In Crain's interview with Jim Hennessy, associate vice president of commercial real estate operations for the University of Chicago, Hennessy says the plan is to build a 25-story residential tower for Phase II of Harper Court, though he admits it may never get built. That was the first time I had read details about the scope of Phase II.

"Meet the U of C exec who wants to revitalize Hyde Park"
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/reale...lize-hyde-park

I'd love to see it built:
http://i.imgur.com/a0KN0ny.jpg

Though I think I'd prefer to see Solstice on the Park or the tower once slated for what's now a parking lot at 53rd and Cornell.

Thanks for posting that pic. Hadn't seen it. Hope it gets built!
Bet the anti-Vue53 people would love it. They already claim the shorter building will block out the sun, the moon, and the stars. (I wonder what will happen the day they venture out of Hyde Park and see the skyscrapers downtown.)

If Phase II of Harper Court, City Hyde Park, and Vue53 all get built, that would be a nice concentration of new buildings in the area. And would have quite an impact!

Went by the Vue53 site today. No signs of any progress. Anybody have any info on the status of this project?

I can't begin to emphasize how good this and the other Gang project will be for Hyde Park

I heard and verified that McHugh has taken subcontractor bids, so hopefully something will start soon. The foundation permit was issued back in May, and the signs on the site were posted at the time about impending construction, but so far nothing. I know the NIMBYs tried to appeal the court ruling, and just a couple of days ago had slid yet another flyer under my building's door (I live just steps from the site).

I don't know what the 'normal' timeline is for permit issuance for construction projects in Chicago, but this links says City Hyde Park received its foundation permit in March and six months later its construction permit in September. So if Vue53 received a foundation permit on May 21, would it normally be six months before the construction permit is issued? That would put that construction permit issuance in late November. (I'm assuming it hasn't been issued already.)

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

A drawing of UChicago Medicine's new 8-story parking garage. Mentions they are planning to build a doctor's office on top of the garage:
http://www.claycorp.com/p/21237/univ...arking-garage/

And a construction webcam. What's cool is you can go backward in time and watch the construction progress (by clicking on a date on the calendar):
http://oxblue.com/open/clayco/ccdparkinggaragechicago

Article and other drawing:
http://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/20130...parking-garage

Sucks that they had to level an entire city block with a bunch of beautiful old homes on it in order to build a giant parking garage. Plus, that parking garage now fronts one of the biggest parks in the city.

^ While I certainly don't disagree with the sentiment you express here, but a couple things, at least:

1) As garages go, that's definitely not a bad-looking one

2) I'm sure at least in part related to #1, part of the garage footprint will be vertically expanded in a future phase medical office tower.....

Further details--The hospital website says the plan is to build an eight-story medical tower on top of part of the garage:

http://ucmfacilities.uchicago.edu/co...king_facility/

The structure is "partially hardened to allow for the future construction of an 8 story Medical Office Building above a portion of the top floor."

Ok, so this is slightly off 53rd St., but a new hotel for Hyde Park! Rising from the ashes of the old condo project. Also Jeanne Gang.:

http://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/20150...tel-apartments

^Oh yeah!!!

^Sweet!

There is so much potential in Hyde Park for urban/dense projects east of the Metra tracks. It's time to kill all of the remaining parking lots!

Great to see the that have heartbeat again!

Any updates on City Hyde Park? I thought that one was already U/C.

^ City Hyde Park is most definitely under construction, and already several floors above ground.

Pictures anybody???

I'm unfortunately on a business trip to London at the moment, but the base is done and the first 1-2 floors of the residential tower have been poured. I can try to snap a few pictures once I'm back next week if no one else has taken some by then.

^^I'll be in Hyde Park Saturday morning, I'll take pics then..unless someone beats me to it :D

Addendum: I didn't make it to Hyde Park this weekend, both with a flat tire and the snow-mess, it just didn't happen, I'm sorry *hangs head in shame*