Category Archives: New Construction

Site prep is underway for The Couture on Milwaukee’s lakefront

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Rendering of The Couture from Rinka Chung Architecture.

Four years ago when I last visited Milwaukee, it looked like The Couture was a good bet to be the next tower crane along Lake Michigan.

I was wrong. For the most part. Luckily I didn’t have any money on it.

There’s still no tower crane, but site prep for The Couture has begun, as crews rip out the remnants of the concrete slab that once supported the Milwaukee Transit Center, and get the site ready for foundation work.

The Couture will be a 44-story tower at Clybourn Street, Lincoln Memorial Drive, and Michigan Street. The prime site will offer sweeping views of the lake, the stellar Milwaukee Art Museum, and the annual home of Summerfest, Henry Maier Festival Park.

Early info on The Couture had it including up to 600 units (residents? residences? hmm). Recent features, including this one from Urban Milwaukee, show a much lower number, with 322 apartments and 40,000 square feet of commercial space.

Barrett Lo Visionary Development is The Couture’s developer; Rinka Chung Architecture is the design architect. (They’re hiring! See the website for more info, plus animated renderings.) J.H. Findorff & Son is the general contractor.

  • Rendering of The Couture from Rinka Chung Architecture

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I found one Milwaukee tower crane, and it’s building the mass timber-framed Ascent

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The world’s tallest mass timber frame building is under construction in Milwaukee. That’s far more unique than having the only tower crane (that I could find) in the city, and it’s a big deal.

Ascent is one of the latest projects from Milwaukee developer New Land Enterprises. They’re putting up this 25-story, 284-foot-tall apartment tower at North Van Buren Street and East Kilbourn Avenue in the city’s New Town neighborhood. (That’s right. If you’re looking for Chicago-style pizza in Milwaukee, Edwardo’s is no longer here.) When completed next year, Ascent will deliver 259 one-, two-, and three-bedroom units.

The Milwaukee firm of Korb + Associates is the design architect. Check out their website for a bunch of great renderings.

Catalyst Construction and C.D. Smith Construction are on the build.

And now, photos from June 2021:

  • Korb + Associates rendering
  • Korb + Associates rendering

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More glass, more bridge lifts, more Salesforce Tower

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Why not. It’s been a couple weeks.

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The Reed at Southbank scores its foundation permit

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The foundation permit, issued June 7.

FOUNDATIONS ONLY PERMIT FOR THE NEW CONSTRUCTION OF A HIGH RISE RESIDENTIAL BUILDING

And with those words, issued by the City of Chicago Monday, The Reed at Southbank may begin construction. Lendlease is the general contractor, with McHugh Concrete doing the concrete work. (Note: in “official” contractor-speak, the tower crane “belongs” to the concrete contractor. But around here, we aren’t diligent enough to find and name all the sub-contractors on construction projects, so the general contractor is credited for the tower crane. We don’t mean to slight anyone; it’s just how we do it.)

The Reed at Southbank will be the second tower at Lendlease’s Southbank development. Its first, The Cooper, opened in 2018. The Reed, also designed by Perkins + Will, will be a 41-story mix of apartments and condominiums

They’ve been out there tearing up the ground for while now, prepping the site and doing that vertical shaft thing we mentioned before. But now it’s time for the real fun to start.

Rendering from The Reed at Southbank website.

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

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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.

A Sunny-day update from Salesforce Tower

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The first row of glass. A bridge lift for the spring boat run. Sunshine and blue sky with a few wispy clouds. Wednesday had it all. Salesforce Tower continues to put on a show.

If you can’t make it to the Riverwalk (the big comfy chairs are back on the lawn!) here are a few photos to get you caught up on Walsh Construction’s progress. (LOL. “a few”)

  • Lots more glass on site.

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BREAKING (not literally, but): Salesforce Tower has glass

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This is important; you all need to hear it. You do not need a reason to share photos of Salesforce Tower construction. But for those of you who appreciate a good milestone, we’ve got one for you.

It’s another milestone in the construction chronology of Wolf Point South. 333 Wolf Point. Salesforce Tower. The first row of curtain wall has arrived on the north façade. Yeah, don’t look for it from the river (though the views from there are still spectacular.) You’ll have to walk around Wolf Point Plaza to see it. Until, obviously, it starts wrapping ’round the rest of the tower.

Thank goodness for Spring Bridge Lifts. That was the main reason I got off the train at Merchandise Mart. The glass was a surprise. It made me miss the Lake Street Bridge lift, but I forgive easily.

Enjoy the fresh glass. I’ll post photos of the rest of the tower Thursday.

Salesforce Tower, May 26, 2021

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Checking up on 1454 West Randolph

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1454 West Randolph viewed from Union Park. Soon, residents will be able to view Union Park from 1454 West Randolph. I just blew your mind, right?

1454 West Randolph isn’t trying to keep up with its taller sibling at 1400. It doesn’t have to; it got started later, and it isn’t going to be nearly as tall. It just wants to be who it is. Now at the underside of the eighth floor, it has just three more to go.

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

61 West Erie rising in River North

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What was once to be a humble 10-story condominium building (I thought at some point it was to be a hotel, too) at 61 West Erie in River North is now a 5-story apartment building, and it’s construction is underway.

LG Development is developing and building the design by Jonathan Splitt Architects. It will deliver 28 units and two parking spots when complete, with ground-floor retail space. LG plans an opening before the end of the year.

Enjoy a bit of a timeline in photos, starting with the empty lot back in March of last year.

  • LG rendering
  • LG rendering
61 West Erie

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

Still work to do at the topped-out 609 West Randolph

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609 West Randolph topped out earlier this month, but there’s still a lot of work to accomplish for Skender. As proof of that, I’ll share some photos taken May 17 and 21.

Glass coming soon.
609 West Randolph, May 2021

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