CHICAGO | General Developments

[the urban politician]

Originally Posted by SolarWind

May 1, 2018





https://chicago.curbed.com/2018/1/24/16927686/demolition-west-loop-historic-building-burnham

Sad.

Usually I can understand the business strategy behind a demolition, but in this case I’m baffled. What is the property owner supposed to gain out of this one?

[Mr Downtown]

Originally Posted by ardecila

Hammond Beeby Babka envisioned a pedestrian bridge there ...They could still bring back this idea

I never really understood how this would work, as there's not a corresponding vacant lot on the south side of Congress to use for the other end of the bridge. The former Mobil station parcel is east of Plymouth, not east of Dearborn.

[Via Chicago]

Originally Posted by the urban politician

What is the property owner supposed to gain out of this one?

$$$$

sadly that drives any of these decisions. although one would hope one isnt willing to sacrifice their own morals, civic pride, any remaining shred of public goodwill, and respect for the work of a genius whose contributions to architecture will resonate throughout history at that expense. if these dudes could make a buck lighting a DaVinci on fire theyd be the first to pour the lighter fluid and dig around in their pocket for a match. certainly does take a type tho...(and in this case, that type just happens to be one Phil Denny of Peppercorn Capital). Id encourage people to protest, write him letters, drive him out of town, but the reality is people won't, and thats why he can get away with it. The public will collectively shrug its shoulders (assuming they even were aware, which I can assure you most werent), and will continue on through life, in a city and urban fabric that has been imperceptibly, but very much so, degraded. Until they wake up one day and look around and wonder out loud "what happened to the place I used to live? This isnt the city I remember" and by then it will be too late. Phil Denny will be on the beach or 6 feet under, and the next generation will be passed on a city that is just ever so much a lesser place than it was before.

but ya know, kids demanded a new in ground pool for Xmas and all...

[mark0]

Originally Posted by Via Chicago

$$$$

sadly that drives any of these decisions. although one would hope one isnt willing to sacrifice their own morals, civic pride, any remaining shred of public goodwill, and respect for the work of a genius whose contributions to architecture will resonate throughout history at that expense. if these dudes could make a buck lighting a DaVinci on fire theyd be the first to pour the lighter fluid and dig around in their pocket for a match.

but ya know, kids demanded a new in ground pool for Xmas and all...

I cant understand where the city is in all this? We have had multiple masterpieces and works by noted Architects torn down and replaced with crap for decades now. It's impossible to call Chicago America's architecture capital anymore since it's essentially just lucky it was in the right place at the right time post fire and with Mies immigrating here. Certainly nothing the city, the developer culture or public does is pro architecture in any meaningful sense. It's beyond obvious that any historic or landmark zoning provisions are toothless or worse, political tools for leverage.

[Via Chicago]

we treat our historic architecture as if it is some sort of inexhaustible supply. same mindset the first loggers and trappers must have felt when laying eyes on the pristine wilderness of Canada or the United States for the first time...."this is an inexhaustible resource! it could never possibly run out". and i see the argument all the time on this forum FWIW. "what does it matter that we tear down this 19th century Italianate home? its old, its outdated...more density!!" reality is, almost everyone is willing to pay lip service to the notion that they value history and beauty and the collective culture prior generations of skilled craftsman poured their lives into so that today we might live in a beautiful place, with beautiful things for even the common man to call his own. but when push comes to shove, theres no real resistance to tearing that all down in favor of schlock. If American architecture and vernacular isnt even respected and valued by its own society, how can it have any hope of being preserved? We squander these things at our own peril.

[the urban politician]

Originally Posted by Via Chicago

$$$$

sadly that drives any of these decisions. although one would hope one isnt willing to sacrifice their own morals, civic pride, any remaining shred of public goodwill, and respect for the work of a genius whose contributions to architecture will resonate throughout history at that expense. if these dudes could make a buck lighting a DaVinci on fire theyd be the first to pour the lighter fluid and dig around in their pocket for a match. certainly does take a type tho...(and in this case, that type just happens to be one Phil Denny of Peppercorn Capital). Id encourage people to protest, write him letters, drive him out of town, but the reality is people won't, and thats why he can get away with it. The public will collectively shrug its shoulders (assuming they even were aware, which I can assure you most werent), and will continue on through life, in a city and urban fabric that has been imperceptibly, but very much so, degraded. Until they wake up one day and look around and wonder out loud "what happened to the place I used to live? This isnt the city I remember" and by then it will be too late. Phil Denny will be on the beach or 6 feet under, and the next generation will be passed on a city that is just ever so much a lesser place than it was before.

but ya know, kids demanded a new in ground pool for Xmas and all...

But that's just my point, how was this a good business decision?

That's the question I was posing before you went on yet another heart-felt Socialist diatribe on how evil people who are trying to make an honest buck and pay for their kids' college are.

[Via Chicago]

valuing historic beautiful buildings and the urban fabric they contribute to is now socialist?

seeing what a strident and ardent capitalist you are though, im sure you can piece together how eliminating a 3 story building and replacing it with a taller and more modern one in a currently hot district might be beneficial for someone interested in acquiring more said capital.

there are all sorts of professions and lines of work that degrade or diminish the state of the world at large. if you find yourself in one, perhaps reconsider your career choices. if you didnt have a guiding personal philosophy about how to conduct ones self in society to begin with as long as you can get rich doing it, perhaps none of this matters.

[maru2501]

what is that at 751 s Dearborn?

[mark0]

Originally Posted by the urban politician

But that's just my point, how was this a good business decision?

That's the question I was posing before you went on yet another heart-felt Socialist diatribe on how evil people who are trying to make an honest buck and pay for their kids' college are.

Obvious Peppercorn got a density boost or something. And what I was getting at is where the F*ck is the city? We have hundreds of mole rats working in zoning, buildings, planning, etc. We claim to be this architectural wonderland, but willing to just throw out a pristine example of early 20th century warehouse architecture, with very Sulivanesque and uniquely Chicago ornament, the very building that defines the West Loop architectural style, and for what? Some shitty blue glass box that could be anywhere in the world and poorly detailed?

[Mr Downtown]

Originally Posted by maru2501

what is that at 751 s Dearborn?

A single-family house, with a ground-floor retail space.

[Khantilever]

Not going to defend the demolition of this beautiful warehouse. But it’s importsnt to remember that it is wealth that often generates the ability to create the beautiful architecture (and art, more generally) that we value so much. For Chicago to continue to innovate and add to our architectural heritage we need to be forward-thinking and accept that there will be structures we find beautiful but which are nonetheless not worth saving. Key to Chicago’s economic strength is the ability to build here.

A common argument is that there are plenty of vacant lots and otherwise terrible structures that should be razed first. But this reflects the flawed assumption that prohibiting redevelopment on one site merely pushes development onto other sites, which runs counter to our understanding of urban development. We could just as easily end up seeing less/lower quality development on other sites as a result of overzealous preservation, because density builds on itself.

Of course there are buildings which can and should be preserved, even if they are inefficient from a density/usage perspective. I don’t know whether we are over or under-preserving, though, and I can’t claim to know the “right” amount. We can look at places like NYC, however, and probably agree that having nearly 1/3 of Manhattan under some form of landmark protection may be excessive.

[the urban politician]

Originally Posted by mark0

Obvious Peppercorn got a density boost or something. And what I was getting at is where the F*ck is the city? We have hundreds of mole rats working in zoning, buildings, planning, etc. We claim to be this architectural wonderland, but willing to just throw out a pristine example of early 20th century warehouse architecture, with very Sulivanesque and uniquely Chicago ornament, the very building that defines the West Loop architectural style, and for what? Some shitty blue glass box that could be anywhere in the world and poorly detailed?

That's my question--the only explanation would be that this site was granted a significant zoning boost. Otherwise, demolishing that historic structure just seems silly

[maru2501]

Originally Posted by Mr Downtown

A single-family house, with a ground-floor retail space.

seriously?

[VKChaz]

Originally Posted by the urban politician

That's my question--the only explanation would be that this site was granted a significant zoning boost. Otherwise, demolishing that historic structure just seems silly

This is a strange story.

https://chicago.suntimes.com/enterta...alter-burnett/

The alderman claims to not even be aware that an historic building was being torn down. The developer seemed to be rushing to demolish though there was movement on possibly saving parts of the facade. The developer doesn't seem to want to explain anything whereas we often get at least some justification. Something isn't being said

[left of center]

Originally Posted by VKChaz

This is a strange story.

https://chicago.suntimes.com/enterta...alter-burnett/

The alderman claims to not even be aware that an historic building was being torn down. The developer seemed to be rushing to demolish though there was movement on possibly saving parts of the facade. The developer doesn't seem to want to explain anything whereas we often get at least some justification. Something isn't being said

I remember last reading that they were looking to at the very least preserve the facade of this building.

Jesus, what an utter waste...

[Rizzo]

I can’t be certain but someone look up the permit and inspection history on this one since I’m unable to at the moment. There’s more to the story behind the demo, but I can’t be too sure. But upsetting none-the-less. Better stewardship to the more ornate and complete vintage architecture in this city is necessary. There’s especially greater urgency since construction today that is primarily developer driven overall lacks the enthusiasm in design like over a century ago. It’s no longer a subjective issue of what will become “historic” as time passes.

[Freefall]

Plans for Wicker Park Pizza Hut at North/Western to be torn down and replaced with 4 story, 30-unit building.
https://medium.com/block-club-chicag...d-1b8a092fdd92

[left of center]

Finally! That thing has been an eyesore forever.

Now develop the Wendy's at Division and Ashland please!

[marothisu]

Yes, that thing sucks. Though I remember a handful of months ago, spyguy posted a rendering of this which looked a lot better than what's on that site..

[BrinChi]

Created by the Garfield Park Chamber of Commerce











Please also sign our petition to block a plan to build a gas station on the NE corner of the intersection.

https://www.change.org/p/garfield-park-chamber-of-commerce-oppose-fonia-oil-inc-proposed-gas-station-in-east-garfield-park-at-2748-50-west-madison...