Category Archives: Renovation

Ironwork as artwork at 312 North Carpenter

Posted on by
Reply
312 North Carpenter

The artwork of ironwork, at 312 North Carpenter.

New York City’s Madison Capital is renovating its three-story building at 312 North Carpenter in the Fulton Market District. And while the front still looks like an old brick facade in desperate need of some fixing up, the rear of the building is nothing short of an iron work of art.

LG Construction is the general contractor for the 312 project, designed by Hartshorne Plunkard Architecture, which includes some demolition work of the building next door at 328 North Carpenter, allowing 312 to be more accessible for renovation. (Madison Capital owns both properties.) A permit was filed back in February to, and I quote (copy, actually…)

RENOVATIONS AND ADDITION TO EXISTING 3 STORY OFFICE AND MERCANTILE BUILDING. CONVERT 1ST FLOOR RETAIL, 2ND AND THIRD FLOOR INTO OFFICE SPACE. 3 STORY ADDITION, ROOFTOP AMENITY DECK TO BE ADDED IN PLACE OF DEMOLISHED 1 STORY WAREHOUSE AS PER PLANS

**Some emergency demo work was necessary back in September when a large portion at the back of the structure collapsed (see the DNAInfo story here.)**

 

Enjoying the photos? Metra and CTA rides (and Amtrak trains to Milwaukee), Zipcars, Divvy Bikes, camera lenses, domain fees, snacks & energy drinks, and comfortable walking shoes add up. You can help offset expenses by making a greatly-appreciated donation to Building Up Chicago.

A visit to Anchorage: the Anchorage Museum expansion

Posted on by
Reply

Anchorage Museum expansion

A rendering of the new wing for the Anchorage Museum, from the Davis Constructors website.

Up in the far northwest suburbs, the Anchorage Museum Association is expanding its facility at 625 C Street.

You might think someone visiting Anchorage would be out photographing bears and salmon and moose and flying over glaciers in bush planes. Well, don’t worry. I’ll get to that. But let’s talk about what I can see from the hotel first.

The museum expansion team includes the architecture firm of McCool Carlson Green Architects, and general contractor Davis Constructors. Completion is expected in September 2017.

The 24-million-dollar, 25,000-square-foot project is being fully funded by private donations. But that doesn’t mean they can’t use your help. You can still make a contribution, and they’ll even put your name on a block on the donor wall!

 

Chicago Plan Commission Approves Improving 168 North Michigan

Posted on by
Reply

168 North Michigan

The former Atlantic Bank Building, at 168 North Michigan Avenue.

It was gonna be fixed up. Then it stopped. Now it’s on again. And then some.

168 North Michigan Avenue hasn’t been one of the more glamorous buildings along the Magnificent Mile’s southern counterpart. (Millennium Mile? Cultural Mile?) The former Atlantic Bank Building was sold to its current owner, Oxford Hotels & Resorts back in December. That transaction followed the planned renovation of the building that started, then stalled, after a permit was issued in May of 2014.

The City of Chicago filed two new permits in May of this year, reflecting the new ownership, and also changing the general contractor to W.E. O’Neil.

And then last week, the Chicago Plan Commission approved not only the continuation of the renovation project, but also the addition of five more floors atop the existing 12, turning 168 North Michigan into a 210-room hotel. Chicago’s Hirsch Associates Architects designed the new portion.

“We are excited about turning a building that has sat vacant and in a state of disrepair for many years into a vibrant and exciting addition to Michigan Avenue and Millennium Park,” Hirsch Associates president Howard Hirsch told me. “The yet un-named hotel will have 210 rooms and a 2-story restaurant facing Michigan Avenue with a fully operable facade. The original building was designed by Marshall and Fox, and the new design restores the existing Terra-Cotta facade while adding a modern five-story addition to the top, and weaving the modern glass element throughout. Demolition and facade restoration is in progress. Permit for addition and interior work has been submitted to the City. Working towards a Spring 2018 opening.”

Mr. Hirsch sent a few renderings to share with you of the project, which, as he said, is already being renovated.

 

 

On The Blue Plate Catering Menu: New Digs

Posted on by
Reply

Blue Plate Catering

Construction is ongoing at the new Blue Plate Catering facility, seen here from the corner of Fulton and Ada Streets.

Blue Plate Catering, recognized nationally for being a top-notch caterer, is in the process of serving up a new facility in West Town. Currently located at 1061 West Van Buren Street, a location rumored to be in line for redevelopment, Blue Plate’s new building is at 305 North Ogden Avenue. The quadrilateral-shaped lot (yes, I had to Google that) is bounded by Ogden and Carroll Avenues, and Market and Ada Streets.

The future site is a combination renovation/new construction, with permits from the City of Chicago categorized only as renovations. While fixing up an older single-story structure, Blue Plate is erecting a three-story facility that will house its corporate offices, the catering kitchen, and a commercial commissary. There will be 25 on-site parking spaces included, as well as, I assume, plenty of space for Blue Plate’s catering fleet. The foundation permit was issued in October of 2015; the full-build permit followed in February of this year. The design is by Jonathan Splitt Architects. 41 North Contractors of Lisle, IL is the general contractor.

The Benchmark, A Half-Victory For Preservation in Lincoln Park

Posted on by
Reply

The Benchmark Chicago

The unmistakable gap-toothed smile of a building that knows it’s escaped the wrecking ball. 2746 North Magnolia will be the centerpiece of The Benchmark.

A church at 2750 North Magnolia Avenue that stood since 1884, deemed “not worth saving,” was demolished in March. As with any demolition of a church, that didn’t sit well with many folks. But a small victory was won with the preservation of the parish house next door, at 2746 North Magnolia, which was released from the City of Chicago Demolition Delay Hold List on Wednesday, as it’s in the midst of a complete overhaul into a single-family home.

A joint effort from Noah Properties and Sergio & Banks Real Estate is erecting The Benchmark, a 5-building development that will see single family homes constructed on either side of the existing former parish house. At 2742 and 2744 North Magnolia will be two single-family homes, while to the north at 2752 and 2756 North Magnolia will rise two 5-unit condo structures.

All five projects are designs from architect Bill Kokalias at Axios Architects & Consultants, in The Loop. ALL Builders of Chicago is the general contractor.

 

817 West Lake Street to Become West Loop’s Latest Eatery

Posted on by
Reply

817 West Lake Street

This two-story brick building at 817 West Lake Street will be a bar/restaurant.

LG Development, already busy in the West Loop, has a permit on file with the City of Chicago as of yesterday to turn the two-story brick building at 817 West Lake Street into a bar and restaurant.

817 West Lake Street.

Got it.

The permit calls for “adaptive re-use” using designs from Jay Keller of Space Architects + Planners. Space has done work on the brand new Federales in the West Loop, as well Half Acre Beer Company and Bleeding Heart Bakery.

LG, meanwhile, looks to be busy for the foreseeable future in the West Loop. It has a big project coming up at 111 South Peoria Street, Illume, and numerous other projects around town, including 1101 West Randolph, where a third story is being added to a two-story building under renovation.