CHICAGO | Boom rundown - everything over 12 floors. v5 - Page 424

the urban politician · #**8461** Posted **Aug 16, 2008, 8:47 PM**

Does anybody know anything about that large parking lot directly south of the University Center of Chicago (ie megadorm built on south State St a few years ago)? Does anybody have any big, fancy plans for that site which simply oozes with potential?

Chicago Shawn · #**8462** Posted **Aug 16, 2008, 8:52 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by honte

True, but it also has a surprisingly nice feel at street level. It's probably the only tower built here in the boom that achieves the feel of the "old solidity" that many of the PoMo towers strive for but fail so miserably to achieve.

I quite like it, actually, to my great surprise.

Me too. The brick has very nice detialing and the facade has a lot of volume in it. Much more attention was paid to details than just about every other POMO high-rise built in the last 10 years, and it turned out great. The massing also carries the streetwall of State Street southward and has a nice composition with the Super-dorm across the street.

Chicago Shawn · #**8463** Posted **Aug 16, 2008, 8:56 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by the urban politician

Does anybody know anything about that large parking lot directly south of the University Center of Chicago (ie megadorm built on south State St a few years ago)? Does anybody have any big, fancy plans for that site which simply oozes with potential?

YMCA bought it with the intent of building a new headquarters there, but I belive that plan has been placed on the back burner for now. Perhaps Mr. D can fill in tyhe detials.

harryc · #**8464** Posted **Aug 17, 2008, 2:04 AM**

Aug 14

wrab · #**8465** Posted **Aug 17, 2008, 2:39 AM**

SoNo, Saturday 8/16:

the urban politician · #**8466** Posted **Aug 17, 2008, 2:43 AM**

^ Wow.

I'm not a twin tower kind of guy, but I definitely wouldn't mind seeing two of those..

harryc · #**8467** Posted **Aug 17, 2008, 2:46 AM**

Wrabbit those are superb.

wrab · #**8468** Posted **Aug 17, 2008, 3:05 AM**

^ Thank you!

Superior 110, Saturday 8/16

samoen313 · #**8469** Posted **Aug 17, 2008, 4:22 AM**

^ those are exceptional photos. thanks for doing the footwork to get those.

Tom Servo · #**8470** Posted **Aug 17, 2008, 6:00 AM**

wow, nice wrabbit.

comments: about SONO, amazing! but it doesn't surprise me, those guys have a lot of talent.

about 110, architectural plagiarism anybody? hmmmm...

Mr Downtown · #**8471** Posted **Aug 17, 2008, 6:06 AM**

I just wish Warman had been willing to make Astoria taller. I think the proportions are going to seem too squat and fat for a setback tower.

The lot south of University Center is where the YMCA had planned a little headquarters building, but I think that idea has now faded away. It would make a wonderful place for a new Columbia student center, but so will the NWC 8th/Wabash, especially now that CTA is reopening the Polk Street subway entrance.

VivaLFuego · #**8472** Posted **Aug 17, 2008, 6:53 AM**

Superior 110 surprised me in that it really adds to the feeling of density in that area. Here's hoping the Clark/Chestnut tower also gets built to further enhance things.... and hoping that something goes in that deadening lot on the NEC of LaSalle/Chicago.

I'm really liking SoNo, and can't wait for that area to have a cluster of highrises (well, 3 new ones at least, plus the existing couple of senior housing) and hopefully some midrises joining them. A natural TOD node.

HowardL · #**8473** Posted **Aug 17, 2008, 4:39 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by VivaLFuego

I'm really liking SoNo, and can't wait for that area to have a cluster of highrises (well, 3 new ones at least, plus the existing couple of senior housing) and hopefully some midrises joining them. A natural TOD node.

SoNo has surprised me. I was goofing off in Oz Park yesterday and SoNo has quite the presence. I would almost say it looms from that perspective.

I was always a bit of a snot and didn't really consider that Lincoln Park, but that gorgeous tower definitely makes itself felt in Lincoln Park. It's top notch. I'd love to see more developments like this tower.

photoLith · #**8474** Posted **Aug 17, 2008, 5:46 PM**

I had taken this photo from the Sears Tower a few days ago and I was wondering what was going on where the black arrow is pointing? It looks like quite the large project.

SolarWind · #**8475** Posted **Aug 17, 2008, 5:49 PM**

August 15, 2008

Chicago Shawn · #**8476** Posted **Aug 17, 2008, 6:09 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr Downtown

I just wish Warman had been willing to make Astoria taller. I think the proportions are going to seem too squat and fat for a setback tower.

The lot south of University Center is where the YMCA had planned a little headquarters building, but I think that idea has now faded away. It would make a wonderful place for a new Columbia student center, but so will the NWC 8th/Wabash, especially now that CTA is reopening the Polk Street subway entrance.

Wouldn't Dearborn Park residents rail against a taller building due to shadowing of "their neighborhood"? My guess is Warman sized to avoid the PD process and build as of right.

I agree that a student center would be an ideal use on that lot, I would like to see something other than residential to keep that area mixed-use, although I think some dense student housing would be fantastic. I am also totally stoked about the reopening of the Polk Street entrance, can't wait for it.

Alliance · #**8477** Posted **Aug 17, 2008, 6:15 PM**

Great SoNo shots, good to see 235 WVB progressing. I'm interested to see how that one turns out.

Tom Servo · #**8478** Posted **Aug 17, 2008, 6:45 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by SolarWind

August 15, 2008

man... that form work is really beautiful. does anyone know what aggregate they're using? i really like the color of that concrete. i also really love CMK's commitment to great architecture... other developers should follow their lead.

aaron38 · #**8479** Posted **Aug 17, 2008, 6:53 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by wrabbit

Superior 110, Saturday 8/16

The problem I have with this project is the huge amount of glass it put on an interior lot line. This either precludes the western half of that block from ever being developed to increased density, or those west facing units will one day have a wall 10 feet away and will be unsellable. Not having a view is one thing, not having light is another.
I just see this as really shortsighted urban planning. The western half of that block is going to be needed someday soon.
Or is it landmarked?

Mr Downtown · #**8480** Posted **Aug 17, 2008, 7:07 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chicago Shawn

Wouldn't Dearborn Park residents rail against a taller building due to shadowing of "their neighborhood"? My guess is Warman sized to avoid the PD process and build as of right.

No, none of the shadows would fall on public parks. They'll fall on the two existing highrises. Astoria is already taller than them, so a slightly taller Astoria wouldn't have any effect. South Loop Neighbors asked Warman to consider going taller and told him they'd support him, but, as you say, he wanted to avoid the PD process.