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https://www.flickr.com/photos/warmph...-EHpSg8-FurFsj
Source: C. Michael Perkins, Flick

Here's a photo illustrating what I'm talking about with regards to scaling back the shtick levels of the outdoor areas. It really opens the pier up to the lake views.

Quote:

Originally Posted by LouisVanDerWright (Post 7391656)

Is it a tourist trap clusterfuck if it provides an actual quality experience (summarizing a large geographic area that is difficult to thoroughly explore in less than a week) in a well designed, efficient, modern space? What is wrong with pop culture exactly? You remind me of my uncle from the East Coast who doesn't think Musicals are real culture. At some point you have to take American commercialism for what it is: American culture. If anything a cleaned up, modern, hipsterised Navy Pier would be an outrageous postmodern mockery of a true American tourist trap. An "ironic" version of the old Navy Pier like a hipster wearing a trucker cap. At some point you need to be pragmatic and realize this is popular, you might not find it "tasteful", but Americans love to travel and when they do they love to go to ridiculous caricatured outlets for "a taste of the local culture". We may as well make sure that the taste they are getting is actually representative of what we are. If we are funneling millions of people through Navy Pier every year and indoctrinating them as to what Chicago is, then we may as well switch the propaganda to something more pleasant.

But I digress, the point is not everyone is so repulsed by the idea of a touristy area that they wouldn't be caught dead there. I think most people avoid Navy Pier because there is nothing of value and a lot of annoyances in a relatively uncomfortably designed public space. If you made the space pleasant and provided quality content, then I can totally see locals using it. With the right design and content it just becomes at worst another nice place on the lakefront to locals.

Well, I could go into a longwinded Adorno-esque critique about precisely whats wrong with pop culture, but its Friday and probably not going to change anyones opinions anyway. His essays are readily available if you wish to read them. Or hell, read the Cliff notes.

And if Americans actually love to travel as much as you say, perhaps they can start by actually getting passports (which btw, is only 36% of the population) and experiencing cultures which truly differ from their own.

That said, sure, turn the Iowa tourists upside down and collect all the pocket change we can. Thats always been the point of the Pier and will continue to be. If slightly better landscaping increases the effectiveness, so be it.

Agree it has been junk for too long. But it has always had potential

Quote:

Originally Posted by Via Chicago (Post 7391701)

Lol, or pop culture is popular because it's realllllly good culture that satisfies and entertains humans very well not because of conspiratorial plots to mind control the population. It seems that if you feel capitalism is evil, then you can never be satisfied with a product of that society no matter how satifying or utilitarian it is.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Via Chicago (Post 7391701)

Well, I could go into a longwinded Adorno-esque critique about . . .

Please don't. . . you've made your opinion clear. . . now let's move on as this topic is coming off the rails. . .

. . .

Looks like the hotel is happening

Curio hotel, 222 rooms, rooftop bar/lounge
Designed by Koo & Associates
McHugh
Start: September 2016
Completion: Fall 2018

Quote:

http://www.finews.asia/high-end/2206...on-group-curio

Acron Finances Luxury Hotel in Chicago

Swiss real estate company Acron has agreed to finance the construction of a new luxury hotel in Chicago. In times of low interest rates, such projects are proving increasingly popular with investors.
http://s31.postimg.org/80owqsvbf/075...51d07_w500.jpg
http://s31.postimg.org/k3u8ed6dn/9b0...2bee8_w500.jpg
http://s31.postimg.org/uf6l70y2z/c20...a94a5_w500.jpg

^ That is some serious badassery.

I really love how that will activate that area of Navy Pier. Right now when there are now exhibitions that area can seem empty. Also love the design of the hotel and the rooftop lounge. Definitely a big plus for the Pier

^ Shouldnt that be illegal under public trust doctrine? All of Streeterville for that matter?

Quote:

Originally Posted by LouisVanDerWright (Post 7417747)

^ Shouldnt that be illegal under public trust doctrine? All of Streeterville for that matter?

Don't give anyone any ideas...

No one needs any "friends" crashing their parties

Friends of the Navy Pier ? Their goal is to keep Navy Pier as a kitschy piece of shit.

Awesome! This is some MVRDV shit right here...

Quote:

Originally Posted by spyguy (Post 7417537)

http://s31.postimg.org/80owqsvbf/075...51d07_w500.jpg

http://www.west8.nl/images/dbase/58.jpg
west8

Quote:

Originally Posted by the urban politician (Post 7417626)

Curbed is beating it up, but I'm a believer. I love that is resembles shipping crates. The devil, as always, will be in the execution. The city views from that terrace should be amazing.

Is Navy Pier still a pier built from wood piles like it was originally?
Or has it been filled over the century since it first opened?

I am curious due to the weight of the new ferris wheel and now this hotel project.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Suburban Shadow (Post 7421476)

Some Portions are still on wood piles. Others have been rebuilt with drilled caissons. Remember that originally it was a municipal pier that had to accomodate trucks and rail cars off loading ships, so its got some decent inherent capacity in certian spots.

Quote:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/l...501-story.htmlCity says private developer will build hotel on Navy Pier

City officials have unveiled plans for a hotel with more than 200 rooms on the east end of Navy Pier, an idea that was part of a long-term vision put forth in 2011 to remake the lakefront attraction.
http://s32.postimg.org/ftz5jto6d/750x422.jpg

---
Pretty good overview of all these Navy Pier updates, past, present, and future:

Quote:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/ct-nav...htmlstory.html

Navy Pier at 100: How the Chicago icon will be changing for the summer

Navy Pier turns 100 this summer, and visitors to the popular lakefront icon will see updates and renovations as part of its celebration. A new Ferris wheel and an interactive fountain are among the features opening Memorial Day weekend.

It's a bit off topic, but I was in Brandon Missouri this weekend and I managed to see the old ferris wheel being built. I imagine that the views at the top will be pretty spectacular.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shwayze1994 (Post 7427562)

It's a bit off topic, but I was in Brandon Missouri this weekend and I managed to see the old ferris wheel being built. I imagine that the views at the top will be pretty spectacular.

Branson?

Can't say I care much for the design, the massing is all wrong. Sticks out in a bad way. Nothing classic about it, nothing elegant about it either.

I also personally don't see the appeal of putting a hotel on the pier. The pier is an attraction, one of the places one goes on their stay. Put the hotels inland, let the pier draw them out, but then they have the city around them to explore. Let them cloister on the pier, and will the tourists even venture out?

^ Meh, only 222 guest rooms. A drop in the bucket

Quote:

Originally Posted by BVictor1 (Post 7427626)

Branson?

http://www.news-leader.com/story/ent...nson/83543808/

Former Chicago Ferris wheel set for June opening in Branson

Gregory J. Holman, GHOLMAN@NEWS-LEADER.COM 3:18 p.m. CDT April 29, 2016

Branson Ferris Wheel

So far, the former Navy Pier Ferris Wheel has gotten from Chicago to Branson with the help of 26 semi trucks and $4 million.

Beginning in June, the renamed Branson Ferris Wheel will spin at The Track Family Fun Park on West Highway 76, said Craig Wescott, The Track's president.

Thursday, seven engineers and an electrician from the Netherlands — where the company that made the wheel is based — began setting up the 150-foot attraction with the help of local electricians and other workers.