CHICAGO | Old Post Office Development | 610m | 2000ft | 305m | 1000ft | 100 fl | Pro

[JD47]

This would be cool.
What a design.
Just think of an episode of Extreeme Engineering in a few years time.
WOW.

[krkseg1ops]

edit

[KillerZavatar]

Originally Posted by krkseg1ops

But then again, America was never about preserving heritage, was it not. Good project overall

at least parts of the old post office will stay, you can see it on the render, it also will be build over water, which will maybe make it even a direct neighbor to Willis Tower, damn im so amazed by this

[Im Using A Computer]

Man Ima start playing the lottery to get enough money fo one of those high floor apartments.

[DiggerD21]

The picture looks like someone from the creative corner here at SSC has drawn it in paint. (There was once a project to create a skyscrapercity in isometric view. Everybody could reserve parcels and create their own skyscrapers to be added there.)

[ngeorgiev]

it has been reported by Bloomberg as well. It's not a scam

[desertpunk]

More on this:

Chicago Real Estate Daily

Skyscrapers, retail part of massive Old Post Office plan

By: Alby GallunJuly 21, 2011


(Crain's) — The owner of the Old Main Post Office has unveiled an audacious plan to transform the hulking structure and surrounding properties into a massive complex spanning the Chicago River that would include a shopping center, hotels, more than 1,000 residential units and the tallest skyscraper in North America.

The 120-story tower is the centerpiece of a $3.5-billion, 16-million-square-foot development proposed by Bill Davies, the Englishman who paid $24 million two years ago for the post office, an empty landmark structure that straddles the Congress Parkway on the west side of the river.

“He sees this as a gateway to the city,” says Martin Mulryan, the project manager overseeing the development.

Mr. Davies aims to create a destination for Midwesterners that will include entertainment, restaurants, shopping — but not a casino, as some observers have expected. Attractions could include theaters and music venues.

Given the project's size, cost and complexity, skeptics will doubt Mr. Davies' ability to pull it off in a real estate market still recovering from the crash of 2008. The development is heavy on retail, currently one of the weakest property sectors.

Yet construction is expected to take 10 years or more and will be phased, allowing the developer to build as demand for space returns, Mr. Mulryan says.

Covering 20 acres, the project would include 6.2 million square feet of retail and entertainment space, 7,500 hotel rooms, 2 million square feet of office space and 3.8 million square feet of residential space, enough for about 1,500 units. It also is to include 12,000 parking spaces that will be free for shoppers.

“That's the idea, to have everything,” says Laurence Booth, principal of Booth Hansen, the Chicago-based architecture firm working on the project. “So people will come from all over — by car, by train, by boat and get everything they want.”

Representatives of Mr. Davies' firm, International Property Developers, submitted documents to the city Thursday afternoon to support zoning changes allowing the development, the beginning of an approval process that could last several months or even years.

Mr. Davies aims to begin construction on the first phase — the redevelopment of the post office building at 433 W. Van Buren St. — within 90 days of receiving city approval. He plans to convert the post office building into retail, parking and hotel space.

In the next phase, he plans to develop a property to the west of the post office, currently the site of a Holiday Inn, into more retail space for big-box retailers and a hotel tower.

He wants to build more retail and the 120-story tower immediately to the east of the post office. A multistory bridge crossing over the Chicago River would connect to another structure that would include yet more retail and two residential towers.

The developer has signed contracts to buy the neighboring properties, but Mr. Mulryan declines to disclose terms. One parcel, on the east side of the river, is listed for $41 million.

At 16 million square feet overall, the proposed project is more than six times the size of a previous redevelopment plan by Chicago-based Walton Street Capital LLC, and bigger than many observers expected. Crain's first reported in June that Mr. Davies' was working on a large project that would include neighboring parcels.

Premium content: Davies' bazaar dream

Mr. Davies saw the Post Office “not as something big, awkward and difficult,” says Mr. Booth, the architect. “He saw this as something not big enough.”

The question is whether he will be able to attract retailers, hotel investors, office tenants and residents to a project on the fringe of downtown Chicago — and then whether he can find lenders to finance the project. The development team has received inquiries from hoteliers and retailers but won't start marketing the project formally until the city signs off on it.

“It's a very ambitious project in the market for a location that's a little off-center,” says Richard Souyoul, president of Chicago-based Souyoul Development Group.

But Mr. Davies is undaunted. “Years ago, there were those who doubted the Museum Campus and those who doubted Lakeshore East or Millennium Park,” Mr. Davies says in a news release. “I would challenge any cynic to look to those developments and then tell me this can't be done. I am confident that with the correct focus and energy and by working in partnership with this great city, that we will achieve our goal.”

The current plan does not include financial assistance from the city in the form of tax-increment financing, a subsidy that developers often seek for complex projects. Yet Mr. Davies hasn't ruled out seeking TIF money for some costs, says his lawyer, Jack George of Daley & George Ltd.

Mr. Davies also doesn't plan to include a casino in the project, a possibility today with a bill to expand gambling in Chicago sitting on Gov. Pat Quinn's desk. “None of this hinges on or has anything to do with a casino,” Mr. Mulryan says.

Though the City Council must ultimately approve Mr. Davies' proposal, he has the support of a key member: Alderman Robert Fioretti (2nd), whose ward includes the post office.

"The plans are appropriately ambitious," he says. " It shows a vision that will transform this critical city gateway."


Read more: http://www.chicagorealestatedaily.co...#ixzz1SmfbaCPX
Stay up-to-date on Chicago real estate with our free, daily e-newsletter

[desertpunk]

Originally Posted by DiggerD21

The picture looks like someone from the creative corner here at SSC has drawn it in paint. (There was once a project to create a skyscrapercity in isometric view. Everybody could reserve parcels and create their own skyscrapers to be added there.)

It could be a placeholder design to give a basic outline of the development during the early stages of the approval process. Refinements are sure to follow.

[desertpunk]

This is the existing Old Post Office complex:



The redevelopment of this structure will be the first phase of Davies' proposed 16 million sq. ft. complex.

Skyscrapers, retail part of massive Old Post Office plan

By: Alby GallunJuly 21, 2011

(Crain's) — The owner of the Old Main Post Office has unveiled an audacious plan to transform the hulking structure and surrounding properties into a massive complex spanning the Chicago River that would include a shopping center, hotels, more than 1,000 residential units and the tallest skyscraper in North America.

The 120-story tower is the centerpiece of a $3.5-billion, 16-million-square-foot development proposed by Bill Davies, the Englishman who paid $24 million two years ago for the post office, an empty landmark structure that straddles the Congress Parkway on the west side of the river. “He sees this as a gateway to the city,” says Martin Mulryan, the project manager overseeing the development. Mr. Davies aims to create a destination for Midwesterners that will include entertainment, restaurants, shopping — but not a casino, as some observers have expected. Attractions could include theaters and music venues.

Given the project's size, cost and complexity, skeptics will doubt Mr. Davies' ability to pull it off in a real estate market still recovering from the crash of 2008. The development is heavy on retail, currently one of the weakest property sectors. Yet construction is expected to take 10 years or more and will be phased, allowing the developer to build as demand for space returns, Mr. Mulryan says.


A schematic drawing by Booth Hansen of the proposal for the Old Post Office site, including (center) a 120-story skyscraper.

Covering 20 acres, the project would include 6.2 million square feet of retail and entertainment space, 7,500 hotel rooms, 2 million square feet of office space and 3.8 million square feet of residential space, enough for about 1,500 units. It also is to include 12,000 parking spaces that will be free for shoppers. “That's the idea, to have everything,” says Laurence Booth, principal of Booth Hansen, the Chicago-based architecture firm working on the project. “So people will come from all over — by car, by train, by boat and get everything they want.”

Representatives of Mr. Davies' firm, International Property Developers, submitted documents to the city Thursday afternoon to support zoning changes allowing the development, the beginning of an approval process that could last several months or even years. Mr. Davies aims to begin construction on the first phase — the redevelopment of the post office building at 433 W. Van Buren St. — within 90 days of receiving city approval. He plans to convert the post office building into retail, parking and hotel space. In the next phase, he plans to develop a property to the west of the post office, currently the site of a Holiday Inn, into more retail space for big-box retailers and a hotel tower.

He wants to build more retail and the 120-story tower immediately to the east of the post office. A multistory bridge crossing over the Chicago River would connect to another structure that would include yet more retail and two residential towers. The developer has signed contracts to buy the neighboring properties, but Mr. Mulryan declines to disclose terms. One parcel, on the east side of the river, is listed for $41 million.

At 16 million square feet overall, the proposed project is more than six times the size of a previous redevelopment plan by Chicago-based Walton Street Capital LLC, and bigger than many observers expected. Crain's first reported in June that Mr. Davies' was working on a large project that would include neighboring parcels.

Davies' bazaar dream

Mr. Davies saw the Post Office “not as something big, awkward and difficult,” says Mr. Booth, the architect. “He saw this as something not big enough.”

The question is whether he will be able to attract retailers, hotel investors, office tenants and residents to a project on the fringe of downtown Chicago — and then whether he can find lenders to finance the project. The development team has received inquiries from hoteliers and retailers but won't start marketing the project formally until the city signs off on it. “It's a very ambitious project in the market for a location that's a little off-center,” says Richard Souyoul, president of Chicago-based Souyoul Development Group.

But Mr. Davies is undaunted. “Years ago, there were those who doubted the Museum Campus and those who doubted Lakeshore East or Millennium Park,” Mr. Davies says in a news release. “I would challenge any cynic to look to those developments and then tell me this can't be done. I am confident that with the correct focus and energy and by working in partnership with this great city, that we will achieve our goal.”

The current plan does not include financial assistance from the city in the form of tax-increment financing, a subsidy that developers often seek for complex projects. Yet Mr. Davies hasn't ruled out seeking TIF money for some costs, says his lawyer, Jack George of Daley & George Ltd. Mr. Davies also doesn't plan to include a casino in the project, a possibility today with a bill to expand gambling in Chicago sitting on Gov. Pat Quinn's desk. “None of this hinges on or has anything to do with a casino,” Mr. Mulryan says. Though the City Council must ultimately approve Mr. Davies' proposal, he has the support of a key member: Alderman Robert Fioretti (2nd), whose ward includes the post office. "The plans are appropriately ambitious," he says. " It shows a vision that will transform this critical city gateway."


Read more: http://www.chicagorealestatedaily.co...#ixzz1TRuOozhS

A look at the site:

[-Corey-]

OMG im so happy that this could become true!

[chjbolton]

Originally Posted by Im Using A Computer

man all we need now is a revival of the spire.

Yep. Spire was fine. Its position was nothing short of perfect and it was a nice change from Chicago's boxiness; which I love! Just one big fuck off exception would have been great though.

Anyway this... Is clearly a concept so far. A serious one yes, but no one should waste a second discussing shapes or twin towers or boxiness or bla bla... At this stage the renders are nothing else but illustrations. What is lacking right now would be a coupe a wide renders to show the exact impact on the skyline (hint! hint! ).

IF this project ever moves on to phase 2, let us hope that the design will be up to the task at hands and since this is Chicago and not NY, I think we can expect the awesome facade of the original building to be preserved and sandblasted; in part at least. Oh and... It's just little too close from Sears for my taste. Like... Stupidly close!!

Yet I am delighted to finally see a PROPER project for this gorgeous windy city.

[samdman]

I really, REALLY hope this is built! These preliminary designs look really great and would fit perfectly in the Chicago skyline.

[kingsc]

The project is huge, the design is fine. But by the time it's finish, there's no telling where the tallest building in the Americas will be.

[azn_man12345]

^Well since 1WTC will be finished before anything else gets off the ground, 1WTC

I have a few questions about this building though:

I know that it'll be at the site of the post office, but where exactly is that in Chicago? (In relation to Willis, Trump, Aon and John?)

Also, is it 2000 to the roof or the antennas? The article on page 2 said 2000 to the roof, but that means that the antennas would surpass 2000, which could cause some problems with the FAA

Either way, I am very excited for this and hope it gets going. I remember someone else on this forum saying that "Chicago would be mad that 1WTC is ending their city's 40 year reign as city with the tallest building, and would build something else taller then 1WTC"... Looks like that guy was right ^.^

[sweet-d]

Damn this could be a big development it's really good they plan on keeping part of the old post office building. I hope it actually happens.

[Jan]

Sweet news. Could be great timing to do so.

[desertpunk]

Originally Posted by azn_man12345

^Well since 1WTC will be finished before anything else gets off the ground, 1WTC

I have a few questions about this building though:

I know that it'll be at the site of the post office, but where exactly is that in Chicago? (In relation to Willis, Trump, Aon and John?)

It will be to the west of the Willis Tower, across the Chicago River.

Also, is it 2000 to the roof or the antennas? The article on page 2 said 2000 to the roof, but that means that the antennas would surpass 2000, which could cause some problems with the FAA.

See below:

"The 120-story tower would measure 2,000 feet to its roof, making it more than 500 feet taller than the Willis Tower. If built, the tower would top the 1,776-foot One World Trade Center now under construction in New York City. Communications antennas would spring from its roof, generating revenue for the owner."

FAA rules allow an exception for a structure of any reasonable height built in an area away from flight paths and that can demonstrate a value to the public. Ornamental crowns don't meet that standard but broadcast antennas do.

[KillerZavatar]

Originally Posted by sweet-d

Damn this could be a big development it's really good they plan on keeping part of the old post office building. I hope it actually happens.

looking at it they keep the whole thing and dont build on it but next to it directly, makes sense since the foundation has to be considered anyway. it will still look like one giant complex i think

[Storm9]

The old post office sits on top of Union Station's very busy south tracks. I wonder how they are going to build such a tall tower with out a proper base.

[Im Using A Computer]

I'm sure that will be taken into consideration.