Wandering Milwaukee: Marquette University puts up two tower cranes

Posted on August 3, 2017 by danieldschell

Soaring high above the Robert A. Wild, S.J. Commons at Marquette University. Photo courtesy of Curtis Waltz at Aerialscapes.

If you’re a college student in Milwaukee, you might think that headline should read “Marquette University puts up student housing.” Apparently we haven’t met. When two tower cranes appear on the same job site around these here parts, they carry the day. Along with all the heavy stuff.

But of course, student housing is important too. Marquette is building the Robert A. Wild, S.J. Commons to house 890 students at the site, bounded by Wisconsin Avenue, 17th, Wells, and 18th Street. We know the general contractor, J.H. Findorff & Son; during last year’s Summerfest visit, we checked out their work at the Westin Milwaukee. (It’s finished, by the way. We stayed there during Summerfest 2017.) Findorff’s task is to have the Robert A. Wild, S.J. Commons ready in time for Fall 2018 classes.

Design duties were split between Milwaukee’s own Workshop Architects and Baltimore-based Design Collective.

You can read the full July 2016 press release from Marquette University here, or see it in its entirety after the photo gallery.

The west tower crane sits on a separate lot, and reaches across the street.

: I see your two tower cranes over there.

: Closer.

Continue reading →

You want curves? 465 North Park has your curves

Posted on August 2, 2017 by danieldschell

465 North Park, shot from the sky by Curtis Waltz at Aerialscapes.

If it’s a uniquely-shaped new apartment tower you’re looking for, head on over to Streeterville, where 465 North Park continues to dazzle Chicago with its sweet curves and shiny glass. The 48-story, 444-unit skyscraper by Pappageorge Haymes Architects continues to push skyward, thanks to the efforts of Power Construction. Their crews are going all out (onto the ledges, that is) to bring 465 North Park to life in time for Jupiter Realty’s goal of an early 2018 opening.

Did you know there’s an OxBlue construction cam for 465 North Park. Check it out here.

Ryan Companies announces the opening of Aurélien

Posted on August 1, 2017 by danieldschell

Aurélien, at 833 North Clark Street, photographed Friday, July 28.

Today, Ryan Companies announced the opening of Aurélien, its 31-story, 368-unit apartment tower at Clark and Chestnut in the Near North neighborhood. Congrats to Ryan Companies, the general contractor and developer, along with Lincoln Property Company, and Antunovich Associates, design architects.

Aurélien topped out in July of last year, while changing the name from what had been known as 833 North Clark.

You can read the original press release here:

CHICAGO (August 1, 2017)—Three years after beginning the design process and approximately two years after the start of construction, Ryan Companies US, Inc., along with its development partner Lincoln Property Company, has completed Aurélien a $100 million luxury apartment tower and the company’s first major development in the City of Chicago.

Aurélien, a 31-story, 368-unit luxury apartment tower designed by Ryan, is located at the southeast corner of Clark and Chestnut streets on a 41,000-square-foot land site within Chicago’s prominent Gold Coast neighborhood.

“Chicago has an accomplished and storied history for world class architecture and high-rise development projects. With the development of Aurélien, we are proud join an elite list of architects, developers and contractors who have made a significant contribution to Chicago’s skyline,” said Tim Hennelly, President of Ryan’s Great Lakes Region.

With construction complete, Ryan has turned the operation of Aurélien over to Lincoln Property Company which is responsible for ongoing leasing and management of the property. The first residents have started moving into the tower and the property is nearly 50 % leased.

In addition to Ryan and Lincoln Property Company, other prominent development team members include Daiwa House of Texas, primary equity investor; US Bank, construction financing; Antunovich Associates, Architect of Record; Studio K, Interior Designer; Ryan A +E, Design Architect and TGRWA, Structural Engineer.

Aurélien includes 78 studios and convertibles, 209 one-bedroom units, 75 two-bedroom units and 6 penthouse apartments. Unit sizes, except for the penthouses, range from 564 square feet to 1,245 square feet. Penthouse units range from 1,165 square feet to 3,3,39 square feet.

One of the many unique storylines of Aurélien is that this project, in the heart of some of Chicago’s greatest architecture, was designed to embrace this historical significance.

According to Mike Ryan, President of Ryan A+E, the design of Aurélien includes two notable yet contrasting Chicago architectural styles. Chicago’s turn-of-the century architecture is evident in the design’s buff-colored solid massing which is dotted with playful punched openings. This style meets the street in a traditional manner, with granite cladding and large storefront window bays. This design wraps the majority of the building’s east, west, and south facades.

To provide a measure of contrast, Chicago’s Miesian tradition is incorporated into the north end of the building through a revealing, all-glass massing. This treatment creates a dramatic vertical expression over the building entry. The striking presence of the glass wraps horizontally over the top of the building where it meets an outdoor amenity terrace, 300 feet above the street. Interior spaces complement this aesthetic while weaving in a few surprises for the Chicago market.

“My favorite quality of this project is how transformed the immediate neighborhood feels. What was once a surface parking lot with a bank drive-thru is now a thriving extension of the city. At the same time, the project is bookended by a historic bank building and row house so the variety of architecture and sense of fitting in is very apparent,” Ryan said.

Units within Aurélien have been built as a cross between clean aesthetics, urban functionality and sophisticated design. Apartments feature floor-to-ceiling (9’) glass windows allowing residents to capture exceptional views in all directions of the Chicago skyline and Lake Michigan. All units will include a stunning kitchen design with an open layout. Kitchen spaces incorporate contemporary finishes such as flat-panel, high-gloss cabinetry with quartz counter tops, stainless steel appliances, soft close doors and drawers, and under cabinet lighting. Bathrooms feature European quartz custom vanities with 42″ mirrors, soft close drawers and designer ceramic and porcelain tiles. Many units feature private balconies.

The luxury offerings of Aurélien extend throughout the building’s amenity-laden common areas, including the rooftop, fourth-floor terrace and ground floor spaces.

The rooftop level, hospitality-inspired sundeck features panoramic views of Chicago and Lake Michigan, outdoor pool, private cabanas and outdoor fireplaces. Also included is an exclusive social club with a resident lounge, party room with a gaming center, and a high-end fitness center.
The signature of the fourth level amenity space is an expansive green roof with a spacious private terrace, bocce ball courts, firepits, grilling stations, and large ‘backyard’ terraces for several residents.
The elegant first floor lobby includes the management office and leasing center, secured resident storage, a private dog run and grooming station, library, parlor, business center, significant bike storage, and conference area with high speed wifi for the use of the building’s residents.

According to Irini Boeder, Assistant Vice President of Marketing for Lincoln Property Company, the target market for Aurélien includes well-educated young professionals, urban couples and empty nesters, renters who will appreciate the building’s ambiance of understated elegance, exceptional customer service and lifestyle convenience.

Aurélien’s location is ideal for residents living, working and playing in or near the Gold Coast. The site is situated in close proximity to transportation including two CTA stations and other public transportation options important to those who work downtown. It offers easy access to Lake Shore Drive and the Kennedy Expressway for those traveling by car to suburban destinations.

The building is within walking distance of Chicago’s Magnificent Mile (North Michigan Avenue), the downtown CBD, the Northwestern and Loyola University graduate school campuses, and the Northwestern medical center. Located nearby are an abundance of restaurants, clubs, retail amenities, and cultural facilities. It is also within close proximity to the lakefront, from Oak Street Beach to Navy Pier.

For more information about Aurélien, visit www.Aurélien Chicago.com.

About Lincoln Property Company

Since its inception in 1965, Lincoln Property Company has acquired and developed multi‐family properties valued in excess of $17 billion. A vertically integrated, multi‐national real estate firm, Lincoln employs over 5,500 people and operates in over 50 markets across the United States via 21 regional and satellite offices. Lincoln manages over 6,000 apartment units in the Chicagoland area with over 3,000 of those units in the City of Chicago itself. For more information, visit www.lincolnapts.com.

Note: Aurélien North Clark Street with Bank Photo Credit: Nick Ulivieri

Aurélien Rendering 833 North Clark Street – Credit: Ryan A + E, Inc.

As Old Town Park rises, more of Atrium Village comes down

Posted on August 1, 2017 by danieldschell

Old Town Park rises beyond the rubble of Atrium Village.

The circle of life continues at Atrium Village, as all but the 207 units of 300 West Hill Street have now been reduced to rubble, even as Old Town Park rises on the northeast corner of the development. The first of tower in the rebuilding of the development, Old Town Park has reached the 21st of its ultimate 32 stories. Onni Group, the developer and general contractor, is flying along at better than a one-floor-per-week pace.

Meanwhile, demolition is all but complete, with only rubble to remove, on the remaining buildings of the complex, save for the previously mentioned 300 West Hill, which is staying. **Serious question: At what point will everyone look around at all the new, amenity-laden buildings, look back at this old one, and say “yeah, let’s tear it down after all”? Anyway, the slate will be clean in plenty of time to begin work on the second tower, hopefully in early fall.

This overhead shot from Curtis Waltz at Aerialscapes shows the Old Town Park tower, with Atrium Village demolition at lower left.

Construction Progress: The Triple-Branded Hilton Hotel climbs on Motor Row

Posted on July 31, 2017 by danieldschell

Up to the ninth floor (of 21) at the Triple-Branded Hilton Hotel at McCormick Place.

Three Hilton Hotels, 21 stories, and 466 rooms. That’s what you see growing along East Cermak Road, between Michigan and Indiana Avenues. (A Hilton Garden Inn Chicago McCormick Center, Hampton Inn by Hilton Chicago McCormick Center, and Home2 Suites by Hilton Chicago McCormick Center, if you’re scoring at home.) Of course, they’ll all be in one building.

Antunovich Associates worked with McHugh Construction on this project, which joins the Marriott Marquis Hotel and Wintrust Arena across the street in completely changing the character of this two-block stretch of Cermak Road. McHugh is up to the ninth floor of the hotels now, a veritable beehive of activity. And it has to be; Hilton plans to have all three brands open late next year.

The Simpson-Querrey Center shows off new glass

Posted on July 31, 2017 by danieldschell

Cladding installation has begun at the Simpson Querrey Biomedical Research Center.

Out in Streeterville, the Simpson Querrey Biomedical Research Center has climbed just about as high as it will go, with Power Construction crews now working on the 14th floor. That means Simpson-Querrey needs another feature with which to grab our attention: Glass. Shiny, curvy glass. It’s made its debut along the north elevation.

Are we gonna lose two tower cranes as the Perkins+Will project nears topping-out? I don’t have an answer to that. Yet. There’s a Phase Two for this project, when 16 additional laboratory floors will be added to the 600,000 square feet being built now. I vote to leave the cranes up there until whenever Phase Two starts. They’re a nice addition to the skyline.

Finish it! One Grant Park scores its full permit

Posted on July 29, 2017 by danieldschell

One Grant Park’s best side.

Friday, when big news always happens, One Grant Park received its full-build permit from the City of Chicago, confirming that McHugh Construction can keep doing what they’re doing at 1200 South Indiana Avenue in the South Loop. And what they’re doing is shooting One Grant Park skyward at an impressive rate.

The Rafael Viñoly Architects design for Crescent Heights brings nearly 800 apartments across 76 stories, with 12 of those for parking.

: The Permit.

More photos than I know what to do with: Ancora at Riverline

Posted on July 28, 2017 by danieldschell

Ancora at Riverline rises next door to River City. You can see the outline of the townhomes facing west, toward the South Branch of the Chicago River.

There will be construction at Riverline for a long time. A very long time. Ten new buildings, 3,600 residential units, covering 14 acres in the South Loop along the Chicago River. Designed by Perkins+Will, Riverline will basically be its own new neighborhood once completed, sometime around 2024.

Ancora, the first building of Phase One, broke ground in September. Lendlease, the general contractor and part of the development team with CMK Companies, is kicking tail on the podium, as the core rises to about ten stories. Ancora will be a 29-story tower, with 420 apartments and 24 townhomes. The second tower, Current, doesn’t have a start date yet, but we do know it will be an 18-story condominium tower with 251 condos and 28 more townhomes.

Wandering Milwaukee: 777 North Van Buren, one year later, is 7SEVENTY7

Posted on July 28, 2017 by danieldschell

7SEVENTY7, at 777 North Van Buren Street, rises is the heart of downtown Milwaukee.

One year ago, we reported in this very space on the large hole in the earth at the corner of North Van Buren and East Mason Streets in downtown Milwaukee. It was there that Northwestern Mutual had just started construction on a 34-story apartment tower to compliment Northwestern Mutual Tower and Commons.

Now known as 7SEVENTY7, some familiar names in the booming Chicago construction scene are involved at 777 North Van Buren Street. Hines, who just broke ground on Wolf Point East, is the developer. The design is by Chicago architecture firm Solomon Cordwell Buenz. Structural engineering is by Magnusson Klemencic Associates, which seems to be on the job in every Chicago skyscraper, including the spectacular work going on at Vista Tower. Wisconsin’s own C.D. Smith Construction is the general contractor.

The 34 stories of 7SEVENTY7 will include 8 floors of parking, 1,400 spaces, meant to be used by employees of the new office tower, residents of the new apartment tower, and the public. Units will include 303 one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments, plus 14 penthouse units.

A Summer 2018 opening means on next year’s visit to Summerfest, 7SEVENTY7 may well be open.

Too soon for more Vista Tower pics? (SPOILER ALERT: There’s no such thing)

Posted on July 27, 2017 by danieldschell

Removing forms from the angled concrete columns at Vista Tower.

Vista Tower column b/w Tribune Tower.

“I was just at Vista Tower. No need to go by there again.” I said to myself as I walked in the general direction of Lakeshore East. An hour or so later…

Just that process of taking forms off the angled concrete columns had me staring for a solid 30 minutes. Throw is some signage that looks like it came straight from a European auto race, plus non-stop work seemingly 24/7 considering the progress that’s been made, and there’s a lot to see that’s new.

So yeah, as long as they (they being McHugh Construction) keep doing cool stuff here, I (and everyone else in Chicago with a camera) will keep snapping photos.