It could also mean no development.

For those wanting the PDF of the presentation...

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/...2007.26.16.pdf

navy pier hotel
 

I strongly dislike the design of the proposed hotel. What is there now works well with the beautiful ballroom building at the end of the pier. It isn't cloying post-modernism, it is just attractively massed with materials that fit in. But this hotel design is ultra bland contemporary schlock that is the same as 80% of what has gone up everywhere else in the last 20 years, and doesn't fit with the ballroom at all.

Build this and you lose some of the charm of navy pier for the Iowans and everyone else.

Thanks for posting the presentation, BVic.

Dunno, I like probably 95% of the proposed renovations to the pier as presented...the only aspect I'm not so sure of was that hideous attempt at a 'flyover' at the eastern edge of the pier. I've seen the same renderings of it before, but they should really give some more thought to the design. I suppose the overarching walkway is okay design-wise, but why put a reflecting pool in? The pier is surrounded by water...unless they are considering one of those water cannons a la Centennial Fountain on the river. Would be nice on one of those classic 90+ degree summer days.

^ The reflecting pool has an infinity edge. It's designed to make you feel like you're at the water's edge, even though you're 8'-10' above mean lake level and 15'-20' away from the physical edge of the pier.

Hopefully the designers do some mockups to fine tune the illusion...

http://cdn.designbeep.com/wp-content...ool-photos.jpg
src

I would EXPECT high room rates at such a place.

According to this report, it appears the city and McPier were secretly funneling TIF money from McCormick hotel project to the Navy Pier one. Seems pretty fishy.

http://www.chicagobusiness.com/artic...s-to-navy-pier

Stay classy, Chicago politicians

Good.

Do it well or don't do it at all. Don't mar public spaces so that it's affordable to families of tourists from Iowa.

Families of tourists from Iowa are probably 90% of who cares about Navy Pier. Though, I agree that a happy medium has to be found.

The main thing I still do love Navy Pier for are the unique views of the city one can get from it without having to own a boat. Also, IMAX because i'm a sucker for that

In Defense of Navy Pier
 

I live in River North and have gotten to enjoy Navy Pier for the past year as more and more of it have opened up. The renovations have really improved the south side of the Pier and made it a far better experience.

It's not as crowded as it once was though it is full of people. There are rows of trees to shade yourself on a sunny day. Getting a margarita and taking a stroll down the pier is a nice way to spend a lazy weekend afternoon. The vistas of the city are worth the walk alone. The local restaurants and shops they have added in and outside are vast improvements. I went out to Rainbow Cone last weekend just to experience the south side institution's signature offering. It was great! And the new park space and theater have great views both east and west. It's a very nice space and a great addition. The landscaping has changed the whole entryway into a walk through a park rather than a walk through a drive-through.

Now, it still has the tourist trap vibe. That will probably never change. But it's not as bad as the old adage, "true Chicagoans never go to Navy Pier." Also, the shifting of funds intended for disadvantaged communities is a real shame. McPier should be able to survive without such sleight of hand.

I'd actually like to check it out. I have a co-worker in NY who grew up in New Jersey but has a good amount of family in the Chicago area. He hadn't been to Chicago in 5+ years and visited a few weeks ago. He mentioned being shocked at how nice parts of Navy Pier are now (and downtown of course) and way different than what he had remembered from the last time he visited Navy Pier maybe a decade ago.

Side note to all of this - he liked Chicago this time around so much and how it had changed since he'd been there last that now he wants to move from NY to Chicago. Now he's kind of sounding like people on here "I don't understand why so many people want to live in NYC when Chicago offers much of the same stuff for half the price" :cheers:

Anyone ever been to Granville Island in Vancouver? I was just there last week for the first time. Great spot there. Navy Pier is much bigger, but a food market like Granville would do well at Navy Pier. I think that Chicagoans would go.

What's going on at Navy Pier? Anyone checked it out lately?

They were apparently starting work on the new hotel last year with a target 2019 delivery. I think they were supposed to be redoing the entry forum, too.

Anyone got updates?

https://chicago.curbed.com/2017/10/2...avy-pier-hotel

I ran by there over the weekend and there didn't seem to be any signs of activity re: a new hotel.

Is Mark Hunt the developer behind the Navy Pier hotel as well? :rolleyes:

Amazing how these nitwits can let winter go to waste like this

I believe they're renovating the entry forum now, set to re-open by Memorial Day or so.

The hotel is supposed to open here on Monday according to Google. It is called Sable and is part of the Curio Collection from Hilton.

https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/chi...-pier-chicago/

Holy crap, that's quite nice!