A Tuesday update at One South Halsted

Posted on February 7, 2017 by danieldschell

Both excavators have been busy Tuesday at the Crowne Plaza parking lot/One South Halsted construction site.

If you didn’t think they were serious about moving your car out of the Crowne Plaza parking lot, it’s too late now.

Asphalt continues getting torn up at the future One South Halsted, even in Tuesday’s rain and fog. One interesting change, aside from the digging: the sidewalk protection on Halsted Street has been removed. It remains on the Madison Street (north) side.

: Halsted Street sidewalk protection, gone.

: It remains in place on Madison.

: The Halsted Street sidewalk protection of days gone by.

: UPDATE: A mini-excavator — with jack hammer — showed up for work just after lunchtime.

Riverline’s Ancora tower ramps up construction progress

Posted on February 7, 2017 by danieldschell

A ramp takes shape and form on the Ancora tower site at Riverline in the South Loop.

Ancora, the first building of the Riverline development in the South Loop, continues to jut out of the ground like stalagmites in a cave. General contractor Lendlease‘s handiwork is starting to peek above the secretive fencing that lines South Wells Street, so those of us curious about construction progress don’t need to stand on the roof of our buddy’s van as he slowly drives by anymore. And you kids shouldn’t try that.

: Gratuitous tower crane shot.

Construction Progress: Centrum Hubbard and 412 North Wells

Posted on February 6, 2017 by danieldschell

Conveniently located right next door to 225 West Hubbard (foreground, with water tank), aka HQ for both Centrum Partners and Hirsch Associates, Centrum Hubbard is rising in River North.

There may not be a whole lot to report as far as progress goes on 412 North Wells, the 9-story office building from Centrum Partners and Hirsch Associates. But that’s because work efforts are being concentrated on the 23-story, 193-unit apartment tower Centrum Hubbard next door. These are the closest projects to downtown for the dynamic duo, which is also currently building Centrum Bucktown, Centrum Wicker Park, and the Wicker Park Connection, among others.

The Moxy Hotel rests in the calm before the storm

Posted on February 6, 2017 by danieldschell

Sure, have a drink. Then let’s get back to work on the Moxy Hotel.

Following the somewhat secretive whirlwind of caisson work, all’s quiet at the future grounds of what is believed to be the Moxy Hotel at 530 North LaSalle Drive in River North. Save for one lone excavator, the lot is empty of equipment, and more resembles freshly-plowed farmland than an 8-story boutique hotel site.

Quick Look: The Wanda Vista Tower concrete pour, after the fact

Posted on February 5, 2017 by danieldschell

I wanted to use “The After Mat” but decided against it.

Moon and crane above the Wanda Vista Tower construction site, Sunday evening.

The word of the day is… CONCRETE. At least at Wanda Vista Tower

Posted on February 4, 2017 by danieldschell

The big pour is underway at Wanda Vista Tower.

It’s happening. The gigantic mat pour everyone’s been talking about is going on now at Wanda Vista Tower. All manner of concrete distribution is being utilized, the coolest being a line of troughs at the west end of the mat, sending concrete flowing directly from the trucks into the mass of rebar below.

Missed the fun? No you didn’t. They’ll be at it for awhile. You’ve got time to get over there.

One South Halsted ain’t messing around

Posted on February 3, 2017 by danieldschell

Twitter user @henjealy spotted the temporary sidewalks on Monday.

Disregard any talk you may have heard about One South Halsted taking its sweet time getting started. A week after the foundation permit was filed by the City of Chicago, the apartment tower from Fifield Companies and F&F Realty has emptied and cordoned off the parking lot, set up temporary sidewalks on Halsted and Madison Streets, and knocked down trees on the site. There are excavators on site, plus dump trucks, equipment trailers, even a cement mixer. And, as of 9:20 this morning, one of those excavators is tearing up the asphalt.

The former Crowne Plaza parking lot has been a flurry of activity all week. Yep, One South Halsted is ready to roll into the West Loop.

Rebar galore as Wanda Vista Tower prepares for its humongous concrete pour

Posted on February 3, 2017 by danieldschell

The Wanda Vista Tower site is no ordinary construction yard. It is a sea of rebar. It’s a seabar.

And very very soon, it’ll be a see of concrete. Charge your camera batteries, tighten up the tripods, and set your time-lapse mode. This will be spectacular to watch. It may take hours and hours and hours for McHugh Construction to accomplish the feet, but it’s February in Chicago. Who wouldn’t want to be outside for this?

A sunny day at One Bennett Park

Posted on February 3, 2017 by danieldschell

To my dearest readers, followers, and stalkers:

It is my goal to avoid posting about the same projects too often. Which is why I don’t just stare out the living room window behind me and post hourly updates of 625 West Adams. No, I try to give you some variety, getting to as many construction sites as I can to keep things fresh, so you don’t get bored. But…

The rare occurrence of sunshine and blue skies in Chicago forces a change of the rules. I know I just sent out three dozen shots of One Bennett Park last week, but that was a grey, overcast day. under cloudy skies. But Thursday? Thursday was glorious. And I assure you, every skyscraper nerd in the city was out there Thursday, snapping photos like it’s their job. And few buildings looked as spectacular bathed in sunlight than One Bennett Park.

And so, because I simply can’t help myself around this beauty, I give you, yet again, more of One Bennett Park.

3Eleven still rising in River North, and is now adding glass

Posted on February 3, 2017 by danieldschell

#eleven rises along side Assumption Catholic Church on West Illinois Street in River North.

3Eleven, the 25-story apartment tower in River North from The John Buck Company, has reached the glass milestone. Not the glass ceiling, mind you. So far, only the windows are glass. As the tower rises to the 17th floor or so, Power Construction is starting to glaze up the exterior. 3Eleven will hold 245 rental units, 3,000 square feet of retail, and 109 parking spaces, some of which will be shared with Assumption Catholic Church next door.