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About danieldschell

I'm Daniel Schell, Chicagoan, Twitter fiend, and picture taker. I like sunsets, travel, and long walks through construction sites. If you build it, I will come.

Little crane making big progress at the Moxy Hotel

Moxy Hotel Chicago

The Moxy Hotel rises from the corner of LaSalle Street and Grand Avenue in River North.

That little tower crane in River North that I insist on counting, then keep forgetting to count, isn’t letting any statistical oversight keep it down. Pepper Construction is using it to put up the 8-story Moxy Hotel at 530 North LaSalle Street. Issued its full permit back in February, the Moxy has been rising steadily ever since, as it approaches the targeted mid-2018 opening date.

Moxy is opening a Times Square hotel in New York City this month, and you should see the rooftop space. Really. Click this link to see it. Those views!

BREAKING NEWS: One Bennett Park keeps growing taller

One Bennett Park

Staring up at the two tower cranes atop Streeterville’s One Bennett Park.

Maybe file this one in the “not surprising news” column, because if there’s one thing you can count on with 69-story towers, it’s that they’ll grow high.

One Bennett Park continues to do just that in Streeterville. How do I know? There are two tell-tale signs of tall buildings. First, the more it hurts your neck to see the top, the taller they are. Second, if most of your progress photos have to be in portrait mode instead of landscape, then you’re looking at a relatively tall building. It’s science.

Wandering Milwaukee: One last tower crane reigns above the east side

Farwell Tower 1840 North Farwell Avenue

Like the Bat Signal, this distant tower crane led me to 1840 North Farwell Avenue on Milwaukee’s East Side.

If there are more than the five tower cranes I spotted in July around downtown Milwaukee (two at Marquette University, one at the Wisconsin Entertainment and Sports Center, one at 7Seventy7, and this one at 1840 North Farwell Avenue) blame it on my feet, not my heart. I walked until I could spot no more.

I saved the most mysterious for last. According to this article from Urban Milwaukee, this project is called “Farwell Tower.” That’s believable; it’s on Farwell Avenue at Kane Place on the city’s east side. The tower crane gives a solid clue as to the general contractor; Stevens Construction. As for the developer and architect (I always try to include those three entities, CG, developer, and design architect in each story) I’m relying on the aforementioned Urban Milwaukee article, and you should too. Check that link not just for the team involved, but also for the building specs. They’ve also got some great photos, taken far more recently than my July 1st visit.

Find another great photo gallery from Milwaukee Independent, taken July 6 during the first big concrete pour, here.

Photos from July 1 follow:

Uplifting news: Two towers, two tower cranes at The Lincoln Common

The Lincoln Common

Caisson work at The Lincoln Common will include foundations for TWO tower cranes.

Friday was a busy day for important permits in Chicago.

You read in our August tower crane update that The Lincoln Common would soon be on the board with a tower crane for one of the two 20-story, 269-unit apartment towers going up on the site. Well, the City of Chicago just doubled down on that wager, permitting a second tower crane for the site.

We’ll need to work out some names for these. For now, the city’s permits dub them “East” and “West.” But since they’re in position to build the north and south (2335 and 2345 North Lincoln Ave) towers, we may need to use “North” and South” for them. Or, perhaps the cranes will share duties on each tower, as opposed to being dedicated to one single building. Minor details. East Crane and West Crane will suffice for now.

This means W.E. O’Neil will not only get on the board; they’ll storm it. And their two tower cranes will make up for the recent losses at Elevate Lincoln Park and the DePaul School of Music. And don’t forget, we could get a crane across the street when the Belmont Village senior-living facility gets rolling. Tower cranes galore for Lincoln Park.

The Lincoln Common

East Crane

The Lincoln Common

West Crane

Wandering Milwaukee: Marquette University puts up two tower cranes

Robert A. Wild, S.J. Commons at Marquette University

Soaring high above the Robert A. Wild, S.J. Commons at Marquette University. Photo courtesy of Curtis Waltz at Aerialscapes.

If you’re a college student in Milwaukee, you might think that headline should read “Marquette University puts up student housing.” Apparently we haven’t met. When two tower cranes appear on the same job site around these here parts, they carry the day. Along with all the heavy stuff.

But of course, student housing is important too. Marquette is building the Robert A. Wild, S.J. Commons to house 890 students at the site, bounded by Wisconsin Avenue, 17th, Wells, and 18th Street. We know the general contractor, J.H. Findorff & Son; during last year’s Summerfest visit, we checked out their work at the Westin Milwaukee. (It’s finished, by the way. We stayed there during Summerfest 2017.) Findorff’s task is to have the Robert A. Wild, S.J. Commons ready in time for Fall 2018 classes.

Design duties were split between Milwaukee’s own Workshop Architects and Baltimore-based Design Collective.

You can read the full July 2016 press release from Marquette University here, or see it in its entirety after the photo gallery.

Robert A. Wild, S.J. Commons at Marquette University

The west tower crane sits on a separate lot, and reaches across the street.

Continue reading

You want curves? 465 North Park has your curves

465 North Park by Aerialscapes

465 North Park, shot from the sky by Curtis Waltz at Aerialscapes.

If it’s a uniquely-shaped new apartment tower you’re looking for, head on over to Streeterville, where 465 North Park continues to dazzle Chicago with its sweet curves and shiny glass. The 48-story, 444-unit skyscraper by Pappageorge Haymes Architects continues to push skyward, thanks to the efforts of Power Construction. Their crews are going all out (onto the ledges, that is) to bring 465 North Park to life in time for Jupiter Realty’s goal of an early 2018 opening.

Did you know there’s an OxBlue construction cam for 465 North Park. Check it out here.

 

Ryan Companies announces the opening of Aurélien

Aurélien

Aurélien, at 833 North Clark Street, photographed Friday, July 28.

Today, Ryan Companies announced the opening of Aurélien, its 31-story, 368-unit apartment tower at Clark and Chestnut in the Near North neighborhood. Congrats to Ryan Companies, the general contractor and developer, along with Lincoln Property Company, and Antunovich Associates, design architects.

Aurélien topped out in July of last year, while changing the name from what had been known as 833 North Clark.

 

You can read the original press release here:

CHICAGO (August 1, 2017)—Three years after beginning the design process and approximately two years after the start of construction, Ryan Companies US, Inc., along with its development partner Lincoln Property Company, has completed Aurélien a $100 million luxury apartment tower and the company’s first major development in the City of Chicago.

Aurélien, a 31-story, 368-unit luxury apartment tower designed by Ryan, is located at the southeast corner of Clark and Chestnut streets on a 41,000-square-foot land site within Chicago’s prominent Gold Coast neighborhood.

“Chicago has an accomplished and storied history for world class architecture and high-rise development projects. With the development of Aurélien, we are proud join an elite list of architects, developers and contractors who have made a significant contribution to Chicago’s skyline,” said Tim Hennelly, President of Ryan’s Great Lakes Region.

With construction complete, Ryan has turned the operation of Aurélien over to Lincoln Property Company which is responsible for ongoing leasing and management of the property. The first residents have started moving into the tower and the property is nearly 50 % leased.

In addition to Ryan and Lincoln Property Company, other prominent development team members include Daiwa House of Texas, primary equity investor; US Bank, construction financing; Antunovich Associates, Architect of Record; Studio K, Interior Designer; Ryan A +E, Design Architect and TGRWA, Structural Engineer.

Aurélien includes 78 studios and convertibles, 209 one-bedroom units, 75 two-bedroom units and 6 penthouse apartments. Unit sizes, except for the penthouses, range from 564 square feet to 1,245 square feet. Penthouse units range from 1,165 square feet to 3,3,39 square feet.

One of the many unique storylines of Aurélien is that this project, in the heart of some of Chicago’s greatest architecture, was designed to embrace this historical significance.

According to Mike Ryan, President of Ryan A+E, the design of Aurélien includes two notable yet contrasting Chicago architectural styles. Chicago’s turn-of-the century architecture is evident in the design’s buff-colored solid massing which is dotted with playful punched openings. This style meets the street in a traditional manner, with granite cladding and large storefront window bays. This design wraps the majority of the building’s east, west, and south facades.

To provide a measure of contrast, Chicago’s Miesian tradition is incorporated into the north end of the building through a revealing, all-glass massing. This treatment creates a dramatic vertical expression over the building entry.  The striking presence of the glass wraps horizontally over the top of the building where it meets an outdoor amenity terrace, 300 feet above the street. Interior spaces complement this aesthetic while weaving in a few surprises for the Chicago market.

“My favorite quality of this project is how transformed the immediate neighborhood feels. What was once a surface parking lot with a bank drive-thru is now a thriving extension of the city. At the same time, the project is bookended by a historic bank building and row house so the variety of architecture and sense of fitting in is very apparent,” Ryan said.

Units within Aurélien have been built as a cross between clean aesthetics, urban functionality and sophisticated design. Apartments feature floor-to-ceiling (9’) glass windows allowing residents to capture exceptional views in all directions of the Chicago skyline and Lake Michigan. All units will include a stunning kitchen design with an open layout. Kitchen spaces incorporate contemporary finishes such as flat-panel, high-gloss cabinetry with quartz counter tops, stainless steel appliances, soft close doors and drawers, and under cabinet lighting. Bathrooms feature European quartz custom vanities with 42″ mirrors, soft close drawers and designer ceramic and porcelain tiles. Many units feature private balconies.

The luxury offerings of Aurélien extend throughout the building’s amenity-laden common areas, including the rooftop, fourth-floor terrace and ground floor spaces.

  • The rooftop level, hospitality-inspired sundeck features panoramic views of Chicago and Lake Michigan, outdoor pool, private cabanas and outdoor fireplaces. Also included is an exclusive social club with a resident lounge, party room with a gaming center, and a high-end fitness center.
  • The signature of the fourth level amenity space is an expansive green roof with a spacious private terrace, bocce ball courts, firepits, grilling stations, and large ‘backyard’ terraces for several residents.
  • The elegant first floor lobby includes the management office and leasing center, secured resident storage, a private dog run and grooming station, library, parlor, business center, significant bike storage, and conference area with high speed wifi for the use of the building’s residents.

According to Irini Boeder, Assistant Vice President of Marketing for Lincoln Property Company, the target market for Aurélien includes well-educated young professionals, urban couples and empty nesters, renters who will appreciate the building’s ambiance of understated elegance, exceptional customer service and lifestyle convenience.

Aurélien’s location is ideal for residents living, working and playing in or near the Gold Coast. The site is situated in close proximity to transportation including two CTA stations and other public transportation options important to those who work downtown. It offers easy access to Lake Shore Drive and the Kennedy Expressway for those traveling by car to suburban destinations.

The building is within walking distance of Chicago’s Magnificent Mile (North Michigan Avenue), the downtown CBD, the Northwestern and Loyola University graduate school campuses, and the Northwestern medical center. Located nearby are an abundance of restaurants, clubs, retail amenities, and cultural facilities. It is also within close proximity to the lakefront, from Oak Street Beach to Navy Pier.

For more information about Aurélien, visit www.Aurélien Chicago.com.

 

About Lincoln Property Company

Since its inception in 1965, Lincoln Property Company has acquired and developed multi‐family properties valued in excess of $17 billion. A vertically integrated, multi‐national real estate firm, Lincoln employs over 5,500 people and operates in over 50 markets across the United States via 21 regional and satellite offices. Lincoln manages over 6,000 apartment units in the Chicagoland area with over 3,000 of those units in the City of Chicago itself.  For more information, visit www.lincolnapts.com.

 

Note: Aurélien North Clark Street with Bank Photo Credit: Nick Ulivieri

Aurélien Rendering 833 North Clark Street – Credit: Ryan A + E, Inc.

🏗 Chicago begins August with *31 tower cranes in the air 🏗 (Correction: make that 30) 

We last updated our “official” Chicago Tower Crane Survey back in June. So with August here, it’s time to get a current count of what’s in the sky right now.

New to the list since June’s count:

  1. Moxy Hotel. Not new because it was just erected; new because I erroneously left it off the count. It needed a permit, so it qualifies. It’s been up since May.
  2. 1326 South Michigan (soon to get a new name, according to Murphy Development Group)
  3. Essex On The Park

Gone since June’s count:

  1. Alta Roosevelt
  2. 625 West Adams
  3. The Apple Store
  4. Hubbard221/412 North Wells

Coming Soon:

  1. Nobu Hotel Chicago (Stub planted July 25; this will get Centaur Construction on the board)
  2. The Lincoln Common (Tower crane permit issued July 17; this will get W.E. O’Neil on the board)

Endangered Cranes?

  1. Solstice On The Park  (Topped out Monday, July 24)
  2. No. 9 Walton (Seems like it’s been topped out for weeks)
  3. *Elevate Lincoln Park (Topped out, I think)

*Not only topped out, but it’s coming down as of Tuesday morning, August 1.

Who has tower cranes?

  1. Lendlease – 9
  2. McHugh Construction – 7 (6, now that Elevate Lincoln Park is gone)
  3. Power Construction – 6
  4. Linn-Mathes – 2
  5. All tied with one apiece: Walsh Construction (1326 South Michigan), Clayco (CCCCHC), Pepper Construction (Moxy), Onni Group (Old Town Park), Macon Construction (No. 508), Tishman (Aloft Chicago Mag Mile), Norcon (Illume Chicago)

Here are Chicago’s 31 active tower cranes:

As Old Town Park rises, more of Atrium Village comes down

Old Town Park at Atrium Village

Old Town Park rises beyond the rubble of Atrium Village.

The circle of life continues at Atrium Village, as all but the 207 units of 300 West Hill Street have now been reduced to rubble, even as Old Town Park rises on the northeast corner of the development. The first of tower in the rebuilding of the development, Old Town Park has reached the 21st of its ultimate 32 stories. Onni Group, the developer and general contractor, is flying along at better than a one-floor-per-week pace.

Meanwhile, demolition is all but complete, with only rubble to remove, on the remaining buildings of the complex, save for the previously mentioned 300 West Hill, which is staying. **Serious question: At what point will everyone look around at all the new, amenity-laden buildings, look back at this old one, and say “yeah, let’s tear it down after all”? Anyway, the slate will be clean in plenty of time to begin work on the second tower, hopefully in early fall.

Old Town Park at Atrium Village

This overhead shot from Curtis Waltz at Aerialscapes shows the Old Town Park tower, with Atrium Village demolition at lower left.

Construction Progress: The Triple-Branded Hilton Hotel climbs on Motor Row

Triple-Branded Hilton McCormick Place

Up to the ninth floor (of 21) at the Triple-Branded Hilton Hotel at McCormick Place.

Three Hilton Hotels, 21 stories, and 466 rooms. That’s what you see growing along East Cermak Road, between Michigan and Indiana Avenues. (A Hilton Garden Inn Chicago McCormick CenterHampton Inn by Hilton Chicago McCormick Center, and Home2 Suites by Hilton Chicago McCormick Center, if you’re scoring at home.) Of course, they’ll all be in one building.

Antunovich Associates worked with McHugh Construction on this project, which joins the Marriott Marquis Hotel and Wintrust Arena across the street in completely changing the character of this two-block stretch of Cermak Road. McHugh is up to the ninth floor of the hotels now, a veritable beehive of activity. And it has to be; Hilton plans to have all three brands open late next year.