If University of Chicago has a substantial Chinese student population, i could also see those kids renting in a place like Solstice. Those kids always have tons of money

I think the vast majority of the older multi-unit buildings are either owned by management companies or were split up into condos. A lot of the latter were fucked by 2008. I tried to buy in one building where we didn't learn that one person owned ~80% of the units until the financing was in progress. :hell: I also saw quite a few buildings that needed full overhauls but had been sitting empty since the crash, including one where the roof was completely fucked but they were still trying to sell off the units anyway.

Plenty of the undergrads, Chinese or otherwise, have tons of money. It is rumored that one particularly rich parent bought a 1.25 million dollar mansion for his son.

Let's not forget about Bill Gates' son. I wonder if he's started yet?

The quarter doesn't start until early October, with orientation a bit before that. And yes, that was the "particularly rich" parent I was referring to.

I never have my camera with me when I drive past, but that as yet unnamed (AFAIK) hotel on the south side of 53rd sort of across from the Target is shaping up to be a rock star. Beautiful dark brown brick, huge loft-style windows, great massing and - hold onto your hat - it hugs the corner. It looks like they're almost finished, even the outside terrace has plantings in place.

^ Would love to see pics.

53rd St is really coming along to become one of the city's booming neighborhood commercial corridors. Too bad about that piece of shit strip mall that some douche bag built on the western end during the city's dark days of urban planning (when strip malls were easily permitted everywhere, I guess). Hopefully some day in the future that will also get replaced with a highrise development

It took me a minute - you're talking about the Harold's Chicken strip mall at Woodlawn? Yeah, sort of an eyesore.

That's the one.

But over the years I've learned: it ain't Chicago unless a picture perfect urban corridor hasn't been invaded by at least one 1980's era monster of a strip mall. It's almost become a quirk of this city, perhaps a bit of a good one? After all, it's sometimes our cities' uglier features that make them unique and interesting. Just something to consider, I guess--I'm trying to look at the bright side...

The Sophy?

But it's a HISTORIC eyesore! :D
https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/obama-kissing-rock

Has there been any recent development with the Study Hotel that is/was planned near The University of Chicago?

I believe that's the property that is now branded Sophy.

No, the study hotel was supposed to be on 60th Street.

Actually, the Obama plaque and Harold's Chicken are in separate strip malls. The plaque is at the one on Dorchester.

1) Inside the new boutique hotel ("Sophy") in Hyde Park. Looks pretty nice:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/lifest...924-story.html


2) There is a zoning application to convert the 3 story commercial building at the NW corner of 53rd and Blackstone into a mixed use building by adding 24 dwelling units on the 2nd the 3rd floors

https://www.google.com/maps/place/14...!4d-87.5907208

The second pic in that Trib post has an ok pic of the progress @ 53rd and Cornell

From my rough count/estimate it looks like they're around the 15th floor now meaning a little over halfway done. Of course, good to see stuff like this happening.

Was down in Hyde Park area for OHC and got a good look at 53/ Cornell and the new University of Chicago dorms. 53rd and Cornell was looking pretty close to topping out in the next few weeks (around 2/3 or more finished). Wasn't able to see any glass, which was a bit of a let down. Still hard to tell how this one will turn out because there was't any visible glass, but at least the shape seemed spot on to the rendering. U of C dorms were already a few floors above the ground. I'm still amazed at how fast these were going up. Sorry for no pictures (did't catch a glance of the Rubenstein Forum)

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