Such a disappointment to have been teased with the previous iteration, but it's still a decent design nonetheless. Definitely unique. I noticed that the editor of the PD indicated that the color would be changed to "brown earth towns"...wonder what that means. :haha:

http://s10.postimg.org/hdz3i4fih/sol...io_gang_lr.jpg
Slightly clearer, still another great addition to Hyde Park

Am I the only one who likes the newer design better? More restrained IMO. The darker color is going to look really gritty too, I like it. I almost wonder if they went dark to distinguish it from her other works at the North Campus dorms and City Hyde Park. Probably would have been too much to have three white Gang designs in such a small area.

I'm gonna agree with you, LVDW. while I really liked the first design, the triangular cutout design on the sides now feels....dated...? I dunno, this feels more finalized, regardless of potential VE being the reason for the updated design.

Speaking of lighter vs darker colors, there's always going to be more noticeable weathering, wear, grime and general discoloration on white or any other lighter colored exterior paneling. I look at the Rush hospital addition and it looks kinda gross.

I like this design a lot other than the hideous crown. Makes it look incomplete :/

I think this is a list of current projects in the neighborhood. Did I miss anything?

Off Campus:
1) Solstice starting construction
2) Boutique hotel on 53rd St.
3) Obama Library :)

UChicago Campus:
4) LASR renovation
5) Keller renovation
6) Rubinstein Forum construction
7) converting Mitchell to cancer hospital
8) new hotel on Midway (planning)
9) new dorm (on Midway?) planning
10) building out trauma center in parking garage at 57th & Maryland

More cool pics of North Campus:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/c...30-column.html

What is "Town and Gown" architecture?

I guess they are referring to the fact that the University and Jeanne Gang say that this project was not just intended for the University but it was supposed to be inviting to, or draw in, the community as well. It has first floor retail, for instance, and a plaza and quad that are open to the public, etc.

College towns often have a conflict between the activity of students and the university on one hand, and the permanent residents of the town on the other. Imagine leafy residential streets in Ann Arbor or Columbus getting overrun with drunk students on game days... usually that's what people mean by "town and gown".

Considering UofC's bookish reputation, I don't think drunk students and tailgating are much of a problem in Hyde Park (although lots of 18-22 year olds can be a problem anywhere). But the University has consistently flexed its muscle in Hyde Park, Kenwood, and Woodlawn for decades to the aggravation of neighborhood residents. Gang's new dorm attempts to build bridges with the surrounding community, at least architecturally, rather than shutting them out.

Well said. People often seem to assume only Hyde Park and UChicago have a town gown conflict on occasion, perhaps because it sometimes has racial overtones. But really it's everywhere there's a college. For instance, in one lilly-white town I know of, besides the drinking issues, there is a conflict between the older, retired people who are being forced out by more expensive housing for college students in the town center.

So the fences are up for Solstice?

Video tour of North Campus...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cB6QpIcn-qM

I'm not sure if the fences are up yet, but this permit was issued yesterday:

This would be the old Solstice sales center, no doubt there will be another permit soon to rip up the parking garage on site.

North campus vid:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNTcui73Mnk

Vue53 vid:

https://vimeo.com/183060599

are these 2 level apartments/condos?

Solstice

Fences are up:
http://i.imgur.com/k5Zr2wsl.jpg


Old sales center is already gone:
http://i.imgur.com/PtpqH3pl.jpg

I also noticed that they have finally started clearing out the the 1411 53rd building, including removing the UCPD lettering in the window. Hopefully the hotel will start within the next month.

Someone asked the Vue53 Facebook about the other retail spaces and they replied that they will have an announcement soon. Maybe Peak Campus is a bit better than McCaffery when it comes to getting retail leases filled.

I saw this statement in a press release talking about Fitch's rating of some of the Medical Center's bonds.

It gives some clue about the Medical Center's 10 year plan, which will affect West Campus.

"The total 10-year capital plan is $1.56 billion and includes a new and expanded emergency room, the addition of 188 beds when an existing facility (Mitchell Hospital) is renovated and modernized, and growth in outpatient facilities. Only $200 million of the plan will be funded by additional debt and the rest will be from cash flow."

http://www.businesswire.com/news/hom...ical-Center-IL

Thanks! Any activity around the Rubenstein Forum site?

I haven't been down there, but I can take a look at some point. My guess is that they will have some kind of ground breaking ceremony prior to beginning construction. Looks like there was a permit issued back in June for temporary electrical service installation, but no other permits have been issued. The UofC PD document has yet to be updated as well, so it's likely it still needs Planning Commission approval.

Speaking of permits:
"1610 E 56TH ST: WRECK AND REMOVE AN UNDERGROUND PARKING GARAGE"