CHICAGO | One Chicago | 971 FT & 574 FT | 78 & 49 FLOORS

[Manitopiaaa]

What a beauty, though I can't look at it without remembering that it's 13' shorter than a supertall for no reason.

[MAC123]

Originally Posted by Manitopiaaa

What a beauty, though I can't look at it without remembering that it's 13' shorter than a supertall for no reason.

That kinda pisses me off. I feel the same every time I see a tower get within like 30 feet or something and I'm just like wtf. Not even gonna stick a small spire on there or anything?

[Klippenstein]

Originally Posted by RedCorsair87

Agreed. Maybe a green glass tower or two.

What else is there left to potentially redevelop in RN?

-Walgreens
-McDonalds
-Portillos (I hope it stays!)
-Rainforest Cafe
-Caspian Rugs
-Lawson House parking lot
-Post Office
-Parking garage above Shake Shack

I was just tooling around on google street view (because a lot of the downtown area has been updated to August 2021) and it looks like the Rainforest Cafe is closed for good. There's a 'for lease' sign out front. I wonder what that means for the future of this building.

Sorry if this is the wrong thread. I just did a search and this was the last post mentioning it.

[thegoatman]

They need to redevelop that new mcdonalds. Doesn't matter if they just redeveloped it 3 years ago, absolute short sighted thinking to build a drive thru, suburban mcdonalds in that prime location.

But yeah, there's lots of spots that could be redeveloped in River North. Would love to see more developments like One Chicago, took over a massive parking lot and built this beauty.

[the urban politician]

Originally Posted by thegoatman

They need to redevelop that new mcdonalds. Doesn't matter if they just redeveloped it 3 years ago, absolute short sighted thinking to build a drive thru, suburban mcdonalds in that prime location.

^ Not short sighted thinking at all.

The owner of that McDonald's definitely has a long view. He's making money hand over fist, and saving that lot for years as other ones get developed, demand increases, and he can finally sell it some day for mounds and mounds of mucho dinero.

I am so jealous.....

[bgsrand]

Originally Posted by the urban politician

^ Not short sighted thinking at all.

The owner of that McDonald's definitely has a long view. He's making money hand over fist, and saving that lot for years as other ones get developed, demand increases, and he can finally sell it some day for mounds and mounds of mucho dinero.

I am so jealous.....

A true covered land play at it's finest. Atleast the site is active, there are plenty of other vacant lots to the West being used as parking lots. Also a covered land play but less activated.

[Briguy]

Originally Posted by the urban politician

^ Not short sighted thinking at all.

The owner of that McDonald's definitely has a long view. He's making money hand over fist, and saving that lot for years as other ones get developed, demand increases, and he can finally sell it some day for mounds and mounds of mucho dinero.

I am so jealous.....

Doesn’t McDonald’s corporate own most locations and lease them back to franchisees. That’s why they never get redeveloped. The ricketts had to pay WAY over ask and guarantee a lease to get the wrigley one. McDonald’s is actually a property management company, not a restaurant lol

[sentinel]

Originally Posted by Briguy

Doesn’t McDonald’s corporate own most locations and lease them back to franchisees. That’s why they never get redeveloped. The ricketts had to pay WAY over ask and guarantee a lease to get the wrigley one. McDonald’s is actually a property management company, not a restaurant lol

The Ross Barney-designed McDonald's in River North is corporate owned, I believe, not a franchise store.

[the urban politician]

^ Ah, thanks for clarifying.

So it goes without saying that even if a high rise gets built here some day, it will probably have a permanent McDonald’s

[rivernorthlurker]

Originally Posted by sentinel

The Ross Barney-designed McDonald's in River North is corporate owned, I believe, not a franchise store.

Which is probably why they can afford to hold out for so long or at least aren't tempted to sell. On the flip side, the lot for One Chicago Square went for $100 million IIRC. Given that corporations exist to make money, they'll bite when the time is right. But seeing how new the new McDonald's is there it will probably be at least another 5 years or more.

On the bright side Rainforest was sold so I'm eager to see what happens to that lot. Has anyone heard about plans? I think it was purchased by Conlon.

[BuildThemTaller]

Originally Posted by rivernorthlurker

Which is probably why they can afford to hold out for so long or at least aren't tempted to sell. On the flip side, the lot for One Chicago Square went for $100 million IIRC. Given that corporations exist to make money, they'll bite when the time is right. But seeing how new the new McDonald's is there it will probably be at least another 5 years or more.

On the bright side Rainforest was sold so I'm eager to see what happens to that lot. Has anyone heard about plans? I think it was purchased by Conlon.

That McDonald's next to the Hard Rock Cafe, I doubt they ever sell it. It's essentially a tourist trap and operational billboard for McDonald's, kind of like their version of the Starbucks Roastery. That thing is a beacon for visitors to the city, at least when it was the Rock n' Roll McDonald's. I'm not sure it is quite the same with the new design. At any rate, they use that to test out concepts. It's more than just a regular old McDonald's, like the one at State and Chicago.

[Briguy]

Hate the surface lot but I personally like the rn mcds building. It’s essentially the poor mans art institute modern wing.

[emathias]

Originally Posted by Briguy

Hate the surface lot but I personally like the rn mcds building. It’s essentially the poor mans art institute modern wing.

It used to be. It used to have s lot of nice designer furniture in the second floor. But of course the general public can't keep nice things nice.

[harryc]

Oct 17

crossing Chicago in Oak Park


Oct 20

From the Ashland El sta.

[gebs]

Stunning images, Harry.

[pantsblanket]

Originally Posted by BuildThemTaller

That McDonald's next to the Hard Rock Cafe, I doubt they ever sell it. It's essentially a tourist trap and operational billboard for McDonald's, kind of like their version of the Starbucks Roastery. That thing is a beacon for visitors to the city, at least when it was the Rock n' Roll McDonald's. I'm not sure it is quite the same with the new design. At any rate, they use that to test out concepts. It's more than just a regular old McDonald's, like the one at State and Chicago.

that's the wrong one. There's a — one that gets crime action directly across the street from this site. The building next to it has vacant retail, a Taco Bell that's weirdly always empty (for a Taco Bell anyway) and a Chic Fil A. There's also another parking lot across from it.

I guess I can see the area with the big McD/Hard Rock/Portillos staying a tourist trap but I don't really get where these people are staying? That's a really weird area of River North. I feel like the quieter areas around this massive development will develop before them.

[harryc]

Originally Posted by pantsblanket

that's the wrong one. There's a — one that gets crime action directly across the street from this site. The building next to it has vacant retail, a Taco Bell that's weirdly always empty (for a Taco Bell anyway) and a Chic Fil A. There's also another parking lot across from it.

I guess I can see the area with the big McD/Hard Rock/Portillos staying a tourist trap but I don't really get where these people are staying? That's a really weird area of River North. I feel like the quieter areas around this massive development will develop before them.

[gebs]

Or at the Moxy. That place is pretty cool.

[The Pimp]

Is that the Ohio Inn?

[left of center]

Sure is. That place so badly needs to go. So does the Best Western kitty corner to this site, but as ugly as it is, its at least its a more urban design that the Ohio House.