STREETERVILLE: CHICAGO AVE TO THE NORTH-OHIO TO THE SOUTH-LAKE MICHIGAN TO THE EAST: MICHIGAN TO THE WEST


150 E. Ontario. 50 Story Residential.

http://img104.echo.cx/img104/4619/150eastontario015wi.jpg

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Glass and glitz are the new traditions in Streeterville

By John Handley
Tribune staff reporter
Published July 10, 2005

Glass is in. Concrete and brick are out.

Modern is in. Traditional is out.

Those are the guiding lights of Chicago's leading architects who are competing — informally — to design unique skyscrapers for a glitzy new neighborhood.

Their entries in what they hope will be the best of 21st Century residential architecture soon will tower over the south end of Streeterville, the fast developing neighborhood between North Michigan Avenue and Navy Pier.

Suddenly hot, Streeterville will sprout 13 new high-rise condos in the next two years, adding 3,500 residential units.
None of the towers is ordinary. All are contemporary..

Why the switch from the old-style buildings of concrete, brick and stone?

"Developers have discovered that great design actually sells condos," explained David Hovey, president of Optima Inc., an architectural and development firm in Glencoe.

"The surge in contemporary architecture means there is an alternative to bland buildings. It's a breath of fresh air," Hovey added.

Helmut Jahn, internationally known architect of the James R. Thompson Center and the United Airlines terminal at O'Hare International Airport, has designed his first residential high-rise in Chicago for a Streeterville location.

"It will have a total glass and metal skin. No exposed concrete outside. All the balconies are recessed and part of the curtain wall," said Jahn, describing his 41-story condo that will be built at 600 N. Fairbanks Ct. "This building will be different from what you normally see. I call it urbanistically sophisticated."

The building will have a rounded corner at the intersection of Fairbanks and Ohio Street, and one side curves upward from the base.

Jahn noted that there have been complaints about the architecture of some Chicago high-rise condos built in recent years. "In a hot market, you can sell anything. But it's fortunate now that some developers want to do something better," he said.

Gary Rosenberg, president of Urban R2 Development, developer of 600 N. Fairbanks, said it will be "a work of art itself."

Jahn is not as optimistic about all the other residential towers going up in Streeterville. "My expectations are not high. We'll have to wait until they are built."

From residents' perspective, Hovey noted that buildings with floor-to-ceiling glass windows are more livable. "The views are better, and there is more light inside."

"High-rise living is all about the views," said Robert Bistry of Built Form Architects, designer of Avenue East, the 27-story condo to be built at 160 E. Illinois St., directly behind the Intercontinental Hotel at 505 N. Michigan Ave. It will have only three sides with windows.

"Architecturally, Avenue East will be a transition between the classic buildings on Michigan Avenue, including Tribune Tower and the Wrigley Building, and the new high-rises in Streeterville. The east facade will be more glassy than the sides," Bistry said.

"The refreshing, friendly architectural competition in Streeterville is good for the city," he added.

"Most developers want a safe and predictable look, so less interesting architecture has been the result," said David Brininstool, partner in the Chicago architectural firm of Brininstool & Lynch, designer of 550 St. Clair, a 26-story condo to be built at St. Clair and Ohio Streets.

"What's happening now," he said, "is that developers feel architecture has value in the marketplace."

Another force affecting design comes from City Hall. "Mayor Daley didn't like contemporary architecture before. But now he's coming around," said 550 St. Clair developer Mark Sutherland, principal of Sutherland Pearsall Development.

"There has been a definite change in climate at City Hall. Now they are encouraging contemporary design," Brininstool said. "Before, city employees were trying to read the mayor's mind. They thought he wanted red brick and limestone."

"Now is one of the most exciting times in 25 years as an architect. Great work is possible again," Brininstool said.

One key developer looks south for proof of the trend. "Millennium Park was one indication that the city had changed its thinking," said Daniel McLean, president of MCL Cos., builder of three Streeterville condo towers. "Now contemporary architecture is more accepted and main stream. The public has embraced the clean, modern look."

McLean described the look of his latest Streeterville project, Park View, as "soaring glass." Designed by the architectural firm of Solomon Cordwell & Buenz, it will have 47 stories and 270 units and is scheduled to begin in the fourth quarter.

Why is Streeterville emerging as a showcase for modern architecture?

Abe Lincoln started it all. He charged $350 in 1858 for legal work in forming Chicago Dock and Canal Trust, a real estate investment firm that became a major landowner in Streeterville.

Then came "Cap" Streeter, who ran his ship aground in 1886 on a sandbar offshore of what is now Chicago Avenue and Superior Street. He decided to stay and gave the neighborhood its name.

Though just east of Michigan Avenue, south Streeterville has been slow to develop. Gradually, the sea of street-level parking lots and industrial sites is giving way to more residential buildings.

The latest condo explosion will fill in most of the vacant sites.

"Streeterville's time has come," said 550 St. Clair developer Sutherland, who added that his firm is planning another residential project in the neighborhood.

First occupancies at 550 are scheduled for the third quarter of 2007.

He says he doesn't fear the competition of the other new buildings being launched at nearly the same time. "No, the momentum of all the projects will help us," he said.

Real estate analyst Steven Friedman, president of S.B. Friedman Co., explained why Streeterville is suddenly hot. "There's land there." He added that the emergence of Chicago as a leisure destination has helped spark the popularity of city living.

"Streeterville is the only place where there are vacant sites near the lake and river," said Gail Lissner, vice president of Appraisal Research Counselors. And, she foresees no threat to the launching of the Streeterville projects. Despite fears about the overheated housing market nationally, Chicago condo sales and traffic remain strong, according to Lissner.

Not everyone is looking forward to more construction in Streeterville. The panoramic views of some existing residents will be blocked by the new buildings. These residents also fear the Manhattanization of the neighborhood, resulting in high-rise canyons towering over gridlocked traffic.

Ald. Burton Natarus (42nd), who represents the area, stressed that the neighborhood was approved as a high-rise area in the 1980s, when Chicago Dock and Canal plans were approved.

But McLean, a pioneer in Streeterville condos, sees a different outcome:

"This is the most complete downtown neighborhood in the city," he said, adding that the new projects will increase foot traffic on Streeterville's streets and make it a real neighborhood.

"Streeterville has the river, the lake, a new art gallery, sightseeing boat tours, grocery stores, two hotels, a movie theater, dozens of restaurants, a fountain on the river and views of the city's skyline from many buildings."

As cranes start cropping up, it appears that "Cap" Streeter's new neighborhood has set sail, and no sandbars are likely to block its progress

Condo Developers Cross St. Clair Street
By Mark Ruda
http://www.globest.com/news/398_398...o/139458-1.html
Last updated: October 21, 2005 05:19pm

CHICAGO-With pre-sales of a 112-unit building at 550 N. St. Clair St. hitting the 70% mark, developer Mark Sutherland is able to look across the street for his next project. Sutherland Pearsall Development’s plans for a 38-story, 316-unit building at 535 St. Clair St., 47% larger than allowed under existing zoning, were endorsed by the plan commission.

Units will range from 600-sf studios in the “mid” $200,000 range, Sutherland tells GlobeSt.com, to 1,800-sf penthouses in the $1-million neighborhood. The lender for the project across the street has expressed interest in financing the second phase of Sutherland Pearsall Development’s makeover of the block running from Grand Avenue to Ohio Street, he adds.

“I think this project is a model for future projects with its sustainable development features,” says architect Linda Searl, vice chair of the plan commission. Among the features, she notes are a greenhouse that will harvest energy and a drainage system that will recycle rain water.

The building will include 7,700 sf of ground-floor retail space as well as garage parking for 275 vehicles. The plans also include keeping a four-story building on St. Clair Street, which will be converted to nine units, as well as a four-story parking garage.

In addition, the project won over an important community group, notes plan commission member John Nelson. The Streeterville Organization of Active Residents deemed the proposed building “a very good project” in a letter to John George, the developers’ attorney. “It seems like any time we look at something in the neighborhood, SOAR would have something to say,” Nelson says. “This is a first.”

jh

CityFront Plaza

http://img9.imageshack.us/img9/7418/cityfrontplazaa6oq.jpg

By John Handley
Tribune staff reporter
Published April 22, 2005


The concrete hulk stood empty and unfinished for more than two years, a stark reminder of the perils of real estate development.

Just a block east of the Magnificent Mile, the eyesore was supposed to be a parking garage for Grand Pier Center, a $375 million, mixed-use project. But financial problems stalled construction of the project in June 2001.

Now, another developer is picking up the pieces and has revealed plans to jump-start the project and build three residential towers with approximately 1,000 units at the Streeterville site, bounded by Grand Avenue, Columbus Drive and Illinois and St. Clair Streets.

Chicago-based Centrum Properties Inc. acquired the site from Lehman Brothers in December, and has been reworking plans for the massive project.

John McLinden, partner in Centrum, the new developer, said the three slender buildings will be 31, 65 and 40 stories.

The first tower will be built over the existing parking garage, which has been finished, and also will house a 55,000-square-foot Dominick's supermarket. It will total 31 stories.

"The project has been renamed CityFront Plaza to rebrand its image and sever the ties with the past," McLinden said.

The trio of high-rises, an $800 million project designed by Chicago-based architects Destefano and Partners, should be completed in six years, McLinden said.

"This is an important site that will be visible from Michigan Avenue," he added.

The first building, named the Fairbanks, will have 281 condos priced from the mid-$300,000s to more than $2 million. A sales center will open in June. Construction should begin by the first quarter of next year, McLinden said.

The original project by developer Raymond Chin was planned for a 480-room hotel over the garage and a separate condo tower with 538 units.

"We scrapped the old development plan. It just didn't make sense," McLinden said. "Our new vision is completely different."

He said planning for CityFront Plaza is in the final stages and should be completed soon.

The existing parking garage, designed for 750 cars, will be modified. Part of its six floors will be converted into 42 loft condos, McLinden said.

The main access to CityFront Plaza will be on upper Illinois Street, which runs between Michigan and Columbus. Four restaurants are planned on Illinois in the three new buildings. "They will create new street life," McLinden said.

The Fairbanks will have an outdoor swimming pool, fitness center and media room.

A boutique hotel and spa will be located in the second building. When complete, the project will have parking for 1,300 cars.

CityFront Plaza is just one of several residential high-rises planned for the Streeterville neighborhood between Michigan and Lake Shore Drive, north of the Chicago River.

"Some 3,500 new residential units are planned for the area," said Daniel McLean, president of MCL Cos., a pioneer in Streeterville development. "So far, the market has been good," he added.

Even with the boom in new residential projects, real estate analyst Gail Lissner does not expect a glut.

"In the last 15 years Streeterville has been somewhat ignored by developers while other downtown areas have been developed with new residential. Now Streeterville's time has come. The new projects should gain market acceptance. There should be no glut," said Lissner, vice president of Chicago-based Appraisal Research Counselors.

Lissner said the Centrum project has the advantage of having a direct link to the Magnificent Mile on upper Illinois Street. "Every residential developer wants to be as close to Michigan Avenue as possible," she said.

Marvel33 @ SSC posted:
BTW, one of my colleagues heard a rumor yesterday that a Canadian Developer is interested in purchasing the block between Ontario, Ohio and La Salle where the "Ohio House" motel and the "Sports Authority" currently are located. That would be a great location for a new development. I have always thought that's kind on an eye-sore for that area.

Has any body heard anything about it?

http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?threadid=18467&perpage=25&pagenumber=288

OH NO! my life would be ruined if the world's tallest sport's store was destroyed!! that place is awsome, especiallly the lit up exterior and the floor numbers seen from the exterior with baseballs, footballs, and other sports things identifying each floor. IT CAN't GO AWaY!

Marvel33 @ SSC posted:
BTW, one of my colleagues heard a rumor yesterday that a Canadian Developer is interested in purchasing the block between Ontario, Ohio and La Salle where the "Ohio House" motel and the "Sports Authority" currently are located. That would be a great location for a new development. I have always thought that's kind on an eye-sore for that area.

Has any body heard anything about it?

http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?threadid=18467&perpage=25&pagenumber=288
this belongs in a river north thread not streeterville

^^Rivernoth thread is buried somewhere. I don't feel like looking for it. I am so lazy.

...pictures of The Streeter (sp?) taken on Christmas Day looking south across the river.

http://images.snapfish.com/3459497%3A5%7Ffp335%3Enu%3D3248%3E9%3A9%3E937%3EWSNRCG%3D323342%3C4%3A%3A%3B87nu0mrj

http://images.snapfish.com/3459497%3A5%7Ffp338%3Enu%3D3248%3E9%3A9%3E937%3EWSNRCG%3D323342%3C4%3A%3A%3B88nu0mrj

^^You can also post these on the 321 East Ohio (The Streeter) thread.

A blurb from today's Chicago Tribune.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-0601040206jan04,1,4266411.story?coll=chi-business-hed

Golub buys studios: As expected, Golub & Co. has completed the purchase of the historic Streeterville studios of WBBM-Ch. 2, with plans for construction of a 750-unit apartment complex after the CBS affiliate moves in late 2007 to its new home on Block 37, said Michael ******, president of the Chicago development firm.

Golub has formed a development joint venture with Boston-based Halcyon Ventures, which was formed in 2004 by former principals of AEW Capital Management LP, a frequent financial partner, said Lee Golub, executive vice president with the developer.

750 units!!! Woah... Does this project have a name?

^ Plus it's apartments, which means we don't have to wait for the long, laborious process of units being sold..

Here is the information that I have on the twin towers for the CBS site in Streeterville.

http://img321.imageshack.us/img321/8184/10sj.jpg

http://img351.imageshack.us/img351/41/21af.jpg

http://img81.imageshack.us/img81/1610/37zo1.jpg

http://img351.imageshack.us/img351/9394/46zb.jpg

http://img80.imageshack.us/img80/2691/53dr.jpg

http://img315.imageshack.us/img315/8640/69il1.jpg

http://img315.imageshack.us/img315/2662/70eu.jpg

http://img80.imageshack.us/img80/2877/89ql.jpg

woow those look like they got alot of promise!!

I've got to admit I'm a bit concerned about how these will look so close to another set of twins (McClurg Court Towers).

A touch of glass

June 18, 2006

BY SANDRA GUY Staff reporter






Jim and Sara Coffou moved to the burgeoning River East neighborhood from Wicker Park a year ago to take advantage of the conveniences of downtown living, and quickly discovered that their unobstructed views proved a design bonanza.

The family's northwest corner condo features a wrap-around window design that provides a spectacular view of city landmarks: Millennium Park and Navy Pier, in particular, pop out.

"It exemplifies a modernist design in its surfaces and its openness," said Jim Coffou, who, along with Sara, runs executive-search consulting firm Coffou Partners. "The detailing is minimal -- the moldings and the finish are minimal -- to highlight the views."

The Coffous enhanced the effect by having their hardwood floors stained black and keeping the walls neutral in the 3,500-square-foot condo.

"You are blown away by the views," Jim Coffou said.

The Coffous' "green" philosophy of efficiently using resources played a role in the design elements: They own a hybrid car and believe in environmental responsibility.

"When you are living in a high-rise, you need a sense of foundation. A dark floor provides that," Jim Coffou said. The color scheme mirrors the Earth's palette: The ground is darker than the surfaces above.

The colors also enhance the Coffous' collection of mid-20th century artwork, including oils on canvas by artists from the Depression-era Works Progress Administration, and post-World War II abstract paintings by artists from the Chicago and New York schools. The family also displays contemporary works by Chicago artists Anna Kunz and Miyoko Ito.

The Coffous chose modern, urban-friendly furniture designers such as Donghia, Holly Hunt, Ray and Charles Eames, Ero Saarinen and Mies van der Rohe.

The southern portion of the River View tower features condos with rounded living rooms -- another element intended to enhance the building's city views.

The developer, Dan McLean's MCL Cos., chose a Marshall Field's designer to decorate the showpiece rounded condo, called the Wabash.

Senior designer Martin O'Connor said the rounded glass wall presented a design challenge, but also an opportunity to enhance the condo's "timeless, classic modern look."

O'Connor chose low-slung furniture to prevent obstructing the view, and chose contemporary designers such as Henredon, David Easton, Thomas O'Brien, Barbara Berry and Pa Larkin. He selected from Marshall Field's partner business BBT handmade Oriental rugs in a modern design, artwork from Look Gallery and bath accessories from Water Works.

O'Connor chose deeper hues of otherwise neutral wall colors, such as taupe, gray and off-white, to brighten the condo without being distracting.

"I wanted people to have the sense that 'this could be my home,' " he said of the model unit.

The Wabash model and the Coffous' condo are emblematic of the conversion to glass and a move away from concrete in Chicago residential high-rise architecture.

A key reason is Mayor Daley's efforts to keep the city as energy efficient as possible. The city Department of Construction and Permits started doing audits in March to ensure that buildings meet Chicago's energy code.

Buildings have more glass than ever before.

"The new energy code heightened the requirement for energy-efficient window walls, which must keep buildings warmer in winter and cooler in summer," said Bruce Armstrong, senior vice president of development for Golub & Co., which is building the Streeter at 345 E. Ohio.

"In the past, most exterior facades consisted of exposed concrete frames with punched windows. Glass is highly energy efficient; concrete is not. So to meet the energy code, developers are enlarging windows and covering the exposed concrete with insulated metal so energy doesn't escape."

Insulated glass technology has evolved with the renaissance of glass high-rises, as well as glass coated with glazes to reduce the need for artificial lighting.

Today's high-rises also have higher doors and ceilings than condo buildings built six years ago to create the effect of a larger living space, said developer McLean of MCL Companies.

"Glass buildings tend to have 8-foot and 10-foot [high] doors instead of old-fashioned 6-foot doors," he said. "And it's almost standard to have 9- and 10-foot ceilings rather than the 8-foot-high ceilings common prior to 2000."

The River East high-rises will be joined by even more development in the near future.

New development includes:

*MCL Companies has just broken ground on a 268-unit high-rise building, Park View Condominiums, at the corner of McClurg and Illinois at the old Kraft manufacturing plant site.

*LR Development CoLa. LLC will start marketing a 350-unit, 57-story condominium building at 515 N. Peshtigo Court between Grand and Illinois this summer.

*Two condominium towers of 38 and 48 stories are on tap at 600 N. Lake Shore, totaling 395 units.

*The Fordham Spire, a 2,000-foot-tall, corkscrew skyscraper that would be the nation's tallest building and, possibly, the world's tallest, is being proposed by developer Christopher Carley and world-renowned architect Santiago Calatrava at 420 E. North Water, opposite Navy Pier.

For the Coffous, the River View setting marks the first time in their family's history that home is downtown.

"Our kids are sixth-generation Chicagoans, and none of us had ever lived downtown," Jim Coffou said.

Coffou is pleasantly surprised that the building is teen-friendly, with indoor parking, a health club, swimming pool, outdoor deck and 24-hour security.

Even better for an environmentally conscious family, the utility bills are one-tenth that of their former house, a 5,100-square-foot mansion built in the early 1880s in what was known as Beer Baron Row.

"The downtown lifestyle is awesome. It doesn't get more convenient," he said.

*River View is composed of two buildings. The tower at 445 E. North Water is sold out.

The second tower at 415 E. North Water St. has 148 condos and 11 town houses. Prices range from $607,900 for a 1-bedroom-plus-den at 1,370 square feet, to $6 million for a customizable penthouse of more than 9,000 square feet. Town houses start at $1.69 million for 3,766 square feet and go up to $2.12 million at 4,573 square feet.

MCL Cos.' River View sales office is at 415 E. North Water St., (312) 527-2500.

sguy@suntimes.

Thought this shot was cool. You can see the cranes for 600, 550 and The Fairbanks. The Ville is really starting to fill out.

http://img224.imageshack.us/img224/9821/streetervillecv3.jpg

STREETERVILLE: CHICAGO AVE TO THE NORTH-OHIO TO THE SOUTH-LAKE MICHIGAN TO THE EAST: MICHIGAN TO THE WEST


150 E. Ontario. 50 Story Residential.

http://img104.echo.cx/img104/4619/150eastontario015wi.jpg

Does anybody know where this project stands? I walked by this site and one of the bars that occupy the exisiting building is closed. I wish this project wouldnt go through. I really like those short/old building that are currently there.

Also, I pray they do not demolish this site and then have the construction not go through

^ You don't want this to get built? I LOVE this development

^ You don't want this to get built? I LOVE this development

I just like the look of the exisitng buildings. Especially since the bottom retail are active with people.

Would hate to see them demolished and nothing happen (ie B37)

I do like the design and proportions.

Yes, I like the design of this a lot better than some other things, namely half of LSE.

http://www.chicagobusiness.com/cgi-bin/news.pl?id=21571

Children's Memorial chooses site for $800M facility
Replacement hospital will be in heart of Northwestern's Streeterville campus

(Crain’s) — Children’s Memorial Hospital has chosen a site for its $800 million replacement facility in the heart of Northwestern Memorial Hospital’s campus in Streeterville.

Children’s plans to build the 275-bed hospital in the 200 block of E. Chicago Ave., where Northwestern Memorial’s Galter Carriage House (and the former Eli’s steak house) stood before the building was razed earlier this year. The site is a block west of Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine and across the street from Northwestern Memorial’s new $500 million women’s hospital, set to open next year.

The hospital is in talks to purchase the property from Northwestern Memorial, said Carl Rinder, director of facilities planning at Children’s. Northwestern Memorial did not immediately return a phone call.

Children’s board in April approved the relocation from its hemmed-in site in Lincoln Park, where it has operated since 1882. Officials at Children’s hadn’t disclosed a location but had said it would be near the medical school. Other possibilities included the existing Prentice Women’s Hospital at 333 E. Superior and the Veterans Affairs complex at 333 E. Huron.

The proximity to the medical school is a key reason for relocating Children’s, which serves as the pediatric teaching hospital for medical school residents.

“The environment is a much richer place for recruitment and interaction between our faculty and the rest of the medical school,” Mr. Rinder says.

Children’s expects to finance the new facility through fundraising, grants, cash from operations and debt. It expects to break ground in spring 2008 and complete construction by early 2012.

The 1.1 million square-foot facility will be about 20 stories high, feature private rooms – only about one-third of Children’s rooms now are private – and allow the hospital to boost its inpatient load by 30%, or an additional 3,000 admissions a year.

A committee is studying where to put 2,500 new parking spots needed for the new hospital.

^ Interesting. By the way, why did Northwestern demolish the Carriage House? Did they already have a replacement for the lost student housing?

Also, was the Carriage House taller than 20 stories (ie are we getting a taller building in the process)?

^ Interesting. By the way, why did Northwestern demolish the Carriage House? Did they already have a replacement for the lost student housing?

Also, was the Carriage House taller than 20 stories (ie are we getting a taller building in the process)?

Carriage was taller than 20 stories, but I'm sure the new Children's Hospital will require high ceilings due to it being a "state of the art" facility.

The new Prentice Womens Hospital currently UC is only 18 floors, but taller in height than the 25 story Carriage House.

http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=187176

^ But what happened to the student housing?

^ I have no idea... I remember someone on here discussing that matter... they should chime in soon.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-0608020166aug02,1,3475390.story?coll=chi-business-hed

Children's Memorial on Streeterville path
By Tribune staff
Published August 2, 2006

Children's Memorial Hospital has confirmed that it will relocate and build its new $800 million facility in Streeterville.

Although the new site does not yet have an address, it is bounded by Chicago Avenue on the north, Superior Street on the south and is just west of the Prentice Women's Hospital that is scheduled to open next year.

Groundbreaking will occur in 2008 at the site, which is also near Northwestern University's medical school.

An architect has not yet been chosen for the project, which is scheduled to be completed in 2012, said a hospital spokeswoman.

Eventually, it will be able to treat 12,000 or more patients a year. The hospital now treats more than 9,000 patients annually.

In April, the Children's Hospital board voted to leave the Lincoln Park neighborhood where the hospital began in 1882 on the corner of Belden Avenue and Halsted Street.

That thing was student housing!? I always assumed it was just crappy condos. At any rate, it's gone.

http://www.globest.com/news/695_695/chicago/148618-1.html

Monaco Acquires Land for 51-Story Condo Tower
By Carlise ******

A 280,000-sf condominium high rise is on the way for a popular Chicago neighborhood just east of Michigan Avenue at 150 E. Ontario. Developer Monaco Development LLC has obtained acquisition and predevelopment financing for a 12,800-sf land parcel in this Streeterville neighborhood location.

The entire proposed building includes a 51-story condominium tower with 158 units, which is slated for completion in 2008. Monaco declined to comment on the project.

The Chicago office of Tremont Realty Capital structured $6 million in financing for the acquisition and predevelopment of a portion of land assemblage, which is located in the neighborhood of Streeterville. Michael Hart, a senior director with Tremont, arranged the mezzanine loan, which was funded through a Tremont-sponsored program and initially provided for approximately $19 million in senior and subordinate debt. The non-recourse loan provided for approximately 80% of the predevelopment budget.

“The project was unique in that the availability of buildable land with this proximity to Michigan Avenue is virtually non-existent, and the combined FAR value of the assembled parcels significantly exceeded the cost,” Hart says. “Recognizing the value allowed Tremont the ability to provide proceeds well in excess of the acquisition cost.”

In 2003, Monaco completed a 120-unit condo development at 340 W. Superior St. here and has developed several luxury condominium projects across the US. The company mainly invests in residential real estate with an operating focus in Illinois, Arizona, Florida, Northern Virginia, Maryland and Washington, DC.

^^^^Hey spyguy is this a brand spanking new proposal or has it been on the table already??

^The rendering is on the first page of this thread.

Draper and Kramer has announced their intention to build a 50 story condo and hotel complex on the West corner of Fairbanks, Grand, and Ohio.


:tiasd:

http://www.chicagobusiness.com/cgi-bin/news.pl?id=22038

50-story condo, hotel tower planned for Streeterville
Sept. 13, 2006
By Alby Gallun

Residential developer Draper & Kramer Inc. plans to build a 50-story condominium and hotel tower in South Streeterville, a neighborhood teeming with new condo projects.

Designed by Chicago architecture firm Solomon Cordwell Buenz, the high-rise on the west side of Fairbanks Court between Ohio Street and Grand Avenue would include about 170 high-end condos and 200 hotel rooms, says Donald Vitek, vice-president of acquisitions and development at Chicago-based Draper & Kramer. A hotel operator has agreed to run a five-star hotel there, he says, declining to name the company.

Condo developers have been busy in South Streeterville over the past couple years. Eight projects have condos for sale, according to Appraisal Research Counselors, a Chicago-based real estate consulting firm. The developments comprise 1,569 units, of which 545, or 35%, are unsold.

Draper & Kramer’s most prominent condo project in recent years has been its redevelopment of the Palmolive Building on North Michigan Avenue. With prices averaging $850 a square foot, the luxury development was 95% sold out at the end of the second quarter, according to Appraisal Research.

Draper & Kramer also is aiming for the high end of the market with its new project, where condos will sell for $600 a square foot and up.

“We’re building off our experience at Palmolive,” Mr. Vitek says.

Draper & Kramer has already submitted plans for the project to the city Department of Planning and Development and aims to start marketing the condo units next spring, he says. The developer will present its plans to the Streeterville Organization of Active Residents at a meeting Wednesday night.

http://chicagobusiness.com/cgi-bin/news.pl?id=22142

Luxury hotel firm looking for 'triple-A site' in Chicago

Another luxury hotel chain new to Chicago is scouting sites along North Michigan Avenue, looking to join a building boom that's likely to increase competition at the high end of the market.

General Hotel Management Ltd. (GHM), a small British chain known for its Asian resorts, has been eyeing a site at the corner of Michigan Avenue and Ontario Street where developer Enrico Plati originally had planned to build a 51-story, 150-unit condominium tower.

A few months ago, Mr. Plati drew up a new plan for 98 condos and 90 hotel rooms, says Gail Spreen, vice-president of the Streeterville Organization of Active Residents, a community group that saw the new proposal in June. Mr. Plati said at the time that he and GHM representatives were discussing a hotel deal for the planned high-rise at 150 E. Ontario St., Ms. Spreen says.

"To some degree it makes sense since the hotel market is so good and the condo market is so questionable," she says.

Mr. Plati declines to comment. An affiliate of his Chicago-based company, Monaco Development LLC, recently paid about $10.5 million for the development site, currently inhabited by O'Neill's Bar & Grill and restaurants Bice and Hatsuhana.

Manvinder Puri, GHM's vice-president of the Americas, declines to confirm the hotel chain's interest in the project but says GHM wants to open a hotel as close to North Michigan Avenue as possible.

"We're looking for a triple-A site," he says.

Founded by hotelier Adrian Zecha, GHM runs 16 hotels in places like India, Vietnam and Bali. GHM's Setai hotel in Miami, which opened last year, is the most expensive in South Florida, according to the Miami Herald.

Hotel occupancies and room rates are hitting levels not seen since before the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, fueling a development boom that could add more than 3,500 rooms to the downtown market. The high end of the market could be especially crowded in a few years, when several hotels are scheduled to open.

The list includes Donald Trump's 90-story condo-hotel project on the Chicago River, the Elysian Hotel & Private Residences on the Gold Coast, the Shangri-La on West Wacker Drive and the Mandarin Oriental in the East Loop.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-0610120217oct12,0,6161248.story?coll=chi-business-hed

Children's Memorial selects 3 architects
BY BRUCE JAPSEN

October 12, 2006

Architectural firms with a history of developing and planning pediatric health-care facilities and medical research institutions have been hired to design the proposed new Children's Memorial Hospital in Chicago's Streeterville neighborhood.

The lead architect is Portland, Ore.-based Zimmer Gunsal Frasca Partnership, a national firm that has helped design children's hospitals in Los Angeles, Denver and Portland.

Zimmer will work with two Chicago firms: Solomon Cordwell Buenz, which designed the Children's Memorial Research Center, 2430 N. Halsted St., about one block north of the existing hospital; and Anderson Mikos Architects Ltd., which has worked with Children's Memorial for more than two decades as its "internal architect" at the hospital's current location at Fullerton Parkway and Lincoln Avenue.

The hiring of architects is the latest step in the plan to relocate and build a new facility, leaving the Lincoln Park neighborhood where the hospital began in 1882 on the corner of Belden Avenue and Halsted Street.

Children's has outgrown its more than 50-year-old facilities, forcing hospital staff to turn away more than 200 children a year. The project remains on target for 2008 groundbreaking in its new neighborhood east of Michigan Avenue, pending regulatory approvals.

Children's said the selection of architects comes as the hospital and its board are planning how the "work and patient flow will be configured into the new hospital" once development begins, a facility spokeswoman said.

"These firms will work with us in the coming months to create a plan for a unique, modern facility that will serve the needs of the children and families of our region for generations to come," said Children's Memorial Chief Executive Patrick Magoon.

The new facility, projected to cost $800 million or more, would be bounded by Chicago Avenue on the north and Superior Street on the south and sit just west of Northwestern Memorial HealthCare's new Prentice Women's Hospital, which is scheduled to open next year. A specific address for the hospital has not been determined.

The new Children's is scheduled to open in 2012. Eventually it would be able to treat 12,000 or more patients a year. The hospital now treats more than 9,000 patients annually.

A master design plan and its approval is the next step for Children's, which will appear before the Illinois Health Facilities Planning Board in December. The design plan is expected to cost more than $7 million, Children's officials said.

moved to Economy Thread

Odd couple plans new Streeterville tower

By Thomas A. Corfman
Feb. 24, 2007
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/cgi-bin/news.pl?id=23994

Developer Christopher Carley is planning a luxury hotel and condominium development a few blocks from the site where he once proposed building the tallest building in North America, before losing control of the project.

An unlikely duo of Mr. Carley and developer Michael Reschke, ousted chairman of Prime Group Realty Trust, has a contract to buy 2.3 acres just north of the downtown Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers for $60 million, sources familiar with the deal say. In addition to high-priced condos, the two also are considering adding a posh hotel like the Hotel de Crillon, which Mr. Carley once attempted to bring to the twisting tower, now called the Chicago Spire.

Any development faces steep obstacles, including a slowing condo market, scarce construction financing for high-end hotels and, for this particular location, the likelihood of costly environmental cleanup.

"That's why the site has sat vacant so long," says rival developer J. Paul Beitler, who also bid on the property and who has teamed with Mr. Reschke on other projects, such as a tweezers-shaped broadcast tower in the same area that hasn't gotten off the drawing board. "It's not like somebody just stumbled onto it."

However long the odds, the setbacks endured by Messrs. Carley and Reschke seemingly haven't diminished their ambitions.

Mr. Carley, CEO of Chicago-based Fordham Co., has been dogged by questions about the profitability of his recent condo projects, 65 E. Goethe St., the Fordham at 25 E. Superior St. and the Pinnacle at 21 E. Huron St. In July, he lost control of the 2,000-foot spire after failing to finance the $64-million purchase of the riverfront site on North Lake Shore Drive. Dublin-based Shelbourne Development Ltd. bought the site and took over the project, and a dispute with its executive chairman, Garrett Kelleher, cost Mr. Carley any day-to-day role in the development. Mr. Carley did not return calls requesting comment.

Mr. Reschke has also harbored ambitions for a record-setting skyscraper, including the tweezers tower. He resigned from Chicago-based Prime Group in 2002 after defaulting on $100 million in loans secured by his controlling stake in the company. He is better known for office buildings such as Citadel Center, the 1.5-million-square-foot tower at 131 S. Dearborn St. that he co-developed with Mr. Beitler.

Recently, Mr. Reschke has turned to other types of developments, such as a proposed 35-story condo project at 10 E. Delaware Place and a proposed hotel conversion of the lower floors of an antiquated office building at 208 S. LaSalle St.

FEASIBILITY STUDY

For their first endeavor together, Messrs. Carley and Reschke would buy the 2.3-acre site, now a parking lot, from the St. Louis parent company of the Adam's Mark Hotel chain, which paid $46 million for the parcel seven years ago.

"It is fair to say we are in the midst of a feasibility study," says Mr. Reschke, chairman and CEO of privately held, Chicago-based Prime Group Inc., which is no longer affiliated with Prime Group Realty Trust.

The site is bounded by Park Drive, an address that would have "a neat little cachet," he adds. But a key would be landing "an internationally famous, five-star (hotel) flag, and there are many out there," he says.

In a classic real estate gambit, the two are looking to sell off the northern half of the site in hopes of using the proceeds to help pay for the southern portion, which they would develop themselves, sources say. The total site is zoned for about 1.6 million square feet of space. To finance construction of an 800,000-square-foot building on the southern half, the pair would have to raise at least $200 million.

Ironically, Mr. Carley could now be competing for luxury-home buyers against his former spire, designed by acclaimed architect Santiago Calatrava. Mr. Carley is still entitled to 15% of the profits of that project, according to a complaint filed by one of his prospective lenders. The case, filed in September in Cook County Circuit Court, sought only information regarding the deal with Shelbourne. It was settled last month.

Developer plans new tower
Carley to obtain site at Columbus, Illinois

By Susan Diesenhouse
Tribune staff reporter
Published February 27, 2007


Christopher Carley, a longtime Chicago developer who was thwarted in his efforts to build the nation's tallest building in the city, has an option on another high-profile downtown site.

Carley, chief executive of Fordham Co., agreed in January to pay $60 million to HBE Corp. of St. Louis for an approximately two-acre parcel at Illinois Street and Columbus Drive. He plans to close on the property, now being used for surface parking, in June.

No longer chasing the cachet that he would get from the 2,000-foot-tall, spire-shaped tower that he hired famed Spanish-born architect Santiago Calatrava to design on Lake Shore Drive overlooking Lake Michigan, Carley said Monday that he still must determine what kind of tower he will build on his new land.

"I'm not out to set any height records," he said, "but I do want something tall, slender and spectacular," such as the spire fashioned for him in 2005 by Calatrava.

Unable to secure financing for that 124-story building, Carley withdrew from the project last summer, and it was taken over by Shelbourne Development Ltd. of Dublin.

The new site, which provides easy access to North Michigan Avenue, the lake and the Chicago River, could accommodate as much as 2 million square feet of buildings. The northern portion might be sold to help finance a major project on the southern side of the site, Carley said.

HBE did not return calls seeking comment.

While still under study, one concept might be to develop an approximately 70-story, $325 million tower, with a hotel of about 250 rooms on the bottom, Carley said. Above it would be perhaps 300 condominiums priced at roughly $750 a square foot, he said.
If this idea gets a green light, the nearly three-year construction project would start in 18 to 24 months. It could be ready for occupancy in 2011, and by then, Carley said, "despite concerns about overbuilding, by the time my project is complete there wouldn't be a lot of unsold product left."

Although it is realistic and prudent to worry about the near-term prospects of the downtown property markets, both residential and commercial, Carley's long-term perspective gives him comfort.

In 1987, when he worked as a partner for the real estate firm Trammell Crow, he said, he tried to buy a 40-acre parcel that encompassed his new site for $50 million. But the owner decided not to sell at that time.

"Now, just two acres has sold for $60 million," Carley said.

The price appreciation is entirely warranted, he said. In addition to a handful of new offices, an abundance of housing is being developed in the heart of the city.

"The transformation of downtown into a residential location is just beginning," he said. "The giant Baby Boomer generation is coming downtown in a trickle now, but that will turn into a flood.

"Just wait five years. The number of housing units in development will triple or quadruple."

----------
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-0702270210feb27,0,3539790.story?coll=chi-business-hed

^I actually thought that this was the most important info in the article:

"I'm not out to set any height records," he said, "but I do want something tall, slender and spectacular," such as the spire fashioned for him in 2005 by Calatrava.

Even though he's not going to try for records, there's certainly a good possibility for another 800-1000+ ft tower, especially since he wants it slender. I'm really hoping for him to approach another outside architect for this project.

Does anyone other than me think that this might be a good spot for a Norman Foster design? I'd really like to see what he might bring to Chicago, it could be interesting.

Lakeshore club in danger
(http://www.suntimes.com/business/337897,CST-FIN-lake12.article)

April 12, 2007

BY DAVID ROEDER
The prospective buyer of the old Lakeshore Athletic Club, 850 N. Lake Shore Drive, plans to raze the 19-story building and construct new luxury residences in its place, despite claims by preservationist groups that it should be a landmark.

The new structure would be the same height as the old one and thus wouldn't need a zoning change, Alan Schachtman, senior vice president at Fifield Cos., said Wednesday. He said Fifield has a contract to buy the property from Northwestern University.

The contract is contingent on Fifield securing a demolition permit. Schachtman declined to discuss other terms, but sources said the building sold for more than $40 million.

Both Preservation Chicago and Landmarks Illinois have listed the old club as among the most endangered, notable buildings in Chicago, and have called for it to be saved. Some neighborhood residents have spoken in favor of the old building, but that sentiment is based party on suspicions that a high-rise would replace it.

Fifield is betting it can blunt some of that opposition by agreeing to abide by height limitations already written into the site's zoning.

Schachtman emphasized that the plans will be open for community review, even though Fifield is under no legal obligation to do that. "We're not trying to fight with anybody about it,'' he said. "People will see that we will do a very, very high-quality and very nice-looking building."

The firm of noted Chicago architect Lucien Lagrange will design the new building, Schachtman said. It will sit on a prime corner alongside Lake Michigan, between two towers designed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Lagrange buildings that went up in the late 1990s.

"The intent is to build something that looks like it's always been there," Schachtman said.

He said the old club, which dates from 1927, is unsuitable for renovation, because much of it was designed as open, public space. A pool, gym, squash courts and rifle range all were on the lower floors of the club, which Northwestern converted into student housing before shuttering the building in 2005.

Preservationists argue those interior features, including murals and a marble lobby, are the top reasons to save the building. It was designed by Jarvis Hunt, and hosted many society galas in its early years.

Michael Moran, vice president of Preservation Chicago, called on City Hall to declare the building a landmark. He said his group will start a petition campaign on the building's behalf.

The plan emerges as 42nd Ward Ald. Burton Natarus, who has opposed landmark designation for the club, gives way to incoming Ald. Brendan Reilly. Moran said Reilly's defeat of Natarus in the February election showed residents are tired of policies that favor developers.

Schachtman said his firm has shown the plans to Reilly, who made no commitments and urged him to set up community meetings. A spokesman for Reilly said he was unavailable Wednesday.

Any request to demolish the building triggers a 90-day review by the city's planning department. That's because the building was flagged in a property survey a few years ago that it had potential architectural or historic importance.

The Fifield firm is an experienced residential and commercial developer known for new office buildings in the West Loop and a 1990s renovation of the Civic Opera Building. Founder Steven Fifield has expanded the Chicago-based company's activities in California.

He tussled with preservationists a few years ago over his plan, never implemented, to put a condominium tower on top of the Medinah Temple on the Near North Side.

I really hope this wonderful building does not come down. Why can't it just be renovated? The location is prime and a condo conversion could occur similar to what was done at the Palmolive Building.

I'll be very pissed if this gets razed.

I really hope this wonderful building does not come down. Why can't it just be renovated? The location is prime and a condo conversion could occur similar to what was done at the Palmolive Building.

I'll be very pissed if this gets razed.

I saw a presentation yesterday of the new design and it's not bad. They are saying that it isn't cost effective to renovate the old building. The column spacing is too close, windows too small and the floor to ceiling height too low. The new building will be the same height and square footage as the old building. There was an agreement that a structure of a larger size would not be built there. Northwestern wouldn't sell to anyone who wanted to change the zoning. The new design is classical in style. It has a rounded bay on the corner and other bays along the east and north facades. It reminds me of the Marshall & Fox designed building on E. LSD around the corner. The base and top will be stone while the mid section material is up in the air. it could possible be pre-cast similar to the LaGrange designed building directly to the south. My preference is that they use real limestone, or at least a limestone veneer. I tried to get a rendering, but was told that it's too early in the process to release it.

I saw a presentation yesterday of the new design and it's not bad. They are saying that it isn't cost effective to renovate the old building. The column spacing is too close, windows too small and the floor to ceiling height too low. The new building will be the same height and square footage as the old building. There was an agreement that a structure of a larger size would not be built there. Northwestern wouldn't sell to anyone who wanted to change the zoning. The new design is classical in style. It has a rounded bay on the corner and other bays along the east and north facades. It reminds me of the Marshall & Fox designed building on E. LSD around the corner. The base and top will be stone while the mid section material is up in the air. it could possible be pre-cast similar to the LaGrange designed building directly to the south. My preference is that they use real limestone, or at least a limestone veneer. I tried to get a rendering, but was told that it's too early in the process to release it.
I still don't think it should happen. I'd rather it be renovated into a SRO. Any deleloper can make generalizations about why an antiquated structure is innapropriate for renovation. A good architect could handle the concerns sucessfully.

It really doesn't matter what sort of design LaGrange is proposing for the new building. That's irrelevant. The historic building simply should not come down.

"Not economically feasible" to reuse the Lake Shore Athletic Club building? Baloney. Of course the building can be converted. What Fifield is really seeking is a demolition windfall that it does not deserve. Their plan for the building is their mistake....a mistake that presumes a "right to demolish" that does not exist. Historic buildings that are important to the character of our city are different from vacant lots.

I'd also guess that Fifield is paying Northwestern a sum that they do not deserve. The building that Northwestern is selling is not a vacant lot. Mandated preservation, where it serves the public good, is a well-known priniciple of real estate investment and development. Future generations should not pay the price of Fifield's and Northwestern's wrong assumptions about historic buildings.

Im against this 100%.

It makes absolutely no damn sense to tear down this building for yet another beige faux-Parisian POS that doesnt have an ounce of the quality that its replacing. We are raping what historic streetscape we have left and I am officially sick of it!

Bleh, sounds boring already. Hopefully this project will be delayed by a month or so, long enough to get Natarus out before he signs off on it.

I saw a presentation yesterday of the new design and it's not bad. They are saying that it isn't cost effective to renovate the old building. The column spacing is too close, windows too small and the floor to ceiling height too low. The new building will be the same height and square footage as the old building. There was an agreement that a structure of a larger size would not be built there. Northwestern wouldn't sell to anyone who wanted to change the zoning. The new design is classical in style. It has a rounded bay on the corner and other bays along the east and north facades. It reminds me of the Marshall & Fox designed building on E. LSD around the corner. The base and top will be stone while the mid section material is up in the air. it could possible be pre-cast similar to the LaGrange designed building directly to the south. My preference is that they use real limestone, or at least a limestone veneer. I tried to get a rendering, but was told that it's too early in the process to release it.
There you have it gentlemen! Those opposed need put up their own counter architectural, engineering, cost estimates arguments to be convincing. The reference to "historic" needs support as well. I too would be pleased to see this building retrofitted successfully, economic realities permitting.

..

..

^There needs to be real justification for destroying these buildings as well. Simply stating that it can't be done doesn't help, and neither does an alderman who care very little about preservation. Buildings like these require creative solutions, but I'm sure it can be done with a little effort and thought. Unfortunately, whenever that occurs developers and city officials typically give up and take the easiest road, demolition.

There are good examples of reuse in Chicago and other cities, and we must learn to adopt them even if they cost a little more or require some sort of city incentive to off set preservation costs.

If our attitude is to only preserve the structures that are most easily adaptable, then I fear what's going to become of things like the Wrigley Building or Tribune Tower and most of our architectural legacy in the next few decades.

One other thing to mention is that these buildings are all in fairly wealthy areas that are booming. I think this opens up a lot of possibilities that wouldn't be there if it were in an economically depressed area.

Yet another building of historic value Lagrange claims can't be saved. It's hard to take their word at face value in light of how much money they stand to make from this project and Residences at Ritz-Carlton. I might consider supporting this project if it were much taller, but it'll be the same height as the building it replaces and definitely not as architecturally significant. "The intent is to build something that looks like it's always been there." Yeah. We all know how that will turn out after they cheap out on the materials.

Just a random proposal to throw out there, but, would it make sense to at least partially convert the building into a hotel? I assume most of the upper 2/3 or so of the building are fairly normal since it was recently student housing.

I don't know the full extent of weird rooms in the building or their size, so I'm just making guesses
http://img373.imageshack.us/img373/4936/041207lake2jpg200704112yd7.jpg
Rooms like the above could be transformed into meeting spaces, restaurants or tea rooms, possibly rentable spaces.

A pool, gym, squash courts and rifle range all were on the lower floors of the club

Pools and gyms and squash courts all sound like nice amenities for guests. The rifle range is strange, but depending on how that room looks I'm sure something could be done with it.

including murals and a marble lobby

This would make for a very grand entrance.

And obviously it has lakefront views and pretty close to Michigan Ave shopping and what not.

^^ The wooden tile wall is beautiful. Damn the partnership of Fifield and LaGrange!

1924 Lake Shore Athletic Club Being Railroaded to Extinction?
Are the skids being greased for the destruction of still another of Chicago's vintage 1920's buildings?
-by Lynn Becker


[April 12, 2007] Chicago's preservation bureaucracy appears well on the way to allowing demolition of the elegant 1924 Lake Shore Athletic Club, designed by architect Jarvis Hunt. It's classically inspired facade fronts a richly ornamented interior, including a handsome marble staircase, two-story foyer, and carved marble fireplace. Its 35 by 75 foot swimming pool and its striking mural was the site of 1928 Olympic trials. Originally built as both a private club and apartment building, it was acquired by Northwestern University in the 1970's and used for student housing until it was closed in 2005.

The building is not an official Chicago landmark, but is rated "Orange" on the Chicago Historic Resources Survey, indicating that it "Possesses potentially significant architectural or historical features." This means that if an application is filed for demolition, a 90 day hold is automatically invoked to allow consideration of whether the structure merits being designated a landmark.

Apparently new owner, Fifield Companies, most recently the creator of the relentlessly graceless and laughably named Left Bank at K Station can't wait to replace the Lake Shore Athletic Club with a similar temple of banality. Currently, the site's zoning sets the club's crest as the current maximum height, but you can be sure Fifield will be coming around for a zoning change to build a megatower similar to those that have popped up just to the south.

Michael Moran of Preservation Chicago reports that Fifield slipped into the group's mailbox a notice that they plan to demolish the Athletic Club. Moran released the contents of an email he sent to Brian Goeken, Deputy Commissioner, Landmarks Division, Chicago Department of Planning and Development:

“Several months ago, we requested that your department grant preliminary landmark status to the Lake Shore Center because the building was being marketed for sale. . . There is no reason for DPD to have declined our request that this building be given preliminary landmark status. This is the Central Area, a area that should deserve more than the usual "aldermanic prerogative" for landmark designations. This is not an outlying neighborhood. This building appears on postcard views of our Skyline. This is a highly visible historic building. Accordingly, this project deserves more scrutiny prior to approval. . . . Why is DPD allowing Alderman Natarus, in his waning days of public office, to aid in the demolition of this building? Why is DPD not doing its job? . . .

It is clear that Alderman Natarus, by blocking landmark designation, is not acting in the best interests of our city. When such a situation arises in the Central Area, it is time for DPD to override the usual aldermanic prerogative. It is time for the Daley Administration to do the right thing.

Again, please work to have this building granted preliminary landmark status until Alderman-elect Reilly can review any potential plans for the building.”

Michael Moran, vice president, Preservation Chicago

After over three decades in office, Natarus was defeated for re-election in February by newcomer Brendan Reilly, in a campaign in which Natarus's often rubber-stamp closeness to deep-pocketed developers was a key and possibly deciding issue.

The Lakeshore Athletic Club is on Landmarks Illinois' 2007 Ten Most Endangered list, from which we've cribbed the three photos adorning this article. You can see the their information on the building here. Preservation Chicago has also put up a detailed account of the Lakeshore Athletic Club and its history here. Last December, Gail Spreen, president of SOAR (Streeterville Organization of Active Residents) told Chicago Sun-Times real estate reporter David Roeder that her group was opposed to demolition or any zoning change.

Of course these same three groups, plus the National Trust for Historic Preservation, were also all aligned against the demolition of an official 1920's landmark, Michigan Avenue's Farwell Building, but the Landmarks Commission ignored their testimony in favor of Burton Natarus's shilling for the building's destruction only days after his election defeat. Will history repeat itself? Will the destruction of the Lakeshore Athletic Club be Natarus's parting gift to his ward and the city?


lynnbecker@lynnbecker.com

I'm not gonna get into the Farwell Building thing (for which the proposal seems quite acceptable to me) but this is absolutely horrible, a wholesale demolition of this building.

I'm not gonna get into the Farwell Building thing (for which the proposal seems quite acceptable to me) but this is absolutely horrible, a wholesale demolition of this building.

^ I quite agree (on both your points).

http://www.pioneerlocal.com/skylinenews/news/347954,sl-lakeshore-041907-s1.article

Demolition looming for historic Athletic Club

April 19, 2007
By FELICIA DECHTER Staff Writer

Preservationists and community members are launching a petition drive urging the city to landmark the vintage Lake Shore Center, formerly the Lake Shore Athletic Club, 850 N. Lake Shore Dr.

Currently owned by Northwestern University, the property is under contract to be sold to Fifield Realty, according to Alan Cubbage, vice president for university relations. However, that contract is contingent on Fifield's ability to erect a new building.

That very thought is enraging preservationists.

"This project ignores the will of the residents of the 42nd Ward to have developments in their area reviewed by Alderman-elect Reilly," said Michael Moran, vice president of Preservation Chicago. "This is the typical Chicago-style process for ramming a development through. It's as though the city is saying, 'Who cares what the people think? We are going to approve the project anyway.' "

Brendan Reilly defeated Burt Natarus in the Feb. 27 aldermanic election, and will take over as 42nd Ward alderman on May 21.

Moran said the groups intentionally did not address the petition to Natarus as, "Natarus should have no authority over the future of this building or over any new projects in these final days of his tenure."

Alderman-elect Reilly was unavailable for comment.

According to Lisa DiChiera, director of advocacy at Landmarks Illinois, Fifield applied for a demolition permit on April 15. The building is not landmarked, but is rated orange--the second highest listing--on the city's Historical Resources Survey, subjecting it to a 90-day demolition hold while the city reviews the proposed project.

DiChiera said the organization insists that the full 90-day demo delay be exercised to give individual residents and condo boards the opportunity to express concern.

Preservation Chicago is planning the campaign to save the building in conjunction with the Lake Shore Preservation Group, neighborhood residents also opposed to the demolition.

Moran added that Preservation Chicago has repeatedly asked the city's Department of Planning and Development to begin the landmarking process for the building that the group says has considerable historic merit. Moran said the club's large swimming pool and the striking mural overhead formed the site of 1928 Olympic trials, and a number of Olympic swimmers over the years trained at the club.

Designed by architect Jarvis Hunt and built in 1927, the building is not landmarked, and therefore is not protected from demolition.

Originally built as both a private club and apartment building, it was acquired by Northwestern University in the 1970s. Renamed the Lake Shore Center by Northwestern, the building was used for student housing until 2005.

The university put out a Request for Proposals for the building last year and, "This proposal was the one we liked best," said Cubbage, who declined to disclose the price agreed upon in the contract. Cubbage said Northwestern will still own and operate the garage just west of the property on Chestnut Street.

According to an April 9 letter from Fifield's senior vice president Alan Schachtman to Landmarks Illinois' President David Bahlman, Fifield will demolish the existing structure, as the company says it is not feasible for use due to the amount of useable square footage; the inability to create efficient floor plans; the short floor-to-ceiling heights; and the relatively small window openings.

The new, Lucien Lagrange-designed property will stay within the use, height limits, setbacks and square-footage already approved in a 1999 Planned Development, and Fifield will not seek any zoning changes.

Schachtman did not return Skyline's calls.

Bahlman--whose organization listed the site on its 2006 watch list of endangered buildings said a developer would have free hand above the fourth or fifth floor, and the rest of the building could feasibly be rehabbed. Bahlman also thinks any decisions should be held off on until Reilly takes office May 21.

"This is far too important an issue for it to be run through before the alderman leaves office," Bahlman said. "It's an incredible building by Jarvis Hunt. I don't know why anyone would have any questions whether the building is worth saving."

According to information from the Lake Shore Preservation Group, the first five stories of the Lake Shore Center's Georgian exterior are faced in terra cotta, "exhibiting eye-catching ornamentation that stands in striking contrast to the neighboring Mies Van Der Rohe buildings."

"It's just a lovely old building, quite wonderful on the inside," said Pam Jameson, coordinator of the Lake Shore Preservation Group. "We'd like to see it preserved. I'm not saying we should save everything, but with that much history..."

The Streeterville Organization of Active Residents, or SOAR, has not yet taken a stance, although the group is planning to meet with board members of neighboring condominium and co-op associations, as well as Landmarks Illinois and Preservation Chicago, before convening the SOAR Board to discuss/take a position, the group's president, Gail Spreen said.

http://blogs.chicagoreader.com/politics/2007/05/29/death-lake-shore-center/

Death to the Lake Shore Center?
by Ben Joravsky on May 29th

Being 42nd Ward alderman must have looked pretty easy to Brendan Reilly after he handedly defeated longtime incumbent Burt Natarus.

But now the rookie legislator's facing his first tough decision.

The issue is a proposal by developer Steven Fifield to demolish the Lake Shore Center, 850 N. Lake Shore Drive. Fifield has a contract to buy the building from Northwestern University, provided the city gives him a permit to demolish it.

The building is rated orange in the city's Chicago Historical Resources Survey of property, which means the city has to wait 90 days before issuing a demolition permit. That delay gives the city's Landmark Protection Commission an opportunity to save the building by designating it as a landmark.

Gold Coast residents and activists from Preservation Chicago are fighting to save the building (they'll hold a rally at 850 N. Lake Shore Drive Sunday, June 3, at 1 PM.) Of course, the commission generally follows the lead of the local alderman, not preservationists, on such matters. If the alderman's for preservation, the commission will preserve it. If not, the building's a goner, no matter what the preservationists say.

So what's Reilly's stand? No one's sure yet. "We briefed him [Reilly] about the building's value," says Jonathan Fine, Preservation Chicago's cofounder. "He listened carefully but he didn't indicate his position."

Reilly didn't return calls for comment.

The 90-day hold period expires July 15.

To those of you who are interested in the Lake Shore Athletic Club building, please come to the rally this Sunday, June 3rd, at 1:00 PM. There will some news coverage and some fun things. It's a perfect Sunday afternoon---a protest rally followed by a stroll around downtown!

Protest rally for Athletic Club

May 31, 2007
By FELICIA DECHTER Staff Writer
Calling for the immediate landmarking of the Lake Shore Athletic Club, preservationists will stage an on-site rally to protest the proposed demolition of the property, 850 N. Lake Shore Drive, at 1 p.m., June 3.

"Preservation Chicago is staging the protest rally to send a message to the new alderman, and to the city, that the destruction of historically significant and beautiful buildings will not be tolerated," said Jonathan Fine, president of Preservation Chicago, which is holding the rally with the Lake Shore Preservation Group. "In a city that prides itself on its historic architecture, it is shameless that a building of such stature would be allowed to be demolished."

A demolition permit for the property was applied for on April 16. Because the building is not landmarked, it is not protected from demolition. Is it rated orange, the second highest designation on the city's Historical Resources Survey, which means it is subject to a 90-day demolition hold to allow for city review.

Athletically-clad protesters--led by a torch-bearing runner--will be out in full force, highlighting the club as not only a "stunning example of Chicago's architectural might," but a site where many Olympic swimmers, such as Johnny "Tarzan" Weissmuller, have trained, and where the U. S. Olympic trials for swimming were held in 1928.

The groups say that only Chicagoans, "strut our architectural prowess," in front of the International Olympic Committee then allow the wrecking ball to deliver a "sucker punch," to an architectural heavyweight and Olympic legacy such as the club. But it is not going down without a fight, they say.

"The Lakeshore Athletic Club can be easily adapted for a variety of uses, including a boutique hotel or luxury senior housing," Fine said. "To replace a building as stately and as elegant as the Lakeshore Athletic Club with another 'ersatz,' Beaux Arts knock-off is a travesty of the highest order.

"The architecture of Jarvis Hunt cannot be duplicated. Therefore, we should preserve what little of his work we have left."

2007 Skyline

Is it a coincidence or common denominator that Lucien Lagrange is constantly picking (or being picked?) projects that defy or contend with conservation or character goals? Looking at some of his recent proposals, they all seem seeped in preservation controversy surrounding the project, such as this Lake Shore Athletic Club project , Ritz Hotel @ 645 N. Michigan, the plopping of 45 story X/O in the Prairie District, etc. Is this his typical MO or consistent with his architectural history? It seems he is adept publically at using his "old man European folksy charm" to deflect focus from the actual project or design at hand....just my two cents.

..

^That's terrible, and untrue, some of us (unlike Johnson, or apparently LaGrange) care deeply about preservation, great design and how all of it serves the public good. The problem isn't architects as a whole, it's money, and when you have mega-millions like the Fiefield shitbags, you can afford to tear down anything that stands in your way, and pay-off anyone you want, even in the "untouchable" realm of City Hall. The fact that LaGrange is doing this type of shite for snakes like Fiefield should make him a prime candidate for ridicule; where the hell is Blair Kamin's acidic tongue when you need it?!?!

..

Sorry but while I agree with some of what you say, it's a gross over-simplification of my profession; granted I have worked at places where sacrifices are made to appease a client, but it is MY duty, when working for a client to offer suggestions, other proposals if I feel that what my client wants to do is stupid or something that they might potentially regret in the future. And quite frankly, architects are not WHORES, BAD architects are, and trust me there are plenty of those in the profession to go around (if you can't read between the lines, let me be blunt: with regard to the LSD Athletic Club building, Lucien LaGrange is a bad architect).
If a client came to my firm with a large bag of money (simplistic but you get the idea), which by the way NEVER happens to an architect, unless you're Gehry, asking me to design something that kinda/sorta looked like another building, but meant that I needed to tear something down in order for that client to build my design, it rests on my shoulders to try and dissuade them from spending the money to demolish the existing building, hire the consulting engineers to provide MEP/S drawings of the building based on my "new" design, bid out to a contractor that might be the lowest bidder but that I might not know anything about their work PROVIDED that they might have not considered that it might be easier and more cost-effective to work with the building that they currently have; factor in rising construction costs which will not subside anytime in the near future and you get the idea. Believe it or not Loopy there are architects out there such as yours truly who have feel they have a strong ethical responsibility and just simply enjoy looking at/experiencing/fighting for the preservation of historical buildings, and surprise, just like in any profession with some modicum of ethical standards, there are some of us in my line of work who would say "screw history, screw old shitty buildings";
Just keep in mind it isn't always a black and white issue, regardless of what you choose to believe.

..

I did not intend to insult the profession or imply that architects don't care about preservation. In fact, I was defending architects.

The Phillip Johnson quote was a reply to ErmDiego's assertion that this is all somehow Lucien Lagrange's fault. That is ridiculous. It is Northwestern's fault and the fault of a broken civic committment to save Chicago's heritage structures.

I never asserted as such, even implying he could be the one being picked and told what to do, but I find that hard to believe in his case. I was simply pointing out the irony of the recent preservation battles seem to include LaGrange quite frequently. But, to now blame Northwestern??? 'I doubt to many clients get to tell Mr. LaGrange what to do, or what not to do (likely a condition of securing him). I am sure there is plenty of ego to go around on that one :)

I'm afraid that the developer would have no trouble finding a hungry firm to take over the demolition/rebuild project should LaGrange pull out...As for NW, I'm finding it increasingly unconscionable that they, as an institution of some scholarship & renown, are dumping these buildings so cavalierly onto the market...I hate to think of how they'll be handling the sale of Golberg's Prentice.

The rally tomorrow, Sunday, at 1:00 PM in front of the Lake Shore Athletic Club will be pretty funny. The history of the club as it relates to the Olympics will be one of the themes of the rally. The building served as the site of the 1928 Olympic swimming trials and a number of Olympic athletes trained there, including Johnny Weismuller, later of Tarzan fame.

Also, there is some irony in the fact that we are tearing down an Olympic-related building when we are trying to land the Olympic games.

Come to the rally to get a kick out of the other sports-related things that will be at the rally, including a runner with an Olympic torch, a kayaker, complete with kayak and paddle, and a bunch of other surprises. Every person possible is needed, so please give an hour of your time. The rally starts at 1:00 PM but please be there by 12:45 PM. Thanks!

I like the idea - kinda like the "flappers-and-model-T's" rally that was thrown for the old Merc. It brings more people in than those who would normally come, and it makes the preservationists seems like the fun, exciting people over the greedy, bitchy developer, whereas if you just started picketing, people would consider you obsessed with the past, irrational, etc.

Preservationists try to save Lake Shore Drive landmark
By Andrew L. Wang
Tribune staff reporter
Published June 4, 2007

They didn't have all the pieces at first -- the exclamation point was missing, as was a very important "s."

But when each person with a letter or punctuation mark inked on their shirt lined up in the proper spot, the message was clear: "SAVE LAKE SHORE ATHLETIC CLUB!"

Chants echoing and colorful signs aloft, about 70 protesters crowded the sidewalk outside the 80-year-old club Sunday to save it from the wrecking ball.

This year, a developer signed a contract with Northwestern University, the current owner, to buy the venerable edifice at 850 N. Lake Shore Drive. If the deal is completed, Fifield Realty plans to knock down the club and construct a condominium building.

"It's a beautiful building," said Judy Thomson, a member of Preservation Chicago, which organized the protest. "To see it needlessly taken away when it could be creatively reused is not a good thing."

Like Thomson, who wore a pith helmet, a few participants wore historical or athletic clothing to emphasize the club's heritage. One woman wore an old-fashioned bathing suit made of black wool.

Fifield signed the contract to buy the building March 16 under the condition that it could knock it down and erect another building in its place, said Jonathan Fine, president of Preservation Chicago.

The company applied to the city for a demolition permit a month later, but because the athletic club is categorized "orange" by the Chicago Historic Resources Survey, a 90-day delay period was triggered when the Chicago Historic Resources Survey categorized the athletic club "orange."

"It's sort of a cooling-off period, so buildings like this won't be demolished willy-nilly without a public process," Fine said.

The city's 9,600 orange properties "possess some architectural feature or historical association that made them potentially significant in the context of the surrounding community," according to the survey's Web site. The orange designation is one step below "red," the category for the city's 300 most architecturally and historically significant structures.

The Lake Shore Athletic Club was designed by architect Jarvis Hunt in 1924 and opened about three years later. The club's indoor pool played host to Olympic trials for the 1928 Games. More recently, the building's 444 bedrooms and suites served as graduate housing for Northwestern.

The university stopped placing students there in 2005, and the club has sat empty ever since.

Fine said Sunday's protest was aimed at the City Council -- specifically newly elected Ald. Brendan Reilly (42nd) -- to persuade members to designate the club a historic landmark and prevent the club's destruction.

"It's to put him on notice," he said of Reilly. "If historic buildings are under threat, we're here to show they won't go down without a fight."

Reilly, who attended the protest and spoke to participants, said he is holding off judgment on the demolition and new construction until he has all the facts on the project.

"My job is not to help the developer [complete this project]," he said. "My job is to look at the options and make the right decision for the neighborhood."

Among the issues he is exploring is whether Fifield's proposed building would abide by zoning rules.

For example, the new construction must fit within certain height, street-setback and square-footage limitations and can be used only for residential or student housing.

A Fifield spokesman said the developer explored various scenarios for reusing the existing structure but couldn't find one that met the city's zoning requirements in a financially feasible way.

"There were no solid proposals that met the legal standard," Dan Shoman said.

In a letter to Preservation Chicago in April, Alan Schachtman, Fifield's senior vice president, wrote: "The aspects of the existing structure that make it infeasible are the amount of usable square footage that can be created, the inability to create efficient floor plans, the short floor-to-ceiling heights and the relatively small window openings."

Shoman said the new building would "preserve the integrity of the buildings in the area" and have dedicated community areas and green spaces.

He said the demolition moratorium ends July 17, by which time the council is expected to decide to grant the demolition permit or designate the building as a landmark.

-------------

alwang@tribune.com



Copyright © 2007, Chicago Tribune

sounds like the developer paid more money so they could kill the building

because if the building were to be reused or HAD to be reused it wouldve sold for less, its just economics, but I say screw the developer.

in the movies who cries for the developer?
maybe i should write a movie where we do cry for the developer?

anyways, it ofcourse doesnt make sense to knock a building down and build the same size building except modern UNLESS the structure is unsafe and a wooden piece of shit shack,

this is definitely a what the?

In NewYorkCIty a building of this size would be demolished for something atleast 50 stories otherwise please dont waste my time.

in the movies who cries for the developer?
maybe i should write a movie where we do cry for the developer?


I will help with your movie if it is about Draper & Kramer, the developer who got screwed when Natarus pandered to NIMBY's by downzoning the lot at Banks and Lake Shore Drive.

This is the replacement (image from the Tribune)
http://img523.imageshack.us/img523/2620/30385316xb3.jpg

The developers are saying it is only a filler image and the design will likely change.

versus this
http://img49.imageshack.us/img49/905/30385288cm0.jpg

^^:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

Sorry this whole devolopment is sooo stupid the only thing I can do is laugh.

http://chicagorealestatedaily.com/cgi-bin/news.pl?id=25480

Developer planning luxury Streeterville apartment tower
By Thomas A. Corfman

A Houston developer is planning an apartment tower on a prominent site in Streeterville, hoping to stand out from an increasingly crowded field of rival projects with a luxury high-rise that would offer top-quality units and charge top-of-the-market rents.

Hanover Co. has an agreement to buy a parcel of roughly three-quarters of an acre across the street from the AMC River East 21 movie house, 322 E. Illinois St., about two blocks east of Michigan Avenue, sources say.

The site is part of a larger, 2.3-acre site that extends south from Illinois Street to the Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers, 301 E. North Water St.

John Garibaldi, an executive vice-president with Hanover, declines to comment.

The deal with Hanover would be a big boost to the plans for the rest of the site by two well-known Chicago developers, Christopher Carley and Michael Reschke.

Yet they are now sparring with each other.

Mr. Carley, CEO of Chicago-based Fordham Co., says of Mr. Reschke’s role, “There is nothing there, no agreements or anything.”

Mr. Reschke, chairman and CEO of privately held Chicago-based Prime Group Inc., counters: “We do have a venture agreement; he’s acknowledged it.”

They both decline further comment.

Mr. Carley, with or without Mr. Reschke, has a contract to buy the entire site, now a parking lot, from the St. Louis parent company of the Adam's Mark Hotels, for more than $60 million. Proceeds from a sale to Hanover would help finance the development of a ritzy hotel-condo building on the southern portion of the site.

Hanover, founded in 1982, has grown rapidly in recent years, with a national pipeline of projects in cities ranging from Boston to Seattle.

In Chicago, some rival developers are wary of ultra-luxury rental projects, fearful that rents still are not rising fast enough to offset the higher cost of building larger units and adding more expensive finishes, like premier kitchen appliances.

But Ron DeVries, a vice-president with Chicago-based residential consulting firm Appraisal Research Counselors, says “there could be some potential for a very high-end rental product downtown, but I think it would have to be more of a boutiquey building.”

In the downtown market, 2,150 rental units are scheduled to be completed next year, nearly three times the annual average of 775 units between 2002 and 2006, according to a first-quarter report from Appraisal Research.

Wrong section

http://www.suntimes.com/business/roeder/455328,CST-FIN-roeder04.article

Hunt for space in Streeterville
Several sites in running for sizable Ronald McDonald House

July 4, 2007
BY DAVID ROEDER

Doug Porter knows his hunt for space in Streeterville won't be cheap. But by about 2011, he wants a building in that hot neighborhood where he can put up 80 to 100 families per night. His need creates an interesting dynamic for the area's development.

Porter is chief executive of the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana, which provides free or low-cost lodging for families visiting their hospitalized children. He wants a location near the new Children's Memorial Hospital.

One intriguing option is the old Lakeshore Athletic Club, 850 N. Lake Shore Drive, which is under contract for a $40 million sale to a developer who wants to tear it down. Porter said he is aware of the building and that it is probably too large to suit his purposes. But if preservationists successfully stop the teardown, the McDonald's-backed charity could be part of a partnership to reuse the building.

Porter said other sites that have drawn his attention include 155 E. Superior, the headquarters of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago. The archdiocese intends to sell the property.

Is the tide turning?

Alderman opposes demolition of Lake Shore Athletic Club
(Crain’s) — Alderman Brendan Reilly says he wants to save the Lake Shore Athletic Club building, and has brokered a 60-day delay for the proposed demolition.

Northwestern University, which owns the facility at 850 N. Lake Shore Drive, has a contract to sell the building to Chicago developer Fifield Cos., which has plans to build a new condominium building there.

Reilly, who wouldn’t previously disclose his position, in a press release Tuesday says he believes the building can and should be saved.

“Throughout this process, Northwestern and Fifield have argued there is absolutely no economically viable re-use option that could save the Lake Shore Athletic Club from demolition,” Reilly says in the statement. “Frankly, I am not persuaded by that argument. After meeting with many experienced architects, zoning attorneys, developers and urban planning consultants, I believe economically viable re-use options do, in fact, exist.”

Fifield agreed to pay Northwestern more than $40 million for the building, which has sat vacant for several years after the university stopped using it as a dorm.

Fifield president Rick Cavenaugh says a planned development agreement put in place when a new condo tower was built nearby restricts re-use of the Lake Shore Athletic building to residential. Mr. Cavenaugh says he’s confident that another buyer won’t be able to come up with a viable alternative.

^^^Fifield president Rick Cavenaugh says a planned development agreement put in place when a new condo tower was built nearby restricts re-use of the Lake Shore Athletic building to residential.

So, Fifield can't renovate the LSA for residential because of a "planned development agreement", but Fifield can raze the LSA for a bigger residential building? WTF?

Otherwise, great news. Reilly is drawing a line in the sand.

No, it means they HAVE to renovate it for residential - no other uses are allowed. Their argument is that they cannot renovate it for residential, ergo demolition and replacement.

I think that's a ton of BS... and how can a PD include such restrictions? A lodging/hotel use like the Ronald McDonald House seems like a fair re-use, although I don't know if a charity could afford the exorbitant costs this building must require.

No, it means they HAVE to renovate it for residential - no other uses are allowed. Their argument is that they cannot renovate it for residential, ergo demolition and replacement.

I think that's a ton of BS... and how can a PD include such restrictions? A lodging/hotel use like the Ronald McDonald House seems like a fair re-use, although I don't know if a charity could afford the exorbitant costs this building must require.

Yes - I understand that Reilly is against demolition - what perplexes me is Fifield's argument that they can't renovate for residential because of a "prior" agreement (with whom, themselves?), but that a new, bigger building for residential is somehow OK.

And where is NWU in all of this? They have some say in who they sell to. Is Streeterville just too far from Evanston for them to care at all?

Northwestern wants a windfall profit that they do not deserve. They knew that this was an historic building when they bought it. Even if they have to sell it for reuse, they will make a huge profit. There are several developers waiting in the wings to reuse the building once preservation is assured.

Reilly is wise to block the demolition. There a lot of people in that area who would not forget this issue...ever...if he allows the demolition. He has the power to stop it. Let's hope that he sticks to his guns.

They put these signs up the other day. Has anyone seen any renderings of what Children's Memorial's new building is going to look like?

http://img488.imageshack.us/img488/4283/chicagobuildingsjuly200ql1.jpg
By chi_man (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/chi_man), shot with DMC-FX07 (http://profile.imageshack.us/camerabuy.php?model=DMC-FX07&make=Panasonic) at 2007-07-13

deleted.

it may have been discussed
but what is going up at where bang and olufsen's
old store, nice to see that waste of space
getting demod.
its the one at oak street and rush.

I think it's the new flagship store for Barneys New York, but there are one or two other Oak St developments going on, too, so I could be wrong.

A new 57 condo building at Peshtigo and LSD by Related Midwest (LR Realty).


Web Sites: http://www.buildingcomedy.com/ and http://www.buildingdrama.com/

^^^^ Images, please!!!!!!!!!! We're dying to see what this looks like!!!
:nuts: :nuts:

BTW, it's "Peshtigo", like the street it'll be built on.

This is not new, they have been working on it for sometime now. I think Perkins is the architect. And I think this is Parcel 24. Could be wrong about the last part but pretty sure I'm not.

Some of you might have seen the article about the Lake Shore Athletic Club in this week's Skyline. Nothing new...just restating that Alderman Reilly opposes demolition.

The Skyline article mentioned, in part, "....Reilly took office on May 21. At that time, Preservation Chicago requested that he recommend the building for landmark designation. Neighbors also began writing to Reilly, and Preservation Chicago and a residents group, the Lake Shore Preservation Group, collected more than 900 signatures of those opposed. In June, residents and preservationists demonstrated in front of the club, with some protesters dressed as athletes, including kayakers, runners, weightlifters, and referees."

It was great to see several of you SSC forumers at that rally. I had a great time, except I bumped my head on that guy's kayak.

Let's hope Alderman Reilly sticks to his guns.

BTW, it's "Peshtigo", like the street it'll be built on.

Thanks for the spelling correction. I did not know until recently that the street was named after a Wisconsin town that burned downed on the same day of the Chicago Fire in October 8,1871.

I do not have a picture, but saw a drawing earlier this year. The building is square, but rotated 45 degrees to take advantage of the Northeast and Southeast views of the Lake.

You mean it'll be EXACTLY like River East Center?

We don't need TWO rotated buildings here.

I don't see any big problem with that. As long as they put on a better base.

http://www.suntimes.com/business/roeder/455328,CST-FIN-roeder04.article

Hunt for space in Streeterville
Several sites in running for sizable Ronald McDonald House

July 4, 2007
BY DAVID ROEDER

Doug Porter knows his hunt for space in Streeterville won't be cheap. But by about 2011, he wants a building in that hot neighborhood where he can put up 80 to 100 families per night. His need creates an interesting dynamic for the area's development.

Porter is chief executive of the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana, which provides free or low-cost lodging for families visiting their hospitalized children. He wants a location near the new Children's Memorial Hospital.

One intriguing option is the old Lakeshore Athletic Club, 850 N. Lake Shore Drive, which is under contract for a $40 million sale to a developer who wants to tear it down. Porter said he is aware of the building and that it is probably too large to suit his purposes. But if preservationists successfully stop the teardown, the McDonald's-backed charity could be part of a partnership to reuse the building.

Porter said other sites that have drawn his attention include 155 E. Superior, the headquarters of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago. The archdiocese intends to sell the property.

If not 850 N LSD (which would be great), then how about Micky D's puts it in that sea of black asphalt at their River North supersized flagship?

Tower plan comes up short in Evanston

August 8, 2007
DAVID ROEDER

Downtown Ald. Brendan Reilly (42nd) is having a chuckle at the expense of Henry Bienen, president of Northwestern University. And some Streeterville residents are having their say literally at Bienen's postage expense.

http://www.suntimes.com/business/roeder/500996,CST-FIN-roeder08.article

http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/507264,CST-NWS-reilly12.article

Everything but lunch on his plate
BY DAVID ROEDER

Preservation of former Lakeshore Athletic Club, 850 N. Lake Shore Drive

"My view is if you have an historic building that graces the city's lakefront skyline and there is an opportunity to reuse the structure and put it back on the tax rolls, we should make every effort to make that happen."

Helipad for future Children's Memorial Hospital in Streeterville

"I'm working through that. I do have some concerns about putting a helipad in the middle of densely populated Streeterville."

http://chicagorealestatedaily.com/cgi-bin/news.pl?id=26011

Developer completes purchase of Streeterville site

By Thomas A. Corfman
Aug. 14, 2007

A Houston developer has completed the $28-million purchase of a high-profile site in Streeterville, with plans for a high-end, 300-unit apartment tower.

Hanover Co.’s plans also include about 20,000 square feet of retail space in the building...

Sorry about the flash.

I just noticed this 5 minutes ago as I was leaving the office. I will attempt to get a better rendering tomorrow.

The Peshtigo
http://img251.imageshack.us/img251/9417/p1090374tb2.jpg

http://chicagobusiness.com/cgi-bin/news.pl?post_date=2007-09-05&id=26262

Children's Memorial to get $100-million gift
New hospital in Streeterville to be named for Ann and Robert Lurie

Sept. 05, 2007
By Mike Colias

Children’s Memorial’s board last year decided to relocate from its cramped campus in Lincoln Park to the Streeterville site, at Chicago Avenue and North Fairbanks Court. Hospital officials expect to break ground in April on the 22-story, 276-bed facility, pending approval from state health regulators and city officials.

http://img378.imageshack.us/img378/7040/newhospitalnorthnightcl8.jpg

^The rendering itself doesn't look inviting for any helicopter to land on.

http://chicagorealestatedaily.com/cgi-bin/news.pl?id=26287

New talks could save Lake Shore Ath. building

By Eddie Baeb
Sep. 06, 2007

The Lake Shore Athletic Club building seems to be winning the fight for its survival.

Chicago developer Fifield Cos. has agreed to suspend its plan to buy and demolish the historic property at 850 N. Lake Shore Drive.

Newcityskyline has some larger renderings that make the design a little more tolerable.

http://www.newcityskyline.com/ChildrensHospitalNewBuilding.html

http://img392.imageshack.us/img392/3603/northnight083107wf5.jpg
http://img392.imageshack.us/img392/6526/northday083107ek5.jpg
http://img392.imageshack.us/img392/6756/childrenshospitalimage1re7.jpg

What is the colorful material? It has the potential to be quite obnoxious if it changes based on your viewpoint.

What is the colorful material? It has the potential to be quite obnoxious if it changes based on your viewpoint.

^ I think it's there because it's a children's hospital. The newest philosophy with pediatric hospitals is for them to seem like pleasant, happy places so that children won't be so frightened of them.

Egads, that's horrendous.

If they don't want children to be afraid of this hospital, they should design it so that it doesn't look like 3/4 of the top is unsupported and is going to topple down and crush them.

This is an abombination.

I agree with TUP about the hospital designs currently being kid-friendly. Along those lines, I doubt that we are seeing the true appearance of that step-shaped band-of-color. I don't like that shimmery effect. Those busy thin lines within the band-of-color do not seem to meet the goal of appealing to children. They have several years before they'll break ground, so this appearance will almost certainly change.

Overall, it looks good. It could have been a lot worse. I hope they get it right because it will be an incredibly visible building for visitors to North Michigan Avenue.

Well, crap, I'm not sure what to think about Children's. I like the colored, shimmery bit. I even like the wonky offset. It's just that the non-colored/non-shimmery part of the facade looks a little too West Side Medical District. Dreary really.

I may well be wrong. It could turn out lovely after all.

........If they don't want children to be afraid of this hospital, they should design it so that it doesn't look like 3/4 of the top is unsupported and is going to topple down and crush them...


Hey, that's a great point!

Dont mind the colors but just maybe make the nasty exposed concrete tan color that overwhelms the building and makes it looks so damn ugly and hulking into painted white or precast white panels??...i don't know, looks absolutely awfull right now though. I think the only thing I like about it is the cantalever and the potential for 'kiddie colors'.

This is from S.O.A.R.'s October 1, 2007 web Newsbrief.

"SOAR was alerted this morning regarding the demolition schedule for Northwestern Memorial Hospital's buildings at 400 E. Ontario (at McClurg) and 450 E. Ohio (just west of Lake Shore Drive.) Demolition activities will begin this week, starting with placement of barriers, scaffolding and fencing. This work will continue into next week. Demolition for these two buildings and the Huron Street Bridge is expected to be completed the week of November 19."

The MRI site is one of the three potential sites for the required Children's Memorial parking garage (the other two are the Rehab Institute lot at McClurg btw Grand & Ohio and the old VA Hospital site).

Just interesting that the MRI site is being cleared.

Anyone know what's happening here? There is a scaffolding constructed in front of it. Did someone buy it?

Looks like the "Dunham" building is being demolished along with Northwestern Memorial's MRI facility adjacent to it.

Could be just parking as I speculated below, or maybe NWM has something else in mind. The following is from my post on the Streeterville Development thread:



This is from S.O.A.R.'s October 1, 2007 web Newsbrief.

"SOAR was alerted this morning regarding the demolition schedule for Northwestern Memorial Hospital's buildings at 400 E. Ontario (at McClurg) and 450 E. Ohio (just west of Lake Shore Drive.) Demolition activities will begin this week, starting with placement of barriers, scaffolding and fencing. This work will continue into next week. Demolition for these two buildings and the Huron Street Bridge is expected to be completed the week of November 19."

The MRI site is one of the three potential sites for the required Children's Memorial parking garage (the other two are the Rehab Institute lot at McClurg btw Grand & Ohio and the old VA Hospital site).

http://www.suntimes.com/business/601388,CST-FIN-arch13.article

Archdiocese ramps up sale of Streeterville property
Hires firm to orchestrate sale; McDonald's charity interested

October 13, 2007
BY DAVID ROEDER

The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago said Friday it hired a real estate firm to handle the sale of its office building at 155 E. Superior, a property certain to attract interest from developers.

...The archdiocese could strike a deal with Ronald McDonald House Charities of Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana, an arm of McDonald's Corp.

Dunham Building is coming down quickly --

http://img484.imageshack.us/img484/6444/600lsdoct2007166kl5.jpg

http://img484.imageshack.us/img484/25/600lsdoct2007163gu1.jpg

[QUOTE=Chiman;16184596]Dunham Building is coming down quickly --

Chiman,

Thank You for the pictures. It takes me back about 16 years to when I first moved downtown to 420 East Ohio (6 months after it had opened) and I never knew why that building was still standing at that time because it looked so neglected. But, needless to say, Thank you for posting that. It makes me sit back and remember when I first saw that building and now forgetting about it until you posted it.:)

This from an article in www.chicagocarless.com this weekend:

"......I am strongly rethinking my support for Brendan Reilly, the allegedly progressive Democrat who earlier this year won Chicago's 42nd Ward from longtime alderman Burt Natarus......As reported in Thursday's Sun-Times, Reilly will give the go-ahead for the $800 million structure to be built on one major condition...the hospital building a parking structure for 1,100 cars....."

As you can see, Alderman Reilly, while claiming that he will work to decrease traffic congestion in Streeterville, is DEMANDING a huge parking garage.

Memo to Alderman Reilly: A course in "Traffic 101" would teach you that massive parking garages will INCREASE traffic congestion in any given neighborhood.

Reilly either does not understand basic principles of traffic congestion OR he understands them but is giving Children's Memorial and Northwestern what they WANT. That means rather than what is best for that area.

What seems best ( and I am no transit expert) is to improve transit (e.g., a reworked circulator or bus-rapid transit route) and to have a smaller Children's Memorial garage. How much smaller I don't know, but certainly less than 1,100 cars.

^ You know, I tend to agree, but I have always found hospitals (even in urban areas) to be incredibly car-heavy places.

Doctors are lousy about using transit, and often people arrive in groups, thereby in cars. Children will never be arriving alone, after all.

That being said, in my experiences in Streeterville, the cost of parking in those garages is quite high. It seems reasonable that a pretty sizeable percentage of people will arrive by transit

Doctors are lousy about using transit

Not Chicago doctors. Have you ever watched ER?

:lol:

Not Chicago doctors. Have you ever watched ER?

:lol:

I got a kick out of that post. OK, doctors do drive. Even doctors-in-training. These doctors often go to more than one place in a day. Furthermore, it makes logistical and financial sense, because of the time saved, for doctors to pay the high cost of driving and parking.

So, admittedly, doctors do need parking. But the support staff of the hospital can be encouraged to use public transportation. Likewise for some of the ambulatory patients. The problem is that public transportation to the Streeterville site is still not optimal.

I got a kick out of that post. OK, doctors do drive. Even doctors-in-training. These doctors often go to more than one place in a day. Furthermore, it makes logistical and financial sense, because of the time saved, for doctors to pay the high cost of driving and parking.

So, admittedly, doctors do need parking. But the support staff of the hospital can be encouraged to use public transportation. Likewise for some of the ambulatory patients. The problem is that public transportation to the Streeterville site is still not optimal.

It's 3 blocks from the red line, what's not optimal about that?

Anyway. does anyone here know the history of the Dunham Building in Streeterville? The year it was built or the architect. Someone was asking me, and I had no answer.

It's 3 blocks from the red line, what's not optimal about that?

^ Well, the Red Line certainly isn't accessible to a heck of a lot of people who live in the suburbs.

Streeterville needs better transit connections to the downtown Metra stations (as well as other L lines) and even if that happens many people will still choose to drive.

Anyway. does anyone here know the history of the Dunham Building in Streeterville? The year it was built or the architect. Someone was asking me, and I had no answer.

Built in 1926. Architect: DH Burnham & Co. Engineer: Charles Harkins
http://img116.imageshack.us/img116/7450/1542201965cc2f33687dodb7.jpg

Built in 1926. Architect: DH Burnham & Co. Engineer: Charles Harkins
http://img116.imageshack.us/img116/7450/1542201965cc2f33687dodb7.jpg

Awesome.

Thanks

One thing I found out the other day - salvage rights for some or all of that fine building went to Urban Artifacts at Kinzie and Paulina. I don't think they've categorized the stuff yet.

http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/671674,hosp112807.article

Experts: Helipad atop Children's proposed hospital is 'high-risk'

November 28, 2007
BY FRAN SPIELMAN

Children’s Memorial Hospital’s plan to put a heliport atop its proposed, $1 billion hospital in Streeterville ran into more turbulence Wednesday: Safety experts hired by a community group concluded that a “hostile physical environment” with building obstructions and high winds makes the helipad “high-risk.”

^ Never ending stupidity

My God, I'm gone for a week and when I come back all I read is goddamn bad news. First the Spire, now this; all caused by NIMBY's

On another note: I hope all this neighborhood opposition doesn't drive Children's Memorial into the suburbs

535 St. Clair

Before:
https://community.emporis.com/images/6/2005/08/389970.jpg

After:
https://community.emporis.com/images/6/2007/12/577370.jpg

Remember, this updated design is subject to change.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/classified/realestate/over55/chi-plus_re_12-23dec23,0,4095622.story

Athletic Club is latest entry in luxury niche

By Jane Adler
December 23, 2007

The options for those seeking a luxury retirement building continue to grow. A new upscale age-restricted building is being planned at the former Lake Shore Athletic Club on the Near North Side. The circa-1920s building at 850 N. Lake Shore Drive that faced demolition will get an $80 million revamp, according to developer Matt Phillips.
....
The redevelopment will tap into the history of the building, said Phillips, president at Integrated Development Group, Northbrook. IDG's partner in the project is the National Electrical Benefit Fund, a pension fund based in Washington, D.C. The former club was the site of many local events, including weddings. Several of its large community spaces will be preserved, including a two-story 3,000-square-foot room that will be converted into the dining room. Another large two-story room on the second floor will be turned into a living room with multiple seating areas. The building's swimming pool will not be saved because Phillips said it wouldn't be suitable for residents.

Here are some photos of the DuSable Park construction at the far southeastern tip of Streeterville.
Taken from http://www.windychat.com/photos/category-dusable-park-7/


Click on each photo below to view or leave comments on individual photos.


http://www.windychat.com/photos/images/167/medium/1_SPIRE_1__SEPT_29__C.jpg (http://www.windychat.com/photos/image-dusable-1-september-29-2007-7/)
September 29, 2007


http://www.windychat.com/photos/images/167/medium/1_SPIRE_2__OCT_6__C.jpg (http://www.windychat.com/photos/image-dusable-2-october-6-2007-9/)
October 6, 2007


http://www.windychat.com/photos/images/1/medium/1_DSC05348_dusable_park.JPG (http://www.windychat.com/photos/image-dusable-october-28-2007-14/)
October 28, 2007


http://www.windychat.com/photos/images/167/medium/1_SPIRE_7__NOV_10__B.jpg (http://www.windychat.com/photos/image-dusable-7-november-10-2007-51/)
November 10, 2007


http://www.windychat.com/photos/images/167/medium/1_SPIRE_8__NOV_17__B.jpg (http://www.windychat.com/photos/image-dusable-8-november-17-2007-56/)
November 17, 2007


http://www.windychat.com/photos/images/167/medium/1_SPIRE_9__NOV_24__B.jpg (http://www.windychat.com/photos/image-dusable-9-november-24-2007-70/)
November 24, 2007


http://www.windychat.com/photos/images/167/medium/1_SPIRE_10__DEC_1__B.jpg (http://www.windychat.com/photos/image-dusable-10-december-1-2007-71/)
December 1, 2007


http://www.windychat.com/photos/images/167/medium/1_SPIRE_12__DEC___B.jpg (http://www.windychat.com/photos/image-dusable-12-december-15-2007-77/)
December 15, 2007


http://www.windychat.com/photos/images/167/medium/1_SPIRE_13__DEC_24__B.jpg (http://www.windychat.com/photos/image-dusable-13-december-24-2007-82/)
December 24, 2007


Also see the Slideshow
http://www.windychat.com/photos/slideshow.php?do=show&slide=7
(click Start Show)

And combined shots of both the Spire Building construction and the DuSable park.
http://www.windychat.com/photos/category-spire-dusable-6/

Enjoy!

Close-up of the cladding for 535 N. St. Clair

http://img295.imageshack.us/img295/7394/535sccacceed0pv0.jpg

Nice find. I wonder why they seem to be using red a lot more in their designs.

This may be a dumb question, but what kind of work have they been doing at Dusable Park over the past few months?

This may be a dumb question, but what kind of work have they been doing at Dusable Park over the past few months?

They are building the park, it will not be a building.

I think it is being funded mostly by the Chicago Spire developer, but not sure.

Plans / layout including Spire:

http://www.neweastside.org/ChicagoSpire2007.html

More info:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DuSable_Park,_Chicago
http://www.dusableheritage.com/

This may be a dumb question, but what kind of work have they been doing at Dusable Park over the past few months?

Currently is being used for staging for construction of the Spire. There's still some remediation that needs completed as well.

I like the idea of putting a park there.

630 N. McClurg (CBS Site in Streeterville)

https://community.emporis.com/images/6/2008/04/607515.jpg

https://community.emporis.com/images/6/2008/04/607525.jpg

https://community.emporis.com/images/6/2008/04/607533.jpg

https://community.emporis.com/images/6/2008/04/607539.jpg

^ I beg you to tell me that the podium is not all parking

It looks like the podium will be at least partially clad in occupiable space. I seem to remember that this tower will have a small office component, targeted mostly at the medical sector (for obvious reasons, considering the neighborhood). The lights shown through the windows on the podium look like office space, so I'm assuming that these professional offices will surround the garage.

Also, bear in mind that the 11-story parking garage you see on the left in BVic's second photo is already there. It's not quite as bad as it first appears.

^^ Wow I actually like how it looks! It's a cool color. How tall is this one going to be?

^^
Tower 1 - 695 ft.
Tower 2 - 590 ft.

http://chicagojournal.com/main.asp?SectionID=46&SubSectionID=139&ArticleID=4662&TM=4443.153

Plan Commission approves McClurg high-rises
SOAR, Reilly support project that would replace

By Ben Myers

The Chicago Plan Commission Thursday approved two new mixed-use high-rises along the 600 block of North McClurg, between Erie and Ontario.
...
Lee Golub, executive vice-president of Golub & Co., which proposed the project, said the company is committed to commemorating site's history. That could mean a statue in a 7,100-square-foot park, which is part of the proposal.

^^
This project is a win/win situation. I love it!

Even Ald. Brendan Reilly is on board in supporting the McClurg high-rise project.

I see that Children's Memorial has issued a "Construction Alert" as they are about to begin site developement for the new hospital at 225 E. Chicago.

They have an interesting site with details and schedules at: http://www.childrensmemorial.org/newhospital/construction

This presentation has some great diagrams and renderings -- worth a look: http://www.childrensmemorial.org/documents/communitypresentation_042408.pdf

Here's the project timetable from the site:

Work begins
Week of May 5, 2008

Excavation
Summer '08–Spring '09

Core construction
Spring '09– Summer '10:

Shell construction
Summer '09–Spring '11

Interior build out
Summer '09–Summer '12

Site work
Spring '11–Spring '12:

Opening
Spring/Summer 2012

^^ Not bad for a hospital!

Apparently, they haven't resolved the helipad issue yet.

Looks like the "Dunham" building is being demolished along with Northwestern Memorial's MRI facility adjacent to it.

Could be just parking as I speculated below, or maybe NWM has something else in mind. The following is from my post on the Streeterville Development thread:



This is from S.O.A.R.'s October 1, 2007 web Newsbrief.

"SOAR was alerted this morning regarding the demolition schedule for Northwestern Memorial Hospital's buildings at 400 E. Ontario (at McClurg) and 450 E. Ohio (just west of Lake Shore Drive.) Demolition activities will begin this week, starting with placement of barriers, scaffolding and fencing. This work will continue into next week. Demolition for these two buildings and the Huron Street Bridge is expected to be completed the week of November 19."

The MRI site is one of the three potential sites for the required Children's Memorial parking garage (the other two are the Rehab Institute lot at McClurg btw Grand & Ohio and the old VA Hospital site).


Does anyone know what happened to this site since the burnham building was torn last year? I lived next to it for years and it was a good looking building that was built in the early 1900's???????

Is it a parking lot for Northwestern Hospital..........

The old Dunham Building site is just empty space (for now).

The demolishing of the old VA Hospital has begun, but I do not know of NWMH plans for the site. I doubt that the Hospital would sell this location to developers because it resides so close to the existing hospital center.

The old Dunham Building site is just empty space (for now).

The demolishing of the old VA Hospital has begun, but I do not know of NWMH plans for the site. I doubt that the Hospital would sell this location to developers because it resides so close to the existing hospital center.

Thanks for the insight. maybe the will sell the parking lot that they own at the southeast corner of ohio and mcclurg and use the other sites that they just torn down as parking for their employees.

^^

Here's some info on the parking lot situation

This is from the “Northwestern Campus Traffic and Parking Study” dated May 16, 2007 – The whole study is available on the Northwestern Memorial website (http://www.childrensmemorial.org/documents/Parking_traffic_study.pdf)

Quote:
The institutions have currently committed to build additional parking capacity for 800 to 1300
parkers on or near their Streeterville campus by 2012. Potential sites may include the former
VA research facility on the Northeast corner of Ontario Street and McClurg Court, the site of
NMH’s current MRI facility at 441 E. Ontario Street, and RIC’s employee parking lot on the
southeast corner of Ohio Street and McClurg Court.
End Quote:

^ Ugh.... That's horrible. I would hate to see more butt-ugly garages in Streeterville. If SOAR has any sense they will pressure Northwestern to do something more creative than nasty multi-level blank walls of despair.

How about promoting & improving transit service to the area? Unfortunately that's not on that shitty Alderman's radar, he's too busy downsizing every project he surveys so that Billy Bob can find easy & cheap parking for his redneck pickup truck..

http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-re-lakeshore-athletic-0817aug17,0,7988694.story

Work on former athletic club to start in September

By Jeanette Almada
August 17, 2008

...Work on the building's facade is slated to begin by the end of September and will include adding balconies to its west face. Interior work will begin next summer, according to Kristin Turner, a managing member of the LLC.

http://www.suntimes.com/business/roeder/1167682,CST-FIN-roeder17.article

Ronald McDonald's new digs
BY DAVID ROEDER

...Porter plans a 13-story building that would be the largest Ronald McDonald House in the world. It would contain 90 guest rooms and be designed by the firm Antunovich & Associates.

Hello- I'm relocating to Chicago in January and was hoping to get some advice on potential residential condo buildings in the Streeterville area. Thanks!

New Loyola Water Tower Campus details:
There was a piece on Loyola's plans for their new School of Business building at the Watertower campus this week. Quick stats, it is going to be 9 floors along Pearson with a privately developed tower behind it at the corner of state at Chestnut. It is going to look similar to the Info commons at lakeshore but 3 times as tall and minus the postmodernist elements on the ends. They are going for LEED certification, potentially Platinum, and the most prominant feature of this will be a 9 story glass atrium along Pearson that will act as a heat chimney.


http://img360.imageshack.us/img360/8185/sba1editzk9.jpg

----
Another Loyola project but on Chicago Avenue
http://img91.imageshack.us/img91/8485/projectseducation41nbl4.jpg

Here's a shot of the rendering from the construction sign and one of what appears to be a mock-up of the curtain wall with windows (it's located on a vacant Nortwestern Memorial lot at McClurg and Ontario.

http://img529.imageshack.us/img529/1055/nov92008window034rb5.jpg

http://img529.imageshack.us/img529/8697/nov92008window061wy6.jpg

Ah, so that's what that mock-up is for. Based on that facade piece (which may be subject to change), it looks like C.M. is set to be uninspiring and should blend in perfectly with the surroundings.

Here's a shot of the rendering from the construction sign and one of what appears to be a mock-up of the curtain wall with windows (it's located on a vacant Nortwestern Memorial lot at McClurg and Ontario.

http://img529.imageshack.us/img529/1055/nov92008window034rb5.jpg

http://img529.imageshack.us/img529/8697/nov92008window061wy6.jpg

Ugh! a big B_O_X.

Ah, so that's what that mock-up is for. Based on that facade piece (which may be subject to change), it looks like C.M. is set to be uninspiring and should blend in perfectly with the surroundings.

It's a hospital. I think that CM's priorities would be WAY off if they spent a ton of money on building a dazzling exterior of their building, at the expense of money that could be spent on more dotors, nurses, other personnel, equipment, new technology, R&D, etc.

It's a hospital. I think that CM's priorities would be WAY off if they spent a ton of money on building a dazzling exterior of their building, at the expense of money that could be spent on more dotors, nurses, other personnel, equipment, new technology, R&D, etc.

One of the most frustrating counter-criticisms. You don't have to be profligate to be innovative. See VDT, Jeanne Gang, etc.

One of the most frustrating counter-criticisms. You don't have to be profligate to be innovative. See VDT, Jeanne Gang, etc.

I agree it looks more like a fortress; than a hospital. The architecture of a hospital should say "I want to be there.", not stay away! :bash:

Of course, architects who design buildings that are boxes often say, "The public doesn't understand the architecture."

That sort of arrogance has brought us many ugly boxes in this city.

With the new Children's Memorial, the legacy continues. Stupid people who want to feel smart will try to put down those who don't "understand" the boxes.

It's a hospital. I think that CM's priorities would be WAY off if they spent a ton of money on building a dazzling exterior of their building, at the expense of money that could be spent on more dotors, nurses, other personnel, equipment, new technology, R&D, etc.

I wasn't making any claims as to where money for a project of this kind should and shouldn't be allocated. And, as others have just stated, good design need not cost anything extra. Just more thinking.

I agree it looks more like a fortress; than a hospital. The architecture of a hospital should say "I want to be there.", not stay away! :bash:

Not to be sarcastic, but I don't really know of anyone who would "want to be there [in a hospital]." I think given an option, no matter how award-winning/beautiful/innovative/ ect. architecture was, any sane person would opt to stay away.

Not to be sarcastic, but I don't really know of anyone who would "want to be there [in a hospital]." I think given an option, no matter how award-winning/beautiful/innovative/ ect. architecture was, any sane person would opt to stay away.

Well, when it's necessary to be confined in a hospital and you do not have a choice; would it be better to be confined in hospital that's says "Welcome, it's nice to be here (even though you don't want to be here.)

Well, when it's necessary to be confined in a hospital and you do not have a choice; would it be better to be confined in hospital that's says "Welcome, it's nice to be here (even though you don't want to be here.)

But how much time would someone who is confined in a hospital be looking at the exterior of the hospital? I think that whether a hospital says "welcome, it's nice to be here" or not, almost solely depends on how nice the INTERIOR is, not the exterior.

But how much time would someone who is confined in a hospital be looking at the exterior of the hospital? I think that whether a hospital says "welcome, it's nice to be here" or not, almost solely depends on how nice the INTERIOR is, not the exterior.

You be looking at the exterior when you are not confined; and that would be your first impression, which would probably affect your decison to be there in the first place.

You be looking at the exterior when you are not confined; and that would be your first impression, which would probably affect your decison to be there in the first place.

Call me crazy, but my decision on what hospital/doctor to go to is usually based on the quality of care.

Call me crazy, but my decision on what hospital/doctor to go to is usually based on the quality of care.

TRUE, but this forum is about ARCHITECTURE!

As a nurse, i encourage my patients to stay healthy and stay away from the hospital, unless they're due for a check up or need emergency care. I used to work at Northwestern Memorial Hospital and despite its bland exterior the interior was very hotel-ish, especially the patient rooms.

I agree it looks more like a fortress; than a hospital. The architecture of a hospital should say "I want to be there.", not stay away! :bash:

http://www.chicagorealestatedaily.com/cgi-bin/news.pl?id=32885

Fourth Presbyterian scraps condo tower plan
By Alby Gallun, Feb. 04, 2009

The Fourth Presbyterian Church of Chicago has given up on its controversial plan to let a developer build a condominium tower next to the historic Michigan Avenue church.

...Fourth Presbyterian is starting to work on Plan B to meet its space needs, possibly by constructing a small building for itself on the site.

Anyone know what building this was they're talking about?

It was called (surprise) Fourth Presbyterian Church Tower.

The first pic I could find via Google:
http://justinberzon.com/FourthPresbyterianChurch.htm

Thanks Flubnut, I never knew of this project.

Does anybody know what the plan for the old CBS building at 630 N McClurg is?

-EDIT- posted without looking. Just saw the proposal on page eight. It's an absolute shame that this building will be torn down.

1. They've started demolishing the old CBS studios - there was a good chunk already gone when I saw it.
http://img4.imageshack.us/img4/413/28430572538d6c7cd730bdp9.jpg
http://img4.imageshack.us/img4/6008/28439121468086c75c45bjs9.jpg

2. 850 Lake Shore Drive has a website up
http://www.850lsd.com
http://img19.imageshack.us/img19/1104/850rendering270ri8.jpg

Ontario & McClurg
http://img9.imageshack.us/img9/5342/demow.jpg

Unknown Northwestern University building (very sad to see it go):
http://img9.imageshack.us/img9/6108/demo2bw.jpg[/QUOTE]

Anywhere I red the complete Near North side has only + 70.000 population ?:?

Always when I see pics (aerials) from it , it looks like a million city allone.

Well, the Near North Side does include a lot of hotels and office buildings.

Eric

Ontario & McClurg
Unknown Northwestern University building (very sad to see it go):
http://img9.imageshack.us/img9/6108/demo2bw.jpg[/QUOTE]

I believe that is the old VA hospital. I can't share your sentiment, though. That fellow was a monstrosity with no street life.

^Do you think a surface parking lot will be any better? And when they develop that lot, there's a good chance it will become a monstrous parking garage.
----

Ronald McDonald House Community Meeting on April 16 at 6pm

Alderman Reilly invites you to an upcoming public meeting regarding the Ronald McDonald House's proposal to develop property located at 211 East Grand Avenue. Alderman Reilly has invited representatives from Ronald McDonald House and their development team to present their proposal to the local community and to ensure that impacted residents have the opportunity to review the plan, ask questions and share their feedback.

The Ronald McDonald House is a national charitable organization that is well-known for its work to assist families with seriously ill children. Their proposal calls for the property to be redeveloped for the purpose of providing temporary housing for families with critically-ill children who are being treated at nearby Children's Memorial Hospital.

What: Ronald McDonald House Community Meeting

Who: Alderman Brendan Reilly, Ronald McDonald House Team, SOAR

When: Thursday, April 16th - 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.

Where: Prentice Women's Hospital
250 East Superior Street, 3rd Floor Conference Center
Conference Room L South

Please attend this meeting on Thursday, April 16th to engage in a direct dialogue with Ronald McDonald House and their architects, gain a better understanding of the proposal, and get answers to any questions you have related to their proposal.

http://chicagojournal.com/main.asp?SectionID=46&SubSectionID=139&ArticleID=7375&TM=29.857

Ronald is moving to Streeterville
Charity plans an 86-unit tower

By IAN FULLERTON

Ronald McDonald House Charities, an non-profit focused on improving children's healthcare, has purchased the property at 211 E. Grand and intends to develop an 86-unit residential facility on the site.

The 14-story building, slated for completion in 2012, will be used as a temporary residence for out-of-town families of children in the city's downtown hospitals.

...The charity has raised $10 million of the estimated $30 million needed to develop the project, which, if built, will be the largest Ronald McDonald charity facility to date.

...Designs for the building include 5,000 square feet of retail space on the first floor, with an entrance and lobby area facing Grand and another drop-off entrance in the alley behind the building. The third floor will feature an outdoor dining area, and the building will be topped with a contemplative garden and social area on the roof.

...Demolition of the existing structure is scheduled to begin in late 2009, with an 18-month construction period starting in early 2010.
http://img210.imageshack.us/img210/4877/7375a.jpg

---
Edit: Better rendering
http://img8.imageshack.us/img8/9702/ronmcdonaldhouse.jpg

^It's OK. Would rather have what's currently on the site, as this is guaranteed to be boring and institutional-looking. I'm glad their demolition schedule is so ambitious considering they only have 1/3 of the financing they need.

Thanks for the find, spyguy.

Another Loyola project but on Chicago Avenue
http://img91.imageshack.us/img91/8485/projectseducation41nbl4.jpg
http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/7919/p1000941.jpg

TUP posted this in the economy thread, but it belongs here as well.

http://www.chicagobusiness.com/cgi-bin/mag/article.pl?articleId=31760

NW catches building bug
By: Mike Colias May 18, 2009

...Sources tell Crain's that two major projects are in the works at the sprawling medical campus in Streeterville: a large biomedical research facility for Northwestern University's medical school and a medical office tower for doctors who practice at the hospital.

...As Northwestern's share of the local medical care market has expanded, so has its need for space. A spokeswoman confirms the hospital is seeking a developer for a medical office building that would replace two administrative offices, one at 240 E. Ontario St. and another at 259 E. Erie St. The developer likely would own the facility, estimated at 500,000 to 700,000 square feet, and lease it to the hospital.
http://img29.imageshack.us/img29/1699/31760.jpg

----
Photos from Northwestern's building list (http://aquavite.northwestern.edu/maps/buildinglist.cgi#Chicago)
240 E Ontario
http://img29.imageshack.us/img29/1319/53683515.jpg
259 E Erie
http://img29.imageshack.us/img29/4917/77201457.jpg

Oh, brother. So those nice, solid brick buildings are likely facing the wrecking ball? And NW is building a Merchandise Mart-size parking garage on the old VA site, too. Wonderful. It's official: Streeterville is set to become the most sterile and uninviting neighborhood of the Near North Side. Can't they just open a satellite campus on State and occupy one of the hundreds of parking lots?

^ That's not true. Most likely, the west portion of the old VA site will be where they build the research building. But yes, part of the site will probably have a parking garage

WBBM site:
http://img38.imageshack.us/img38/5344/wbbmfiltered.jpg

Finally some news about Children's Memorial Parking. This is from SOAR:

quote:

When plans were approved to begin the construction of the new Children's Memorial Hospital on Chicago Avenue, the medical campus institutions committed to constructing a parking facility to support the institutional patient and staff growth projections through 2012.

The new parking facility will be built and owned by Northwestern Memorial Hospital and will be located at 441-459 E. Ontario / 440-458 E. Ohio St.

The proposed above grade facility will provide a new state of the art day care facility for 375 children along with approximately 1,300 parking spaces. At present the structure is envisioned to have day care services on the first two floors of the building topped off with 12 stories of parking.

On or about June 30, 2009, an application to change the zoning of the site will be filed along with an application to approve the concept under the Lake Michigan and Chicago Lakefront Protection Ordinance. Buildings and residents within 250 feet of the proposed structure will be receiving a notice to this effect.

On July 29 the project will be introduced to the City Council. This is NOT an approval for the project, but an announcement of it. Northwestern Memorial Hospital will seek community input to the proposal before it goes to the City's Plan Commission for approval.

It is anticipated that construction of the facility will begin in October 2010 and open in January 2012.

If you have any questions regarding the filing, please contact Carol Stubblefield at the firm of Neal and Leroy (312) 641-7144. If you have any questions regarding the proposal, please contact SOAR by email

http://www.chicagobusiness.com/cgi-bin/news.pl?id=35154

Northwestern Memorial seeks OK for $73M project
By: Mike Colias Aug. 17, 2009

...Northwestern plans to add 24 medical/surgical beds and 12 observation beds on Galter’s 9th floor and a 24-bed intensive care unit on the 10th floor. The 13th floor would house a 29-bed psychiatric unit, which would be relocated from its existing psychiatric facility at the Stone Pavilion, on the site of the old Prentice women’s hospital.

...Northwestern describes the project as a “bridge” to give it breathing room until it’s able to build another pavilion on the former Lakeside Veterans Affairs hospital site at 333 E. Huron St., which is adjacent to the Feinberg Pavilion. Development of that site is several years out, Northwestern’s application says. The hospital is in negotiations with Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, which owns 30% of the property.

http://www.ric.org/aboutus/mediacenter/press/2009/ric-golub-transaction.aspx

The Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago and Golub & Company Announce Joint Streeterville Land Transaction
RIC acquires Golub's 630 N. McClurg site to develop state-of-the-art facility; RIC parking lot at Ohio-McClurg streets is acquired by Golub for future development

The Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago (RIC) and Golub & Company announced today a collaboration that has resulted in joint land transactions in Streeterville. RIC has acquired Golub's parcel at 630 N. McClurg Court and Golub has acquired RIC's parcel at the corner of Ohio St. and McClurg Ct. Terms of the transaction are not disclosed.

As the #1 rehabilitation hospital in the country for 19 consecutive years and as the nation's largest center for research in the field of rehabilitation medicine with a record six federal research designations, RIC has purchased the large parcel of land, formerly the "CBS building". RIC will now begin conceptual planning for the development of the Erie-McClurg land. Through a future new facility in which clinical care and research are integrated and surrounding the patient, it is RIC's intention to continue to lead the world in discovering and innovating treatments in physical medicine and rehabilitation for generations to come.

“The likelihood of surviving a catastrophic event, such as a stroke or brain trauma or spinal cord injury, increases every year due to the many advancements in acute-care medicine,” said Joanne C. Smith, MD, president and CEO of RIC. “RIC leads the world in the field of medicine that takes over once the patient survives such an event - the rehabilitation phase. RIC is the world leader in the rehabilitation field and we hold an obligation to drive better care and recovery in this important field of medicine. Today's acquisition of a great parcel of land enables RIC to plan for and implement rehabilitation care that is generations ahead of our time, through which the best science will drive new methods of care, recovery and even cures.”

"We are delighted to be able to assist RIC in creating a world-class facility at an ideal location within the neighborhood," said Michael Newman, Golub & Company president and CEO. "Golub continues to be deeply vested in the success of the Streeterville community while maintaining the neighborhood's harmonious blend of commercial, retail, medical and residential stakeholders."

Over the past 40 years, Golub has been a defining developer of Streeterville, having developed, owned, managed or leased more than 6.5 million square feet of commercial and residential property in the area.

Golub, with its partner Alcion Ventures, will develop a project on its newly acquired land at a future time, and most recently completed two luxury residential developments, The Streeter and Streeter Place, in close proximity to its new site. Lee Golub, executive vice president, oversees the firm's development activity. "Our new development will most likely be a residential building similar to Streeter and Streeter Place," said Golub.

RIC and Golub look forward to open and productive collaboration with the community through the planning process.

211 E Grand being demolished for the future Ronald McDonald House
http://img41.imageshack.us/img41/8074/p1010623up.jpg
http://img269.imageshack.us/img269/9383/p1010624q.jpg

Ronald McDonald House
http://img218.imageshack.us/img218/2646/rmh2o.jpg
http://img442.imageshack.us/img442/5577/rmh3.jpg
http://img109.imageshack.us/img109/8949/rmh1.jpg

Northwestern hospital parking garage (next to 600 LSD)
http://img85.imageshack.us/img85/7900/snorthwesternentryjpg.jpg
http://img85.imageshack.us/img85/9720/tnorthwestwernaerialjpg.jpg

I saw this rendering of Phase III/middle tower in a brochure advertising the retail space (which is pretty huge). Hopefully the design is still accurate, although it just looks like a stretched version of the canceled St. Clair (west) tower. It looks like this will be an apartment building as well.

http://img199.imageshack.us/img199/807/cityfront1.jpg

I'm hearing that things are going ahead this year on the project to widen the apron east of Lake Shore Drive between Ohio and Oak. This would add 200 feet of dry land, some of which would actually have grass or plants of some kind—an interesting concept for a park. I'm not sure if this is a Park District, city, or IDOT project. Probably all three.

http://img177.imageshack.us/img177/9340/w0nikdro.jpg
BartShore/ flickr (http://www.flickr.com/photos/bartshore/4528496874/)

Is it me or are these medical buildings getting progressively fatter and uglier?

^ Well, we are talking about an injection of thousands of good paying jobs (some of which are really well-paying) downtown that could easily have gone to the suburbs.

That, in turn, may encourage at least some people, especially those with the means, to move into the city and sell off that house in Wilmette.

Which, in turn, may add just a bit more fuel to another condo boom in the future.

So I think I'll let the "fat-ness" of the Hospital slide..

Hey guys...this is my first post...wow!

Anyway, I have been seeing activity at a vacant site on the south-easy corner of Illinois and Fairbanks. It is the site that is across from the AMC theater. It used to be a parking lot, but the lot was cleared about two years ago to make way for a new apartment/condo building. The lot became overgrown over the last two years and was untouched. In the last few days equipment was brought in the basically just till the soil or something. There are also flood lights running on generators. Any news?

Ok false alarm...I think I figured it out. More and more strange equipment and debris has been showing up at the lot, and since watching the news and seeing footage of the Transformers 3 filming, I'm guessing they are using this lot as a dumping ground for spent street lights and chunks of blow up buildings and streets.

One more post (sorry)...I'd love to post some pictures I took (as well as other pictures in the future) but I seem to not have administrator approval. Is that something that will come eventually, or do I need to verify my account or something? Thanks!

This site doesn't host pictures directly. You need to post them in other places (photobucket, imageshack, flikr, etc.) and then link to them in your posts.

I use omploader - it's really good and awesome.

Fourth Presbyterian Church expansion
http://a.imageshack.us/img94/8936/44795127.jpg
http://a.imageshack.us/img341/38/38104439.jpg
http://a.imageshack.us/img31/6836/56714071.jpg
http://a.imageshack.us/img51/9424/30179302.jpg
http://a.imageshack.us/img713/1879/65636807.jpg
http://a.imageshack.us/img6/2233/66998538.jpg

man that lady loves to point something out
wherever she goes, but her faithful companion
atleast is very attentive when she does :lol:

i wonder what she is pointing at in the last frame?

http://img716.imageshack.us/img716/9817/p1010735q.jpg
http://img64.imageshack.us/img64/167/p1010736e.jpg
http://img299.imageshack.us/img299/5536/p1010733.jpg
http://img132.imageshack.us/img132/6928/p1010724z.jpg
http://img844.imageshack.us/img844/6402/p1010727.jpg
A little bit of Aqua in this one
http://img525.imageshack.us/img525/6891/p1010728j.jpg
http://img225.imageshack.us/img225/7742/p1010729g.jpg
http://img51.imageshack.us/img51/3325/p1010730r.jpg

^Nice shots, spyguy. Lurie is looking very good, particularly the cantilevered section w/the hand. I am pleased thus far.

^Nice shots, spyguy. Lurie is looking very good, particularly the cantilevered section w/the hand. I am pleased thus far.

You should see the inside! I have never been more impressed with a buildings mechanical system than I was with the new Childrens Memorial.

http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20100825/NEWS03/100829932/northwestern-hospital-buys-streeterville-parcel-from-rehab-institute

Northwestern Hospital buys Streeterville parcel from Rehab Institute
By: Mike Colias August 25, 2010

Northwestern Memorial Hospital has taken full ownership of a prime piece of property adjacent to its facility, a key piece in the growth plans for the city's biggest hospital.

Northwestern last month finalized a deal with the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago to acquire the eastern portion of the former Lakeside Veterans Affairs hospital site at 333 E. Huron St.

With the Post Office set to move to Streeter Place, their old building on Ontario is for sale. Next door is a seemingly vacant skinny highrise and next to that is the empty Film & Tape Works building (which I like). Seems like it would be a great opportunity for a developer or NMH to purchase and redevelop all three rather than destroy the few remaining historic buildings in that area. Also across the street is this longtime proposal to replace several ugly midrise buildings next to Les Nomades:
http://img263.imageshack.us/img263/705/224eontario.jpg

Is that 20 floors? doesn't seem like it would do much for the area but its better than no highrise I guess...

http://ww2.chicagolandchamber.org/sub/newsletter_detail.asp?NED_ID=4477&NEH_ID=267

A New Neighbor is Coming to Streeterville

...Due to open in September 2012, this 14 story House built to LEED Certification (Silver) status, will also serve the families of children receiving treatment at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, Prentice Women's Hospital, and Northwestern Memorial Hospital.

...The charity has already raised over half of the $30 million needed to build the new House near Lurie Children's and has a financing commitment from Fifth Third Bank.

Groundbreaking Ceremony & Post Celebration
211 East Grand Site & Navy Pier McDonald's
November 9, 2010

- Actual Groundbreaking
February 2011

- House Completion
July 2012

- House Grand Opening
September 2012

http://chicagoagentmagazine.com/winners-and-losers/

Winners and Losers
5 November 2010

...Related Midwest is also going forward with 500 apartments on the land The Peshtigo was on, but plan to change the name. Good thing because the old one was too fishy.
---
Previous design of the The Peshtigo:
http://img170.imageshack.us/img170/1350/peshtigo2ke9.gif
No word on whether they intend to keep this design after the switch to rentals.

Awful architecture! I hope they change it and scale it back down.

I don't care for the design much but I think it should definitely keep its heights

Ronald McDonald House coming to Streeterville
Opening 5th Chicago area guest house for hospital patients' families

November 10, 2010
BY CHERYL V. JACKSON cjackson@suntimes.com

Don't be misled by the 14 stories.

Home will be where the height is come 2012, when the Ronald McDonald House opens in the Streeterville neighborhood, builders say.

"This has been a labor of love," architect Joe Antunovich of Antunovich Associates said Tuesday at the ceremonial groundbreaking at 211 E. Grand. The actual groundbreaking is set for Feb. 1. "It will be a house, a home, a place built with love that through its design says, 'Welcome, come on in and stay awhile.'"

http://www.suntimes.com/business/2881732,CST-NWS-ronald10.article

Ronald McDonald House
http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/434/r1345zxj.jpg

What new building is going to be developed on the former site of the VA Lakeside Hospital?

Will be NMH related; what I believe I've heard is that the west side of the block will be used for a a new primarily outpatient tower. Possibly some new same-day surgery ORs as well?

Fourth Presbyterian is preparing to demolish this addition (as well as others not pictured) for their new Gensler-designed building:
http://img831.imageshack.us/img831/4237/p1010905g.jpghttp://img407.imageshack.us/img407/1716/4thpres.jpg

New Children's Memorial Hospital
http://img689.imageshack.us/img689/3363/p10108691.jpg

Chicago Architecture Blog has a big fat update on the Prentice Women's Hospital situation.

http://blog.chicagoarchitecture.info/2011/05/25/the-end-is-near-for-a-beloved-chicago-hospital/

At a SOAR meeting last night, Northwestern revealed that it already has demolition contractors lined up, and is eager to get started tearing it down.

When it comes to buildings and land use in Chicago’s Streeterville neighborhood, the three most powerful factors are the mayor’s office, the alderman, and SOAR. All three are used to getting what they want. But Mayor Daley is gone, the alderman doesn’t have any legal standing to block the demolition, and Northwestern just told SOAR to go suck an egg.

In case you're unsure which building is Prentice:

http://www.chicagoarchitecture.info/CAI/Images/200903/NorthwesternUniversityFormerPrenticeWomensHospital-00904-012a.jpg

Burberry Store begins its transformation into a "flagship" store:
http://img824.imageshack.us/img824/3674/burberryg.jpg

http://img717.imageshack.us/img717/313/burberrya.jpg

Burberry Store begins its transformation into a "flagship" store:
http://img824.imageshack.us/img824/3674/burberryg.jpg

According to the Chicago Architecture Blog, that's not Burberry's scaffolding. It's the AOA Building protecting itself from Burberry: http://blog.chicagoarchitecture.info/2011/07/24/burberry-countdown-to-tear-down/

Also, the Chicago store has always been a flagship store (and has a store number of something like #3 to go with it). Flagship status isn't based on the building design, but on the merchandise for sale inside. As with most retail chains, not every store gets all the good stuff.

If the cloverleaf part of the original Prentice Hospital had 20 or more floors, I wouldn't even think about demolishing a skyscraper like that. I would normally be against the demolition of a "green" building, also. But in real life, the cloverleaf portion has only seven floors. The blog has outlined several reasons why the building should be saved and why the building should not be saved. If the original Prentice Hospital were saved, then it would end up a white elephant, so demolition is the only option to maintain profitability. Landmarks like this have to pass away to make way. If the original Prentice Hospital is demolished, then all of its materials are to be recycled.

so demolition is the only option to maintain profitability.

If its all about profitability maybe Chicago should start taxing Northwestern's property? I'm guessing they wouldn't like that... so the city gets a say.

Failure to develop a effective adaptive reuse plan speaks to the lack of ingenuity of active parties, not to the building itself.

New posting on the Rehab Institute Parking Lot fence.

This property was swapped to Golub by RHI in return for the old CBS studio site where RHI is planning to build its new building.

Golub developed the two Streeter apartment buildings across McClurg from this property.

Public Notice
Address: 400-18 East Grand Ave., 529-49 North McClurg Ct., 401-29 East Ohio Street

On 7-28-2011, an application was filed by GHB 630 LLC, 625 N Michigan Ave, 60611 to change DX-12 Downtown Mixed-use district to residential Business Planned Development to allow for a proposed 452 feet 42 story apartment building containing 443 dwelling units with ground level retail and a 135 feet 10 story apartment building containing 87 dwelling units with ground level retail with 297 on-site parking spaces.


http://img98.imageshack.us/img98/1351/40018egrand52949eohio.jpg

^^

The apartment tower is to the south (Grand) while the low-rise portion faces Ohio
http://img805.imageshack.us/img805/9357/golub1.jpg
http://img51.imageshack.us/img51/1975/golub2.jpg
http://img821.imageshack.us/img821/2893/golub3.jpg

The good news is that at least from the north and the south sides you won't see a huge parking garage.

From SSP
^Speaking of which, here are some better renderings of the new Golub buildings.

http://img221.imageshack.us/img221/1301/grand2.jpghttp://img695.imageshack.us/img695/303/grand1o.jpg
http://img263.imageshack.us/img263/6807/grand3.jpg
http://img109.imageshack.us/img109/3843/grand4f.jpghttp://img854.imageshack.us/img854/3125/grand5.jpg

I created a thread for this project. Please continue any discussion of it here:
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=1439537

If the cloverleaf part of the original Prentice Hospital had 20 or more floors, I wouldn't even think about demolishing a skyscraper like that. I would normally be against the demolition of a "green" building, also. But in real life, the cloverleaf portion has only seven floors. The blog has outlined several reasons why the building should be saved and why the building should not be saved. If the original Prentice Hospital were saved, then it would end up a white elephant, so demolition is the only option to maintain profitability. Landmarks like this have to pass away to make way. If the original Prentice Hospital is demolished, then all of its materials are to be recycled.

I think that the Prentice Hospital should be converted to a Senior Nursing Home/Assisted Living Home.

Northwestern Scales Back Streeterville Skyscraper Scheme (http://blog.chicagoarchitecture.info/2011/10/21/northwestern-scales-back-streeterville-skyscraper-scheme/)


http://blog.chicagoarchitecture.info/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Screen-Shot-2011-10-20-at-Thursday-20-October-2011-@-5.29.29-pm-Central-Daylight-Time.jpg

Northwestern Memorial Hospital, which has been on a construction binge for much of the last decade, is moving ahead with plans for its newest skyscraper — a 24-story building at 259 East Erie Street.

The institution presented a revised plan for the building to a meeting of neighbors this past Tuesday. Officially it will be known as The Northwestern Memorial Hospital Outpatient Care Pavilion. According to Crain’s Chicago Business, “the centerpiece of the building will be a Musculoskeletal Institute, which will occupy four floors and offer specialties such as orthopedics and neurology.”

The new plan has been scaled back from the one previously floated. The building has been reduced in height by one story, and the floor space has been trimmed by 57,000 square feet. The building will now be just under 404 feet tall, about the same as the new Children’s Memorial Hospital and the office building at 215 East Erie Street.

Northwestern has already started demolition of the existing buildings in this location, and wants to finish the new building by the end of 2014, It argues in its Streeterville Fact Sheet that president Obama’s health care reform efforts make the new building necessary. ”Today, the demand for healthcare in Streeterville exceeds the available space. This will only be exacerbated when healthcare reform is fully implemented in 2014. “
Here are the highlights:

•Addresses: 240 East Ontario Street and 259 East Erie Street
•993,000 square feet
•575-space parking garage
•8 floors of offices
•2 floors “public” and retail space
•Connected to other hospital buildings by skybridges
•Drive-though access
•Aiming for LEED status

---

Status Update: Children’s Memorial Hospital (http://blog.chicagoarchitecture.info/2011/10/10/status-update-childrens-memorial-hospital-2/)

http://blog.chicagoarchitecture.info/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/photo-4.jpg

From most angles, the new Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children’s Memorial Hospital (225 East Chicago Avenue) appears done, but there is still much work to be done. The facade was officially completed in February, but the ground floor remains hidden behind a wall of blue-painted plywood.

The public portions of the building are expected to be completed later this month, along with the new sidewalk planters, traffic signals, and pavement.

The official opening of the hospital is scheduled for June, 2012.

Grat projects...