CHICAGO | Lincoln Yards

[Randomguy34]

This site is going to have the same problem Midtown Toronto has where there are dozens of highrises but transit stops are 0.75-1.25 miles apart, and the inconsistent street grid makes it difficult to add crosstown bus service. The Circle Line in theory would have solved this problem by using the Bloomingdale Railroad ROW, thus providing on-site transit access. I don't see how this site can easily connect to the rest of the city without a similar plan.


https://www.chicago-l.org/plans/CircleLine.html

[ardecila]

Originally Posted by jpIllInoIs

This could be a temporary reroute to allow the total tear down and rebuild of the Ashland under pass which will need to be lowered to accommodate the 606 bridge. That whole intersection will get major work to accommodate the new Metra station location as well.

No, the plan is to permanently reroute Elston so it is further away from the intersection of Armitage & Ashland. Similar to how Elston was re-routed on a new alignment near Damen/Fullerton.

Elston would detour onto Mendell as shown. What is not shown is a new Elston underpass below the Metra UP-N tracks, then through Mariano's outer parking lot to connect with Mendell at a new signalized intersection. You can see where the Triangle Square development left an empty green lawn for this new underpass to be built a little to the north of the current Elston viaduct.

Aaron's right that Mendell is currently a "quiet street" in terms of traffic levels but nobody lives there, it's still heavily industrial and doesn't even have sidewalks. It's dominated by the Ozinga cement plant, Horween Leather and a couple of industrial ghost kitchens where your DoorDash food comes from. If they want to route Elston traffic through here it doesn't bother me. This plan would also open an opportunity to take the OLD alignment of Elston and make it into a pedestrian-focused street (or ped mall) for a few blocks to form the center of a dense new neighborhood hub around the Clybourn stop.

[Jstange059]

Originally Posted by aaron38

I really like the massing, the tight inner density that steps down to the river. But I don't understand the Elson realignment. It moves traffic closer to the river through what should be a quiet street. Farther from the Clyborn station. How is that an improvement? What is the goal?

The Elston-Armitage-Ashland intersection is an absolute nightmare for all users, whether you are in a car, on foot, or on a bike. I've once crossed it on foot and decided to never cross the intersection on foot again. By rerouting Elston northeast of the intersection, it will be significantly simplified making it significantly more pleasant and safe for all road users

[twister244]

Nothing too newsworthy here, but you see the continuation of JDL moving forward on officially acquiring the first parcel of land they need to get Foundry Park of the ground:

https://www.chicagobusiness.com/comm...s-foundry-park

And Sterling Bay continuing to fall so far from grace.....

https://www.chicagobusiness.com/comm...1017&utm_term=

I personally think that building has potential once Foundry Park gets off the ground. You could put some co-working spaces in there, or smaller companies looking for cheap new office space without paying the rates you see in more desirable neighborhoods.

It was just announced Industrious is putting a new space in 33 N. LaSalle, so it's not like there isn't a market for that.

[r18tdi]

Originally Posted by twister244

I personally think that building has potential once Foundry Park gets off the ground. You could put some co-working spaces in there, or smaller companies looking for cheap new office space without paying the rates you see in more desirable neighborhoods.

It was just announced Industrious is putting a new space in 33 N. LaSalle, so it's not like there isn't a market for that.

True, although it seems like a waste to put coworking in a building specifically designed for laboratory tenants. The property was built with high-capacity power, reinforced floor loads, 100% outside-air HVAC with dedicated lab exhaust and each floor includes mechanical and equipment rooms, wet columns and an acid neutralization system—all to specifically support lab operations. I guess if the life science/lab demand isn't there, they'll take what they can get...

[r18tdi]

I'm hearing the Foundry Park PD will be filed next month.

[munchymunch]

Community meeting 10/29 too.

[Randomguy34]

New sketches for Foundry Park, tallest tower will be 420 ft






https://chicagoyimby.com/2025/10/add...ndry-park.html

[MorganChi]

Originally Posted by Randomguy34

New sketches for Foundry Park, tallest tower will be 420 ft






https://chicagoyimby.com/2025/10/add...ndry-park.html

This is trash

[Jstange059]

Originally Posted by MorganChi

This is trash

Curious what you don't like about it?

[Randomguy34]

One thing to note is that the facade and design elements for different buildings look to be the same as North Union. So if you like/hate North Union's buildings, you'll probably feel the same about Foundry Park

[sentinel]

Originally Posted by MorganChi

This is trash

Extremely schematic; it’s preposterous to make a judgement based on a black & white “hand sketch” rendering. The design will evolve considerably as the project progresses.

[ardecila]

Interesting that JDL is basically reaching the same conclusion as Sterling Bay with regard to the density on the site. This is just Lincoln Yards with a folksy, pencil-style rendering.

Maybe they are forced into this level of density given the cost of the land, but I remain very skeptical that any of this is feasible without a lot of money sunk into infrastructure.

Glad to see they are prominently featuring a 606 extension though.

[twister244]

Originally Posted by ardecila

Interesting that JDL is basically reaching the same conclusion as Sterling Bay with regard to the density on the site. This is just Lincoln Yards with a folksy, pencil-style rendering.

Maybe they are forced into this level of density given the cost of the land, but I remain very skeptical that any of this is feasible without a lot of money sunk into infrastructure.

Glad to see they are prominently featuring a 606 extension though.

I think it's just more of a question of who can get this done.....

I haven't paid super close attention to Sterling Bay, but from what it seems like - They completely over leveraged themselves with plots of land to deliver office space - Then Covid happened. Maybe there were other internal issues that hurt their chances of actually getting things off the ground. Given all of that, they basically have given up on LY and handed the keys over to a developer that actually has a record of delivering here in Chicago.

Honestly, I think that's what this boils down to - Who can actually get this off the ground. My gut says this will probably be mostly residential at the end of the day. There's very little market demand for any new office space, let alone office space in this area. JDL is in a good spot to get things going with residential buildings here, and the 606 extension, while we all want, will ultimately depend on local governments getting shovels in the ground to bring the 606 across the Kennedy.

[VKChaz]

Originally Posted by ardecila

Interesting that JDL is basically reaching the same conclusion as Sterling Bay with regard to the density on the site. This is just Lincoln Yards with a folksy, pencil-style rendering.

Maybe they are forced into this level of density given the cost of the land, but I remain very skeptical that any of this is feasible without a lot of money sunk into infrastructure.

Glad to see they are prominently featuring a 606 extension though.

With this density, the Dominick Bridge should be included. Arguably already lacking transportation infrastructure, this thing is going in the wrong direction. And didn't it lose park space as well? That seemed to be a critical component. I didn't notice the Elston reroute either.

[Klippenstein]

Originally Posted by VKChaz

With this density, the Dominick Bridge should be included. Arguably already lacking transportation infrastructure, this thing is going in the wrong direction. And didn't it lose park space as well? That seemed to be a critical component. I didn't notice the Elston reroute either.

Breaking up the property into 2 sections on either side of the river took the obligation to make that connection out of the hands of the developer or perhaps that's what they're thinking. Maybe they are thinking that the city would need to take responsibility if it's going to happen.

[BVictor1]

Originally Posted by munchymunch

Community meeting 10/29 too.

Where and what time…???

[Jstange059]

Originally Posted by BVictor1

Where and what time…???

[left of center]

Wish one of the buildings at least broke 500 ft, but I will take what we can get here. Residential is definitely the way forward for the old LY parcel. It's too far north and lacks direct rail connections for moving mass amounts of workers in and out of the neighborhood.

I like that they seem to imply a pedestrian bridge/606 extension is something that they at least are thinking about, but honestly we need a roadway connecting Southport/Throop across the river. This area is an absolute nightmare currently.

[r18tdi]

Originally Posted by left of center

I like that they seem to imply a pedestrian bridge/606 extension is something that they at least are thinking about, but honestly we need a roadway connecting Southport/Throop across the river.

Agreed.

FWIW, JDL says they will "accommodate" a bike/ped 606-extension on their site, but only if the city (or someone else) is paying for it.