CHICAGO | General Developments

[Notyrview]

Originally Posted by Ch.G, Ch.G

This is great.

Yes it's fantastic +love the two queens in the foreground

[Vlajos]

Originally Posted by spyguy

I think it is wrong. The City's press release puts the total at close to $46 million.

Sounds much better.

[harryc]

Originally Posted by WindyCity

Don’t know if this has been posted but as of last month this is the update on the new mall in Chicago; Fashion Outlet of Chicago, in Rosemont.
Pretty small pictures…



MORE HERE:
http://www.dailyherald.com/article/2...09/photos/EP8/
Here are some renderings:
..snip...

Thank you - I has assumed this was more Casino - I hope they leave the river alone - floodplains are for flooding.

[UrbanOasis]

Here are two I forgot to post from Saturday, March 30th.

The Argo Tea structure has a much larger footprint than I thought it would. Hopefully the plantings/walkways/fountain will help make the additions to Connors Park a cohesive part of that area.

[bnk]

Originally Posted by Hayward

Our personal opinions aside, there should be a bit more respect for someone taking photos in the first place. Just a matter of seeing and knowing about something is worth our time. Thanks WindyCity for posting these.

I agree. This place has not busting the seams with newcomers for last oh 5 years or so. Its nice to see some other fourmers that have joined of late. Any good photos and or thoughtful contribution is appreciated.

Also thanks for sharing those photos UrbanOasis.

[WindyCity]

Originally Posted by jpIllInoIs

^Bleck, Nothing personal WindyCity, but I could have done without seeing those photos..

Wait... Uh.. What?

I'm a little confused. But You're welcome to those who were interested. The Mall, IMO, seems worth exploring. Whether if I'm buyin something there or not.

[wierdaaron]

He's saying the building is ugly. Not your fault.

[emathias]

Originally Posted by UrbanOasis

Here are two I forgot to post from Saturday, March 30th.

The Argo Tea structure has a much larger footprint than I thought it would. Hopefully the plantings/walkways/fountain will help make the additions to Connors Park a cohesive part of that area.
...

Looks like a damn barn.

Part of the beauty of that space was it's non-squares. Plopping a big, straight-lined rectangle into it destroys that aspect of it.

[WindyCity]

Originally Posted by wierdaaron

He's saying the building is ugly. Not your fault.

I think it's awesome. But to each their own.

[Rizzo]

Originally Posted by emathias

Looks like a damn barn.

Part of the beauty of that space was it's non-squares. Plopping a big, straight-lined rectangle into it destroys that aspect of it.

I'm worried about the polycarb cladding. It's going to turn yellow and you'll see all the leaves rotting on the roof from underneath.

[ardecila]

They have UV-resistant versions. They're only warrantied for ten years but they can probably go 15 or 20 without yellowing.

[Rizzo]

Originally Posted by ardecila

They have UV-resistant versions. They're only warrantied for ten years but they can probably go 15 or 20 without yellowing.

I know that, but we are talking a pre-engineered building here.....

[denizen467]

Originally Posted by emathias

Looks like a damn barn.

Part of the beauty of that space was it's non-squares. Plopping a big, straight-lined rectangle into it destroys that aspect of it.

I was happy with this 365-day-a-year repurposing of this urban square -- with a fairly reasonably-sized wintergarden -- until I saw your comment. It's a very good point. Matter of fact, stuff like this is really a wasted opportunity.

And this is what I said of the Apple Store at Clybourn too a while back. Unique triangle lot, where Clybourn is not just some side street but an artery, intersected by 2 other arteries, and they crap out just another box. An elegant box, with glass ends, but another box that could be anywhere (like Scottsdale, where the prototype was built). I know boxes are cheaper and simpler to operate, but this is not Bolingbrook we're talking about.

I feel like in Chicago we're trapped in orthogonal hell.

[LouisVanDerWright]

Originally Posted by spyguy

Don't forget the new 8 or 9 story Malcolm X College: http://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/20130...-521m-addition . It's supposed to have an enormous parking garage though; not sure if that's in anticipation of redeveloping some of the UC lots or strictly just for students.

From the article:



That's the first image I've seen of this project, also had no idea it would be so tall, guess I was expecting something lowrise like the building they are in now. Looks like it will be nice and modern, any idea who is designing it. Also, says they want to be finished working on it by December, 2015, they had better get working on it then, they've only got 20 months at this point. Any idea when they will start work? Can't wait for that lot to bite the dust. We might finally be seeing the beginning of the end of the United Sea of Parking.

[ardecila]

Interesting... it seems kinda sprawling. I guess it'll have plenty of natural light and mimic hospital architecture to some extent (they will teach nursing at Malcolm X IIRC) but I feel like the siteplan is kinda random... why is one wing angled?

Does it need to be surrounded by a green setback zone? The only buildings that should be doing this in an urban environment are Federal buildings with blast zones.

[LouisVanDerWright]

^^^ I disagree. I think educational buildings get a pass on that as well in order to help create a "campus feel". Also, they can't exactly put retail on the first floor because of the noise concerns being right below classrooms. So what would you propose? Either classroom windows right up against the street (no good, who wants that distraction and people looking right into the room as they pass) or a blank wall of some sort at street level?

I like the potential here to create a kind of "mini campus" between the old (which is becoming a HS) and new buildings here.

[joeg1985]

Originally Posted by LouisVanDerWright

From the article:



That's the first image I've seen of this project, also had no idea it would be so tall, guess I was expecting something lowrise like the building they are in now. Looks like it will be nice and modern, any idea who is designing it. Also, says they want to be finished working on it by December, 2015, they had better get working on it then, they've only got 20 months at this point. Any idea when they will start work? Can't wait for that lot to bite the dust. We might finally be seeing the beginning of the end of the United Sea of Parking.

Didn't the article have a quote from a rep at Cannon Design? I think they're designing the project. They've got an incredible portfolio.

[markh9]

Division & Ashland:





Godfrey:







In context:




...and the Wrigley Building's Plaza is open...sorta:

[ardecila]

Originally Posted by LouisVanDerWright

^^^ I disagree. I think educational buildings get a pass on that as well in order to help create a "campus feel". Also, they can't exactly put retail on the first floor because of the noise concerns being right below classrooms. So what would you propose? Either classroom windows right up against the street (no good, who wants that distraction and people looking right into the room as they pass) or a blank wall of some sort at street level?

I like the potential here to create a kind of "mini campus" between the old (which is becoming a HS) and new buildings here.

Put communal spaces on the ground; the building needs a cafeteria, study lounges, student commons, etc. Classrooms can be on upper floors. I'm not saying they shouldn't build green space, but it should be in the form of courtyards or plazas along the street, not some shapeless, useless green strip around the perimeter. Let the buildings define space instead of existing as objects.

The new Rush Hospital does a great job of balancing, with a rectangular base and a free-form tower, and several nice outdoor spaces that can actually be used when the weather's nice.

The students here are almost entirely commuter students that are working jobs or taking care of families when they're not in class. They won't be lounging around the campus studying in the grass like undergrads at the U of C.

[the urban politician]

The Godfrey is looking SLICK! Love it.

The Division Ashland building sure shot up fast. Here's hoping to 100% occupancy and more developers/lenders seeing value in this kind of a development.