Cool new River West project that is well underway. (Feel free to move to a more appropriate forum if there is one).

http://mondialriverwest.com/index.htm

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j63/creilmann/home_rendering1.jpg

http://www.suntimes.com/business/roeder/669790,CST-FIN-roeder28.article

McCaffery aims to fit with Flair
DAVID ROEDER

Chicago developer Dan McCaffery has taken control of a site in River North and is moving forward with plans for an apartment high-rise. Working with architect Joseph Antunovich, McCaffery has turned in plans that would relate the building to a much smaller neighbor -- a three-story building at 214 W. Erie that dates from the 1880s.

...puts a low-rise section next to Flair House. The high-rise part is dubbed Flair Tower. It would reach to 26 stories and contain 201 units.

^ Wow, that sure is a POS. What genius designed that podium?
^ That thing is worthless. Way to contribute to the skyline! POS indeed.

It looks like that State and Illinois project has been redesigned slightly. Still has two floors of retail space.
http://img66.imageshack.us/img66/4480/stateil3lb5.jpg
http://img507.imageshack.us/img507/4125/stateil2lp2.jpg

Where are you getting these?

I just looked yesterday at this lot in the Chicago zoning map. They have links to the Cook County Recorder of Deeds, and there haven't been any legal documents filed between the owner of the site (Illinois Bell) and a developer. Such documents usually reveal a development proposal.

I love the fact that some architect has designed a building for the site, but is there a real proposal behind it, or is the architect just fantasizing to fill his portfolio?

There was an article about it a while back. I'll see if I can still find it.

I drove past 757 No. Orleans today and they were pouring the 10th floor around 4:00PM.

http://www.bestchicagocondos.com/blog/construction-lands-on-10th-floor-at-757-orleans/

I was right about the pouring of the 10th floor...Lucky guess on my part.

Condo project planned near Trump Tower

In a bet that the downtown condominium market will emerge from its doldrums, a Chicago development firm plans a narrow, mid-rise building just north of Donald Trump’s 92-story hotel/condo tower along the Chicago River.

Belgravia Group Ltd. is considering a 15- to 17-story building, with about 50 condo units, above an existing parking garage at 405 N. Wabash Ave., sources say. Belgravia has a contract to buy the air rights above the garage, which has one level at street level and three floors below ground.

http://www.chicagobusiness.com/cgi-bin/news.pl?id=27418

It looks like that State and Illinois project has been redesigned slightly. Still has two floors of retail space.
http://img66.imageshack.us/img66/4480/stateil3lb5.jpg
http://img507.imageshack.us/img507/4125/stateil2lp2.jpg


What the hell is that material suppose to be on the upper floors of the parking structure...glass I assume-or tarps? lol Kind of shady lookin the way they don't have it very rendered well. Much much much better though!

did anybody read today's Tribune paper?? They mention a new condo/hotel at 505 State next to the AMA building. They did not mention any height for this proposal... anybody got any info on this???

Yeah its the Hotel Palamor-its been discussed a little bit on this thread- just scroll back.

did anybody read today's Tribune paper?? They mention a new condo/hotel at 505 State next to the AMA building. They did not mention any height for this proposal... anybody got any info on this???

There's a thread for it:

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=538032

Please continue any discussion about it there. Thanks.

There's a thread for it:

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=538032

Please continue any discussion about it there. Thanks.

I don't believe they were talking about the palomar...... READ the tribune article

Do you have a link?

It is the Hotel Palomar. The article mentions John Buck and Royal Properties, which are the developers of the hotel/condo tower.

which building is this?


http://www.chicagorealestatedaily.com/cgi-bin/news.pl?id=27504


River North condo project gets loan for first tower

By Alby Gallun

(Crain’s) — The developers of a two-tower, 385-unit condominium project next to the Scottish Rite Cathedral in River North have secured a $135-million loan to finance the construction of the first tower.

Enterprise Cos. and Mesirow Financial Real Estate, both of Chicago, plan to break ground Jan. 21 on the Walton on the Park development, says Enterprise Chairman Ron Shipka Sr. Chicago-based Corus Bank N.A. has agreed to provide the construction loan, and investors, including Enterprise and Mesirow, are kicking in about $50 million in equity, he says.

Buyers have signed contracts for 85, or about 43%, of the 198 units in the 39-story south tower, at State Street and Delaware Place. Mr. Shipka expects the groundbreaking to provide a marketing boost, showing potential buyers that the project is real.

^Walton on the Park
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?p=17212625

thanks hydro

http://chicagobusiness.com/cgi-bin/news.pl?id=27733

Postal Service eyes redevelopment of Dearborn site

Jan. 11, 2008
By Eddie Baeb

The U.S. Postal Service is laying the groundwork for a possible redevelopment of its River North outpost, known as Fort Dearborn Station, at 540 N. Dearborn St.

Reilly is pushing for a park, says Crain's. The scenario being discussed is a land swap, allowing the USPO to build a new facility on the other property. I don't know where that lot would be, since it needs to be big enough to store all their trucks. There's a nice-sized lot over on Kingsbury at Illinois that might work. Can the city use eminent domain to take a parking lot for a post office? Schools and roads are usually the goals, not post offices.

I'm excited for this. River North desperately needs a Park that doesn't have an "-ing" on the end of the name.

I agree! I would like to see something like Washington Square built there.

http://www.suntimes.com/business/739243,CST-FIN-build14.article

3-hotel complex seeks OK

January 14, 2008
BY DAVID ROEDER AND FRAN SPIELMAN

The largest property owner in River North has asked for city approval of plans for a three-hotel complex at 501 N. Clark.

Albert Friedman has proposed 729 hotel rooms and 190 parking spaces on a partial block that's mostly used as parking lot. The only building on the site has a branch of North Bank and would be razed.

One of those 3 hotels is the Hyatt Place reported in Crain's last spring. If the building is done well, it would add a great streetwall around the park on the Post Office site.

.....Can the city use eminent domain to take a parking lot for a post office? Schools and roads are usually the goals, not post offices.....

The USPS is a federal entity - not sure how Chicago cold exercise ED on the Fed's behalf? - not that I'm a big fan of ED anyhow - but perhaps Mr. Downtown or one of the other forumers would know.

The USPS is a federal entity - not sure how Chicago cold exercise ED on the Fed's behalf? - not that I'm a big fan of ED anyhow - but perhaps Mr. Downtown or one of the other forumers would know.

I'm not a lawyer, so I can't really show any precedents. I think most people would agree, though, that a post office is an acceptable public use for which land may be taken. The city acquiring the land itself is key to the land swap, otherwise the city has nothing to offer the Feds in exchange for the Dearborn site.

I believe eminent domain was used to acquire the land for the new Chicago post office on Harrison. A historic warehouse sat on the site, and it was demolished to make way for the post office.

I think it would be a little tricky for the city to use eminent domain directly for a USPS facility, but they probably wouldn't have to stretch too far to take it for a park (wink, wink) this year and then next year conclude that swapping parkland here for parkland there was in the public interest.

Much more likely is that the city would find land for USPS in the Goose Island or Cabrini-Green TIF areas, where land can be taken for any sort of redevelopment:

http://img219.imageshack.us/img219/3744/picture22sy8.png

This excerpt comes from the citywide map of TIFs. (http://egov.cityofchicago.org/webportal/COCWebPortal/COC_EDITORIAL/TIFs.pdf)

What's T-100?

A site at Chicago/Hudson next to the Cabrini rowhouses might work, but only after the whites have been demolished. This isn't too far from the rest of River North, just inside the TIF. There are also facilities in the Mart, Water Tower Place, and on East Ontario.

T-100 appears to be Chestnut to Pearson, State to Wabash. Location of Loyola's new student center, and maybe some other future Loyola project.

It makes perfect sense to move the carrier workspace to Goose Island or someplace around there, and send out a press release about how many industrial jobs have been created by the city's hard work to preserve the Goose Island PMD. ;) The retail functions of the post office can easily go in the lobby of some other River North building.

I suppose the good thing about Goose Island is easier access and parking for the postal workers. I believe the current building has some parking inside for employees, and some employees have to park in surface lots in the area. Removing an employer reduces the need for lots, increasing the chances of development on those lots.

T-100 appears to be Chestnut to Pearson, State to Wabash. Location of Loyola's new student center, and maybe some other future Loyola project.

I think it's actually nearer Ohio Street, which matches the key for it ("Ohio/Wabash") in the link you provided.

Thanks, btw, for posting this -- and for posting the link. Great find, DT.

Clark & Grand hotels
http://img131.imageshack.us/img131/5279/clarkandgrandrd6.jpg
http://img507.imageshack.us/img507/1273/clarkandgrand2ef9.jpg

[QUOTE=spyguy;18055563]Clark & Grand hotels

Thanks "SpyGuy" you are awesome in informing all of us.......:)

P.S......Do you know what is going on with the old building that was torn down next to 420 East Ohio?

Woohoo!

Redesign for Flair Tower - still PoMo but SOOOO much better than the crappy mansard before.

http://img82.imageshack.us/img82/6654/flairtowergs8.jpg

Can someone tell me what is happening on the SW corner of Oak and Rush? I haven't benn past the site lately but last time I did I saw no signage as to what was going in. That's a premier location with Mich Ave only steps away and the Viagra Triangle is right out your front door. The answer may have been posted somewhere else but I have not been able to locate any information on this.
Thanks!

Can someone tell me what is happening on the SW corner of Oak and Rush? I haven't benn past the site lately but last time I did I saw no signage as to what was going in. That's a premier location with Mich Ave only steps away and the Viagra Triangle is right out your front door. The answer may have been posted somewhere else but I have not been able to locate any information on this.
Thanks!

Its the new Barney's New York store.

Thanks Urbanight! I'll have to google it to find renderings. I guess that's why it wasn't discussed in this fourm. That will leave quite an opportunity for something on the SE corner then right?

I was at the current Barney's with my sister a couple months ago, and across the street was what appeared to be a row of gutted, old low-rises. I asked an employee there if they knew if that is where their new expansion would be going, and he said yes. I then asked him if they were planning on renovate the vacated structures, and he said no. Does anyone know if this is true, or have any information on what was there?

double post. whoops.

At that corner there used to be a series of one floor structures that housed various stores over the years including a Bang and Olufsen store on the corner. At the SW corner of State and Oak on the same site there was a 2 story bldg that housed an old-school italian restuarant for years (?? names on the tip of my tounge but can't recall right now) and upstairs there was a tanning salon for a while.

At that corner there used to be a series of one floor structures that housed various stores over the years including a Bang and Olufsen store on the corner. At the SW corner of State and Oak on the same site there was a 2 story bldg that housed an old-school italian restuarant for years (?? names on the tip of my tounge but can't recall right now) and upstairs there was a tanning salon for a while.
The Italian restaurant was Papa Milanos. Great place. A lot of people were very sad to see it go. It was one of the few places in town where you could get New York style pizza. Before it closed one of the waiters told me there were no plans to reopen at another location.

There were another couple of boutiques torn down to make way for the new Barney's. One was a button store (yes, all they sold was buttons and some threads) called Tender Buttons. There was also a children's clothing store.

The Barney's store is on something of a tight schedule. Demolition and construction on the new hotel at the site of the Esquire Theater can't begin until the Oak Street Citibank can move into the new Barney's building (on the State Street side).

At the other end of the Rush street block is a separate renovation project which is adding a floor onto the old Gino's East Pizza joint that the health department shut down. It will reopen as a string of boutiques much like what you see on Walton and Delaware right now.

Sandwiched between these two projects is the Starbucks and a shoe store that are managing to survive surrounded by disarray.

Thanks Reaper! Any information on the hotel on the site of the Esquire Theater? Haven't heard about that yet. Will there be any objection from preservationists? Not that I think it should be preserved- to me it doesn't fit in to the block and is no historic or achitectural gem.

The Barney's store is on something of a tight schedule. Demolition and construction on the new hotel at the site of the Esquire Theater can't begin until the Oak Street Citibank can move into the new Barney's building (on the State Street side).

They've been playing in the dirt for a while. Last time I walked by it was still a hole in the ground - they better hurry up.

Thanks Reaper! Any information on the hotel on the site of the Esquire Theater? Haven't heard about that yet. Will there be any objection from preservationists? Not that I think it should be preserved- to me it doesn't fit in to the block and is no historic or achitectural gem.
The preservationists have already had their say. The Esquire facade will be kept and the hotel inserted behind it. There will also be a couple of floors of retail matching the rest of Oak Street.

They've been playing in the dirt for a while. Last time I walked by it was still a hole in the ground - they better hurry up.
I was there yesterday and it's still pretty much a hole, though there are some vertical steel elements starting to show up. I suspect it's a difficult site to work on -- bounded on three sides by active streets and on the fourth by an open business. I don't know where they store stuff.

No daytime shots, but, at least you guys can get an idea of the formal quality of the building. There's a huge showcase spiral stair as the building's centerpiece inside the round volume at the northeast corner. There's also a restaurant on the roof that helps to occupy some of the outdoor space that you see up there.

http://img160.imageshack.us/img160/8360/snightrenderfinalew6.jpg

Thanks for the picture Geoff! I was poking around online and came up empty handed when I went looking for a graphic of what they were planning for the site. To me it seems more suited for Michigan Ave than oak street. Looks to be the size of a major department store. I do like the rooftop dining concept however - something like the one in London on the 4th (?) floor of (is it) Harvey Nicks (?).

NICE! Barney's of Chicago...

bp

better bring the height up further around the gold coast! love the barney's NY store!!!

Thanks for the picture Geoff! I was poking around online and came up empty handed when I went looking for a graphic of what they were planning for the site. To me it seems more suited for Michigan Ave than oak street. Looks to be the size of a major department store.
I think you'll be pleasantly surprised. Great care was taken to break up the massing just enough as to not overwhelm the surrounding area. It should all turn out pretty nice. Unless things have changed since the last time I worked on it, those panels that cover the front are perforated metal that have floral images punched into them via a CNC turret punch. It's something that hasn't been done much in Chicago, at least that I can think of, but, we should see a lot more of it moving forward. I think it is a great strategy to continue the trend of trying to mask garages and mechanicals.

I think you'll be pleasantly surprised. Great care was taken to break up the massing just enough as to not overwhelm the surrounding area. It should all turn out pretty nice. Unless things have changed since the last time I worked on it, those panels that cover the front are perforated metal that have floral images punched into them via a CNC turret punch. It's something that hasn't been done much in Chicago, at least that I can think of, but, we should see a lot more of it moving forward. I think it is a great strategy to continue the trend of trying to mask garages and mechanicals.
Thanks for the claification because before you added that narative I was reminded of the not-so special retail structures in the 600 block of Michigan- you know, the ones with the cinemas stuck on top and the other one (I always get those two mixed up because they're both so blah). Given what you've described we may be moving beyond the mediocre retail clad box with a few street level windows.

I was there yesterday and it's still pretty much a hole, though there are some vertical steel elements starting to show up. I suspect it's a difficult site to work on -- bounded on three sides by active streets and on the fourth by an open business. I don't know where they store stuff.

Here is a shot from last weekend. It is the hole in the right hand center of the picture.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2017/2256372351_63f01faf3f.jpg?v=0

It looks to me like the western portion of this site on the SE corner of State and Oak is not part of the Barney's build but has been cleared. Anybody have any information on what's planned? Is it part of the same store? Still a very desireable plot of land.

Where do you see this?

It looks to me like the western portion of this site on the SE corner of State and Oak is not part of the Barney's build but has been cleared. Anybody have any information on what's planned? Is it part of the same store? Still a very desireable plot of land.

Where do you see this?I think he is talking about the exact spot where Papa Milanos stood. I live a half a mile from there and didnt even know they demo-ed the entire block! I wonder what will go there too, its gotta be something.

thanks for the pic!

Wait no one knows what that hole is going to turn into? Weird...

I think he is talking about the exact spot where Papa Milanos stood. I live a half a mile from there and didnt even know they demo-ed the entire block! I wonder what will go there too, its gotta be something.

Yes. The entire block bounded by Rush, Oak, State, and Walton will soon be new it looks like to me (are the dirty bookstore and the Underground WonderBar gone that were just east of the new walgreens?) once the Gino's bldg is renovated. I think the Starbucks was a new build when it opened (8-10 yrs ago?) but back then I wasn't paying too much attention to the block so it may have been a re-do along with the space to the south that was a Hear Music for a while.

Since there has been some confusion and discussion about what is exactly going on, here is a higher resolution picture of the site. I don't know why flickr isn't allowing me to post the full 8MP picture.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2017/2256372351_63f01faf3f_b.jpg

That part you're talking about at the corner of Rush and State (where Papa Milano's was) is going to be part of the new building. It's going to be where Citibank lands.

On a completely different topic....

We've heard for a couple of years now that Best Buy wants to move in to a location on Michigan Avenue or nearby. Originally it was going to be the vacated CompUSA/American Girl space. But for some reason that fell apart. I guess because of the high rent in that building (it's the highest retail rent in the Midwest according to Crain's).

Well, now it looks like Best Buy wants to move into the John Hancock center. It's looking at setting up shop where the Paul Stuart store is now on the ground floor.

There's a meeting to discuss it on Monday night. It's not open to the public, but I'll try to be there and let you know what happens.

Sorry, I didn't realize which part of the block you were referring to because it's all part of the Barney's project (like Reaper said). If you look at the rendering I posted a while back, you can just make out the western portion of the building on the right side of the image.

Also, I have a friend who works at the firm that did Best Buy's first urban prototype in Manhattan. They are also involved in the John Hancock project (although, I've been told that BB is not interested in repeating the urban prototype that has proved so successful in NY - neither my contact nor I are entirely sure why). You can expect the store to be of the typical suburban variety, just shoehorned into a much smaller space (perhaps something much like their store on Clark in Lincoln Park.

Also, I have a friend who works at the firm that did Best Buy's first urban prototype in Manhattan. They are also involved in the John Hancock project (although, I've been told that BB is not interested in repeating the urban prototype that has proved so successful in NY - neither my contact nor I are entirely sure why). You can expect the store to be of the typical suburban variety, just shoehorned into a much smaller space (perhaps something much like their store on Clark in Lincoln Park.

Am I allowed to express my utter disappointment that a big-box store is about to land in what is perhaps Chicago's most refined and classy streetscape?

All I can say is, their signage better have IMPECCABLE design and placement.

The Best Buy on Clark in Lincoln Park is hardly noticable -- hopefully they won't do anything tacky on the Mag Mile!

Well, I would like to think that the powers that be on Michigan Avenue would never let that happen. There's pretty strict design guidelines when it comes to the Mile, and I doubt they'd let the likes of Best Buy do too much to damage the image.

Can anyone tell me exactly what sets the "urban prototype" apart from the "suburban big-box" version? I'm assuming the "urban" design has no parking lot and is considerably smaller. The Best Buy I've seen in Manhattan looks just like any other BB I've been to except maybe it has lower ceilings... reminded me A LOT of the Lincoln Park BB!

Honestly, I'm not familiar with exactly what my buddy's firm did to differentiate the BB that they're referring to from any other BB (except, of course, for a lack of parking). I'll ask him about it next time I see him and see if we can't figure out whether they're abandoning something that's legitimately useful.

The meeting with Reilly just wrapped up. It was a little disappointing, but there was some good information.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2213/2275453571_6e1f4ac1f0.jpg?v=0

He was absolutely clueless about the Best Buy thing. He didn't even realize it was on the agenda. Not helpful. Naturally the Streeterville NIMBYs are against it. But they do have a good point this time -- it will be directly across the street from the new American Girl Place, so with tourists and people picking up and dropping off it will be mayhem on that corner. This is a place where people regularly get hit and one of the Hancock residential board members said there have been people killed by cars in the past. Reilly said there's little he can do to influence the decision about Best Buy, it's really up to the commercial Hancock leasing people.

There were a couple of other things he noted:


850 North Lake Shore Drive will become senior citizen housing.
As part of the Childrens' Hospital deal, the hospital will pay for 12 traffic aids to write tickets in Streeterville. Some will be posted at problem intersections, others will roam. The hospital will also pay for 44 countdown signals and an 800-car garage that must be completed before it can get an occupancy permit. The hospital will also have to pay for 300 assigned parking spaces at Millennium park that hospital staffers will be required to use and then take a shuttle to the hospital.
The city has approved the helipad at the hospital. It's now in the hands of IDOT which will decide if it's safe.
Alderman Reilly gave a list of 30 alternate locations for the Children's Museum to move to besides Grant Park. He expect the museum to turn him down on each one.
One possible design being explored for the new Ogden School is to use the entire block for the school and then put the playground and athletic facilities on the roof.
The Lake Shore East school that was supposed to be completed two years ago won't open for at least another three years from now.
The Fourth Presbyterian Tower project is getting some rumbling again. He's against it, and has proposed that the church put luxury townhomes there instead of a skyscraper.
CDOT is looking at re-engineering Chicago Avenue to improve traffic flow and ease gridlock at intersections.

That's pretty much it. I'm disappointed he didn't know anything about the Best Buy plan. That's the main reason I went.

^^^ Any word on what is happening to Paul Staurt? Are they moving or just shutting down?

Interesting about the Ogden School. That place reminds me of the cartoon "Hey Arnold" I used to watch when I was a kid.

Are there any interesting sites on Alderman Reilly's list of 30 spots for the Childrens' Museum? See how many you can remember. :lol:

^^^ Any word on what is happening to Paul Staurt? Are they moving or just shutting down?
Nothing was said about why it's leaving. I wouldn't be surprised if it wasn't doing well financially. I've walked by it a hundred times in the last year and never once seen anyone go in or out.

It's kind of a shame, though, since Hanig's Shoes is just about ready to open. They put up the exterior signs last week. It would be a good compliment for Paul Stuart. But with the arrival of the Juicy Coture store, Zara, Burton, and many similar brands I think Michigan Avenue/Oak Street isn't right for stuffy Paul Stuart anymore. I wonder where the fashionable elderly will go to get their clothes now.

Interesting about the Ogden School. That place reminds me of the cartoon "Hey Arnold" I used to watch when I was a kid.

Are there any interesting sites on Alderman Reilly's list of 30 spots for the Childrens' Museum? See how many you can remember. :lol:
Unfortunately, he didn't share the list with the group. I'm not necessarily opposed to putting it at Daley Bicentennial Plaza, but I've never understood why it's not put with all the other museums down at the Museum Campus.

The Ogden School is going to be a special design. The size and shape of the land doesn't permit CPS to use it standard school template. Reilly noted that schools in New York have put the playgrounds on their roofs for years, and it also has the affect of doubling the available recreational space.

^ Yeah, I don't see why they can't put it over by northerly island or something where all the other museums are. There's space and parking there. Everytime I walk over to NI, there are virtually no people there. Does the city have other plans for the lifeless island that only sees activity in the summer when charter one pavilion is hosting concerts? Or even could they put in in the McCormick East building?

That part you're talking about at the corner of Rush and State (where Papa Milano's was) is going to be part of the new building. It's going to be where Citibank lands.

On a completely different topic....

We've heard for a couple of years now that Best Buy wants to move in to a location on Michigan Avenue or nearby. Originally it was going to be the vacated CompUSA/American Girl space. But for some reason that fell apart. I guess because of the high rent in that building (it's the highest retail rent in the Midwest according to Crain's).

Well, now it looks like Best Buy wants to move into the John Hancock center. It's looking at setting up shop where the Paul Stuart store is now on the ground floor.

There's a meeting to discuss it on Monday night. It's not open to the public, but I'll try to be there and let you know what happens.That is one thing Michigan Ave is lacking, an electronics store. A BB would kill there.

That is one thing Michigan Ave is lacking, an electronics store. A BB would kill there.

the LAST thing Michigan Ave "magnificent mile" needs is a Best Buy

if Daley and the city where smart... they would be actively pursuing global luxury brands and unique department stores

Takishimaya
Dior
Marc Jacobs
Fendi
Valentino
Dolce & Gabbana

Why not an Akira ON the Mag Mile and not in the watertower place mall??

what's next???

Claire's Boutique??
Dollar General Store???
Bombay Company???
Lane Bryant??

the very concept of the "magnificent mile" will become a joke if we are not careful to protect the image

we must NOT let Best Buy move into the Hancock Bldg!!

Best Buy belongs over by the jewel/sports authority/marshall's

but NOT street level Mag Mile!!!

^^ I generally agree, but think of the residents too, not just tourists. Where do residents of Streeterville and River North go for electronics? I think the Comp USA location is much better than the Hancock for a BB. A BB would frankly look pretty stupid there.

I think Best Buy would be great somewhere else in river north... just not on the mag mile... and that comp usa/American Girl location deserves something better than Best Buy... it would just be too noticeable from that vantage point.

Why not a West Elm store in that location next to Polo/RL?? Honestly I have to wonder about the people running the commercial leasing offices of these properties.

I certainly hope that when the Ritz Carlton project is underway they don't sign up stupid mall stores.

Mag Mile and OakRush/Walton need to be upscale and yes..somewhat exclusive.... that is what image is all about folks.. have the side streets coming off of michigan and into river north have all the other stores....

I may sound like a snob but I'm not... it's all about marketing chicago globally and as having style and $$$$. I love that we have marshalls and bed bath beyond right around the corner; however, we need to keep the focus of Mag Mile as an INTERNATIONAL shopping mecca.

What would YOU think visiting from sheboygan and seeing a Best Buy in the Hancock Bldg???

^^ I generally agree, but think of the residents too, not just tourists. Where do residents of Streeterville and River North go for electronics? I think the Comp USA location is much better than the Hancock for a BB. A BB would frankly look pretty stupid there.

The Comp USA is not bad for a BB because it at least could front on Rush St. (althought I'm sure Park Hyatt wouldnt be too happy about it)

Is American Girl gone from that location? That place is packed everyday!

I do agree with you about the Mag Mile. But Streetvile/River North desperately needs one.

^ Yeah, I don't see why they can't put it over by northerly island or something where all the other museums are. There's space and parking there. Everytime I walk over to NI, there are virtually no people there. Does the city have other plans for the lifeless island that only sees activity in the summer when charter one pavilion is hosting concerts?
Can you say, "Casino?"


Waterfront location adds to the glitz.
Water taxis to and from the convention center and its new hotels
Lakefront view of the skyline and downtown proximity make it ripe for a casino+major hotel+restaurant complex.
Slightly isolated location keeps the gambling-related drunkenness, crime, and riff raff away from the Loop that Daley's trying to hard to clean up.
It also keeps the casino somewhat isolated from the Museum Campus and its Lincoln Park/suburban soccer mom clientele.


Conventioneers would go nuts for it. And the location wouldn't place a huge burden on the transportation infrastructure.

the LAST thing Michigan Ave "magnificent mile" needs is a Best Buy
...


If Fifth Avenue in New York can live with a Best Buy, there's no reason Michigan Avenue can't.


Why not an Akira ON the Mag Mile and not in the watertower place mall??
...


There's an Akira on State Street. And given all the other lux brands you spouted off, I'm a bit confused by your mention of Akria. It's nice, but I wouldn't call it much of a lux brand myself - it fits more on State Street than Michigan Ave.

Also keep in mind international visitors who find American electronics prices and availability very attractive.

Also keep in mind international visitors who find American electronics prices and availability very attractive.

doesn't the bargain basement US dollar make them even more so?

http://img59.imageshack.us/img59/9849/247349669591fd4665c6yz1.jpg
PTChicago/ flickr

Taken today:

111 West Illinois
http://img291.imageshack.us/img291/244/oneillinois5101xq8.jpg

http://img161.imageshack.us/img161/3047/oneillinois5102rc3.jpg[/URL]


Superior 110
http://img403.imageshack.us/img403/5400/superior1105101ok8.jpg

http://www.chicagorealestatedaily.com/cgi-bin/news.pl?id=29422

RREEF to invest in planned River North apartment tower
By Andrew Schroedter, May 14, 2008

Chicago developer Daniel McCaffery has partnered up again with RREEF on a luxury River North apartment high-rise project.

RREEF, the investment advisory unit of Germany’s Deutsche Bank, has agreed to invest an undisclosed amount in Mr. McCaffery’s proposed $80-million Flair Tower development at Erie and Franklin streets, setting the stage for construction to begin this summer on the 201-unit building.

^^ Nice! The tower is ok but maybe it will help spur other development out in that area.

^^ Nice! The tower is ok but maybe it will help spur other development out in that area.that tower sucks so bad and I hope it is not built. River North has enough of those PoMo monstrocities. It is brutal.

110 Superior is looking great. That glass is so awesome.

The rendering shown in the article is not up-to-date.

This is the most recent design, AFAIK:

http://img181.imageshack.us/img181/4359/flairtowerhh3.jpg

http://img396.imageshack.us/img396/5544/25540969333b58ed5b38fa2.jpg
http://img396.imageshack.us/img396/8920/2554096143d6679c0d9edd4.jpg
PTChicago/ flickr

Wow I love that dark blue color on the building! :cheers:

Just an FYI on the mid rise at the corner of Orleans and Chicago. The 757 No. Orleans midrise is finished and the crane was down as of today. I think that this one didnt get any attention when it helps to give some density over in this area.

Just an FYI on the mid rise at the corner of Orleans and Chicago. The 757 No. Orleans midrise is finished and the crane was down as of today. I think that this one didnt get any attention when it helps to give some density over in this area.I used to work across the street from there, but I changed jobs before this one got started. I have to say that it is turning out better than I had anticipated. For filler, it's not too bad at all.

Chicago Shawn on SSP said Flair Tower is now in site prep
http://img98.imageshack.us/img98/3781/flairtower2lk3.jpg

Yep. Saw the entire lot cleared out this morning from the El.

From gritty roots to urban chic
Developers see opportunity in River North

By Susan Diesenhouse | Chicago Tribune reporter
July 11, 2008

Gary Deutsch wanted to live in a neighborhood with the cosmopolitan flair and pulsating pace that his digs in San Diego lacked. He found that in River North, a once-derelict district being transformed by new development into one of the city's most vibrant places to live and work.

"River North has the urban beat," said Deutsch, 55. "Suburban San Diego has a dead beat." This fall, he will move into a new 2,500-square-foot, three-bedroom, three-bath condominium at 110 W. Superior St., within walking distance of his furniture store, Ligneroset, at 208 W. Hubbard St.

His new $1.5 million condo "is convenient to good restaurants, bars, galleries and Neiman Marcus on Michigan Avenue," he said.

Deutsch has joined about 25,000 new residents occupying some of the 10,000 new housing units built in the neighborhood since 2000. Along with them have come offices, hotels, eateries, clubs, art galleries and shops. The central location makes whatever isn't there an easy walk or cab ride away. Meanwhile, the Chicago River that borders it on two sides offers a respite from the frantic city pace...

http://www.chicagotribune.com/classified/realestate/newhomes/chi-river-north_chomes_0711jul11,0,4637159.story

^^ Very good read.

Flair Tower is officially U/C. Saw caissons getting drilled this morning.

All sorts of site prep at the NE corner of Clark/Kinzie this morning. Construction fencing up around half the block. Anyone know if this is something significant, or just a parking lot refresh?

Unfortunately, a parking structure is going up on that lot.

http://www.friedmanproperties.com/site/largepics/701/57488/224290/305065/Publication12.jpg

http://img516.imageshack.us/img516/2323/2852167488c35acc1379buh7.jpg
mycityofblindinglights/ flickr

http://img205.imageshack.us/img205/1403/28389702942669652001bby1.jpg
Eric Robinson/ flickr

http://www.chicagorealestatedaily.com/cgi-bin/news.pl?id=31133

Reschke plans high-end River North hotel
By Alby Gallun, Sep. 24, 2008

About six months after launching construction of a 610-room hotel in the Loop, developer Michael Reschke is drawing up plans for a 235-room boutique hotel in River North.

The Gansevoort Hotel Group, a New York boutique hotel chain, has agreed to run the proposed hotel at 500 N. State St., Mr. Reschke says.

...Mr. Reschke has high aspirations for the Chicago hotel, too. His plans include an STK restaurant, which targets “a young sexy market” and is “not your daddy’s steakhouse,” according to the STK Web site.

...Mr. Reschke has tapped Spanish architect Ricardo Bofill to design the 15-story tower, which will resemble a “classical glass temple,” he says. Mr. Bofill has designed other buildings for Mr. Reschke, most notably the office buildings at 77 W. Wacker Drive and 131 S. Dearborn St.

Great news, except that "classic glass temple" conjures up images of a really corny post-modern building. Hopefully, it's more daring and modern. This and Hotel Palomar should help invigorate the relatively sleepy intersection of State and Illinois.

Good find, let's hope that it get's built.

http://www.chicagorealestatedaily.com/cgi-bin/news.pl?id=32045

Planned apartment tower gets $54-million construction loan
By Alby Gallun, Dec. 03, 2008

Developers Anthony Rossi and Thomas Moran have secured a $54.2-million loan to finance construction of a 221-unit high-end apartment building in River North, an increasingly rare feat amid the global financial crisis.

Charter One Bank and PrivateBank are teaming up on the construction loan for the 21-story tower at 469 W. Huron St., and J. P. Morgan Asset Management and Messrs. Rossi and Moran are rounding out the financing with $30 million in equity. The developers aim to break ground on the building within two weeks and finish construction by August 2010.

Good news: According to Yo, The Huron Club has been cancelled. Hopefully that plan is never revived and those nice lowrise buildings remain.

^Awesome.

Chicago Place: No longer a mall, at all
Stores will front North Michigan Avenue, but upper floors will convert to offices

http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-retail_notebook_magmilefeb06,0,1204301.story

http://img15.imageshack.us/img15/1729/3367225550febbfe908eb.jpg
timnatl/ flickr
Superior 110, midrise building under construction on Clark, the Poetry Foundation site has been cleared. Anyone know why that old red brick building on Dearborn was demolished since nothing seems to be happening there?

http://www.chicagorealestatedaily.com/cgi-bin/news.pl?id=33398

River North hotel reopens today
The former Hotel Wacker in River North reopens today as the 225-room Hotel Felix after a major renovation by a development group including Gettys Group Inc. and Oxford Capital Group LLC. The new boutique hotel at 111 W. Huron St. includes a restaurant and spa and offers rooms for an introductory rate of a little more than $100, says Roger Hill, CEO of Gettys, a Chicago-based hotel design firm. The development group paid $24 million for the property in late 2007; Mr. Hill declines to disclose the cost of the renovation.

http://www.hotelfelixchicago.com/

Great news, except that "classic glass temple" conjures up images of a really corny post-modern building. Hopefully, it's more daring and modern. This and Hotel Palomar should help invigorate the relatively sleepy intersection of State and Illinois.

http://www.chicagomag.com/Chicago-Magazine/March-2009/A-Little-More-Ladylike/

A Little More Ladylike
By Sarah Preston

Also new to the neighborhood, The Lucky Lady opened around the corner from Theory in late December courtesy of Michaels Bisbee and Kaulentis, a.k.a. the guys behind the popular River North hangouts RiNo, Manor, and Stay. “A lot of our patrons said they wished we had an early spot to go to after work,” Bisbee says. A departure from the partners’ 4 a.m. establishments, the less VIP-centric Lady houses a photo booth, a lone pool table, a crystal chandelier left over from the spot’s former incarnation as Gentry on State, a jukebox filled with rock and country classics, and three separate bars designed to accommodate the afterwork crush. By March, the owners hope to add a kitchen with a burger-heavy menu. According to Bisbee, the anticipated surge from two nearby hotels under construction was also a motivating factor—the two Michaels have been tapped to build the bar for one of them, the Hotel Gansevoort at the intersection of State and Illinois streets—but in this climate, Bisbee’s not holding his breath. “I’ll believe it when I see it,” he says.

---
Saw this on Gansevoort's website
http://img22.imageshack.us/img22/1464/gansevoortchicago.jpg
I don't know if it's the rendering, but it would be cool if those were backlit glass panels or something. Still interesting to look at.

New floor/deck going in on the rooftop of the old Britannica building? If so, could be fugly...
http://img15.imageshack.us/img15/9122/britannica.jpg

Staybridge all covered up (at least someone's trying to save the work already done, unlike Waterview):
http://img23.imageshack.us/img23/7132/hotelx.jpg

http://www.chicagorealestatedaily.com/cgi-bin/page.pl?id=2166

Chicago: Gansevoort Hotel: 500 N. State St., 235-room hotel, March 2009, $95 million
----

LaSalle Power Co. is set to open next month in the former Michael Jordan restaurant/ Lalo's building.

http://www.lasallepowerco.com/

Chicago's group behind English, Grand Central, Angels & Mariachis, and The Central among others, is pleased to announce its newest venture; LaSalle Power Co. located at 500 N. LaSalle.

The 20,000 square foot, tri-level rock ‘n' roll inspired restaurant, bar and music venue is the latest addition to the booming River North neighborhood.

The 20,000 square foot, tri-level rock ‘n' roll inspired restaurant, bar and music venue is the latest addition to the booming River North neighborhood. Oh god, that sounds just awful.

Gansevoort Hotel: 500 N. State St.

Assuming that's going up on the NW side of State and Illinois? ($95 million for just the land?!?) Strange name, but their locations in NYC and Miami look pretty nice.

Oh god, that sounds just awful.

I can't argue with the Black Keys on their preview video, though. :)

Also, the name (and I hope the decor) pays homage to the structure's past history as a power substation/carhouse for the streetcar lines.

It seems like it fits right into that district with the Rock'n'Roll McDonald's and everything else....

Assuming that's going up on the NW side of State and Illinois? ($95 million for just the land?!?) Strange name, but their locations in NYC and Miami look pretty nice.

Their original location was on Gansevoort Street in New York's Meatpacking District, hence the name. Supposedly, the hotel will contain an STK restaurant (ie the most expensive steaks you've ever seen).

Oh god, that sounds just awful.

Ugh! Well, consider the source, I guess: the creators of some of the most life-like habitats ever crafted for Lincoln Park Trixies.

Gansevoort is one of the few Dutch street names to survive in Manhattan. 200 rooms is a bit big for a boutique, though.

http://www.chicagobusiness.com/cgi-bin/mag/article.pl?articleId=31699

Friedman pushes post office plan
By: Thomas A. Corfman and Eddie Baeb May 04, 2009

Real estate developer Albert Friedman and the U.S. Postal Service are struggling to pull together a deal to build on one of the last large development sites in the congested River North neighborhood.

...But their vision of a large mixed-use project, which could include a hotel, retail space or residential units, conflicts with the local alderman's desire for more park space in an area already jammed with high-rises. At the same time, collapsing capital markets make financing large projects all but impossible.

...Mr. Friedman says he hasn't formalized his plans. But Mr. Reilly says he didn't like a proposal he saw, which called for an L-shaped structure along Ohio and Dearborn, with open space at the corner of Grand and Clark.

"In my view, that was a bit ambitious," says the alderman, who wants a park to cover 70% of the site.
http://img21.imageshack.us/img21/4528/31699.jpg

http://www.chicagorealestatedaily.com/cgi-bin/news.pl?id=34100

John Barleycorn eyes River North
By Eddie Baeb, May 20, 2009

Well-known Lincoln Park pub John Barleycorn plans to open a restaurant at a River North site where developer Michael Reschke has dropped a plan for a 235-room boutique hotel.

Barleycorn owner Sam Sanchez says he has signed a letter of intent to anchor a new building at the northwest corner of State and Illinois streets. Barleycorn’s two-level, roughly 20,000-square-foot bar and restaurant would be the establishment's fourth location, including one that opened last spring in northwest suburban Schaumburg.

...Mr. Reschke says he let his contract to buy the site from Mr. Beale’s group lapse a few months ago “for various reasons,” and that his deal with New York-based Gansevoort Hotel Group remains in place and was extended for another year.

“There are plenty of other sites that have come on the market in the last six months,” Mr. Reschke says. “We have our eyes set on a couple alternate locations in River North.”
----
http://img188.imageshack.us/img188/9391/508nstate1.jpg
http://img33.imageshack.us/img33/6168/508nstate2.jpg

^ Why the thumbs down? It's a perfect development for this part of town, replaces a parking lot, and the building has just enough height to block sightlines of Grand Plaza's butt-ugly podium from further south. Looks good to me

http://www.chicagorealestatedaily.com/cgi-bin/news.pl?id=34177

Marovitz/Cataldo project hit with foreclosure suit
By Samantha Sleevi, May 27, 2009

Prominent developers William Marovitz and Constantine "Bud" Cataldo have become entangled in the collapse of the condo boom, with a lender filing an $8.4-million foreclosure lawsuit on a 27-unit River North loft project they proposed.

Mutual Bank alleges that a venture owned by the two men defaulted in January on an $8.15-million loan on a vintage five-story warehouse building at 660 N. Kingsbury St., which they had proposed converting into loft condominiums, called the Park Kingsbury.

Hotel Felix
http://img9.imageshack.us/img9/149/35690713166a65b6cb20.jpg
db 1920/ flickr
http://img9.imageshack.us/img9/7634/35682766815973e20ce9.jpg
db 1920/ flickr

I like how they kept the old Hotel Wacker sign, sort of.

http://www.chicagorealestatedaily.com/cgi-bin/news.pl?id=34199

River North site from condo plan to hotel?
By Samantha Sleevi, May 28, 2009

Facing an $8.8-million foreclosure lawsuit on the site of his proposed River North condominium tower, a marketing executive and aspiring developer now says he has hotels knocking at his door.

Unfazed by the complaint filed by lender Geneva Capital Associates LLC, Paul Stanley says he plans to shift to a hotel in order to avoid losing the site at 8 E. Huron St., where he first proposed a 28-story condo building in 2002.

http://img30.imageshack.us/img30/4711/3586647733dee8d59f8ab.jpg
BartShore/ flickr

^^^ So much available space to build on. We'll probably need another 2 or 3 booms to fill this part of the city with high-rises from the lake to the river.

^^^ So much available space to build on. We'll probably need another 2 or 3 booms to fill this part of the city with high-rises from the lake to the river.

Yup. Many surface parking lots and ugly 1 or 2 story restaurants that could and should come down. It would be quite a sight to see towers stretching from Streeterville all the way to Erie Park. Hopefully those future buildings lose their parking podiums and are more interesting than beige concrete towers. With River North's galleries and showrooms, I'd like to see funkier designs (like the buildings along the High Line in NYC) than we're used to.

I was bored and highlighted all the significant new buildings built after the year 2000
http://img188.imageshack.us/img188/3596/83972174.jpg
(Original pic from: BartShore/ flickr)

^ Yeah, thank God those "ugly" 1-2 story buildings were replaced by such beauties as Grand Plaza. Look how its graceful podium gazes lovingly over the pedestrians around it.. :ohno:

Sorry, but I'd rather not see another skyscraper boom if more buildings like the pieces of shit built in River North this past decade are built

^^ You take the good, you take the bad, you take them both and there you have the facts of life!

It will fill in, some buildings will be great, some will be poor. Just like this boom, some were gems and some weren't. It is ridiculous to think everyone will be a masterpiece, that is not how it works.

Whatever it looks like, less beige will be a great thing, but seeing that density will be beautiful.

Makes me wonder whether a new rail line will be needed, maybe one along the river. Or a stop on the Brown line between Sedgwick and Chicago.

The thing that puzzles me is that River North, which is the densest, centrally located neighborhood in the city, is still so underdeveloped. I do not know any major world city that has so many surface parking lots in its downtown area. The most disappointing area in the entire city is that monstrous parking lot with two lone, freestanding building on Chicago avenue, across the street from YMCA.

I am really not so concerned with development in south loop, west town and other areas, when there are 2 dozen or so empty parking lots in River North.

^Some of the nastiest, most gargantuan lots in River North are from our buddies in religious organizations. If they want tax-exempt status, then they need to comply with strict development criteria. The fact that many don't pay property taxes on block-large, neighborhood-killing swaths of pavement is complete bullshit.

Drive-through banks taking up entire half-blocks is completely unacceptable as well. Only in Chicago do you see massive collections of 40+ story high-rises next to pedestrian wastelands of McDonald's, suburban-style Walgreen's, drive-throughs, and parking lots. That's what an absurdly generous off-street parking requirement will do. Why walk from your penthouse of luxury when you are so graciously accommodated to park and drive anywhere you choose to go?

Apparently the Shell gas station at Chicago & Orleans will become a drive-through National City bank.

^^ Barf!

Upcoming Informational Meeting for the 501 N. Clark Street Development Proposal

Alderman Reilly invites neighborhood residents to attend an upcoming informational meeting to review a proposed zoning amendment at 501 North Clark Street, located at the corner of Clark Street and Grand Avenue. The development proposal calls for the construction of three hotels containing approximately 621 hotel rooms with no on-site parking provided. Friedman Properties and their architect, HOK Architects, will be making a full presentation of their proposal followed by Questions and Answers.

The 501 North Clark Street Development Proposal Informational Meeting will be held on Tuesday, July 28th at 6:00pm at Fulton's on the River, located at 315 North LaSalle Street, 1st Floor.

Please take advantage of this opportunity to engage in a direct dialogue with Friedman Properties and HOK Architects to gain a better understanding of their development proposal.

http://www.chicagorealestatedaily.com/cgi-bin/news.pl?id=34743

Benihana terminates lease at planned project

Restaurant chain Benihana Inc. has pulled out of a lease in a mixed-use development near State and Erie streets. The Miami-based company terminated its lease because of construction delays with the unidentified project, Benihana President Juan Garcia said in a June 29 conference call with analysts. Benihana signed the lease in 2007 to replace a shuttered location at 166 E. Superior St. in Streeterville, where the company had been located for almost 40 years. The exact location of the Erie Street project could not be determined, and a spokesman for Benihana said he could not immediately comment.
----

I'm assuming this is the 9 West Erie project which, contrary to what some have stated, actually did have retail space.

Gansevoort Hotel (Bofill's "glass temple") - 237 rooms, rooftop bar and pool, lounge, two restaurants

http://img11.imageshack.us/img11/5531/gansevoortchicago1.jpg
http://img268.imageshack.us/img268/1464/gansevoortchicago.jpg
http://img41.imageshack.us/img41/1039/gansevoortchicago3.jpg
http://img31.imageshack.us/img31/7919/gansevoortchicago2.jpg

Of course now we'll get that 2 story John Barleycorn. :rolleyes:

http://img41.imageshack.us/img41/1039/gansevoortchicago3.jpg

A squished version of the United Building on Wacker. Yay!

Gansevoort Hotel (Bofill's "glass temple") - 237 rooms, rooftop bar and pool, lounge, two restaurants
Of course now we'll get that 2 story John Barleycorn. :rolleyes:

I would rather have a 2 story Barleycorn, than a surface lot. Particularly in River North, where there is so much available land to build on.

501 N Clark - Aloft, Hyatt Place, Fairfield Inn
621 rooms total, no on-site parking

http://img34.imageshack.us/img34/70/15847769.jpg
Aloft bar
http://img196.imageshack.us/img196/9558/68264465.jpg
Clark + Illinois
http://img6.imageshack.us/img6/3331/36018237.jpg
Hyatt entrance (Illinois)
http://img196.imageshack.us/img196/2600/27028218.jpg
Fairfield entrance (Illinois)
http://img5.imageshack.us/img5/3809/87431379.jpg

North
http://img5.imageshack.us/img5/2347/21779264.jpg
West
http://img5.imageshack.us/img5/3053/76981202.jpg
South
http://img196.imageshack.us/img196/6034/53238570.jpg
http://img196.imageshack.us/img196/7076/28478948.jpg

More hotels in River North is fine, but can someone please finish Staybridge before it blows away?

The problem with the above project is that it calls for the demolition of the historic three-story building at 501 N. Clark that looks like it was built in the 1870's.

What are we getting in return? Nothing very interesting. They should be required to build around the 501 N. Clark building.

Another possibility is to move the 501 N. Clark building down the street. We have the technology to do that.

River North has lost a lot of historic buildings in the past ten years. We should try to keep some historic character to the area.

Why is the building historic? Is it only historic because its old? What happened there to make you/whoever think it should be considered historic?

Just want to know.

The Chicago Architecture Blog had a piece on this a couple of days ago with more information:

http://blog.chicagoarchitecture.info/2009/08/three-new-hotels-planned-for-river.html

The problem with the above project is that it calls for the demolition of the historic three-story building at 501 N. Clark that looks like it was built in the 1870's.

As noted in the blog mentioned above, 501 North Clark is from 1947 not the 1870's.

Yes, an old bank building from 1947 is not a historic building. That is like what we are having right now in Century City in Los Angeles. The Century Plaza hotel is being saved because its old. It did have its hayday but nothing important happened there other than a few celebrities staying there a long time ago.

Makes me wonder whether a new rail line will be needed, maybe one along the river. Or a stop on the Brown line between Sedgwick and Chicago.

Well, a riverbank line has been proposed for at least 20 years now. That would be a perfect use of TIF, actually, especially with all the new development right above it, but... no, Daley doesn't believe in using TIFs to capture the value spun off from lasting public works (besides Millennium Park and the abandoned Block 37 tunnel). He'd rather write big fat checks to developers and/or plant flowers.

The problem with the above project is that it calls for the demolition of the historic three-story building at 501 N. Clark that looks like it was built in the 1870's.

I'm not sure where 1947 came from -- the assessor says it was built in 1891, and although it's not on the Historic Resources Survey many of its neighbors along Clark (412, 418, 429, 430, 436, 441, 443, 445, 447, 449, 502, 510, 536, 642, 646) are. That has the potential to be a historic district of ca. 1870-1890 Italianate commercial buildings, a reminder of downtown's history as a huge agglomeration of Main Street USA-style buildings.

Nice to see more mid-range hotels in the area, though it's a little strange that one developer would cram so many flags (literally, in the case of the rendering) into one project. Seems like it'd be simpler to go with different brands from the same company, but ah well.

An article on 501 Clark that TUP posted on SSP....

http://www.skylinenewspaper.com/News/08-12-2009/A_pitch_for_new_hotels

A pitch for new hotels
Developer doesn’t want current buildings landmarked
08/12/2009 10:00 PM

By IAN FULLERTON
Contributing Reporter

RIVER NORTH
A prominent River North developer has laid groundwork plans to build three conjoined hotels in the neighborhood.

The 379,000 square foot development, slated to be built between Dearborn, Clark, Illinois and Grand avenues, would stand 200 feet tall and total 621 rooms, with no planned parking.

The hotels would include a Hyatt Place, Aloft and Fairfield Inn & Suites.

Developer Al Friedman, of Friedman Properties, said the limited-service hotels would draw tourists looking for reasonable rates in the culture-heavy district.

“We have found that tourists want to stay in a facility with free breakfast and internet access,” he said. “That is the sweet spot of the Chicago tourism industry.”

Friedman has worked on numerous River North projects over the past thirty years and owns fifty properties in the area.

At a recent community meeting held to discuss the development, some attendees took issue with the plan.

Preservation Chicago President Jonathan Fine asked if the developers had considered preserving the building at 501 N. Clark, a late-19th century modified structure currently housing a North Bank.

“It’s an interesting building, but not historical,” said Friedman.

He noted that the building had several additions put on over the years, rendering it unfit for landmarking. Friedman concluded that the building “more appropriately belongs in Disneyland.”

Residents also questioned the decision to not include parking in the development.

Friedman responded by highlighting the Greenway Self Park Garage, currently under construction at 60 W. Kinzie, also his project. He added that the hotels would include full valet services.

One audience member called the design “uninspiring.”

After the meeting, Fine said he was not satisfied by Friedman’s decision to raze 501 N. Clark.

“Additions can be made, and over time, they can even lend to the historic value of a building,” he said.

An attorney for the developers said they hoped to bring the project before the Chicago Plan Commission on August 20.

The Disneyland comment is boorish. Just for that attitude I somehow hope that hope against all hope that the CPC will reject it.

The threatened building was constructed in the late 1800's---not in 1947. This building has been altered but not severely altered. It still is a good historic building.

Friedman's plan should be altered to preserve this building. One other option would be to move the building to the next block. However, you'd have to obtain the new location first and that would be difficult.

Don't know whether it makes economic, or even historic sense to move the building. Friedman does own a ton of land in River North. He's also someone who cares passionately about the area, since he was instrumental in its revival. See an extended multi-part interview with Friedman at this playlist on YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=7610639FF66C4EE5).

New floor/deck going in on the rooftop of the old Britannica building? If so, could be fugly...
http://img15.imageshack.us/img15/9122/britannica.jpg

Does anyone have an update on this? Roof deck...green roof...?

http://chicagoismynewblog.wordpress.com

Concrete was poured weeks ago, but no significant work since. There's never more than 2 people working at a time, and most of the time there's no one at all.

Thanks for the update, but damn, I was hoping for some amazing transformation up there. I'll cautiously keep my hopes up.

http://chicagoismynewblog.wordpress.com

Redesign of 501 N Clark hotel complex
http://img3.imageshack.us/img3/7286/new1yi.jpg
http://img9.imageshack.us/img9/9427/new2jh.jpg
http://img12.imageshack.us/img12/9379/new3h.jpg

^ Not ideal, but looks better than the horrid original design.

I'm willing to see the historic building replaced with this.

Nice find yet again, Spyguy. Damn, you sure live up to your screen name.

http://www.chicagorealestatedaily.com/cgi-bin/news.pl?id=37057

Default alleged on River North site
By Eddie Baeb, Feb. 10, 2010

A group led by longtime Chicago developer Joseph Beale faces a $7-million foreclosure lawsuit on a prime River North site after two development proposals there failed to materialize.

...Ms. Rodak says that after losing out on a boutique hotel and a John Barleycorn pub, Hawthorn now has a lease in place with upscale Mexican restaurant chain Cantina Laredo.
---

Hopefully this latest proposal fails like the rest. I'd rather wait for a proper development to take advantage of this prime site than see a two story chain restaurant.

One article, 2 good updates: a 49-story tower (which was apparently approved in April, but no one seemed to notice):

AMLI Residential Partners LLC plans to build a 49-story apartment tower in River North after striking a deal with developer Albert Friedman.

Chicago-based AMLI signed a 100-year lease on a 12,617-square foot site on the southeast corner of Clark and Hubbard streets, property records show. The 427-unit building would be just north of the 11-story Greenway Self Park garage, which Mr. Friedman completed last year.

The apartment tower residents would have access to a landscaped deck on the top of the garage that is to include a pool, jogging path and dog runs, according to zoning and property documents.

AMLI expects to start construction next year at the earliest, which would enable the project to be completed by 2013, but the timeline is subject to market conditions, says Stephen C. Ross, AMLI’s executive vice-president of development.

And a grocery store...

Meanwhile, gourmet grocer Fox & Obel plans to park its second location in the Greenway garage, 60 W. Kinzie St., where the company has signed a long-term lease for 16,000 square feet.

The new store will most likely open during the first quarter of 2011, according to Bill Bolton, who leads the investment group that bought Fox & Obel in 2008. Mr. Bolton is a former CEO of Supervalu Inc., which owns Jewel-Osco.

The new location, which would have close to 300-feet of frontage along Kinzie and Clark streets, is to include a market, café and bistro seating area with a wine bar, much like the flagship store in Streeterville, which opened in 2001 at 401 E. Illinois St. One of the unique features is an outdoor dining area that’s to be open during the warmer months.

Full article: http://www.chicagorealestatedaily.com/cgi-bin/news.pl?id=39010

:dance2::dance2::dance2: Yes!!! can't wait to see that go up. Are there any renderings of it yet??

100 year lease, interesting.

Corporations/Family trusts
or there really are vampires or some immortals among us.

http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20100807/ISSUE01/308079980/sears-crafts-new-store-in-river-north

Sears to open first Craftsman tool store in Chicago's River North gallery district
By: Thomas A. Corfman August 09, 2010

Sears Holdings Corp. is opening its first Craftsman store in River North, a neighborhood better known for fancy restaurants and art galleries than power saws and monkey wrenches.

In a bid to buff up its well-known line of tools, the retail giant plans to open an “experience” store within 30 days at Huron and Franklin streets, in a six-story loft building that also houses the restaurant owned by celebrated chef Graham Elliot.

^ Zzzz...

:dance2::dance2::dance2: Yes!!! can't wait to see that go up. Are there any renderings of it yet??

Originally posted by spyguy:
http://img832.imageshack.us/img832/8063/amlirn.jpg

(double-post...the site is uber slow this week...)

By no means is this a major development, but these days, anything is better than nothing. This is the top of the Reid-Murdoch building (or Brittanica if you prefer). After what seems like an eternity, it is almost finished. Apparently, to my extreme disappointment, it is neither an all-womans workout center (darn) OR a new hip lounge (darn again). It's Whirlpool Corporations training and education center. By the floor count on the liquor license, there is now access into the various floors of the clock tower, which might be kinda neat inside. I'm not digging the red paint job though.

http://img17.imageshack.us/img17/7317/whirlpooltrainingcenter.jpg

^ Well, if a Whirlpool training center isn't exciting to you I can understand, but if it creates jobs it's probably worth it.

Before restaurants, lounges, workout centers, fancy condos, and neat plazas, a city first and foremost needs jobs to power the whole system.

Yeah, it's not the most exciting thing architecturally, but from a quick search online it looks like it will support ~30 jobs. And there are tons of bars and restaurants opening in River North every month anyway (check out the retail/restaurant thread).

Normally I wouldn't care much about something like this, but since it's what I look at when I turn my chair around at work, I've spent way too much time watching it develop. Hence, my disappointment that it wasn't going to contain dozens of ladies sweatin' to the oldies during my lunch hour. Pity. :)

Despite the economy, mansion building continues in the area that I guess is referred to 'River West' (where Erie on the Park is located, in that area around Kingsbury St). We've got a mini-Gold Coast arising over there, it seems...

Despite the economy, mansion building continues in the area that I guess is referred to 'River West' (where Erie on the Park is located, in that area around Kingsbury St). We've got a mini-Gold Coast arising over there, it seems...

All pomp no taste nonetheless... is that all one builder? Seems too strange that those two blocks would just happen to form that way by themselves.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4127/5040934058_54d32d8aaf_o.jpg

I was walking home yesterday and noticed new construction at the NW corner of State & Illinois. Signs looked like a car dealership was being built but the lot seem far too small. Anybody know whats in the works for this site?

I was walking home yesterday and noticed new construction at the NW corner of State & Illinois. Signs looked like a car dealership was being built but the lot seem far too small. Anybody know whats in the works for this site?

Must be that one or two story retail development.

Does anybody know who the tenants will be? Last I heard (on this forum), John Barleycorn is no longer on the list

^Cantina Laredo.

Those blocks were entitled and subdivided by the developer of "Kingsbury Park," the overall Ward's redevelopment scheme. I believe they were then sold individually -- certainly seen a few different realty signs up -- but a few builders snagged multiple lots.