Demolition about to begin at 1200 West Carroll for Sterling Bay office building

A demolition permit was issued Thursday, May 13 for 1212 West Carroll. Coming down will be a metal building at the corner of Carroll and Racine, as well as a brick structure to its west. They comprise what used to be the Midtown Transfer facility. Heneghan Wrecking, already busy a block away with the AMD Milling Company demolition, is wasting no time, having already set up demo fencing around the perimeter, as you’ll see in the photos below.

Going up will be another West Loop office project from Sterling Bay. 1200 West Carroll will be a 14-story, 485,000-square-foot Class A office building designed by Gensler. You can learn all you’ll ever need to know by following this Urbanize Chicago link, or see what Sterling Bay themselves have to say about 1200 West Carroll here:

1200 West Carroll is a 484,617 SF new construction, Class A office building on the west end of Fulton Market. Featuring elevated architecture, smart design, and reimagined offices and amenities, 1200W sets a new office standard in one of Chicago’s most dynamic submarkets. 1200W presents a unique opportunity for forward-thinking companies seeking sophistication and excitement, both in and around the building. Enjoy unparalleled access to the places and spaces you need to enhance employee satisfaction and productivity and take your business to the next level.

As our world adapts to a new normal, a new way of working, 1200 West Carroll rises to a new standard in wellness and sustainability. This shift presents a valuable new opportunity to re-think the value our building can provide – for our tenants, our community, our city, and the world.

Enjoy the photos? Metra and CTA rides, Zipcars, Divvy Bikes, camera lenses, and comfortable walking shoes add up. You can help offset expenses by making a greatly-appreciated donation to Building Up Chicago.

Caisson work goes full bore at 354 North Union

There are few things construction nerds look forward to more than caisson work. It marks the unofficial “official start” of skyscraper construction, people are digging in the dirt, heavy machinery dances around each other, and loud noises bounce off neighboring buildings. You might not think it’d be fun to watch, but it’s mesmerizing. Which is why some of us stand there and take dozens of photos.

Last week marked the beginning of caisson work at 354 North Union. Big shout-outs to Stalworth Underground and Onni Group for providing the entertainment. Here are dozens of photos:


CTA and Metra rides, Zipcars, Divvy bikes, camera lenses, and solid walking shoes add up. You can help offset expenses with a greatly-appreciated donation to Building Up Chicago.

The stage is set for Caisson Theater at 354 North Union

Caisson setup at Onni Group’s 354 North Union

The actors know their lines, the set is decorated, and the curtain is about to go up at 354 North Union. The Stalworth Underground Drill Team has been standing by patiently waiting for their moment to shine. That moment is now. Let the caissons begin!

354 North Union is a go

Site prep, 4/12/2021

Site preparation is underway for/at 354 North Union, a 32-story, 373-unit apartment tower in the Fulton River District of West Town.

354 North Union got its first permit way back on March 16 of 2020, giving developer and general contractor Onni Group the all-clear to start building the foundation up to the “underside of level 3.” The Pappageorge Haymes Partners-designed tower will also include 143 parking spaces, if that building permit is to be believed.

Check out the two Stalworth Underground big blue rigs sitting off in the corner, champing at the bit waiting to drill caissons deep into the earth. Bit. Drill. Heh.

This was 352 North Union at the community meeting six or so years ago. I think it went up a couple ticks because it’s taken so long to get it started. But we’re here, that’s what counts. A forthcoming new name wouldn’t surprise me though.