Does anyone heard when they are suppose to start demolitioning Columbus Hospital? Also does anyone know when the contruction is suppose to start on the three residential buildings on Lakeview Avenue?

Good question.

I don't know what happened to this development. I always just assumed that it fell by the wayside

i have no idea what the staus of this one is. we haven't heard anything from it in quite a while now. it's either dormant or gone for good.

the commonwealth building isn't new. It's just a former rental building going condo. I don't know if we should include such projects.

I didn't know that. Your right, there are too many of these converisons. I try to focus on new construction.

When are three building suppose to start contruction that are plan on the Columbus Hospital

Condo tower proposed for Waveland site
http://www.suntimes.com/output/business/cst-fin-lsd14.html
December 14, 2005

BY DAVID ROEDER Business Reporter Advertisement

Condominium developer American Invsco Corp. has settled a more than three-year zoning fight with the city and today will propose a 28-story building for Lake Shore Drive at Waveland.

The rare open acreage on Lake Shore Drive also would get 16 low-rise town houses. The development would arise immediately east of the existing condo high-rise called the New York at 3660 N. Lake Shore Drive.

Invsco's zoning attorney, Jack Guthman, and a spokeswoman for the company confirmed details of the project. While it needs zoning approval from the City Council, they said the design reflects an agreement between the developer, the city's zoning lawyers and neighborhood interests, including Ald. Helen Shiller (46th).

The settlement ends a lawsuit Invsco Chairman Nicholas Gouletas filed after the city adopted restrictive zoning on the property in 2000, in effect taking away any potential for a high-rise. The so-called downzoning changed rules that previously allowed for a 44-story building.

Alex Karras, spokeswoman for Invsco, said that if the city approves the project and it registers enough condo pre-sales, construction could start in late 2006. She said prices of the units haven't been set.

Shiller and the city's Law Department could not be reached for comment. The project will be introduced at today's City Council meeting, which triggers a hearing process that includes the Chicago Plan Commission.

Invsco said the high-rise will contain 211 units and be placed to minimize blockage of Lake Michigan views for residents of the New York. Invsco has completed a condo conversion of the New York.

At one point, the city tried to hold Gouletas to building nothing taller than 45 feet, or about four stories. "That was about as deep a downzoning as anybody ever has done," Guthman said.

Developers have gotten more aggressive about challenging the fairness of municipal zoning decisions.
-----------------------------------
There is a rendering of Waveland site in Chicago forum @ SSP. Can anyone post it here? Thanks.

its about time we see some current highrise developmets in that area. i want to see the Lincon Park surrounded by highrises in a simulare fasion as grantpark. theres already a solid highrize wall on the south and spotted along the west side . but would love to see that west side fill in alot more ans the northend too. mabey ever better interconnect the coastal skyline with lakeveiw. so all you see are highrises from irvingpark to ceremak

^^^^^ I agree I would like to see more highrise development running along / west of LP. Actually would like to see further Highrise development run from Old town up through LP surrounding LF also a westward movement of HIghrises ie a densification if you will west to at least broadway preferably Halsted in LP maybe even further west...I know there are several highrise there already but I'd like to see more dense development

This area isnt the Lincoln Park NEIGHBORHOOD anymore. Technically, the green space across the street is Lincoln Park (I think it is tennis courts, basketball courts, baseball fields, etc. and then the golf course to the North). Belmont Harbor is to the South. Lincoln Park really tapers off at Diversey where the park ends on the west side of lake shore drive. A comparison to Grant Park is really not fair. Most people would see it from Lake Shore Drive and they wouldnt see it until they wre up close to it. But, I am always for more development in the city. In this scenario, I like it because it is Lake Shore Drive and I like the wall of highrises there to block Lake Shore Drive from the "neighborhood". Lincoln Park and Lakeview are well known for the urban neighborhood feel with the many mature trees on the streets, old classic three-flats, and quieter atmosphere that you dont find closer to the city or on Lake Shore Drive. High rises West of the streetwall on Lake Shore Drive (North of Diversey) and Lincoln Park (South of Diversey) would take away from the feel that comes to the neighborhood. The exception to this is the major streets as long as they dont pass Halsted. The city does a great job enforcing this. We can't let our eyes get too big and try to change such a great neighborhood. Although, I am not a big fan of the four plus ones. They should be replaced with three/four-flats.

Here's some news on a new twist in the relocation of Children's Hospital. Sounds promising. From Roeder's Wednesday Sun-Times column:

Children's Memorial, DePaul talks reported

December 14, 2005

BY DAVID ROEDER SUN-TIMES COLUMNIST

In a potential blockbuster of a deal between two Lincoln Park fixtures, Children's Memorial Hospital is said to be negotiating for property owned by DePaul University. The talks, reported by two sources, would let Children's expand while keeping it in the same neighborhood. It also apparently would let DePaul cash in on excess property or perhaps move an academic program or two downtown.

Particulars could not be learned, but an insider familiar with Lincoln Park land dealings said DePaul owns many parcels it does not use between Sheffield and Racine, Belden to Webster.

Children's, which needs to sell or upgrade its main building at 700 W. Fullerton, has been looking at many options. They include sharing space with Northwestern Memorial Hospital downtown or relocating to the West Side Medical Center District. But the DePaul deal affords Children's more options. It could set its own schedule for construction as fund-raising allows without having to vacate its property.

Representatives for DePaul and Children's neither confirmed nor denied talks between the institutions. "We haven't made any decision. We're still in our process,'' said Kathleen Ellis of Children's. She said the hospital hopes to make a decision in January.

Can't imagine much more highrise development in LP/Lakeview.. There just aren't many available sites..

^ build on a currently occupied site. demolish whats there and then rebuild a highrise in its place.

Commercial streets in Lincoln Park and Lakeview can surely add in more highrises, preferably near the el/subway stations.

Most of the time you cannot build a highrise higher than the existing building. That is the case on Lake Shore Drive... I am not sure what areas it applies. But I agree they should bould more highrises near the CTA stations.

^^So do I.

Here's Deming Row
http://img364.imageshack.us/img364/8048/deming8yk.jpg

That original article posted by LA1 is a bit cynical. I've lived within 2 blocks of that stretch of Clark at various locations for over three years. It's vibrant. Plenty of people are walking down it at all times of the day frequenting businesses, restaurants, and bars. A lot of those little restaurants are packed. Outdoor cafes are packed. I've never heard of any perception of it being "seedy." It does tend to have a sedate atmosphere compared to other popular corridors, but it isn't seedy. To call it seedy is a complete misuse of that word.

No, it definitely is not seedy. I have lived within a few blocks of there myself. I will say it is probably the ugliest part of the shopping/restaraunt/bar district in that neighborhood, so some ignorant patrons who do not know the area might perceive it as seedy based on the conditions of the sidewalk, road, etc. A lot of the shops there (between Fullerton and Diversey) are like Golden Nugger, Weiner Circle, other hot dog stands (what some people might not consider is nice as Panera, Chipotle, etc). However, they just finished a nice overlay of the street and have improved the streetscape and put a paver-pattern in the crosswalks. It is no more vibrant than before but just a little easier on the eyes. A lot of nicer newer tenants are moving in such as a nice looking Sunrise Living Center, Best Buy, and they are building nice townhouses just behind that area. I think that "seedy" comment was ignorant.

i live 2 blocks away from that strip and i can say that there are a large number of vacancies that detracts from the street life and frankly makes it a bit depressing. I can see people associating vacant storefronts with seediness ... i don't. that retail strip needs new life. Urban outfitters was threatning to leave the neighborhood about 1 1/2 years ago, but they signed a new lease. There was also a point when tower records was shutting down stores and the lincoln park location was a potential closure. East Lincoln park would be toast without Tower and urban. IMO too many of the buildings on clark are too low-rise. Many of them are only one story tall. they should be knocked down and replaced by 4 story condo buildings realistically, but seeing mid-rises line the strip would be a real treat.

I never understand why developers go for low scale development these days on streets like Lincoln or Clark in these very desirable areas.

Zoning. I have researched the zoning in that area and they range from B3-2 to B5-3 along Clark Street between Fullerton and Belmont. I checked the zoning ordinance but my version is not up to date with the criteria. I expect the most recent addition in a week... the city ordinance and zoning map is a work in progress...

http://www.demingplace.net/images/dptitleblur.jpg (http://www.demingplace.net/)
http://img378.imageshack.us/img378/2763/demingdefault5vk.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

It will be located at 416-420 West Deming and will consist of three 4-story row homes. Best of all, the architecture firm is Lucien Lagrange. The site appears ready for construction.

http://www.demingplace.net/images/dptitleblur.jpg (http://www.demingplace.net/)
http://img378.imageshack.us/img378/2763/demingdefault5vk.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

It will be located at 416-420 West Deming and will consist of three 4-story row homes. Best of all, the architecture firm is Lucien Lagrange. The site appears ready for construction.


Wow, those look gorgeous! Are they replacing vacant land or older structures?

The land has been empty for months now... I am sure there was soemthing there before.

http://chicagobusiness.com/cgi-bin/news.pl?id=19507

Athletic-wear label jogs into Lincoln Park
Lululemon Athletica, a yoga-inspired athletic apparel retailer, plans to open its first Chicago store at 2108 N. Halsted St. in Lincoln Park, according to Sharon Kahan, a real estate broker at CB Richard Ellis. The Vancouver, British Columbia-based company, which has 36 stores, mostly in Canada, is expanding in the U.S. after selling a minority interest to private-equity investors in December. [Sandra Jones]

deming place looks to be really nice , i like it!

Now that's some quality infill. :)

i'd like to see housing of that quality on the southside. That architecture really matches the beauty that use to exist down there.

This small infill project is located on Lehmann Court--an alley-like street--near the intersection of Lehmann and Diversey. As of now, three of the buildings have been completed.

http://img501.imageshack.us/img501/7841/lehmanncourt1ew.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img65.imageshack.us/img65/100/lehmanncondos16mp.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img76.imageshack.us/img76/6214/lehmanncondo25sz.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

This is another quality in-fill project, located on the corner of Grant Place and Geneva Terrace. I've been monitoring its progress for quite a while and am pleased with the results thus far, especially considering that the building that was here before was an abomination.

http://img360.imageshack.us/img360/1334/grantplacerowhomessign2cq.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

This is the side fronting Geneva.
http://img468.imageshack.us/img468/4996/grantplace10gk.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

This is the side on Grant.
http://img469.imageshack.us/img469/5696/grantplacegrantside1yn.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img47.imageshack.us/img47/9391/grantside28fi.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img83.imageshack.us/img83/8449/grantplacetotalview1xi.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

This project will be built on the corner of Belden and Geneva on a long-vacant lot.

http://img75.imageshack.us/img75/8929/genevabeldensign4uw.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

^ Hey, those are nice!

Name: SoNo (aka South of North) the Lincoln Park residence
Location: just south of North Ave at Dayton and Blackhawk
Architect: Booth-Hansen
Developer: Smithfield Properties LLC
Marketer: @properties
Additional info: 1 bedroom-$274,900; 2 bedroom-$439,900
Height: est. 27 floors
Phone: 312-266-6006 for a personal presentation and pre-opening prices

Source: 03/19 Chicago Tribune Real Estate Section (sect 16) pg 5. Yeah, there is a small rendering.

The rendering shows 2 towers at 27 stories. I think North/Halsted area can accomdate a few more of these highrises.

Anyone have that rendering on hand?

http://img468.imageshack.us/img468/4996/grantplace10gk.jpg



^ Now that is at least equal in architectural quality to pre-war construction.

I love it!

I agree wholeheartedly. All of this red brick infill is beautiful.

^ It looks like they're just rehabbing an old pre-war structure.

This is a new 16 unit condo building going up at 744 w. Fullerton just east of Halstead ... It's nice to see some modern in Lincoln park.

http://convergecondos.com/Images/converge_home.gif

^Wow, that looks good. Too bad it can't replace that god-awful Corus Bank building instead.

Name: SoNo (aka South of North) the Lincoln Park residence
Location: just south of North Ave at Dayton and Blackhawk
Architect: Booth-Hansen
Developer: Smithfield Properties LLC
Marketer: @properties
Additional info: 1 bedroom-$274,900; 2 bedroom-$439,900
Height: est. 27 floors
Phone: 312-266-6006 for a personal presentation and pre-opening prices

Source: 03/19 Chicago Tribune Real Estate Section (sect 16) pg 5.

http://img382.imageshack.us/img382/9334/sono1fx.jpg

Ah, thanks. Looks...blocky. But it's from Booth Hansen, so it'll be alright. It's also awesome that it is two towers.

Per Steely's comment @ SSP. ^ thanks. it's up on page 1 now, though i screwed around with it a bit: i compressed it big-time and i gave it more of an old-timey blue print look. the black lines on the orange background weren't doing anything for me.

http://img106.imageshack.us/img106/9828/sono0uf.jpg

Again not a building, but...

http://chicagobusiness.com/cgi-bin/news.pl?id=19975

Lauren brings Rugby brand to Lincoln Park
Polo Ralph Lauren plans to open a store this summer for its new Rugby brand at Armitage and Sheffield avenues in Lincoln Park. New York-based Polo is aiming at the 18-to-25-year-old set with Rugby, and has opened five shops so far. The retailer has signed a lease for about 4,000 square feet now occupied by Out of the West at 1000 W. Armitage Ave., says Sean Conlon, owner of the building and partner of residential real estate brokerage Sussex & Reilly. [Alby Gallun]

An update on 3660 N. LSD:

Second ‘New York’ Tower Along Lake Shore Drive Clears HurdleBy Mark Ruda
Last updated: March 29, 2006 06:34pm
http://www.globest.com/news/506_506/chicago/144325-1.html

CHICAGO-Backed by a lawsuit settlement, American Invsco’s plan to add a long-awaited twin to the New York Residences at 3660 N. Lake Shore Dr. is moving ahead. Rather than matching the existing 46-story, 593-unit building to the west, plans for the southwest corner of Lake Shore Drive and Waveland Avenue call for 212 units in a 29-story building.

In addition to the second tower, American Invsco plans to build 16 townhouses. The company says it does not have plans or price points ready for the new addition to the lakefront. However, recent sales this year have ranged from $146,000 to $353,000, according to documents filed at the Cook County Recorder of Deeds office. That would likely make the new building worth at least $50 million. American Invsco paid $7.9 million for the site of the second tower in 2000, according to property records, when it also acquired the existing New York multifamily building for $87.1 million. It then converted the rental units to condominiums.

Although the plan commission recently endorsed the project, the second tower was the result of a settlement between the city and American Invsco, which sued after the entire 3660 N. Lake Shore Dr. was down-zoned. While high-rise condominiums are south on Lake Shore Drive, residential buildings across Waveland Avenue are between three and seven stories, Department of Planning and Development officials note.

“This was a balancing act,” says 46th Ward Alderman Helen Shiller, who presided over several public hearings about the proposed second tower. Still, neighbors including the existing condo association asked for the recommendation to the city council be delayed until an agreement covering construction-related issues was reached, but were turned down. “There’s no reason to withhold our decision,” said 50th Ward Alderman Bernard Stone.

I like that tower a lot. Not sure why, but it is quite modern and I like the idea of have townhomes on the bottom.

This is a new 16 unit condo building going up at 744 w. Fullerton just east of Halstead ... It's nice to see some modern in Lincoln park.

http://convergecondos.com/Images/converge_home.gif


yeah they torn down a beautiful 1917ish terra cotta building to put that up,
check out preservation chicago to check out what they tore down
it used to be a beautiful two story mixed use building, this is just a greedy developers wet dream,
thanks for nothing.....

[QUOTE=Chi_Coruscant]An update on 3660 N. LSD:

QUOTE]

isnt this in lakeview?
glad to see that open lawn infront of newyork tower is being used for something, no one really uses it except to have their dogs poop on it,

From Ranquist Development

1750 N. Clybourn
http://img371.imageshack.us/img371/2726/inkfacadelarge2wz.jpg


1721 N. Sheffield
http://img458.imageshack.us/img458/4197/sheffield8ev.jpg

looks like they are replacing lincoln park
pretty soon i wont recognize it
great!

yeah they torn down a beautiful 1917ish terra cotta building to put that up,
check out preservation chicago to check out what they tore down
it used to be a beautiful two story mixed use building, this is just a greedy developers wet dream,
thanks for nothing.....


That is correct. Go to www.preservationchicago.org, then scroll to "At risk" and then click on "Lost." You will then see the ornate Parkway Tavern building, which was demolished to make way for the low-rise condo that is shown above.

The loss of the Parkway Tavern building was certainly not justified.

Well we never really learn in this city it seems. As we are on the subject, anyone know what's going on with the Artful Dodger?

That is correct. Go to www.preservationchicago.org, then scroll to "At risk" and then click on "Lost." You will then see the ornate Parkway Tavern building, which was demolished to make way for the low-rise condo that is shown above.

The loss of the Parkway Tavern building was certainly not justified.


thank you!
it especially pains me to see this building gone because i grew up very close to that area, and ive always though it was a beautiful building, one that i wouldnt even think would be in danger of destruction, it is quite shocking what is happening in parts of chicago,

i really hope that asshole doesnt knockdown the artful dodger, what a fucking moron, he doesnt understand that its worth more as is then whatever idiotic project he has in mind

^ "The alderman has said he supported the tear-down because the development project proposed for the site would add parking, reduce density and eliminate space for a corner tavern."

:ohno:

The Artful Dodger is one of those buildings that shows you what the old Chicago looked like. It would be a true tragedy if it were to be torn down. What's the good in having so many alderman in this city if they all just do stupid things?

^ "The alderman has said he supported the tear-down because the development project proposed for the site would add parking, reduce density and eliminate space for a corner tavern."

:ohno:

^ HOW? It is simply being replaced with a single family home. And why would anyone want to get rid of a corner tavern?

What a bunch of bullshit

Before everybody has a major fit over these demolitions, lets not forget the hundreds; no, thousands, of buildings that WILL be preserved and live for another generation.

What it comes down to is this: What can Chicago do?

When I walk around Chicago, esp in the north side hoods and River North, I see a lot of prewar buildings that are....well...TOO SHORT.

I know--some teardowns are replacing buildings with LESS dense replacements--but lets face it, the vast majority of teardowns are replacing buildings with BIGGER structures, as in the case of the Parkway Tavern building.

Lets look at River North--I would love to see some of those smaller buildings preserved, to help maintain that area's character. But we can't deny the enormous demographic pressure going on--people want to move into Chicago's nice neighborhoods, and BADLY. The only way to accommodate them is to build large. These old buildings just won't do.

Chicago's downtown neighborhoods are different from New York--downtown Chicago has NEVER been much of a residential neighborhood until now. Thus, a lot of its prewar construction never tailored to such needs. Manhattan, on the other hand, was always a place to live, and thus has plenty of dense prewar construction. These old buildings continue to serve the purposes of newer generations, and thus do not face the threat of demolition that Chicago's do.

The bottom line: Chicago's center city functions are changing a HELL of a lot, and in many ways it has no choice but to make the appropriate sacrifices to its streetscape to accommodate

^ It's just really sad walking through river north and seeing a great old building and knowing that it probably won't be around for many more years. Chicago's a city that's always been changing, though. If you've ever read the book Lost Chicago, you'll see how many great 19th century buildings the downtown area lost in the name of progress. It's really shocking to see how many great buildings were torn down. But a lot of the time, it simply couldn't be avoided. Chicago had a relatively small downtown to work with, so it had to make the best of its space or stay a backward thinking city.

This city's gone from being a mostly New England looking town, to a city with grand classical structures that looked like they belonged in Europe, to a city with the earliest skyscrapers on the planet, to a city of art deco and cathedral towers, to the city of Mies... Anyway, this city has changed a lot. And as long as Chicago is thirsty to be a dominating and powerful city, it has to keep changing. But it still sorta sucks.

Sorry in advance if this information is already out here and I'm just not good at finding it.

Does anyone have any information/pictures on the new developments proposed for Deming Place (next to the Marlborough) and on St. James. I heard the developer is presenting details on the latter tomorrow.

Also, heard financing has almost been locked for redevelopment of the Columbus Hospital site and that something should be announced this month. Anyone have any news?

Rumor I've heard is that something should be announced this month.

could the problem have been that the project is awfully massive and ambitoious for such a non-downtown location?

From what I heard, the units were too expensive. They were successful in generating interest in the smaller units but not the larger. The project will likely go forward with more units than previously planned and a lower price point.

From what I heard, the units were too expensive. They were successful in generating interest in the smaller units but not the larger. The project will likely go forward with more units than previously planned and a lower price point.

It never even got that far. The problem is that you have highrises full of nimby's who are against the towers. Also, I believe that the developer over extended himself somewhat. I don't believe that the project is dead just yet, just somewhat dormant.

The Artful Dodger is one of those buildings that shows you what the old Chicago looked like. It would be a true tragedy if it were to be torn down. What's the good in having so many alderman in this city if they all just do stupid things?

from what it says on preservation chicago they are already tearing it down if not already torn down....
:bash:

Sorry in advance if this information is already out here and I'm just not good at finding it.

Does anyone have any information/pictures on the new developments proposed for Deming Place (next to the Marlborough) and on St. James. I heard the developer is presenting details on the latter tomorrow.

Also, heard financing has almost been locked for redevelopment of the Columbus Hospital site and that something should be announced this month. Anyone have any news?

I posted this earlier in the thread.

]http://www.demingplace.net/images/dptitleblur.jpg (http://www.demingplace.net/)
http://img378.imageshack.us/img378/2763/demingdefault5vk.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

It will be located at 416-420 West Deming and will consist of three 4-story row homes. The architecture firm is Lucien Lagrange.

I posted this earlier in the thread.

]http://www.demingplace.net/images/dptitleblur.jpg (http://www.demingplace.net/)
http://img378.imageshack.us/img378/2763/demingdefault5vk.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

It will be located at 416-420 West Deming and will consist of three 4-story row homes. The architecture firm is Lucien Lagrange.

what did they knock down to put this up i wonder?

From today's Chicago Sun-Times:


MB poised for takeover of Lincoln Park site

April 28, 2006

BY DAVID ROEDER Business Reporter




A Chicago-based real estate firm with ownership and financial backing on the East Coast is expected to take over a long-stalled high-rise project in the Lincoln Park area.

Sources said MB Real Estate will assume control of the former Columbus Hospital property, 2520 N. Lakeview. Its three-acre size, rare in the tightly packed community, and its lakefront views have made it a prime site for speculation in luxury housing. But the firm that has controlled the property since 2001, American Invsco Corp., has been unable to begin the project.

Chairman Nicholas Gouletas agreed to buy the site for $35 million, but couldn't generate enough condominium sales to finance even the demolition of the old hospital.

Real estate executives with direct knowledge of the site said MB Real Estate will take over with funding from a unit of General Electric. Terms could not be learned, but sources said GE would fund the land acquisition and leave construction management and condo sales to MB Real Estate.

Gouletas is not expected to keep a role in the deal. He did not return calls.

Besides falling behind in loan payments to LaSalle Bank, Gouletas also owed at least $400,000 at one point to the project's architect, Lucien Lagrange, and the law firm that handled the zoning.

Two people said MB Real Estate and GE are within days of closing the sale.

Peter Ricker, chairman of MB Real Estate, acknowledged discussions about the property in the past but said, "At the moment, I'm not doing anything with it." He also said he's not involved with GE on any matter.

His firm is owned by brothers Edward and Howard Milstein, New York real estate investors who have done many housing deals. MB Real Estate is primarily an office building manager and investment adviser.

Jerry Karr, a managing director at the GE unit, didn't return calls.

As backed by the City Council in 2002, the project called for about 325 units in three buildings facing Lakeview, the tallest being 38 stories. Without changing the building size, Gouletas later reduced the number of units to about 180, making them larger and proposing to charge rates that set new highs for the market of about $1,000 a square foot.

Sources said MB Real Estate will return to the original 325-unit plan, and might even seek to build more to cover a hefty purchase price and construction costs that grew steeper with increases for steel, copper and other materials.

Gene Fisher of the Diversey Harbor Lakeview Association, said his group would fight any effort to add units to the project. "The single most serious problem we see is its effect on traffic and congestion, because the place is already in gridlock," he said.

Does anyone know more details concerning other two towers.....heights stories etc.....I for one am for more highrise development in this part of LP

South Tower - 21 floors, 235 ft.
Middle Tower - 37 floors, 442 ft.
North Tower - 30 floors, 337 ft.

Source: Emporis

Would they dump the original Lagrange designs? I really hope so. But that site definitely has to be 30-40+ floor towers.

I too would love to see them dump it. Its such a great location it deserves better. The current design is a little too NYNY Casino for me.

Are there available renderings for this? I cant figure out which project this is.

There is a really bad picture at Emporis but I can't figure out how to stick it in here.

Gene Fisher of the Diversey Harbor Lakeview Association, said his group would fight any effort to add units to the project. "The single most serious problem we see is its effect on traffic and congestion, because the place is already in gridlock," he said.

:bash: Don't these people realize that if their NIMBY BS had been prevelant throughout our city's history we wouldn't be the great place that they now want to live? Typical "I got mine, now fuck anybody after me." entitlement attitude.

^Nothing, thankfully. It's been a parking lot for a while.

In other news... Did anyone catch this article about The Lakeview. I've been wondering why this project has stalled for so long. Here is a rendering (of the middle tower only) in case anyone forgot what it looks like:

http://skyscraperpage.com/gallery/data/554/6324the_lakeview.jpg


MB poised for takeover of Lincoln Park site

April 28, 2006

BY DAVID ROEDER Business Reporter

A Chicago-based real estate firm with ownership and financial backing on the East Coast is expected to take over a long-stalled high-rise project in the Lincoln Park area.

Sources said MB Real Estate will assume control of the former Columbus Hospital property, 2520 N. Lakeview. Its three-acre size, rare in the tightly packed community, and its lakefront views have made it a prime site for speculation in luxury housing. But the firm that has controlled the property since 2001, American Invsco Corp., has been unable to begin the project.

Chairman Nicholas Gouletas agreed to buy the site for $35 million, but couldn't generate enough condominium sales to finance even the demolition of the old hospital.

Real estate executives with direct knowledge of the site said MB Real Estate will take over with funding from a unit of General Electric. Terms could not be learned, but sources said GE would fund the land acquisition and leave construction management and condo sales to MB Real Estate.

Gouletas is not expected to keep a role in the deal. He did not return calls.

Besides falling behind in loan payments to LaSalle Bank, Gouletas also owed at least $400,000 at one point to the project's architect, Lucien Lagrange, and the law firm that handled the zoning.

Two people said MB Real Estate and GE are within days of closing the sale.

Peter Ricker, chairman of MB Real Estate, acknowledged discussions about the property in the past but said, "At the moment, I'm not doing anything with it." He also said he's not involved with GE on any matter.

His firm is owned by brothers Edward and Howard Milstein, New York real estate investors who have done many housing deals. MB Real Estate is primarily an office building manager and investment adviser.

Jerry Karr, a managing director at the GE unit, didn't return calls.

As backed by the City Council in 2002, the project called for about 325 units in three buildings facing Lakeview, the tallest being 38 stories. Without changing the building size, Gouletas later reduced the number of units to about 180, making them larger and proposing to charge rates that set new highs for the market of about $1,000 a square foot.

Sources said MB Real Estate will return to the original 325-unit plan, and might even seek to build more to cover a hefty purchase price and construction costs that grew steeper with increases for steel, copper and other materials.

Gene Fisher of the Diversey Harbor Lakeview Association, said his group would fight any effort to add units to the project. "The single most serious problem we see is its effect on traffic and congestion, because the place is already in gridlock," he said.

Yes. I posted same in Columbus Hospital Redevelopment thread last week.

From this weeks Skyline. Anyone know any more?


Columbus deal looming

BY FELICIA DECHTER
STAFF WRITER

There is still no official confirmation, but according to community sources and a published report, there could soon be movement on the vacant three-acre Columbus Hospital site, 2520 N. Lakeview Ave.

An April 28, Chicago Sun-Times report states that MB Real Estate, "a Chicago-based real estate firm with ownership and financial backing on the East Coast," will take over the project from American Invsco, with funding from GE Capital, the asset management unit of General Electric Corp.

Yet Peter Ricker, chairman of the Loop-based MB, insisted earlier this week that, "MB Real Estate is not involved." Chris Linehan, spokesman for GE, said: "I am not able to provide any information or confirm any involvement."

Lincoln Park residents, Alderman Vi Daley, D-43rd), and Invsco worked to craft a compromise-filled plan that was ultimately approved by the City Council in November of 2002.

The proposed planned development called for Invsco to build 14 townhomes and three, "boutique" high-rise, condominium buildings ranging in height from 22 to 38 stories, with no more than a total (townhomes and condos) of 325 units, although Invsco at one point had reduced that number to 180.

Since the Catholic Health Partners-owned Columbus Hospital closed its doors in Sept. 2002, the property has remained vacant.

Although sources said the deal is expected to be closed within days, "We cannot confirm any details but have reason to believe that there will be news in the near future," said Chuck Eastwood, spokesman for Alderman Daley.

Alex Karras, spokesman for Invsco--whose involvement in the new plan is not certain--said, "I have nothing definitive to report at this time."

Yet according to a community source and the published report, the new developer wants to increase the size of the projectback to 325 units or more. That number did not sit well with local community groups.

"The impact of the latest Columbus news upon the folks who live here would be difficult to overstate," said Gene Fisher, executive director of the Diversey Harbor Lakeview Association. "I've received a flood of calls from local residents, and what they've said makes one thing unmistakably clear: no one should lose sight of the fact that the residents of our community are crucially important stakeholders in this process.

"Their dedicated and tireless efforts succeeded in downscaling the original Columbus proposal to a more responsible size. They can be expected to work equally hard to protect those hard-won gains; and hopefully, to improve upon them."

Eastwood said that regardless of who develops the project, the Planned Development negotiated by the community is what the city will permit for construction.

"We expect any development on this site to fully comply with the limits on height, density and bulk that were stipulated in the PD (Planned Development) ordinance," Eastwood said. "Any potential developer will be made aware of these limits. Any increase would require an amendment to the PD which would face strong resistance by Alderman Daley and the community."

If a new developer comes forward or once the permitting process is initiated, Alderman Daley will bring all parties together to review the process that is defined in the community agreement, Eastwood said.

He said the 325 units was a "very important parameter," because it put this project's density into compliance with what would be allowed by R5 zoning. He added that the square footage limit was important because it complied with the alderman's downzoning of the site, and the height and setbacks were dictated by negotiations with neighboring buildings.

Two new items going on in Lincoln Park.

A new six story building just announced for Deming Place, across from the Columbus Hospital site. OK, so not a skyscraper exactly - but something going on nonetheless. By a hubby/wife team calling themselves Silverleaf Development LLC. Anyone got any more details?

Also, just got invited to a community meeting on the Inn of Lincoln Park. Seems the developers, who received planned development approval two years ago, now want to make some changes. Any info?

There was a Nursing Home (called Whitehall?) on the corner Lincoln Park West and Armitage. It is now torn down. Does anyone know what will be built there?

[QUOTE=hydrogen]^Nothing, thankfully. It's been a parking lot for a while.

good to know,
sorry i was a dick in critiquing your photos,


im not against new stuff,
just mad at what happened in parts of lakeview
where they tear down great old brick buildings to put up inferior product
i personally think it sucks that new construction has to be made out of cinder blocks, it is less sturdy, right?

i guess its the cost in bricks that is prohibitive?
cuz they would just use nonunionized mexicans alot anyways?
seems like this is especially the case in condo conversions.

it seems like those new rowhouses are for supermegarichies,
and eventually these will be condoized, because right now they are single family homes, due to the high cost of housing in the future,

btw they are in a super sweet location near that fancy silver house and they area reminds me of central park in newyork.
definitely alot of super fancy sfh around there.

Hoping this is the correct thread:

Source


June 21, 2006
By Thomas A. Corfman

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GE and MB Real Estate buy Columbus Hospital site
(Crain's) - Ending months of negotiations, a joint venture of General Electric Corp.’s pension fund and Chicago-based MB Real Estate Services LLC has acquired the shuttered Columbus Hospital site overlooking Lincoln Park.

The deal apparently salvages Chicago developer Nicholas Gouletas’ plans for a luxury condominium development, although Mr. Gouletas will have a limited role in the development.

“We’ve got the jet fuel to get this thing going now,” says John T. Murphy, executive vice president with MB Real Estate.

The deal initially values the prime 3-acre parcel, at 2520 N. Lakeview Ave. at $45 million, but the value could rise to as much as $60 million, depending on condo sales in the 325-unit, high-rise project, according to sources familiar with terms of the transaction, which closed on Monday.

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The initial purchase price is roughly equal to the total amount of Mr. Gouletas’ loans on the site, including a $19 million first mortgage from LaSalle Bank.

Peter E. Ricker, MB’s chairman and chief executive, says the GE pension fund is a 50/50 partner with RMI LLC, a new company he has formed with Mr. Murphy. The joint venture has hired residential consultant Charles P. Reiss, a former top executive with New York developer Donald Trump, as a consultant on the Columbus project. Mr. Reiss supervised the pre-development stage of Trump International Hotel and Tower Chicago, now arising alongside the Chicago River.

“We certainly have a better pedigree than anything that’s been there,” Mr. Ricker says.

Mr. Gouletas, chairman of Chicago-based American Invsco Corp., and an investment group bought the site in 2001 for a reported $34 million. Despite its location, the project was been plagued by problems, including a 2003 lawsuit filed by Mr. Gouletas’s sister, Evangeline Gouletas, over a buyout of her interest in American Invsco. The case has since been settled.

Although he relinquishes control, Mr. Gouletas stays on to handle marketing. He could not be reached for comment. One of the original investors in the project, a group advised by Southfield, Mi.-based law firm Seyburn, Kahn, Ginn, Bess & Serlin, retains a stake in RMI, Mr. Ricker says.

Development Group to Acquire

Columbus Hospital Site Overlooking Lincoln Park

A partnership involving a number of prominent names in real estate investment

and development has purchased the Columbus Hospital property at 2520 N. Lakeview Ave., a prime 3-acre parcel fronting Lincoln Park that has already received city approval for a luxury high-rise condominium development.



The partnership is led by RMI, a venture of Peter E. Ricker, chairman and CEO, and John T. Murphy, executive vice president, of MB Real Estate, a Chicago-based firm with extensive experience in commercial and residential real estate. Ricker and Murphy have assembled a team that includes an affiliate of the GE Pension Trust, advised by GE Asset Management, as well as Charles P. Reiss, former executive vice president and managing director of the Trump Organization.



The GE Pension Trust affiliate along with RMI will provide the equity, while Reiss,

who oversaw all pre-development activities for Trump International Hotel and Tower Chicago, will serve as a consultant to the developers.



The seller is 2520 Lakeview LLC, an affiliate of Chicago-based American Invsco, which has been retained to perform the sales aspect of the project.



The site has zoning and entitlements for a 325-unit luxury high-rise condominium development and is clearly one of the premier residential development sites in the country,” said Ricker. “Given the location, the view perspective and the framework of the development plan, this is truly a unique opportunity to create something very special.”



Murphy added that the partnership is reviewing all aspects of the project, and will unveil its development plan at a future date. “Other than the guidelines set forth by the city, our approach is that we’re starting with a clean slate,” said Murphy.

While plans are still being finalized, Murphy said preparations for demolition of the hospital buildings, which were shuttered in 2001, will begin almost immediately. The actual demolition will get underway later this summer, and a pre-sale registration program for buyers will commence at that time as well.

Although Ricker and Murphy are better known locally for their work in office development and leasing, both partners also have significant experience in luxury residential development.

Ricker has partnered with the Trump Organization on two luxury projects in Manhattan: the $400 million Trump Park Avenue condominium tower and the highly successful Trump International Hotel and Tower. Murphy has residential development interests in Ohio and Florida.

Meanwhile, Charles Reiss has overseen a number of high-end condominium and hotel projects during an 11-year career with the Trump Organization. Reiss left Trump in August 2004 and presently has a consulting practice focusing on luxury residential and hospitality properties.

“In the years since I’ve come to Chicago, this site has always been of interest to me. It’s an A-list site that has been coveted by a lot of developers. So when Peter and John approached me with this opportunity, I knew this deal could finally happen, and I knew I wanted to be a part of it,” Reiss said.

“Among RMI, GE Asset Management and Charlie Reiss, we’ve got a lot of experience, vision and stability. We’re committed to doing something great for the city, for the neighborhood and especially for the families and individuals who will be buying homes here,” Ricker said.

Two new items going on in Lincoln Park.

A new six story building just announced for Deming Place, across from the Columbus Hospital site. OK, so not a skyscraper exactly - but something going on nonetheless. By a hubby/wife team calling themselves Silverleaf Development LLC. Anyone got any more details?

Another condo project coming to Lincoln Park (http://www.chicagotribune.com/classified/realestate/realestate/chi-0606180419jun18,1,5578665.story)
By Jeanette Almada
Special to the Tribune
Published June 18, 2006

A six-story condo building with 35 units is planned for West Deming Place and North Lakeview Avenue in Lincoln Park.

Chicago-based Silverleaf Development LLC will build the project through a group called 416 W. Deming Place LLC. Silverleaf is a new development company owned by Chicagoans Scott Borstein and Lauren Tatar, a husband-and-wife team whose first mixed-use project, Walcott Terrace on the North Side, was finished last fall.
...
California-based Behnisch Architects is designing the project.

-------

Looking at the firm's work, it should be interesting and hopefully modern.

Luxury condos checking in at old hospital site

June 22, 2006

BY DAVID ROEDER Business Reporter





A local investment team with capital and know-how from the East Coast confirmed on Wednesday it has taken over a prime Lincoln Park development site, promising to deliver the most luxurious buildings in Chicago.

A partnership involving Peter Ricker and John Murphy, executives of MB Real Estate, has purchased the former Columbus Hospital property at 2520 N. Lakeview. With views of Lincoln Park and Lake Michigan that cannot be blocked, the 3-acre site is seen as a natural for high-rise housing at prices matching those of exclusive downtown towers.

Ricker and Murphy formed an independent firm called RMI for the venture. Property records indicate it paid $45 million for the site, taking out the interest of American Invsco Corp. Invsco, run by condo conversion king Nicholas Gouletas, will remain as the marketing agent.

Plans are to follow a zoning plan city officials have approved, Ricker said. The plan allows for three towers totaling 325 units, with the tallest building about 38 stories.
While there will be tweaks in the design, none will require a zoning review, he said. That cuts the likelihood of a protracted fight with an affluent neighborhood that knows how to pressure developers.

"The plan that's in place is suitable for the market today, and the product we'll deliver with be the highest quality ever delivered in Chicago," Ricker said.

The boast is worthy of Donald Trump, and there's a connection. Signing as a consultant for the project is Charles Reiss, who as a former managing director of the Trump Organization was involved in planning the 92-story building under construction at Wabash and the Chicago River. It will be called the Trump International Hotel and Tower.

Ricker has partnered with Trump in New York projects. Trump has no involvement in the Columbus Hospital site, Ricker said.

RMI is providing equity with a pension trust affiliated with General Electric Co., based in Fairfield, Conn. The Sun-Times reported the pending deal in April.

Ricker is chairman of MB Real Estate and Murphy is an executive vice president. Both said that while MB will have a role in the project, RMI is a separate operation.

MB is owned by the brothers Edward and Howard Milstein, big investors in multifamily housing in New York.

Invsco has controlled the site since 2001, but couldn't muster the financial backing to start construction. Numerous liens were filed against the Gouletas-led venture, but those have been paid, and Murphy said RMI has a clean title.

He said demolition of the hospital, which closed in 2001, will start later this summer, and construction could begin in about a year. Prices haven't been detailed, but Murphy said the overall budget could hit $400 million. With 325 sales to make that up, the owners will need multimillion-dollar units to earn a return.

Ald. Vi Daley (43rd) has been apprised of the new ownership and supports the project's continuation, Murphy said. Daley could not be reached.

Eugene Fisher, executive director of the Diversey Harbor Lakeview Association, said the neighbors will monitor the development closely. Their oversight "succeeded in downscaling the original Columbus proposal to a more responsible size, and they can be expected to continue working equally hard to make certain the new Columbus initiative is done right," he said.

The Gouletas plan employed a design by Lucien Lagrange, one of Chicago's best-known architects. Ricker said his group is "pretty far down the line" in talks with Lagrange to retain his services.

The revised plan will be shown to the neighborhood later this summer, Ricker said, around the time a registration program for buyers will begin. He said Gouletas signed contracts for about 30 percent of the units, and while those prospects had deposits refunded, some are likely to renew their interest.

http://www.suntimes.com/output/business/cst-fin-hosp22.html

Luxury condos checking in at old hospital site

June 22, 2006

BY DAVID ROEDER Business Reporter

A local investment team with capital and know-how from the East Coast confirmed on Wednesday it has taken over a prime Lincoln Park development site, promising to deliver the most luxurious buildings in Chicago.

A partnership involving Peter Ricker and John Murphy, executives of MB Real Estate, has purchased the former Columbus Hospital property at 2520 N. Lakeview. With views of Lincoln Park and Lake Michigan that cannot be blocked, the 3-acre site is seen as a natural for high-rise housing at prices matching those of exclusive downtown towers.

Ricker and Murphy formed an independent firm called RMI for the venture. Property records indicate it paid $45 million for the site, taking out the interest of American Invsco Corp. Invsco, run by condo conversion king Nicholas Gouletas, will remain as the marketing agent.

Plans are to follow a zoning plan city officials have approved, Ricker said. The plan allows for three towers totaling 325 units, with the tallest building about 38 stories.

While there will be tweaks in the design, none will require a zoning review, he said. That cuts the likelihood of a protracted fight with an affluent neighborhood that knows how to pressure developers.

"The plan that's in place is suitable for the market today, and the product we'll deliver with be the highest quality ever delivered in Chicago," Ricker said.

The boast is worthy of Donald Trump, and there's a connection. Signing as a consultant for the project is Charles Reiss, who as a former managing director of the Trump Organization was involved in planning the 92-story building under construction at Wabash and the Chicago River. It will be called the Trump International Hotel and Tower.

Ricker has partnered with Trump in New York projects. Trump has no involvement in the Columbus Hospital site, Ricker said.

RMI is providing equity with a pension trust affiliated with General Electric Co., based in Fairfield, Conn. The Sun-Times reported the pending deal in April.

Ricker is chairman of MB Real Estate and Murphy is an executive vice president. Both said that while MB will have a role in the project, RMI is a separate operation.

MB is owned by the brothers Edward and Howard Milstein, big investors in multifamily housing in New York.

Invsco has controlled the site since 2001, but couldn't muster the financial backing to start construction. Numerous liens were filed against the Gouletas-led venture, but those have been paid, and Murphy said RMI has a clean title.

He said demolition of the hospital, which closed in 2001, will start later this summer, and construction could begin in about a year. Prices haven't been detailed, but Murphy said the overall budget could hit $400 million. With 325 sales to make that up, the owners will need multimillion-dollar units to earn a return.

Ald. Vi Daley (43rd) has been apprised of the new ownership and supports the project's continuation, Murphy said. Daley could not be reached.

Eugene Fisher, executive director of the Diversey Harbor Lakeview Association, said the neighbors will monitor the development closely. Their oversight "succeeded in downscaling the original Columbus proposal to a more responsible size, and they can be expected to continue working equally hard to make certain the new Columbus initiative is done right," he said.

The Gouletas plan employed a design by Lucien Lagrange, one of Chicago's best-known architects. Ricker said his group is "pretty far down the line" in talks with Lagrange to retain his services.

The revised plan will be shown to the neighborhood later this summer, Ricker said, around the time a registration program for buyers will begin. He said Gouletas signed contracts for about 30 percent of the units, and while those prospects had deposits refunded, some are likely to renew their interest.

He said demolition of the hospital, which closed in 2001, will start later this summer, and construction could begin in about a year.

Great news. I noticed they took down the old Lakeview sign that was outside the hospital, which was serving as a makeshift sales center. I've lived very close to the hospital for a few years now, and I must have walked past that goddamn sign a million times, wondering what the hell was going on with this project. I'm so happy to see this is moving forward and that demo could begin later this summer. Honestly, the old Columbus Hospital has to be one of the most sinister, brutal, inward buildings I've encountered. When I walk past this building, whether it be on Deming or Lakeview, I don't feel welcomed by it. Good riddance.


[T]here will be tweaks in the design ... "The plan that's in place is suitable for the market today, and the product we'll deliver with be the highest quality ever delivered in Chicago," Ricker said.

I'm confused about this. I don't see how they plan on "deliver[ing] the highest quality ever delivered in Chicago" by only making mere "tweaks in the design." In order to deliver such quality, the project needs a complete redesign. The old design had that bland, olde-tyme character to it. I hope they come up with something very special, as this is a special site.

http://www.globest.com/news/606_606/chicago/146857-1.html

Murphy says the there have been no selections made on the project architect or general contractor. “Other than the guidelines set forth by the city, we're starting with a clean slate,” he tells GlobeSt.com.

I guess we'll have to wait and see

- edit

A new six story building just announced for Deming Place, across from the Columbus Hospital site. OK, so not a skyscraper exactly - but something going on nonetheless. By a hubby/wife team calling themselves Silverleaf Development LLC. Anyone got any more details?


Another condo project coming to Lincoln Park (http://www.chicagotribune.com/classified/realestate/realestate/chi-0606180419jun18,1,5578665.story)
By Jeanette Almada
Special to the Tribune
Published June 18, 2006

A six-story condo building with 35 units is planned for West Deming Place and North Lakeview Avenue in Lincoln Park.

Chicago-based Silverleaf Development LLC will build the project through a group called 416 W. Deming Place LLC. Silverleaf is a new development company owned by Chicagoans Scott Borstein and Lauren Tatar, a husband-and-wife team whose first mixed-use project, Walcott Terrace on the North Side, was finished last fall.
...
California-based Behnisch Architects is designing the project.

The name of this project is called "Deming On the Green." Here is a photo of the rendering I took today.

http://img128.imageshack.us/img128/7867/demingontheblue1xx.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Apparently, this development is replacing the old "Deming Place" project. It's located on the same site and the sign for Deming Place is gone. I'm pretty disappointed. Here is a rendering of Deming Place.

http://img378.imageshack.us/img378/2763/demingdefault5vk.jpg

are you jokeing?! that infill was the first of its kind that i finnaly thought was nice! now there filling it in with this peice of shit?

Are you guys kidding me? Can you really be serious? I'm more than happy that this multi-unit apartment building will be replacing three oversized, goudy, not-fit-for-this-time row homes. I'm so sick of these uber-rich multi-million dollar homes. Okay, so maybe those three homes were sort of "classy" looking. But we have to remember: all of us participate on this forum because we love cities. Low density projects like those three apartment buildings wouldn't contribute to actual urban life in lincoln park. Sure they may appear to be urban but let's face reality: they are low-density mansions with three-car garages that would have housed maybe even one person in each home. Those three homes would have most likely produced 0 public transit riders. Additionally,those three homes would provide only three local household clients for the neighborhood grocery stores and retailers. Sorry, but all those stores and retailers in Lincoln park are better off with high density development.

So thank god that those row homes are being replaced by a high-density development. It's about time something like that happen in lincoln park. This develpment will provide more "affordable housing" - i mean it as a relative term - in the neighborhood for growing upper-middle class families that want to be near the park but can't afford a 6 million dollar elitist home. And believe me, that's a serious problem Lincoln park. And most of all, the neighborhood grocers, retailers, public transit lines will all have more clients and users. The architecture on this building isn't even that bad. Sometimes you guys make me sick. Cities aren't always about pleasing the eyes. Lincoln park shouldn't be an urban theme-park projecting the illusion of urbanity but really housing the density of suburbs. No, Lincoln park deserves true diverse urbanity - the kind that maybe doesn't always look "charming" in a picture - and that's what this development provides for the neighborhood.

^ Great point, ThirdCoast, and I totally agree with you on this

^Dude, will you relax? I don't appreciate someone telling me I "make them sick" because I prefer one development over another. This is a fucking condo project for christ's sake. You act like the fate of the universe is at stake.

I am with wickedestcity and hydrogen. Some of you think that a box is "modern" and that people who don't like bland boxes are stuck in the past.

Nothing could be further from the truth. It is the box that is old. Boxes have been around since the 1940's.

What wickedestcity and hydrogen seem to be saying, put in its simplest terms, is that the previous project looked good. That is one simple test. Does it look good? That concept alone trumps the "starker is better" philosophy and the flawed "box = modern" philosophy.

The new Deming Place design, in my opinion, simply does not look as good as the one that is dead. I don't care what era you think it's from.

I am with wickedestcity and hydrogen. Some of you think that a box is "modern" and that people who don't like bland boxes are stuck in the past.

Nothing could be further from the truth. It is the box that is old. Boxes have been around since the 1940's.

What wickedestcity and hydrogen seem to be saying, put in its simplest terms, is that the previous project looked good. That is one simple test. Does it look good? That concept alone trumps the "starker is better" philosophy and the flawed "box = modern" philosophy.

The new Deming Place design, in my opinion, simply does not look as good as the one that is dead. I don't care what era you think it's from.

^ ????

Did you even read ThirdCoast's post? Show me where he even talked about modernism being the reason why he supported the new building. His entire criticism has to do with density, and how numerous apartments filling an equal parcel of land as 3 big houses is a better use of space, and will create a better urban environment full of people who will walk and use transit and create business for the commercial corridors.

His argument makes total sense and I agree with him in principle

Yeah - nothing in his post suggested derision of the architectural style of the original Deming Place. He simply was hating on the format of the project. I am inclined to agree with him.

Except, though, that multi-unit buildings in urban environments are almost always modern, whereas traditional architecture tends to take the form of the row/townhouse. Granted, we get a few postmoderns in the near north (Park, Elysian), but by and large, we're dealing with modern designs (not always boxes, tho).

^ ????

Did you even read ThirdCoast's post? Show me where he even talked about modernism being the reason why he supported the new building. His entire criticism has to do with density, and how numerous apartments filling an equal parcel of land as 3 big houses is a better use of space, and will create a better urban environment full of people who will walk and use transit and create business for the commercial corridors.

His argument makes total sense and I agree with him in principle

I understand his point completely. The "urbanity" promoted in his post, which primarily consists of the goal of bringing more density, is being done at the expense of the quality of the building. Density in Lincoln Park, when done in place of nice looking buildings, is not good. We should try to do both.

I understand his point completely. The "urbanity" promoted in his post, which primarily consists of the goal of bringing more density, is being done at the expense of the quality of the building. Density in Lincoln Park, when done in place of nice looking buildings, is not good. We should try to do both.


I agree. Density is not always good for densities sake. There has to be a balance (not to say the new proposal looks bad and might turn out to be above average).

There are many high density projects that are crap that we have all seen that a bit less density would be preferred over sub-par quality architecture.

Also a few tightly packed "elitist homes" are not the end of the world. You don't think ultra-urban cities like NYC, San Fran, or London also don't have stand alone tightly packed uber-rich homes? It is not the end of the world if some well designed homes are placed instead of multi-storied multi-unit condos. Packing in as many people in an already dense Lincoln Park also shouldn't be as much a concern as attracting people to fill up scarring empty lots in less demands areas is.

What is always needed is more and better architecture (not to say that the orginal Deming Place plan was going to be the end all be all but it had the potential to looks pretty darn nice).

First off, lincoln park really isn't that dense. Trust me, the stores lining clark street struggle because their client base is declining as more lincoln park residents turn to their cars for shopping.This is no isolated example of low-density mansion architecture.This is a widespread problem in lincoln park. Tons of 2 and 3 flats are being demolished and replaced by massive single family mansions - not to say that these mansions always house families. These families that move in drive giant suv's and clog the neighborhood streets as they drive to wholefoods, best-buy, and webster place, even though they might be only 4 or 6 blocks away. This is no urban lifestyle. These new homes and these new families are turning lincoln park into traffic-clogged suburban hell-hole. And those three homes would have contributed to the problem. People from suburban backgrounds pay big bucks to look at beautiful row homes so that their life and environment can appear urban. But at they same time they refuse to live the lifestyle old brownstones and the new-construciton bulidings that immitate them were designed for: street life. Lincoln park shouldn't be a themepark. Because these new construction mansions are a joke.

Sure these new mansions may look "urban" - and i don't think they do - but we can't fall for superficial looks. The look of cities will always evolve. There is no certain architecture that makes a city a city. However, what will always legitimize a city is its density. I'm repeating myself, but again, we should happy that we are gaining more. The architecture of this new building really isn't that bad. Besides, it's not like those three row homes had any revolutionary design that would have changed the course of humanity. We shouldn't be saddened by the loss of something so, IMO, fake. If alll of you are so sad, you guys ought to just suck lucien lagrange's dick. I've got his number and i'd be happy to hook all of you up with him, if that's what it takes.

Well this building contains 35 parking units, so it will contribute even more to turning Lincoln Park into a "traffic-clogged suburban hell-hole" than the three houses.

And I don't think anyone appreciates your last couple sentences - this is a skyscraper website, there's no reason why we can't be civil.

http://www.pioneerlocal.com/cgi-bin/ppo-story/localnews/current/sl/07-06-06-970831.html

From Skyline

Columbus Hospital demolition to begin
BY FELICIA DECHTER|STAFF WRITER
July 6, 2006
Fdechter@pioneerlocal.com

Condo planned for prime site

Demolition on the long-shuttered Columbus Hospital site, 2520 N. Lakeview, should begin within the next six weeks or so, according to one of its new owners.

John Murphy, executive vice president of MB Real Estate, said a partnership involving a number of real estate investors and developers will soon begin work on the prime, three-acre parcel, which has already received city approval for a luxury high-rise condominium development. The partnership is led by RMI, a venture of Murphy and Peter E. Ricker, chairman/CEO of MB, a Chicago-based firm with extensive experience in commercial and residential real estate.

Murphy said his company, "Had an eye on the site for quite some time."

"It is clearly the best lot in Chicago," Murphy said, "and we just thought it was the perfect fit for what we were looking for."

The pair has assembled a team that includes an affiliate of the GE Pension Trust, as well as Charles P. Reiss, former executive vice president and managing director of the Trump Organization.

The GE Pension Trust affiliate, along with RMI, will provide the equity, while Reiss, who oversaw all pre-development activities for Trump International Hotel and Tower Chicago, will serve as a consultant to the developers.

Murphy said RMI will build, "Something adaptable to the community and marketplace."

"It will be something beyond what Chicago's luxury market has ever seen before," he said. "It's a huge undertaking. But I have every bit of confidence this will be a tremendous success."

The property's original developer, American Invsco, will remain in charge of sales, Murphy said. Although there had been deposits prior to the property's changing of hands, those had been refunded. Several people however, maintained interest, Murphy said, and a pre-sale registration program for buyers will be offered later this summer.

Murphy also said he will maintain what has been approved in the planned development, 325 units and 14 townhomes, although he may combine some units, which would lower the final unit count.

Alderman Vi Daley, 43rd, said she has met with MB and they have indicated that they do not anticipate asking for any changes. The alderman also said she will keep the community abreast of plans.

"I have made them aware of the community agreement which we expect them to honor," Daley said. "In the near future I will be arranging for the new development to meet with the community representatives that helped negotiate this project."

Gene Fisher, executive director of the Diversey Harbor Lakeview Association--which represents about 11,000 community residents--said his organization will, "Continue to hope for the best," and, "any judgments will be held in abeyance until sufficient details of the new Columbus project proposal become available for analysis."

"One thing hasn't changed," said Fisher. "It is beyond debate that the folks who live here are crucially important stakeholders in the Columbus project. They can be expected to keep working hard to make sure that the Columbus project is done right."

"It will be something beyond what Chicago's luxury market has ever seen before."

John Murphy

I read that article as well. I live a few blocks from this site and can barely wait to see a rendering for this project.

I also live in the neighborhood, and I've been watching this project for some time as well.

I visited the sales center of the previous iteration 2-3 years ago. The proposed building seemed well designed, although perhaps a bit more traditional in appearance than I would have liked. As for the asking prices, I had some sticker shock--about $1000 per square foot, which at the time was a threshold no building in Chicago had crossed. (Even now, I think it's just remaining units at the Trump tower and the proposed Fordham spire that are above that level.)

I'll be interested to see what the revamped building is like. If the prices aren't crazy high, it's a place I might consider living.

Commercial Real Estate News


New Owner Plans Days Inn Gold Coast Overhaul

By Dana Dubriwny of GlobeSt.com

Tuesday, July 11, 2006 - CHICAGO-WexTrust Capital, through its affiliate Gold Coast Investors, LLC, has acquired the former 221-room Days Inn in the Lincoln Park neighborhood from 1800 N. Lincoln, LLC. Following an extensive multimillion-dollar renovation scheduled to begin later this year, the hotel will re-open in the spring of 2007 with a new name and be operated as an independent boutique lodging destination.
According to WexTrust representatives, the hotel has disassociated with the Days Inn brand, and for the balance of 2006 travel season, the property will be operated as the Gold Coast Hotel. Once renovations are complete, the hotel will include 196 fully appointed guest rooms, a reconfigured lobby-lounge area, 2,000 sf of meeting space, a fully equipped fitness center, independently operated spa services, and a new restaurant concept. Interior design and architectural services are being supervised by locally based Gettys Group, and the hotel will be managed by locally based Portfolio Hotels & Resorts.

“This was an under-utilized hotel in a prime location that we felt offered an excellent redevelopment opportunity,” says Michael Kochevar, senior vice president of acquisition and development at WexTrust Capital.

WexTrust’s retail leasing division vice president Edward L. Dushman says the company has been approached by many high-profile restaurateurs inquiring about plans for the lobby-level lounge and restaurant area. “It certainly did not surprise us at all,” Dushman says, “when you consider our location, the property is at the nexus of the Gold Coast, Lincoln Park and Old Town.”

In addition to the Gold Coast Hotel, Portfolio Hotels & Resorts operates the 106-room Orchard Hotel in San Francisco; the 215-room Doubletree Hotel Los Angeles International Airport; the 285-room Ambassador East Hotel and Pump Room restaurant in Chicago; the 113-room Courtyard Cleveland Beachwood by Marriott in Beachwood, OH; and the 426-room Holiday Inn Select Naperville. Most recently, the operator was selected to manage the 86-room Orchard Garden Hotel in San Francisco; the 144-room La Quinta Inn and Suites and the 260-room Hilton Suites both in Des Plaines. The three properties are currently under construction.

Commercial Real Estate News

New Owner Plans Days Inn Gold Coast Overhaul

By Dana Dubriwny of GlobeSt.com

Tuesday, July 11, 2006 - CHICAGO-WexTrust Capital, through its affiliate Gold Coast Investors, LLC, has acquired the former 221-room Days Inn in the Lincoln Park neighborhood from 1800 N. Lincoln, LLC.

Just as a little tid-bit, this Days Inn formerly operated as the Lincoln Inn. Some protest organizers stayed at the Lincoln Inn during the 1968 Democratic Convention. Their guest rooms were used for planning meetings for protests at the convention and for some press interviews.

Many protesters slept overnight nearby in Lincoln Park and then "commuted" down to Grant Park in the mornings to where the real action took place.

Deming on the Green
http://jameson.com/deming.htm

http://img394.imageshack.us/img394/9842/demingrendpo5.jpg
Eco-friendly design including Geo Thermal heating and cooling system, increased natural day lighting, certified woods and low emitting carpets and paints

Lincoln Park



A partnership has purchased the Columbus Hospital property at 2520 N. Lakeview, the group recently announced. The site, a prime 3-acre parcel fronting Lincoln Park, has already received city approval for a high-rise condominium development.

The partnership includes RMI (a venture of Peter E. Ricker, chairman and CEO), John T. Murphy (executive vice president of MB Real Estate), the GE Pension Trust and Charles P. Reiss, (former executive vice president and managing director of the Trump Organization).

The seller is 2520 Lakeview LLC, an affiliate of Chicago-based American Invsco, which has been retained to perform the sales aspect of the project.

"The site is clearly one of the premier residential development sites in the country," Ricker said. "Given the location, the view perspective and the framework of the development plan, this is truly a unique opportunity to create something very special."

The partnership is reviewing all aspects of the project, and it will unveil its development plan later. "Other than the guidelines set forth by the city, our approach is that we're starting with a clean slate," Murphy said.

While plans are still being finalized, Murphy said preparations for demolition of the hospital buildings, which were shuttered in 2001, will begin almost immediately. The actual demolition will get under way later this summer, and a pre-sale registration program for buyers will commence at that time as well, he said.

"In the years since I've come to Chicago, this site has always been of interest to me," Reiss said. "It's an A-list site that has been coveted by a lot of developers."

Yup, I live in this neighborhood as well. Interesting to see what happens to the land.

I live very close to this project, and have been watching it for the last 6-8 months.

Hospital expansion plan is fair
Any development proposed for an already congested area is bound to be controversial, particularly if that congested area is along the lakefront. That's why the planned expansion of St. Joseph Hospital in Lincoln Park has dragged on for so long. After more than two years of community meetings, the hospital is finally ready to present a proposal to the Plan Commission today.

The hospital has won the support of the local alderman, Tom Tunney (44th). But some in the community still oppose the plan, fearing its impact on their homes and their neighborhood. While we sympathize with those fears, the plan doesn't strike us as unreasonable.

The hospital appears to have tried hard to minimize the neighborhood impact, particularly in the design of a new nine-story medical office building to be built on what is now a surface parking lot at Surf and Sheridan. Yes, the views from some nearby condos will be blocked. Yes, there will be an increase in traffic. But the views of high-rise dwellers are never guaranteed. And the neighborhood already is one of the most densely populated areas of the city, one that can likely absorb the impact of the hospital expansion without huge problems.

The hospital, which is investing $200 million in the project, also has promised to limit its parcels within the planned development to medical uses only, to allay fears that the parcels could be sold to a private developer. In addition, current zoning would allow for far more development than the hospital is proposing.

The expansion plans will never please everyone. But as Tunney argues, the proposal gives the hospital what it wants while locking in protections for the area.

Copyright CHICAGO SUN-TIMES 2006

^ There is a Lincoln Park development thread. This article would probably be better off there than having its own thread

..

This isn't really Lincoln Park -- it's Lakeview.

This isn't really Lincoln Park -- it's Lakeview.

^ It has its own thread, too. :)

I was born at this hospital 27 years ago.

Thanks for the article, BFA, but it belongs here in the Lincoln Park Development thread, as TUP mentioned. I merged the two threads.

Thanks for the article, BFA, but it belongs here in the Lincoln Park Development thread, as TUP mentioned. I merged the two threads.
Nice move, Hydrogen, and congrats on your new status. :cheers: BTW how does one locate the appropriate thread, especially one that has lain dormant for several months?

Nice move, Hydrogen, and congrats on your new status. :cheers: BTW how does one locate the appropriate thread, especially one that has lain dormant for several months?

Thanks. Unfortunately, without the search function, one must resort to simply digging around for the thread they're trying to locate. But you can also try searching for it using Google:

However, one method that can be tried to search SSC is using Google. You can do so by going to www.google.com, placing the text "site:www.skyscrapercity.com" and then placing the text you wish to search. The result looking similar to this in your browser window.

Another method in which you can keep track of threads is by simply going to the blue "Thread tools" tab in a particular thread and click the "subscribe to this thread" option. You then go to your user control panel and you'll find a listing of the subscribed threads easily accessible.

Many thanks.

eom

www.lincolnpark2520.com

By Lucien Lagrange...no design yet.

www.lincolnpark2520.com

By Lucien Lagrange...no design yet.

You can see the building on the architect's website (http://www.lucienlagrange.com). (Go to projects--> residential--> 2520 N Lakeview.)

It looks the same as it did in its previous life, when it was proposed as The Lakeview.

^Yes that could be it.

But in the hundreds of news articles, the developers kept talking about starting over with a "clean slate." I was hoping that they might have the guts to actually do something modern.

I guess we'll find out more next year.

Looks like there was a meeting yesterday, and I missed it (damn!) Here are the details:

Alderman Vi Daley, the Park West Community Association and the Diversey Harbor Lakeview Association invite you to attend a meeting on Thursday, October 26 regarding demolition and construction plans and discussion of the timelines for the old Columbus Hospital site. Meeting will take place at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, 2000 North Cannon Drive, 2nd Floor. For addl information - 773-327-9111.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-0610270212oct27,0,651630.story?coll=chi-business-hed

Columbus Hospital to make way for condos

By Susan Diesenhouse
Tribune staff reporter
Published October 27, 2006

By late November demolition will start on the long-shuttered Columbus Hospital to clear the 3.4-acre site at 2520 N. Lakeview Ave. for construction of what one industry expert says is the first major multifamily project to go up in Lincoln Park since the 1970s.

In about three years, at a cost of approximately $350 million, the affluent North Side neighborhood will have Lincoln Park 2520: a new triple-tower condominium high-rise designed by Lucien Lagrange Architects with perhaps 312 units and 13 townhouses, Chicago-based developer RMI LLC said Thursday.

Traditional masonry design, luxury features and ample services will be "reminiscent of the finest 1920s and 1930s buildings in Lincoln Park," Peter E. Ricker, an RMI principal, said of the homes priced from about $550,000 to perhaps $10 million. "It's a special site because the views of North Pond, Diversey Harbor and the lake can't ever be blocked."

The project, which will have towers rising 22, 31 and 38 stories, is a planned development approved by the city and community, and it has been a long time coming.

It daunted one developer, American Invsco Corp., which last spring sold the site for $45 million to RMI and its financial partner, an affiliate of General Electric Pension Trust. The development team will invest equity of $100 million in the project, Ricker said.

The luxury complex overlooking the park and Lake Michigan will feature a one-acre back yard and a concierge, among other amenities. It could bring needed new housing to the area and eliminate a longtime neighborhood eyesore that has been vacant since 2002, said Ald. Vi Daley (43rd).

"It's a beautiful building that will be a good addition to the neighborhood," Daley said.

Although some nearby residents might prefer not to have development, she said, the new project will "be better than having a vacant hospital there."

A community meeting has been planned for Thursday night to inform neighbors of what to expect during the six-month demolition and 27-month construction process.

Few big new projects have been built in Lincoln Park because appropriate sites are a rare find, Daley noted.

Indeed, the site's location should buoy unit sales despite the housing market slowdown, said Gail Lissner, a vice president at Appraisal Research Counselors, an appraisal and consulting firm.

"The upper end of the condo market is tough, but we think this project will differentiate itself by the location and spectacular views," said Lissner, who has been an adviser to RMI on the project.

She said the last major high-rise built in Lincoln Park, one with more than 100 units, was completed about 30 years ago at 2500 N. Lakeview Ave.

To move ahead, the development does not require any further city or neighborhood approvals other than a demolition and building permit, RMI executives said.

The latest iteration of the project has many of the same features outlined in previous plans.

The size of the project, the setback from the street and the amount of parking will not vary. The plan calls for parking for about 625 cars at 2520 N. Lakeview Ave. between West St. James Place and West Deming Place

But there have been some changes, said John T. Murphy, the other RMI principal.

The structure will feature a canopied entrance with a circular driveway on West Deming Place. The main entrance on Lakeview Avenue has been altered from three small lobbies to one grand entry that will be 80 feet long and 22 feet high. Residents' shared amenities will include a spa, pool, library and media room.

The one-bedroom to four-bedroom units will start at about 800 square feet and are planned to go as high as 11,500 square feet.

Some condominiums might be larger because potential buyers have inquired about combining units to form a larger home.

Units will have open floor plans, approximately 10-foot-high ceilings, balconies and bay windows.

Some walls included in earlier designs have been eliminated to accommodate floor-to-ceiling windows. More balconies have been added to the building, and some existing ones have been enlarged.

Each unit will be equipped with technology for remote adjustment of appliances, such as temperature, window shades, music and videos.

American Invsco, while no longer a development partner, will market the units. Sales are expected to start in February with the completion of a model unit.

The developers' market research predicts that about 35 percent of future buyers will come from North Shore suburbs, 40 percent from Lincoln Park and the rest from downtown Chicago.

Murphy declined to give a specific number of prospective buyers who have already started inquiring about the project, but he said, "Already we have a significant premarketing waiting list."

^^^http://img139.imageshack.us/img139/5112/2520nlvou9.jpg

Is it me, or is that the exact same design of the earlier project? A mansard roof?? From Lucien LaGrange??? Never would've expected that....

My god, the thing looks EXACTLY like Elysian...

I'm not just joking here, I honestly can't tell what has changed between this and Elysian, other than the width of the building. The tallest massing is quite literally indistinguishable from Elysian.

If this is the best we can do with traditional styles, I want modern here. C'mon.. even LA is getting really really good "traditional" new buildings.

My god, the thing looks EXACTLY like Elysian...

I'm not just joking here, I honestly can't tell what has changed between this and Elysian, other than the width of the building. The tallest massing is quite literally indistinguishable from Elysian.

If this is the best we can do with traditional styles, I want modern here. C'mon.. even LA is getting really really good "traditional" new buildings.


Its beyond me how the same firm that puts out beautiful modern designs such as Park Kingsbury and Erie on the Park can then turn around and design structures like Elysian and Ten East Deleware... :ohno:

An interesting retail project going in at Halsted and Blackhawk.

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j63/creilmann/CC82232D-4E3D-4FC4-888E-C8CCBA84AD7.jpg

More information here. (http://www.loopnet.com/xNet/MainSite/Listing/Profile/ProfileSE.aspx?LID=14513686&linkcode=1070&sourcecode=1lww2t006a00001)

If this is the best we can do with traditional styles, I want modern here. C'mon.. even LA is getting really really good "traditional" new buildings.

Yeah, that's what it comes down to. If you're gonna do traditional, do it right. If you can't do it right, then go with modern. Faux-traditional crap is pretty depressing on an anotherwise stellar architecture scene.

An interesting retail project going in at Halsted and Blackhawk.

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j63/creilmann/CC82232D-4E3D-4FC4-888E-C8CCBA84AD7.jpg

More information here. (http://www.loopnet.com/xNet/MainSite/Listing/Profile/ProfileSE.aspx?LID=14513686&linkcode=1070&sourcecode=1lww2t006a00001)

^ I think the right side is the British school, but the building on the left looks like something different.

An interesting retail project going in at Halsted and Blackhawk.

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j63/creilmann/CC82232D-4E3D-4FC4-888E-C8CCBA84AD7.jpg

More information here. (http://www.loopnet.com/xNet/MainSite/Listing/Profile/ProfileSE.aspx?LID=14513686&linkcode=1070&sourcecode=1lww2t006a00001)

Horrible architecture...

^ I think the right side is the British school, but the building on the left looks like something different.

Actually, the left side (south) is the British School.

Better pictures can be seen at strdev.com/

An interesting retail project going in at Halsted and Blackhawk.

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j63/creilmann/CC82232D-4E3D-4FC4-888E-C8CCBA84AD7.jpg

More information here. (http://www.loopnet.com/xNet/MainSite/Listing/Profile/ProfileSE.aspx?LID=14513686&linkcode=1070&sourcecode=1lww2t006a00001)

this is total shiza! (sp??) can you say crap in any language.....puke, yuck , nasty, ......
.......it looks like a wavy-gravy old school Ho-Jo

Eh? I'm confused :nuts:

When it's Pomo you guys hate it. When it's glassy and modern, you hate it as well. Pardon me for saying this, but this is getting pretty damn ridiculous, no? Maybe if nobody builds squat everyone will be happy.

Okay, I just checked out STRDEV's website as creil suggested, and WTF? Are some of you people still on the pipe? This is exactly the kind of architecture the city's neighborhoods need, instead of the usual brick cookie-cutter yawners we've been getting for a decade. This to me sets the standard for future large stand-alone retail developments in Chicago's neighborhoods.

By the way, does anybody know what these structures will be replacing? If we're losing some gorgeous turn-of-the-century buildings for this, it may sap the appreciation I'm having for this development right now.

Yeah, this is way better than most of the crap that we typically get. Go look at the architects website for some other views. This will surely be a great development for the area.

Okay, I just checked out STRDEV's website as creil suggested, and WTF? Are some of you people still on the pipe? This is exactly the kind of architecture the city's neighborhoods need, instead of the usual brick cookie-cutter yawners we've been getting for a decade. This to me sets the standard for future large stand-alone retail developments in Chicago's neighborhoods.

By the way, does anybody know what these structures will be replacing? If we're losing some gorgeous turn-of-the-century buildings for this, it may sap the appreciation I'm having for this development right now.

Looking at Google Earth (if you go by the site today it's already razed and ready to build), it looks like we're not losing anything special. Just some ugly block buildings.

I see both points of view here. If this were going in an more residential/commercial area, it may not fit in. However, this is going in an old industrial area that has seen some unusual architecture as of late (Weed Street). I think this is a good centerpiece for this area and if you do look at the pictures on the other website I posted, you'll get a better perspective.

Horrible architecture...
Agreed. It looks like '60's "schlok" architecture. :ohno:

I guess you can't change everyone's mind, but the building is definitely way better than the forgetful brick design we would otherwise get on this site.
http://img132.imageshack.us/img132/3014/br3ui8.jpg
http://img132.imageshack.us/img132/159/br2br8.jpg
^Cool exterior balcony/walkway
http://img132.imageshack.us/img132/4411/brjd8.jpg
^Looks like there's a gym at the top

Even though I don't care much for the architecture (and, admittedly, it's grown on me a little bit), I still totally want this project to go forward. I walked all the way over to the site today to get a better look. Things seem to be advancing nicely. This will bring a welcome breath of fresh air to a stretch of Halsted that has kind of a dead feeling to it. Here are a few photos of the site I took today, which technically isn't in Lincoln Park.

http://img167.imageshack.us/img167/6161/signqy8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img167.imageshack.us/img167/4835/sign1ef0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img329.imageshack.us/img329/9938/site2pe3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img80.imageshack.us/img80/7039/site3rr3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Sorry, I left the aperture too wide and ended up with a blurred background. But you get the idea.
http://img80.imageshack.us/img80/6376/site4wz5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

A. Finkl & Sons buys Verson Steel's South Side site
Does this mean expansion or relocation from longtime Lincoln Park home?

(Crain's) — A. Finkl & Sons Co. has acquired the former Verson Steel property on Chicago's South Side, fueling talk that the metal-forging firm could leave its longtime home on the western edge of Lincoln Park.

A Finkl affiliate in June paid $2.4 million for the property at 1355 E. 93rd St., according to property records.

Yet it's unclear whether the acquisition of the 508,000-square-foot property is part of an expansion plan or a relocation plan.

Bruce Liimatainen, Finkl's chairman, did not return phone calls for comment, and Alderman Vi Daley (43rd), whose ward includes the Finkl complex, was unaware of Finkl's plans.

With a sprawling complex along Cortland Avenue just west of Clybourn Avenue, Finkl has been a fixture in the neighborhood, holding firm amid encroaching residential and retail development. The firm's factory sits in a planned-manufacturing district, or PMD, where non-industrial uses are prohibited.

Founded as a blacksmith shop in 1879, Finkl moved to its current location in 1902 and became a prominent symbol of the PMD movement in the late 1980s, as residential and retail development inched closer. After much debate, Finkl became part of the Clybourn Corridor PMD, the city's first such district, in 1988.

Verson was a unit of Chicago-based Allied Products, a designer and maker of metal forming presses. Allied Products went out of business after filing for Chapter 11 protection from creditors in 2000. Most of the assets of its Verson division were sold the following year.

The Verson property sits in a tax-increment financing district, meaning Finkl could be eligible for city subsidies to redevelop the property.



^^ We don't talk much about industrial development around here (especially in the Lincoln Park discussion board) so it should be interesting to see any opinions on this story or anything involving the Clybourn Industrial Corridor.

I know this is speculation right now, but if Finkl decides to relocate, what do you think this would mean for the Clybourn Industrial Corridor. Finkl is a cornerstone for this corridor especially north of Goose Island. Will commercial develpment start expand to the river or will the industrial zoning hold?

Personally, I commend Finkl for their efforts to make the complex as pedestrian friendly as possible. They did a nice job with lighting and landscaping along Cortland. I don't know if any of you have walked by there, but there are also interesting facts about Finkl and the steel industry posted along the sidewalk. It's almost like going to a steel museum. It's amazing to stop and peek into one of the doors or windows and get to watch the process happen in front of your eyes. The workers are very friendly. It doesn't make you feel uncomfortable to walk through that area of Cortland; they just blend in with the neighborhood.

It will be interesting to see what does happen with this complex if Finkl decides to relocate to the south side, industrial or commercial.

Finkl to be acquired, close North Side plant

(Crain’s) — After agreeing to be bought by a German steel company, A. Finkl & Sons Co. is shutting down its factory on the western edge of Lincoln Park, its home since 1902.

Finkl, a steelmaker that employs 350 people in the complex, plans to relocate either to the former Verson Steel property on Chicago’s South Side, which it acquired in June, or a site in Quebec that it recently agreed to buy, says Finkl Chairman Bruce Liimatainen.

The company has run out of space at its current location, just west of Clybourn and Cortland avenues, and can’t get enough power to meet its needs, he says.

Finkl’s ambitious growth plans are tied to its announcement Thursday that it is being acquired by Schmolz+Bickenbach A.G., a Dusseldorf-based steel company with $4.7 billion in revenue and 10,000 employees. Both companies make steel that manufacturers and tool-and-die makers use to produce factory tools, and the combined company will be the largest tool steel producer in the world, Mr. Liimatainen says.

The acquisition will “bring a lot of tonnage to the new facility when it’s built,” he says. It gets “us into a worldwide distribution network that (Schmolz+Bickenbach) already have in place.”

Finkl’s acquisition of the 44-acre Verson Steel site in June had fueled speculation that the company was planning to move from its current complex, which sits on an industrial peninsula surrounded by an ocean of residential and retail development.


^^ That's a huge piece of property along the North Branch and Clybourn. Wonder what will happen?

^Wow, I can't believe this is happening. I can't begin to imagine the development possibilities. That's a prime piece of land straddling Lincoln Park and the Chicago River. I hope we don't end up with some mega-development like the Roosevelt Collection. I'd like to see a bunch of different projects.

I've noticed that the Friends of Bloomingdale Trail (http://www.bloomingdaletrail.org/)have posted the Finkl story on their new website. I'm sure there is going to be alot of interest in incorporating some of this property into the new park. The trail's plan calls for an ending at the Chicago River using a section of the old pivot rail bridge as a pier. If that bridge can still operate, it could easily connect the Bloomingdale trail to Lincoln Park now that the Finkl property is for sale. Wonder if the city is thinking this way. I know that Daly would like a riverside park the distance of the North Branch.

I know that the chances of getting a football team for Depaul are next to nothing (referring to the "What would it take to get a new college football team (http://skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=406780)" thread), but the Finkl site would be a great location for a Depaul athletic complex.

Here's the Finkl property. The boundries aren't exact, but you get the idea. Easy access to the Kennedy, Metra, Brown Line, Red Line and future Circle Line.

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

Just keep in mind that the Finkl property is in a Planned Manufacturing District. That, by design, makes substantially more difficult any rezoning and use for residential or commercial.

Just keep in mind that the Finkl property is in a Planned Manufacturing District. That, by design, makes substantially more difficult any rezoning and use for residential or commercial.

Difficult, yes. Impossible, no. I've walked past that site many times (via Cortland), and it's not the type of complex that readily lends itself to being replaced by another tenant/owner. Unlike a residential property, where one owner can easily succeed another owner by simply moving in, industrial properties are often built to meet the unique specifications of the particular type of activity that will take place there. In addition, having industrial areas so close to downtown and upscale neighborhoods is anachronistic, a vestige of a bygone era in this city. That area, along with the River North Industrial Corridor just to the south, is an outgrowth of the past industrialization of the river. But with the decline of industry, it seems increasingly appropriate to put it to use for residential purposes. And I believe our municipal leadership will see the wisdom in doing so.

with the decline of industry, it seems increasingly appropriate to put it to use for residential purposes. And I believe our municipal leadership will see the wisdom in doing so.
You must be reading different tea leaves (and newspapers) than I am. No one gets elected or reelected by promising to bring more residents and more traffic. But they do get cheers (from some folks) for promising to keep jobs in Chicago. So they declare PMDs even though there's no industrial demand, and we get Goose Island full of warehouse facilities with two dozen jobs for 150,000 square feet. Look at what just happened with the Cooper Lamp factory. Or Wicklander Printing on South State, a two-block PMD island in the residential South Loop.

At least for the near term, I think you can count on political rhetoric about retaining good-paying industrial jobs in Chicago and an expensive--and ultimately pointless--effort to abate and redevelop the Finkl site for "industrial" use.

You must be reading different tea leaves (and newspapers) than I am. No one gets elected or reelected by promising to bring more residents and more traffic. But they do get cheers (from some folks) for promising to keep jobs in Chicago. So they declare PMDs even though there's no industrial demand, and we get Goose Island full of warehouse facilities with two dozen jobs for 150,000 square feet. Look at what just happened with the Cooper Lamp factory. Or Wicklander Printing on South State, a two-block PMD island in the residential South Loop.

At least for the near term, I think you can count on political rhetoric about retaining good-paying industrial jobs in Chicago and an expensive--and ultimately pointless--effort to abate and redevelop the Finkl site for "industrial" use.

Keeping the jobs in Chicago won't be an issue. There are enterprise zones and TIF land in the West Pullman and Chicago Harbor areas that have plenty of room for high-tech and blue collar manufacturing jobs. Property is cheaper and you are putting manufacturing jobs closer to blue-collar neighborhoods. I think the problem you'll find in replacing Finkl with another industry is the size and value of the land. Finkl moved to the south side because they had no room to expand and they weren't able to get the power to the plant that they needed. Any industry that is big and rich enough to take over that space will have those same problems to deal with. If you break up the property into smaller pieces, then you have to find small industry that is willing to pony up for the land and rebuild on it. If I own a manufacturing company and I want to be in Chicago, wouldn't the south side be more appealing?

Commercial developers have been moving in on the North River Industrial Corridor for over a decade; Home Depot, Sams, Best Buy, Circuit City, etc. The location of this land makes it a logical next step.

But logic and demand have nothing to do with it. The mayor and the aldermen want to say they are "preserving good-paying jobs in Chicago." That's why Finkl got PMD No. 1 and why the city gave them money for the streetscaping, vacated Southport, etc., etc.

When Home Depot took the old DuPont site it was under the fiction that it was a retail-industrial use, with industrial to be built in a future phase. Look at all the money lavished on Goose Island to very little effect, as the buildings ended up being low-job density distribution centers. Permits had actually been issued for residential conversion of the building on Halsted that's now Kendall College before the mayor's office pulled them back and got Sara Lee to make it a technical center. Surely you don't think the Cooper lamp factory is being turned into a "green center" because there's such high demand from green industries. It's being done so the alderman can say he kept jobs in the ward.

Finkl sits on the only peice of land on the N. Branch Industrial Cor. that is in the 43rd Ward. How many blue-collar workers do you think there are in Lincoln Park? If anything, the aldermen would probably get a better political reaction if this property went commercial. The lamp factory sits in the 1st ward where there is still a sizeable population of blue collar workers. I understand your point, but I don't see any political disadvantage by letting this go non-industrial.

Demo is officially starting on the old Columbus Hospital. Protective scaffolding pedestrian tunnels have been erected around the site and there is a sign hanging from a fence for Omega Demolition.

Fight brewing over fate of Finkl site
Can prime Lincoln Park spot remain industrial after steelmaker goes?

A brawl is brewing over the future of steelmaker A. Finkl & Sons Co.'s longtime Lincoln Park home — and over one of Mayor Richard M. Daley's favorite tools to preserve manufacturing in the city.

Mayor Daley has been a major proponent of planned manufacturing districts, or PMDs, which prohibit residential development and restrict retail in industrial sectors. The city has created nine in the last three years, bringing the total to 14 encompassing more than 10,000 acres, or roughly 7% of the city.

Finkl's departure plans are certain to spark a fight over whether to preserve the site for industrial use or sell it to developers, who covet its location adjacent to some of the city's prime retail and residential addresses.

Finkl Chairman Bruce Liimatainen says the firm has always gotten calls from developers. But those calls have come on a daily basis since the company announced Dec. 7 that it is being sold to a German competitor and is planning to move to either the South Side or Quebec, where it can more than double the size of its Lincoln Park facility.

Unless PMD status is removed from the site, however, it will be off-limits to all but industrial developers.

The mayor says he favors preserving the Clybourn Corridor PMD, established in 1988 as the city's first, although he says he'll keep an "open mind."

Any attempt at residential or retail development "is going to upset the apple cart because the city is going to resist," says 36th Ward Alderman William J. P. Banks, chairman of the city's zoning committee.

Mr. Liimatainen says the company and its new owner will "look at every and all options" for the site, which could probably fetch three to four times as much from a residential or retail developer as from an industrial user, says Michael Senner, senior vice-president with Chicago real estate brokerage Colliers Bennett & Kahnweiler Inc.

PMD critics say preserving desirable tracts for factories deprives the city of millions in tax revenue.

Defenders of PMDs have argued that the districts keep high-paying manufacturing jobs in the city. But in the Clybourn Corridor, total employment fell 11% to 2,347 between 1988 and 2004, according to a November 2005 study by the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Center for Economic Development. Manufacturing jobs fell to 336 from 1,146, according to the study.

http://chicagobusiness.com/cgi-bin/news.pl?id=23331&bt=high-rise&arc=n&searchType=

Clybourn Ave.'s PMD corridor leads nowhere
Jan. 02, 2007

Looking a gift horse in the mouth, always impolite, can be unwise as well.

But that's what the city may do with the A. Finkl & Sons Co. site, a plum development opportunity on the western edge of Lincoln Park. Finkl is moving after 104 years at the location just off Clybourn Avenue, a bustling corridor of new homes, stores and restaurants.

Finkl's move will make 22 acres available for redevelopment in one of Chicago's hottest neighborhoods.

Developers are calling Finkl every day to express interest in turning the old steel plant into new homes. As Eddie Baeb reported in Crain's on Dec. 18, Finkl could sell the property to a residential developer tomorrow for three to four times the price an industrial user would pay. By modern standards, the plant is small and offers little room for expansion.

Market forces, therefore, seem to indicate that the plant would be sold for residential and/or retail redevelopment.

But it's not that simple. The Finkl plant sits in a planned manufacturing district (PMD), one of several the city has created over the past two decades in an effort to stem the loss of manufacturing jobs. You can't build houses in a PMD. Without a waiver, that means Finkl can't sell its property to any of the residential developers itching to pay top dollar.

It's not just Finkl that stands to lose if Mayor Richard M. Daley insists on preserving the site for industrial use. The city itself will be walking away from all the spending, vitality and, yes, property taxes that new residents would bring to the area.

Clinging to an outdated industrial vision of the Clybourn Corridor underscores the silliness of the entire PMD system. Advocates tout PMDs as a way to keep high-paying manufacturing jobs in the city. They seem unaware that the term "high-paying manufacturing job" has become an oxymoron as factory work migrates to low-wage offshore locales. A recent study shows that the number of manufacturing jobs in the Clybourn Corridor fell to 336 from 1,146 between 1988 and 2004.

PMD backers ignore that thousands of high-paying jobs are being created in the offices of downtown and environs. Those workers need housing convenient to their jobs — areas like the Clybourn Corridor.

Another image of Lincoln Park 2520
http://img172.imageshack.us/img172/5403/2520lpmg6.jpg

http://chicagobusiness.com/cgi-bin/news.pl?id=23915

North-Clybourn retail spreading south
Development shifts south along Clybourn; traffic's coming next

The North-Clybourn retail mecca is spreading south.

A host of development firms is planning to build more than a half-million square feet of retail space on a swath of largely industrial land skirting the Chicago River from North Avenue south to Division Street.

In the process, they'll transform the Clybourn Avenue corridor running from Division Street all the way north to Webster Avenue into a shopping district comparable in square footage to mid-sized enclosed malls like Northbrook Court or Westfield Fox Valley. The new retail development south of North Avenue will also add to the traffic that has clogged the North-Clybourn shopping corridor.

"There is a buying and developing frenzy taking place," says Burt Friedman, president of acquisitions for Belgravia Group Ltd., which bought a 2.3-acre parcel at 1401 N. Kingsbury St. in the fall and is now planning a two-level, 135,000-square-foot retail complex there.

Developers recently acquired two other former industrial sites in the area, and a 3.5-acre vacant tract near Kingsbury and Division streets is for sale. Separately, plans are to be unveiled next month for the massive New City YMCA site at Clybourn Avenue and Halsted Street that is to include condos, restaurants, a Roundy's Supermarkets Inc. grocery store and apparel boutiques.

The new developments are being driven by the availability of large lots, the demolition of the nearby Cabrini-Green housing development and the success of retailers already there, such as Crate & Barrel, Home Depot and Best Buy. Retail experts estimate that shops in the corridor are ringing up about $400 in sales per square foot, a figure that rivals the best regional malls and, in the Chicago area, is second only to North Michigan Avenue's Magnificent Mile.

Still, some question whether there will be enough demand for the new space being contemplated south toward Division Street — especially at a time when many retailers are tempering expansion plans as the economy cools. Some also wonder whether traffic could hinder further growth.

"Right now, there's a lot of traffic and the retailers are doing well," says Bruce Kaplan, president of Chicago's Northern Realty Group Ltd., a retail brokerage. "If you add several hundred thousand square feet of space to the mix, will traffic get oversaturated? There is a point at which the traffic will become so congested that customers will begin to shy away."

The redevelopment of the 8.2-acre New City Y site will bring about 350,000 square feet of shopping space to the district. Structured Development LLC agreed to acquire the site last summer for close to $54 million; Structured also owns a property across Halsted Street, where it is building a new home for the British School of Chicago that's also to include doctors' offices and about 90,000 square feet of retail.

Structured last week went farther south, buying 2.5 acres at 1317 N. Clybourn Ave. for $14.4 million from White Way Sign, which is now renting its building on a monthly basis from Structured while the sign maker, founded in 1916, looks for a new location. A White Way executive didn't return calls.

Daniel Lukas, a principal with Chicago-based Structured, says his firm will probably do another residential-retail development at the site after White Way moves.

"It's a natural progression for continued retail and residential in the area," Mr. Lukas says. "In five years, it's going to be a whole new neighborhood."

Mr. Lukas points to Whole Foods, which is moving south on Kingsbury Street into a space more than double the size of its current North Avenue store.

"I think that validates for national retailers that the trend is south," Mr. Lukas says.

The largest current retail vacancy in the North-Clybourn area also may soon be filled: Grossinger Auto Group is in talks to lease the former Home Depot Expo Design Center site at 1500 N. Dayton St., according to sources familiar with the matter.

http://img505.imageshack.us/img505/218/ogclybourncorridormv2.gif

Does anyone know what is going in across the river from Home Depot and just next to Circuit City and Sams Wine and Spirits? There is construction going on. The road from North Ave to Kingsbury has been reconstructed, but I don't know what the development plan is.

And why would Whole Foods move from their current site?

"Right now, there's a lot of traffic and the retailers are doing well," says Bruce Kaplan, president of Chicago's Northern Realty Group Ltd., a retail brokerage. "If you add several hundred thousand square feet of space to the mix, will traffic get oversaturated? There is a point at which the traffic will become so congested that customers will begin to shy away."


This statement bothers me. The Clybourn corridor already has a large Red Line station. If/when the Circle Line is built, it will also stop here at North/Clybourn, allowing access from all neighborhoods surrounding downtown. The retailers should be encouraging mass transit use, thereby avoiding the whole congestion issue.

I think some of the buying spree on Clybourn is because of the future Circle Line connecting with the Red line.

This statement bothers me. The Clybourn corridor already has a large Red Line station. If/when the Circle Line is built, it will also stop here at North/Clybourn, allowing access from all neighborhoods surrounding downtown. The retailers should be encouraging mass transit use, thereby avoiding the whole congestion issue.

Not that it bothers me personally, but the North/Clybourn station itself is kind of on the grimier side. I wonder if spending a little money to beautify it would be well-spent...it might be more welcoming to shoppers and encourage more of them to take the el as opposed to drive.

This statement bothers me. The Clybourn corridor already has a large Red Line station. If/when the Circle Line is built, it will also stop here at North/Clybourn, allowing access from all neighborhoods surrounding downtown. The retailers should be encouraging mass transit use, thereby avoiding the whole congestion issue.

^ Even with mass transit, congestion will inevitably be an issue. Cars, delivery trucks, cabs, etc etc. Pedestrians will need to be better protected. I wouldn't be surprised if, within 10 years, police officers will be directing traffic in the area.

Well, the subway entrance is isolated from all the shopping by the 4-lane expanses of North & Clybourn Avenues. It was originally designed with a second staircase/mezzanine on the west side of Clybourn, which was subsequently shut down in the 60s. It may be time to reactivate this.

I REALLY think the DPD needs to step in here and set some pedestrian guidelines for new developments. Right now, it's semi-tolerable, but if one more surface lot gets built, it will be horrible.

I REALLY think the DPD needs to step in here and set some pedestrian guidelines for new developments. Right now, it's semi-tolerable, but if one more surface lot gets built, it will be horrible.

^ The second generation of retail buildings built there are much better than the first. And now, the third generation (as I call it) of buildings is also looking promising (British School and adjacent retail building).

The problem is two-fold. One is how to correct the mistake of the original set of strip centers that were built at this site--I don't see how that can happen without demolishing and rebuilding. The second problem is that, even with garage parking, you're going to have a traffic problem here. Plus, the North Avenue bridge is being widened, making this area even more car accessible. What a nightmare!

This place is headed off a cliff. We should just be thankful that this place has transit access at all.

Transit for retail trips is a pretty hard sell for most people once they're out of grad school. Look at the entire Clybourn strip, for which transit is completely irrelevant. I think a better parking situation is part of the reason Whole Foods is moving (also for a larger store).

We should be grateful that North/Clybourn/Sheffield at least has the subway station and two frequent bus lines. Though I wish the sidewalks were wider, at least the new buildings along North Avenue are pulled up to the street.

The experience along Clybourn in the 90s was very discouraging, as the ordinary strip centers did better than the more urbane site plans at 1800 (the Turtle Wax Factory, now Goose Island Brewery/Erewhon/BedBath&Beyond) and Market Square (Treasure Island). So the dense, downtown way that North Avenue has developed is actually quite astonishing.

.....I wouldn't be surprised if, within 10 years, police officers will be directing traffic in the area.
They already are, on weekends and during holidays! And it is still traffic madness!

Does anyone know what is going in across the river from Home Depot and just next to Circuit City and Sams Wine and Spirits? There is construction going on. The road from North Ave to Kingsbury has been reconstructed, but I don't know what the development plan is.

Are you thinking perhaps of the North Avenue Bridge project, replacing the current span over the N. Branch?

Are you thinking perhaps of the North Avenue Bridge project, replacing the current span over the N. Branch?

No. I'm talking about the development just to the north of North Ave as it crosses over the river.

Speaking of the North Ave. bridge, it looks as though they are almost finished taking apart the old bridge.

The experience along Clybourn in the 90s was very discouraging, as the ordinary strip centers did better than the more urbane site plans at 1800 (the Turtle Wax Factory, now Goose Island Brewery/Erewhon/BedBath&Beyond) and Market Square (Treasure Island). So the dense, downtown way that North Avenue has developed is actually quite astonishing.

^ That's an interesting observation, and that reinforces my belief why strip centers with parking lots in front should not be built in urban areas. I believe that they cannabalize retailers around them by providing such easy and convenient parking for themselves, automatically putting others without such an asset to a disadvantage.

I say level the playing field--give nobody the opportunity to provide cheap and convenient parking in front of the store.

Transit for retail trips is a pretty hard sell for most people once they're out of grad school.

^ That's quite a generalization. That may be the status quo for Chicago circa 2007, but I think we deserve a bit more vision than that for the future. Otherwise, why plan around transit at all? Chicago may as well just give up on its own existence, level its neighborhoods, and rebuild itself as Houston or Phoenix.

^ That's quite a generalization. That may be the status quo for Chicago circa 2007, but I think we deserve a bit more vision than that for the future. Otherwise, why plan around transit at all? Chicago may as well just give up on its own existence, level its neighborhoods, and rebuild itself as Houston or Phoenix.

I agree with both observations to an extent. I use transit when I can, but the three things I rely on my car for are:
-grocery getting
-other large retail purchases
-going to the laundromat

I think that some of the big box retailing taking place on the Clybourn Corridor is simply not conducive to transit. That area is the closest thing we have to sa uburban-style shopping experience in the city. It's a shame, because some of the big boxes like the newer Best Buys and Targets seem to be doing a slightly better job.

It's just too many large retailers in too small of a place. You mention Houston and Phoenix, but from a planning standpoint, that's exactly what this area resembles. I think it's natural that the traffic outcome is the same too.

I agree with both observations to an extent. I use transit when I can, but the three things I rely on my car for are:
-grocery getting
-other large retail purchases
-going to the laundromat

I think that some of the big box retailing taking place on the Clybourn Corridor is simply not conducive to transit. That area is the closest thing we have to sa uburban-style shopping experience in the city. It's a shame, because some of the big boxes like the newer Best Buys and Targets seem to be doing a slightly better job.

It's just too many large retailers in too small of a place. You mention Houston and Phoenix, but from a planning standpoint, that's exactly what this area resembles. I think it's natural that the traffic outcome is the same too.

^ Big Box does not have to be synonymous with suburbs or even the car, for that matter. I believe we need to keep that in mind

That's true. If some of the stores started offering competitively-priced delivery service, then there wouldn't be such a reliance on the auto here.

Although it is a little bit of a stretch in this day and age to get all your groceries delivered, most other large retail purchases (electronics, furniture, etc) can be easily delivered. Then, you don't have to worry about hauling the purchase up/down your apartment stairs, up your elevator, etc.

As for how strip centers can be made pedestrian friendly - turn them into something like an outlet mall. Erect other 1-story buildings facing the existing ones, creating "streets". These streets could be pedestrian or real streets. They can be narrow, covered, wide, landscaped, etc. Any way you scramble it, they'd accommodate pedestrian traffic pretty well. One of the first major New Urbanist developments was Mashpee Commons on Cape Cod, which did exactly this.

^ Big Box does not have to be synonymous with suburbs or even the car, for that matter. I believe we need to keep that in mind

I agree with you here. We only need to look at the Best Buy and Home Depot on Clark/Wrightwood and Halsted/Wrightwood as examples. Still not beautiful, but they've integrated into the pedestrian ways well.

The problem is two-fold. One is how to correct the mistake of the original set of strip centers that were built at this site--I don't see how that can happen without demolishing and rebuilding. The second problem is that, even with garage parking, you're going to have a traffic problem here. Plus, the North Avenue bridge is being widened, making this area even more car accessible. What a nightmare!

This is my concern. We've got a million sqf of retail tucked into nooks and crannies everywhere with football fields of parking lots in front of them. Sam's location is ridiculous. If you create a wall of multi-level stores on North and Macy, you've essentially sealed off everything else. Short of blowing it all up, I don't see easy solutions to make it any better.

The irony of all of this is that the PMDs in this no-man's land were designed to promote easily-accessible urban jobs for non-white collar types, but none of the jobs tucked away on Elston and Goose Island are transit friendly. People taking these jobs generally can't afford to live near them. The city either needs to do a better job of integrating housing in the area, or they need to bite the bullet and woo the industry in the area away from the city center (presumably closer to home for many of the workers).

http://img132.imageshack.us/img132/3014/br3ui8.jpg

Taken this past weekend:
http://img252.imageshack.us/img252/2698/lpje6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://www.suntimes.com/business/314003,CST-FIN-newcity27.article

Shops, housing in mix at New City site

March 27, 2007
BY SANDRA GUY Business Reporter

The New City YMCA at Halsted and Clybourn will become a 1-million-square-foot complex of retail shops, restaurants and residential buildings, the developers announced Monday.

The 8.5-acre complex, to be called New City, will feature 490 housing units spread across five buildings, with 10 percent of the total set aside for low-income housing and another 10 percent for affordable housing.

The highest of the residential buildings will have two levels of retail and 23 levels of residential units. Another will have three levels of retail and seven levels of residential, and a third will have two levels of retail and nine levels of residential. Two low-rise buildings will be built on the south side of Eastman Street.

The housing development will cost $270 million. It will include a 1-acre plaza and boulevard-like sidewalks with landscaping, according to developers Structured Development and Commonfund Realty.

The 370,000 square feet of retail space will be anchored by a previously announced Roundy's Supermarket. The 80,000-square-foot grocery store will be at 1515 N. Halsted.

A spokesman for the New City YMCA said activities there will continue through the session that ends June 16.

Construction on the New City development will start in September, with completion planned in 2010.

That sounds like it's going to be one hell of a project. A few years ago, I could never have imagined all the unseemly vacant land immediately adjacent to the YMCA would be developed, let alone in such a cohesive way. That's definitely a parcel that is more amenable to one mega-project rather than a bunch of smaller, disparate projects. It's also great to hear affordable housing will be set aside.

I took a walk over in that area a couple weekends ago, and you can really sense the retreat of Cabrini Green and the arrival of a fresh, new status quo. Cabrini Green, due to its towers-in-the-park style arrangement and crime problems, was a black hole that disrupted the continuity of Chicago's urban fabric both physically and psychologically. It will be amazing once that entire area is re-developed and returned to the street grid, allowing a casual pedestrian to walk through there as if it's just another neighborhood.

My girlfriend and I were walking on Clark Street, between Fullerton and Diversey.

A couple of questions:

1. Does anybody know what is happening in the Blockbuster Video space that is being vacated at Clark and Wrightwood?
2. What is going on in the strip mall on the West side of Clark just south of Wrightwood? The mall begins with Gigo's Beef Stand which has been vacated for a while now. There are now 3 storefronts that are empty and I have a feeling that the remaining 3 might be working out their leases for something bigger.
3. (and yes, I know this is a bit north of Diversey) What is going on at the Walgreens at Clark and Diversey? and anybody know what is going on at the store directly next to the Walgreen's on Broadway? (Between where the Walgreens stood and Cleaners Depot)

This neighborhood has a ton of foot traffic, so new 'foot traffic friendly' stores would be awesome.

1. Does anybody know what is happening in the Blockbuster Video space that is being vacated at Clark and Wrightwood?

I wasn't aware Blockbuster was planning to leave. Where did you hear that?

2. What is going on in the strip mall on the West side of Clark just south of Wrightwood? The mall begins with Gigo's Beef Stand which has been vacated for a while now. There are now 3 storefronts that are empty and I have a feeling that the remaining 3 might be working out their leases for something bigger.

I've never noticed a "strip mall" there. To me, a strip mall is a group of connected storefronts recessed from the sidewalk to accommodate parking. Gigo's has supposedly been "remodeling" their restaurant. But very little activity has occurred for almost a year, so I can't say for sure what its ultimate fate will be. I miss their meatball subs.

3. (and yes, I know this is a bit north of Diversey) What is going on at the Walgreens at Clark and Diversey?

As the sign on the door states, Walgreen's will be closed until Fall 2007 for expansion and remodeling. An additional floor may be added, though I can't say for sure.

I wasn't aware Blockbuster was planning to leave. Where did you hear that?


By walking past the Blockbuster. They are not renting out movies after April 8th, and the memberships have been trasferred to a ~2500 N Ashland location.


I've never noticed a "strip mall" there. To me, a strip mall is a group of connected storefronts recessed from the sidewalk to accommodate parking. Gigo's has supposedly been "remodeling" their restaurant. But very little activity has occurred for almost a year, so I can't say for sure what its ultimate fate will be. I miss their meatball subs.


Ok, not quite your surburban "strip mall" but rather a string of retail storefronts probably owned by the same landlord. I apologize if this confused you. My question still stands though, and what kind of remodel takes a year?


As the sign on the door states, Walgreen's will be closed until Fall 2007 for expansion and remodeling. An additional floor may be added, though I can't say for sure.

Thanks. It's a busy intersection, and I was a bit surprised that they would shut it down.

By walking past the Blockbuster. They are not renting out movies after April 8th, and the memberships have been trasferred to a ~2500 N Ashland location.

The area will be seriously underserved by Blockbuster, though it doesn't matter to me because I rarely rent movies. And when I did go there, the selection was pretty paltry. They didn't even have Psycho. These rental stores must be losing ground to the internet rental market, thereby forcing closures.

My question still stands though, and what kind of remodel takes a year?

I agree. It's strange. In the time that restaurant has lay fallow, Trump Tower has added countless floors. Maybe there's a contractual dispute over the work.

It's a busy intersection, and I was a bit surprised that they would shut it down.

Same here. But there's another Walgreen's on Belden and Clark.

I'm surprised no one has posted recently on Lincoln Park 2520 (the condo building planned for the former Columbus Hospital site). I was pondering buying there, but it's hard to pull the trigger for that much money. They're also very inflexible regarding customization--you can't change floor plans at all, and even the hardware and finishes to choose from seem limited.

I'm also not excited about the outside appearance, which is very traditional. Here's a big photo:
http://wibiti.com/images/hpmain/425/177425.jpg


According to the article in the Tribune, they're selling fast:


Sales brisk for planned Lincoln Park 2520 condo development

BY SUSAN DIESENHOUSE
Published April 18, 2007

After just three weeks of public marketing, 104 of the 314 units in the first large condo building planned for Lincoln Park since the 1970s are under purchase agreements with 10 percent deposits, said the developer, John T. Murphy, co-principal of Ricker-Murphy Development LLC.

Despite a slowing housing market elsewhere, the units at Lincoln Park 2520, located at 2520 N. Lakeview Ave., have sold for $825 to $1,200 a square foot, or $750,000 to $9.9 million per condominium. Ricker-Murphy's partner is an affiliate of the General Electric Pension Trust.

By year's end, construction should start on the building designed by Lucien Lagrange. Occupancy is planned for early 2010.

The approximately $355 million building, which will have parking for 710 cars, will face the park and have views of the lake and the city skyline.

It's a busy intersection, and I was a bit surprised that they would shut it down.

Same here. But there's another Walgreen's on Belden and Clark.

There's also one literally ONE block away at Diversey and Halsted. It's kind of obscenely close, actually.

Images of the New City development
http://img516.imageshack.us/img516/3033/newcity3ku4.jpg
http://img516.imageshack.us/img516/6176/newcity2eu5.jpg
http://img244.imageshack.us/img244/7459/newcity1ec8.jpg

Landscaping
http://img180.imageshack.us/img180/6453/newcity01zd1.jpg
http://img244.imageshack.us/img244/1840/newcity03zd1.jpg

http://img516.imageshack.us/img516/3033/newcity3ku4.jpg
Wow what a difference a color rendering makes (which I suspect will have the same effect for the Arquitectonica building once it's released).
Thanks spyguy!

http://img516.imageshack.us/img516/3033/newcity3ku4.jpg
Wow what a difference a color rendering makes (which I suspect will have the same effect for the Arquitectonica building once it's released).
Thanks spyguy!

I'm not thrilled with the parking lot.

Looks pretty darn good. If there is one thing to improve on I wouldn't mind them rising the height of the two lower mid-rises to the height of the tallest there. In the future with a circle line that area will become an even greater prospect for massive TOD that could support massive density.

......Actually, looking at the article again I guess there are enough units already. The towers may just look smaller to me in relation to the whole footprint and retail base of the project.

I'm not thrilled with the parking lot.

Ditto. Though, overall, the design isn't too bad.

Ditto. Though, overall, the design isn't too bad.

It's a parking garage.

It's a parking garage.

Yeah - what appears to be a lot is actually the roof of the parking garage.

My friend who attends Depaul has a place in Lincoln Park. I was wondering what are the boundries or close too of Lincoln Park? Where does it end and start around? Love the area.

^^ If anyone could add a map it would help also. Not too familar with just street names in chi-town.

My friend who attends Depaul has a place in Lincoln Park. I was wondering what are the boundries or close too of Lincoln Park? Where does it end and start around? Love the area.

The northern border is Diversey. The southern border is arguable. Some, like myself, consider it to be Wisconsin, where Old Town begins. Others say it's North Ave. East is Lake Michigan. West is Clybourn.

Images of the New City development
http://img516.imageshack.us/img516/3033/newcity3ku4.jpg
http://img516.imageshack.us/img516/6176/newcity2eu5.jpg
http://img244.imageshack.us/img244/7459/newcity1ec8.jpg

Landscaping
http://img180.imageshack.us/img180/6453/newcity01zd1.jpg
http://img244.imageshack.us/img244/1840/newcity03zd1.jpg

Pardon my ignorance, but where will this be located?

^Halsted and Clybourn

^Halsted and Clybourn

Thanks. This design will fit that area well.

^Halsted and Clybourn

Oh wow, I live right off Halsted and Clybourn, I didn't even know this was going there... Wait, what are the borders of this??

I really look forward to this project. As Shawn pointed out at SSP, the most prominent aspect will be the modern flatiron building at the corner. It's fitting, since the famous Flatiron building in NYC was designed by a Chicago architect.

While I doubt that this structure will become anything close to iconic (but I woundn't mind a pleasant surprise), it's good to see some good corner-defining buildings make a comeback. I remember an article somewhere a few years ago regarding "Disappearing Corners" in Chicago (I think it was in the Preservation Chicago website). It looks like some of these corners (and some new ones) are finally "reappearing".

Oh wow, I live right off Halsted and Clybourn, I didn't even know this was going there... Wait, what are the borders of this??

As if that area (east of the river) isn't busy enough .... we get this!

Wow. Quite an improvement from what it was 10 years ago.

VOID

Unless you are trying to get through this area.

The biggest concern I have about this project is that it seems like it will really add to the traffic strangulation that already exists at North/Halsted/Clyborn. How much more congestion before the Halsted bus becomes totally worthless as a north-south route and the North Avenue bus becomes totally worthless as an east-west route?

I think the city should be taking a harder look at the impact that projects like this have on the transportation system. If they are going to allow high-density development into an area that already has inadequate roads and transit, they ought to be upgrading the transit systems that serve and run through it.

while i agree with you, if all developments waited until the public transportation was improved before they started any projects, nothing would get built

while i agree with you, if all developments waited until the public transportation was improved before they started any projects, nothing would get built

Which is the situation on NY's West Side, where there is no good subway access. This has basically kept the area from serious development. I know, West Side/Lincoln Park, totally different things, but I'm just drawing the parallel.

When transit is as important to lifestyle as it is in some neighborhoods in this city, the city needs to consider the transportation consequences of major projects.

VOID

because of the configuration, location and traffic condidtions, it will be a drive-to destination fed primarily off of Division Street. If it succeeds, the effect will be to push the traffic logjam further south down Halsted and Clyborn, making a bad situation worse.




I dont understand why this has to be a drive-to destination. North/Clyborne (Red Line) Sedgewick (Brown and Purple line) and even Damon (Blue Line) are within walking distance to this.

I dont understand why this has to be a drive-to destination. North/Clyborne (Red Line) Sedgewick (Brown and Purple line) and even Damon (Blue Line) are within walking distance to this.


The Damen Blue line stop is a pretty long hike to North and Clybourn. At least a 1/2 hr.

IF the Circle Line is built, North and Clybourn would be a terminal/station. I could see the gas station on Halsted and North being demo'd in the future to make way for a major tranist station with the new Circle line and a possible new station for the Brown/Purple line. Instead of one line for that station, you'd have 4 lines bringing in people from as far as Evanston.

The bummer about the Halsted/Clybourn project is that they will have to demolish Cubs Care Park. Stupid name but a cool little ballfield.

^^

I was thinking the same thing, its a nice park. Ill take the retail over the park though

I was listening to a conversation on TV about how baseball hasn't done enough to make an impact on the urban youth. CC Park is a great venue for little league games and now it's to be taken away for more retail. I think there is plenty of opportunity to build around it and make the park a centerpiece of the neighborhood.

As the sign on the door states, Walgreen's will be closed until Fall 2007 for expansion and remodeling. An additional floor may be added, though I can't say for sure.

Oddly enough, I just walked past the Walgreen's this morning and the sign on the door said that it is reopening May 29th (as in tomorrow).

Interesting. I wonder if they aborted plans to gut the place or what. I do know that the shelves in the store were completely empty not 5-6 weeks ago, and they sure as heck didn't expand the store.

Oh, and a Noodles & Company is opening next to the Cleaners Depot on Broadway (next door to the Walgreen's). That will be a nice improvement over the last two dining/drinking establishments that have been there. I hope they stay a while.

The cladding on the British School building is up. It looks pretty cool, but very disconnected from the buildings around it.

Also, the first of the ParkSide buildings on the old Cabrini site at Division/Clybourn has started construction.

Oh, and a Noodles & Company is opening next to the Cleaners Depot on Broadway (next door to the Walgreen's). That will be a nice improvement over the last two dining/drinking establishments that have been there. I hope they stay a while.

Hell yes, I love that place. Thanks for the scoop.

- edit

Surprised Apple didn't want to move into the retail space created by the New City corridor (mentioned in post 187)

I'm not really. This site is the most visible in the whole corridor. Plus it will be a stand alone store or the centerpiece where if was in the new YMCA development it would be a bit more inconspicuous among a large development. If they hadn't gotten this site then maybe the other would have been an option I am guessing.

So glad to finally see that shitty gas station gone! Is Apple paying for the restoration/renovation of the North/Clybourn red line station?

Demo is proceeding nicely at the old Columbus hospital site. The older building is coming down first. The parking lot behind it literally looks like something out of Dresden.

Can you get some pictures?

It seems like they are trying to keep the "newer" part of the hospital up for a while so they can sell the view.

Demo is proceeding nicely at the old Columbus hospital site. The older building is coming down first. The parking lot behind it literally looks like something out of Dresden.

What is going up, in it's place?

Anyone know anything about the "SoNo" development going up in the Cylborn corridor? I know they have been advertising it, for what seams like 3 years now, but I haven't heard anything about it.

^ It's selling, and there's already a sales center with models. I don't know how sales are going, though.

I really like that project

I hate the name SoNo. Trying so hard to be like New York.

What is going up, in it's place?

Huge development ... I think if you search this thread you'll see a few posts about it. I think there is one high rise, and a bunch of townhomes ...

What is going up, in it's place?

Lagrange's "2520 Lincoln Park"

http://img71.imageshack.us/img71/2063/2520lincolnparkvr5.jpg

I hate the name SoNo. Trying so hard to be like New York.

No they are trying to be like South Norwalk (norwalks downtown), CT
:cheers:

I hate the name SoNo. Trying so hard to be like New York.

I actually kind of like the name SoNo. It's better than DUMBO. Who says Chicago developers cant be creative with neighborhood names?

I actually kind of like the name SoNo. It's better than DUMBO. Who says Chicago developers cant be creative with neighborhood names?

Isn't originality part of creativity?

Of course New York probably stole it from London's Soho. Wikipedia offers one possible origin as "South of Holborn".

On a tangent: does anybody else hate when corporations shorten their names like that, e.g. "Nabisco" for "National Biscuit Company"? The name has no meaning unless you know what it stands for, (most people don't) and therefore has lost its purpose as a name.

I actually kind of like the name SoNo. It's better than DUMBO. Who says Chicago developers cant be creative with neighborhood names?

there already is a sono though.
Dumbo is better,
stupid but better.:cheers:

^^^Eh, alright, eitherway, I think it's leaps better than "Cabrini Green East"...it's hard to sell that :nuts:

On a side note, what's up with all the block-busters closing in LP? I know it's been talked about before, but the closest blockbuster now for me is by the Dominick's on Clyborn and Division. They've closed the Sheffield Blockbuster, the Clyborn Corridor BB, and the Clark BB. WTF, are they just totally going out of business or what?

All of those locations likely were operated by one franchise, which for whatever reason has gone out of business.

I wonder if this will make more LPers turn to Netflix?

On a side note, what's up with all the block-busters closing in LP? I know it's been talked about before, but the closest blockbuster now for me is by the Dominick's on Clyborn and Division. They've closed the Sheffield Blockbuster, the Clyborn Corridor BB, and the Clark BB. WTF, are they just totally going out of business or what?

I was wondering about that myself. First, the one close to my apartment on Clark and Wrightwood closed about a month ago. Then, this past weekend I noticed the one on Fullerton had closed. Now I find out about the one on Clybourn. It's strange. You'd think if any neighborhood could support Blockbuster it would be Lincoln Park.

I was wondering about that myself. First, the one close to my apartment on Clark and Wrightwood closed about a month ago. Then, this past weekend I noticed the one on Fullerton had closed. Now I find out about the one on Clybourn. It's strange. You'd think if any neighborhood could support Blockbuster it would be Lincoln Park.

Yeah it's freaking annoying, both the Sheffield BB, and the Clybourn BB were walking distance from my house, (I live on the corner of Armitage and Sheffield) now I have to get into the car and drive, or take the red-line to Clark and Division. Net-flix is OK, but if I'm bored, I want to be able to take my daughter to Block Buster, have her pick out a cheesy kid's movie, and browse for a new-release for me. I'm not that organized or work on that kind of planning to rent from netflix. If I want to watch a DVD, I want to watch it now dammit, not in two days :D.

I don't know, anyone want to buy a Hollywood Video franchise with me?? :banana:

I wonder if this will make more LPers turn to Netflix?
In fact, it has. I just signed up for NetFlix. Not terribly impressed, though. Just as well, it's summer. I should be at the Zoo or on the Lake somewhere.

Or if I had any sense, buying a camera so I could shoot Columbus Hospital going down. Does anyone know if the old copper roofed chapel bit in the interior is to remain or is that destined for the rubbish heap as well?

Nothing is to remain.

This is why I get disgusted when I hear Lucien Lagrange on WBBM discussing the "pinnacle of Chicago luxury". :vomit:

Does anyone know if the old copper roofed chapel bit in the interior is to remain or is that destined for the rubbish heap as well?

I don't necessarily think it's an either/or proposition. To the best of my knowledge, none of the materials from the old hospital will be incorporated into the new building, but that doesn't mean they might not be saved and used elsewhere, thereby avoiding the rubbish heap.

Regarding the Blockbuster on Fullerton. I know that DePaul owns that propoerty (or at least I have been told by a school official), so, could it be that they have plans for that block? I know there has been discussion of building a new Theater/Music school and that has been a rumored location. Does anyone have some insight on this? I DePaul going to be knocking that building down in the near future to replace with a university building?

Regarding the Blockbuster on Fullerton. I know that DePaul owns that propoerty (or at least I have been told by a school official), so, could it be that they have plans for that block? I know there has been discussion of building a new Theater/Music school and that has been a rumored location. Does anyone have some insight on this? I DePaul going to be knocking that building down in the near future to replace with a university building?

That blockbuster and its minimall
there is a total waste of space,
it was nice for parking when i went to the lounge ax but
that is great that something is finally being done with it.:cheers:

video stores are going the way of the doodoo anyways.

Regarding the Blockbuster on Fullerton. I know that DePaul owns that propoerty (or at least I have been told by a school official), so, could it be that they have plans for that block? I know there has been discussion of building a new Theater/Music school and that has been a rumored location. Does anyone have some insight on this? I DePaul going to be knocking that building down in the near future to replace with a university building?

If there is plans for something for that location, why'd they let a shoe store in?

And Now For Something Completely Different - some morning shots of Valerio Dewalt Train's British School bldg on Halstead:

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y150/wjcordier/L1010161.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y150/wjcordier/L1010166.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y150/wjcordier/L1010167.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y150/wjcordier/L1010153.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y150/wjcordier/L1010142.jpg

BTW, noticed this AM that the BP Station at North/Clybourn has closed, in prep I assume for the Apple Store complex?

Thanks for the pics. That thing looks wicked

I was actually considering sending my daughter to that school. But she's in LaSalle L.A.A, soo it's a toss up... do I risk her education on an relatively unknown school and track record? It's hard to say, but the school is amazing... way better than what they have on the far North Side currently.

If there is plans for something for that location, why'd they let a shoe store in?

Well, I am not saying anything was concrete, but that is what I understood the campus master plan had in store for that block. I may be jumping the gun with this development and we are actually looking at nothing happening from the DePaul in for another 3-4 years. But, maybe somebody else would know dor sure....Is there anyone out there in the "Know" at DePaul?

Another DePaul question: Does anyone know what's going on at the surface parking lot on the north side of Belden between Seminary and Clifton? The last time I walked by it looked like it was being prepped for construction of some kind. I randomly found this rendering of the site:
http://www.stateuniversity.com/assets/logo/image/4223/large/DePaul_University.jpg

yea, it is going to be a new Chemistry building, however, those renderings are old. The updated on the DePaul website if you look around a bit. Just type in Andrew Mcgowan and it will come up.

They have been planning this for a while, so that is one of the reasons I brough the fullerton block up, as I was wondering if there has been movement on the Theater School/Music school planning now that the Chemistry building has finally got under way.