CHICAGO | Aqua | 858 FT / 262 M | 87 FLOORS

[Jibba]

^Nice photos. That first composition is nice; Aqua is really starting to have a presence in the canyon scene. That last b&w one is nice too--it really showcases that density in that area. Plus, the lack of color is actually flattering for a lot of those LSE forgettables.

[ltsmotorsport]

Originally Posted by Jibba

Tonight

Just awesome.

[Grumpy]

I love this photo which shows the special effects in reflexion of the surroundings.

[honte]

For whatever reason, today was the first day I really noticed Aqua from the Dan Ryan.

It's quite a dense cluster forming over there now... really looks like an extension of the Loop and not an outlying area any more.

[denizen467]

No pics for several days ... are we well past 60 by now? Sure looks it from the street.

[Dr. Taco]

Yeah, like honte said, i was shocked to see aqua appear. However, I saw it coming in from the NW on 94. It's not extreme, but it's still really noticeable right there next to aon center

[denizen467]

It's doing stuff to Streeterville too - giving the whole Fairbanks corridor a more downtown-y feel.

[EarlyBuyer]

Hotel space for sale in Aqua

"...The developer of the 81-story Aqua tower is seeking a new buyer for a planned 225-plus room hotel in the downtown high-rise, about two months after the original buyer, Strategic Hotels & Resorts Inc., dropped out..."

"...Magellan Development Group LLC has hired the Chicago office of CB Richard Ellis Inc. to sell roughly 16 floors of hotel space in the unfinished mixed-use skyscraper, part of the Lakeshore East development just north of Grant Park..."

"...The good news is that Chicago-based Magellan can be flexible on price because Strategic Hotels has forfeited a $28-million letter of credit it offered to secure its purchase contract. So Magellan could sell the space for as little as $56 million, representing a 33% discount, and the financial result would be the same..."


Crain's Chicago Business: http://www.chicagobusiness.com/cgi-bin/news.pl?id=31877

[Alliance]

Maybe this is silly, but would Fairmont extend into Aqua?

[rascacielos]

Originally Posted by Alliance

Maybe this is silly, but would Fairmont extend into Aqua?

Fairmont (Strategic Hotels) is the one that dropped out.

[Alliance]

Originally Posted by rascacielos

Fairmont (Strategic Hotels) is the one that dropped out.

So it was silly lol. Damn I'm so confused.

[CHI-TOWN FLAME]

The Only Building Of Its Style Makes Me Proud That Its In Chi-town

[CHI-TOWN FLAME]

I LUV THIS BUILDING

[ardecila]

Maybe the Hyatt Regency would be interested in the space.

[EarlyBuyer]

Well ardecila, you may be on to something.

Hyatt is introducing a sub-brand called Andaz that seems to be a perfect fit for Aqua. Plus, they would have a connection via the pedway (yes, rather indirect) to their big-boy...HRC.

http://www.andaz.com/hyatt/andaz/index.jsp?icamp=HY_Andaz_Brands

[harryc]

From Wells st bridge

[EarlyBuyer]

Great shot harry!

[denizen467]

Originally Posted by EarlyBuyer

Well ardecila, you may be on to something.

Hyatt is introducing a sub-brand called Andaz that seems to be a perfect fit for Aqua. Plus, they would have a connection via the pedway (yes, rather indirect) to their big-boy...HRC.

http://www.andaz.com/hyatt/andaz/index.jsp?icamp=HY_Andaz_Brands

Great thinking on possibilities for the 'adaptive reuse' (adaptive pre-use??) of this hotel space (ok, wrong metaphor).

Wondering a bit further about that, if Andaz happens to be more of a boutique brand, like W, that usually has fewer rooms and no giant ballrooms or similar major amenities, then perhaps the Aqua space would be better suited to a Hyatt brand a little closer to Hyatt itself. And since an Aqua hotel would be a notch up from the twin tower Regency at Stetson, my thinking is that this could be an ideal Grand Hyatt -- something that Chicago actually lacks, I believe.

This neighborhood is really turning into hotel heaven, and the Pritzkers surely would know a deal when they saw one ($28 million discount on offer).

[EarlyBuyer]

Originally Posted by denizen467

Great thinking on possibilities for the 'adaptive reuse' (adaptive pre-use??) of this hotel space (ok, wrong metaphor).

Wondering a bit further about that, if Andaz happens to be more of a boutique brand, like W, that usually has fewer rooms and no giant ballrooms or similar major amenities, then perhaps the Aqua space would be better suited to a Hyatt brand a little closer to Hyatt itself. And since an Aqua hotel would be a notch up from the twin tower Regency at Stetson, my thinking is that this could be an ideal Grand Hyatt -- something that Chicago actually lacks, I believe.

This neighborhood is really turning into hotel heaven, and the Pritzkers surely would know a deal when they saw one ($28 million discount on offer).

Good one denizen467...Grand Hyatt would definitely be another great candidate for Aqua. Their Hyatt Suites concept failed here, (now the Omni Suites), but Grand Hyatt...you could be onto something. Location proximity to each other = synergy. Perhaps the HRC could do the laundry for the Grand Hyatt, as the space at Aqua was designed without hotel laundry facilities or a substantial kitchen. They were planning to use those at the Fairmont and then rolling them via the new pedway under Columbus Drive.

[trvlr70]

Originally Posted by EarlyBuyer

Good one denizen467...Grand Hyatt would definitely be another great candidate for Aqua. Their Hyatt Suites concept failed here, (now the Omni Suites), but Grand Hyatt...you could be onto something. Location proximity to each other = synergy. Perhaps the HRC could do the laundry for the Grand Hyatt, as the space at Aqua was designed without hotel laundry facilities or a substantial kitchen. They were planning to use those at the Fairmont and then rolling them via the new pedway under Columbus Drive.

I can see that happening: Grand Hyatt Chicago at Millenium Park....or something along those lines.