Category Archives: 1-9 Stories

1237 West Division, Chicago’s first multi-story logistics center, putting its two tower cranes to good use

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That’s 1237 West Division off in the distance.

We celebrate tower cranes here at the B.U.C. HQ. And we celebrate twice as much when there are two of them to enjoy.

Elston & Cortez, February 2023, just after the first tower crane was erected.

1237 West Division is a two-story double-height logistics center, with separate car-parking structure, in Chicago’s West Town community area. At least, it will be. Construction has been ramped up (heh) for months now, with The Big Green W at the helm. Logistics Property Company is the developer. The links above have all the deets and specs you could ever want, and then some.

This one is best viewed from a passing Metra train or helicopter. Since it’s not very tall, it’s tough to see from a distance. Although Halsted just north of Chicago Ave offers some cool glimpses.

Not only did I get to add a new category for 1237 West Division — “Logistics” — but I also got to take more photos of a warehouse than ever before. And here that are:

More Photos Than I Know What To Do With: The Obama Presidential Center

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Construction on The Obama Presidential Center from Wooded Island in Jackson Park.

We’re down a tower crane at The Obama Presidential Center, to three from two. But two cranes are still a big deal around here. So is all this concrete. There’s a lot of concrete here.

The tower portion is really showing out now. I took a bunch of photos on August 21, as you may have gathered that from the headline. Here they are:

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Darn Near Done: 732 West Randolph edition

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732 West Randolph is an edition, and an addition. The eight-story building in the heart of Restaurant row connects on all six floors of the exiting building to its east. Wait….I guess it’s more of an extension than an addition, but I’ve said what I’ve said.

Never forget, this humble eight-story edifice brought a tower crane to the West Loop. Be grateful for that, Construx Nerds.

Hey, there’s a sweet video in that link above. And the gallery shows what the almost-ready-for-business office building looks like right this very moment.

Illinois Masonic erects a tower crane

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Tower crane erection at Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center, Lake View, Chicago
The tower crane goes up at Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center in Lake View.

I went to the South Loop Friday to see a new tower crane, and found an even newer one in Lake View on the way home.

Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center is erecting an eight-story vertical expansion (if this was a house, it would called an addition) addressed as 900 West Nelson Street. This construction is best viewed from an outbound Brown Line train, which is where I was Friday when I snapped a couple iPhone shots of the crane going up.

Turner Construction is the general contractor. It looks from the permits issued that SmithGroup is the design architect.

Almost as many permits and floors on this one. The construction itself was permitted in three phases, while the tower crane has two permits of its own:

Phase 1 issued 1/13/2023
Phase 2 issued 1/19/2023
Phase 3 issued 6/20/2023
Tower crane slab & earth retention issued 4/12/2023
Tower crane issued 5/3/2023

The tiniest gallery of iPhone shots taken August 18:



Darn Near Done: 1229 W Concord Place at Lincoln Yards

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1229 W Concord Place along the Chicago River.

Photos of Sterling Bay’s 1229 W. Concord Place, the first phase of the Lincoln Yards mega-development.

Power Construction – General Contractor

Gensler – Design Architect

All photos taken February 26, 2023.

Enjoying the photos? Metra and CTA rides (and Amtrak trains to Milwaukee), Zipcars, Divvy Bikes, camera lenses, domain fees, snacks & energy drinks, and comfortable walking shoes add up. You can help offset expenses by making a greatly-appreciated donation to Building Up Chicago.

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The Three Tower Cranes of the Obama Presidential Center

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There are three tower cranes building the Obama Presidential Center.

Took me awhile to get to Jackson Park, but I got there. And if you’re thinking of going, know that road construction makes walking a lap around the Obama Presidential Center construction site a rather grueling task.

Side Note: From here, I walked up to Hyde Park, where I’m *pretty* sure I had catfish for the first time in my life. (I’m a picky eater; it’s hard to explain.) So a shout-out to Daisy’s Po-Boy and Tavern on South Harper. Delicious.

I’d be lying if I said I understood who all is involved, and how they’re involved, in the construction here. What I do know is where you can go to learn some of that very information. First, visit Lakeside Alliance. To me, that’s sorta like your general contractor information. Next, visit Concrete Collective. That’s got your concrete contractor info.

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732 West Randolph’s purple reign in the West Loop

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732 West Randolph, looking pretty in purple.

The tower crane is gone from 732 West Randolph as the eight-story office building nears exterior completion. And granted, I don’t live in the West Loop, so I don’t see this building every day. But if I did, I’d be fine with keeping it mildly purple. Food for thought.

732 West Randolph gets even with its neighbors

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732 (left) and 730 West Randolph.

I should explain that headline. You see, 732 West Randolph isn’t in a dispute with its neighbors. These ain’t the Hatfields and McCoys. In fact, 732 and 730 West Randolph are practically joined at the hip. 732’s first six levels will be connected to 730, with two additional levels rising just above the six-story 730. Make sense? Suffice it to say, both buildings are six stories tall at the moment.

As is often the case with my procrastinating ways, here are photos from a couple recent visits.

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Rush Specialty Hospital steel tops out

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RUSH Specialty Hospital. The little tree at top right means they topped out with no injuries.

How about a quick update at RUSH Specialty Hospital?

I was here in June to check out caisson work. Now, the five-story venture between as Rush University Medical Center hospital along with Select Medical has topped out the steel skeleton.

A permit was issued May 23rd for a five-story “inpatient hospital building” at 516 South Loomis. A hoist permit followed on August 9.

Enjoying the photos? Metra and CTA rides (and Amtrak trains to Milwaukee), Zipcars, Divvy Bikes, camera lenses, domain fees, snacks & energy drinks, and comfortable walking shoes add up. You can help offset expenses by making a greatly-appreciated donation to Building Up Chicago.

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Demolition is underway for 350 North Morgan

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350 North Morgan demolition, from Dan’s truck.

A funny thing happened in the Fulton Market District Wednesday.

I try to be somewhat discreet when I’m out taking photos. Not everyone likes having their picture taken, and not everyone appreciates the paparazzi being around while they’re working. So I try not to stick my camera in anyone’s face, or to make it too obvious that I’m taking photos. Which is hard to do when you’re holding, and aiming, a camera.

Anywho, I wandered over to where Atlas Industries is tearing down the former Pioneer Wholesale Meat facility at 1000 West Carroll to make way for Sterling Bay’s 350 North Morgan. Demolition work was done for the day, but there was still a work truck parked in front, so I kept my distance…….right up until I didn’t want to keep my distance. I got right up to the fence to peek through it, and “Dan” got out of his truck and said “stand on the back bumper. You’ll get a better shot.” And I did. And I did. Amazing what the slightest elevation can do. Then Dan and I talked for awhile, and thanked him a few times, laughed about that being a first for me, and went on my way.

Thank you, Dan. That was cool, fun, and very nice of you. I’ll probably just start jumping on vehicles at construction sites from now on.

Dan’s truck.

Enjoying the photos? Metra and CTA rides (and Amtrak trains to Milwaukee), Zipcars, Divvy Bikes, camera lenses, domain fees, snacks & energy drinks, and comfortable walking shoes add up. You can help offset expenses by making a greatly-appreciated donation to Building Up Chicago.

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