I’ve seen it for myself: Alta Grand Central really is a thing

Posted on June 8, 2018 by danieldschell

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Late last week, we learned from Instagram that Alta Grand Central was a real real estate developing about to begin in the South Loop.

Now, here’s the thing. Instagram is on the internet. And if something’s on the internet, it has to be true. So we had no reason to believe we were just seeing soil pushed around on a farm outside DeKalb. But there’s an old saying in news: “If your mother says she loves you, check the liquor cabinet.” Or something along those lines. What I’m saying is, we needed to see Alta Grand Central for ourselves.

And sure enough, there’s the site. A larger plot of land than we expected to see, at the southwest corner of Wells and Harrison Streets. Soon, all that dirt will be turned into two 14-story, Pappageorge Haymes Partners-designed apartment towers, boasting 346 units. Wood Partners is the developer and Walsh Construction the general contractor, just like they were around the corner at Alta Roosevelt.

With caisson work complete, it’s time for Toyoko Inn Chicago to begin construction

Posted on June 8, 2018 by danieldschell

There’s a kind of hush over the Toyoko Inn Chicago site, now that caisson work has wrapped up.

Things have gone eerily silent at 320 South Clinton in the South Loop. But that’s a good thing. It means caissons are complete for the Toyoko Inn Chicago, and now we’re just waiting for the next wave of construction equipment to take over the lot.

We got a few more shots of Stalworth Underground’s caisson work at the end of May, before returning to the site this week to find the barren lot. Soon, the Toyoko Inn Chicago can start shooting up toward its 24-story goal.

Views of Vista Tower as it hits the 50% completion mark

Posted on June 7, 2018 by danieldschell

Happy 50th to Vista Tower!

50 floors of concrete have been poured at Vista Tower. That’s the word we get from Agency H5, the PR firm handling announcements of such things for developer Magellan Development Group. They sent over a press release letting all of Chicago know of the big milestone.

You can read the entire press release after viewing the photo gallery below, which includes photos taken throughout the month of May. ***Caution: There are a lot of them. But you’re used to that by now. Highlights for me? A few shots taken in setting sunlight; anything from the Museum Campus; a puddlegram; and, as always, mooncranes.

Kudos to all involved, including McHugh Construction, Studio Gang, bKL Architecture, and of course, Magellan. Here’s to 50 floors more!

CHICAGO – June 7, 2018 – Concrete has been poured to the 50^th floor for Vista Tower, marking a significant construction milestone. The sky’s the limit for one of the city’s most exclusive residences which continues to soar toward new heights (101 floors to be exact), with only a year and a half left until move-in.

“What makes Vista Tower so special is the brilliant minds collaborating on the construction and design of this world-class project,” said David Carlins, president, Magellan Development Group. “Globally-renowned architect Jeanne Gang of Studio Gang set a high standard with her remarkable vision, and all other participating firms, including Hirsch Bedner Associates and McHugh Construction Company, followed suit to exceed expectations.”

One of the most anticipated architectural projects within the United States, Vista Tower will be synonymous with ultimate luxury living in Chicago. While the exterior glass façade reflects the blue-green hue of the tower’s watery neighbors, Lake Michigan and the Chicago River, the interiors of each unit provide residents the choice between four specially-curated gem tone finishes: fluorite, amethyst, topaz and sapphire. Providing the most innovative touches for elite real estate buyers, purchasers can now schedule an appointment at the Vista Sales Gallery to be assisted through the finish selection process.

“Our future residents are captivated by the offerings at the 10,000 sq. ft. Vista Sales Gallery, which allows them to experience the extraordinary Vista Tower lifestyle and imagine the look and feel of their future home,” says Leila Zammatta, senior vice president of sales, Magellan Development Group. “I’m not surprised that the units are selling rapidly and we’re currently more than 40% sold because what we’ve created is quite exceptional in this market. We design aspirational, breathtaking spaces, so when a potential buyer fully appreciates what we’re offering at Vista Tower, he or she wants to call it home.”

Located on Upper Wacker Drive at the intersection of Lake Michigan and the Chicago River, Vista Tower will be the crown jewel of the Lakeshore East neighborhood. Magellan Development Group built the award-winning, master-planned community to serve as an oasis from the bustle of downtown Chicago and a tranquil escape within the nation’s third-largest urban city.

Chicagoans and potential homeowners can watch the vision come to life as construction rapidly continues past the halfway point. For more information on Vista Tower or to inquire about the property, contact senior vice president of sales, Magellan Development Group, Leila Zammatta at (312) 493-8200 or visit the Vista Sales Gallery at 345 E. Wacker Drive in Chicago by appointment. Learn more by visiting www.vistachicago.com.

ABOUT MAGELLAN DEVELOPMENT GROUP

Magellan Development Group is a family-owned company that was founded in 1996. To date, Magellan is the premier developer of mixed-use properties in Chicago and extending its footprint to other major U.S. cities, including Minneapolis, Miami, Nashville, and Somerville, MA.

From conception to completion, Magellan looks after all aspects of the development process and has unique experience in interrelated fields of real estate design, construction management, development, development consultation, architecture, leasing, sales and marketing.

Magellan is responsible for the Lakeshore East masterplan and development, which is regarded as one of the most vibrant communities in the city of Chicago. The Lakeshore East community is an example of Magellan’s commitment to environmentally-sensitive urban communities, innovative design and high-quality construction. Since its founding, Magellan Development has completed over 25 large-scale, residential and mixed-use projects.

For more information on Magellan Development Group, please visit: www.magellandevelopment.com

Milieu plants a tower crane stub amidst caisson work

Posted on June 7, 2018 by danieldschell

That’s a fresh tower crane stub at Milieu in the West Loop.

Even as Stalworth Underground continues caisson work at Milieu (205 South Peoria) in the West Loop, something even more exciting has taken over the lot: Power Construction has evened out their tower-crane count after taking down the rig at the Hoxton Chicago by planting a stub on this site.

The Power Crane permit was issued Tuesday the 5th; they wasted no time getting that stub in place. Now, progress on the FitzGerald-designed 19-story, 275-unit apartment building can start going vertical immediately after caisson works wraps up. Yes, the West Loop is going to remain a very busy construction hub for quite some time.

145 South Wells digs in for the long haul

Posted on June 7, 2018 by danieldschell

Caissons are as done as caissons get at 145 South Wells, and now it’s time to start getting foundation work started. Which is exactly what’s going on this very minute in The Loop at Wells and Adams. Soon, this former parking garage site will start going vertical with Moceri + Roszak’s 20-story office tower.

We’re eagerly anticipating The Loop’s next tower crane, as it’s been a while since we’ve seen one in the heart of downtown. Then Clark Construction can start sending this tower skyward.

Speaking of not having tower cranes in The Loop, it’s been some time since we’ve seen Clark Construction with one of their own in the air. But suddenly, they’re about to have a glut of them. 145 South Wells got a permit for one on May 11, 110 North Wacker will require one, and the two buildings just getting started at 1415 South Wabash will be in need as well. Congrats, Clark! You’re about to have 3 cranes in the skyline!

Here are a few more caisson photos from Case Foundation’s work at the end of May, and a couple showing work on once-again-barren lot, as digging commenceth.

900 West is approaching the finish line

Posted on June 7, 2018 by danieldschell

900 West, in between bouts of Wednesday’s sunshine, will open late this summer.

As I wandered past 900 West (900 West Washington) in the West Loop Wednesday, I couldn’t help but wonder how soon its opening would arrive. And then I got my answer.

The PR firm of Murphy Knott sent over a couple new renderings, along with word that residents would move into the new 10-story condominium tower from Taris Real Estate in a mere 90 days. That’s plenty of time to head out to IKEA and pick out your bookcases, sofas, and computer desks.

900 West, designed by Northworks. Rendering provided by Murphy Knott PR.

May at the topped out and dazzling One Bennett Park

Posted on June 6, 2018 by danieldschell

One Bennett Park, seen from the Adler Planetarium.

Admittedly, I often lose interest in new construction once the tower crane comes down. Not just because I’m obsessed with tower cranes, but because when the crane comes down, it signals the end of visible work from the exterior of a building.

There are also those projects that rise so high, it’s hard to see what’s going on, even when they *do* still have their cranes. Case in point: One Bennett Park in Streeterville. I have been neglecting this magnificent tower lately on this blog. I’ve still been taking photos of it, but it’s hard to mark progress on a tower as tall, and as close to completion, as One Bennett Park.

The following gallery represents random pictures taken throughout the month of May, from close-up, far away, and in between. One Bennett Park has an amazing presence already from Adler Planetarium; that’s my favorite view. (I’ve yet to see it from the lake; boats aren’t really my thing.) Enjoy.

: From the cheap seats at Wrigley Field.

180 North Ada starts climbing toward 14 stories in the far-West Loop

Posted on June 6, 2018 by danieldschell

Power Construction has driven 180 North Ada up above street level over in the far-west reaches of the West Loop. Granted, that’s only two stories of the 14-story, 263-unit apartment building Brininstool + Lynch has designed for the site. But we all know once groundwork is complete and a project starts going vertical, progress flies. So this is big progress.

Will the tower crane at The Hoxton Chicago be around much longer?

Posted on June 5, 2018 by danieldschell

There’s still a tower crane above Power Construction’s Hoxton Chicago job site. But for how long?

The tower crane atop the Hoxton Chicago hotel in the West Loop has to be operating on numbered days, right? What with the hotel being topped out and nearly glassed up, we’re likely to see this one come down soon. The West Loop can afford to lose a tower crane and still lead all Chicago neighborhoods. so don’t be too upset. For now.

Atrium Village’s Phase 2 is going three-dimensional

Posted on June 5, 2018 by danieldschell

AVP2-3D, you might say.

Who else could use a quick walk-around out at Atrium Village? That’s where Onni Group is erecting the second tower of the redevelopment for this Near North mainstay. The first tower, Old Town Park, should be opening any day now.