Height: N. Tower: Unknown; S. Tower: 360 ft
Floor count: N. Tower 37; S. Tower: 32
Location: N. Tower: North State and West Walton; S. Tower: North State and West Delaware
Construction end:
Architect: Pappageorge/Haymes, Ltd.
Developer: Mesirow Financial

Website (http://waltononthepark.com/home.asp)

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j63/creilmann/pic_towerresidences_02.jpg
http://img185.imageshack.us/img185/7034/waltonlgtt7.jpg
http://img201.imageshack.us/img201/8788/walton2lg2mf2.jpg

Construction should begin in summer 2007. The signs are up at the site. Condos start at 475000 and go well into the 1.5 mil range so bust out your piggy banks. The mansions and Scottish Rites Cathedral along Dearborn will remain untouched.

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j63/creilmann/pic_siteplan_01a.jpghttp://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j63/creilmann/pic_siteplan_01b.jpg
http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j63/creilmann/pic_siteplan_01c.jpghttp://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j63/creilmann/pic_siteplan_01d.jpg

City panel OKs River North, Loop condos
Construction expected to start next year

November 17, 2006
BY DAVID ROEDER Business Reporter
City planners Thursday endorsed two large residential developments, one in River North and the other in the heart of the Loop.
The River North project calls for construction of two high-rises on a block being acquired from the Scottish Rite fraternal organization. The site is bounded by State, Walton, Delaware and Dearborn.

A venture including Enterprise Cos. and Mesirow Financial Real Estate will build 450 condominium units with related parking in towers of 37 and 32 stories. The architecture is by Pappageorge/ Haymes Ltd.

Under terms of the zoning for the project, the block's Scottish Rite Cathedral and low-rise homes will be preserved.

The Loop deal calls for a 49-story apartment building with a parking operation taking up the first 12 floors. The developers are a partnership including Jupiter Realty Corp. and InterPark Holdings Inc., a parking garage operator that's part of General Electric Co.

The design by Solomon Cordwell Buenz is planned for 215 W. Washington. Until last year, it was the site of the old Hotel LaSalle Garage, one of the earliest parking garages in the Loop.

The valet-operated garage was once a candidate for landmark protection, but city officials decided it needed too much repair and was too inefficient to warrant preservation.

Both projects were unanimously endorsed at a Chicago Plan Commission hearing. The panel's action sends the matters to the City Council for a vote that's typically routine.

Donald Smith, chairman of Jupiter Realty, said he hopes to start construction of the building in the third quarter of 2007.

Ron Shipka Jr., principal of Enterprise Cos., said the Scottish Rite development, dubbed Walton on the Park, should be under construction by next summer, with a condo marketing campaign expected to start by spring.

The developments are within the 42nd Ward of Ald. Burton Natarus, who spoke on their behalf at the hearing. The Scottish Rite deal will put almost an entire block back on the city tax rolls, he said.

As for the Washington Street project, "We do need parking downtown, contrary to what some people think," Natarus said.

I was down there last night the fencing is up.....I don't remember if the last time i walked by if the fencing was there

I was by there about two weeks ago (we stop by on occasion to pick up a pie from Pizanos) and I'm pretty sure there were no fencing or signs up.

It is a fairly simplistic but satisfying design.

I cant wait until something like this knocks down some late eighties or mid ninties yuppie claptrap townhomes,
this is a great project...

This one works for me. Anyone got any bigger renderings? *cough* Butler *cough*

This one works for me. Anyone got any bigger renderings?

http://img409.imageshack.us/img409/5593/waltonontheparkgr9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

I like this one some how it reminds me of sky55. :applause:

Very cool and interesting design :okay:

:2cents: Sorry to me - it looks like an office building.

Barf. It looks like a Vegas casino without all the glitz!

^^this is one of those that renderings I don't think will do it justice, if we are going to start barfing I would much rather regurgitate something on Elysian than this. or Ten Ea...ohh excuse me. :puke:

lol!

Renderings that make the building look a bit more bearable
http://img337.imageshack.us/img337/5173/walton3db6.jpg
http://img337.imageshack.us/img337/2747/walton1oc3.jpg
^Here they look pretty nice
http://img398.imageshack.us/img398/2664/walton2ko9.jpg
The base isn't too bad

The base is utterly forgettable, the elevation is peachy, but, sadly, we don't see things in orthographic elevation - we see them in perspective. The building is still hideous in it's 3D representation.

Already 30% sold on S Tower. They said financing for construction to begin only needs 30-40% with construction expected to begin in June. Interestingly enough they are marketing the south tower first. Overall the visit to the sales center really raised my expectations for the outcome of this, I think its going to be pretty nice looking when complete.

View looking East

http://img46.imageshack.us/img46/6212/img0110qd1.jpg

http://img390.imageshack.us/img390/8313/19556232gf6.jpg

from the Park Looking East (looks like the man walking his dog had a heart attack)
http://img390.imageshack.us/img390/4572/img0111qm0.jpg

http://img46.imageshack.us/img46/6260/img0112jx6.jpg

Both towers looking East

http://img233.imageshack.us/img233/8864/img0118tg2.jpg

Looks a lot better than the 2D renderings!

I'm not crazy about these, but I can't see anything wrong with them either- they look pretty good.

from the Park Looking East (looks like the man walking his dog had a heart attack)
http://img390.imageshack.us/img390/4572/img0111qm0.jpg


Hehe...maybe the dog is walking the man?

I actually like the colors, but the design is a bit bland. This is a great location, it deserves a little better I think.

That parking podium is a bit small. Perhaps Larry Doody and his buddy PrintersRowBoiler can campaign to have it enlarged to 52 stories so that we can accommodate the 84,000 cars that will be coming to visit us over Christmas

That parking podium is a bit small. Perhaps Larry Doody and his buddy PrintersRowBoiler can campaign to have it enlarged to 52 stories so that we can accommodate the 84,000 cars that will be coming to visit us over Christmas

Off-topic question. What type of medicine do you practice, Urb?

Larry Doody can't do it - it's not his ward.

Brendan Reilly is your man here if you want more parking. :lol:

Off-topic question. What type of medicine do you practice, Urb?

^ Internal Medicine, like our buddy Mohammed Wong.

We're the unsung heroes among doctors, as it is the surgeons who get portrayed doing everything on TV, even though in real life all they do is operate while having Internal Medicine docs as consultants on board to make nearly all other decisions regarding their patients' care. And when their patients become too sick, they for sure hand them over to us. I'm sure Wong can back me up on this one...

(Uh oh, I'm expecting a backlash from Near North Guy!!!!!!) ;)

Anyhow, back on topic..

^ Internal Medicine, like our buddy Mohammed Wong.

We're the unsung heroes among doctors, as it is the surgeons who get portrayed doing everything on TV, even though in real life all they do is operate while having Internal Medicine docs as consultants on board to make nearly all other decisions regarding their patients' care. And when their patients become too sick, they for sure hand them over to us. I'm sure Wong can back me up on this one...

(Uh oh, I'm expecting a backlash from Near North Guy!!!!!!) ;)

Anyhow, back on topic..

Yeah what urb said. :cheers:
I am finally, finally moving back to Chicago
I will be working at evanston & swedish covenant
starting in april. and living in RP
I hope one of the bystanders called 911 for the dog walker!

I actually like the colors, but the design is a bit bland. This is a great location, it deserves a little better I think.

I agree this development, the Streeter, and 600 N LSD make me think of "Projects" for the Rich People.

It also looks like they are marketing to interracial couples,
ebony and ivory......

Btw is it me or is there another comrade that has fallen victim to a mysterious illness in the foreground, it appears the dark figurine has the same problem as the dogwalker,
maybe this isnt such a safe place to live in.......

it also could be that they love the new park and new condo they bought that they are kissing the ground in exultation.

March 8, 2007

http://img340.imageshack.us/img340/4557/dsc0092copyoe5.jpg

Walton on the Park - Currently, they are just selling the south tower. The sales center has now been open for about 2 weeks are so. I wsa told that they are nearly 30% sold on the first building. They are also going straight to contract. They also said that construction/ground breaking could come as early as June or July. When this happens, the sales center will be moved to the first level of Scottish Rite. Also, in the podium portion of the structure, there will be town houses, so that means no opaque windows.

The building is still hideous in it's 3D representation.

Maybe this will change your mind. Or not.

http://img185.imageshack.us/img185/7034/waltonlgtt7.jpg
http://img201.imageshack.us/img201/8788/walton2lg2mf2.jpg

I think this is going to be great filler for that area.

Has anyone seen the tv commercials for this one on VH1? I don't know if that's a good thing or a bad thing.

I don't mind the bulkiness, if anything thats good, we need more glassy buildings in that area to offset the POMOs there.

Has anyone seen the tv commercials for this one on VH1? I don't know if that's a good thing or a bad thing.

Your kidding right? Boy they sure know how to go after the right demographi(teens in high school working at McD's are sure to belly up for a $600K 1 bedroom:lol:)

Is it well done? I would really like to see it.

I don't mind the bulkiness, if anything thats good, we need more glassy buildings in that area to offset the POMOs there.

I agree - any new glassy building in River North/Gold Coast is a good thing!

Well, I hate the bulk. The materiality is fine (albeit somewhat banal). The east elevation is pretty sexy though.

July 3, 2007

http://img248.imageshack.us/img248/775/dsc0135rw9.jpg

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

River North condo project gets loan for first tower
By Alby Gallun

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

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

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

Good news. I assumed that they would wait until they had financing for the entire project before beginning construction. I'm still lukewarm on the design, but I'll take the added density.

I really like this project. this will add density for sure. but where will the children play??? :) wont anybody think of the children!!

I really like this project. this will add density for sure. but where will the children play??? :) wont anybody think of the children!!

That lot that has the playground is one block North (across the street) from there.

From SSP:

I forgot to mention yesterday that Walton on the Park is now officially under-construction.

I don't recall this being posted here. They started drilling caissons on Friday. I assume that this is going to be counted as 2 seperate buildings, and the sales center is still on site, but it was closed when i got over there.

That is true. I saw cassion drilling equipiment on site this past weekend. (sorry no pics) but they are there.

does anyone else think its an odd place for a pool and sundeck? it seems like it will only get sun for a few hours a day.

Edit

http://img260.imageshack.us/img260/2847/dsc04405ou4.jpg
WOTP/TED/Elysian
http://img260.imageshack.us/img260/1664/dsc04406ne3.jpg

I can't wait until these developments keep moving west; eventually I want someone to buy up that 100 city block plot occupied by the Moody Bible Institute and those other religious organizations. I don't have anything against religious groups or anything (well maybe I do, but I don't want to open that up here), but they tend to be some of the worst developers out there as far as land use principles go.

Wow a lot of development going on in that one area. Nice. :cheers:

http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/2092/p1000943t.jpg

http://img198.imageshack.us/img198/1391/walton.jpg

June 5th 2009

http://www.izipik.com/images/200906/06/n6a9kuivh7bulf3xyn-16.jpg

Update by george at SSP:

1-20-10

Walton on the Park

http://img718.imageshack.us/img718/2408/waltonotp1.jpg

http://img718.imageshack.us/img718/534/waltonotp2.jpg

http://img715.imageshack.us/img715/6186/waltonotp3.jpg

It'snot too bad.

http://www.chicagorealestatedaily.com/cgi-bin/news.pl?id=37189

Colliers tapped to sell Scottish Rite Cathedral

Colliers Bennett & Kahnweiler Inc. has been hired to market the historic Scottish Rite Cathedral, one of few buildings that predate the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. An official asking price hasn’t been set, but the property, at 929 N. Dearborn St. in the landmark Washington Square District, is projected to draw bids around $4 million, says Mike Senner, a senior vice-president with the Rosemont brokerage. The property is part of Walton on the Park, a mixed-use project developed as a joint venture by two Chicago-based companies, Enterprise Cos. and Mesirow Financial Real Estate. The 30,600-square-foot cathedral, constructed between 1869 and 1873, was known as the Unity Church until the Scottish Rite fraternal organization acquired it in 1911. Likely buyers include religious organizations and performing arts groups, which would benefit from the stage area and stadium seating for 700, Mr. Senner says.

Can anyone tell me how Pappageorge/Haymes get as much work as they do? Every single design is static, uninspired and seem to rely on one or two painfully simple massing moves to drive the form development. Every high rise I have seen on theirs suffers from terrible material selection, ugly curtain walls and awful proportions...


...just terrible

I'm actually pretty pleased with how the base turned out.
http://img101.imageshack.us/img101/3162/p1010683e.jpg
http://img192.imageshack.us/img192/9136/p1010682y.jpg
http://img217.imageshack.us/img217/2793/p1010688r.jpg
The problem, of course, is that they built this side anticipating phase II.

I'm actually liking this a little more than I expected

I liked it in the renderings but in real life all those perpendicular lines make it look too cluttered. The overall shape is unoffensive though.

I liked it in the renderings but in real life all those perpendicular lines make it look too cluttered. The overall shape is unoffensive though.

Well give it time. Hopefully if the condo market rebounds phase two will be even taller and help make the massing on this look a lot better.

Also will there be street retail?

Phase II has been mothballed until the economy improves. Two or so floors of retail are being built in its place, unfortunately.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4099/4804029002_9264bf85ff_b.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4118/4879719562_2de57b8931_b.jpg

As discussed earlier, the second tower has been nixed. Shipka and Co. got the extension on their loan and have made some aggressive price changes to spark sales. While they seem enticing, there are so many units (198), I'm not sure it's enough:
http://www.chicagonow.com/blogs/the-condoist/2010/11/development-update-walton-on-the-park-cuts-prices.html

^ Those units are still WAY over priced.

It amazes me the amount of variability in prices in the downtown market.

There are 2 bedroom new construction units near the Loop that are far less expensive than the 1 bedrooms they are marketing.

I think we still have a large correction ahead of us..