CHICAGO | Highrise Projects & Construction

[denizen467]

Originally Posted by BVictor1

200 N. Michigan Avenue

Speaking of the Lake/Michigan area and the exact spot from which this photo was taken, I didn't realize until this week that Billy Goat had opened a new location right here. It'll be right in the middle of Virgin, 73 East, 200 North, and all the other new hotel action.

[Chi-Sky21]

Seems like a good location to handle their customers while the other is rebuilt in the new Realtors building. If/when that EVER gets going. Seems like we should have heard more about that by now if it was really going to happen.

[the urban politician]

Originally Posted by Chi-Sky21

Seems like a good location to handle their customers while the other is rebuilt in the new Realtors building. If/when that EVER gets going. Seems like we should have heard more about that by now if it was really going to happen.

...just how fast do you think things like this happen?

[harryc]

Jan 29


Feb 4

[Mikemak27]

There are three main 'luxury' rental apartment buildings leasing up this sulmer in the loop and west loop, 111 wacker, 73 east lake and Catalyst. Yet none of them have a real website listing prices, features, and floor plans. How can a developer and management company drop the ball like this.

[kemachs]

Originally Posted by harryc

So...are the random window misplacements done on purpose?

Maybe this is similar to 111 W Wacker, and they'll be fixed before this wraps up

[wierdaaron]

I'm thinking there's an opening in the field of glass installation coordination. It's easy to imagine how those mistakes are made when you consider they're installed from inside and can't see other floors, but the fact that they happen so often makes me think the process isn't much more refined than "these ones go here and this one goes there".

[Chi-Sky21]

Originally Posted by the urban politician

...just how fast do you think things like this happen?

Seems to me that something such large scaled as this, they MAY just have some renderings or sketches. Most major projects are announced with some sort of visual representation.

[Chicago_Forever]

^^^Didn't you read any of the original ( I posted the one from Crains) articles when the news broke?

If I recall correctly, I believed it was clearly stated that this development was something they (NAR) were exploring and that nothing was official.

Patience goes a long way. Btw, all this can be found by googling it.

" As long as NAR and the partner come to an agreement, movement on the project would start someone in the next six to eight months. Demolition of the existing building would not commence for approximately two years while the project is being designed and permitted. And the construction phase would last three years, giving the project a timeframe of about five years." - See more at: http://www.inman.com/2013/11/11/nar-take...uarters-in-chicago/#sthash.XeERI1Uo.dpuf

[wierdaaron]

It takes the patience of generations with building projects in this city. One generation of monarch butterflies knows they won't get to Mexico but they point south and flap their wings knowing that the the next one might. So it is also with highrises.

For example, check out the time spans between the first and most recent posts in the threads for Wolf Point, River Point, or anything else tall. When these things take 10+ years between announcement and completion, a few months without update is nothing. Mere wingflaps in thermal streams.

[Randomguy34]

Originally Posted by wierdaaron

It takes the patience of generations with building projects in this city. One generation of monarch butterflies knows they won't get to Mexico but they point south and flap their wings knowing that the the next one might. So it is also with highrises.

For example, check out the time spans between the first and most recent posts in the threads for Wolf Point, River Point, or anything else tall. When these things take 10+ years between announcement and completion, a few months without update is nothing. Mere wingflaps in thermal streams.

This quote perfectly sums it up.

[Chi-Sky21]

Originally Posted by Chicago_Forever

^^^Didn't you read any of the original ( I posted the one from Crains) articles when the news broke?

If I recall correctly, I believed it was clearly stated that this development was something they (NAR) were exploring and that nothing was official.

Patience goes a long way. Btw, all this can be found by googling it.

Actually yes i did read it all, and thanks for explaining google, i have been wondering what that was for YEARS now. I was merely stating that I would like a render. If i had a major project like this, with a major tenant already (realtors) and the rumored big money behind it, i would have waited to announce it with some pictures. You have 2 other propsed major skyscrapers (spire/wolf)along the river that already have a jump on you (somewhat)so i would have done it differently. But what do i know, i am just a forum commentator. And yes patience is a good virtue to have, it's such a tease though to announce something without any visuals!! But that is part of the fun i guess, imagining all the possibilities.

[the urban politician]

Originally Posted by Chi-Sky21

Actually yes i did read it all, and thanks for explaining google, i have been wondering what that was for YEARS now. I was merely stating that I would like a render. If i had a major project like this, with a major tenant already (realtors) and the rumored big money behind it, i would have waited to announce it with some pictures. You have 2 other propsed major skyscrapers (spire/wolf)along the river that already have a jump on you (somewhat)so i would have done it differently. But what do i know, i am just a forum commentator. And yes patience is a good virtue to have, it's such a tease though to announce something without any visuals!! But that is part of the fun i guess, imagining all the possibilities.

^ I think the mistake you are making is assuming that this was farther along than it really was. That news was simply the NAR board voting to move forward on the project. That's all it was. If you read the article you would not be surprised that there hasn't been any follow up news quite yet.

In addition, you've got Ald Reilly beating his chest like a gorilla right after the news, proclaiming "nobody ever came to me with this! GAAAHHH!!!! I'm a T-Rex! Be scared of me!" I'm sure the NAR board were all doing the eye roll after that, since the announcement was just a vote to move forward, nothing more & nothing less.

[ethereal_reality]

Originally Posted by wierdaaron

The view from the top few floors of Pittsfield has to be incredible. There's nothing as tall for several blocks.

My dentist was located on one of the highest floors in the Pittsfield Building and the view was spectacular.

...and there's also the impressive 5-story atrium lobby.


http://www.pittsfield55.com/amenities.htm

lobby detail

http://www.bizbash.com/ideabooks/12112/89690#.UwDX_WJdWSo



elevator bank leading to the 5-story atrium.

http://www.bridesbubblesandbliss.com/home/new-chicago-venue-the-pittsfield/

This is a perfect place for a hotel.
__

[Rizzo]

Indeed. Just imagine how much nicer it will look with those crappy office drop ceilings gone. If there's one thing I can't stand, it's modern office ceilings clashing with the window opening of an older building.

[harryc]

And the next week (BVic)

[BVictor1]

^Damn, the same exact angle.

This just proves our awesomeness Harry.

[LouisVanDerWright]

Interesting conversations going on. Just to tie two of them together:

The development process is long and slow when viewed from a human perspective. For example, if a developer only takes on one project at a time their entire career, they may only complete 4-6 large projects in their lifetime. Many developers don't even get started until they are in their 50's and have an established career just like John O'Donnell at 150 N Riverside.

However, when viewed from the perspective of a city, the development process seems extremely short. The Pittsfield Building is a great example of this. It was the tallest building in the city when completed in 1926 and less than 100 years later it is almost completely lost in a forest of significantly taller buildings.

Development also comes and goes in very intense waves where a lot of projects that have been on the boards for years finally get built in rapid succession. We obviously saw that in the 2000's (now SEVEN years since the peak of the boom, god I am getting old) and now are lining up for the next burst of activity. There is a lot of cash out there right now and it is all chasing yield. I have talked to a lot of people in the industry lately who have noticed the same things I have. We have all seen a rapid pickup in activity across the board and 2014 is looking to be the 2003 or 2004 of this cycle. Things are really starting to break loose and there is still a lot of pent up demand out there that the slow ramp up in apartment construction doesn't even come close to addressing.

Call me crazy, but I am pretty optimistic about the chances of Chicago popping off a handful of supertalls (if not our first ultratall) in the next 3-5 years. Hopefully NAR becomes a real thing and adds another Sears sized building to the skyline. In the event the Spire and another 1300-1500' tower get built, buildings like the Hancock and Big Stan that were once the city's tallest are going to go the way of the Pittsfield Building and start to fade into the background of the skyline as they are diminished by larger buildings.

[HomrQT]

Originally Posted by harryc

I hate to see this baby go because there's no new art deco in the city coming along to replace it. Can we not all agree that art deco is just as classy as it comes? This isn't even a strong example of art deco and in my eyes it shines.

[harryc]

And the next week (BVic)