CHICAGO | One Bennett Park | 837 FT | 68 FLOORS

[Zapatan]

Not my favorite building this cycle but it's grown on me.

I think it tries too hard to be art deco

[DTx2Chi]

Originally Posted by Zapatan

Not my favorite building this cycle but it's grown on me.

I think it tries too hard to be art deco

I feel like it’s a bit hit or miss depending on the view. If you’re looking at it from a western perspective it’s dull except for its height. But the eastern side is much more complex, layered and more interesting. I like the stone facade though, it’s refrehing from the glass only exteriors we see so much. But the height never hurts enjoying it! Haha

[west-town-brad]

Love that blank wall at street level.... mmmmm...

[LouisVanDerWright]

Originally Posted by west-town-brad

Love that blank wall at street level.... mmmmm...

I really like the blank wall facing the park. I also like the odd banding effect of the "bronze" details. Makes it look like some kind of beige bee.

[the urban politician]

Originally Posted by DTx2Chi

I feel like it’s a bit hit or miss depending on the view. If you’re looking at it from a western perspective it’s dull except for its height. But the eastern side is much more complex, layered and more interesting. I like the stone facade though, it’s refrehing from the glass only exteriors we see so much. But the height never hurts enjoying it! Haha

In my amateur opinion, the more “deco” east facade is more “honest” to the style, isn’t it?

The stepping back of the building to the east reflects that it faces a public street, so as not to overwhelm. The west faces a park, hence that wouldn’t be necessary.

[spyguy]

Originally Posted by LouisVanDerWright

I really like the blank wall facing the park. I also like the odd banding effect of the "bronze" details. Makes it look like some kind of beige bee.

I don't think the park side will be too visible once they add trees and landscaping, but yes it would have been preferable to maybe have some active spaces like a cafe. But since I believe this building has no retail, the street side also suffers and ends up looking like a bunker for the rich. I guess this is the edge of Streeterville so who cares....

[ardecila]

^Yeah style aside, the urbanity of this building kinda sucks. Two separate lobbies for condos and rentals, plus two separate porte-cochere/dropoff zones. No room for retail after that.

At least the building benefits from underground parking, so the 2nd/3rd floors are pure amenity zones with real windows.

On the other hand, look at the old-school 1920s towers in the Gold Coast or along Lake Shore Drive. No retail in those buildings, either. It's very rare.

[Kumdogmillionaire]

I'd imagine they'd put some shrubbery and ivy on the blank wall anyway. Shouldn't be an issue upon completion this spring

[joeg1985]

I believe that DTx2Chi was referring to the entirety of the western facade, not just the lower park portion. That side is boring with only a single setback nearly all the way to the top.

[UTEPman]

The oddly placed "brown/bronze" framing on the windows really throws me off, especially since it doesn't go to the top.

I can't hate this building, but I can't love it either..

[vandelay]

It's clearly unfinished. Better to judge it when all the pieces are in place.

[Via Chicago]

Originally Posted by UTEPman

The oddly placed "brown/bronze" framing on the windows really throws me off, especially since it doesn't go to the top.

yea cant say i understand the point or logic of this other than the apparent fad of trying to make facades appear "random"

[left of center]

Originally Posted by Zapatan

Not my favorite building this cycle but it's grown on me.

I think it tries too hard to be art deco

My thoughts exactly.

It unfortunately looks pretty atrocious from the pedestrian level, especially by Illinois/Peshtigo intersection. Blank walls that are broken up only by the garage exit/entrance ramps. How are we supposed to give Streeterville a better pedestrian experience if we keep giving developers a pass on street level design?

[the urban politician]

You guys are just way too critical of this project. Seriously...

This is about the best way to visually break up dead street level space—far better than anything a modernist structure can do. Not every ground level space needs retail, and I don’t think it makes a lot of sense in this location.

[harryc]

Nov 26

[BonoboZill4]

Originally Posted by the urban politician

You guys are just way too critical of this project. Seriously...

This is about the best way to visually break up dead street level space—far better than anything a modernist structure can do. Not every ground level space needs retail, and I don’t think it makes a lot of sense in this location.

I agree on all points TUP. It can get bothersome reading people regurgitate the same talking points over and over, like the retail space comments... Does having a 7/11 make something have better street presence? Not in my book

[HomrQT]

I hope Stern comes back and does more like this in Chicago. There's a few minor adjustments that could be made to improve it visually, but nothing that significantly hurts the project.

[Via Chicago]

actively wanting another one of these is like actively wanting another LaGrange. i simply dont see what there is to get excited about. of course this wouldnt be as bad if it used limestone all the way up etc., but that requires denial of reality and and blindness to how these projects always turn out which is half assed VE-d approximations of good buildings that never deliver on their initial promise.

its not good, its not bad, its just "whatever". from a stret level POV i coudnt imagine having a strong opinion about this building one way or the other. it fills space, im never going to live in it, it vaguely resembles a better building that would have been built 60 years ago, the base largely consists of garage doors and curb cuts, the cheap use of concrete all the way up is readily apparent and will become even moreso with age...what else am i supposed to feel here?

[Donnie77]

At this point i just hope the crown is lit so at least it can add something of value to our skyline!



Chicago is going to feel different once the new inept mayor is sworn in and god i hope its not Chief Wiggum!

[DTx2Chi]

Originally Posted by the urban politician

In my amateur opinion, the more “deco” east facade is more “honest” to the style, isn’t it?

The stepping back of the building to the east reflects that it faces a public street, so as not to overwhelm. The west faces a park, hence that wouldn’t be necessary.

It might be from it facing a park. I feel like if they were to make it symmetrical and more closely follow the art deco movement if may have too closely resembled it and made it look kitschy. But it's definitely better than the NBC tower, that is for sure. The whole neo art deco movement in Chicago right now is interesting though, especially with OSC and Wolf Point since those are covered in glass and a bit more conservative as a result