Height: 576 ft
Floor count: 57
Location: East Illinois and North Park
Neighborhood: Steeterville
Construction end:
Architect: Solomon, Cordwell, Buenz and Associates
Developer: The Hanover Company

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j22/aliendroid/buildingimage1.jpg

The building is just OK. I dont really see a need for it. And the parking garage is just awful.

What was on the current site?

^^ its a parking lot

I am an old River East resident, and I think that the project is slotted for the rather large park/parking lot in front of the Sheraton hotel on the river.

http://www.sheratonchicago.com/graphics/location/location_photo.jpg

The building is just OK. I dont really see a need for it. And the parking garage is just awful.

I agree with the garage comment, but why is there no need for it? Something has to go on the nothern part of this site, and I'd be fine with a 500+ foot rental building with retail that adds to the area's density.

I agree with the garage comment, but why is there no need for it? Something has to go on the nothern part of this site, and I'd be fine with a 500+ foot rental building with retail that adds to the area's density.I'd rather have it an open air park of some kind. I'd rather have W=A stand alone on the site. I'm all for density, but that area is the most dense in the entire city. It doesn't need more density.

I'd rather have it an open air park of some kind. I'd rather have W=A stand alone on the site. I'm all for density, but that area is the most dense in the entire city. It doesn't need more density.
Isn't the Waldorf Astoria Hotel slated for that immediate area?

Where in SSP was it announced that site prep had begun? Can't find that post anywhere

If they're prepping the site they are very discrete. I walked by this weekend and it looked like a parking lot to me. (Not that I was looking closely, but I probably would have noticed a bulldozer or something.)

Isn't the Waldorf Astoria Hotel slated for that immediate area?yes. If someone could show a google map of the site, that'd be great.

Where in SSP was it announced that site prep had begun? Can't find that post anywhere

It was in the boom rundown a while ago. There was a rig doing some drilling (soil testing or something) on the site. Whether the drilling was being done for the rental tower or WA I can't recall.

This building hasn't even been approved yet, has it?

I don't think the podium is that awful. The architects decided to offset the podium from the main shaft of the tower and continue the tower's glass all the way to ground-level, along Illinois and Park Drive. I read somewhere that the podium will be clad with terra-cotta rainscreen, which looks fairly interesting. Certainly much better than painted concrete.

I don't want more open-air space. There's a large plaza right across the street. It's only underutilized because it's surrounded by parking lots and because it's boring. A giant clock is a novelty, and not a very interesting one to watch. Besides, there will be another small plaza between 319 East Illinois and W=A, to connect the clock plaza to the end of Ogden Slip. I think there might be a bridge across New Street, too.

Residents bristle at above ground parking garage
Streeterville group says proposal in violation of city planning guidelines

By Laure Putre
Contributing writer
3/5/2008 10:00:00 PM

Gail Spreen is fine with most of 57 stories proposed for a new rental tower at 319 E. Illinois, a high-profile spot between Michigan Avenue and Navy Pier that's now home to a surface parking lot. But she bristles at the bottom 12 floors, which are set aside for a concrete-walled parking garage.

"It's heavy and ugly," said Spreen, president of the Streeterville Organization of Active Residents, of the proposed parking garage. "It doesn't even go along with the tower at all."

Spreen said 319 E. Illinois is Exhibit A in SOAR's case against bland street-level parking garages that block out light and give pedestrians a view of monotonous gray slabs. Sometimes, she added, such garages are an afterthought to otherwise elegant or architecturally interesting skyscrapers, tacked on without concern for the street life of the neighborhood.

http://www.chicagojournal.com/main.asp?SectionID=46&SubSectionID=139&ArticleID=4227&TM=34133.34

Kudos to SOAR for being perhaps the most enlightened community group in the city (by far).

However, why is SOAR not raising a similar issue with The Peshtigo?

I dont understand the brick. Is there some cost benefit to use it? Why not just match the tower. That would solve the whole problem.

There is some work going on at the site in case any of you are interested (and I know some of you are):

http://img507.imageshack.us/img507/2281/dsc05042tw9.jpg
http://img185.imageshack.us/img185/1548/dsc05043ep3.jpg

soar should be spelled sore.

Taken today:
http://img222.imageshack.us/img222/4782/eill5131zc4.jpg

http://img105.imageshack.us/img105/5020/eill5133gr4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

wow, very cool. I'm kinda surprised. (pleasantly)

This building is a waste of space. I think W=A should stand alone on the site and the rest made into parkland.

It adds density, which I am a big fan of, but thats one thing this area doesn't really need more of, while it has no parks that I can think of.

Any word on getting rid of the awful parking garage?

According to Chicago Shawn, this one is now known as 465 North Park Drive.

This building is a waste of space. I think W=A should stand alone on the site and the rest made into parkland.

It adds density, which I am a big fan of, but thats one thing this area doesn't really need more of, while it has no parks that I can think of.

Density plus a lot of retail. As for parkland, isn't there some kind of open space between this and W=A? Plus the large park being built between Parkview West and East.

waste of space? explain that one to me?

this is an elegant building. nice massing. i like that the garage is a defined object. as it's being done - if built- by scb, it will have a lot of quality behind the rendering.

...now if you want to see a waste of space, go to one museum park; or as i like to call it, 2/3 burj dubai.

Density plus a lot of retail. As for parkland, isn't there some kind of open space between this and W=A? Plus the large park being built between Parkview West and East.IMO, there isnt enough open space. This is the most dense part of the city, it doesnt need more density, and I believe a beautiful building such as W=A should stand alone here. and what is "a lot" of retail? It wont add that much. Park land and open space is needed in the area, especially witha super tall already going up on the site.

There is nothing great about this building, put it somewhere else if it must go up.

...now if you want to see a waste of space, go to one museum park; or as i like to call it, 2/3 burj dubai.what would rather go there? That location is one of the most highly demanded spots for a residential building. You may not like the design, but OMP is not a waste of space.

A super tall is already going up on this site, why squeeze another shorter building on it when it can be used in much better ways? Its not like the area is short of rental towers. There are 2 going up a half a block away.

I really dont see what is so elegant about it either. Its a box, a standard box. its nice, but nothing special. And that tumor of a parking garage is just ugly.

There's also a reasonable amount of landscaped open space between Park Drive and Columbus, stretching from Illinios to Water streets. Not a full-on park by any means, but still pretty rare in Streeterville.

A super tall is already going up on this site, why squeeze another shorter building on it when it can be used in much better ways?

There might not have been a supertall at all if Carley/Reschke didn't sell that portion to Hanover Co.

And who knows when, or even if, W=A will go up and at what height.

There might not have been a supertall at all if Carley/Reschke didn't sell that portion to Hanover Co.

And who knows when, or even if, W=A will go up and at what height.I understand, but if this site must have a building, I'd like something a little more interesting without a huge brick parking garge attached to it. At the very least have the garage match the tower and I'd be happy.

I just feel like a large urban oasis getaway, along with the elegant W=A supertall, would be perfect for this location.

i believe the CONCEPT of the massing is precisely that it NOT match the tower ABOVE.....which this does well.

so you think the parking garage looks good? I guess I dont understand the concept then. I think it looks horrible.

I understand, but if this site must have a building, I'd like something a little more interesting without a huge brick parking garge attached to it. At the very least have the garage match the tower and I'd be happy.

I just feel like a large urban oasis getaway, along with the elegant W=A supertall, would be perfect for this location.

I agree 100%. That parking garage is god awful, and ruins the entire project for me. Part of the reason Streeterville is so sterile and boring is that EVERY building has a HUGE parking podium that takes away from the streetscape

I agree. I get the concept of "massing", but it looks like a big wart. Perhaps if it had the same glazing as the tower, but in a different color? That might look interesting...

So is this one approved/about to begin construction?

I agree 100%. That parking garage is god awful, and ruins the entire project for me. Part of the reason Streeterville is so sterile and boring is that EVERY building has a HUGE parking podium that takes away from the streetscape

^ Actually though, much of that garage has been converted to residential units, which helps a lot. And I think you are exaggerating--parking podiums are not the reason why Streeterville is "sterile", IMO.

Anyway, what's laughable is that NIMBY's complain about the very same parking podiums that their ridiculous parking requirements beget. If NIMBY's & their Alder-joke pulled their collective heads out of their rear ends for a change, they would realize that adding more parking does diddly shit for the well-being of their neighborhood. Unfortunately, few people have such insight and the moronic behavior continues...

TUP, I dont think its much of an exaggeration. Many of the pedestrain street walls in Streeterville are dominated by tall brick garages. Even if there is retail on the street levels, those big brick walls do contribute to a sterile environment. Its not something the neighborhood needs more of.

I would say especially so on Illinois St. I think this street could be the next major pedestrain throughfare in the downtown area. Look at all the construction on (or near) that street from Navy Pier to Michigan Ave (Peshtigo, Parkview east/west, Spire, W=A, Cityfront Plaza, St Claire, tower III) it will be completely transformed after all is said and done. And a tall red brick parking garage on the street level is not what this area needs.

..

..
__________________
Adding more parking = adding more stupidity.

If you complain about parking then you're a moron, have no insight, and have no business living in a city. Get out of my face

What a joke.

^^ i dont get it.

I went by the site today. I won't bother posting pictures because they're pretty much identical to what's been posted already.

The work being done right now is finding and removing the contaminated soil. Much of that area (and Lakeshore East, too) is contaminated with radioactive thorium left behind by the Lindsay Light Company. This is the ninth decontamination project in Streeterville since 1994.

As for the parking garage, the brick doesn't bother me if it's done right. That means street-level retail to break up the blank walls. Many of the other garages in the area are disasters because they do nothing to engage pedestrians.

But it's also bad to have the parking garage clad in glass to match the tower. After working in a glass tower all day you'd like to come home to something that feels a little more human.

I think the best we can hope for is for someone to plant ivy.

I think that there may be some misunderstanding going on here. The rendering we have of this building is a view from the south and we are looking at the south face of the parking garage. This building is on the south side of Illinois, so we have no idea what the Illinois side of the building will look like. We are only able to see the side of the building that you WOULDN'T see when walking by. It sounds like the Illinois side may have brick facing the street, per the comments from SOAR, but we have no idea at this point what it will look like.
D

^ Anyway, what's laughable is that NIMBY's complain about the very same parking podiums that their ridiculous parking requirements beget. If NIMBY's & their Alder-joke pulled their collective heads out of their rear ends for a change, they would realize that adding more parking does diddly shit for the well-being of their neighborhood. Unfortunately, few people have such insight and the moronic behavior continues...

Is it really "ridiculous" and "moronic" to want a parking spot for your car? I live in Streeterville and I need to put my car somewhere!
D

Is it really "ridiculous" and "moronic" to want a parking spot for your car? I live in Streeterville and I need to put my car somewhere!
D

^ Does EVERYBODY in Streeterville need a car?

Why must we have a parking spot for every person in a neighborhood that has plenty of shops, cabs and bus service, not to mention proximity to the most prominent retailing district between the coasts?

But it's also bad to have the parking garage clad in glass to match the tower. After working in a glass tower all day you'd like to come home to something that feels a little more human.

I think the best we can hope for is for someone to plant ivy.

Definitely disagree. The benefits of an open, airy modern design filled with natural light extend to living as well as working. I think more and more people all the time are realizing this as well. Also, we're not nearly at a point where we can say that most people work in glass towers. What if you work in an historic, heavy masonry building, or a schlocky pomo tower all day that really get short-changed as far as natural light? As always, the devil is in the details - modern design, just like other styles, should have the right detail, texture, etc to humanize. IMO bad design is dehumanizing, no matter what the style.

One thing I have to say, however, is I feel this is most likely much ado about nothing with the design of this garage. As has been mentioned, what has been visible in renderings is the rear of the garage, not the stree-facing side...

One thing I have to say, however, is I feel this is most likely much ado about nothing with the design of this garage. As has been mentioned, what has been visible in renderings is the rear of the garage, not the stree-facing side...do you have reason to believe the street side won't also be a 7-10 story, windowless brick facade?

^ Does EVERYBODY in Streeterville need a car?

Why must we have a parking spot for every person in a neighborhood that has plenty of shops, cabs and bus service, not to mention proximity to the most prominent retailing district between the coasts?

Because that's what people want! My building has a backorder of people who want more than one spot and can't get it. It's very unlikely that any household that can afford to live in Streeterville will not have at least one car. There are two of us in my home and we share a car, so at least it's not one per person. I understand your view but it's simply not realistic. Especially since a lot of the units in the area are owned by suburbanites who wanted a second home in the city!
D

do you have reason to believe the street side won't also be a 7-10 story, windowless brick facade?


I wish I had evidence as strong as an Illinois St elevation - but unfortunately I haven't seen it. I don't think SCB would design the Illinois St. side or even the Park Dr. side like that. If they tried to, I think the city would try hard to persuade otherwise (even though they clearly aren't in the best leverage position as this is an already entitled project)....at any rate if I were a betting man I certainly would bet against the north and east facades of the garage (and possibly even south, when all is said and done) ending up looking anything like the South facade does in the rendering...

July 2, 2008

http://img329.imageshack.us/img329/5060/dsc0050np9.jpg

^^ digging before caissons?

Decontamination. I think several feet of soil, contaminated with radioactive thorium, must be removed from the site.

Also, if you remember the construction processes for any of the towers in River East, you'll remember the numerous freight tunnels that criss-cross the area and must be filled with concrete before drilling can proceed.

I'm not necessarily sure where people (esp. the Streeterville Organization of Active Residents) is getting their info, but the inaccuracy of the information that's been distributed regarding this project has been humorous. This project will be, in every respect, THE highest-end rental apartment building in the history of Chicago. Every aspect of the project - including the facade - has been planned so as to provide the greatest aesthetic enjoyment to its residents, as well as John Q. Public. There is NO brick, precast, or exposed concrete on the facade - whoever has been disseminating that info is egregiously wrong - it is all aluminum and glass unitized curtainwall, which (for the laymen out there) is the Rolls Royce of building enclosure systems. The building has a heated saline swimming pool, an indoor movie theatre/screening room, a full gym, rooftop pool deck with cabanas, 3 barbeques, a fully landscaped green roof, a party room 600' above grade on the 53rd floor, and every creature comfort a resident (or guest) could want....

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c356/clarkkent2420/PagesfromA3.jpg

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c356/clarkkent2420/2008_05_30_CURTAIN_WALL_FULLHEIGHTs.jpg

so I guess I should be contacting you for renting information? being how you work there and all ;)

Sincerely,

John Q. Public

I'm not necessarily sure where people (esp. the Streeterville Organization of Active Residents) is getting their info, but the inaccuracy of the information that's been distributed regarding this project has been humorous. This project will be, in every respect, THE highest-end rental apartment building in the history of Chicago. Every aspect of the project - including the facade - has been planned so as to provide the greatest aesthetic enjoyment to its residents, as well as John Q. Public. There is NO brick, precast, or exposed concrete on the facade - whoever has been disseminating that info is egregiously wrong - it is all aluminum and glass unitized curtainwall, which (for the laymen out there) is the Rolls Royce of building enclosure systems. The building has a heated saline swimming pool, an indoor movie theatre/screening room, a full gym, rooftop pool deck with cabanas, 3 barbeques, a fully landscaped green roof, a party room 600' above grade on the 53rd floor, and every creature comfort a resident (or guest) could want....

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c356/clarkkent2420/PagesfromA3.jpg

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c356/clarkkent2420/2008_05_30_CURTAIN_WALL_FULLHEIGHTs.jpg


this is the original render. thanks for posting the new pics. we can all relax now :tongue:

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j22/aliendroid/buildingimage1.jpg

[QUOTE=Chicagophotoshop;22324174]this is the original render. thanks for posting the new pics. we can all relax now :tongue:


The enlarged podium elevations I attached reflect what's happening with the parking garage, and what was approved in the PD process. The building will be pretty attractive, highly landscaped, and will be the first LEED-Silver rental property in Chicago...so it's a definite step up for the real estate in Streeterville. :happy:

This project will be, in every respect, THE highest-end rental apartment building in the history of Chicago. Every aspect of the project - including the facade - has been planned so as to provide the greatest aesthetic enjoyment to its residents, as well as John Q. Public. There is NO brick, precast, or exposed concrete on the facade - whoever has been disseminating that info is egregiously wrong - it is all aluminum and glass unitized curtainwall, which (for the laymen out there) is the Rolls Royce of building enclosure systems.what awesome news! thank you! muuuuuuuch better.

:dance:

"a party room 600' above grade on the 53rd floor" so what's the actual height of this baby? :cheers:

The enlarged podium elevations I attached reflect what's happening with the parking garage, and what was approved in the PD process. The building will be pretty attractive, highly landscaped, and will be the first LEED-Silver rental property in Chicago...so it's a definite step up for the real estate in Streeterville. :happy:

thank you for posting. I think its a HUGE improvement. :cheers:

I'm not necessarily sure where people (esp. the Streeterville Organization of Active Residents) is getting their info, but the inaccuracy of the information that's been distributed regarding this project has been humorous. This project will be, in every respect, THE highest-end rental apartment building in the history of Chicago. Every aspect of the project - including the facade - has been planned so as to provide the greatest aesthetic enjoyment to its residents, as well as John Q. Public. There is NO brick, precast, or exposed concrete on the facade - whoever has been disseminating that info is egregiously wrong - it is all aluminum and glass unitized curtainwall, which (for the laymen out there) is the Rolls Royce of building enclosure systems. The building has a heated saline swimming pool, an indoor movie theatre/screening room, a full gym, rooftop pool deck with cabanas, 3 barbeques, a fully landscaped green roof, a party room 600' above grade on the 53rd floor, and every creature comfort a resident (or guest) could want....


As far as I'm concerned or aware no inaccurate information has ever been distributed or published of this tower. Just because the developers are stating that this will be the heighest-end rental tower, doesn't make it so. I'm sick of developers spending all their time, money and effort on just interior spaces,; forgetting that the majority of people will only see the exterior. The exteriors weren't improved until the developers arm was twisted. As a person who saw the earliest renderings of this project, I must say that the renderings you've posted are much-much better than what was proposed and that's because of SOAR. The garage on this tower was hideous and the PD stated that there should be maximum effort to place the parking underground. There was NO effort to do this. Composite panels will be used in some of the parking garage cladding. THe ammenities are all well in good, but there are other things to think about, which I've stated above. The previous design for the parking podium was utter bullshit. It was ugly and uninteresting and added no life or content to the street or neighborhood. There are already enough hulking tower bases in this town and we didn't need another.

[QUOTE=Chicagophotoshop;22324174]this is the original render. thanks for posting the new pics. we can all relax now :tongue:


The enlarged podium elevations I attached reflect what's happening with the parking garage, and what was approved in the PD process. The building will be pretty attractive, highly landscaped, and will be the first LEED-Silver rental property in Chicago...so it's a definite step up for the real estate in Streeterville. :happy:

This building was actually as-of-wright and didn't go through the typical PD process. It's not only a step up for Streeterville, but it's a step up from what was originally intended.

...There are already enough hulking tower bases in this town and we didn't need another.

Case in point -- have you noticed the dark grey/black stone at street level on the west and north sides of Parview West? What a gloomy ugly treatment for the corner of McClurg and Grand!

The new rendering is better, but in the end, a glass and aluminum hulk is only slightly better than a brown brick hulk.

Case in point -- have you noticed the dark grey/black stone at street level on the west and north sides of Parview West? What a gloomy ugly treatment for the corner of McClurg and Grand!

The new rendering is better, but in the end, a glass and aluminum hulk is only slightly better than a brown brick hulk.

The difference is that at McClurg & Grand, the structure is only 1 1/2 floors and the tower opens onto a 70,000 sq ft park. And the parking is below grade.

I thinl Parkview West is an extremely attractive tower.

Good points, the park is great, the parking underground, and the tower is attractive (in a yellow balcony kind of way). Guess I'm being picky, but when you're waiting at the bus stop on Grand, the view is pretty bunker-like.

I'm glad to see that improvements too, but I think it's funny that the developer is posting on here. Do they honestly think we are too stupid to know who wrote that? It's too bad there won't be any street level retail, because that would have fit in that spot really well.
D

I'm glad to see that improvements too, but I think it's funny that the developer is posting on here. Do they honestly think we are too stupid to know who wrote that? It's too bad there won't be any street level retail, because that would have fit in that spot really well.
D

There will be street level retail!

I't doesn't have to be the developer who posted, it could just as easily be someone for the architectural firm.

"There will be street level retail!"

That's great news, I think it will really add to the area. It's always tough because most people don't want retail in their building, but it really is important for the neighborhood.
D

flickr.com - patrickherek

July 7
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3228/2649442875_83c6b64f08_b.jpg

Taken Sunday 7/20/08.

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t264/ThEnDoFSanity/465%20N%20Park/IMG_5145.jpg

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t264/ThEnDoFSanity/465%20N%20Park/IMG_5146.jpg

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http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t264/ThEnDoFSanity/465%20N%20Park/IMG_5149.jpg

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