That's One Chicago, which includes two towers connected with an enormous podium, and it basically encompasses an entire block. It'll be very expensive and right across the street from a troubled McDonald's, red line stop, and Lawson House public housing, where there are often a lot of problems, so it'll be interesting to see if there will be ancillary/safety improvements.

 

And if any architect aficionados want a lump in their throats, look no further than the blue window tinted building in the back, the Wanda Vista/St. Regis building. The multiple blow-through floors weren't even discussed until it was too late, and the building looks completely scarred, especially looking northbound. An absolute shame; it looks incomplete, mechanical in a bad way.

Edited May 13, 20214 yr by TBideon

1 hour ago, TBideon said:

That's One Chicago, which includes two towers connected with an enormous podium, and it basically encompasses an entire block. It'll be very expensive and right across the street from a troubled McDonald's, red line stop, and Lawson House public housing, where there are often a lot of problems, so it'll be interesting to see if there will be ancillary/safety improvements.

 

And if any architect aficionados want a lump in their throats, look no further than the blue window tinted building in the back, the Wanda Vista/St. Regis building. The multiple blow-through floors weren't even discussed until it was too late, and the building looks completely scarred, especially looking northbound. An absolute shame; it looks incomplete, mechanical in a bad way.

 

Wow, that's pretty far north (1 W Chicago Ave)  for a building that tall (971 feet). From that perspective, no wonder it looks almost as tall as Willis.

the saga to date of the bears and soldier field:

 

 

 

fyi -- downtown chicago is back, baby!

 

 

Downtown Chicago Now Has More Residents Than Before the Pandemic

 

Isis Almeida

Fri, February 24, 2023

 

 

(Bloomberg) -- You wouldn’t know it from the empty streets on a Friday morning, but there are now more people living in downtown Chicago than before the pandemic.

 

The number of residents in the Loop — as the city’s central business district is known — grew by almost 9% since 2020, according to estimates from the Chicago Loop Alliance.

 

“The notion that everybody was leaving downtown and leaving cities during the pandemic was somewhat overblown,” said Michael Edwards, president of the Alliance, which represents more than 300 businesses, civic, and cultural institutions.

 

Population in the Loop, an area bounded by the Chicago River on the north and west sides, stands at 46,000, with the number of residents expected to grow another 17% by 2028, the group estimates. About 95% of residential properties are occupied, up from the pandemic low of 87%, and a rate that exceeds 2019 levels.

 

The figures are surprising for a central business district that’s faced a slower recovery than many other parts of the country. A University of California study that analyzed cellphone data across 62 cities in North America put Chicago’s recovery at just 50%, behind places including New York City; Washington, DC; Los Angeles; Houston and Boston.

 

For many residents, Edwards said, shorter commutes continue to make downtown living appealing.

 

“People are finding that there’s only so much time in your day, and to spend a few hours commuting every day is not a productive use of that time,” he said.

 

 

more:

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/downtown-chicago-now-more-residents-152051066.html

 

 

Sometimes they don't get built in other cities too. The new Tribune Tower that didn't happen...

 

 

Maybe. There are just so many stagnated projects all over Chicago - to be fair I'm sure everywhere - and Michigan Avenue and 2 of its 3 malls are struggling a great deal. That said, the Tribune building is now residential and slightly expanded, which must have been an enormous undertaking. 

 

I'm a bit bearish with this one. 

Edited March 13, 20232 yr by TBideon

Here's some of the fundamentals behind Chicago's urban core building boom. Sadly, racism seems to be a significant force behind it.

 

https://chicago.suntimes.com/columnists/2023/3/10/23634243/chicago-crime-mayoral-race-white-voters-column-alden-loury

 

Rather than keep moving farther and farther out, white people appear to be leapfrogging the sprawl of black/latino out-migration...

 

 

^ yeah its interesting — they threw up a lot of glass box apts/condos around downtown over that time. its a reflection of the back to the city movement, so now its denser and whiter. and probably younger too i would guess.

There's a lot going on in the West Loop. Here's a nice overview:

 

https://chicagoyimby.com/2023/03/a-full-breakdown-of-west-loops-development-boom.html

On 3/19/2023 at 12:20 PM, mrnyc said:

^ yeah its interesting — they threw up a lot of glass box apts/condos around downtown over that time. its a reflection of the back to the city movement, so now its denser and whiter. and probably younger too i would guess.

 

Most of the new building around downtown has been on former industrial sites and/or parking lots, so it's not really displacing anyone to make it "whiter."

 

Neighborhoods that have been majorly gentrified in Chicago over the last decade are Logan Square and Avondale. To a lesser extent Uptown and Irving Park. Some will say Pilsen too but in my observation that is overstated.

6 minutes ago, Rustbelter said:

 

Most of the new building around downtown has been on former industrial sites and/or parking lots, so it's not really displacing anyone to make it "whiter."

 

Neighborhoods that have been majorly gentrified in Chicago over the last decade are Logan Square and Avondale. To a lesser extent Uptown and Irving Park. Some will say Pilsen too but in my observation that is overstated.

 

i didnt say it was displacing anyone, just that its denser and becoming whiter.

Uptown has a long, long, LONG way to go. Plenty of problems mostly east of Broadway, regardless of the occasional Wilson/Sheridan glass building or drag brunch.

 

Irivng Park is fine.

 

Gangs have been pushed west in Logan Square and Avondale. Good for them, bad for Hermosa and the west Belmont neighborhoods. 

 

Pilsen has got plenty of gunfire west of Ashland.

 

And these "gentrified" areas still get abused plenty by their not-so-friendly neighbors south (and to a lesser degree west). Just look at the annual anarchy after Pride and the night after - not exactly a gay-friendly crowd after 5pm.

 

The city has seen better days. 

 

 

Edited July 3, 20231 yr by TBideon

Uptown is WAY better than it was 10-15 years ago. Lots of projects in the works along the Clark Street corridor on the western part of the neighborhood, and finally some interesting businesses opening in the area. I agree that east of Broadway needs some work still; I wouldn't want to live over there as it stands.

 

Chicago for sure has some issues that it needs to get under control. Been living in Chicago for over 15 years, and crime and general vagrancy are worse than ever during my time here despite the development momentum in many neighborhoods. Spillover crime, shootings, homeless encampments, and degenerate behavior on public transportation have all been amplified over the last few years. Unfortunately I think it's going to get worse before it gets better. 

 

Many of my friends/peer group (older Millennials and younger GenX) are questioning staying, many of whom have children and were seriously considering raising families in the city for the long haul. Crime, raising costs in the nicer neighborhoods, and concerns with CTU are not compelling reasons to stay. A lot of them grew up in Chicago too, so I'm not just talking about small town and suburban transplants. I'll be leaving Chicago soon myself, and while my move isn't driven by the crime and other quality of life issues, they certainly are not helping.

 

I will say from my observation there are plenty of post-college transplants still arriving to fill in those new apartments and bars in places like the West Loop and Logan Square. However, River North and Michigan Avenue are still feeling a bit stale post-pandemic.    

 

 

So, I have nothing new to add, but I did go to Chicago for the first time over the weekend. I absolutely loved it and I think it’s everything I wish Cleveland was.

Which beach did you go to? I was up in Hollywood most of the afternoon.

45 minutes ago, JB said:

So, I have nothing new to add, but I did go to Chicago for the first time over the weekend. I absolutely loved it and I think it’s everything I wish Cleveland was.

Yes, Chicago is still one of the great world class cities of America, warts and all. I travel all over this country and I tell you Chicago's synergy is mostly unequaled. World class museums, bustling downtown tourism, Lakefront/ Navy Pier / River Walk, World class architecture, wonderful beaches for an inland city, and unique neighborhoods with good food/restaurants. Not to mention two great airports. And I would say, like any other city, Chicago has problems, but it is still one of Americas great cities..

it was to be 506 condos, now its 738 rentals —

 

1000M (1000 S Michigan)

805 FT | 73 FLOORS

 

 

via SolarWind

 

My! My! What great architecture Chicago has.

I literally live behind that building on the Wabash side. It's disappointing the units aren't condos and the original Helmut vision looked a lot cooler, but South Loop has not nearly seen the appreciations of the more vibrant neighborhoods. The area is a bit of an anomaly considering the location so I can't blame financiers for being scared off.

 

Some of the earlier renderings made it look like 1000 S. Michigan would fit in Singapore or Dubai. But this project was, to my understanding, supposed to be complete in 2008, so I'm not complaining the big hole in the ground is finally filled. 

^ btw if you are wondering about the slight cantilever on the left and air rights as i was i am told the developers also own the small bldg, so not an issue.

 

not sure if it has chicago-esque parking on the lower floors? doesnt look like it.

The garage podium is at the back facing west. It's ugly, but what can you do.

 

Speaking of podiums, I'm shocked the nearby Reed's podium (along the river's south branch) doesn't look as horrible as the renderings. Sure it's a bummer there's an unnecessary garage along the river, but the color, shape and angle aren't too shabby, all things considering, and it somewhat blends into the building.

 

1114 W Carroll Avenue | 379 FT | 34 FLOORS

 

via BVictor1

 

 

looks like quality facade here —

via SolarWind

 

 

render via chi yimby —

1114 W Carroll Avenue. Rendering by ESG Architects

 

I don't get this.

 

Report: MLB commissioner calls potential White Sox move to South Loop a 'game-changer' (wgntv.com)

 

https://wgntv.com/sports/report-mlb-commissioner-calls-potential-white-sox-move-to-south-loop-a-game-changer/

 

Terrible leadership aside, Sox stadium is in great shape, a beautiful stadium, with eight surrounding parking lots that could be developed if Reinsdorf gave a flying fart. Plus there's a train stop directly outside and a freeway for suburbanite access. It's easier to get there than Wrigley.

 

So why a new stadium?

 

Granted this whole 78 project needs an anchor for things to kick off (it's an empty stretch of land connecting downtown to Chinatown), and the city is sore for not getting Amazon or a standalone casino there. A new stadium, however, seems a waste of valuable real estate.

 

Unless Sox stadium could be retrofitted for the Bears, the team no suburb wants, yet are intent on leaving? That would be interesting.

It seems more and more new modern stadiums and arenas have a 20-25 year shelf life which just blows my mine given other massive urban infrastructure needs which are just ignored.  This does seem to be more of a sun belt phenomenon but it might spread to other areas of the country given the need to compete.

 

The 78 does seem to be stuck development wise.  I think the Sox owners do want to have more amenities surrounding the ballpark and I am guessing they feel doing it at the current South side location won't work.  The thinking might be that surrounding amenities will only be patronized on 81 game days rather than year around given the neighborhood, and businesses won't be able to thrive.  Less chance of that at the 78 since it is so close to other stable neighborhoods.

 

I read an article a few days ago which suggested the Sox might also be looking to the suburbs and even other cities like Nashville.  Typical ownership threats (or maybe just the standard speculation by the author of the article without any facts to back this up).

Edited February 1, 20241 yr by Htsguy

All the major Chicago projects seem to be stuck. Lincoln Yards only has one building, the new casino is having a similar storyline to Cleveland's, Michael Reese project is DOA(?), Riverline/South Bank development agonizingly slow, One Central truly a fantasy, some parcels in Lakeshore East/New East Side STILL empty. Etc, etc.

 

And all we've go on the 78 is a road connecting Wells to Wentworth that no one can access. Huzzah.

 

I get  things take time... but come on, we're all going be dead in the next 20-50 years or so. Let's give a move on!

Chicago Bears to invest over $2 billion to build new stadium near Soldier Field, reversing plans to move from city center

By Ben Morse, CNN

Published 12:26 PM EDT, Mon March 11, 2024

 

The Chicago Bears have announced that they will begin plans to build a new stadium near their current home of Soldier Field, a change from their original plans of moving to a location further outside of the city.

 

“The Chicago Bears are committed to contributing over $2 billion to build a stadium and improve open spaces for all families, fans and the general public to enjoy in the City of Chicago,” the team said in a statement to CNN on Monday.

 

“The future stadium of the Chicago Bears will bring a transformative opportunity to our region – boosting the economy, creating jobs, facilitating mega events and generating millions in tax revenue. We look forward to sharing more information when our plans are finalized.”

 

MORE

^ i would think an arlington hts stadium would be easier and a much better bang for the buck for them, especially given all the upfront $, but good its resolved.

Well, let's take that with a grain of salt. Once we start seeing words like "transformative", my eyes get glossy.

 

Snark aside, the area by Soldier Field is forbidden from residential/commercial development due to the Burnham plan and the Friends of the Park zealots. Those c-nts already cost the city the free George Lucas museum at that exact location.

 

Interesting news still. Could a ballpark village of sorts be developed? And if Soldier Field could be torn down partially and turned into an actual park, I'd be down with that. Fly away spaceship, fly away.

It would be interesting to re-renovate (unrenovate?) Solider Field by removing the early 2000's addition and taking it back to the more classical design and reducing the capacity to 30,000 or so and just letting the Fire have that stadium. The Friends of the park people are horrible, but maybe theres a way to connect better to South Loop to allow the spin off development to happen there because of how anti development they are. 

 

I lived in Chicago for years and what's weird is that in a city that has probably the 2nd best transit system in the country Soldier field is actually really disconnected from the transit system, so while the Arlington heights location was worse on paper it was actually closer to a Blue line stop than the downtown location is to a subway station of any color.  If they're  spending over $2 billion dollars maybe a streetcar or some kind of east/west transit between Chinatown, the el stations, McCormick place and Solider field/museum campus would be awesome to host big events like the superbowl or final fours. 

chi's gold coast real estate troubles -- 

 

 

 

Ultra-Wealthy Are Souring on Chicago’s Most Elite Neighborhood

 

Miranda Davis

Tue, Mar 19, 2024

 

 

...

The historic Gold Coast, featuring 100-year-old mansions, opulent condos and designer boutiques, has lost some of its most illustrious residents and appeal in recent years as the city’s high taxes and crime encouraged the wealthy to relocate. Those staying in Chicago are opting for more modern homes in trendier areas, leaving Gold Coast properties sitting on the market for months.

 

Now a plan to boost taxes on the sale of homes of $1 million or more could further depress deals in the neighborhood, whose residents include the billionaire Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker. Known as the “mansion tax,” the measure will be on the ballot during the Illinois primary on Tuesday.

 

 

more:

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/ultra-wealthy-souring-chicago-most-103000759.html

Yeah I'm sure higher interest rates have nothing to do with it.

It's not like the interest rates are dramatically higher than Austin or Denver, yet the Gold Coast is lagging in sales.  Quite a few reasons really - Viagra Triangle is a shell of itself, nearby Michigan Avenue is on life support, some very dated properties require significant upkeep, crime has permeated the invisible lines (2020 riots have not been forgotten), people's tastes change, other neighborhood successes are cannibalizing the area, very high HOAs, other cities/regions are more desirable for older residents who would have traditionally resided there, city and metro population stagnation, transplants are uninterested living there, costs of living exceed wage growth, etc.

 

Edited March 19, 20241 yr by TBideon

What's the market like in downtown Austin and Denver for $15 million condos?

No idea, but there are three $15 million homes on market in "downtown" Chicago now, if one considers Streeterville, Gold Coast and River North downtown.

 

I'm guessing there are zero in Austin and Denver.

 

Austin has $13-18 million ones downtown... 

 

https://www.highrises.com/listings/805-congress-ave_austin_tx_78701_8665330750

https://www.highrises.com/listings/200-congress-ave-unit-50t_austin_tx_78701_8058212972

 

Denver, no.

Chicago's Gold Coast seems fine to me. I lived there in the early 2010's, and while I can't speak to day-to-day crime concernes, there seems to be an improvement in business diversity and some nice infill compared to a decade ago. I think the biggest thing is that Chicago's big money buyers are now looking at wider array of neighborhoods compared to the past. Also the Gold Coast is mostly condo's that cater to upper middle class, it's hardly all properties for the elite.

On 3/19/2024 at 12:37 PM, TBideon said:

 Quite a few reasons really - Viagra Triangle is a shell of itself

Disagree on this one. Just look around on Google Steet View 10 years ago compared to now.  Sure, there are a few empty businesses but in those cases I'd blame the business and not the neighborhood. And it's not like there wasn't business turnover in the past. 

Edited April 7, 20241 yr by Rustbelter

topped out — opens 2026 —

 

 

 

Museum at Obama Presidential Center in Chicago tops out

 

Ellen Eberhardt | 18 June 2024

 

 

The monolithic museum anchoring the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago has topped out, with former president Barack Obama placing his signature on an uppermost beam.

 

Designed by Tod Williams Billie Tsien Architects, The Museum sits on the northern side of the Obama Presidential Center with a form that was "inspired by the idea of four hands coming together".

 

 

more:

https://www.dezeen.com/2024/06/18/museum-obama-presidential-center-chicago-tops-out/

 

Huge! Hope it gets built.

 

 

Hopefully the casino there being DOA doesn't impede this project.

 

Exact same storyline as the Gilbert one in Cleveland.

Bulls and Blackhawks owners getting into the development game. This would be a real game changer, as the current area is an inhospitable sea of parking lots. Makes sense because due East of there is the West Loop which is currently the hottest neighborhood in the Midwest. Still pretty sketchy to the West though.

 

United Center Owners Planning $7 Billion Campus Around Arena With Housing, Music Hall And More

 

 

I'm curious about Chicago as the city keeps putting up big projects and building like heck but population continues to drop. So who's occupying the new buildings and are they hiding something because there isn't intense widespread decay throughout the city? Even the south and west sides look more intact than the other Rust Belt cities and while there are rough looking 'hoods it's not apocalyptic or anything.

^

 

Chicago is very polarized, probably more so than any other American city. Downtown and the North Side are thriving and full of middle to upper class yuppies; this is where all those developments are happening. South and West are not nearly as well off and can be very rough.

 

Not sure if the population is still dropping, but what has happened is the Downtown/North Side growth has been offset by population loss in the less desirable areas. Some areas on the North Side may have even lost population from multi-family housing being replaced by single-family housing through gentrification (Bucktown or North Center for example). There are also immigrant areas but those have largely replaced former working class white neighborhoods over the decades, which I imagine is mostly a net neutral in terms of population over time if I were to guess.

 

Some areas probably don't look rough on the surface due to the housing stock; basically brick holds up better than the wood-framed houses found in other parts of the Rust Belt. But there are definitely areas of major blight; check out Englewood, Lawndale, or Garfield Park for that kind of thing. For example Englewood had a population approaching 100,000 in 1960 and just around 20,000 today. 

 

And then there's this: https://heyjackass.com/2023-homicide-map/

 

 

Edited July 24, 2024Jul 24 by Rustbelter

Most of those big projects - the 78, Lincoln Yards, Riverline, Michael Reese, the nonsense by Soldier Field, 606 extension eastbound, red line extension to 130th southbound, River West standalone casino, etc - are on indefinite hold or so delayed or sluggish they may as well be.

Even Lakeshore East can't fill its parcels, and that's probably the city's most successful mutli-decade project. 

 

I'm VERY skeptical this project will take place on our lifetimes, especially when you look at Reinsdorf's ineptitude at Sox stadium and see the decades of parking lots despite the region begging for another Wrigley. 

 

Organic growth due to West Loop's renaissance and westbound expansion is more likely. 

3 minutes ago, TBideon said:

I'm VERY skeptical this project will take place on our lifetimes, especially when you look at Reinsdorf's ineptitude at Sox stadium and see the decades of parking lots despite the region begging for another Wrigley. 

I'm also skeptical about these mega developments but Chicago seems to still be doing well with organic small and medium infill projects.

 

 

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2024/09/06/chicago-bears-ceo-sticking-to-his-game-plan-for-chicago-lakefront-stadium/

 

Chicago Bears CEO sticking to his game plan for Chicago lakefront stadium

 

Um, how about no. The idiot mayor may be on board, but the city consensus and state sure as s**t are not 

 

 

 

Edited September 7, 2024Sep 7 by TBideon

24 minutes ago, TBideon said:

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2024/09/06/chicago-bears-ceo-sticking-to-his-game-plan-for-chicago-lakefront-stadium/

 

Chicago Bears CEO sticking to his game plan for Chicago lakefront stadium

 

Um, how about no. The idiot mayor may be on board, but the city consensus and state sure as s**t are not 

 

 

 

I guarantee you there is more than just the mayor on board. Big labor, big financiers, certain state legislators whom I have heard on radio privately. The Chicago Bears CEO is well aware how the game is played, saying not now does not mean, not never.

Former abandoned Chicago Spire project getting new life. New version will have 635 residential units if both towers get built.

 

Concrete continues to rise at 400 Lake Shore North Tower

 

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/reports-white-sox-developer-invite-140934988.html

 

Reports: White Sox, developer invite lawmakers, other VIPs on riverboat cruise in latest pitch for new stadium funding

 

Absolute madness on so many levels 

 

Edited September 20, 2024Sep 20 by TBideon

^ That White Sox park concept looks pretty great, would offer some amazing views. But also some typical Illinois shenanigans in there LOL. 

 

On another note, just saw this TOD project. Chicago hasn't typically done large TOD projects like this near train stations outside of downtown. Although this area is becoming its own highrise district; I remember back in the day when it was mostly desolate except for the nightclubs and was also pretty sketchy around there.

 

Slim, 37-Story Tower In Lincoln Park Gets City Council Approval 

 

if you can tolerate these stunts — urbexing the trump tower

 

 

https://www.instagram.com/reel/C-vQ-VGgDYu/?igsh=dzE4amhta29xbWI1