The Wicker Park Connection digs in

Posted on February 15, 2017 by danieldschell

A rendering of the Wicker Park Connection from Hirsch Associates Architects.

After filing a foundation permit late in 2016, the Wicker Park Connection is burrowing into the soil on its lot at 1640 West Division Street. The 15-story project from Centrum Partners will sit right next to the nearly-completed Centrum Wicker Park, another collaboration between Centrum and Hirsch Associates Architects.

Revcon is out there drilling caissons now; Linn-Mathes is the general contractor assigned to sending the 140 apartments skyward.

: Rendering of the Wicker Park Connection via Hirsch Associates.

: Centrum Wicker Park, right next door, is nearing completion.

1001 West Chicago goes green

Posted on February 2, 2017 by danieldschell

1001 West Chicago from a passing Metra train.

Both components that make up the two towers of 1001 West Chicago have reached the twelfth floor. And more importantly, both have added some color. And every little splash of it helps in this cloudy, dreary winter. Thanks for that, Power Construction.

165 North Desplaines tops out

Posted on February 1, 2017 by danieldschell

On Thursday the 26th of last month (it’s February already?) Power Construction hoisted the final beam atop 165 North Desplaines in the West Loop, topping off the 14-story, 199-unit apartment building. Representatives from GREC Architects, the design firm on the project, were on hand, and sent over a couple photos of the festivities. You can also watch the beam rise in gif-form below from the GREC Twitter account (@GREC_architects)

The last beam rises at 165 W Desplaines #westloop #haymarket @GerdingEdlen @Power_Construct pic.twitter.com/4pkXrR7Vto

— GREC Architects (@GREC_architects) January 31, 2017

You can also see four floors’ worth of windows have been installed above the podium. GREC Architects states that 165 North Desplaines is on schedule to open in Fall 2017.

: The final beam. Photo courtesy of GREC Architects.

: And there it goes. Photo courtesy of GREC Architects.

Whatever Nobu stands for, it’s not yet close to standing at all

Posted on January 31, 2017 by danieldschell

A high lift waits on the site of the Nobu Hotel in the West Loop, just in case anyone needs to reach over nothing.

If SoNo is short for South of North

If MiLa is short for Michigan and Lake

The maybe Nobu is short for No Building.

Despite a very public groundbreaking all the way back in June, despite the brief appearance of caisson equipment (what was the deal there, anyway?) and approval being granted by the Chicago Plan Commission back in September to rise up to 11 stories, and despite a foundation permit being filed by the City of Chicago on December 1, there’s still less than nothing happening at the West Loop site where Nobu will (might?) one day stand.

: Not. Much. Happening.

: See? Photographic proof I didn’t dream about caisson equipment here.

Construction Progress: Northwestern University’s Simpson-Querrey Biomedical Research Center

Posted on January 30, 2017 by danieldschell

The Simpson-Querrey Biomedical Research Center rises in Streeterville.

The new Simpson-Querrey Biomedical Research Center has gone full-3-dimensional in Streeterville. This is why you don’t turn your back on construction. One day everything’s at street level, and the next thing you know, there are concrete towers 8 or 9 stories into the air. I don’t know why I underestimated progress here though. With two tower cranes, anything is possible.

Learn more about Northwestern University’s Simpson-Querrey project here.

Construction Progress: The Viceroy Chicago making beds in the Gold Coast

Posted on January 26, 2017 by danieldschell

The Viceroy Chicago hotel, at 1118 North State Street in the Gold Coast neighborhood.

The tower crane is down and the curtain wall is up at the Viceroy Chicago hotel in the Gold Coast. As Power Construction wraps up work on the exterior of the Goettsch Partners-designed 18-story, 180-room tower, remember that we’ll still have the pleasure of watching more construction here. That’s because the 4-story facade of the old Cedar Hotel, painstakingly dismantled and stored off site, will be pieced back together again to front this property. All that work is on schedule to be completed, and the Viceroy Chicago opened, this year.

: Rendering of the Viceroy Chicago hotel from Goettsch Partners.

Putting the “Elevate” in Elevate Lincoln Park

Posted on January 24, 2017 by danieldschell

A sea of rebar at Elevate Lincoln Park.

On the heels of a big demolition, and then lots of digging, Baker Development’s latest project has finally risen to street level.

Elevate Lincoln Park will eventually rise 10 stories above Lincoln Avenue in Lincoln Park, bringing with it 191 luxury apartments, three levels of parking, and ground-floor retail space. SCB took care of designing for Elevate Lincoln Park, while McHugh Construction has been seeing to the general contracting duties. The original goal was to have the apartments ready for tenants this summer, but since construction got started a tad behind schedule, that might not be attainable.

: Gratuitous tower crane shot, from the Fullerton L platform.

2950 North Sheridan is feeling….Clad all over

Posted on January 23, 2017 by danieldschell

Shiny new glass all over 2950 North Sheridan, evident even on a gloomy day.

The Dave Clark Five new what 2950 North Sheridan is feeling right now. Topped out and glassed in, work is being concentrated on the interior details. Booth Hansen designed the 19-story building for Wirtz Realty. You can expect 82 apartments and 113 parking spaces within the curvy glass tower. Power Construction has been on the build since breaking ground in September of 2015.

165 North Desplaines glass, night edition

Gallery

Posted on January 22, 2017 by danieldschell

This gallery contains 8 photos.

Digging 508 West Diversey in Lake View

Posted on January 20, 2017 by danieldschell

Rendering of 508 West Diversey from Broder Properties.

Broder Properties of Boston is developing a 12-story, 53-unit residential building at 508 West Diversey Parkway in Lake View. Designed by Pappageorge Haymes Partners, the project includes on-site parking and ground-floor retail space as well. Macon Construction of North California Avenue (Macon Buildings, Makin’ Dreams should be their motto) is on the build. They’ve got a pretty serious hole dug into the ground, all shored up and looking ready to go vertical soon. 508 West Diversey is slated for a Spring 2018 opening.