EnV (161 West Kinzie) - 335'/29 floors (U/C)

[i_am_hydrogen]

Height: 335 ft?
Floor count: 29
Location: West Kinzie and North Well
Construction end:
Architect: Valerio Dewalt Train
Developer: SA Lynd Development Partners

http://img186.imageshack.us/img186/4952/161kinzie2sq9kr8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img444.imageshack.us/img444/1374/envchicago1me8.jpg
http://img396.imageshack.us/img396/3203/345nwells1va4.jpg http://img247.imageshack.us/img247/580/345nwells2id0.jpg http://img244.imageshack.us/img244/729/345nwells3xy0.jpg

[i_am_hydrogen]

Another River North surface parking lot bites the dust...

Update from SSP:

Aug 20

Getting ready
http://lh6.ggpht.com/harry.r.carmichael/SK6fOwRM78I/AAAAAAAAvtU/FMqBvUHJAqA/P1010833.JPG?imgmax=800

http://lh3.ggpht.com/harry.r.carmichael/SK6fQpCaEuI/AAAAAAAAvtg/RK1jvQCFOg0/P1010834.JPG?imgmax=800

Belling bits - no signs of rock grinders or associated equipment.
http://lh4.ggpht.com/harry.r.carmichael/SK6fR3AC89I/AAAAAAAAvts/zFYaGucd-wc/P1010839.JPG?imgmax=800

Aug 21
http://lh3.ggpht.com/harry.r.carmichael/SK6g2cJblMI/AAAAAAAAvuI/1v0FPupflHo/P1010891.JPG?imgmax=720

http://lh5.ggpht.com/harry.r.carmichael/SK6g4N4ixLI/AAAAAAAAvuU/gbxbeNDiOmg/P1010893.JPG?imgmax=640 http://lh3.ggpht.com/harry.r.carmichael/SK6g6ElI6xI/AAAAAAAAvug/F4FfGKgHmhk/P1010912.JPG?imgmax=640

Gotta have just the right size on hand
http://lh4.ggpht.com/harry.r.carmichael/SK6g7bmg2iI/AAAAAAAAvus/PMvM-2kla2I/P1010913.JPG?imgmax=800

Safety first
http://lh4.ggpht.com/harry.r.carmichael/SK6g84_eoyI/AAAAAAAAvu4/SH_qdlqkJAI/P1010981.JPG?imgmax=800

The drill
http://lh3.ggpht.com/harry.r.carmichael/SK6g-WJDJxI/AAAAAAAAvvE/vIWjpRKxIKo/P1010983.JPG?imgmax=800

http://lh6.ggpht.com/harry.r.carmichael/SK6hIW02UCI/AAAAAAAAvwE/Oza-bIrKCfc/P1020004.JPG?imgmax=800

http://lh6.ggpht.com/harry.r.carmichael/SK6hAXoCG5I/AAAAAAAAvvQ/mx7M2nu70Rw/P1010985.JPG?imgmax=800

http://lh4.ggpht.com/harry.r.carmichael/SK6hCEbJspI/AAAAAAAAvvc/Fo4lWSJpTa8/P1010988.JPG?imgmax=640

http://lh5.ggpht.com/harry.r.carmichael/SK6hEUpZqnI/AAAAAAAAvvs/a9KA9Bp5Phs/P1010992.JPG?imgmax=800


Holes w Rebar
one w caisson top
http://lh4.ggpht.com/harry.r.carmichael/SK6hGQ5IjWI/AAAAAAAAvv4/6pY0CvU6744/P1020002.JPG?imgmax=800
onw without caisson top
http://lh3.ggpht.com/harry.r.carmichael/SK6hLjQ-_WI/AAAAAAAAvwc/OSyy-CcoDio/P1020016.JPG?imgmax=720

300 N LaSalle provides a nice backdrop
http://lh3.ggpht.com/harry.r.carmichael/SK6hJtc2zyI/AAAAAAAAvwQ/Quyl9k0-VzY/P1020005.JPG?imgmax=720

[i_am_hydrogen]

From an old Crain's article (http://www.chicagobusiness.com/cgi-bin/news.pl?id=26700):

The project would comprise 263 apartments, 25,000 square feet of retail space and 213 parking spots.

[Reinsdorf Sucks]

Ok, I'm not completely familiar with EVERY street yet... so it is directly north of 300 N. LaSalle?

[InTheValley]

Ok, I'm not completely familiar with EVERY street yet... so it is directly north of 300 N. LaSalle?

Yes, it is north of 300 but west by a city lot. go to google map and type in 171 west kinzie....the map is off even though the address is 161.

[Helmet Yawn]

pretty brave developer.

[i_am_hydrogen]

Ok, I'm not completely familiar with EVERY street yet... so it is directly north of 300 N. LaSalle?

It's just east of the Merchandise Mart Brown Line stop. If you look at the rendering, you'll see a little slice of the Mart on the right edge.

[Frumie]

Man, how I love the gritty perspective to highrise construction that HarryC brings to this forum. Many, many thanks Harry. :cheers:

[spyguy]

I'm glad they're moving forward with this one. Hydrogen, I'm not sure if those specs are still true. I think there are a couple less units now but they've drastically reduced the amount of parking.

[The Urban Politician]

pretty brave developer.

How so?

[Helmet Yawn]

not meant to be a slam, just anyone who has the guts to build a residential tower - even a rental- in this current economic market has some major cahonas.

[The Urban Politician]

^ Surely you don't think he is starting this project without some sort of financing agreement?

[i_am_hydrogen]

I'm glad they're moving forward with this one.

I just hope it doesn't block my views from 300 N. Lasalle...!

In all seriousness, this project may not be that tall, but the design is very intriguing. I can't wait to see how it turns out.

[cheeps]

Wonderful design.

[Chicagoago]

I saw this from the train last Friday and thought... WOW, they're actually going through with this? That's great though, and I do like the design.

In this market I'm so glad to see new construction.

I keep walking down the street and on the train and the express buses and look out at all the new development, buildings and craines all over the city. It's so fun and exciting to watch them all being built. I think back to the 90's when there was a 8 year period where NOTHING got built. I'm so afraid of going back to that dark place!

[Chitowner245]

^ I'm with you on this. It's great that in the middle of economic cardiac arrest there is still construction and progress. Even with this market, there are many solid developers looking to take advantage of this situation (costs are dropping due to less demand). Yes, there will be a large inventory of condos, but many projects that wouldn't even have a chance anywhere else in this entire country are still being confidently pursued by developers. This project is relatively small, but it's location and design are what matters most to me. Hopefully, other developments will replace parking lots and unsalvagable older buildings in river north once the market rebounds in the next cycle.

[spyguy]

http://www.globest.com/news/1250_1250/chicago/173982-1.html

Lynd Begins Construction on 29-Story Apts
By Cari Brokamp

Lynd Development Partners, based in San Antonio, broke ground last month on 161 W. Kinzie, a 300,000-sf, 29-story apartment building. The development will offer 249 units for lease, ranging in size from studios to two bedrooms, with an expected delivery of early 2010. The apartment building, to be known as EnV, is being constructed in the River North neighborhood.

...The building will also offer 129 parking spaces and 27,000 sf of retail and office space.

[urban_addict]

Love this building's location! It's perfect for students and design professionals! Hasn't this building been in the works for sometime?

[Helmet Yawn]

the valerio building in the south loop was a better design but suffered from really cheap materials. let's hope this development group isn't reluctant to break open their checkbook when the time comes.

[spyguy]

http://www.businesswire.com/portal/site/home/template.MAXIMIZE/news/industry/?javax.portlet.tpst=08c2aa13f2fe3d4dc1b6751ae1de75dd_ws_MX&javax.portlet.prp_08c2aa13f2fe3d4dc1b6751ae1de75dd_viewID=news_view&javax.portlet.prp_08c2aa13f2fe3d4dc1b6751ae1de75dd_newsLang=en&javax.portlet.prp_08c2aa13f2fe3d4dc1b6751ae1de75dd_ndmHsc=v2*A1220007600000*B1222563198000*DgroupByDate*G6*J2*M31050*N1008957&javax.portlet.prp_08c2aa13f2fe3d4dc1b6751ae1de75dd_newsId=20080923006024&beanID=383539599&viewID=news_view&javax.portlet.begCacheTok=com.vignette.cachetoken&javax.portlet.endCacheTok=com.vignette.cachetoken

Green Concept High-Rise Apartments Unveiled in Chicago’s River North;
EnV at 161 W. Kinzie to Offer Luxury Services, Social Atmosphere

San Antonio, Texas-based Lynd Development Partners unveiled the name and plans today for a 29-story, 249-unit luxury apartment development at 161 W. Kinzie in Chicago’s River North neighborhood. Scheduled for spring 2010 occupancy, EnV (pronounced “envy”) will incorporate environmentally responsible design and building practices its developers expect will result in one of the city’s first LEED-certified rental properties.

“We’re proud to enter Chicago’s expanding rental market with an environmentally conscious building in an incomparable River North location, close to the city’s finest business, shopping, entertainment, transportation and recreation centers,” said David Lynd, Lynd Development Partners Chief Operating Officer. “The name EnV reflects our vision of creating an atmosphere that non-residents will envy, and also highlights the building’s environmental aspects.

“Given the current real estate market, renting makes sense,” he continued. “We intend to set the standard for the upper-end rental property submarket with a unique, edgy building with a boutique feel and social atmosphere – unlike anything else in the area.”

EnV will be marketed to graduate students, urban professionals, the newly single and others desiring an in-town residence. Amenities will include:

* Fully equipped fitness center
* Resident lounge with kitchen, movie room, internet café and coffee bar
* Rooftop deck and pool
* Wine storage lockers
* Dog run

Additionally, Lynd Development Partners plans to incorporate cutting-edge technology, including:

* A virtual concierge
* Convenient methods to make rent payments and order many other services online and via the building’s website
* V-Connect, which is an amenity system from Apple Computer that will allow residents to integrate their security and other preferences via iPod or iPhone
* Shop24, a 150-item automated convenience store that accepts cash, credit or debit cards.

“We’re excited to be the first rental building in the United States to offer both V-Connect and Shop24,” said Lynd.

Monthly rental prices are expected to start at $1,500 for studios, and up to $4,800 for each of two penthouses.

The site, bordered by Wells Street on the west and Kinzie Street on the north, also provides for 27,000 square feet of Class-A retail and office space.

“’Green’ concepts, modern technology and forward thinking will differentiate EnV from other rental buildings in Chicago,” concluded Lynd.

[Second City]

^^ Good stuff! Sounds like a really nice place.

[i_am_hydrogen]

Update by Mr Harryc

Nov 24
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_8TC_VUmf9Fw/STDDt280C8I/AAAAAAAA_Qg/xOgjNki9dec/s800/P1160550_1_2.jpg

Nov 26
Pumps for raising the slip form
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_8TC_VUmf9Fw/STDD90ysV4I/AAAAAAAA_Rc/OcPLHH7wUPQ/s800/P1160846.JPG

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_8TC_VUmf9Fw/STDD_cu1LDI/AAAAAAAA_Ro/K3JLC111e4M/s800/P1160847_8_9.jpg

Brand New (adjustable) forms
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_8TC_VUmf9Fw/STDDzK9RFhI/AAAAAAAA_RQ/SIX--NoKib4/s800/P1160825.JPG

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_8TC_VUmf9Fw/STDEAw16UvI/AAAAAAAA_R0/ux7G0EqS0HA/s800/P1160858.JPG

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_8TC_VUmf9Fw/STDECoRLLaI/AAAAAAAA_SA/yS-0e52YCp4/s800/P1160859.JPG

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_8TC_VUmf9Fw/STDDwSNas7I/AAAAAAAA_Q4/DRYcxPqlYZw/s800/P1160817.JPG

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_8TC_VUmf9Fw/STDEGyPdoaI/AAAAAAAA_So/inxhfeC0ywc/s800/P1160863.JPG

Some old forms
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_8TC_VUmf9Fw/STDEEV9IMcI/AAAAAAAA_SM/lEMGdZe9_Xo/s800/P1160860.JPG

View from the Merchandise Mart stop.
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_8TC_VUmf9Fw/STDEIFhhPrI/AAAAAAAA_S0/lLeLfVBBjuE/s800/2008_11_26B.jpg
Full Size (http://picasaweb.google.com/harry.r.carmichael/161_W_Kinzie2008q4#5273930806851616434)

[The Urban Politician]

What I love in particular about this project is that it is just starting, it's dense, it's glassy, it came out of nowhere, and most of all....we will continue to watch it go up while everything else in this boom comes to a depressing end.

[Chicagoago]

Wow. I take the Brown Line every day and totally missed that the foundation is going up.

God, I don't want the building to end!!! What will I stare at after these buildings are complete? Watertower and just pretend it's still going up?

[Jibba]

I'm suddenly excited about this one. I didn't really remember that VDT was behind this one until I checked back at the first page. They are sort of hit-or-miss for me, but their good stuff is great, and this will hopefully fall into that category once completed. The rents (1500/month for a studio!) hopefully reflect a substantial investment in design, construction, materials, etc. that should provide for a nice end result.

[The Urban Politician]

^ Suddenly excited?

I've been excited since day 1.

This thing popped up out of nowhere! While the boom plummets before our very eyes, this tower haughtily begins its rise, mocking the doom and gloom around it. I LOVE it.

[spyguy]

http://www.mchughconstruction.com/news/press_releases.cfm

McHugh in the News:
McHugh Building Apartment Tower at 161 W. Kinzie St.

December 10, 2008

James McHugh Construction Co. has begun construction of EnV, a new luxury apartment tower at 161 W. Kinzie St. in Chicago's River North neighborhood

San Antonio, Texas-based developer Lynd Development Partners is making its first move into the Chicago market with the tower, which was designed by Chicago architects Valerio Dewalt Train. Completion is slated for early 2010.

The 300,000-square-foot, 249-unit building will be constructed of post-tensioned concrete, a departure from the cast-in-place concrete construction typical of most apartment towers. By using post-tensioned concrete, the design team was able to eliminate the need for columns around the exterior and reduce the number of structural columns in the building to 18, instead of the typical 24 to 28 required for a cast-in-place structure of this size.

EnV will be one of the city's first LEED certified rental buildings, featuring environmentally sensitive design and construction. Green features will include high efficiency mechanical systems; a green roof; carpeting made with recycled fibers; low VOC paint; and recycled building materials.

The building will offer unusual design elements such as exposed structural columns and cantilevered balconies that extend out from the building at its corners with full-height glass on three sides. EnV's window wall exterior will feature an entirely smooth surface, with dark blue glass, no mullions and painted aluminum cover at each floor slab. McHugh will be installing eight different types of glass on the building, including 1 ¼ -inch-thick glass along the El tracks to block noise.

Building amenities will include a rooftop deck and pool, dog run, fire pit, full kitchen and wine storage lockers. High-tech features will include an automated, 24-hour convenience store, virtual concierge, and V-Connect, which allows residents to integrate security and other preferences via iPods or iPhones. Inside, units will feature luxury finishes, including granite counters, stainless steel appliances, hardwood floors and European-style cabinets.

The first three floors of the building will hold 27,000 square feet of retail space, along with a 129-space parking garage.

McHugh's experience with congested city sites will be key to keeping the project running smoothly, said Project Manager Dave Riordan, with Chicago Transit Authority Brown Line El tracks only eight feet from the property line. A busy El stop and the Merchandise Mart, one of Chicago's largest buildings, also adjoin the site, making logistics and access a key issue.

WMA Consulting Engineers is performing design services for mechanical, electrical, and plumbing and McHugh is performing design-build for the fire protection systems. It also is self-performing concrete work and handling interior build-outs for all residences.