Alderman Lawson posts plans for Boutique hotel at Halsted and Aldine in Lake View

Posted on November 24, 2024 by danieldschell

Rendering by Jonathan Splitt Architects of the rooftop pool for a proposed hotel at 3257 North Halsted

On Friday, 44th Ward Alderman Bennett Lawson included in his weekly email update the plans for a boutique hotel at 3257 North Halsted Street in Lake View. Located on the southeast corner of Halsted and Aldine, the development would require the demolition of the current structure on the site, most recently the home of Yoshi’s Café on the ground floor. The second floor of the building is residential, and appears to be still inhabited.

Rising six stories, the hotel would contain 51 rooms. Its entrance and lobby would be located on Aldine Avenue, facing north. Renderings from Jonathan Splitt Architects included in an attached pdf show a pretty amazing rooftop space, featuring a pool deck with a retractable roof. At ground level, in addition to the hotel lobby, would be a restaurant space, loading area, and two parking spaces accessed from the north/south alley off Aldine.

Alderman Lawson indicates that Heart of Lake View Neighbors is on board with the development. A zoning change will need to be approved, from the current C1-3 to C1-5 to get this started, but is there any reason to think this isn’t a good improvement to the neighborhood?

Rendering by Jonathan Splitt Architects, looking southeast

Aerial rendering by Jonathan Splitt Architects looking southeast

Looking northeast from across Halsted Street

Looking northwest from the alley off Aldine Avenue.

Hotel Riu Plaza Chicago shoots up from Streeterville

Posted on August 24, 2023 by danieldschell

Hotel Riu Plaza Chicago, 150 East Ontario in Streeterville.

And now, for another Streeterville high-rise in a tight lot, it’s the Hotel Riu Plaza Chicago. Construction progress on the 28-story, 390-key hotel looks to have reached the 23rd or 24th level. That’s W.E. O’Neil putting in the work as the GC. The hotel is a design by Lucien LaGrange Studio. The Prime Group is the developer. Opening is slated for late 2024.

Photos of Hotel Riu Chicago Plaza construction from two visits; from this week, and from late March:

With caissons in the ground, it’s pile-driving time at RIU Plaza Hotel

Posted on September 13, 2022 by danieldschell

Yes, caissons are done, but not foundation work, on the RIU Plaza Hotel site at 150 East Ontario in Streeterville. W.E. O’Neil and crew are driving piles into the soil to help support the weight of the 28-story, Lucien Lagrange-designed hotel.

Hey, you know what we should be seeing soon here? Yep. Tower crane permit.

Piles are being driven at 150 East Ontario.

Finally! RIU Plaza Hotel construction has begun at long-vacant Streeterville lot

Posted on August 27, 2022 by danieldschell

RIU Plaza Hotel rendering from Lucien Lagrange Studio.

The lot that sat empty at 150 East Ontario for what seemed like an eternity is finally seeing action. Big action.

The RIU Plaza Hotel construction has begun in Streeterville. The City of Chicago issued a permit for caissons and foundation on July 19 for a 28-story, 390-room hotel. W.E. O’Neil is the general contractor. Lucien Lagrange Studio is the design architect. And that’s a big yellow Keller North America rig drilling caissons.

We stopped by in late July to have a first look at site prep, then headed back over this week to see the caisson action. And action we got. Very happy to see work started on this site.

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.

300 North Michigan continues to rise, continues to block views of other things. Just like every other building does everywhere

Posted on July 27, 2021 by danieldschell

Skip floor markings are visible to 36. My math says the additional 4 floors puts 300 North Michigan at the 40th floor.

Come at me if you want to, but there’s a new brand of NIMBYism out there these days: Instead of just complaining about a building blocking the view from your living room, you now get to complain about a new building blocking your view of something else, but not when you’re at home. No, this pertains to being out and about throughout the city. Or from that one particular spot you like to stand. This is next-level stuff.

Such seems to be the case with 300 North Michigan. Folks are upset that it will block the view of the Carbon and Carbide Building across the street. How about that. The rules are now such that you can’t build anything anywhere that will obstruct the view of anything anywhere. Looks like our next skyscraper will have to be built in DeKalb. (But I can’t see my corn field from the water tower now!)

Anyway, this is what 300 North Michigan looked like Monday, July 26. Using the markings on the skip, it looks like Linn-Mathes has reached the 40th floor, with the elevator core a couple stories higher, on their way to their ultimate 47-story height:

Like the photos? Appreciate the attitude/snark? No? Still, you can help offset expenses with a much-appreciated donation to Building Up Chicago.

Glass Update: 300 North Michigan’s still got it goin’ on

Posted on May 29, 2021 by danieldschell

Because when you start glazing a skyscraping, you don’t just stop.

300 North Michigan got the first of its curtain wall about a month ago, and it’s getting shinier by the day. It’s also growing more visible above some of its neighbors, with a great view of it from Fulton Street in the West Loop.

300 North Michigan, photographed May 26, 2021.

Glass is in session at 300 North Michigan

Posted on May 5, 2021 by danieldschell

The rumors are true; there’s a fresh, shiny row of glass on 300 North Michigan in The Loop. Plus a little bit installed out back along MacChesney Court. Chalk up another Milestone Achieved for Sterling Bay, Magellan Development, bKL Architecture, and Linn-Mathes.

300 North Michigan glassing up The Loop.

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.

Checking up on 300 North Michigan

Posted on April 17, 2021 by danieldschell

A quick spin around 300 North Michigan as construction continues on the joint development effort from Sterling Bay and Magellan Development Group. Hotel rooms and apartments smack dab in the middle of the Cultural Mile and Magnificent Mile? Yes, please.

Below you’ll find photographic proof of progress. (The dude on the corner with the tape measure though? No, thanks. You’re job is safe from me.)

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.

Stuff That’s Done (and renamed): The Residences at the St. Regis Chicago

Posted on March 23, 2021 by danieldschell

Oh, the photos I’ve taken during this build.

I haven’t been inside yet (there’s a good chance I never will be) but what is no longer Wanda nor Vista is open.

The Residences at the St. Regis Chicago is all glassy and glorious over in Lakeshore East. The hotel portion is still a work in progress; that will bring nearly 200 guest rooms when open later this year. But the condos are move-in ready (and have been for awhile.) And, as luck would have it, I’m an experienced mover. (Wink wink. HMU.)

Congratulations to all involved, including architecture firms Studio Gang and bKL Architecture, developer Magellan Development Group, and General Contractor James McHugh Construction. You’ve done Chicago and its skyline proud.

I was tempted to fill a gallery with construction-progress shots from the last — wow, fur years. But you can find those on your own, if interested, but checking out the Vista Tower link. Instead, a whole bunch of photos from this past weekend, from a whole bunch of different vantage points.