Stuff That’s Done That I Kept Forgetting To Take Photos Of: University of Chicago Campus North Residential Commons

Posted on March 31, 2021 by danieldschell

There was a time when the only building I took photos of was Aqua. It was the first tower I really fell in love with, and it gave me an immediate appreciation of Jeanne Gang’s work at Studio Gang.

As you may know, I’ve taken a few of The Residences at the St. Regis (formerly Vista Tower) too. And Solstice on the Park down in Hyde Park. But as many times as I went down to Hyde Park for Solstice, I kept forgetting to swing by the University of Chicago Campus North Residential Commons. Until now.

Something about the coloring of this development. Standing in front of it, it looks like a rendering.

Studio Gang towers in San Francisco, Brooklyn, and St. Louis are next on my visiting agenda.

Darn Near Done: Old Town Park Phase III

Posted on March 31, 2021 by danieldschell

All that remains of Atrium Village stands in front of Old Town Park Phases I, II, and III.

Exterior work is nearing completion at the final phase of the Old Town Park re-development in Chicago’s Near North neighborhood.

Old Town Park Phase III, at 228 West Hill Street got its full-build permit on New Years Eve 2019. That permit authorized construction of a 41-story, 456-unit apartment tower.

Old Town Park Phase II, the 39-dtory, 425-unit tower at 202 West Hill Street, got its first permit in December 2017.

The baby of the group, Phase I, got its first permit in February 2016. It has 405 apartments across 32 stories.

That puts developer and general contractor Onni Group in construction mode here just over five years. They also lit up all three tower cranes over the course of this development, so kudos for that, Onni! You’ll always hold a special place in the B.U.C. heart for that alone.

Hartshorne Plunkard Architecture is the design architect on Old Town Park.

Progress Update: The Study at University of Chicago

Posted on March 31, 2021 by danieldschell

The Study at University of Chicago is next door to The David M. Rubenstein Forum, which we featured Tuesday.

Foundation work had barely gotten underway last time (and first time) we visited The Study at University of Chicago in Woodlawn in February of last year. Just across the Midway Plaisance from the University’s Hyde Park campus, the new hotel from developer Hospitality 3 will provide 167 rooms, plus a restaurant, conference spaces, and a winter garden across its 13 stories.

The Study is designed by Holabird & Root. Completing the Ampersand Team is J.T. Magen & Company, the general contractor. Grand opening was expected in the first quarter of this year, so things are a bit behind schedule. But nothing has gone as planned for the last 13 months or so, so don’t sweat it.

The Study at University of Chicago, Woodlawn.

One Chicago inches ever-closer to full height

Posted on March 30, 2021 by danieldschell

One Chicago takes the entire city block bounded by Chicago Avenue, Dearborn, Superior, and State Streets in River North.

One Chicago is coming.

The residential (condos and apartments,) office, and retail block from JDL Development is making its mark on Chicago’s skyline.

The 49-story western tower topped out back in January, while the 76-story condo tower should be really darn close to following suit, if it hasn’t already.

Here’s your One Chicago team: JDL Development, with a hand from Wanxiang America, is the developer. Hartshorne Plunkard Architecture and Goettsch Partners have shared design duties. And Power Construction is the general contractor.

Want to see a whole bunch o’ photos from Monday? I knew you would.

Stuff That’s Done: The David M. Rubenstein Forum at the University of Chicago

Posted on March 30, 2021 by danieldschell

14 months ago, I called this the most unique construction project in the city. No one told me I was wrong.

The David M. Rubenstein Forum on the University of Chicago campus is done and open and really darn cool.

Congrats to the whole team on this one: The University of Chicago; architects Diller Scofidio + Renfro out of NYC and Chicago’s own Brininstool + Lynch, and general contractor Turner Construction.

The David M. Rubenstein Forum, March 2021

Catching up on The Bentham in River North

Posted on March 29, 2021 by danieldschell

The Bentham, 146 West Erie in River North.

It might just be Bentham now, instead of The Bentham. Either way, it’s filling in nicely, having long-ago topped out and added a whole bunch of glass to the exterior. The 31 condominiums from developer, design architect, and builder Sedgwick Development have been a long time coming, but the building looks to be in the home stretch now.

BTW, it made the news a few days ago; CWB Chicago has the deets on that.

And these deets are how Sedgwick Development describes (The) Bentham:

“The Bentham showcases 31 exclusive 3 bed/3bath condominium units with an open floor plan featuring a combination of modern indoor/outdoor living, expansive floor to ceiling windows and private elevator access. Each home is masterfully appointed with designer finishes throughout and designed for everyday comfort and luxury. The Bentham boasts five-star hotel amenities, including a 24-hour doorman, dry cleaning services and roof top pool. Residents will also be able to take advantage of a state of the art fitness center, fully equipped with yoga, cardio and weight areas as well as a large community room with a gourmet catering kitchen. As a buyer of the iconic Bentham located in exciting River North, you are located near the Loop with close proximity to Lake Michigan, the best in luxury shopping, arts and world-class restaurants.”

Up close and personal with Salesforce Tower

Posted on March 29, 2021 by danieldschell

Salesforce Tower is one of those construction sites you can just about stand directly beneath and watch it grow. When you can’t get high enough to look down on it, this is the next best thing. You can practically climb into the belly of the beast itself, with 270 degrees of viewing potential around the base. Grab a kayak and you’ve got a full 360-degree range.

Standing under the under-construction Salesforce Tower at Wolf Point.

Nevele22 catches the eye in River West

Posted on March 26, 2021 by danieldschell

Nevele22, at 1122 West Chicago Avenue in River West.

Height will make you noticeable. When you can’t achieve that, bright yellow construction materials will do the trick.

Nevele22 is one such example as it rises in River West. Located at 1122 W. Chicago Avenue, Nevele22 will be a 7-story, 97-unit rental property where Chicago and Milwaukee Avenues converge. It’s a busy intersection, and a busy neighborhood.

Nevele22 is being developed by Lipe Property Company of Wicker Park. It is a design by Pappageorge Haymes Partners. The building permit, issued in April of last year, also calls for 39 parking spots and ground-floor retail space. Global Builders is the general contractor.

Nevele22 hopes to be open for move-ins this spring.

Darn Near Done: 800 Fulton

Posted on March 25, 2021 by danieldschell

This is a cool building.

800 Fulton is an 18-story office tower at the literal gateway to the Fulton Market District. Really. There’s a sign. Developed by Thor Equities, it is a design by SOM and a build by Lendlease. It should be open any minute now.

Fulton Labs announces topping out

Posted on March 23, 2021 by danieldschell

Fulton Labs caught some rays over the weekend.

Blogs are okay, but the best source for information is always from the best source: the source itself.

Tuesday, Fulton Labs announced the topping out of the building at 400 North Aberdeen in Fulton Market. That keeps the facility on track to open early next year.

Here’s the text of the announcement, which can be seen in its entirety at the link above:

CHICAGO — March 23, 2021 — Trammell Crow Company (TCC), one of the largest commercial real estate developers in the United States, today announced it has topped out the construction on its Fulton Labs at 400 N. Aberdeen development. The facility is a 423,454 square-foot best-in-class laboratory building that the company is developing to help meet rapidly expanding demand for Class A lab space in the Chicago region, an area that has had chronic shortages of such space for decades.

The company broke ground on the development in July 2020 and anticipates completing the facility on schedule by Q1 of 2022. Portal Innovations, a premier venture development platform that bridges scientific ideation and value creation in life science, medtech and bioinformatics, has already signed a lease and will occupy a full 35,000-square-foot floor upon the building’s completion.

“After the past few years of working toward making this hub of life science innovation in Chicago possible, it is rewarding to see it all begin to come together,” said Morgan Blaska, Senior Associate for Trammell Crow Company. “With the community of life sciences tenants strengthening in our Fulton Labs at 1375 W. Fulton facility, coupled with securing our first lease at 400 N. Aberdeen and achieving this milestone in the construction process, we’re excited to see the continuing impact that our investment in purpose-built wet and dry lab space is having on the community.”

Power Construction is the general contractor on the project, ESG Architects is supplying design and architectural services, CRB is providing lab planning and engineering design support, and CBRE is directing the life sciences transaction and advisory work.

“With our decades of construction experience in Chicago, it is exciting to be a part of a project like this that will help solve the chronic shortage of lab space in the Chicago area,” said Steve Jackson, Vice President at Power Construction. “Our expertise in this field, along with our partnership with groups like CRB and ESG, allows us to be a part of a much-needed facility that will foster collaboration and innovation for life science companies.”

Of the building’s 16 floors, 12 are dedicated to wet or dry lab space, including one full floor of shared lab space managed and programmed by Portal Innovations. The facility’s features are designed to allow for flexibility and scalability, such as column-free and long-span layouts. The facility has been designed to serve the robust infrastructure requirements for office and lab users alike, while also providing unique advances in building technology, such as View Smart Windows that automatically adjust the tint throughout the day to allow for minimized heat, UV damage, glare, and pathogens, while still providing sunlight to tenants.