CHICAGO | General Developments

[SamInTheLoop]

^^ Just FYI there are much more up to date versions of the LSE map......this one is quite old and still depicts the 2 Columbus towers with their wider, office program compatible footprints........."O" in reality has a narrower lot to work with for its tower footprint.....

[the urban politician]

^ Plus it depicts townhomes where the GEMS school currently is, and a school at the NE corner of the park. I hope that's not planned, I think a school at that location would be terrible

[ardecila]

Yes but this map is the origin of the "Site O" name... Newer maps don't name each parcel IIRC.

[marothisu]

Originally Posted by marothisu

Another multi unit housing project issued a permit for the West Loop. This time at 1241 W Jackson, which is at Jackson & Throop not too far from the Racine Blue Line stop. 4 stories, 42 units, and 56 parking spaces. This is currently a few surface parking lots and the developer is Michigan Avenue Real Estate Group who is behind 20 N Aberdeen, 22 N Aberdeen, Warren & Ashland Place, etc.

Turns out another building will be built next to that at 1245 W Jackson for 51 units. This is also a surface parking lot. It's right around the corner from that proposed 32 story, 402 unit building at Van Buren and Aberdeen. Great news!

[spyguy]

[spyguy]

http://www.chicagobusiness.com/reale...ichigan-avenue

What's next for former 'Forever Marilyn' site on Michigan Avenue?
By Ryan Ori

Michigan Avenue's Pioneer Court, past home to towering statues of Marilyn Monroe and the “American Gothic” painting, is readying for another eye-catching idea.

Zeller Realty Group, which owns the 35-story office tower at 401 N. Michigan Ave. next to the plaza, wants to add a glass box on its southern edge, next to the Chicago River. The box would serve as an entrance to a new riverside restaurant below the plaza, said Chris Baker, vice president of asset management at Chicago-based Zeller.

[wierdaaron]

Seems like a smart way to take advantage of that pedestrian thoroughfare and the underused lower level. Seems like the restaurant concepts elsewhere on the river don't have trouble getting people to go up and down stairs to find it, as long as they have good street level presence.

What is that mega mall thing, above?

[munchymunch]

^ I think it's this

http://m.chicago.curbed.com/archives...e-imminent.php

[marothisu]

The old pawn shop right near the Chicago Red Line stop (10 W Chicago) is being demolished on the inside. I did some digging and it turns out it's going to become a Dunkin Donuts, probably. Ugh

[the urban politician]

Originally Posted by spyguy

Build it. The Mega Mall is pure shit

[BWChicago]

Originally Posted by the urban politician

Build it. The Mega Mall is pure shit

Awfully low-density proposal, though, for as prime and rare a site as that is in the neighborhood it deserves something with more of an impact. For all the different demands of the neighborhood, people have said "Build it at the Megamall site" so it's unfortunate to see something this underwhelming proposed there.

[ardecila]

Seems like they are exploring multiple design options for the Megamall property. The brochure references a 4-story mega-retail development that is a long, skinny version of the new Mariano's development on Broadway and probably just as ugly (Antunovich strikes again).

However, the renderings show a different scheme with two floors of retail and underground parking... I doubt the underground parking would happen without some kind of TIF subsidy, even though it would produce a far more attractive and vibrant atmosphere along Milwaukee.

No mixed-use is being considered, apparently. This will be strictly an urban shopping center.

[marothisu]

Completely missed this article from March about that Chinatown hotel. It says in the article they were looking for a company to operate the hotel. Hopefully they've found it. I also noticed that they state it will be 108 rooms now. I believe the permit was for 72, so that's good news too:

http://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/20140...ed-due-weather

[spyguy]

The Good:
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/c...17-column.html

Chicago Motor Club Building to become hotel
Blair Kamin

It was once Chicago's "temple of transport," a mini-art deco skyscraper that offered a panoply of visual delights, from stylized flowers carved into its limestone facade to a soaring lobby graced with a spectacular mural of highways spanning the U.S.


The Bad: Watch the old State Line Generating Station disappear before your eyes

reallyboring/ flickr

generalissima/ flickr

[Ch.G, Ch.G]

A real shame. The architecture of the generating plant is one of the few decent things that miserable state managed to accomplish along its lakefront. Here are some close-ups from Lee Bay.

[Chicago Shawn]

Originally Posted by marothisu

Completely missed this article from March about that Chinatown hotel. It says in the article they were looking for a company to operate the hotel. Hopefully they've found it. I also noticed that they state it will be 108 rooms now. I believe the permit was for 72, so that's good news too:

http://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/20140...ed-due-weather

That explains the extra floor, thanks. Certainly welcomed news.

[Chicago Shawn]

Originally Posted by BWChicago

Awfully low-density proposal, though, for as prime and rare a site as that is in the neighborhood it deserves something with more of an impact. For all the different demands of the neighborhood, people have said "Build it at the Megamall site" so it's unfortunate to see something this underwhelming proposed there.

Agreed, but the site apparently lies in Waguespack's ward, whom has proven to be very anti-density. This might be as good as it gets for now.

[Skyguy_7]

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/l...818-story.html

That proposed Mariano's for the burnt-down Dominick's lot in Lakeview is back on the table for this week's plan commission.. This time with no residence component whatsoever. #becauseshadows

[aaron38]

That Arlington Heights apartment building I mentioned a few weeks back was approved yesterday. 7 stories, 45 units, underground parking, first floor retail, two blocks from Metra. About as good as TOD gets out here. Construction starts in the spring. Render at the link. All brick, nothing special but good infill for the area.
http://www.dailyherald.com/article/2...ews/140818625/

[the urban politician]

^. Good news. We were just in downtown Arlington Heights yesterday. I really like how it has grown and developed without the fanfare of places like Evanston, Oak Park, or Naperville, kind of a "sleeper hit" if you want to use a Hollywood analogy