Category Archives: New Construction

There’s still construction to watch at River Point

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But it helps if you keep your eyes down, instead of up.

River Point

There’s a small corner of open space left above the arch.

Yes, there’s still a tiny bit of cladding left to install at the very top of the west-facing side of River Point, and there’s a construction elevator to finish removing. Then all that glass where is used to be will need to be filled in.

Of course, there’s a ton of work to be done inside River Point. But only a chosen few will get to see that process. Which leaves the rest of us to watch the plaza out in front of the tower, along the Chicago River.

Designed by The Office of James Burnett, the one-and-a-half-acre park will sit 35 feet above the river, with fantastic views of the Main and South branches.

Construction Update: Caisson work at Hubbard and Wells

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221 Hubbard 421 Wells

A CTA Purple Line trains passes construction at Hubbard and Wells.

Case Foundation is on the case at Hubbard and Wells, where Centrum Partners is developing not one, but two new buildings for River North: a 9-story office building at 412 North Wells Street, and a 23-story, 193-unit apartment tower at 221 West Hubbard Street. You can get a great view off progress by hopping a Purple or Brown Line train at Merchandise Mart and riding north.

**Better yet, get on a train at Chicago Avenue, get in the last car, ride south, and take a lap through The Loop. Back-of-the-train views are the best.)**

The two Hirsch Associates projects got foundation permits a week apart at the end of June and early July, the parking lot it used to be was immediately fenced off, and Case brought their big toys in to start drilling caissons. Once that’s all done, Linn-Mathes takes full control of the process, getting these two glass edifices off the ground and heading skyward.

Construction begins on 101-Unit Evanston TOD

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1571 Maple Evanston

This rendering from Hirsch Associates depicts 1571 Maple from the CTA tracks, looking west on Davis Street.

It’s important, when visiting Edzo’s in Evanston, to make sure the staff isn’t on vacation before jumping on a Metra train to the northern suburbs. Oh well. At least there was a construction site to check out.

Work has just started on the Hirsch Associates Architects-designed TOD Centrum Evanston. Evanston has TODs, right? Because this would certainly qualify, situated as it is at the south end of the Davis Street Metra UP-N line, and the Davis Street CTA Purple Line station. The 12-story development from Centrum Partners (Centrum and Hirsch have teamed up before, most recently on the office/residential buildings at Hubbard and Wells in River North) will have 101 apartments, and 3,100 square feet of ground-floor retail space. Novak Construction is on the build. Completion is expected in early 2017.

Byrne Flyover Update: The Halsted bridge is almost bridged

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Jane Byrne Flyover

A new section of ramp added to the east of the section just added to the west. Or something.

It was a busy weekend for McHugh Construction and the giant red Stevenson crane (we call it “Steve” around here) at the Jane Byrne Flyover. One more section of girders was added west of the Halsted Street bridge, leaving a void only the width of Halsted Street to be spanned. If you’ve got a jumping bus like Sandra Bullock drove in Speed, go ahead and see if you can shoot the gap. Otherwise, you’ll have to wait for one more weekend of work. But don’t forget, there’s no ramp to the ground on the west end of the Flyover yet, either, so check your brakes.

An overview of Chicago’s Apple flagship store

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Apple from LondonHouse

Looking down at the Apple store construction from LondonHouse Chicago.

You didn’t need another post about the Apple flagship store being built in Pioneer Court on Chicago’s Magnificent Mile. You’ve seen the concrete cutters, you’ve seen the tower crane stub. By now, you’re ready to see the actual store.

But I couldn’t help it. From the spectacular 22nd-floor lounge of the brand new LondonHouse Chicago across the river, you can get an amazing bird’s-eye view of the goings-on at Apple down below.

So here, enjoy the third update of the same construction site this week. And enjoy the view from LondonHouse. You’ll want to get up there yourself soon; it really is amazing.

Sterling Bay sampling soil at 210 North Carpenter

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210 North Carpenter

A soil sampling rig at 210 North Carpenter.

Sterling Bay has plans to develop property alongside the L tracks on Lake Street in the West Loop. Situated between Carpenter and Aberdeen Streets, Sterling Bay’s rendering of 210 North Carpenter shows a 13-story building that will practically kiss passing Pink and Green Line trains.

According to its website, Sterling Bay would like to have 210 North Carpenter ready for use late in 2017 or early 2018. And with a soil sampling rig on site this week, it’s very possible ground could be broken any day now. Of course, we still have to wait for a permit to be filed before construction can begin.

210 North Carpenter

A Sterling Bay render of 210 North Carpenter

210 North Carpenter

A Sterling Bay render of 210 North Carpenter

210 North Carpenter

210 North Carpenter

The soil sampling rig, sampling soil.

210 North Carpenter

This fancy Google Map shows the location of 210 North Carpenter.

 

Vista Tower gets a foundation permit; construction nerds settle in for the long haul

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Vista Tower

Rendering of Vista Tower from Studio Gang.

Please, stop by once in a while and make sure we’re hydrated and fed. And that our socks are dry. Because we’ll be out there for the next 4-5 years.

Yesterday, the City of Chicago issued a foundation permit for Vista Tower, the iconic 93-story condominium tower and Wanda Vista Hotel combination designed by Studio Gang and bKL Architecture. James McHugh Construction Co. has been named the general contractor for the Magellan Development Group project.

Everyone in Chicago has been on edge the last couple of weeks, waiting for work to get started at Vista. Now that we have a permit on file, don’t be surprised if they’re over there this morning getting ready for caisson work.

Vista Tower

There was a soil sampling rig on site this week. Hopefully, no negative results.

Vista Tower

Another render from Studio Gang, showing the Vista Tower from the Field Museum campus.

Vista Tower

Vista Tower, straight up. Rendering from Studio Gang.

Vista Tower

The Caisson Permit.

 

Construction Update: Viceroy Chicago rises in the Gold Coast

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Viceroy Chicago

The Viceroy Chicago rises in the Gold Coast.

Up in the Gold Coast, construction continues on Convexity Properties’ new (though slightly used) Viceroy Chicago hotel. New, as in a new 18-story, 180-room hotel. And used, as in the facade that was painstakingly dismantled from the old Cedar Hotel at 1118 North State Street. That facade is off at a facade spa getting treated like a princess, while Power Construction attends to the new tower. Then the facade will be brought back to the site and reconstructed piece by piece as part of the new building. That, along with the rooftop bar and pool, should be highlights when the Viceroy opens in Summer 2017.

You can download the Viceroy Chicago press release from March 2015 here, or see the full text below the photos:

THE RUMORS ARE TRUE – VICEROY TO DEBUT IN CHICAGO IN 2017 LOS ANGELES, California (March 05, 2015) – Viceroy Hotel Group confirmed today plans for the brand’s hotly anticipated expansion to Chicago’s renowned Gold Coast neighborhood with a scheduled opening set for 2017.

 

Working in tandem with Convexity Properties, the powerhouse luxury hospitality brand will unveil the Goettsch Partners and TAL Studio-designed property, located conveniently for guests on State Street in the Gold Coast. The area occupies the central part of a flourishing neighborhood, quickly gaining momentum as one of the most sought-after modern luxury destinations in the city.

 

Known for creating authentic and inspired experiences, Viceroy Hotel Group will be using design, art, style and culture to infuse the new property with all the amenities and services of a top-luxury hotel, while simultaneously working to maintain a distinct sense of place for guests eager to explore and experience the Chicago landscape.

 

“Viceroy recognizes Chicago is a vibrant market and a great destination for our expansion,” said Bill Walshe, CEO of Viceroy Hotel Group. “We are extremely privileged to collaborate with Convexity Properties team to create exceptional and inspiring experiences for our guests in such a highly sought-after location.”

 

Convexity Properties is collaborating closely with the City, neighbors and community groups to finalize approvals for what will be an extraordinary project for the city.

About Viceroy Hotel Group

 

Viceroy Hotel Group delivers one-of-a-kind lifestyle experiences that bring together provocative design and intuitive service in sought-after locations. Signature brand amenities and services created for the diverse business and leisure guests include dynamic dining venues featuring world-class culinary talents and destination spas specializing in health, fitness and beauty. Current properties include hotels and resorts in Abu Dhabi, Anguilla, Beverly Hills, Maldives, Miami, New York, Riviera Maya, Palm Springs, San Francisco, Santa Monica, Snowmass, St. Lucia and Zihuatanejo with forthcoming openings in Algarve, Cartagena, Bodrum, and Dubai. For more information, visit www.ViceroyHotelGroup.com.

Tower Crane Update: One up, one to go, for Simpson-Querrey

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Simpson Querrey tower crane

A crane grows up in Streeterville. A red crane up in Streeterville. (Apologies to Ben E. King)

You remember that tower crane bulb planted at Northwestern University’s Louis A. Simpson and Kimberly K. Querrey Institute for BioNanotechnology in Medicine from a couple weeks ago, right? Well, that has bloomed into a beautiful crane butterfly. Of sorts. But before you wander off aimlessly looking for more crane photo ops, bear in mind there will be another tower crane on this construction site. Though I’m told that likely won’t appear until the end of August at the earliest.

In the meantime, the foundation dig continues, particularly at that south end, where Crane #2 will rise from the earth. But for now, one is reason enough to snap off another round of pictures.

 

 

Chicago’s new Apple flagship store plants a tower crane in Pioneer Court

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I should have waited one more day to post about the new Apple flagship store on the Magnificent Mile. Now, for one of the best possible reasons, I have to take you to 401 North Michigan Avenue for the second day in a row: Chicago’s new Apple store has a tower crane stub!

Power Construction, contractors general (is that a thing) for the new gadget haven, anchored the first section into the ground today. And as luck would have it, I was in the very same neighborhood today. Crazy, right?