So, rumor has it that ABC7 is planning to build a new street-level studio on State between Lake and Randolph. This is why the jewelry store and "Nuts on Clark" both lost their leases. So, the proof's in the pudding :)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v240/geoff_diamond/Chicago%20-%20Construction/abc7_02250501.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v240/geoff_diamond/Chicago%20-%20Construction/abc7_02250502.jpg

Here's a snippet from an article by Red Streak's Sandra Guy that outlines some of the changes happening on State Street (including the studio).

Moving on up to State Street

Developers are also counting on a slew of new residents to move into luxury high-rises sprouting up throughout the Loop, several with a view of Millennium Park:

* A 32-story condo tower at the Walgreens site at the northeast corner of Randolph and State.

* 106 condos above the H&M and Nordstrom Rack stores at 20 N. State.

* 168 condos in the former Evans Fur building at 36 S. State.

* Library Tower at the southwest corner of State and Congress.

* And a bit farther south, the 243-unit State Place at 1101 S. State.

Plans call for several familiar storefronts to vacate State Street to make way for venues expected to draw bigger crowds.

For example:

* TheatreDreams Chicago, owner of the Chicago Theatre at 175 N. State, is in talks to purchase the Page Brothers Building next door. They want to put a restaurant in the building, displacing the off-track betting parlor there now, an informed source said. A spokeswoman for TheatreDreams said negotiations are under way.

* The vacant Toys R Us store at 10 S. State will be divided among three retailers: Office Depot, Urban Outfitters, a trendy apparel and dorm-decor retailer that varies offerings at each store; and Men's Warehouse/K&G Menswear, according to sources close to the negotiations.

* A building that once housed Burger King, a wig shop and an electronics store on the west side of State between Monroe and Adams is being marketed as a single lease.

* The Century Building at 202 S. State will be converted from office space to a 98-room boutique hotel that would sell rooms as condos.

* Nuts on Clark, Lane Jewelers and a credit union will vacate space at 190 N. State if WLS-Channel 7 succeeds in transforming the ground-floor of its headquarters at State and Lake into a streetfront studio.

I was walking by the site on Thursday when I stumbled across (almost literally) all of the barricading that had put up around the front of the project. Apparently, it had blown over around 6:15 that evening for no reason. Anyway, I took the opportunity to snap a few quick shots. Sorry for the quality - camera phones and dark environments never mix well.

http://img352.imageshack.us/img352/2084/abc011rw.jpg

http://img352.imageshack.us/img352/8579/abc024kl.jpg

Behold... the LCD screen :)) This is only the lower section; they put another 20' on top of it later that night (which I saw when I went by the site again yesterday). This screen is going to be one of the coolest things in the city. It's got a .4mm pitch!!! (for those of you unfamiliar with LCD technology- that means quality that's on par with the best computer and laptop screens!!!).
http://img352.imageshack.us/img352/1995/abc039fw.jpg

http://img352.imageshack.us/img352/1744/abc043ke.jpg

http://img352.imageshack.us/img352/7676/abc050tc.jpg

Another shot of the LCD. It starts off parallel with the building's facade and then does a 90-degree twist about half way up so the upper portion is perpendicular to the facade and easily ledgible from well down State.
http://img352.imageshack.us/img352/6852/abc060mv.jpg

http://img352.imageshack.us/img352/2967/abc079gh.jpg

Wow. That LCD is going to really be something.

LCD? Isn't it going to be an OLED display?

wow. i remember the renderings of this , its look realy cool so far, i didnt realize how far along they are already on this

http://www.suntimes.com/output/news/cst-nws-sculpt09.html

WLS sculpture strikes a new State St. pose
February 9, 2006
BY MISHA DAVENPORT Staff Reporter

The Chicago Theatre marquee, one of the city's visual landmarks, just got some heavyweight competition.

Sixteen thousand pounds, in fact.

WLS-Channel 7 studios, located across State Street from the famed marquee, just took the wraps off an 8-ton, 42-foot-tall, 8-foot-wide sculpture that insiders are calling "Obelisk."

"We didn't just want a traditional sign," Channel 7 president and general manager Emily Barr said. "We're a television entity, and we knew it had to be something visually striking."

The sculpture's surface has an LED display capable of showing video images at a resolution higher than the faces projected on Crown Fountain in Millennium Park.

The company that built it also recently did a video marquee for ABC News in New York's Times Square.

The Chicago display was assembled outside the ABC-owned station at 190 N. State over the last couple of weeks. For several days it has been showing test images.

Staffers at the station are learning how to program the new visual marker, and Barr expects to start using it for station-specific content in the next three to four weeks.

"It will eventually feature a combination of live, on-air footage, taped shots of our anchors' faces, our logo and other images to reflect our programming."

In fact, Barr says, Chicagoans should think of the Obelisk as one long, tall TV set -- with one notable exception.

"We don't plan on running ads on it."

The display is great looking, even with "just" the test images. I'll be curious to see what they do with it.

Lynn Becker has some awesome shots of the studio and sign. I really think this will become a famous shot for people traveling State St.

http://lynnbecker.com/repeat/abc7/abc7frontr.jpg
http://lynnbecker.com/repeat/abc7/abcsign.jpg

Just brilliant.

This certainly came out better than the half assed NBC 5 studio...

NBC's Studio 5 is such garbage. It's their own fault for building it so far off the street and managing to place their glazing in such a manner that it's virtually impossible to see in during the day. ABC and CBS are both making them look foolish with their street-level studios.

I really like this. And I like that State Street is returning to what it used to be. :) This, after-all, was the image of downtown Chicago for generations of Chicagoans.

NBC's Studio 5 is such garbage. It's their own fault for building it so far off the street and managing to place their glazing in such a manner that it's virtually impossible to see in during the day.

I would not be surprised if Fox and NBC come out with some new plans to enhance their current studios too. It seems ABC News headquarters in Times Square kind of set the bar about 4 or 5 years ago but ABC 7 looks to be better suited as far design when compared with CBS news future digs.

whoa!

Those are really cool. I really wish i was in chicago to see those right now.

The beautiful glasswork is by Trainor Glass Co. - way to go!! - Jim P. and Bob M. !! Looks great!

Hmm.. I noticed the address is 190 N. State. Is this the source of the name for the TV show, 190 North? I thought this property was bought recently for ABC7, but that show's been around for a few years.

Has anyone seen the promo that Channel 7 is using on t.v. about a radical new set up for March?

Obviously this is it.

Has anyone seen the promo that Channel 7 is using on t.v. about a radical new set up for March?

Obviously this is it.

Yup

And guess what

They will be broadcasting not only from a new set, but also for the first time ever in Full HDTV along with a brand new traffic helicopter with HD

Almost done
Time to pack up and move in :)

Is it going to be where only the set is in HD and the stories and interviews will be in 4:3 480i resolution

http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/060404/cgtu062.html?.v=40

This is very exciting for State Street, IMO.

http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=stationinfo&id=4053703

Jerry has a pretty good phone

Taken today:

http://img83.imageshack.us/img83/3656/abcstudio7od.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Taken today:

http://img83.imageshack.us/img83/3656/abcstudio7od.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

State Street in 1949

http://www.chicagotribune.com/media/photo/2005-06/17910320.jpg

Copyright © 2006, Chicago Tribune

Did anyboday watch this mornings channel 7 news? I think this was their first broadcast from their new studio.

State Street in 1949

http://www.chicagotribune.com/media/photo/2005-06/17910320.jpg

Copyright © 2006, Chicago Tribune

Man, I can't wait for State Street to (sort of) return to its glory days.

Did anyboday watch this mornings channel 7 news? I think this was their first broadcast from their new studio.

I was watching the ABC news and they said something like that on Friday or Saturday (can't remember). Either way it's really nice.

Did anyboday watch this mornings channel 7 news? I think this was their first broadcast from their new studio.

I think tomorrow morning is the inaugural broadcast. They plan to spend much of the newscast giving the audience a tour of the studio, etc. I might get up early and watch it.

I think tomorrow morning is the inaugural broadcast. They plan to spend much of the newscast giving the audience a tour of the studio, etc. I might get up early and watch it.

What time is it?

Man, I can't wait for State Street to (sort of) return to its glory days.

That's what I was thinking, too. The ABC Studio... MoMo on the way... Now we just need Block 37 to come to fruition.

What time is it?

From 5am-7am. Here's a link to a story about the broadcast (http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=stationinfo&id=4053703).

I posted a couple of images taken this evening on my blog, here is one of them, more on the link (looper) at my signature:

http://photos1.blogger.com/hello/254/3300/1024/P1020102.jpg

Someone tell channel 5 that this is how a local street level studio is supposed to look like... Even the news ticker looks great.

http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=local&id=4071299

Nothing says "Chicago" like State Street
April 10, 2006 - There may be no street in Chicago with such personality and fame as State Street. Chicago's State Street has had its ups and downs over the years, but today it is back with a vengeance.

State Street has been that Great Street for just about as long as the city has been around -- from the days of the horse and carriage to trolley cars.

"It's been here since the beginning of Chicago. The early part of Chicago development is centered around State Street," said Alderman Burt Natarus.

For a while, the street took a tumble.

"Unfortunately the area underwent some negative disinvestment during the 1970's and 1980's when the street was closed to vehicular traffic. That was a big mistake in retrospect," said Ty Tabing, Chicago Loop Alliance.

Fixing that mistake sparked what some experts call one of the greatest turnarounds in urban history -- a revitalization even better than the dreamers dreamed. It is now a thriving commercial area full of activity and life.

"The city's vision was to create a theater district -- which we view this as being a key addition to and to try to get more people to move into that area so there will be that 24/7 vibrancy throughout the day," said Tabing.

As for the future of State Street, one of its prime promoters says it's great.

"I think State Street will be very competitive with north Michigan Avenue. And there's no reason why you can't have both. Chicago, that's my hometown," said Natarus.

The development of State Street has been very important Mayor Daley.

"State Street has been part of Chicago's history. Reflect the past and see the present but most important the future. That's why the dedication of the ABC Channel 7's wonderful studios and becoming part and parcel where you can really feel the energy and people here on State Street. To me, it has changed. There's theaters, there's more students living downtown, families. It's not the street itself, it basically really comprises the subway, the El. It comprises the Loop area. That's what's so significant about State Street," said Mayor Daley.
-----------------
theres also some cool videos to watch at the address i posted above

I saw it this morning at it looked really good! ;)

I saw it this morning at it looked really good! ;)

No wink necessary. It did look really good.

I walked past the studio at about 8:30 this morning, and there were about 30 or so people crowded around.

Hosea Sanders and Judy Hsu
http://images.snapfish.com/34678%3C%3A%3A3%7Ffp33%3B%3Enu%3D3233%3E556%3E259%3E232455634%3A669ot1lsi

Tracy Butler (weather-woman)
http://images.snapfish.com/34678%3C%3A%3A3%7Ffp339%3Enu%3D3233%3E556%3E259%3E232455634%3A66%3Bot1lsi

i thought the gold fish bowl stuff was getting old, or dated,
doesnt this seem a bit after the curve?

i have noticed that cnn and fox arent so into this, and just in general this is just weird,
its okay, but imagine a homeless guy causing a ruckuss banging on the window during a broadcast? seems like it will draw attention seekers and unstable people

its okay and all, and its kind of timesquarish

I am sure Blair Kamin will pan it. The glass bowl studio does "not" blend in with architecture of the building.... However, I still think that it's an asset to State Street.

I walked past thirty minutes ago and there were at least 40 people outside. Unbelievable.

Might just be the nice weather but there was a crowd outside again today, even when ABC wasn't broadcasting.

I just hope that security is solid enough that the local gangs don't acid sketch the windows.

The company I work for did the glazing. The glass is coated on the exterior with a relatively, thick, clear PVC to prevent graffiti.

Might just be the nice weather but there was a crowd outside again today, even when ABC wasn't broadcasting.

I just hope that security is solid enough that the local gangs don't acid sketch the windows.

There's gangs in DT?

No. Lol. These comments make Chicago sound like it's stuck in the 80s!

Even in the 80's DT has always been a neutral zone.
Well, I passed by the station today and the windows were covered... Rip off

I know little about gang activity in the Loop, but gang tags are everywhere. Acid Sketching is visible in store front windows on State street.