CHICAGO | 108 North State (Block 37)

[dvidler]

This project is far more important to Chicago than the Trump Tower. The Trump Tower adds to by subtraction of the ST building, improves the skyline, and improves the river walk. But B37 brings much more to the table. B37 and Millennium Park are argueably one of the most important projects for Chicago in the past 100 years.

[BVictor1]

There is such a resurgence on this street at this moment. We have MoMo that will be constructed at State and Randolph, there are several old office buildings that are being converted into rental, condo and condo-hotel units. And just today ABC7 broke ground on their streetside studio, and that should be completed sometime this fall. I think that by the end of this decade the strip will be quite vibrant. I just have my fingers crossed that Block 37 is srchitecturally stunning and not gaudy. We don't need another Navy Pier.

[dvidler]

I have a good feeling it will. How does everyone feel about the electronic lighting on the outside of the building ala Times Square? I think its a good thing. Brings energy to the street.

[Rivernorth]

awesome! that whole section of state street is just gonna be so bright! hell, look at ABC's new streetfront studio, which is currently u/c:



with the Chicago Theater and Block 37 all right there, you got a mini Times Square goin already That 40 foot sculpture up front there will be a video screen. ABC's and CBS's streetfront studios really crap all over NBC's ever so elustrious Michigan Avenue Studio they might be pressured into adding some more jazz to thier operations other than a bland rolling red LED ticker. they better atleast

Damn, what awesome news. Go B37 go!

[the urban politician]

^Looks good. The loop good use a bit of that.

But only a bit. Chicago doesn't need to emulate Times Square. Chicago is Chicago, and it always done its own thing.

We're not like LA, which builds crap like City Lights in the hopes that they'll gain the same hoopla that Times Square gets

[Rivernorth]

The article, if it hasnt already been posted. If it has, my apologies, i havent visited in a while.

ABC 7 Chicago officially breaks ground on new sidewalk studio on historic State Street

ABC 7 celebrates the groundbreaking on its new state-of-the-art studio on State Street Thursday, April 7, from 9-9:30 a.m., as construction moves ahead on the future broadcast home of ABC 7 newscasts, special events and other local programming. The 8,200 square foot conversion of existing retail space includes an expansive bay window which extends to the sidewalk – providing an upclose look behind-the-scenes at the city's top-rated newscasts.

Slated for completion this fall, the State Street studio complex will also feature a 40-foot curving video sculpture with integrated LED technology providing various scrolling images. Several high resolution LCD plasma screens inside the studio will allow ABC 7 to broadcast current programming and live tapings. In addition, a video ticker banner will present headlines of the day and important community announcements.

"Our new sidewalk studio is designed as an exciting destination point in the continuing revitalization of this historic downtown area," said Emily Barr, ABC 7 station president and general manager. "ABC 7 has a long tradition of reaching out to the Chicago community, and we'll soon be demonstrating that commitment quite literally – by providing a front-row look at our studio to Chicagoans and others walking down State Street."

"As the news leader in town, we are always looking to interact with our viewers, and this new venue allows us the opportunity to make a connection in ways we've never done before," said Jennifer Graves, Vice President and News Director, ABC 7 Chicago.

"ABC 7 showed its commitment to State Street's revitalization with a major renovation of its studios in the mid-eighties," said Alan F. Bombick, AIA, principal, Legat Architects. "Once again, ABC 7 is stepping up to create an energetic and pioneering statement that will put State Street on the map, and add to the area's growing list of attractions."

The State Street Studio renovations will preserve the image of the 1920's-era building, while capturing a more contemporary image. "Contrasting materials of clear glass and terra cotta will be intertwined in a harmonious entity, each representing a different era of architectural expression," added Vojo Narancic, head of design at Legat Architects.

Turner Construction Special Projects Division is the General Contractor for the State Street Studio project.

[dvidler]

I agree, too much would be a bad thing. But if its done right it will bring energy to the street. I like the ABC studio.

[Rivernorth]

it couldve been this:


design by HLW International LLP Architects. Why does everyone always choose the more conservative design? I guess its cheaper... that wouldve been a lot cooler though

[dvidler]

Rivernorth, can you send a link to that?

[Rivernorth]

http://www.coroflot.com/public/portf...&user_id=59583

had to find it again. i initially found it through an image search on google dosent seem to have much information, however.

[Steely Dan]

the article victor posted about the unique retail requirement of 40% sounds very promising. and now with the CBS lease signing, do i dare allow myself to get a wee bit excited about B37? this thing has been such a rollercoaster ride for the past decade and half that i almost don't want to at this point.

i usually don't relish in being pessimistic about chicago development, but i swear, that piece of land is fucking cursed! it must have been the burial site of some powerful indian cheif or something.

[LA21st]

Wait...who said lights and video screens copy Times Square?
Those asian cities shit all over TSq in a heart beat. If Chicago did that, I wouldnt say it is copying TSQ, since many other large cities do it as well, at a much larger scale. I would like to see Chicago do the same-this city can't keep harking back to the "good old days" of the 1920s for future developments like B37.
If Chicago can figure out something more mind blowing or futuristic than Ginza, go for it. Until then...

[dvidler]

Thats true, if you look back at photos of Randolph Street in the 40's and 50's that block was very bright with theatre signs, etc. Would love to have that back again

[the urban politician]

^You guys really think so?

Don't you think that, instead of blasting people with crappy advertisements and images of half-naked models like they do in Times Sq or Asian cities, Chicago should use LED screens as a way to project art and news--but in a way that doesn't overwhelm the buildings around them? I envision Chicago using LED screens as a complement to the loop's rich architecture, but not to be used excessively; in other words, enough to add some vitality to the streets but without stealing the show away. For example, Times Square is so loaded with big screens that say "Planet Hollywood" and "Howard Johnson" and "Orbitz gum", etc that you can't even see the old turn-of the century buildings that they cover.

Chicago should always remain unique and never try to be too loud--it wouldn't work. I think a huge Coca-cola add would look like crap on Block 37. But hey, that's just my opinion...

[the urban politician]

Originally Posted by Rivernorth

it couldve been this:


design by HLW International LLP Architects. Why does everyone always choose the more conservative design? I guess its cheaper... that wouldve been a lot cooler though

^Actually, I think they chose not to use that design because all of those signs would cover up much of that building's historic lower facade. I can't say I blame them. New York covers up a lot of its historic facades with neon and plastic signage, but Chicago shouldn't (IMO).

Why? Because NYC can get away with it--Manhattan is huge, and there are plenty of historical structures that are "disposable". Downtown Chicago, however, is relatively limited in its collection of historical buildings (compared to NYC, at least). I like the picture you displayed above a lot, but I think I'd rather be able to see the building behind it.

[HK Chicago]

It's also a pretty dark piece of state between lake/randolph. I like the sleeker look of the chosen design (though I'm wondering how the sculpture is really gonna work).

[dvidler]

I dont want big bright advertisements either, at least not too many. But using LED for art, news, etc would be good.

[BVictor1]

April 13, 2005

BY DAVID ROEDER SUN-TIMES COLUMNIST

BLOCKED 37: Mills Corp. could one day regret it ever got involved in Block 37. Downtown's storied and cursed empty lot between the Daley Center and Marshall Field's, now being marketed as 108 N. State, caught a break with the announcement last week that WBBM-Channel 2 inked the lease to anchor an office building on the site. The building at the northeast corner of Dearborn and Washington should be able to go forward with the retail part still in flux.

But retail is where this deal still faces its biggest challenge. Mills has to find tenants for 400,000 square feet of stores, dining and entertainment. And it must work under a city requirement that 40 percent of the retailers be "unique'' to Chicago. Who are the prospects? In the past, Mills has suggested looking at its Madrid Xanadu mall in Spain for hints. But the store list there -- 23 places for women's clothing, 15 for "shoes and handbags,'' suggests little more than Woodfield run amok. Few foreign retailers have a hankering for Chicago. How many "unique'' retailers can risk downtown rents? And if they can, wouldn't many prefer North Michigan Avenue? Mills has a long, hard sell ahead.

[dvidler]

So which one is it? Are they having trouble finding tenants or not?


Exclusive retailers show interest in Block 37

April 7, 2005

BY FRAN SPIELMAN AND DAVID ROEDER Staff Reporters





City Hall's chief planner said Wednesday downtown's empty Block 37 has drawn serious interest from at least 15 retailers, some of which now have no stores in Chicago or the United States.

Denise Casalino, Mayor Daley's planning and development commissioner, said an ordinance designating Mills Corp. as the site's developer requires the project to exude one-of-a-kind retail appeal. She said that to avoid an overrun of stores found in any mall, 40 percent of the stores on the complex's eventual first or second levels must be unique to Chicago.

Mills has 15 letters of intent from retailers wanting to move to Block 37, Casalino said. Letters of intent are promises to negotiate seriously, but represent no commitments to sign a lease.

Casalino declined to name the potential tenants. Mills Executive Vice President Steven Jacobsen also dropped no hints but insisted the interest he's seen from retailers "surpasses anything I've seen in my career."

Jacobsen said he hopes to announce leases in the coming months. He said the decision by Chicago's WBBM-Channel 2 to anchor an office building on Block 37 will bring other users to the site. "There's basically a road map for success on this project," he said.

Casalino discussed Block 37 as the mayor introduced to the City Council ordinances about the development. To herald his station's involvement, Channel 2 General Manager Joseph Ahern attended the council meeting.

Pressed to define the "uniqueness" of the project, Casalino said Mills is "looking at retailers that have only come to New York or they're still only in Europe and this would be their first U.S. expansion. This is going to be a big anchor for State Street -- to completely revitalize it."

Daley said he's convinced that development of the star-crossed Loop parcel is finally moving forward after years of false starts. "Many projects came before us, and we would not allow them to go ahead. ...I'm not willing to sign my name off to anything. ...We look for quality tenants and good retailing and different retailing, to be very frank."

One ordinance introduced Wednesday authorizes the city to sell the property to Mills for $12.3 million, even though Chicago taxpayers bought it back for $32.5 million just three years ago.

A companion ordinance paves the way for construction of a new multilevel CTA station at Block 37 that could ultimately include express service to O'Hare and Midway airports. The super-station will include a 26,600-square-foot airport check-in facility and electronic displays with updated train and airline schedules along with local, national and international weather reports.

The transit component is seen as central to hopes for a high-rise hotel and busy pedestrian traffic at the block, the empty parcel between the Daley Center and Marshall Field's. But the CTA has to tunnel under the site, and that has complicated the planning and added to the costs.

The CTA has already set aside the $130 million needed to build the downtown station and upgrade signals. The agency has yet to secure the money to lay the extra rail line needed to provide express airport service. Even so, Casalino said she hopes to provide express baggage check-in on Day One when the station opens.

Jacobsen said he's confident the CTA will be able to deliver on its involvement. "Watch that space" was his advice to Chicagoans who have been impatient to see something exciting on the block.

Channel 2, the CBS affiliate in Chicago, will occupy 100,000 square feet in an office building at the northeast corner of Dearborn and Washington. Plans allow for the building to offer from 200,000 to 400,000 square feet, depending on market demand.

Jacobsen said he hopes to break ground this fall for the CBS building and the CTA construction, elements that he called phase one of the project.

[the urban politician]

This article is from last week. Some statements from the city and from Daley about the project:

Ordinances pave way for Block 37 development

Legislation enables land transfer and new subway connections

Mayor Richard M. Daley today introduced two ordinances that would facilitate the development of a square block of land at 108 N. State St., known as Block 37.


"This new building will be the center-piece of the downtown area, taking its place among the retail, commercial and theatrical businesses that have helped to make State Street known the world over," Mayor Daley said. "It also means jobs and a boost to the downtown economy as a result of more retail and commercial businesses coming into the Loop."


The first ordinance would approve the sale of the city-owned property to Mills Corp. for the construction of a five- to six-story base structure. The base will include 400,000 square feet of retail, entertainment space and dining, a state-of-the-art CTA station and below-ground parking for 300 vehicles.


Three towers would be constructed above the base for 200 to 300 residential units, an equal number of hotel rooms, as well as 200,000 square feet of office space.


The building will be environmentally friendly with green roofs and terraces atop the building.


The project is set for completion by spring 2008. The lower floors of the office tower are expected to be occupied by CBS/WBBM-TV. The cost of the retail and office portion of the development is $336 million.


A companion ordinance addresses the construction of a new multi-level CTA station that would include direct express rail service between O'Hare and Midway airports as well as connections to the Blue and Red rapid transit lines. Construction on that portion of the project is expected to be completed by 2010. The station could be accessed either through the 108 N. State St building or through existing Blue and Red line entrances.


"The new rail station will be one of the most modern facilities in the country, providing commuters with updated travel information and direct links to three of the most important locations in Chicago; downtown and both airports," Mayor Daley added.


Under the plan, the pedway will be reconfigured to include a 26,600 square foot airport check-in facility and electronic displays providing updated train and airline schedules as well as local, national and international weather reports.


The CTA issued revenue bonds in 2004 in the amount of $250 million for the capital program. $130 million in bond proceeds were allocated in the CTA's 2004 capital budget to fund CTA's share of the airport express project at Block 37. The bond proceeds are effectively cash-in-hand for the CTA and are not subject to future appropriation risks.


The Department of Planning and Development also is seeking authority through an intergovernmental agreement to transfer $42 million in Central Loop Tax Increment Financing (TIF) assistance to make necessary track connections to the existing Red and Blue lines. Mills Corp. will be responsible for the remaining cost.


Mills Corp., based in Arlington, VA, is a leading national and international creative force in retail and currently owns and manages several retail and entertainment mixed-use entities world-wide. It has vast experience in urban projects involving public-private partnerships. Among its most celebrated shopping and entertainment projects are Piers 27-31 in San Francisco, the Madrid Xanadu in Spain and the Block of Orange in California.