CHICAGO | Boom rundown - everything over 12 floors. v5

[Taft]

Originally Posted by Steely Dan

here's an aerial rendering of the new city project for reference.

Suburban development? I don't know about that.

Maybe it isn't architecturally stunning or "urban," but it provides nice density in a neighborhood severely lacking it, most of the development abuts the sidewalks making a nice streetwall and it appears to have an open and accessible plaza which will add a touch of greenspace to an area where it will be appreciated. All in all, this looks like a really nice development for the neighborhood.

It isn't perfect, but I think it is pretty good.

Taft

[Chitown]

Originally Posted by harryc

From the El

The fact that the photo-stitch made it look like that cement truck is moving really, really fast amuses me greatly.

[VivaLFuego]

Originally Posted by Taft

Suburban development? I don't know about that.

Maybe it isn't architecturally stunning or "urban," but it provides nice density in a neighborhood severely lacking it, most of the development abuts the sidewalks making a nice streetwall and it appears to have an open and accessible plaza which will add a touch of greenspace to an area where it will be appreciated. All in all, this looks like a really nice development for the neighborhood.

It isn't perfect, but I think it is pretty good.

Taft

Well, they just announced they're reducing the quantity of residential units (that story only describes one tower of "up to 27 stories" and it's got 900 parking spaces in addition to the parking for the residential units. This right next to a 24-hour subway stop with very frequent service, plentiful taxis abounding, and two major cross-town bus routes. I mean, I'd rather this than an empty lot, but talk about a major missed opportunity for some urbanity.

[Nowhereman1280]

^^^ Let them put parking there, its a complete waste of money, North and Clyborn is constantly choked with cars, no one in their right mind would drive to use the retail there. The only time I've ever seen it clear is really late at night and no one in their right mind would want to be in that area at that time anyhow, still not the greatest place to be at night.

[ardecila]

I'm not sure I agree with the viewpoint of everyone on this board, that people must be dragged kicking and screaming out of their cars. People will do whatever is most convenient for them, whether that's a matter of cost or time savings, and developers will provide that.

As far as I'm concerned, Structured Development has done their part for the urbanity of the area by tucking all parking either underground or into the back of the site in a hidden, well-designed garage. The presence of a garage on site does not make it any less convenient or quick to take transit to the site. It's worth noting that the densest, tallest portion of the site is the portion closest to the CTA station, and the entire site is pedestrian-friendly.

As for the reduction in residential units - it's obviously caused by the problems in the real estate market currently, not some anti-transit/anti-density conspiracy.

[the urban politician]

Originally Posted by ardecila

As far as I'm concerned, Structured Development has done their part for the urbanity of the area by tucking all parking either underground or into the back of the site in a hidden, well-designed garage. The presence of a garage on site does not make it any less convenient or quick to take transit to the site. It's worth noting that the densest, tallest portion of the site is the portion closest to the CTA station, and the entire site is pedestrian-friendly.

As for the reduction in residential units - it's obviously caused by the problems in the real estate market currently, not some anti-transit/anti-density conspiracy.

^ Thank you!

[the urban politician]

Originally Posted by AdrianXSands

booo! ever more suburban development for the north and clybourn area. GREAT.

BOOO to your silly statement.

Get out of your ideal little world of architecture textbooks and European starchitect project web searches and understand reality for once in your extremely young life.

Oh, and look at the rendering. That's absolutely nothing like the — that was built in North/Clybourn in the early days.

[the urban politician]

Originally Posted by VivaLFuego

Well, they just announced they're reducing the quantity of residential units (that story only describes one tower of "up to 27 stories" and it's got 900 parking spaces in addition to the parking for the residential units. This right next to a 24-hour subway stop with very frequent service, plentiful taxis abounding, and two major cross-town bus routes. I mean, I'd rather this than an empty lot, but talk about a major missed opportunity for some urbanity.

^ I see your point, but lets not forget that great TOD does not always have to be about residential. This is going to be a gargantuan shopping district that's very accessible to transit and friendly to pedestrians. That alone should win some kudos, no?

[the urban politician]

More Than 1,000 Children's Memorial Hospital Patients, Physicians, Elected Officials, Donors and Staff Gather to Break Ground on the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago
| 21 Apr 2008 | 05:45 PM ET
CHICAGO, April 21, 2008 /PRNewswire-USNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Ground was broken on the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago today following remarks from Children's Memorial Hospital patients, philanthropist and transformational donor Ann Lurie, hospital leadership and public officials (First Lady Maggie Daley, Governor Rod Blagojevich, Senator Richard Durbin, Congressman Rahm Emanuel, Congressman Danny Davis and Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr.). The 288-bed hospital, located at 225 E. Chicago Avenue directly west of Northwestern Memorial's new Prentice Women's Hospital, is expected to open in 2012.

[the urban politician]

^ Sorry for 5 posts in a row as well as this off-topic comment, but I have to admit--I find it intriguing, indeed fascinating, that Mayor Daley didn't show up to this event esp in light of all the big names that were there.

[ardecila]

Originally Posted by the urban politician

^ I see your point, but lets not forget that great TOD does not always have to be about residential. This is going to be a gargantuan shopping district that's very accessible to transit and friendly to pedestrians. That alone should win some kudos, no?

"Pedestrian-friendly" is all relative. I'd still like to see some major traffic calming to make the street crossings feel safer - some concrete safety islands, or curb bumpouts, or raised crosswalks. But the current situation, the status quo, can certainly accommodate a good number of pedestrians already.

As for the Childrens' Hospital groundbreaking - I drove past on the Drive last weekend wondering when they were going to start, and now I see that they have.

[harryc]

Overview


complete series - higher res

Hanging on




The mat on top of the pilings

[HowardL]

Sweet spot for retail
WEST LOOP | Homes, health club also planned at former Fannie May site

BY DAVID ROEDER AND FRAN SPIELMAN [email protected] [email protected]

Developers of the old Fannie May site on the Near West Side are forging ahead with plans for two residential towers now that the neighborhood has softened its opposition to new high-rises.

From Sun-Times

[the urban politician]

^ I love this line:

Eric Sedler, president of the West Loop Community Organization, said city officials convinced his group that high-rises are appropriate near the expressway.

^ It's about effen time the city starts pushing back. WLCO's demands are beyond ridiculous

[honte]

^ So much for Fioretti being totally useless. Do you guys really think Burnett would have allowed these buildings to be over 115'?

[spyguy]

Originally Posted by the urban politician

More Than 1,000 Children's Memorial Hospital Patients, Physicians, Elected Officials, Donors and Staff Gather to Break Ground on the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago

There's a small rendering of the revised design on their website

[the urban politician]

^ I'm still curious where the —-ugly Reilly-ordained mega-garage is going to be

[Jaroslaw]

Cribchatter is reporting several people saying that Burnham Pointe is going rental. Buyers' deposits are being refunded. Might have some impact on the Avalon Bay project two blocks south.

[emathias]

Originally Posted by Nowhereman1280

... The only time I've ever seen it clear is really late at night and no one in their right mind would want to be in that area at that time anyhow, still not the greatest place to be at night.

Where do you live again? Naperville? I've been there all hours of the night and while it's not State and Schiller, plenty of people "in their right mind" don't mind being there.

[VivaLFuego]

Originally Posted by honte

^ So much for Fioretti being totally useless. Do you guys really think Burnett would have allowed these buildings to be over 115'?

Good on Fioretti for allowing the height, but that doesn't change his off-street parking fetish...