And then there were 32: The Landmark West Loop lowers the tower crane

Posted on May 4, 2017 by danieldschell

When the crane disappears behind its own building, that’s a good indication it’s coming down.

Chicago’s ever-fluid tower crane count has changed again, as Landmark West Loop begins to lower its crane at 1035 West Van Buren Street. Landmark topped out March 23, so we knew this day was coming. The loss of this shiny yellow Liebherr EC-12 Litronic model brings our count down to 32.

One South Halsted is waiting for a Liebherr, so…

: Tie-in #1

: Hanging out on the sundeck.

: Looks so naked and vulnerable now.

: Looks distraught about losing the tower crane.

Caissons begin at Marlowe in River North

Posted on May 3, 2017 by danieldschell

Stalworth Underground drills the first caisson for Marlowe, 675 North Wells Street in River North.

Just over a week after caisson work started on the other side of the block (676 North LaSalle) at The Ardus, caisson work got underway this morning at 675 North Wells Street in River North, home of the future Marlowe development from Lennar Multifamily Companies. Stalworth Underground has the honor of ripping holes in the soil and filling them with concrete for the 15-story, 176-unit apartment project. Antunovich Associates took care of the designs; Power Construction will be on the build.

The good word from Stalworth is there will be 59 bell caissons dug at Marlowe, down to about 80 feet. Diameters range from 2-and-a-half to 3-and-a-half feet, with bells up to 10 feet.

: Caisson #1 started Wednesday morning.

: This will be a two-rig job.

As Hubbard221 nears the top, 412 North Wells rises to the L

Posted on April 29, 2017 by danieldschell

You can get a train’s-eye view of 412 North Wells right now by taking a relaxing Brown Line ride from the Merchandise Mart up to the Chicago Ave stop. Linn-Mathes is pushing the 9-story office building skyward, now that the residential tower next door, Hubbard221, is nearly topped out. (Is that 22 stories I count?)

Hubbard221 is the 193-unit apartment tower from developer Centrum Partners and designer Hirsch Associates Architects, the team that just saw a tower crane rise on their Wicker Park Connection property. As for this tower crane, it now has double duty to pull, as it tops off the taller tower while beginning to stretch the smaller structure vertically.

: A play on words, with numbers.

Alta Roosevelt nears the top

Posted on April 28, 2017 by danieldschell

Alta Roosevelt cuts an imposing figure in the South Loop.

If you walk through the South Loop this weekend, stop by Alta Roosevelt at 801 South Financial Place and tell me if you think that is one tall tower. Spoiler Alert: It is. And here’s why: Walsh Construction has stacked a whole bunch of floors atop other floors.

I waited around long enough this week for Alta Roosevelt herself to start whispering secrets, and she tells me the 27th floor of the tower has been poured. She also said structural pours for the garage are complete after recently doing the last deck. She is quite proud of accomplishing that feat.

A reminder to you that Alta Roosevelt is a development from Wood Partners, and a design by Pappageorge Haymes Partners. bringing 496 new apartments to the neighborhood where Financial Place and Polk Street meet, one small block east of South Wells. While there’s no immediate danger of losing its pretty yellow tower crane, topping out is likely by early June.

More staring at the rebar jungle that is One Grant Park

Posted on April 27, 2017 by danieldschell

Can I hang out down there, if I promise to be reaaaalllly careful?

One Grant Park looks like a playground. It isn’t, of course. Unless you’re skilled laborers paid to work there, and then I bet it’s all-day fun.

For now, One Grant Park is still seeing most of its action below street level. There are tunnels and rings of rebar running throughout the site, like a corn maze on an Iowa farm, minus the tractor rides and hay bales. It’s cool enough to stand around and watch, that maybe McHugh Construction will put a gift shop at the exit. Some hot apple cider and a scale model of Rafael Viñoly Architects‘ tower would make nice Christmas gifts, no?

: Included this one for the skyline view, tbh.

: Only a down ladder. None to get back up.

Quick Look: The Wicker Park Connection tower crane is up

Posted on April 27, 2017 by danieldschell

The finished tower crane over the Wicker Park Connection, Monday evening.

It got started over the weekend, and by Monday evening it was completed. The Wicker Park Connection can begin going vertical, now that there’s a tower crane on site. We watched most of the erecting from the B.U.C. HQ, but a well-timed going-away dinner (Bon Voyage, Steve!) on Division Street meant a good look at the new kid on that block.

: Sunday morning, a crane-building crane went to work.

: Getting ready to lift the first section of the tower.

: And the tower starts to climb on the stub.

: Lifting the top into place.

: The top is on.

: Hoisting the jib.

: NOPE

: Tuesday afternoon shot of the finished crane.

Continue reading →

The Ardus begins caisson work at 676 North LaSalle

Posted on April 26, 2017 by danieldschell

Chicago, say hello to my new favorite construction crew member.

Tuesday was a big day in the life of The Ardus. A crew from Michels Corporation began drilling caissons at 676 North LaSalle Street in River North, even as the existing building next door continues its gutting and transformation. Booth Hanson has designed 149 apartments to be built into the new and existing structures for Cedar Street Companies. One of those companies, Method Construction, is the general contractor.

Also yesterday, The Ardus received its full building permit from the City of Chicago.

The full building permit arrived in the mail yesterday.

The Caissons

: Drilling the second caisson for The Ardus.

: Working on Caisson #3.

: Storage space is at a premium.

The Renovation

Illume Chicago puts down roots in the West Loop

Posted on April 25, 2017 by danieldschell

Springtime at Mary Bartleme Park. With tower crane and Sears Tower.

It’s been exactly one month since Norcon grew a tower crane at its Illume Chicago site in West Loop. Now, that crane is contributing to the foundation being shored up for the new condominiums from LG Development.

Located at 111 South Peoria Street, Illume Chicago will be ten stories containing 79 condos, with parking in the basement and first floor, designed by Pappageorge Haymes Architects.

: Straight-up crane.

They keep building Vista Tower, and we keep coming back to watch

Posted on April 24, 2017 by danieldschell

Looking east to west across the ever-changing scene of Vista Tower.They

Three weeks is far too long to go between photo galleries of what’s going on at Vista Tower. Especially when the landscape changes on a daily basis. McHugh Construction continues to entertain with lumber, rebar, concrete, and tower cranes. There’s a lot happening here, as you’re about to see.

: Gratuitous double tower crane shot.

: I was told they’d be no math.

: Ugh. The pool needs cleaned.

: Side job.

: Concrete trucks are staging on Upper Wacker.

: A tower crane looks on from One Bennett Park.

: I couldn’t do the climb.

: A ladder to go up, but not one to come down?

: We need them on that wall.

Checking in on an Old Town TOD

Posted on April 24, 2017 by danieldschell

Six stories of new TOD at 1550 North Wieland Street in Old Town.

When we last paid a visit to the 200-block of West North Avenue in Old Town last fall, a couple venerable old buildings at 227 and 233 West North were being demolished to make room for a new Transit Oriented Development from JAB Real Estate. That new TOD has now topped out.

Located at 1550 North Wieland Street per the city’s building permit, the new six-story, 60-unit building is designed by Space Architects + Planners, and will include parking for 20 cars and 60 bicycles. There will also be ground-level retail. Maris Construction (CA Washington) is the general contractor.