CHICAGO | General Developments

[SIGSEGV]

If the MCC ever closes, we can do this to it

[SteelMonkey]

Looks like they are trying 1 more time

https://blockclubchicago.org/2018/10...ag-mile-again/

[maru2501]

boo

[Kngkyle]

Originally Posted by SteelMonkey

Looks like they are trying 1 more time

https://blockclubchicago.org/2018/10...ag-mile-again/

Under no circumstance should these buildings be demolished until (at the very least) all approvals are granted and funding is secured to build whatever is to replace them. And that whatever has to be something goddamn fucking amazing for it to be worth the loss.

[the urban politician]

Originally Posted by Kngkyle

Under no circumstance should these buildings be demolished until (at the very least) all approvals are granted and funding is secured to build whatever is to replace them. And that whatever has to be something goddamn fucking amazing for it to be worth the loss.

Well, that would be a problem given that gorilla-man Reilly blocked any attempt for a highrise on this lot.

So if we can't built a highrise here, then we may as well landmark the existing structures.

The developers who are planning to demo these buildings are actually being smart--demolish what's here to get a vacant lot. That vacant lot becomes an eyesore which eventually makes highrise development here more palatable.

[Rizzo]

No highrise should go there. Ever. It’s not like Chicago is running out of land to build towers on. Expand density out of the core and save heritage buildings.

I know some folks may not agree with my opinion, but I don’t think the development potential of ALL property in the core is unlimited. By that I mean most of all orange and red rated buildings should be preserved. Most of these are very large important buildings but just a handful are even older residential structures. I don’t think preservation of those few is unreasonable.

[Notyrview]

Noooo. it's guys like this that make the whole industry look so unscrupulous. A city attorney should look into their finances.

[nomarandlee]

Originally Posted by Rizzo

No highrise should go there. Ever. It’s not like Chicago is running out of land to build towers on. Expand density out of the core and save heritage buildings.

I know some folks may not agree with my opinion, but I don’t think the development potential of ALL property in the core is unlimited. By that I mean most of all orange and red rated buildings should be preserved. Most of these are very large important buildings but just a handful are even older residential structures. I don’t think preservation of those few is unreasonable.

I think most here would agree with you in particular about the near north side in River North/Streeter/Gold Coast regarding turn of the century low-rise buildings. I know that the River North historic district failed a few years ago and it kind of blows my mind how or why it did.

[ChickeNES]

Originally Posted by the urban politician

The developers who are planning to demo these buildings are actually being smart--demolish what's here to get a vacant lot. That vacant lot becomes an eyesore which eventually makes highrise development here more palatable.

Sounds good to me. If enough people bitch at Reilly (or vote him out) maybe something will actually get approved here. I don't find the current buildings all that remarkable, landmarking them just because they are old is asinine.

[BonoboZill4]

How would one go about running for Alderman? Just wondering

[marothisu]

New zoning application for the renovation and re-establishment of Uptown Theatre. 5800 person total occupancy:

https://chicago.legistar.com/Legisla...vanced&Search=

The following signs may be re-established, as shown on the attached Marquee Elevations (2 Sheets), Canopy Elevations, Signage Elevations (2 Sheets), and Signage Area Summary subject to the approval of the Commission on Chicago Landmarks, and the area of such signs shall be excluded for purposes of calculating the total sign area permitted on the Property:

a. The vertical projecting blade sign comprised of individual letters mounted to a steel frame structure, reading "UPTOWN," may be re-established.

b. The single-face rooftop sign comprised of individual letters mounted to a steel frame structure, reading "UPTOWN THEATRE," may be re-established with sponsorship name/logo.

c. The rooftop sign facing west, formerly painted letters mounted to a water tank, may be re-established in the form of individual letters or a sign panel mounted to a steel frame structure, which may be externally illuminated, reading "UPTOWN" or "UPTOWN THEATRE," and including sponsorship name/logo.

d. The projecting marquee, including sponsorship name/logo "sunburst," at the Broadway entrance may be re-established.

e. The projecting marquee, including sponsorship name/logo "sunburst," at the Lawrence entrance may be re-established.

f. The framed signs and transom window signs at the Broadway entrance may be reestablished.

g. The transom window signs and framed signs at the Lawrence entrance may be reestablished.

h. The Magnolia entry canopy, which may include illuminated static signage atop the canopy, and transom window signs.

[LouisVanDerWright]

Now that's bannana worthy. Really hoping to see that Marquee and sign lit up!

[ardecila]

Sad to see all the terra cotta getting ripped out and replaced with GFRC, especially when replacement terra-cotta pieces are easier to get now than any point since the 1940s. But everything else is awesome, need to get this thing movin!

[marothisu]

How long is the renovation supposed to take? Of course - huge theater. It's pretty crazy when you compare it to some other stuff not even in Chicago. This thing will have 5800 person occupancy. Radio City Music Hall in NYC is just over 6000 people. Chicago Theater is 3600 people while Auditorium Theater is nearly 3900 people. Dolby Theater in LA (where the Oscars are held) is 3400 people. Microsoft Theater in LA (where the Emmy's are held) is 7100 people. Shrine Auditorium in LA which has held the Grammys, American Music Awards, and the ending scene to the newest A Star is Born is 6300 people.

So basically this thing in size is going to rival Radio City Music Hall in NYC and Shrine Auditorium in LA in terms of size. Think about that for a minute. Very curious as to the type of programming they're going to get for this. Of course, Aragon is big too at 5000 people.

Uptown Theater - 5800 people
Aragon - 5000 people
Riviera - 2500 people

A little south:
Metro - 1100 people
The Vic - 1000 people

[left of center]

Originally Posted by Rizzo

No highrise should go there. Ever. It’s not like Chicago is running out of land to build towers on. Expand density out of the core and save heritage buildings.

I know some folks may not agree with my opinion, but I don’t think the development potential of ALL property in the core is unlimited. By that I mean most of all orange and red rated buildings should be preserved. Most of these are very large important buildings but just a handful are even older residential structures. I don’t think preservation of those few is unreasonable.

Fully agreed. We've lost enough of our architectural heritage. Plenty of brownfield sites and abandoned industrial land immediately adjacent to the core to develop on. Immediately designate the few historic lowrises and rowhouses in River North as landmarks so this sort of unscrupulous behavior gets nipped in the bud.

Originally Posted by marothisu

New zoning application for the renovation and re-establishment of Uptown Theatre. 5800 person total occupancy:

https://chicago.legistar.com/Legisla...vanced&Search=

F*ucking yes! Awesome! I want renovation to start ASAP so I can slap myself and prove that this isn't a pipe dream

[Busy Bee]

Uptown news
So awesome

[marothisu]

Originally Posted by Busy Bee

Uptown news
So awesome

Right around the Lawrence stop will be able to handle up to 3 different concert sets and over 13,000 people on a given night. It's already great for this, but if they pull off renovation, who's taking bets on this area of Uptown gentrifying even more?

[Rizzo]

Originally Posted by ChickeNES

Sounds good to me. If enough people bitch at Reilly (or vote him out) maybe something will actually get approved here. I don't find the current buildings all that remarkable, landmarking them just because they are old is asinine.

They’re part of the historical survey. A limited collection of contributing buildings to Chicago’s architectural identity. How is that asinine?

In more positive news, Happy to hear about the Uptown

[k1052]

Originally Posted by marothisu

How long is the renovation supposed to take? Of course - huge theater. It's pretty crazy when you compare it to some other stuff not even in Chicago. This thing will have 5800 person occupancy. Radio City Music Hall in NYC is just over 6000 people. Chicago Theater is 3600 people while Auditorium Theater is nearly 3900 people. Dolby Theater in LA (where the Oscars are held) is 3400 people. Microsoft Theater in LA (where the Emmy's are held) is 7100 people. Shrine Auditorium in LA which has held the Grammys, American Music Awards, and the ending scene to the newest A Star is Born is 6300 people.

So basically this thing in size is going to rival Radio City Music Hall in NYC and Shrine Auditorium in LA in terms of size. Think about that for a minute. Very curious as to the type of programming they're going to get for this. Of course, Aragon is big too at 5000 people.

Uptown Theater - 5800 people
Aragon - 5000 people
Riviera - 2500 people

A little south:
Metro - 1100 people
The Vic - 1000 people

I'm personally hopeful that the renovated Uptown steals some business from the Aragon which is my very least favorite venue in the city. The acoustics suck, its perpetually one million degrees inside, and exiting is a nightmare. I skip shows I would otherwise go it if that's where they are playing.

[Via Chicago]

Originally Posted by ardecila

Sad to see all the terra cotta getting ripped out and replaced with GFRC, especially when replacement terra-cotta pieces are easier to get now than any point since the 1940s. But everything else is awesome, need to get this thing movin!

Wait is this just as-needed (as in, a piece here and there), or are they taking it all down. I would certainly hope they're preserving what they can....