CHICAGO | Boom rundown - everything over 12 floors. v5

[SolarWind]

July 23, 2008

[Loopy]

Looks like site prep to me. The parking lot is closed and all of the asphalt has been grubbed off. Soil test derrick was here a couple of months ago.

Has this project been approved yet?

[VivaLFuego]

There's a soil testing rig on the 120 N. Jefferson site. A few years ago this had a generic office block proposed, and we haven't heard anything since. The site is zoned DC-12, meaning FAR 12.0 so something fairly substantial could be built as-of-right without going through the PD extortion process.

[Chicago Shawn]

^^Wasn't 120 N. Jefferson sold to the Juniper Development group? If so, I belive they are planning a 40+ story apartment tower. Could be wrong though, that Crains article was a while back.

[wrab]

The Wit, Saturday 7/26:

[wrab]

SoNo, with VDT's Halstead/Blackhawk Group on the left, Saturday 7/26:

[bnk]

Thanks Wrabbit




Damn I like it. Why not, green and all? I like the angle and to hell with it.

And a bonus Burnham quote to boot.

[honte]

^ I have a friend who legitimately mistook the name of this building for "The Wiz." I thought that was awfully apropos.

[i_am_hydrogen]

Taken today:

[VivaLFuego]

Originally Posted by Chicago Shawn

^^Wasn't 120 N. Jefferson sold to the Juniper Development group? If so, I belive they are planning a 40+ story apartment tower. Could be wrong though, that Crains article was a while back.

That'd be pretty good, if true. At least 40 stories is the type of density that should be built around there with such good transportation access. Hopefully development continues in a mixed-use fashion so it's not too exclusively residential development here on out, since anything east of about Jefferson is excellent for offices.

That said, at 40 stories I think they'd have crossed the height threshold (somewhere around 300ft for D(owntown) zoning districts, right?) that triggers a PD, so I'll keep my eyes out for any notices there.

[i_am_hydrogen]

Taken today:

[harryc]

July 25 - from State/Lake

[harryc]

July 25 am

[wrab]

^ Those pics of the glass are really good - much better than mine, actually! The tinge is an odd, snotty green - puce? I'm intrigued by how these shades have been popping up on the cityscape lately - not just on the (t)Wit, but on residential highrises like the Grand Kingsbury as well. Hitherto, I've only seen them on 1) certain firetrucks (for visability); 2) certain Chrysler subcompacts; 3) the bloated corpses of putrifying dead animals.

I wonder if this is all tied in to market research, or if one individual color consultant has just been getting some big projects recently. Or is it all just zeitgeist, and if so, what does it say about our current era?

In any case, these heavy yellow/green-tinted earth tones are not particularly appealing to the reptilian brain. If a food were the color of the paint on the Kingsbury, one's reaction would be avoidance. So, what do you think gives?

[Marcu]

^ I think it's just an attempt to stand out in a time where so many high rises have the standard blue or green glass. Or maybe some Chinese glass supplier is offering it at a discount.

[spyguy]

Anyone know if it's real or just conceptual?

Conservatory Tower
Chicago, Illinois

Conservatory Tower aspires to set a precedent for environmentally sensitive tall buildings in Chicago’s urban context. The 1.1 million sf project is composed of two distinct yet complementary components, a conservatory or enclosed winter garden, and an 80 story hotel and condo tower rising above.

The 28,000 sf winter garden is enclosed by a high efficiency glazing system, protecting a lush landscape and occupants from inclement weather, noise and air pollution, while optimizing natural air ventilation. The tower’s thin profile makes full use of natural light, while minimizing heat gain during summer months and shadow effect on neighboring spaces. Natural light can reach the interior spaces, reducing energy consumption year round. Topping the tower is a Sky Garden containing a number of condominium amenities and an enclosed garden.

[10023]

Looks very cool but must be conceptual. I'd love to see that as an office building but the floorplates probably aren't large enough.

Wouldn't hold my breath for this or the W=A tower though. Hopefully Waterview is completely and the Spire becomes reality, then wait for the next real estate cycle in about 10 years.

[Alliance]

Wit is looking great.

Conservatory Tower also looks interesting.

As to 10023's comments, I'm not great at this, but I do feel the Chicago will continue to settle down into a normal development pace. I still think we have to get over the construction delay of the boom hump, but I think a good number of projects, (GP towers, Arqui, Intercontinental AND W=A), will continue.

[wrab]

^ The SCB is intriguing. No parking component?

SoNo panos from North Ave bridge, Sunday 7/27:

[Chi_Coruscant]

Originally Posted by spyguy

Anyone know if it's real or just conceptual?

[I]Conservatory Tower
Chicago, Illinois

I like that concept. Is that the rumored supertall mentioned last year?