As you can see above, Nick was at the Big Mat Pour 2024 at 400 Lake Shore last week. I wasn’t, even though he told me himself that morning it was happening. Too cold for me. I’m delicate. (Yeah, I shoulda gone.)
But I was there two days later, on Saturday, when there was absolute silence. Silence. Not an unusual sound at the old Chicago Spire Site. But at least now we know that temporary stay in action will only last over a weekend.
Here, look how quiet it was. If you can “see” quiet:
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1114 West Carroll from the corner of Carroll and May.
There isn’t much construction left to see at 1114 West Carroll. Trammell Crow Company’s 34-story, 368-unit residential tower has topped out, the tower crane has been taken down, and the curtain wall is inching ever closer to the top. So I decided not to wait for a sunny day to snap some progress shots. As with all glass towers, this one deserves better lighting, so I’ll be back when the sun’s out.
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The Ol’ Spire Pit, now the future home of 400 North Lake Shore Drive
400 Lake Shore is a thing. And now 400 Lake Shore is happening.
More than a decade after foundation work for The Chicago Spire was halted (or just about as long since my last gallery post), Related Midwest has picked up the torch and construction has begun in earnest on their new 72-story, 850-foot-tall North Tower.
The glamorous address for this one is, of course, 400 North Lake Shore Drive. The permit address is 462 East North Water Street. To date, three permits have been issued; Caissons on 12-6-2023 The tower crane on 1-11-2024 “Three levels of superstructure” on 2-0-2024.
Back in mid-January, 400 Lake Shore was the proud recipient of 2024’s first tower crane permit. No idea how long it will be until that crane arrives on site, but it’s another milestone to look forward to.
The first Tower Crane permit of 2024 was issued yesterday. Related Midwest will use it to (finally) put a tower at The Spire site. pic.twitter.com/HJwSLCVZd1
Tough to get close to this one for a decent view, without walking with traffic on Lower LSD (which I prefer not to attempt.) Of course, once this project starts rising above street(erville) level, there will be lots to see. In the meantime, if you live in a nearby high-rise and have a view, send me an invite. I’ll bring some beverages and we’ll watch construction together. Until then, these photos from distance will have to suffice.
Beginnings of construction for 400 Lake Shore at the Chicago Spire site
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It’s time for a construction progress update at 1114 West Carroll Avenue in the Fulton Market District. These photos were taken October 24, so add a couple levels of progress since then.
Editors note: Those windows are cool.
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Power Construction has topped out Coppia, the 19-story, 298-unit residential tower in the West Loop from developer Pizzuti. A design by Goettsch Partners, Coppia is expected to open to residents in 2024. The walling-off of the Eisenhower Expressway continues to stretch westward.
Photos are from August 28, 2023:
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The days of watching construction at 1000M are drawing to a close. Just a handful of the top levels remain unglazed. Soon the tower crane will come down and this will look like a finished product while crews work on the interior.
1000M gave us the rare thrill of watching a skyscraper begin twice: first when caisson work got underway, and then again, after a pandemic-induced delay left the site dormant for months and months. The tower crane base that had been planted was removed, it went from condos to apartments, the design was tweaked, and it roared back to life early in 2022.
It’s always weirdly sad to me when a building wraps up construction and there’s nothing to watch anymore, but this one legit tugs at the heartstrings, knowing Helmut Jahn isn’t here to enjoy its completion.
1000M should be open to residents in 2024. And please, if you get one of these apartments, invite me over. I’ll even help you move in, if that’s what it takes.
Don’t get me wrong; I know there’s still a good deal of work yet to be done to the exterior of 4600 North Marine in Uptown. But the bricks are on, the windows are in, and the crane is down. As you’ll see, Gilbane is nearing the home stretch.
A USAF Thunderbird flies over 225 North Elizabeth during the 2023 Chicago Air & Water Show.
Another tower crane gone since my last visit. Of course, it has been three months since I’ve been out and about. The topped-out and craneless 225 North Elizabeth has achieved approximate half-glassness. That’s an industry term; don’t bother looking it up if you’re not privy to insider information. Only us cool, in-the-know construction-types have it.
The half-staff tower crane at Cassidy on Canal, 09/18/2023.
Cassidy on Canal is topped out at 350 North Canal in River West. The tower crane is on the way done, as the glass exterior rises toward the top. It appears The Habitat Company’s 343-unit apartment tower is on pace for its scheduled Spring 2024 opening. Great location, too.
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