CHICAGO | Boom rundown - everything over 12 floors. v5

[denizen467]

Originally Posted by Bellow

One way I define urban quality is whether you can walk down the same street many times and each time find something interesting to look at. Variety and quality lead to interest.

BVic, this ain't enough for ya?

[jcchii]

that parking deck is slated for something

[johnandahalf]

Originally Posted by Bellow

One way I define urban quality is whether you can walk down the same street many times and each time find something interesting to look at.

DING DING DING DING DING DING - we have a winner!

Here in Atlanta, we have very few historic buildings. Everything got burnt down in the 1860s, and as Atlanta was rebuilt, nothing was really allowed to "age" before it was torn down and replaced with something else. You guys have Burnham (bros), Sullivan, Wright, Mies van der Rohe (sp?), etc. We have Portman. Oh, and Novare (I think I just threw up in my mouth a little).

ô¿ô

[harryc]

From July 20


May 21


June 24


July 20


Sept 22


Full set

[honte]

^ And, speaking of the site just west of the one in Harry's last photo, here we have a little story about a guy with the right idea, but when it comes to design, sadly doesn't have a clue. Ugh.


____________________

Reschke plans high-end River North hotel
By Alby Gallun, Sep. 24, 2008
http://www.chicagorealestatedaily.com/cgi-bin/news.pl?id=31133

(Crain’s) — About six months after launching construction of a 610-room hotel in the Loop, developer Michael Reschke is drawing up plans for a 235-room boutique hotel in River North.

The Gansevoort Hotel Group, a New York boutique hotel chain, has agreed to run the proposed hotel at 500 N. State St., Mr. Reschke says. The developer, who will build and own the hotel, has signed a contract to buy the site, currently a surface parking lot just south of the Rock Bottom Brewery

...

Mr. Reschke has tapped Spanish architect Ricardo Bofill to design the 15-story tower, which will resemble a “classical glass temple,” he says. Mr. Bofill has designed other buildings for Mr. Reschke, most notably the office buildings at 77 W. Wacker Drive and 131 S. Dearborn St.

____________

Reschke is the only local high-rise developer hiring respected foreign architects, mixing things up, but he keeps hiring the same damn guy and asking him to do the same damn 1980s junk. I'll wait to see it, but my hopes are very low. Someone should drop off a binder for him with real cutting-edge architecture in it.


This chain is supposed to be so edgy and daring, yet their Chicago location is going to be housed in a mini RR Donnelly building?

[trvlr70]

I think this is great news. I have stayed twice at the Hotel Gansevort in NYC's Meatpacking district. This is one of the coolest hotels ever where every detail is well thought. I have no doubt the developer will put the same care and energy into this property. And for the record, I like Bofill and the United Building.

My only wish is that the location was different. River North has already arrived. The hotel will no doubt be a sucess and could do wonders for a more transitional hood.

[spyguy]

Originally Posted by honte

Reschke is the only local high-rise developer hiring respected foreign architects, mixing things up, but he keeps hiring the same damn guy and asking him to do the same damn 1980s junk.

Old habits die hard. At least it sounds like this will be fairly glassy.

[wrab]

Three Bofils in town is two too many.

[Chicago Shawn]

Originally Posted by trvlr70

I think this is great news. I have stayed twice at the Hotel Gansevort in NYC's Meatpacking district. This is one of the coolest hotels ever where every detail is well thought. I have no doubt the developer will put the same care and energy into this property. And for the record, I like Bofill and the United Building.

My only wish is that the location was different. River North has already arrived. The hotel will no doubt be a sucess and could do wonders for a more transitional hood.

I too like 77 W. Wavker, but the 131 S. Dearborn Tower which has that "glass column" look is a failure. I think this one could be a coin toss on the outcome, but I have higher hopes with such a nice hotel signed on. Of course, that is never a guarantee for good design (i.e. The Peninsula).

I agree on location, but which different location did you have in mind? You can you think of any transitional hoods that would even allow a 15 story hotel to be built....

-Gold Coast? doubtful north of Division, south of Division has already arrived.
-Near South Side? maybe
-West Loop Gate? Never
-Lincoln Park? Already arrived and no likely chance there
-Wicker Park? No way
-Lakeview? Well, if 9 story hotel brought out such backlash than a 15 story hotel would be a nonstarter.


Of course they could change the form into a smaller profile, but then you still have the complaints about traffic and such.

[ih8spires]

I just hope the new Bofil helps to hide Grand Plaza!

[Alliance]

Bofil isn't a non-starter for me. Thank god its not someone like LaGrange. 77 is a good tower. Citadel center is ok, but I dont think either one is detrimental and I think they both provide some benefits.

[Nowhereman1280]

^^^ The thing I like about Bofill is that he has some really quality finishes and details and the glass is usually stellar or at least interesting, all things most other new River North buildings lack.


Also, they are erecting the tower crane at Walton on the Park today...

[trvlr70]

Originally Posted by Chicago Shawn

-Lakeview? Well, if 9 story hotel brought out such backlash than a 15 story hotel would be a nonstarter.


Of course they could change the form into a smaller profile, but then you still have the complaints about traffic and such.

Actually Lakeview desperately needs a high-end hotel. I'd take the Gansevoort Hotel there even at a much reduced height. Between the high end neighborhood and the nightlife and dinning venues, there is a real demand for hotels in the area.

But I think the hood is already fairly cool to begin with.

[BVictor1]

The tower crane for 1555 Wabash was coming down today

[Tom Servo]

Originally Posted by wrabbit

Three Bofils in town is two too many.

...don't you mean three too many?

[Tom Servo]

Originally Posted by honte

...Reschke is the only local high-rise developer hiring respected foreign architects, mixing things up, but he keeps hiring the same damn guy and asking him to do the same damn 1980s junk. I'll wait to see it, but my hopes are very low. Someone should drop off a binder for him with real cutting-edge architecture in it.


This chain is supposed to be so edgy and daring, yet their Chicago location is going to be housed in a mini RR Donnelly building?

it could be worse... at least it won't be an abominable eyesore like that OMA tower in louisville or that HERZOG + DE MEURON tower in new york... you know? why cut the edge when we could just revive the beauty and timelessness of greece? if it ain't broke, don't mess with it, right?

abandon your modernist dogma and embrace the pomo, honte... WOOOT WOOOT!!!!

[honte]

^ Oh yeah, get down to the PoMo...

Adrian, why not send him some jpgs of that stuff and some Jean Nouvel things while you're at it?

Originally Posted by trvlr70

And for the record, I like Bofill and the United Building.

Well, I don't detest 77 Wacker (United Building) either. I think, for its time, it was a good stab at the current trends in architecture.

But here we are, almost 2010, and they're still up to the same bag o' tricks. Not good. Glass temple was tried and it didn't work. Bofill, meanwhile, was a darn good architect in the Modern period and I'd like to see progress.

[Chicago3rd]

I think I will like the lobby - Buck seems to do them right:



Moving up:



Think we have 2 floors to go. Webpage says 48 storys and the last one marked is 45:

[Orbitz66]

Those are some sweet new perspective pics of 155 N Wacker. Thanks for posting those, I had been hoping to see what the lobby area looked like

[denizen467]

Originally Posted by Chicago3rd

I think I will like the lobby - Buck seems to do them right:

That's not the lobby. That will be an exterior sidewalk arcade open to pedestrians.