Bundling bricks after a Grand demolition

Posted on September 21, 2016 by danieldschell

Pallets of used bricks await removal from the now-vacant lot at 708-712 West Grand. Then construction will begin anew.

You remember the 700 block of West Grand Avenue, don’t you? That’s where three buildings were permitted for demolition back in July to make way for 710 Grand, a new 9-story apartment building by Brininstool + Lynch.

Well, there isn’t much left of said buildings, save for a large hole filled with palletized used bricks. Out with the old, in with the new. New, as in Wicker Park Apartments‘ 105 apartments, 45 parking spots, and 5,000 square feet of retail space slated for 710 West Grand Avenue.

: Bricks and blocks.

: 708-712 West Grand, now a vacant lot.

: Now gone.

: A render from Brininstool + Lynch of what’s coming to 710 West Grand.

: Another Brininstool + Lynch render.

Construction Update: Niche 905

Posted on September 20, 2016 by danieldschell

Balconies galore at Niche 905.

Balconies. If you ask me to describe Niche 905 in one word, that’s my answer: Balconies.

Named for its location at 905 North Orleans Street in Near North, Niche 905 continues toward completion. Having dropped its tower crane back in late August, the 18-story, 202-unit apartment tower by FitzGerald Associates is wrapping up exterior work, while evidence can be seen through the windows of the interior work that goes on.

But the balconies are what get your attention. Extending from the west and east sides of the building, they’re spaced vertically and horizontally like an out-of-control climbing wall. Don’t try that, though. That wouldn’t be safe.

Expect residents to start enjoying those outdoor spaces in Spring 2017. Also, expect them to use elevators to get there, not climbing apparatus.

There is lumber coming out of the woodwork at 625 West Adams

Posted on September 19, 2016 by danieldschell

From above, 625 West Adams is starting to look three-dimensional.

It’s about wood and scaffolding right now at 625 West Adams in the West Loop. As the future 20-story office tower begins rising above street level, Power Construction crews are climbing and hammering like some sort of Tool Time playground, and Tim Taylor and Al Borland are getting a lot done. Have a look for yourself…

: Gratuitous tower crane shot, sky level.

: Gratuitous tower crane shot, street level.

: It’s a Hall Of Mirrors.

Level Apartments continues to rise above Lake Street

Posted on September 19, 2016 by danieldschell

In this view from North Franklin, Level Apartments rises behind what will be the new CNA Center.

Level Apartments, the 33-story rental tower by Thomas Roszak Architecture at 215 West Lake Street in The Loop, keeps edging toward its ultimate height. Dwarfing the much-loved Monk’s Tavern next door, which many feared would meet the wrecking ball to clear additional space, Clark Construction is adding glass and floors to Level at a furious pace. When completed, expect about 260 apartments and 150 parking spaces.

: Shout-out to the CTA operator for stopping the train in the perfect spot.

: Level Apartments is at Lake and Wells. Here’s proof.

: Artsy.

Construction Update: Sedgwick at Locust

Posted on September 16, 2016 by danieldschell

Sedgwick at Locust, 367 West Locust Street in Near North.

Sedgwick at Locust is a new condominium building (someone’s building condos in Chicago?!) in the Near North neighborhood at 367 West Locust Street. Developed by Belgravia Realty Group (CA Washington across from the now-dust Harpo Studios, and the soon-to-begin Renelle On The River next to Trump Tower) , designed by Sullivan Goulette & Wilson Architects, “SL” will have 44 condos in 2-bed/2-bath and 3-bed/3-bath configurations. The six-story building will also include 52 parking spaces.

Sedgwick at Locust is being built on the site once occupied by Saint Dominic’s Church. Long vacant, it was demolished last summer.

: Demolition of Saint Dominic’s Church preceded Sedgwick at Locust construction.

: Sedgwick at Locust from the west. That’s Niche 905 hulking in the background.

: Humble beginnings, Winter 2016.

Kenect kenstruction kentinues toward kempletion

Posted on September 15, 2016 by danieldschell

Kenect looks ready to open. And look at that beautiful subway entrance!

Kenect is a residential development from Akara Partners at 500 North Milwaukee Avenue in River West comprised of a 14-story tower on the west side of the 500-block of North Green Street with 179 apartments, and a 4-story structure on the east side of Green Street with 48 units. Designed by Pappageorge Haymes Partners, Kenect also includes 122 parking spots and 14,000 square feet of retail space. Tishman Construction is the general contractor.

Kenect is throwing a big Grand Opening bash on October 6, 2016. Both buildings look close to being done, especially the taller of the two, the “west” tower. There’s even some furniture and grills on a few balconies. Even the Blue Line entrance on the sidewalk at Milwaukee and Chicago, right out in front of Kenect, looks great.

: Patio furniture. (Not the Tower of Pisa)

Amid foundation work, 465 North Park makes space for a tower crane

Posted on September 14, 2016 by danieldschell

Crews set rebar for the tower crane foundation at 465 North Park.

465 North Park, the Pappageorge Haymes Partners-designed, Jupiter Realty Company-developed 48-story, 444-unit apartment tower in Streeterville, received a tower crane permit from the City of Chicago on Tuesday of last week. On Tuesday of this week, Power Construction crews could be seen setting the foundation that will hold the crane in place.

Construction Update: Aurélien drops its tower crane

Posted on September 14, 2016 by danieldschell

The tower crane starts the long journey back to earth at Aurélien.

Aurélien, the 368-unit luxury apartment tower Ryan Companies designed, developed, and is constructing at 833 North Clark Street in the Near North neighborhood, reached another milestone this week, albeit a sad one for construction nerds. On Tuesday, the tower crane atop the topped-out 31-story structure began its slow descent back to earth. That means most of the progress photos you’ll see below, taken Sunday when the tower crane was at full staff, are already obsolete. Such is life.

Gallery I: Tuesday’s tower crane descent

: Tower crane sections stacked along North Clark Street.

Gallery II: Sunday’s progress photos

Construction Update: The Hudson tops out in River North

Posted on September 14, 2016 by danieldschell

The Hudson, at 750 North Hudson Avenue, topped out last week.

Onni Group, the developer and general contractor building The Hudson in River North, hit a milestone last week with the topping out of the 25-story apartment tower. The fine folks at Pappageorge Haymes Partners, the Chicago firm that designed the Hudson, tell me topping out was achieved on Thursday of last week.

When it’s done, The Hudson will have 240 one-, two-, and three-bedroom rental units and 240 parking spots (that’s a one-to-one ratio, for the math-impaired), with 10,000 square feet of retail space at ground level.

: These fancy escape pods were set on the roof late last week.

1001 West Chicago plants itself a tower crane

Posted on September 14, 2016 by danieldschell

A crane builds a crane at 1001 West Chicago.

If it seems Power Construction is everywhere around Chicago these days, it’s because Power Construction is everywhere around Chicago these days. Tuesday, while most of the crew continued work on the foundations for 1001 West Chicago, the rest of the gang took part in yet another tower crane erection. The design from FitzGerald Associates brings 360 apartments in two mid-rise towers, 10,000 square feet of retail (including a grocery store) and 300 parking spaces for all those residents and shoppers.