CHICAGO | Highrise Projects & Construction, v7 - Page 1020

BVictor1 · #**20381** Posted **Mar 14, 2022, 5:30 AM**

1400 S. Wabash

03.12.22

the urban politician · #**20382** Posted **Mar 14, 2022, 12:20 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by ardecila

It's a shame that the Chinatown powers-that-be and IDOT are so opposed to developing those parking lots. If they managed to stop the almighty Madigan from selling off the land, I don't think anyone else will be able to do it. We're likely stuck with those parking lots for another generation at least.

Obviously the backroom dealing here is problematic and there should be a fair/open process, but it's so idiotic to have a major (and busy) CTA station on the edge of downtown that is surrounded by parking lots. Put all that parking in a single big garage and let somebody build densely on the land that is freed up.

Hmmm I don't know if it's going to take a generation.

That parking lot is increasingly going to be prime real estate as development keeps pouring in. THe 78, McCormick area stuff, completion of Wells-Wentworth, and the Asian/Chinese community continues to grow. I can see a hybrid garage/hotel/?residential going into that lot that could provide revenue as well as shoppers for the community, and that would appeal a lot to local business owners.

ardecila · #**20383** Posted **Mar 14, 2022, 3:34 PM**

No I think they genuinely want it to stay as a parking lot. Right now since IDOT owns the land, the parking rates are kept below market rate. If the parking is sold to a private operator, the rates will go way up. Since lots of Chinese people drive into Chinatown from across the region, it makes sense why the businesses want not just ample parking but also cheap parking so their customers don't just go to H Mart in the suburbs instead.

Also the new council remap will likely create an Asian-majority ward for Chinatown. Given what happened here, I think that alderman will create an additional roadblock to developing these lands.

Maybe there's a deal to be made here if the city chips in money to build a public garage, but Lightfoot is completely uninterested in these types of deals unlike Rahm.

marothisu · #**20384** Posted **Mar 14, 2022, 5:32 PM**

The only way it won't be a parking lot 20 years from now is if someone can develop it and provide a ton of parking underground/garage. As it was stated above, tons of people drive in especially on weekends to Chinatown for meals with their family. There's definitely a bug fuss about keeping that a parking lot amongst the local Chinese population - trust me. Remember there's more Chinese people who live in Bridgeport than Chinatown itself. And there's thousands more in McKinley Park, Brighton Park, Archer Heights, and also downtown. Plus many people drive in from the suburbs too where there's even more.

r18tdi · #**20385** Posted **Mar 14, 2022, 5:47 PM**

Big changes to the podium of 1353 W. Fulton (slide 17):
https://www.chicago.gov/content/dam/...NTATION_JS.pdf

Not sure if it's an improvement. Looks like a bunker, I guess they are trying to make it look like two different structures.
And once again, the "floating corner" gets nixed (similar to what was cut from the original design of 1215 W. Fulton)... boo

Rizzo · #**20386** Posted **Mar 14, 2022, 6:02 PM**

The parking podium seems to be a real struggle for a lot of architects. Yes, I know SOM is the designer here, but I’m speaking of the parking podium trend in chicago in general. Really they got to break up these massive plinths to feel like separate buildings. Looks like they did that. First step accomplished. Next step is to give something better to look at above floor 2. That could be preserving a historic facade which isn’t an option here, but has been for other site. Or you could put in a liner building, but that doesn’t always integrate efficiently with the building program, so understandably not workable here. Or do some sort of green wall, but those don’t always end up like we imagine them to be. That leaves a “porch option” where the structural massing remains intact but the parking floors and envelope are pushed inward leaving a tall open terrace that can feasibly be used as a perimeter green space amenity that will be more capable of vegetation and provide an activated use. Could be used as a walking path or dog runs or landscaping.

The proposed treatment looks like a Brise soleil facade. Architecturally looks kind of cool but terrible pedestrian experience and scale.

BVictor1 · #**20387** Posted **Mar 14, 2022, 9:44 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by r18tdi

Big changes to the podium of 1353 W. Fulton (slide 17):
https://www.chicago.gov/content/dam/...NTATION_JS.pdf

Not sure if it's an improvement. Looks like a bunker, I guess they are trying to make it look like two different structures.
And once again, the "floating corner" gets nixed (similar to what was cut from the original design of 1215 W. Fulton)... boo

What in the name of Stevie Wonder...

What fucktard thought this was an improvement?

The previous iteration of the base was far superior even if it was itself, mediocre.

Just no with this "new and improved" base, it's monolithic garbage and a visually distracting feature.

Randomguy34 · #**20388** Posted **Mar 14, 2022, 10:01 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by r18tdi

And once again, the "floating corner" gets nixed (similar to what was cut from the original design of 1215 W. Fulton)... boo

The floating corners are still there, although there is a small section in the middle surrounded by glass. That said, the design has certainly gotten much worse

k1052 · #**20389** Posted **Mar 15, 2022, 12:50 PM**

Oh dear. TFW the "introduction of brick" is done in a maximally sarcastic way.

the urban politician · #**20390** Posted **Mar 15, 2022, 1:10 PM**

Multiple sources reporting on rents REALLY going up downtown.

Got me thinking, on the way into work this morning:

Will that,

A) Lead to an increase in announced highrise construction projects, or

B) Not make a difference because of soaring inflation (ie construction labor, materials, supply chain, interest rates, etc)

??

southoftheloop · #**20391** Posted **Mar 15, 2022, 1:53 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by BVictor1

What in the name of Stevie Wonder...

What fucktard thought this was an improvement?

The previous iteration of the base was far superior even if it was itself, mediocre.

Just no with this "new and improved" base, it's monolithic garbage and a visually distracting feature.

I don't mind it? Lined with active use.

Handro · #**20392** Posted **Mar 15, 2022, 2:55 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by the urban politician

Multiple sources reporting on rents REALLY going up downtown.

Got me thinking, on the way into work this morning:

Will that,

A) Lead to an increase in announced highrise construction projects, or

B) Not make a difference because of soaring inflation (ie construction labor, materials, supply chain, interest rates, etc)

??

That's weird, I thought the city was dying and nobody wants to live downtown unless they have to for work--which is all remote now.

So weird.

the urban politician · #**20393** Posted **Mar 15, 2022, 3:04 PM**

^ Now that you got that off of your chest, do you have a prediction about construction or do you have more axe grinding to do?

Randomguy34 · #**20394** Posted **Mar 15, 2022, 4:03 PM**

In a Crain's podcast, Onni Group recently closed on 357 N Green. The site is next to their development at 354 North Union, and several Sterling Bay office developments

https://www.chicagobusiness.com/crai...g-loop-rebound

west-town-brad · #**20395** Posted **Mar 15, 2022, 5:08 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Handro

That's weird, I thought the city was dying and nobody wants to live downtown unless they have to for work--which is all remote now.

So weird.

assuming this is a sarcastic response... because it's something I would say

my parents always say stuff like "everyone is leaving chicago" yadda yadda yadda

and my response is always.... who is everyone?!

west-town-brad · #**20396** Posted **Mar 15, 2022, 5:11 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by r18tdi

Big changes to the podium of 1353 W. Fulton (slide 17):
https://www.chicago.gov/content/dam/...NTATION_JS.pdf

Not sure if it's an improvement. Looks like a bunker, I guess they are trying to make it look like two different structures.
And once again, the "floating corner" gets nixed (similar to what was cut from the original design of 1215 W. Fulton)... boo

item#3 or the "bunker" like you say looks like the poetry museum in river north