An overview of Chicago’s Apple flagship store

Posted on August 5, 2016 by danieldschell

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.

: Looking east out onto Lake Michigan.

: The view up the Chicago River ain’t bad, either.

: A little detail of the rooftop accouterments.

: The view from terra firma.

Sterling Bay sampling soil at 210 North Carpenter

Posted on August 5, 2016 by danieldschell

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.

A Sterling Bay render of 210 North Carpenter

The soil sampling rig, sampling soil.

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

Posted on August 4, 2016 by danieldschell

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.

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

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

Vista Tower, straight up. Rendering from Studio Gang.

The Caisson Permit.

Construction Update: Viceroy Chicago rises in the Gold Coast

Posted on August 4, 2016 by danieldschell

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 Cedar Hotel. This facade was dismantled, and will be rebuilt on the front of the new Viceroy Chicago.

: A rendering of the Viceroy Chicago from the Power Construction website.

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

Posted on August 4, 2016 by danieldschell

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.

: North end: tower crane.

: South end: no tower crane. Yet.

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

Posted on August 3, 2016 by danieldschell

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?

: You see it, right? Waaaaaay over there?

: Soon, Apple will be able to use their tower crane to pluck kayakers from the Chicago River. Like an iDock.

: Tight quarters.

Aurélien glasses up North Clark Street

Posted on August 3, 2016 by danieldschell

That yellow light means “Caution: Approach Aurélien Slowly, Or You’ll Miss All The New Glass”

That’s right, Aurélien. You didn’t forget, did you? Two weeks ago, we learned that 833 North Clark Street in Near North got a name change when it topped out. Ryan Companies christened her Aurélien. And now Ryan has added something else to their new tower: glass. New name, new glass, new website. That’s the Construction Trifecta!

It seems to be a theme around here lately. A residential tower under construction gets a new name and some new glass at the same time. (See Level Apartments.) Okay, obviously a new building getting glass isn’t unexpected. It’s very difficult to see in or out of a structure without windows. But the name change, that’s always a surprise. Sometimes buildings just keep the mailing address as their name. I can make a case for either method.

Anyway, what were we talking about? Oh yeah, glass. Here ya go:

: Here’s a photo of a render of Aurélien.

: Corner glass.

: What’s that? Would I like to try? Oh, no thank you. I don’t hang off the edge of buildings.

: Looking up at the first row of glass along North Clark Street.

Even More Milwaukee: The Westin Milwaukee

Posted on August 3, 2016 by danieldschell

A tower crane shines like a beacon in the night above the Westin Milwaukee site, 550 North Van Buren Street.

Seriously, if you don’t want me snooping round your construction site, hide your tower crane. They’re a dead giveaway every time.

While in Milwaukee last month to scope out the Northwestern Mutual developments in downtown Milwaukee, I followed this tower crane to 550 North Van Buren Street, where Starwood Hotels is building the Westin Milwaukee. The nine-story, 220-room hotel was designed by Kahler Slater, and is being built by general contractor J.H. Findorff & Son.

Wedged smack dab in the middle of the US Bank complex, the Westin Milwaukee is slated to open in Summer 2017.

: An awesome Google Maps photo of the Westin Milwaukee site, because it shows the tower crane being taken down from the brand new 833 East Michigan.

: A rendering of the Westin Milwaukee from Kahler Slater.

: Hide your tower cranes, or I’ll show up.

: That’s 833 East Michigan in the background.

: Tower crane lookup.

Before you build a building, you have to build a building-building crane

Posted on August 2, 2016 by danieldschell

A shiny yellow LaGrange Crane crane helps assemble a pretty red All Crane.

And you’ll need a crane-building crane to help you build that building. Which is what Onni Group is doing right now at Atrium Village in the Near North neighborhood. Now that it looks like the massive foundation digging is mostly complete, Onni can start going skyward on the 31-story tower. They put up the stem yesterday; today, they were adding pieces and parts.

And you can see more photos of the some-assembly-required tower crane and the big dig down below:

: They were trucking in tower crane parts faster than they could put them together…

: …or maybe you’ve got to have all the parts on hand…

: …so you *can* put them all together.

: And all those parts will go up there.

: Cranes helping cranes.

: They did a lot of digging here.

: A little more love for LaGrange Crane.

: DO NOT BUMP THE TOWER CRANE!

Apple Store peeling off bits of Pioneer Core

Posted on August 2, 2016 by danieldschell

If Pioneer Court is a sacred place to you, look away.

Yes, it’s “Court.” Pioneer Court. I was trying to make two Apple jokes in one headline. It was a miss. Let’s move on.

The Chicago Tribune printed much of the detail about Apple’s new Chicago flagship store back in November. As for me, I just have a few photos of what’s going on in, and under, Pioneer Court, up to and including the anticipation of a tower crane.

“A tower crane?” you say. “For a 2-story building?” Hey, I don’t make the rules. Or the permits. And there’s a permit for a tower crane.

Crews have cut away a good portion of the south side of the court. Expect more demolition before this space starts looking like a retail store.