CHICAGO | The Elysian | 686 FT / 209 M | 60 FLOORS | COM

[aaron38]

Originally Posted by ChiPsy

I just noticed today (I'm slow about these things sometimes) that the Rush Street face of this building follows a straight North/South line and not the NW diagonal of Rush Street. That means that it doesn't meet the street at the point it abuts the building to its south, leaving space for landscaping maybe (?) and creating a sawtooth effect as you look SE along Rush Street.
I'm wondering if that will be good or bad...

I saw that too and I think it's bad, or not ideal anyway. Not because of the Elysian itself, but because the sidewall of that building and the fire escape should have been covered up. I wish it was aligned to Rush, or did a better job of covering up that wall, but oh well. It's not a big deal.

[Jita]

Here are two new photos that I took from my apartment house this evening. If you want to see them full size, I guess you would have to click on the thumbnails.

[honte]

^ Perfect exposure.

[Chicagoguy]

Truly one of my favorite buildings coming up in the city right now. I love the old-style feel of the building. It is perfect for the neighborhood and will be a great addition to this amazing city!

[Ch.G, Ch.G]

Originally Posted by Chicagoguy

I love the old-style feel of the building.

Trying to legitimize this building as "old-style" would be like calling a trip to Medieval Times an authentic Fourteenth Century experience; Alfred B. Mullet is and Barbara Tuchman would be rolling in their graves.

[Dr. Taco]

Originally Posted by Ch.G, Ch.G

Trying to legitimize this building as "old-style" would be like calling a trip to Medieval Times an authentic Fourteenth Century experience; Alfred B. Mullet is and Barbara Tuchman would be rolling in their graves.

If someone thinks the building has an old-style feel, you can't tell him he's wrong. just let people have their opinions

however, your analogy is a great one

i've enjoyed medieval times, though, and I will go ahead and enjoy this building. (its not painted concrete. its not painted concrete. its not painted concrete)

[Chicagoguy]

Originally Posted by jstush04

If someone thinks the building has an old-style feel, you can't tell him he's wrong. just let people have their opinions

however, your analogy is a great one

i've enjoyed medieval times, though, and I will go ahead and enjoy this building. (its not painted concrete. its not painted concrete. its not painted concrete)

Even though it is painted concrete it is still going to look nice once it is done!

[Brian.]

Originally Posted by Chicagoguy

Even though it is painted concrete it is still going to look nice once it is done!

That's not painted concrete. The mix is colored with a pigment so that no paint will ever be required.

[Chicagoguy]

Originally Posted by ColoPrecaster

That's not painted concrete. The mix is colored with a pigment so that no paint will ever be required.

Therefore its better than painted concrete. Sorry I was just going off of what someone else had said about being painted concrete

[T-Mac]

Originally Posted by ColoPrecaster

That's not painted concrete. The mix is colored with a pigment so that no paint will ever be required.

ColoPrecaster, I really enjoy your posts on here and your input regarding this building style since you are obviously very knowledgable about the topic. I really like this building and think that it will look great when it is finished.

[Brian.]

Originally Posted by T-Mac

ColoPrecaster, I really enjoy your posts on here and your input regarding this building style since you are obviously very knowledgable about the topic. I really like this building and think that it will look great when it is finished.

Thanks, I also like the style even if it doesn't fit into a historically accurate category. I'll take this building for what it is, taking into account the current state of the economy and how one might afford to build a structure like this. I don't think every building should try to be ground breaking and attempt to outshine every other building in the neighborhood.

I think most people that will see it for the first time as a finish product will look favorably on it and hopefully enjoy the addition to the skyline.

[HighRiser]

The piece on rush street will go out to the angle of the street approx. 4 floors, with a rounded entrance at the corner of rush and walton. Clad in
precast. It has not been built yet. Also for someone that asked the courtyard wall in the state street alley will not be visual except for approx 14 feet. 10 east Delaware has a structual overhang from 2 to the transfer floor cantalevering over the alley, terminating with a small expansion joint to the wall.

[Rizzo]

I agree with some of the posts above. Go back a few pages and the debate got a bit out of control.

I think criticism is great for the purpose of discussion, but when everyone is trying to 1 up each other it becomes ridiculous, especially for a building that has long been under construction.

Architecture doesn't always make me happy either and I've had my share of heated rants on other websites, but after working in the architecture industry for a few years now, I've come to discover that there are a variety of tastes among CLIENTS and architects. If someone wants to build an 80 story ye-olde-villa-place, then design it to be damn good if your budget allows. I think overall the Elysian will come out pretty good. It's not my favorite, but not every building should be.

[a chicago bearcat]

As much as I dislike throw back skyscrapers, this is at least more on target than the bernadin in it's attempt at early 1900's chicago.

[Dr. Taco]

is this the building they are trying to copy(-ish)?

[honte]

^ It's a good question. I said earlier that LaGrange's work is frequently striving for Second Empire, but seeing the Park Tower in the background of your pic reminds me that there isn't really anything that jumps out in that style on Park Tower. Some of LaGrange's other works, such as the Goethe project (decidedly Second Empire) or the Pinnacle (trying to be Gothic Revival, like the Pittsfield building in your shot) are much more overt.

So, perhaps it's best to classify the Elysian as simply "Eclectic," since it's really a reprise of Park Tower in many respects. When I see the actual building and its details, it might be clearer to know what they were really going for. I guess I assumed it would be, given the name of the project and the goals of the ownership.

But yes, I agree: In terms of form, the Pittsfield was probably the antecedent for Park Tower and the Elysian.

[a chicago bearcat]

I'd agree for the most part, except that 2nd empire was never taller that 10 stories that I know of. Most buildings mislabeled 2nd empire are just eclectically confused classical revival with a mansard roof.

Which don't get me wrong, can be done right, just the only one I've seen in modern context is 840 N. Which I wanted to hate, and I feel many people who helped shape my aesthetic taste still want me to hate, yet it really gives me a warm fuzzy feeling as I bike up the lakefront bike trail.

[Brian.]

Originally Posted by Ch.G, Ch.G

I'm glad the concrete is pigmented and not painted because it will at least retain some texture, I think, but concrete, as used in many LaGrange buildings, lacks the rich texture and variation of real masonry.

This looks like a great opportunity for me to jump in again with some edjamacation. I've been scouring the net for the best way to describe this and haven't come up with a great example but here goes with what I could find.

Precast concrete could be produced with many textures.

First we have your standard poured concrete against a smooth form which would be the finish that most think of.



Second we have a treatment called sand blasting. After the panel is removed from the forms it literally gets blasted with sand to remove to thin layer of paste created when the mix was vibrated. The longer you blast it the deeper the texture you will receive. If deep enough you may actually expose the rock in the mix.

Light


Medium


Heavy


Last but the best looking is what we call acid etching. Yes that’s right, we really use acid to take that paste off the panel. With a well designed mix you can create some beautiful texture to the touch. I believe the Elysian is produced with this method and will have a rich texture to it.



It is possible to combine all three of these methods on precast buildings to create a unique look.

[Alliance]

A rich texture....for precast.

[Brian.]

Originally Posted by Alliance

A rich texture....for precast.

I know...I know, but I haven't given up on you yet. I'll work you down slowly.