CHICAGO | Highrise Projects & Construction

[i_am_hydrogen]

Originally Posted by wierdaaron

Yeah, if this is going to be the crown jewel of LSE and a showcase of Gang design and Magellan money, I'd think they'd want to stick it here:



You cant legally build something closer to the lake, plus it'd be on the river too and would probably have a good vantage to Navy Pier.

EDIT:

CAB has a good rundown here: http://blog.chicagoarchitecture.info/201...rabbit-out-of-her-hat-at-lakeshore-east/

Along with a handy map I havent seen in a while.

Here's more from the CAB article:

It comes as no surprise that Carlins tells Crain’s that he’s thinking of two possible locations for the new tower. One is obviously next door to Aqua at 205 North Columbus Drive, the so-called “Site O.” The gaping hole is currently zoned for an 80+ story tower, and is across the street from the Fairmont Hotel (200 North Columbus Drive)...

The other potential location, as we see it, is on East Wacker Drive. ”Site C” is adjacent to phase 2 of the GEMS Academy school project...

Sites I, J, K, and L are expected to be purely residential. A hotel makes more sense at Sites C/D because its closer to Michigan Avenue and the rest of Chicago’s tourist attractions.

[wierdaaron]

My only problem with site O is that anything there would feel unceremoniously tucked between two massive rectangles and not receive much visual exposure, plus it might block southern views of Aqua. I'm sure something will go there eventually, but you wont be able to see it from the river unless it was packed tightly to the east side of the lot, in which case you couldn't see it from Randolph or the park because BCBS would block it. A project like this, you'd think they'd want to make sure people could see it.

[Busy Bee]

And the beasts mark has to do with mordor how exactly?

[Chi-Sky21]

Well, lets hope for site C then. Looks like the site we were thinking has 4 buildings and a park scheduled for it. Hopefully 1 or both of the ones along LSD are cool designs.

[LouisVanDerWright]

Yeah, I hope it is site C. A lot of people don't realize that a large building at that site will be highly visible not only from the river corridor, but will also visually terminate Columbus drive from the south. Can't wait to see what Gang is cooking up.

I hope it is not site O because I want to avoid a Studio Gang circlejerk with all of her biggest buildings right next to each other. Site C is sufficiently distant from Aqua that it will not take away from her existing work.

[Steely Dan]

Originally Posted by LouisVanDerWright

Yeah, I hope it is site C. A lot of people don't realize that a large building at that site will be highly visible not only from the river corridor, but will also visually terminate Columbus drive from the south.

no, columbus and site C do not align with each other. columbus is west of BCBS/Aqua/the rest of LSE.

site C roughly aligns with the N/S portion of LSD that goes through grant park.

in fact, site C is the approximate location of where the western half of the old notorious LSD S-curve was located.


source: http://forgottenchicago.com/pics/LSD/cushscurve.jpg

[LouisVanDerWright]

Sorry that's what I meant, terminate LSD (which is much more awesome since alot more people drive on LSD than Columbus) in much the same way that Field Museum does. I was just thinking Columbus due to all the talk about Site O and Aqua.

[i_am_hydrogen]

Site C offers the greatest visual impact, not to mention permanent, unobstructed views to the north.

[chicagogreg]

What already seems like a fairly dense LSE neighborhood is only about half full. There's about 5,000 residents today and plans for the future include 5,000 more. Add in another Gang project and its not too shabby...Very excited

[harryc]

[J_M_Tungsten]

One day soon (skewed a bit), Thanks Harry!

[harryc]

As seen from Lake st

[chris08876]

Some foreshadowing for a potential tower.
====================================
Jeanne Gang Tapped By Aqua Developer For Another Project

Rockstar architect and hometown heavyweight Jeanne Gang has been recommissioned by the Aqua developer for a new project. The tower will be the latest entry to Magellan's 28 acre Lakeshore East development, which has currently has nine sites available according to Crain's. The announcement of the new project comes just weeks after the developer sold the last remaining unit in the award winning Aqua (good timing). Noting their mutually beneficial relationship, Magellan hopes that Gang's magic will produce another landmark building that will have future residents climbing over one another for a space in the new tower. Details on whether the project will consist of condos or rental apartments is unknown, although initial plans do include a hotel. More concrete plans are expected to be revealed in six months.

======================================
AJ LaTrace
http://chicago.curbed.com/archives/2014/...y-aqua-developer-for-another-project.php

[wierdaaron]

^We talked about that all day.

[the urban politician]

Looks like the new owner of Atrium Village is gearing up to move forward on the project

[emathias]

After buying Old Town apartments, Canadian investor could build many more

Canadian real estate firm Onni Group of Cos. continues to stockpile downtown development sites, agreeing to buy an Old Town property where it could build 1,500 new housing units, five times the number currently there.

A venture that includes Vancouver, B.C.-based Onni has agreed to pay about $53 million for the Atrium Village apartment complex, according to people familiar with the deal. Onni is buying the property at the southwest corner of Division and Wells streets from a group including Seattle-based Security Properties Inc.
...

Crains

[pilsenarch]

Gang: I've seen the design, it is on sites C & D. Terminated LSD axis, and the design would not work on any other site... don't know what that guy was talking about. Maybe another design altogether.

[Steely Dan]

Originally Posted by pilsenarch

Gang: I've seen the design, it is on sites C & D. Terminated LSD axis, and the design would not work on any other site... don't know what that guy was talking about. Maybe another design altogether.

WAIT, WHAT? YOU'VE SEEN THE DESIGN?

MORE PLEASE!

does it follow Aqua, or is it going in a new direction? does it borrow the keyhole element from the old Arquitectonica design? at least give me a "it looks promising", or something along those lines.

something. anything. please!

[Chi-Sky21]

Originally Posted by pilsenarch

Gang: I've seen the design, it is on sites C & D. Terminated LSD axis, and the design would not work on any other site...

Pilsen I find your spy skills lacking!! You couldn't sneak in a cell phone pic?!

[guesswho]

What are the guesses for the hotel portion of the project at this point?
Wasn't there a mention when site O was believed to be the next location for a tower, of some new hotel brand (that I've never heard of at least)? Did the hotel name start with an "A"?

Not much in terms of globally branded large hotels that aren't already in Chicago.
1- St. Regis
2- Grand Hyatt
3- Edition (Marriott, yes, still around)
4- Raffles (part of Fairmont, but they really only target Asia)
5- Le Meridien (after exiting Chicago when sold to become Conrad)
6- Mandarin Oriental (if still interested in Chicago after their project on Stetson busted)
7- Shangri-La (if still interested in Chicago after Waterview busted)

Or of course it could also be (if a high end ultra luxury hotel isn't the plan)
1- another large standard hotel like a Marriott/Hilton etc., or an expansion of the current Fairmont as the CAB points out
2- some independent or foreign brand that isn't present/has a larget presence yet in the US (i.e. like AC hotels by Marriott over in River North)
3- doubtful, but a standard chain like Residence Inn, Hilton Garden Inn, Hyatt Place, or a combo like the Tri-Hotels

Thoughts? I'd imagine the hotel would occupy the lower floors......