CHICAGO | General Developments

[The North One]

I saw this on curbed, such a gorgeous theatre.

[MayorOfChicago]

Originally Posted by Steely Dan

so unrelentingly fucking cool if this all actually happens.

i want to be really excited, but i'm scared.

Yes, I'll believe it when I see them actually in there going full force...

Not trying to jinx it, but something always "happens" to delay or stop stuff like this.

[Kenmore]

hard not to be skeptical re: the uptown project when the stated cost number is so obviously low

that said, the development wave in uptown has been swelling for sometime and this could take it over the top

[sentinel]

Originally Posted by LouisVanDerWright

Well I'll be, I thought it would never happen...

Hopefully the economy holds out through next year so this actually gets off the ground!



I don't believe anything large ever actually fell, but when you are talking large self supporting cornice elements like that, even the slightest tilt from water damage along the roofline can mean serious movement towards the top. Enough movement and it topples over so it's an extremely serious concern for the city. The city will often put in emergency orders to erect sidewalk canopy or stabilize the cornice if even a small piece comes down (or if it looks dangerous enough).

Given how perforated the crown was it's likely that it was failing in multiple spots and the city said "either take it down or we will". Good thing they decided to take it down and store it or the city would have probably trashed it.

Yes, I understand everything you are saying, my comment was just in response to k1052's.

[sentinel]

Originally Posted by Kenmore

hard not to be skeptical re: the uptown project when the stated cost number is so obviously low

that said, the development wave in uptown has been swelling for sometime and this could take it over the top

Initially I was skeptical, before the article, but considering (from the article):

"As previously reported in the Tribune, the $75 million restoration includes $13 million in so-called tax increment financing assistance. Other city funds include $14 million in property assessed clean energy financing and $3 million in Adopt-a-Landmark Funds. The bulk of the rest of money is to come both from investments by Farpoint and Jam, and from a commercial bank loan.."

Also from the article, "Others on the team include MacRostie Historic Advisors, specialists in using tax credits as part of historic theater renovations, and Forefront Structural Engineers. The facade will be restored by Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates. WMA Consulting Engineers will work on the building’s mechanical guts, and Conrad Schmitt Studios will consult on the historic finishes needed for a Rapp and Rapp movie palace brought back to its former glory...", which indicates that all of these consultants have been hired to provide professional services, so this is very much a real project, with consultants already producing design drawings that will turn into actual CDs, etc. I don't recall the process being this far along in previous iterations, so this is very much the real deal.

Also, this: "...Along with approving the public financing elements of the restoration for partners Jam Productions and Farpoint Development, the commission — its members were appointed by Mayor Rahm Emanuel — also is expected to approve the sale (for $1) of a 31,000-square-foot, city-owned parking lot at 1130 W. Lawrence Ave. in order to “support theater operations..."

[k1052]

Originally Posted by sentinel

? Did that actually happen? I have read before that it was removed because it was old, degraded and a liability to keep in place, even before Mickelson bought the theater. I've never heard of it falling onto the roof or sidewalk before..

Unsure if any actually fell but the worries about the integrity were bad enough that they took it all down and stored it before it could, well before Mickelson came into the picture.

[Kenmore]

wonder how much longer that just tires hangs on

[Rizzo]

Originally Posted by Kenmore

hard not to be skeptical re: the uptown project when the stated cost number is so obviously low

that said, the development wave in uptown has been swelling for sometime and this could take it over the top

It’s okay to be a skeptic. Just don’t take on this perspective:

Originally Posted by Kenmore

I've heard 150, no bs

it needs to be razed

[the urban politician]

Brinking back the original marquee is just.....masterful

[LouisVanDerWright]

Originally Posted by Kenmore

hard not to be skeptical re: the uptown project when the stated cost number is so obviously low

that said, the development wave in uptown has been swelling for sometime and this could take it over the top

Wrong, $75 million is totally reasonable. I know people who have actually done similar projects and $75 million sounds just about right based on what they spent or are spending on nearly identical structures. Most of that $75 million is stuff you won't even see mainly the crazy mechanical system needed to service such a space. Also they aren't touching the fly here which makes a huge difference. I know the biggest single line item when they did some of the Broadway theaters downtown was upgrading the fly shaft aand backstage to Broadway dimensions. This theater will not be holding such events and that's a huge savings.

[Baronvonellis]

Great news that it's still moving forward. What does this mean-- also is expected to approve the sale (for $1) of a 31,000-square-foot, city-owned parking lot at 1130 W. Lawrence Ave. in order to “support theater operations..."

Why are they selling a valuable lot for free? Wouldn't theatre operations be inside the theatre?

[the urban politician]

Originally Posted by Baronvonellis

Great news that it's still moving forward. What does this mean-- also is expected to approve the sale (for $1) of a 31,000-square-foot, city-owned parking lot at 1130 W. Lawrence Ave. in order to “support theater operations..."

Why are they selling a valuable lot for free? Wouldn't theatre operations be inside the theatre?

^ I'm willing to wager that such "operations" will be for parking

[left of center]

Originally Posted by the urban politician

^ I'm willing to wager that such "operations" will be for parking

My guess as well, which is a shame considering its location adjacent to a CTA stop. Hopefully they can turn it into a well designed multi use parking structure with retail on the first floor, instead of just leaving it as a lot. Demand generated by the Uptown would probably mean there would be a need for a lot more spots than the lot could currently provide.

[ardecila]

Originally Posted by left of center

My guess as well, which is a shame considering its location adjacent to a CTA stop. Hopefully they can turn it into a well designed multi use parking structure with retail on the first floor, instead of just leaving it as a lot. Demand generated by the Uptown would probably mean there would be a need for a lot more spots than the lot could currently provide.

I doubt it. The lot will probably continue as a surface lot, just reserved for high-priced valet operations at the theatre. You, me, and the rest of the regular folks can just take the Red Line like plebs.

[k1052]

Maybe it's just me but I read the Lawrence lot sale differently. Seems zoned permissively, qualifies for TOD, in a market with clear demand for rentals...

[BWChicago]

The Lawrence lot actually had a parking structure on it at one time.

[Steely Dan]

i moved the whole oriental theater discussion to the general discussion thread: http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=208431

[sentinel]

New CHA Library, Daycare and Community Center in Altgeld Gardens
Design and renderings by Koo Architecture (not sure on current status of this project, and drawings are from May):











Looks like a pretty Kool building
https://www.architectmagazine.com/pr...munity-space_1

[Skyguy_7]

^Nice to see some action with that one. We bid it in July and haven't heard a word since.

[sentinel]

^Oh...the drawings in the article are from May :/