Lincoln Park Development News [Archive] - Page 3

The Urban Politician

November 20th, 2009, 07:01 PM

Huge score for DePaul (http://www.suntimes.com/news/cityhall/1894911,CST-NWS-depaul20.article)
NO DISSENT | City planners OK new music, theater schools in Lincoln Park

November 20, 2009
BY FRAN SPIELMAN City Hall Reporter fspielman@suntimes.com

DePaul University's schools of theater and music would finally have the world-class facilities to match their top-notch talent, thanks to a 10-year master plan for the Lincoln Park campus approved Thursday.

Without a word of dissent, the Chicago Plan Commission signed off on DePaul's ambitious plan to build new schools for theater and music, a new academic center, and to redevelop Fullerton Avenue with a hotel, student housing and market-rate housing.

DePaul University's schools of theater and music would finally have the world-class facilities to match their top-notch talent, thanks to a 10-year master plan for the Lincoln Park campus approved Thursday.

The project -- with a price tag in the hundreds of millions of dollars -- calls for closing Kenmore Avenue to vehicles between Fullerton and Belden to improve student safety, add landscaping and create a greater "campus feel." Spectator stands, new dugouts and press box facilities also are planned for Wish Field.

"Those two schools have some of the finest faculty in the world and some of the finest students in the country. And they're literally performing in spaces with dropped ceilings and walls that bleed sound," said the Rev. Dennis Holtschneider, DePaul's president.

"It's not where you learn how to play an instrument. It's not where you learn how to sing. We need a space where musicians [and actors] can be properly trained."

The new music school won't come soon enough for clarinet performance major Philip Espe. But it's still a dream come true.

"I walk into the practice rooms at 10 a.m. any morning. There's no place for me to practice. I'm sometimes in rehearsal for six hours a day, and there's no space. It's incredibly small. The practice rooms are not acoustically sound," Espe said.

Holtschneider assured the Plan Commission that there would be no influx of students at the already-cramped Lincoln Park campus.

"Both those schools -- music and theater -- are capped. Students compete for those seats from all over the United States and sometimes the world. These are very expensive schools to run. We're not going to increase the number of seats," he said.

The new 112,000-square-foot Music Center will be in the 2300 block of North Halsted. It will include a 535-seat concert hall, a 176-seat opera hall, a pair of recital halls with 150 and 80 seats and a 100-space subterranean parking garage.

The 37,696-square-foot new home for the Midwest's oldest theater conservatory will be built on the southwest corner of Fullerton and Racine. It will include a 250-seat theater auditorium, a 100-seat "flexible theater" and stages integrated with classrooms on every level.

The new academic buildings are planned for the northeast corner of Belden and Kenmore and the southwest corner of Belden and Seminary. The Kenmore building will be the first new construction, replacing classroom space lost when McGaw Hall is torn down to make way for the new music school.

The master plan ultimately envisions construction of a mixed-use development on the blocklong stretch of Fullerton between Sheffield and Seminary that serves as the "main street" of the Lincoln Park campus.

But Holtschneider vowed to return to the Plan Commission before proceeding with construction of a five-story hotel with 140 rooms and a "car court," new housing for 333 students, market-rate housing and university space that includes a welcome center, visitor courtyard and conference rooms.

mohammed wong

December 7th, 2009, 06:35 AM

simulcra

December 7th, 2009, 10:48 PM

http://trueslant.com/megancottrell/2009/12/02/does-chicagos-north-side-need-further-gentrification-lathrop-homes-residents-say-no/

I guess these were built as wpa projects.
Definitely the best housing projects ive seen in chicago.

Im not totally against their demolition,
but maybe they should be fixed up?

I see that the people who live there are in the Logansquare neighbors association
but I also have seen readers claiming that its part of the west depaul area of lincolnpark

i also see that most of it is empty right now.

I don't see what's wrong with the CHA plan of converting them into a mix of public/affordable/market-rate units. Just because as public housing they weren't the same debacle as Cabrini-Green or Henry Horner Homes doesn't mean that their basic concept was flawed. This way, we still get heterogenous class mixing, allow for property appreciation, but still try to keep lower-income residents integrated into the community.

Flubnut

December 8th, 2009, 12:36 AM

Either way, they could use a LOT of improvements. I like the ever-steaming manhole along Diversey. Adds to the general creepiness of the place (relative to most areas close by.)

mohammed wong

December 8th, 2009, 01:17 AM

I just felt that maybe it would be cool if they were fixed up,
and still some were market rate and low income,

This never happens though,
or maybe some could be saved and fixed up with others
knocked down to make something else.

I just dont like wholesale destruction

but overall i am in favor of something happending
with these cha homes

spyguy

January 6th, 2010, 09:44 PM

http://lphospital.blogspot.com/

Alderman Vi Daley
Lincoln-Central Neighborhood Association &
Mid-North Association
will host a community meeting
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
6:30P.M.
Lincoln Park High School Auditorium

The new owners of the hospital property will present their modified proposal for the re-use and redevelopment of the buildings and property. They are proposing using and up-grading the existing buildings for a mixed-use development to include residential, senior living and retail.

The Urban Politician

January 26th, 2010, 05:48 PM

stevevance

January 27th, 2010, 09:04 AM

I'm assuming picture number 7 (http://www.chicagonow.com/blogs/lincoln-park-now/2010/01/new-chicago-police-bikes-trader-joes-and-apple-store-updates-from-daley-and-waguespack.html) is a rendering of the new Apple store?

I'm not sure what that "plaza" area is between the black column and the store, but here are several photos of the store under construction.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/zolk/tags/applestorelincolnpark/

spyguy

February 9th, 2010, 05:20 AM

http://img714.imageshack.us/img714/2243/4338943186eeec8978eab.jpg
Kevin Zolkiewicz/ flickr (http://www.flickr.com/photos/zolk/4338943186/)
http://img714.imageshack.us/img714/7545/4338939758ea2e9693ddb.jpg
Kevin Zolkiewicz/ flickr (http://www.flickr.com/photos/zolk/4338939758/)

spyguy

February 17th, 2010, 01:21 AM

http://www.thechicago77.com/2010/02/finkl-sons-steel-mills-may-just-hit-a-home-run/

Finkl & Sons Steel Mills May Just Hit a Home Run
Fri, Feb 12, 2010

Robert John Anderson

The word is that Depaul University has been considering the Finkl & Sons Steel Mills at Clybourn Avenue and Cortland Street as a place to build a new 10,000 seat basketball stadium so that it could be in the proximity of their Lincoln Park Campus. They are also considering an alternative site just south at Divison and Clybourn.

There has been much discussion about a new Depaul basketball stadium in the media as of late, but it’s only recent that they have been naming site locations. The Finkl & Sons site is located on the east bank of The Chicago River at Southport Ave, and Cortland Street within steps of DePaul’s main campus and due to its heavy industrial use over the past 100 years the site is believed to be to contaminated for many real estate re adaptations. So it seems the current thinking is that instead of removing all the over-sized foundations so closely positioned by the rivers edge that it might be far simpler and safer to just remove all the top soil, pave over the site and any possible contamination.
---

I don't know what he's referring to by "much discussion...in the media as of late" and he doesn't give a source for either of these locations or when this decision was made. But still interesting to think about.

spyguy

March 19th, 2010, 12:59 AM

http://www.crmproperties.com/futureProjects.html

Weed Street Development
With the successful completion of Whole Foods on Kingsbury and Weed, CRM is in the process of redeveloping the balance of its property holdings on Weed, Fremont, North and Kingsbury. The project will include between 125,000 and 180,000 square feet of retail and enough parking to accommodate at least 2.5 cars per thousand square feet.

The project consists of four separate parcels (defined as Sites A, B, C & D), totaling 2.5 acres, or approximately 110,000 square feet of land. Site A, located at the southwest corner of North Avenue and Fremont Street, will consist of 12,333 square feet of retail on the first floor and 8,004 square feet on the second floor. Site B, located at the northwest corner of Weed Street and Fremont Street, will include 22,002 square feet of retail and a two-story parking deck for 109 cars. Customers will be able to access the above-ground garage from Fremont Street. The largest complex within the development will be on Site C, at the southwest corner of Weed Street and Fremont Street. This site will consist of three stories of retail, totaling nearly 125,000 square feet. Above the retail will be a parking deck with 202 parking stalls which can be accessed from Fremont Street. In addition, the building will include a prominent tower visible from Halsted, to the east, and the North Avenue bridge, to the west. Site D, located directly across from CRM’s new Whole Foods development on Kingsbury, will consist of 11,118 square feet of retail. The parking structures on Sites B and C will serve all four sites, and tenants within the Weed Street District will benefit from pylon signage located at North and Fremont.

Given the high-density zoning for Weed Street District (C3-5), CRM has the ability to build as much as 550,000 square feet of retail on the subject property. Accordingly, CRM has the flexibility to meet retailer requirements well above the preliminary planned development and is prepared to explore build-to-suit opportunities.
http://img248.imageshack.us/img248/3015/weedst1.jpg
http://img696.imageshack.us/img696/169/weedst2.jpg
http://img140.imageshack.us/img140/218/weedst3.jpg
http://img407.imageshack.us/img407/3218/weedst4f.jpg
http://img193.imageshack.us/img193/5868/weedst5.jpg

The Urban Politician

March 19th, 2010, 04:27 AM

^ AWESOME!

What occupies those sites now?

That area has some great nightclubs. I hope they don't bite the dust..

Flubnut

March 19th, 2010, 03:58 PM

It looks like Joes will stay, but everything on the south side of that street will have to go. Haven't been there in a couple years, but there was a swank sushi restaurant, a party bar, and an OTB site (memory is always hazy on Weed Street...for some mysterious reason...)

simulcra

March 19th, 2010, 06:22 PM

(memory is always hazy on Weed Street...for some mysterious reason...)

:D multiple levels of funny there

skyduster

March 19th, 2010, 11:15 PM

http://www.crmproperties.com/futureProjects.html

Weed Street Development

Finally!!!! :banana:

http://img407.imageshack.us/img407/3218/weedst4f.jpg
http://img193.imageshack.us/img193/5868/weedst5.jpg

These two pictures are confusing. They're both renderings of the same exact thing, except one has a tower, the other doesn't. And then, the overall bird's eye rendering of the development has no tower:

http://img696.imageshack.us/img696/169/weedst2.jpg

So, I'm confused.

That area has some great nightclubs. I hope they don't bite the dust..

Oh, dude, I disagree with you. I'm so thankful they're going away. :cheers: This has been my dream for quite some time now.

Crobar, Zentra, Hogs and Honnies...what horrible, horrible places. These unfriendly, drafty, warehouse-type clubs are '90s anachronisms that have no place in a cosmopolitan city in 2010. Today, it's about urban-friendly, cozy, intimate bars with smart interior designs, and a bit of a neighborhood feel to them.

Crobar, Zentra, et al had their day. It's time to bury 'em. There's plots available right next to AOL, dial-up, pagers, and provocative daytime talk shows.

The Urban Politician

March 20th, 2010, 01:11 AM

Crobar, Zentra, Hogs and Honnies...what horrible, horrible places. These unfriendly, drafty, warehouse-type clubs are '90s anachronisms that have no place in a cosmopolitan city in 2010. Today, it's about urban-friendly, cozy, intimate bars with smart interior designs, and a bit of a neighborhood feel to them.

Crobar, Zentra, et al had their day. It's time to bury 'em. There's plots available right next to AOL, dial-up, pagers, and provocative daytime talk shows.

^ Uhhh.... I don't think the world has changed. I think you have.

Some of us have outgrown nightclubs, but talk to twenty-somethings--they still go to them.

Urbanight

March 20th, 2010, 02:33 AM

skyduster

March 20th, 2010, 03:02 AM

^ Uhhh.... I don't think the world has changed. I think you have.

Some of us have outgrown nightclubs, but talk to twenty-somethings--they still go to them.

I am a 20-something, albeit in my late 20s, and I always hated these places, they got very old a week after I turned 21. And I know a few people in their 30s that do love Crobar et al.

There's a reason Crobar Miami closed. The era of the multi-room/warehouse club is over! Liberate yourselves!! Liberate yourslves from the Crobars and the Zentras and Le Passage's of the world!! :carrot::banana::pepper::cucumber:

(The only reason I've been to all these places is because I have a couple of friends who love these places and they've dragged me there for their birthdays. I never enjoyed them.)

Even on South Beach, when I was there for the Winter Music Conference in 2006, the places I enjoyed the most by far were the small intimate bars where a good house dj had the most impact. And South Beach is littered with little bars like that, which is why I love South Beach and hate hate hate Las Vegas. Las Vages is all mega-clubs.

A nice cozy bar on the retail floor of a renovated 19th/early 20th century building, with a good crowd (not a trash crowd), art on the walls, smart interior design, windows where the city/streetscape is within view from inside the bar, and you don't have to wait in line like cattle and they don't charge you for water (nor $10 for a Miller Lite), now that's my idea of a night out! :cheers:

The irony with the outdated mega-clubs (like Crobar and Zentra) is that they tried to recreate the underground scene that had emerged in the 80s, and existed throughout the 90s, when young people used to meet in abanonded warehouses and they would play underground house music that you couldn't find at a mainstream club (or, in the 90s, they would play trance music ). What was done out of necessity both by underground music lovers and underage kids was perverted into something "trendy" by the megaclubs who built a fake warehouse and injected mostly mainstream music into them (or euro...ugh...somebody tell these folks 1995 wants its music back). To make it all the more cheesier, some of these mega-clubs: you can only enter by going through a back alley...a licensed club pretending to be underground. What a fucking joke, and people fall for this fake "trendiness".

Plus, my house dj friends were all thrilled the moment in their 20s, when they started getting gigs at nice bars, as opposed to doing illicit parties. And that's one of the biggest benefits of entering your 20s...you can now go to decent bars...why pay cover to get into a drafty place that tries to recreate an illicit party?

:)

LOL, I know that different people have different tastes, but it's not just me. The mega-clubs have been in decline over the past decade in cities like Chicago, New York, Toronto, etc, cosmopolitan cities with a strong urban tradition. Just in Chicago, these multi-room/warehouse mega-clubs have been closing at a much higher rate than they've been opening. Meanwhile, smaller places are popping up everywhere as an increasing number of neighborhoods gentrify. Yeah, the mega-clubs still have a demand, so I'm sure that a few will always be araound. But they're past their heyday.

In the meantime, I'm celebrating the make-over of the whole Weed Street area in recent years, which -for far too long- was in limbo between post-industrial wasteland and suburban strip mall, so close to Lincoln Park and Old Town. An ugly hole in an otherwise great part of the city. So this is a huge dream come true for me!! :cheers1:

The buildings look urban, but the thing is no one lives on these streets. This area will just be a giant shopping district, unlike the Mag Mile and State Street where people live and work. And its only serviced by one L stop. If the proposed circle line and Clinton St. line ever happens, North and Clybourn is supposed to be a big hub, connecting those lines with the Brown/Purple and Red.

If all of the above were to get built this area could be pretty amazing, rivaling the downtown retail districts.

Yeah, one of the things that crossed my mind was "Oh God, I hope they don't recreate Oakbrook Mall in the middle of the city".

I'm not against parking; not everyone will have direct access by rapid transit (as you pointed out), but the parking should be concealed, and should not interfere with the streetscape. (Ideally, I'd like a densification of the CTA rapid transit system, including the circle line).

I think this development should be fine, as it will only occupy a few blocks of the whole area between Halsted and the river, an area that already has residential developments and non-retail businesses. And there's also plenty people living in the area, within walking distance, from the other side of North Ave, as well as the proposed mixed-use (including residential) development on the other side of Halsted. If the specific blocks in this proposal include businesses that are open past retail hours (like bars and restaurants, for example), then they shouldn't be dead at night. The buildings in the rendering, as you noted, appear to be urban. When finally built, they better look real urban, and not fake urban like some kitschy faux-urban strip mall that you'd find in a suburb.

One thing I'm wondering, perhaps it's evident to some people (maybe I didn't read the development description properly), is what the proposed tower will be used for. Residential? Commercial?

TroyBoy

March 21st, 2010, 08:26 AM

Even on South Beach, when I was there for the Winter Music Conference in 2006, the places I enjoyed the most by far were the small intimate bars where a good house dj had the most impact. And South Beach is littered with little bars like that, which is why I love South Beach and hate hate hate Las Vegas. Las Vages is all mega-clubs.

I think we are exact opposites, ive sort of been disappointed in the underground scene in Chicago, Detroit def has a stronger one that get broken up way less often, but maybe thats because Detroit doesnt really have any good legit places to party. Also having partied at the mega clubs in Europe they put america to shame, also heard the same thing about asian clubs from my friends. Theres nothing better then being surrounded by a 1,000 other people dancing with the music blasting. Only place i can really get that experience in Chicago is at Congress some great times ive had there

spyguy

July 14th, 2010, 06:26 AM

Studio Gang pavilion
http://a.imageshack.us/img689/1246/4788363135f38e3b4466b.jpg
Jim Watkins/ flickr (http://www.flickr.com/photos/26592941@N02/4788363135/)

mohammed wong

July 14th, 2010, 11:48 PM

^^^^ is that a permanent installation?
very very cool, its now the new background
on my computer.
and where exactly is that?
i would guess south of fullerton by the lake

mohammed wong

July 14th, 2010, 11:58 PM

There is a funny article in the latest CS Magazine, you know the big glossy free one with a bunch of ads and pictures of local celebrities at charity events. It talks about when shoppers are craving a mall so they can drive and won't have to worry about parking, they no longer have to go out to the burbs, they can just head to the North and Clybourn area. I guess every place validates parking in the area? This development will certainly help make this area one big mall. There is the proposed New City development too, but at least they will have residential buildings.

The buildings look urban, but the thing is no one lives on these streets. This area will just be a giant shopping district, unlike the Mag Mile and State Street where people live and work. And its only serviced by one L stop. If the proposed circle line and Clinton St. line ever happens, North and Clybourn is supposed to be a big hub, connecting those lines with the Brown/Purple and Red.

If all of the above were to get built this area could be pretty amazing, rivaling the downtown retail districts.

I wonder if they could actually land a department store, in a much better retail climate of course.

I think the North and Clybourn area will eventually equilibrate,
it was too heavy on the retail/bar aspect and will have more
a neigborhoody feel to it, especially when the apple store is done
and i know that the apple people are putting alot of money into the el
there and yeah when that new flatiron type building at north and clybourne
comes to fruitition, though jeez is it going to be as cool
as it was first proposed.

Thats one project i wish would have been completed before the bubble
burst, but atleast there is sono, which is kindof a downtown
type project that leapfrogged into the area.
When you see sono, you can see the future of the area,
very cool.

nicksplace27

July 15th, 2010, 03:50 AM

Anyone have any pictures of DePaul's construction? They have a lot going on right by the Fullerton station so im guessing a few pics wouldn't be that hard to come by. I'm gone for the summer and therefore woefully uniformed about the progress.

Flubnut

July 15th, 2010, 04:52 PM

i would guess south of fullerton by the lake

That's the Park West high rise in the background, so it's just east of where Armitage meets Clark. Official blurb from the Gang website:

The project transforms a concrete-edged, 19th-century urban park pond fed by city tap water into an exhibit on pond life and natural habitat. Improvements include pond rehabilitation, landscaping, accessible pathways, educational pavilions and exhibit design.

A new boardwalk circumscribing the pond passes through different educational zones, describing animals, plants and habitat. Two pavilions integrated into the boardwalk sequence provide shelter for open-air classrooms on the site. Their structures, inspired by the tortoise shell, consist of a series of pre-fabricated pods inter-connected to give global curvature to the surface.

Currently, there's a video of the construction on their home page as well. http://www.studiogang.net

Urbanight

July 15th, 2010, 07:42 PM

^^^Lincoln Park South Pond, near the zoo.

spyguy

July 19th, 2010, 02:20 AM

Art museum
http://img838.imageshack.us/img838/9476/44376025.jpg
http://img834.imageshack.us/img834/8295/39992341.jpg

New academic building
http://img828.imageshack.us/img828/3263/18586633.jpg
http://140.192.124.16/jpg/image.jpg?time=1279498574111

Cacciatore Stadium
http://img838.imageshack.us/img838/9448/87846796.jpg
http://img842.imageshack.us/img842/4170/20414264.jpg
http://140.192.116.13/jpg/image.jpg?time=1279498708340

Theatre School - I assume this is the new [Cesar Pelli] design since it was in a DePaul magazine
http://img835.imageshack.us/img835/9713/depaul9.jpg

spyguy

August 11th, 2010, 03:39 PM

http://www.suntimes.com/business/roeder/2586870,CST-NWS-roeder11.article

BRING IT ON
DAVID ROEDER August 11, 2010

LG Development Group and Hartshorne Plunkard Architecture said they have broken ground on Row 2750, an 11-home rowhouse and condo development at 2750 N. Lakewood. The prices run from $700,000 to $1.4 million, and the developers say three of the homes have been sold.
http://img412.imageshack.us/img412/1883/9iopgcnh.jpg

tkelly1986

August 31st, 2010, 05:57 PM

Living out of state now, I have fallen out of the loop on the impending transformation of Children’s Memorial. Has there been any update on this site which, if I remember correctly, will be abandoned in 2012? I have searched the internet and not found anything dated later than 2009.

Secondly, with DePaul’s master plan and quest to expand student housing options, why has this site not been explored for a student housing complex? Residents have called for housing on the site in the first place, so why not this population in great need for housing. DePaul has said repeatedly that they have a significant under supply in student housing options; only offering 3,000 beds to mainly underclassmen. In contrast, Loyola has 4,100 beds and is still exploring additional expansion.

Anyone have insight as to why DePaul has not been active? Or is there speculation they are going to try to bid for the land, but just want to stay under the radar?

paytonc

September 1st, 2010, 08:28 AM

The buildings look urban, but the thing is no one lives on these streets... I wonder if they could actually land a department store, in a much better retail climate of course.

Once SoNo is fully occupied and perhaps done -- and remember, getting the residential west of Halsted was a huge fight -- Weed Street is done for anyhow.

A department store. Now, that's a curious idea from the 19th century.

If the specific blocks in this proposal include businesses that are open past retail hours (like bars and restaurants, for example), then they shouldn't be dead at night... One thing I'm wondering, perhaps it's evident to some people (maybe I didn't read the development description properly), is what the proposed tower will be used for. Residential? Commercial?

If the uses are complementary, then they can all share parking, too. The tower/no tower is perhaps what they mean by "our flexible zoning allows us to build more if someone asks" -- under C3-5, I think that means office is okay but not residential.

spyguy

September 14th, 2010, 07:36 AM

More photos of the Studio Gang pavilion (screenshots from video (http://vimeo.com/14295019))
http://img197.imageshack.us/img197/7537/25341760.jpg
http://img19.imageshack.us/img19/994/86298502.jpg
http://img405.imageshack.us/img405/2282/64850163.jpg

709 Willow - 5 units
http://img256.imageshack.us/img256/5943/16074605521.jpghttp://img713.imageshack.us/img713/4581/16074605520.jpghttp://img825.imageshack.us/img825/4258/16074605522.jpg

Trader Joe's in U/C on Diversey. The old B&N and Pier 1 will turn into an Ann Taylor LOFT and Urban Outfitters (relocating). The old Pottery Barn location on North Avenue will become a Forever 21.

spyguy

September 21st, 2010, 02:05 AM

http://chicagobreakingbusiness.com/2010/09/childrens-memorial-taps-u-s-equities-to-sell-lincoln-park-site.html

Children’s taps U.S. Equities to sell Lincoln Park site
By Bruce Japsen 11:57 a.m.

Children’s Memorial Hospital has hired Chicago-based commercial real estate firm U.S. Equities Realty to market the land and building at its current tony Lincoln Park location.

Calling it “one of the most desirable neighborhoods in the Midwest,” hospital officials are hoping the prime six-acre real estate site will fetch a large sum.

The Urban Politician

September 21st, 2010, 03:34 AM

^ If they really want to fetch top dollar, they should do all of the zoning legwork (community meetings, etc) to get a fairly dense proposal approved at this site.

tkelly1986

September 21st, 2010, 05:24 PM

nicksplace27

September 21st, 2010, 10:57 PM

Anyone want to speculate where this land deal is going? Is there really a market out there for a large development or would this be best suited for DePaul to develope? If the latter is the case, what would DePaul do with this property? Housing?

I go to DePaul and I live on campus and I know for a fact that they don't want to buy that land. They want the music school designated as thier eastern border of thier campus, specifically halsted street.

They're much more interested in buying up the U-Haul on Racine, the Little Sisters of the Poor Site, and building on low density sites they've already purchased. There is a lot of oppourtunity to extend housing and academic options without moving, expensively any further west.

And when it comes to the sports arena, I'd rather have the Finkl site. More space and less nimbys. Becuase Orchard is pretty quiet and I think the residents would want to keep it that way.

Flubnut

September 22nd, 2010, 03:53 PM

Because Orchard is pretty quiet and I think the residents would want to keep it that way.

I'm quite certain the remaining homeowners would be completely against a development that would bring even MORE young drunks to their doorsteps. I can say that because I (proudly!) used to be one of those drunks, renting on that block of Orchard. I'm guessing any re-development will mean expensive townhouses/mansions along the east side of Orchard.

It will be fun to see how this site is re-used, especially if deep-pockets DePaul isn't interested. Awesome location, but so expensive to re-develop, and I'm thinking high rises aren't going to fly either.

tkelly1986

September 22nd, 2010, 03:54 PM

nicksplace27

September 22nd, 2010, 09:55 PM

It would make sense for DePaul to purchase Little Sisters of the Poor and/or the UHaul site. However, the question is; are or will those sites be available in the near future? The Children's Memorial site is available now and with land at a premium in Lincoln Park, this may be the largest parcel to come avaliable in the near future.

Moreover, their master plan has a hotel/dorm/retail complex that is supposed to go on the corner of Fullerton and Sheffield. Why not move that plan to the Children's site? Use the Fullerton site for more cirtical university needs such as residential and classroom space.

Neverthless, you may have some inside info on the UHaul and Little Sisters site. Anything to share/speculate?

I don't have any specific insider info or anything, but it seems to me that they are using thier money now not to purchase new land but to build on land that is underutilized that they already have. The Children's memorial spot would be expensive to buy and convert into classroom space. If they wait for the U-Haul or little sister's to move (decently likely, given the areas growwth and delapidated nature of both properties) They can buy the same amount of land closer to the main areas of campus for far less money.

I think the administation sees that buying the Children's hospital site would be expensive and a bad move overall for the university.

spyguy

October 2nd, 2010, 12:46 AM

Trader Joe's in U/C on Diversey. The old B&N and Pier 1 will turn into an Ann Taylor LOFT and Urban Outfitters (relocating).

http://img84.imageshack.us/img84/8374/tjdiversey.jpg

The Urban Politician

October 2nd, 2010, 02:25 AM

^ Spyguy, is this new construction from scratch or is Trader Joe's occupying an existing building? What is currently on the Trader Joe's site?

mohammed wong

October 2nd, 2010, 07:48 PM

^ Spyguy, is this new construction from scratch or is Trader Joe's occupying an existing building? What is currently on the Trader Joe's site?

That trader joes used to be a barnes and nobles
its an existing building as far as i know.

ChicagoismynewBlog

October 3rd, 2010, 04:00 AM

That trader joes used to be a barnes and nobles
its an existing building as far as i know.

No, I believe the red building in the render is the old Barnes and Noble. West of the old B&N was a small greystone and a parking lot. They tore down the greystone and the lot and I believe those lots will be where the new store is...

http://chicagoismynewblog.wordpress.com/

Ordoseclorum

October 3rd, 2010, 06:55 PM

No, I believe the red building in the render is the old Barnes and Noble. West of the old B&N was a small greystone and a parking lot. They tore down the greystone and the lot and I believe those lots will be where the new store is...

http://chicagoismynewblog.wordpress.com/

Yep. Just walked by there last week. There was a large (awful!) surface lot just east of the BN/Pier One buildings. There's now a concrete grocery store/parking garage structure on the lot that fits right in with this image.

The Urban Politician

October 3rd, 2010, 08:48 PM

Here (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=667+w+diversey+chicago&sll=36.315125,-95.712891&sspn=34.640645,56.337891&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=667+W+Diversey+Pkwy,+Chicago,+Cook,+Illinois+60614&ll=41.93279,-87.645943&spn=0,0.013754&z=16&layer=c&cbll=41.93278,-87.646063&panoid=Ti2WgSm9z7zOswHjWUvFZA&cbp=12,213.89,,0,5) was the site before Trader Joe's started construction.

The loss of the old building is more than made up for by the elimination of a fugly parking lot, which ultimately removes the only "hole" in an otherwise complete streetscape.

Definitely an improvement

mohammed wong

October 5th, 2010, 04:33 AM

Ok i see.
Losing that brick 3 flat does suck.
But yeah losing the lot is nice.

I tell you guys what though,
Too many parking lots on diversy,:bash::bash:
You have the KFC/walgreens lot at halsted and diversy,
You also have the superugly mall kitty corner to that,
with a kagillion ugly/boring businesses.
And you have the now potbelly etc lots,
which i remember long ago was a peaches tapes and music.

3 ugly ass parking lots in Lincoln Park
right by the Diversy El and the Lakefront.
That is just a total waste of space.
I almost never frequent businesses with parking lots
in the city, ESPecially if they are the minimall type.

Ordoseclorum

October 5th, 2010, 05:55 AM

I almost never frequent businesses with parking lots
in the city, ESPecially if they are the minimall type.

I'm with you. I go out of my way to avoid strip-malls/banks/grocers with surface parking, even if I happen to be driving.

spyguy

October 25th, 2010, 07:16 AM

All images from Apple (http://www.apple.com/retail/lincolnpark/)
http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/4604/lincolnparkgalleryimage.jpghttp://img64.imageshack.us/img64/4604/lincolnparkgalleryimage.jpg
http://img838.imageshack.us/img838/4604/lincolnparkgalleryimage.jpghttp://img189.imageshack.us/img189/4604/lincolnparkgalleryimage.jpg
http://img401.imageshack.us/img401/4604/lincolnparkgalleryimage.jpg

urbanpln

October 25th, 2010, 03:01 PM

Great building, even if it is a simple square block. Also great outdoor space and more transit oriented than most new developments. I am a fan of this development. More of this is needed.

untitledreality

October 27th, 2010, 03:37 AM

^^ sure would be nice if they got around to putting in some bike racks, at least the 7 that were originally there

spyguy

November 3rd, 2010, 05:21 PM

http://www.chicagorealestatedaily.com/article/20101103/CRED03/101109956/venture-to-revive-stalled-lincoln-park-hotel-project

Venture to revive stalled Lincoln Park hotel project
By: Alby Gallun November 03, 2010

A local hotel investment firm has teamed up with developer Centrum Properties to acquire a Lincoln Park hotel redevelopment that stalled two years ago amid Ponzi-scheme charges against its former owner, Wextrust Capital LLC.

A joint venture of AJ Capital, Chicago-based Centrum and New York-based Angelo Gordon & Co. took control of the former Days Inn at 1816 N. Clark St. by buying a defaulted loan on the 195-room hotel, says AJ Capital CEO Ben Weprin.

spyguy

November 7th, 2010, 10:56 PM

The height of the main hospital will remain the same and the number of proposed units has dropped to 120 condos
The midrise building (left) and part of the condo tower will have ~95k sf of medical office space
5 story midrise on Grant with 40 units
210 underground parking spaces in the residential portion, 250 spaces in the existing garage
The existing garage will have an upscale market (The Fresh Market) and a green roof

Main hospital all dolled up
150'/ 12 floors
http://img225.imageshack.us/img225/4606/websq1x.jpg
Residential midrise on Grant
http://img9.imageshack.us/img9/340/websq7.jpg
Garage and Fresh Market
http://img89.imageshack.us/img89/8867/websq5.jpg

The Urban Politician

November 8th, 2010, 01:13 AM

^ Spyguy, any idea how the NIMBY's have received this revised proposal?

paytonc

November 9th, 2010, 11:02 PM

The existing garage will have an upscale market (The Fresh Market) and a green roof

All this time, and I had no idea that The Fresh Market had six stores in Illinois. They were always a Southern regional chain in my mind -- but I guess that last week's IPO probably has them gearing up for expansion. WFM could really use the competition in Lincoln Park.

JoeZekas

November 13th, 2010, 12:51 AM

David Goldman, the SandZ project manager for the Webster Square (http://www.webstersq.com/index.html) redevelopment of the Lincoln Park Hospital site, walked us around the site yesterday and outlined the current plans in a two-part video interview. Parts one (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wrC04QAkQmM) and two (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SwkcadoMeHc) are at our YouTube channel (http://youtube.com/yochicago1).

stevevance

November 15th, 2010, 08:11 AM

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1331/5103474539_aa151f7bba_m.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jamesbondsv/5103474539/)

CDOT installed in October new pavement markings that ask drivers to look for pedestrians at Clark Street and Deming Place. More details (http://www.stevevance.net/planning/3d-experimentation/).

i_am_hydrogen

November 16th, 2010, 06:07 PM

A good start, but it doesn't go far enough. There ought to be another stop light somewhere between Fullerton and Wrightwood. It's really difficult to cross that section of Clark without going out into the street and forcing someone to stop and let you cross.

builder

November 17th, 2010, 08:51 PM

^ Spyguy, any idea how the NIMBY's have received this revised proposal?

You know NIMBYs!!! :mad2:

In the interest of full disclosure, I am part of the development team responsible for the Webster Square redevelopment of Lincoln Park Hospital.

The aforementioned neighbors been extremely loud and organized. True to fashion, there has been a great deal of mis-information being spread about the plans for the site. We have tried hard to get our story heard and to present the factual information in various ways. That said, we have gotten a tremendous positive response from people when they are presented with the real facts of the project.

It just makes sense from an planning perspective. Am I wrong?

Please post any questions, comments or critical feedback on our proposal. Thanks!

For project info go to: http://webstersq.com

The Urban Politician

November 17th, 2010, 10:22 PM

You know NIMBYs!!! :mad2:

In the interest of full disclosure, I am part of the development team responsible for the Webster Square redevelopment of Lincoln Park Hospital.

The aforementioned neighbors been extremely loud and organized. True to fashion, there has been a great deal of mis-information being spread about the plans for the site. We have tried hard to get our story heard and to present the factual information in various ways. That said, we have gotten a tremendous positive response from people when they are presented with the real facts of the project.

It just makes sense from an planning perspective. Am I wrong?

Please post any questions, comments or critical feedback on our proposal. Thanks!

For project info go to: http://webstersq.com

^ Builder, thanks for posting here and welcome to the forums.

You will find that most of the people here are very supportive of what you are doing. Most of us are also very happy that you are preserving some aspects of the old hospital as well as the density of the site, instead of caving to the NIMBY"s and tearing it down for more ho-hum 4 story townhomes.

I have a question: when will the project come to vote for a zoning change,
and when do you anticipate construction will begin?

The Urban Politician

November 18th, 2010, 04:52 PM

I feel, for ya, Builder.

Stupid NIMBY's..

Residents opposed to plans for Lincoln Park Hospital speak out at developer-sponsored meeting (://www.skylinenewspaper.com/News/11-17-2010/Residents_opposed_to_plans_for_Lincoln_Park_Hospital_speak_out_at_developer-sponsored_meeting")
11/17/2010 10:00 PM

By IAN FULLERTON
Contributing reporter

In new renderings for the reuse of the Lincoln Park Hospital campus include 162 residential units and nearly 100,000 square feet of office and retail space across 3-acres.
Neighbors who oppose designs for a mixed-use redevelopment of the shuttered Lincoln Park Hospital are bearing down hard on the latest iteration of the plan.

Owners Michael Supera and Richard Zisook recently unveiled their revised proposal to build 162 residential units and nearly 100,000 square feet of office and retail space across the 3-acre medical campus.

The project, dubbed “Webster Square,” would reuse the hospital’s 12-story main building, located at 550 W. Webster, and develop a 12,000 square foot “boutique” grocery store at the site of an existing parking garage across the street. Designs also include six floors of medical office space, a fitness center for residents and a green roof on the parking structure.

Though garnering some local support, the plan has again received substantial disapproval from a band of neighbors who hold that the development will upset the character of the neighborhood by increasing traffic flow and pressing retail space into this historically residential pocket of Lincoln Park.

Lincoln Park resident Gary Raju said that the scaled-back plans did little to lessen his distaste for the project. Raju was one of about eighty community stakeholders who came to hash out the reworked plans at a presentation given by the development team last Wednesday.

“Both proposals are not consistent with the character of community,” said Raju, who lives just north of the main hospital building. “They’re just moving the same puzzle pieces around.”

The meeting, held in the basement of the Francis W. Parker School, was led by Marilyn Katz, a consultant hired by the developers to shop out the plan to residents.

Supera and Zisook seek a zoning change for the property, which now can only operate as a medical facility. The hospital closed in 2008.

Initial designs for the project, introduced in early 2010, imagined over 200 condo and townhouse-style residences and 30,000 square feet of retail built on the property. The proposal also hinted at leasing the retail space for a Walgreens and included senior housing in the residential piece.

This vision was met by scorn from many residents, as told by signs that read “No High-Rise, No Retail” in the windows of homes bordering the site.

Ald. Vi Daley (43rd) told residents at a town hall meeting in January that she would block the project’s advancement pending full buy-in from the neighborhood, which would likely require the deletion of retail from the plan and a markdown in residential unit density.

But if current sentiments prevail, that endorsement, regardless of the latest revision, could still be a long way off.

The continued presence of retail space in the plan remained a deal-breaker for residents who were concerned that a grocery store would increase traffic in the area and bring added risks to pedestrian safety. The project might encourage other developers to solicit similar retail components into the area, Raju said.

“Then it stops becoming a traditional working community, and it loses its charm,” he said. :rolleyes:

During the nearly two-hour presentation, neighbors launched a volley of questions at Katz, regarding—among other things—parking arrangements, use of green space, and protocol for loading delivery trucks coming in and out of the site. Some voiced fears that the proposed grocery store would encroach on Carnival Foods, a local grocer located a block southeast of the site, while others construed that the expected visitor traffic to the development was being wrongly weighed against previous traffic levels at the hospital, which rarely came close to meeting its 450-bed capacity in the years before it closed.

Central to the message of the audience, who at times shouted over each other to speak their disdain for the plans, was the feeling that the developers had not come back with a plan different from the one they had rejected nearly a year ago.

This, coupled with fears that Daley would try to move the proposal through city approval before she leaves office in May, left neighbors ruffled.

“There’s a concern that the tide may be shifting,” stated former Ald. Marty Oberman, who had previously come out in opposition to the development. “We’re not sure when the decision is going to be made.”

About six people in the audience raised their hands when asked to identify themselves as supporters of the Webster Square plan.

After the meeting, Katz said that the developers knew they couldn’t please everyone.

“There are certain people who will not be moved, and they’ve tried to delay the process as much as they can,” she said.

The new plan, she said, contained a number of changes sensitive to the residents’ concerns. This included the removal of all retail north of Webster, no use of public alleys and no increase in building height, said Katz. “There was a lot of responsiveness,” she said.

Katz also stated that the reactions expressed at presentation, which was intended to be a private meeting, she said, were not representative of the entire neighborhood. She said that the developers had received over 150 letters of support for the new plans from residents in recent weeks.

Daley’s chief of staff Chuck Eastwood said that—despite the show of resistance at the Parker meeting—resident views on the development, as he saw it, were still “very divided,” noting the alderman’s office had also received e-mails and letters written in support of the project. Eastwood said that important thing was not to rush the process, but to identify how to move forward.

“Whether it’s this project, or a reiteration of it, or whether it’s something completely different,” he said. “You can’t just let it sit there.”

Eastwood said that a community meeting on the proposal will be held at the end of November.

Zisook and Supera won the deed to the hospital property after settling a $31 million foreclosure suit with previous owner Mark Hunt in October 2009.

The partners have completed a number of residential condo developments on the North Side over the last few decades, including, most recently, projects at 600 and 530 N. Lake Shore Drive and the Whitney at 1301 N. Dearborn.

builder

November 18th, 2010, 09:52 PM

^ Builder, thanks for posting here and welcome to the forums.

Thanks! Happy to be here. I never knew about this forum until last week when some posts made it to my google alert. If only...

^ You will find that most of the people here are very supportive of what you are doing.

We could use all the support we can get. This is proving to be an unusually political process. Our local NIMBY's have been extremely vocal and organized, though our information says they are a minority. In general, people are more apt to complain about an issue, versus stand up and be counted in support.

People need to express support to Alderman Vi Daley in order to show her that this proposal is the right thing for the neighborhood. It is a challenge.

^ Most of us are also very happy that you are preserving some aspects of the old hospital as well as the density of the site, instead of caving to the NIMBY"s and tearing it down for more ho-hum 4 story townhomes.

This is what we do. We have done several adaptive re-use projects in recent years. We live and work in the shadow of this site and intend to develop responsibly as usual. We think our track record speaks for itself.

^ I have a question: when will the project come to vote for a zoning change,
and when do you anticipate construction will begin?

Alderman Vi Daley has scheduled an community meeting (open to the public...) for Tuesday, November 30th at 7:00 PM in the Lincoln Park High School auditorium where we will present the most recent version of our proposal. After that, we need the Alderman to support us and get on the agenda of the Plan Commission, hopefully in December. Best case scenario, the zoning ordinance would be voted on in City Council in January. If that happens, we will be ready to file for building permits immediately. [/QUOTE]

Thanks for the interest. PLEASE support us and get the word out to like minded folks.

For more info visit: www.webstersq.com (http://www.webstersq.com)

spyguy

November 27th, 2010, 10:23 PM

Trader Joe's on Diversey
http://img440.imageshack.us/img440/7947/trader2bjoe2b22b1109.jpg
Eric Rojas (http://chicagorealestatelocal.blogspot.com/2010/11/lake-view-east-lincoln-park-trader-joes.html)
Urban Outfitters
http://img822.imageshack.us/img822/149/5208702873d18de49f72b.jpg
Kelly Hafermann/ flickr (http://www.flickr.com/photos/kellyhafermann/5208702873/in/photostream/)

Mr Downtown

December 9th, 2010, 07:01 PM

Walmart will open its first neighborhood grocery store in Chicago in the former PetSmart space at 2840 N Broadway. Crain's story. (http://www.chicagorealestatedaily.com/article/20101209/CRED03/101209867/wal-mart-finds-site-for-first-north-side-store#axzz17dcNfdOx)

NB: This is not a big-box dry-goods Walmart. This is probably an ordinary middle-market grocery store that uses the grocery distribution chain Walmart built originally for its Supercenters that sell food, but Walmart is also experimenting in the Phoenix market with smaller "Marketside" stores that do a lot of fresh/local and organic/prepared meals for an upscale market. Walmart Neighborhood Markets (http://walmartstores.com/aboutus/7606.aspx) are now the dominant grocery chain in a number of Sunbelt markets. Choosing an extremely urban site in the middle of such a liberal area, though, is like a poke in the eye of union activists. I have to wonder if Walmart is deliberately spoiling for a fight.

hadeer992

December 9th, 2010, 09:34 PM

^^
This is not a good news, Walmart will ruin the area, kill the other small businesses and decrease the walkability, but at least it's a small-box store, I hope they change their type from a huge car-dependent stores to a small sustainable stores .

Mr Downtown

December 9th, 2010, 11:00 PM

How does a new small grocery store in an existing building "ruin the area" or "decrease the walkability?"

nicksplace27

December 9th, 2010, 11:35 PM

How does a new small grocery store in an existing building "ruin the area" or "decrease the walkability?"

WALMART BAD! WALMART RUIN EVERYTHING! :lol:

On a more serious note, if Walmart can manage to make a store in that area with store frontage and in a dense wealthy area and be profitable; it would certainly be interesting for thier future business. They are starting out small, but if they can make a design for a bigger one like the design they had in Washington DC, I'd welcome it.

spyguy

December 10th, 2010, 06:26 PM

http://www.chicagorealestatedaily.com/article/20101209/CRED0701/101209869/city-backs-developers-on-lincoln-park-hospital-plan#axzz17dKVf3z1

City backs developers on Lincoln Park Hospital plan
By: Andrew Schroedter December 09, 2010

The Daley administration is supporting a controversial proposal to redevelop the shuttered Lincoln Park Hospital, breaking a longstanding policy of giving alderman control over zoning matters in their wards.
---
http://www.chicagorealestatedaily.com/article/20101209/CRED03/101209865/childrens-memorial-explores-tif-for-lincoln-park-site#axzz17dYTfwqd

Children's Memorial explores TIF for Lincoln Park site
By: Alby Gallun December 09, 2010

Children’s Memorial Hospital is exploring whether the city could create a tax-increment financing district that would include its Lincoln Park campus, a move that would spur redevelopment of the property when the hospital moves to a downtown location in 2012.
---
516 W Arlington
5 units
http://img709.imageshack.us/img709/4115/arlington.jpg

tkelly1986

December 14th, 2010, 06:27 PM

It is still unclear why DePaul has not entered the picture on the Children’s Memorial site; especially when they are proposing a housing/retail/classroom complex on the corner of Fullerton and Sheffield and have a huge unmet demand for student housing. It seems that DePaul’s needs and community desires are fairly lock step. Moreover, need for profit is not a determining factor, while existing (historic) buildings could more easily fit dorm space than condos. As it stands now, any private development could result in demolition of the historic parts.

What is keeping this marriage from happening? I assume funds available are a large factor. However DePaul has partnered with private development firms before to get projects done. For example; I believe their West Residential Village (Clifton Fullerton Dorm) was financed/built by Trammel Crowe, while the Fullerton Residence is by the Scion Group.

spyguy

December 16th, 2010, 08:43 PM

YoChicago (http://**************/redeveloping-the-childrens-memorial-hospital-site-in-lincoln-park/18629/) has a post up (with video) mentioning that Belgravia is submitting a proposal for redeveloping Children's Memorial (today is the deadline). No specifics are given but in the video the representative from Belgravia kept stressing density and open space. He also mentions that there may be a sizable amount of retail in the project and they're looking to possibly preserve the buildings on Orchard. They've created a new website (http://shapecmh.com/) to gather input from the community.

i_am_hydrogen

December 16th, 2010, 09:13 PM

They better save the historic buildings on Orchard. It'll break my heart to see those torn down.

The Urban Politician

December 16th, 2010, 09:35 PM

spyguy

December 22nd, 2010, 05:48 PM

http://www.chicagorealestatedaily.com/article/20101222/CRED03/101229966/childrens-memorial-site-attracts-blue-chip-bidders#axzz18rJDTRCA

Children's Memorial site attracts blue-chip bidders
By: Alby Gallun December 22, 2010

Nine development groups, including Chicago-based firms John Buck Co., Golub & Co., and McCaffery Interests Inc., are vying to redevelop the Children's Memorial Hospital site in Lincoln Park, a project that could bring hundreds of new homes and a slew of stores to the well-heeled North Side neighborhood.
---

John Buck Co.
Golub & Co.
McCaffery Interests Inc.
Related Midwest
Fifield Cos. + CRM Properties Group LTD
Magellan Development Group LLC + Hines Interest
Belgravia Group
Toll Brothers
Klutznick Enterprises LLC + Mesa Development LLC

Obviously a lot of interest from many big name developers. I'm kind of interested in seeing the Hines proposal; they usually bring in good architects. They're currently doing a similar type of project in Washington called CityCenter DC, designed by Foster.

spyguy

January 24th, 2011, 11:29 PM

A Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams showroom is going to open across from Apple in the building that houses Borders, etc.

The first Vapiano (http://www.vapiano.com/) restaurant in Chicago will open at Clark and Wrightwood.

2300Halsted

January 25th, 2011, 10:06 PM

All, some great information.

With the DePaul redevelopment planned for Halsted west (the new music hall) and CMH planned for Halsted east - does anyone know:

What is slated for the Rainbow House property on Halsted & Belden?

Do plans call for the CMH garage to be demolished?

How will developers manage the two projects on either side of Halsted and what is planned for the 2300 block? there are 10 small properties.

Urbanight

February 16th, 2011, 11:47 PM

Trader Joe's on Diversey
http://img440.imageshack.us/img440/7947/trader2bjoe2b22b1109.jpg
Eric Rojas (http://chicagorealestatelocal.blogspot.com/2010/11/lake-view-east-lincoln-park-trader-joes.html)

I getting concerned. Shouldn't this store be open by now? And The Tade Joe's website mentions the South Loop store is coming soon, but no mention of this store. I heard news about this store way before the South Loop store.

I was really looking forward to this. Anyone heard anything?

spyguy

February 17th, 2011, 12:31 AM

^No need to worry, it was mentioned somewhat recently that the store would open in April.

Urbanight

February 17th, 2011, 01:49 AM

^^^ Thank you. Glad to hear.

i_am_hydrogen

March 1st, 2011, 10:46 PM

Curbed is reporting that Alderman Vi Daley has decided to support the Webster Square development:

http://chicago.curbed.com/archives/2011/03/01/ald-daley-supports-webster-square.php

Ordoseclorum

March 6th, 2011, 06:50 PM

Was driving on Diversey yesterday and saw this construction. It looks like they are remodeling that auto dealership between Sheffield and Racine so that it has a wall abutting the sidewalk. It used to be a parking lot in front, so a nice improvement. You can see the rendering on the poster. Camera-phone, so poor quality.

This stretch of Diversey is seeing a lot of development right now.

http://i.imgur.com/RbVKNl.jpg

spyguy

March 8th, 2011, 05:57 AM

^Yeah, I saw that as well.

http://img560.imageshack.us/img560/617/minihq.jpg

untitledreality

March 8th, 2011, 08:36 AM

^Yeah, I saw that as well.

http://img560.imageshack.us/img560/617/minihq.jpg

That will be a fantastic looking dealership... kudos to the owner.

spyguy

March 14th, 2011, 04:33 AM

Kingsbury and Weed
http://img231.imageshack.us/img231/889/3vfaqyc8.jpg

Weed Street development
http://img96.imageshack.us/img96/3613/88994649.jpg

The Urban Politician

March 14th, 2011, 04:42 AM

^ Yuck. Hate them all.

ChitownCity

March 14th, 2011, 06:20 AM

atleast that second one has 3 floors and is partially built to the property... the first one though is just hedious....

Mr Downtown

March 22nd, 2011, 10:07 PM

Webster Square approved by city council Zoning Committee today.

spyguy

April 12th, 2011, 01:39 AM

The buildings at 1948-1950 N Burling are set to be demolished for a future mansion.

All this can be yours for the low, low price of $8.8 million: (http://www.urbanrealestate.com/property/1950-N-Burling-CHICAGO-IL-60614-OXVK5L2F6BL3U.html)
http://img825.imageshack.us/img825/6407/1950nburlingchicagoil60.jpg
Conceptual design only, although it's probably not far off based on previous Burling residences.

spyguy

April 16th, 2011, 06:16 AM

http://www.suntimes.com/business/4852568-573/four-bidders-vie-for-childrens-memorial-hospital-site.html

Four bidders vie for Children’s Memorial Hospital site
By David Roeder

Children’s Memorial Hospital, which is selling its Lincoln Park property, said Friday it has narrowed to four its list of developers wanting to buy it.

....Details of the competing plans were not released. Children’s said it hopes to select a winner early in the summer.

Contenders making the cutoff are: David “Buzz” Ruttenberg and Greg Merdinger of Belgravia Group Ltd., with architectural firm GREC; Hines Interests LP and Magellan Development Group LLC, with architectural firm HOK; McCaffery Interests with architectural firm Antunovich Associates; and Related Midwest with architectural firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP.

skyduster

April 24th, 2011, 06:12 AM

^^

It'll be interesting to see what replaces the ugly (1960s? 70s? 80s?) Children's Memorial Hospital in this prime & dense urban location, surrounded by historic pre-WWII buildings from all directions.

Oh, and the ugly Children's parking garage across the street (across Lincoln). That can go too.

Although, looking at the Children's complex in Google Earth and Streetview, it looks like the following pre-WWII buildings also belong to Children's:

The 5-story brick Martha Wilson Memorial building on the southwest corner of Fullerton and Orchard. Looks like it's physically connected to the main Children's building. There's also a nice 5-story brick building at 2342 N Orchard, just south of (and physically connected to) the Martha Wilson building. It looks new, but worth preserving. It looks like it was designed to blend with the original Martha Wilson building.
The beautiful 2-story white building at 2373-2375 N Lincoln, bordered by Lincoln and Fullerton (the southeast corner of Lincoln and Fullerton)
The beautiful 2-story across the street from the main Children's block (across Lincoln from the main Children's block, on the west side of Lincoln). Its address is 2380 N Lincoln, and occupies the south corner of Halsted and Lincoln.
The interesting industrial-looking brick building on the east side Lincoln, just south of the 2373-2375 N Lincoln building.

I really hope these pre-WWII buildings are preserved.

It is still unclear why DePaul has not entered the picture on the Children’s Memorial site; especially when they are proposing a housing/retail/classroom complex on the corner of Fullerton and Sheffield and have a huge unmet demand for student housing.

Do you mean, why isn't DePaul pursuing the Children's site instead of the Fullerton/Sheffield site? If it's either/or, then I really hope they stick with developing the northwest corner of Sheffield and Fullerton, which is just an open lot.

It looks like DePaul is planning additional student housing on other sites as well, not just the Fullerton/Sheffield site. You can see it in their master plan (http://president.depaul.edu/MasterPlan/Documents/LPC-Master%20Plan-05042009_11x17.pdf).

And looking at the master plan, it looks like they're planning to pedestrianize Kenmore Avenue, between Fullerton and Belden, which I think is a great idea.

And they're going to tear down the awful McGaw building. (see current map (http://www.depaul.edu/maps/lpc/) for comparison)

I don't have any specific insider info or anything, but it seems to me that they are using thier money now not to purchase new land but to build on land that is underutilized that they already have. The Children's memorial spot would be expensive to buy and convert into classroom space. If they wait for the U-Haul or little sister's to move (decently likely, given the areas growwth and delapidated nature of both properties) They can buy the same amount of land closer to the main areas of campus for far less money.

I think the administation sees that buying the Children's hospital site would be expensive and a bad move overall for the university.

That makes sense too.

All images from Apple (http://www.apple.com/retail/lincolnpark/)
http://img64.imageshack.us/img64/4604/lincolnparkgalleryimage.jpg

I just love this space.

What a fantastic public space, Chicago desperately needs more like them.

The sculpture-like Apple Store, the CTA station, and the public space between them...just perfect for the little block between North, Halsted, and Clybourn.

Now what this area needs is the development of the lot occupying the southeast corner of Clybourn and Halsted.

The Urban Politician

April 24th, 2011, 08:17 PM

looks like DePaul is planning additional student housing on other sites as well, not just the Fullerton/Sheffield site. You can see it in their master plan (http://president.depaul.edu/MasterPlan/Documents/LPC-Master%20Plan-05042009_11x17.pdf).

^ Nice link.

I really wish they were planning to redevelop the school of music building. It is the only building that isn't flush with the Lincoln/Fullerton intersection. That intersection really should be given more importance.

ins0mn1ac

April 25th, 2011, 08:13 PM

I just love this space.

What a fantastic public space, Chicago desperately needs more like them.

The sculpture-like Apple Store, the CTA station, and the public space between them...just perfect for the little block between North, Halsted, and Clybourn.

Now what this area needs is the development of the lot occupying the southeast corner of Clybourn and Halsted.

I feel the exact opposite way about the apple space on North. The space now feels like they tried to force a strip mall experience into a central city block.

Prior to the renovation, the CTA station faced the sidewalks and invited in people who were walking by. Now the station has been modified to force you to walk toward the apple store as you exit. As you leave the train, you feel like you're walking toward a wall rather than onto a sidewalk or public space.

The "park" between the store and station is also a terrible waste. In a city that prides itself on green space, this space feels more like a parking lot repurposed as a fountain than an area for people. A few withered trees and a fountain cut into a concrete slab is not a very inviting place. I can't say I've ever seen anyone using the space since it opened.

The apple store itself is also a great disappointment. The actual store itself feels like a high-school cafeteria inside. On top of that, it sits very strangely on the Clybourn/North/Halsted corner. The silver square box looks and feels totally out of place when walking around that area. If you happen to be walking on the western edge of Halsted running along the apple box, you feel like you're walking in a silver alley. The store rides right on top of the sidewalk and makes it feel like a place you shouldn't be walking.

Overall, for a company that prides itself on design, they blew this one. I was happier with the gas station that was there before the apple mess hall.

mohammed wong

April 26th, 2011, 04:05 AM

I feel the exact opposite way about the apple space on North. The space now feels like they tried to force a strip mall experience into a central city block.

Prior to the renovation, the CTA station faced the sidewalks and invited in people who were walking by. Now the station has been modified to force you to walk toward the apple store as you exit. As you leave the train, you feel like you're walking toward a wall rather than onto a sidewalk or public space.

The "park" between the store and station is also a terrible waste. In a city that prides itself on green space, this space feels more like a parking lot repurposed as a fountain than an area for people. A few withered trees and a fountain cut into a concrete slab is not a very inviting place. I can't say I've ever seen anyone using the space since it opened.

The apple store itself is also a great disappointment. The actual store itself feels like a high-school cafeteria inside. On top of that, it sits very strangely on the Clybourn/North/Halsted corner. The silver square box looks and feels totally out of place when walking around that area. If you happen to be walking on the western edge of Halsted running along the apple box, you feel like you're walking in a silver alley. The store rides right on top of the sidewalk and makes it feel like a place you shouldn't be walking.

Overall, for a company that prides itself on design, they blew this one. I was happier with the gas station that was there before the apple mess hall.

Worst first post ever.:bash:

ChitownCity

April 26th, 2011, 06:59 AM

actually, I agree with some of his points...

tkelly1986

April 26th, 2011, 03:38 PM

^^
Do you mean, why isn't DePaul pursuing the Children's site instead of the Fullerton/Sheffield site? If it's either/or, then I really hope they stick with developing the northwest corner of Sheffield and Fullerton, which is just an open lot.

It looks like DePaul is planning additional student housing on other sites as well, not just the Fullerton/Sheffield site. You can see it in their master plan (http://president.depaul.edu/MasterPlan/Documents/LPC-Master%20Plan-05042009_11x17.pdf)

No, DePaul already owns the Fullerton/Sheffield Block. Thus, purchasing the Children's Memorial site would not be mutually exclusive.

However, considering the recent announcement of finalists, one must ask: is DePaul covertly pursuing this property? I am curious, because Antunovich Associates is one the architectural firms working on a bid. This is pure speculation, but Antunovich Associates has designed most buildings on DePaul’s LP campus, developed their master plan and seems to specialize in academic/and or college residential buildings. Thus, could DePaul be working through a third party to develop this land? And if so, for what?

skyduster

April 28th, 2011, 08:46 AM

^^ That's a very interesting thing that you noticed. I guess we'll have to wait to find out.

Prior to the renovation, the CTA station faced the sidewalks and invited in people who were walking by. Now the station has been modified to force you to walk toward the apple store as you exit.

That's interesting. To be honest, I never noticed which way the station faced before the renovation, because I never used that station. But I see your point. I gave the space a fresh look in Google Streetview, and it looks like, if you're walking eastward along North or Clybourn, you can't see that there's a CTA station there, unless you get right up close to it. The Streetview pictures are a bit old, as they still show the Apple Store under construction, but I believe that Streetview's picture of the CTA station shows that building in its current state...but wait a minute....

....looking at the station more closely in Streetview...in those pictures, the station is still under renovation, it looks like, or at least nearing the completion of its renovation. Even so, you can tell that the entire structure is original, they didn't change it...they only restored it. So, the station always looked in the same direction, it looks like. And where that pizza restaurant is, attached to the station...that part of the building that faces the North/Clybourn corner must have always been rented for retail/restaurant, I'm guessing? Can anyone confirm?

I think the only difference between the before and after is that: the CTA station/pizzeria building looks fresh and restored (not changed), and that instead of the CTA station facing a small street that ran between it and the gas station (that was replaced by the Apple Store), the CTA station now faces a square. The square replaced a little street, and thankfully so.

The "park" between the store and station is also a terrible waste. In a city that prides itself on green space, this space feels more like a parking lot repurposed as a fountain than an area for people. A few withered trees and a fountain cut into a concrete slab is not a very inviting place. I can't say I've ever seen anyone using the space since it opened.

Oh, I highly disagree with you here. Chicago doesn't need more parks; Chicago's got plenty of parks. Chicago needs public squares, something sorely lacking in American cities, except New York. And this little spot was perfect for a little square. A public square is mostly paved. The vegetation is mostly ornamental, and some public squares also have fountains and what not. But a public square is mainly paved, and that's what this space is. It's a public square, with adequate vegetation for such a space (and keep in mind the trees are still young), and a nice fountain installation. I am a little disappointed though with the little square's furniture...the dainty-looking [aluminum?] chairs and tables, instead of fixed benches...but it's still a great space.

nicksplace27

April 28th, 2011, 09:59 PM

No, DePaul already owns the Fullerton/Sheffield Block. Thus, purchasing the Children's Memorial site would not be mutually exclusive.

However, considering the recent announcement of finalists, one must ask: is DePaul covertly pursuing this property? I am curious, because Antunovich Associates is one the architectural firms working on a bid. This is pure speculation, but Antunovich Associates has designed most buildings on DePaul’s LP campus, developed their master plan and seems to specialize in academic/and or college residential buildings. Thus, could DePaul be working through a third party to develop this land? And if so, for what?

First of all, it's probably mutually exclusive. They cannot both develop the fullerton and sheffield block by 2016 and purchase the Children's Memorial Hospital, much less develop it. They could buy the land, but then they have no money to develop the park lot at fullerton/sheffield and are hamstrung by a gigantic, expensive to repurpose hospital. I say let the private sector develop a cool mixed use complex and DePaul develop all of the lots that they currently own and expand to less expensive properties to the west.

Second of all, McCaffery Interests is the real estate guys working with Antounovich on this bid. They also own the South Works, so they seem pretty established and pretty keen on redeveloping the area as best they can. I really hope they don't get it. I hate Antunovich for reasons that anyone who follows DePaul's recent building spree would agree with. But soon Cesar Pelli will grace our campus with a starchitect gem...

Nevetheless, I would like to see some part of the complex developed into privately owned, but DePaul affiliated student housing. Smithfield developed 1237 West link (http://www.smith-field.com/1237-west-loft-chicago.html), which is basically a dorm that was developed and run by depaul-affiliated but not university employed people. I am in support of this becuase the developer fronts the money and runs the complex at profit, but the University reaps the rewards of a more residental student focused campus. Also a little competition would do 1237 West some good. They are charging 1000 dollars a month to have a student live there which strikes me as a bit exhorbitant. If a larger complex could undercut them, that would make things much easier on students trying live on campus (like me :) ).

spyguy

May 13th, 2011, 05:58 AM

Trader Joe's is now open
http://imageshack.us/m/845/8120/img9102f.jpg
Red Eye Chicago/ Jackie Keenan (http://neighborhoods.redeyechicago.com/lakeview/trending-topic/1677/locals-share-mixed-feelings-on-new-trader-joes/)

skyduster

May 17th, 2011, 02:32 AM

But soon Cesar Pelli will grace our campus with a starchitect gem...

That's incredible, I didn't know that.

I found this article here (http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/construction-to-start-on-pelli-clarke-pelli-architects-theater-at-western-illinois-university-120702274.html) that confirms what you just said. In the article is this image (http://photos.prnewswire.com/prn/20110426/NE89578) of a building designed by his firm Pelli Clarke Pelli for the WIU campus, and I think it's quite ugly...but several of his other works are gorgeous, particularly his post-2000 skyscrapers (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C%C3%A9sar_Pelli#Completed) (which show how his style has refined and matured from the late 80s/early 90s). I hope DePaul and Lincoln Park get an amazing new building from Pelli.

ChitownCity

May 17th, 2011, 05:10 AM

^you got that right, that thing is hideous. I'm sure that's just a proportionate concept and not an actual vision. It's just far too bland...

nicksplace27

May 17th, 2011, 07:19 AM

That's incredible, I didn't know that.

I found this article here (http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/construction-to-start-on-pelli-clarke-pelli-architects-theater-at-western-illinois-university-120702274.html) that confirms what you just said. In the article is this image (http://photos.prnewswire.com/prn/20110426/NE89578) of a building designed by his firm Pelli Clarke Pelli for the WIU campus, and I think it's quite ugly...but several of his other works are gorgeous, particularly his post-2000 skyscrapers (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C%C3%A9sar_Pelli#Completed) (which show how his style has refined and matured from the late 80s/early 90s). I hope DePaul and Lincoln Park get an amazing new building from Pelli.

Yeah im really excited and I hope it's the start of a more progressive architectural building spree.

tkelly1986

May 17th, 2011, 04:27 PM

Follow the link to Pelli's website and you can see renderings of what the new DePaul Theater School will look like. According to the alumni newsletter, groundbreaking is scheduled for June 1st.

http://www.pcparch.com/#/projects/performing-arts/depaul-theater-school/

A quick commentary on the project; I am a fan of the design and think it will be a great diversion from the bland red bricks that dominates DePaul’s campus (which is imposed by the neighbors, not the university). However, I would prefer a better location, as the corner of Racine and Fullerton seems a bit out of the way.

I feel a magnificent structure deserves a prominent location. For example, the corner of Fullerton and Sheffield (university owned parking lot) would place it at the center of campus, steps from the EL (and viewable from it) and on a busy intersection. I believe the university would benefit from having this building exposed instead of tucking it away at the edge of campus.

i_am_hydrogen

June 1st, 2011, 06:19 PM

http://featuresblogs.chicagotribune.com/theskyline/2011/06/depaul-university-is-breaking-ground-today-on-a-69-million-theater-buildingthat-will-form-a-western-gateway-to-its-lincoln-p.html

DePaul breaking ground today on new theater building designed by Pelli Clarke Pelli
June 1, 2011
Blair Kamin
http://img861.imageshack.us/img861/6923/depaultheater.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/861/depaultheater.jpg/)

DePaul University is breaking ground today on a $69 million theater building that will form a western gateway to its Lincoln Park campus. The design, whose cantilevered corner resembles an upside-down wedding cake, departs from DePaul's practice of hiring Chicago architect Joe Antunovich to design brick-faced buildings that fit quietly into the neighborhood.

The five-story building, which will be located at the southwest corner of Fullerton and Racine Avenues and will house a 250-seat theater and a flexible, 100-seat "black box" theater, clearly aims to make a strong visual statement.

chikid

June 1st, 2011, 09:11 PM

I actually think that the Theater School will look good there. I really don't like how Fullerton looks between Sheffield and Southport right now. The street just doesn't flow very well, I think this will definitely help that out. I really hope that one day DePaul can take over the storage place across the street and build something nice. Same goes for the gas station across the street from DePaul.

skyduster

June 8th, 2011, 03:59 AM

msu2001la

June 10th, 2011, 11:00 PM

^^ Refresh my memory, what currently occupies that space?

As for the design, it looks kind of mediocre IMO. And it's a little reminiscent of the DePaul's brutalist SAC building. I think it's the concrete-looking exterior that gives me that impression in combination with the design. Although, it appears a bit more street-friendly and has lots of windows.

The site is currently a DePaul surface parking lot. Next to that (west on Fullerton) is the 1237 West project: http://www.smith-field.com/1237-west-loft-chicago.html

The Urban Politician

June 11th, 2011, 04:27 AM

^ These developments really are going a long way towards creating a bustling urban district on that particular block. Now if only we could redevelop those nasty strip malls just to the west of that...

tkelly1986

July 19th, 2011, 03:39 PM

I heard a rumor yesterday that DePaul has been active over the past few weeks/months purchasing (more) property around campus; specifically, some houses on the SE corner of Belden and Bissell and parcels currently controlled by Children’s Memorial. Could anyone confirm this?

Regarding the Belden properties, I understand the houses have already need demolished (or are in the process of being)? If so, I am curious what the university has in store for this land, as it is not discussed in the master plan. Nor are plans for the Children’s Memorial property if this is indeed true.

I will note, however, that I believe the Children’s Memorial property is not contiguous with the hospital and are other buildings in the neighborhood.

i_am_hydrogen

July 27th, 2011, 06:03 PM

Does anyone know what's going on at the old Blockbuster on Clark and Wrightwood? It seems like the building is being readied for a permanent tenant. Last Saturday, there was a crane on Clark that was hoisting what may have been an HVAC system onto the roof.

i_am_hydrogen

July 31st, 2011, 12:39 AM

Apparently, a restaurant that will serve alcoholic beverages is going into the old Blockbuster.

spyguy

August 4th, 2011, 01:48 AM

Belden-Stratford is for sale. I hope the new buyer takes care of this beauty.

The former Park View Hotel will become the "Hotel Lincoln" and will have a rooftop bar.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-biz-0731-confidential-kennedy-20110731,0,1456770.column

Hotel on the way
Melissa Harris July 31, 2011

Joie de Vivre, a San Francisco boutique hotel company in which John Pritzker has a majority stake, will open its first Chicago hotel in February. Pritzker is a son of late Hyatt Hotels Corp. founder Jay Pritzker and lives in California.

Joie de Vivre will manage the 184-room, 12-story property, to be called Hotel Lincoln, on North Clark Street in Lincoln Park. Restaurant Perennial Virant opened in the building earlier this year and will supply room service for guests.

skyduster

August 4th, 2011, 09:15 AM

Belden-Stratford is for sale. I hope the new buyer takes care of this beauty.

+1

Gorgeous building. Being in such a prime location, I wouldn't worry about the new owners.

Does anyone know what's going on at the old Blockbuster on Clark and Wrightwood? It seems like the building is being readied for a permanent tenant. Last Saturday, there was a crane on Clark that was hoisting what may have been an HVAC system onto the roof.

Check out my post here (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=76588947&postcount=591) (the middle section of my post, where I respond to tkelly1986). On DePaul's master plan (http://president.depaul.edu/MasterPlan/Documents/LPC-Master%20Plan-05042009_11x17.pdf), it looks like DePaul has been planning to buy that site, as well as the industrial building next to it, and build a residential/classroom/hotel/retail complex. Hopefully DePaul is sticking to these plans, and that crane you saw was getting ready to actually demolish that eyesore (not sure why it would be hoisting an HVAC-looking thing to the roof, though).

i_am_hydrogen

August 4th, 2011, 06:02 PM

^You're thinking Fullerton & Kenmore. The building I'm referring to is on Clark & Wrightwood.

Lakeviewer

August 4th, 2011, 07:33 PM

^You're thinking Fullerton & Kenmore. The building I'm referring to is on Clark & Wrightwood.

http://chicago.eater.com/tags/vapiano

I knew I saw it posted somewhere else awhile back

i_am_hydrogen

August 5th, 2011, 04:30 PM

^Thanks.

This is an interesting quote:
"'Why Chicago next? [It's the] next city similar to a European city,' said Bill Bessette, CEO of Vapiano USA."

tkelly1986

November 18th, 2011, 11:38 PM

Has anyone heard the latest on the Children's Memorial site/McCaffery? There have been no renderings or indication of what might be included. I have heard rumors of a hotel, lower-income housing, green space, a town square ext...But nothing concrete. Furthermore, I heard rumors that DePaul was looking to partner on some of the property with McCaffery, such as the parking garage. Does anyone have more news on that? Will DePaul make a move on any of the property? Or, will there be student housing on any piece?

i_am_hydrogen

November 19th, 2011, 06:07 AM

^Here is a write-up I did on Children's for Curbed. At this point, DePaul will have nothing to do with the plans.

http://chicago.curbed.com/archives/2011/11/11/new-details-trickle-in.php

urbanpln

November 19th, 2011, 03:27 PM

I hope that community pushes McCaffery on their architecture. I am not impressed with the architecture of their projects. It's not terrible but very it's safe and almost suburban.

i_am_hydrogen

December 15th, 2011, 07:08 PM

mohammed wong

December 15th, 2011, 11:46 PM

^I attended the Children's Memorial Hosp meeting last night. The possibility of adding new architects was brought up, and the developer is open to the idea. Here's my write-up for Curbed, if anyone wants the details:

Good skyscapercity/page repeat offenders should be hired by chicago curbed.
What about spyguy? They mention him all the time, its about time they just hired him.

BorisMolotov

December 16th, 2011, 07:19 AM

At this point, DePaul will have nothing to do with the plans.

I really think this is DePaul's loss. They could have done so much with the space for housing and classroom expansion, or IIRC this was one of the sites for an on campus arena? That more than anything would help the university IMO. A lot of people I know that go there hate having to get bussed over to the Allstate arena.

i_am_hydrogen

December 16th, 2011, 08:01 PM

Here's a rendering the plans. Obviously, it's just a massing model, not the actual architecture:
http://img829.imageshack.us/img829/2266/cmhe.jpg

i_am_hydrogen

January 14th, 2012, 03:13 AM

Pelli-designed DePaul theater building
http://img263.imageshack.us/img263/2997/depaul.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/263/depaul.jpg/)

skyduster

February 6th, 2012, 07:02 AM

^I attended the Children's Memorial Hosp meeting last night. The possibility of adding new architects was brought up, and the developer is open to the idea. Here's my write-up for Curbed, if anyone wants the details:

Plans for Children's Memorial Hospital Site Becoming Clearer

Thursday, December 15, 2011, by Kevin Dickert

To update our coverage of the Children's Memorial Hospital redevelopment, Curbed attended last night's "Conceptual Plan Town Hall Meeting" in Lincoln Park. This is the 24th meeting since McCaffery Interests was selected as developer for the project.

Here's the timeline: City Council is set to vote in the third quarter of 2012; Children's Memorial Hospital moves to its new digs in Streeterville on June 9, 2012; and, during the summer and fall of 2012, the old hospital will be decommissioned. Buildings will be available for demolition in November 2012. Daniel McCaffery and 43rd Ward Alderman Michele Smith both stressed the desire to begin work as soon as possible.

More here: http://chicago.curbed.com/archives/2...ng-clearer.php

Fantastic news! Looks like they'll be keeping all the pre-WWII buildings that I mentioned here (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=76588947&postcount=591):

It'll be interesting to see what replaces the ugly (1960s? 70s? 80s?) Children's Memorial Hospital in this prime & dense urban location, surrounded by historic pre-WWII buildings from all directions.

Oh, and the ugly Children's parking garage across the street (across Lincoln). That can go too.

Although, looking at the Children's complex in Google Earth and Streetview, it looks like the following pre-WWII buildings also belong to Children's:

The 5-story brick Martha Wilson Memorial building on the southwest corner of Fullerton and Orchard. Looks like it's physically connected to the main Children's building. There's also a nice 5-story brick building at 2342 N Orchard, just south of (and physically connected to) the Martha Wilson building. It looks new, but worth preserving. It looks like it was designed to blend with the original Martha Wilson building.
The beautiful 2-story white building at 2373-2375 N Lincoln, bordered by Lincoln and Fullerton (the southeast corner of Lincoln and Fullerton)
The beautiful 2-story across the street from the main Children's block (across Lincoln from the main Children's block, on the west side of Lincoln). Its address is 2380 N Lincoln, and occupies the south corner of Halsted and Lincoln.
The interesting industrial-looking brick building on the east side Lincoln, just south of the 2373-2375 N Lincoln building.

I really hope these pre-WWII buildings are preserved.

Of course, they'll also keep the parking garage, which I don't care for. But they plan to "soften" its appearance, which hopefully works out well.

I'm especially happy that they're keeping the boiler room (which I originally referred to as "the interesting industrial-looking brick building").