CHICAGO | General Developments

[OrdoSeclorum]

Originally Posted by the urban politician

There seems to be something massive under construction just east of i-294, near the Toby Keith's Bar & Grill and Aloft hotel.

Anybody know what that is?

Also, are there any real attractions in this area or is it just hotels/convention center suburban schlock?

You're probably seeing the new, very large outlet mall that's being built, on the opposite side of the Aloft from the Toby Keiths'.

I've been out there a couple times, as a friend works right there. It's not the kind of environment I like spending time in, but it's pretty great considering what else is in Rosemont. From a urban planning point of view, it's an auto-dependent mall. Though the development is a certainly an acknowledgment of the popularity of urban form, if nothing else, if you look only at the plaza and surrounding retail. Maybe I'd describe is as "very good, for what's essentially a mall." It's certainly bumping. I think this has become the place-to-go if you are the kind of person who lives in Schaumburg and likes to go to Suburban bars on Friday.

[Via Chicago]

Originally Posted by Hayward

This horrible mistake is also being corrected:

http://featuresblogs.chicagotribune....34866a5109970c

its definitely an improvement no matter how you slice it. that being said, i REALLY wish they had decided to include that glass canopy that was tossed around in the early renderings.

[Ch.G, Ch.G]

Originally Posted by Hayward

If Wolf Point cantilevered over the water id be throwing a fit. The impact of enclosure was negligible and had precedent (trump).

More negligible than what Gang is proposing? No matter how you look at it, that's simply not true. The ballroom barely cantilevers over the podium; bKL's building creates a full-fledged arcade. And I don't see how the precedent established by Trump Tower somehow absolves bKL from violating your belief about the sacredness of public space. The river walk is a public space just like the Michigan Avenue sidewalk. If you think what Gang is doing is wrong, bKL must be wrong, too.

[Rizzo]

Originally Posted by Ch.G, Ch.G

More negligible than what Gang is proposing? No matter how you look at it, that's simply not true. The ballroom barely cantilevers over the podium; bKL's building creates a full-fledged arcade. And I don't see how the precedent established by Trump Tower somehow absolves bKL from violating your belief about the sacredness of public space. The river walk is a public space just like the Michigan Avenue sidewalk. If you think what Gang is doing is wrong, bKL must be wrong, too.

Ok.

[Ch.G, Ch.G]

Originally Posted by ChiPhi

It's sad that this will probably block the ebony/jet sign; the last vestige (since the Michigan ave side saw the sign removed) of an organization that was an integral piece of South Side, Chicago, and US history.

Ignoring that (and the fact that this was built on the site of two serviceable buildings in a neighborhood full of empty lots and increasingly in threat of becoming a new sterile Streeterville with a giant suburb - Dearborn park- in the middle) I'm excited to see this climb above ground!

I had the same misgivings about this project, even though I'm still pretty excited about it.

Good point about the Ebony/Jet sign. There were a few people (or more?) who didn't have a problem with the replacement of the Santa Fe sign with Motorola's. I wonder how they'd respond to the removal of this one. (I imagine it'll happen eventually.) FYI, two years ago Lee Bay reported that the interiors were virtually unchanged from the time of the building's construction. There's a link at the bottom of his post with some pretty amazing photos...

[Joe Zekas]

Originally Posted by ChiPhi

It's sad that this will probably block the ebony/jet sign; the last vestige (since the Michigan ave side saw the sign removed) of an organization that was an integral piece of South Side, Chicago, and US history.

There was still an Ebony / Jet sign on the building six weeks ago when I took this shot. Has it been taken down since?


Grant Park, Museum Park, Museum Campus by YoChicago1, on Flickr

This was a year ago, from the penthouse lawn at 888 S Michigan:


Penthouse lawn at 888 S Michigan Ave by YoChicago1, on Flickr

[Tom In Chicago]

So the Daley Bicentenial Park construction is imminent? They have put Jersey barriers with fencing all along the north end of the park along Randolph. . . anyone hear anything regarding this?

. . .

[Rizzo]

Originally Posted by Tom In Chicago

So the Daley Bicentenial Park construction is imminent? They have put Jersey barriers with fencing all along the north end of the park along Randolph. . . anyone hear anything regarding this?

. . .

^ Not related to the park, but nearby I always thought it was cool how you can see the old bridge stairways in the underground parts of Randolph. If you're cruising along the middle level heading toward the lake you'll see this abandoned vestibule of sorts with all these doorways (one that leads to a staircase) It's cut off from access, but always thought it looked cool. Wonder if the park renovation will effect it in some way. Suppose they could tie in with another subterranean skybridge.

[ardecila]

No effect... the new construction is supposed to protect the historic limestone elements and leave them in place, as-is. I don't think they will be restored - at least not right now.

The North Grant Park budget is being done with some really smart budgeting - they're salvaging pretty much everything, either by re-using it on-site or moving it to other CPD parks. They've even explored using tree trunks as site elements, either campground-style or with a colorful polyurethane coating. They're also incorporating some clever re-use on the Bloomingdale Trail, moving the Ashland bridge to Western to gain a clear span over there, repurposing sections of the retaining wall, etc. CPD's director of planning is really smart (met her on several occasions).

Sometimes the city surprises me with innovation and efficiency. CDOT has done some re-use, too, but it seems like they're sitting on a lot of stuff that was placed in storage but never re-used (Ogden bridge panels).

[sentinel]

New Jones College Prep building on State St., taken today:

[ChiPhi]

Originally Posted by Joe Zekas

There was still an Ebony / Jet sign on the building six weeks ago when I took this shot. Has it been taken down since?


Grant Park, Museum Park, Museum Campus by YoChicago1, on Flickr

This was a year ago, from the penthouse lawn at 888 S Michigan:


Penthouse lawn at 888 S Michigan Ave by YoChicago1, on Flickr

Did they move the sign back on the building? I feel as though it was closer to the front a few years back.

I always assumed it was nixed when Columbia bought the building. Good news either way.

[denizen467]

The short (southern) facade of Burberry is now taking shape, and it looks like it will even outdo the main facade. The money shot will be from the southwest, contrasting the now-muted main facade with the bright side facade's lighting that silhouettes its staircases. Also, the sidewalk scaffolding has been removed from the Michigan Avenue side, revealing some entry detail. One thing I was curious about though - going forward, how are they going to do maintenance when one of the many bulbs dies on the main facade?

[tawfiqmp]

Still waiting for the day we can get a supertall proposal again.

[ardecila]

There's probably a catwalk space behind the facade where bulbs can be changed from the interior. Are the bulbs actually mounted on the outside or do they just shine through frosted glass?

[harryc]

Originally Posted by denizen467

The short (southern) facade of Burberry is now taking shape, and it looks like it will even outdo the main facade. The money shot will be from the southwest, contrasting the now-muted main facade with the bright side facade's lighting that silhouettes its staircases. Also, the sidewalk scaffolding has been removed from the Michigan Avenue side, revealing some entry detail. One thing I was curious about though - going forward, how are they going to do maintenance when one of the many bulbs dies on the main facade?

LED lights, should last longer. Keeping it clean and shiny is going to be a chore.

[george]

This really shines

[Kippis]

Originally Posted by george

This really shines

Very cool...makes me proud of all the plaid in my closet.

[sammyg]

Originally Posted by OrdoSeclorum

From a urban planning point of view, it's an auto-dependent mall. Though the development is a certainly an acknowledgment of the popularity of urban form, if nothing else, if you look only at the plaza and surrounding retail. Maybe I'd describe is as "very good, for what's essentially a mall." It's certainly bumping. I think this has become the place-to-go if you are the kind of person who lives in Schaumburg and likes to go to Suburban bars on Friday.

It's not that auto-dependent. It's a short walk from the Rosemont Blue Line to the convention center, and that leads out to the rest of that development. As long as they keep it walkable, it won't be too bad.

[Rizzo]

Originally Posted by harryc

LED lights, should last longer. Keeping it clean and shiny is going to be a chore.

It should self clean any time it rains or snows

[xXSkyscraperDudeXx]

Originally Posted by george

This really shines

Absolutely Gorgeous! This building is totally elegant & Classy. Nice Job!