CHICAGO | 669 N Michigan Ave | 668 FT | 56 FLOORS

[Urbannizer]

[r18tdi]

669 N. Michigan looks decent. Definitely following the "sliced minimalism" trend of WPE, OneEleven, Northwater Apts., etc.

I'm not too upset about losing the existing storefronts. If anything, I'll miss the views of the Warwick Allterton from street level more, but it's a small price to pay.

This one should probably get its own thread, no?

[munchymunch]

Probably ^

I’m personally not against tearing this down either. However, I do feel like they could save some of the facade. I noticed in the drawings they are doing some sort of precast paneling on the north end. I would rather have them save what’s there and use that rather than some fake looking junk.

[southoftheloop]

You would think they would make this one foot taller to match the address...

[Rooted Arborial]

It seems a shame that this will largely bury the view of the Allerton. I have always liked the rusticated feel of that building and it is like an historical marker which contrasts with so much of North Michigan Avenue.

[Zapatan]

Originally Posted by southoftheloop

You would think they would make this one foot taller to match the address...

Maybe it was just profitable enough to make it one foot shorter, kinda like how 432 Park Avenue never ended up 432 meters

[iguy]

Originally Posted by Zapatan

Maybe it was just profitable enough to make it one foot shorter, kinda like how 432 Park Avenue never ended up 432 meters

1000M seems to be the biggest missed opportunity in this regard in Chicago

[r18tdi]

I'm curious if Ald. Reilly's decision to leave his current position to run for Cook County Board President in March will factor into the approval process. On the one hand, he may be more lenient and willing to approve the proposal as is, since he's got one foot out the door (provided the development team contributes handsomely to his election war chest). Conversely, Reilly may shoot the whole thing down to score quick political points with downtown NIMBYS.

[sentinel]

Originally Posted by r18tdi

I'm curious if Ald. Reilly's decision to leave his current position to run for Cook County Board President in March will factor into the approval process. On the one hand, he may be more lenient and willing to approve the proposal as is, since he's got one foot out the door (provided the development team contributes handsomely to his election war chest). Conversely, Reilly may shoot the whole thing down to score quick political points with downtown NIMBYS.

I may be wrong, but I feel like downtown NIMBYs are not nearly as vocal or downright rabid as those on the north side (or even south side). I think this building is just part of N. Michigan’s long-term transition to commercial+residential+hospitality hybrid, which feels inevitable in many ways.

[Zapatan]

Originally Posted by iguy

1000M seems to be the biggest missed opportunity in this regard in Chicago

Chicago's ambition with mega tall visions was insane back in the day. I always hoped one would pull through.

[r18tdi]

Originally Posted by sentinel

I may be wrong, but I feel like downtown NIMBYs are not nearly as vocal or downright rabid as those on the north side (or even south side). I think this building is just part of N. Michigan’s long-term transition to commercial+residential+hospitality hybrid, which feels inevitable in many ways.

Downtown NIMBYism is real. The extent usually boils down to how many views are blocked and how many miserable people aged 65 and older live nearby.

[Segun]

It looks like it's paying homage to the Avenue of the Americas in NYC. Better get a shot of Michigan Ave with the Allerton in the frame while you can.

[Jstange059]

Originally Posted by r18tdi

Downtown NIMBYism is real. The extent usually boils down to how many views are blocked and how many miserable people aged 65 and older live nearby.

I can’t imagine moving in to a downtown of a major city and then complaining that a tall building is being built nearby. But then again, NIMBYs gotta NIMBY

[left of center]

This looks like a great addition to Michigan Ave. I will echo the concerns of others about the blocked views of the Allerton Hotel, and the loss of a handsome limestone building. If the alderman pushed back on this at all, it should be to see if it would be feasible for the developer to reuse the limestone facade.

All that said, this will add a large number of new residents to the area and help with the vibrancy of the neighborhood. Build it, and please silence all crybaby NIMBYs out there with extreme prejudice

[oatmilk]

Great Location for a highrise, but its heart breaking it would replace a 1930's old world building... These just keep slowly getting eaten up. WISH they would build a tall building like this on one of those HUGE empty lots. Like the one at Illinois and Rush, or those empty lots by the NBC tower. OR just replace one of many the ugly international style empty office buildings downtown.

[Busy Bee]

Originally Posted by cloudbod

Yeah I've been writing to some folks (the Ald, etc) about reusing the beautiful art deco limestone facade of the existing buildings.

I've got a lot of fond memories of the Nike Town. I do believe I've got my Jordan / Marvin the Martian rolled poster in a tube somewhere.

[pip]

A parking podium right on Michigan ave. Dont care how much they try to cover it up. Not a fan.

[Jstange059]

Originally Posted by pip

A parking podium right on Michigan ave. Dont care how much they try to cover it up. Not a fan.

While I'm not a fan of parking podiums, it's starts like 3 floors up from the ground, so it really won't have any effect on the life of the street.

[Steely Dan]

John Hancock Center was putting parking on Michigan Ave back when it was still cool.

[Busy Bee]

That should "squeeze" the parking deck east-west, make it an extra couple floors of the podium and "wrap/pad" the Mich side with useful retail/restaurant space with views and visual life. Even if the space was only 50-60 feet deep, that's still a hell of a lot better than car storage right above the sidewalk of what is supposed to be one of the nations famous premier shopping streets.