vs. electric, but no luck. Except that they're getting more popular in America, I guess because with an electric crane you still have to have a diesel generator somewhere on site. Does anyone have anything more technical, like product spec pages?

This is alarming. Is there anything we can do?

[honte]

^ I have a strong inclination that there will be strong preservation activity on this one. My speculation: The preservation groups will be contacting the developer to get a clear understanding of the proposal, and then will be in contact with the community groups, alderman, and city. They probably will try to negotiate a way to save the building in this manner.

If this doesn't get anywhere, you may very well see other forms of action to save the building. Keep your eyes peeled and volunteer your help if you are so inclined.

Last, it would be good for everyone who is concerned to contact the alderman very soon to voice support for saving the structure.

______________________

I do have some good news: The building was rated Orange in Chicago Historic Resources Survey, which means it can be held up to 90 days by the DPD before demolition under the Demolition Delay ordinance. This means that the developer cannot simply get a demo permit and knock it down the next day without any community notice. If there is a preservation moment mounting to save the building, this is time that people can lobby the city to protect it. Words of caution, however: If this becomes a "Daley Done Deal" before the permit is pulled, and there is no movement prior to that time to save it, the Landmarks Commission may simply short-circuit the demolition delay process since they know they won't be acting anyway. It's actually happened this way before. So, it is important for people to get a start sooner than later.

The building was built for the American Book Company, and the architect was Max N. Dunning. The construction permit was pulled 07/01/1912.

Originally Posted by jjk1103

......I think these exposed concrete buildings are going to look absolutely terrible in a few years when the concrete gets discolored with age....

Yeah, they really screwed up with that choice of paint color.