CHICAGO | General Developments - Page 1289

wierdaaron · #**25761** Posted **Sep 17, 2014, 3:08 PM**

The Hojo tower had a few floors removed so that they could add some height to the ceilings. I like it, ceiling height has a profound effect on my mental health. As do formica countertops.

marothisu · #**25762** Posted **Sep 17, 2014, 5:11 PM**

Well, this is good..... perhaps

http://chicago.curbed.com/archives/2...ago-avenue.php

Chi-Sky21 · #**25763** Posted **Sep 17, 2014, 5:42 PM**

Chicago Ave really seems to have a lot of good sized projects scheduled for it. Seems like the city really is pushing west there.

wierdaaron · #**25764** Posted **Sep 17, 2014, 6:25 PM**

Yeah that Tribune lot could do a lot to pull people across the river if it's developed right. When I worked at 600 W Chicago I think I crossed that bridge once for lunch. The industrial wasteland feeling of it sure doesn't help. Pump up some activity on the curb and that story should change.

wierdaaron · #**25765** Posted **Sep 17, 2014, 9:40 PM**

With major new pedestrian eye-candy projects coming soon to Cermak between Michigan and McCormick, I've been thinking about how the big condo tower on the north side of Michigan and Cermak is currently a big blank wall of nothingness that'll be right across from the lovely new McHugh hotel and retail storefronts.

Those look like they might be retail units in the front, just not occupied. Can anyone confirm?

In 2017 when these new projects are done, that building's going to be a bit of a visual continuity blockade for the redeveloped Cermak/Motor Row. Even if those are retail units and they can fill them up, I think they'd need to do some facade work to make it blend in more with the emerging neighborhood.

ardecila · #**25766** Posted **Sep 18, 2014, 1:27 AM**

Yes, Lexington Park has retail space.

streetline · #**25767** Posted **Sep 18, 2014, 2:04 AM**

Does anyone know what's happening just southwest of Halsted and Kinzie?
They seem to be drilling something (maybe micropiles?) into the ground, and have quite a bit of pipe racked up on the site.

Mr Downtown · #**25768** Posted **Sep 18, 2014, 3:22 AM**

In fact, The Lex has a lot of retail space, enough for a supermarket.

ardecila · #**25769** Posted **Sep 18, 2014, 3:54 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by streetline

Does anyone know what's happening just southwest of Halsted and Kinzie?
They seem to be drilling something (maybe micropiles?) into the ground, and have quite a bit of pipe racked up on the site.

Probably some kind of work for the Kennedy underneath.

ardecila · #**25770** Posted **Sep 18, 2014, 5:29 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by ardecila

Seems like they are exploring multiple design options for the Megamall property. The brochure references a 4-story mega-retail development that is a long, skinny version of the new Mariano's development on Broadway and probably just as ugly (Antunovich strikes again).

However, the renderings show a different scheme with two floors of retail and underground parking... I doubt the underground parking would happen without some kind of TIF subsidy, even though it would produce a far more attractive and vibrant atmosphere along Milwaukee.

No mixed-use is being considered, apparently. This will be strictly an urban shopping center.

I take this back... Terraco now is considering some kind of residential component on the site in response to "resident feedback". We'll see what he comes back with.

http://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/20140...t-of-100m-plan

harryc · #**25771** Posted **Sep 18, 2014, 12:01 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by wierdaaron

With major new pedestrian eye-candy projects coming soon to Cermak between Michigan and McCormick, I've been thinking about how the big condo tower on the north side of Michigan and Cermak is currently a big blank wall of nothingness that'll be right across from the lovely new McHugh hotel and retail storefronts.

Those look like they might be retail units in the front, just not occupied. Can anyone confirm?

In 2017 when these new projects are done, that building's going to be a bit of a visual continuity blockade for the redeveloped Cermak/Motor Row. Even if those are retail units and they can fill them up, I think they'd need to do some facade work to make it blend in more with the emerging neighborhood.

Nice looking building.

Blending in with the existing neighborhood ;-)

[edit NATO 2012]

chris08876 · #**25772** Posted **Sep 18, 2014, 12:05 PM**

^^^^^^^^^^^^^

What's happening over there protest wise?

harryc · #**25773** Posted **Sep 18, 2014, 12:17 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by chris08876

^^^^^^^^^^^^^

what's happening over there protest wise?

nato - 2012

the urban politician · #**25774** Posted **Sep 18, 2014, 12:32 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by ardecila

I take this back... Terraco now is considering some kind of residential component on the site in response to "resident feedback". We'll see what he comes back with.

http://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/20140...t-of-100m-plan

One would hope that they don't feel the need to create ridiculous amounts of off street parking

Jibba · #**25775** Posted **Sep 18, 2014, 4:00 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by ardecila

I take this back... Terraco now is considering some kind of residential component on the site in response to "resident feedback". We'll see what he comes back with.

http://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/20140...t-of-100m-plan

The MPC has been conducting a lot of workshops with Rey Colón for a portion of Milwaukee that runs through the 35th, but no plan has been adopted by the Chicago Plan Commission (CPC) yet (if ever), unlike the Milwaukee Avenue Corridor Plan, which was adopted by the CPC. But that plan only covers Milwaukee between Western and California. Not sure what the area the workshops cover, but for some reason I remember it not covering the Mega Mall area as the ward boundary changes, I think, left it in a gray area (moot point anyway as the property has already been purchased).

Streetsblog Chicago (née the Grid) has a good analysis of all of that.

orulz · #**25776** Posted **Sep 18, 2014, 5:04 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr Downtown

In fact, The Lex has a lot of retail space, enough for a supermarket.

Max contiguous retail space is 7885 square feet which would be awfully small for a supermarket these days. Total available space is 17,503sf which is in the range of what some chain grocers (like Aldi for example) would go for, but it is non contiguous so probably not feasible.

wierdaaron · #**25777** Posted **Sep 18, 2014, 5:54 PM**

Considering the changing neighborhood, they'd probably want fancy burger and taco places there anyway. There's going to be a sports stadium across the street.

Mr Downtown · #**25778** Posted **Sep 18, 2014, 6:03 PM**

Thanks, Orulz. I thought The Lex was originally planned with a lot more retail space.

the urban politician · #**25779** Posted **Sep 18, 2014, 6:06 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by wierdaaron

Considering the changing neighborhood, they'd probably want fancy burger and taco places there anyway. There's going to be a sports stadium across the street.

Yeah, probably not the best place for a grocery store anyhow. If we are trying to encourage pedestrians to go from McCormick/arena to Motor Row, it's better to pass by smaller shops & cafes than a giant Whole Foods or something.

Jim in Chicago · #**25780** Posted **Sep 18, 2014, 7:00 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by the urban politician

Yeah, probably not the best place for a grocery store anyhow. If we are trying to encourage pedestrians to go from McCormick/arena to Motor Row, it's better to pass by smaller shops & cafes than a giant Whole Foods or something.

Especially with Mariano's practically around the corner on Clark and Whole Foods not that much farther away along with a Jewel across the street.