With caisson work complete, it’s time for Toyoko Inn Chicago to begin construction

Posted on June 8, 2018 by danieldschell

There’s a kind of hush over the Toyoko Inn Chicago site, now that caisson work has wrapped up.

Things have gone eerily silent at 320 South Clinton in the South Loop. But that’s a good thing. It means caissons are complete for the Toyoko Inn Chicago, and now we’re just waiting for the next wave of construction equipment to take over the lot.

We got a few more shots of Stalworth Underground’s caisson work at the end of May, before returning to the site this week to find the barren lot. Soon, the Toyoko Inn Chicago can start shooting up toward its 24-story goal.

Milieu plants a tower crane stub amidst caisson work

Posted on June 7, 2018 by danieldschell

That’s a fresh tower crane stub at Milieu in the West Loop.

Even as Stalworth Underground continues caisson work at Milieu (205 South Peoria) in the West Loop, something even more exciting has taken over the lot: Power Construction has evened out their tower-crane count after taking down the rig at the Hoxton Chicago by planting a stub on this site.

The Power Crane permit was issued Tuesday the 5th; they wasted no time getting that stub in place. Now, progress on the FitzGerald-designed 19-story, 275-unit apartment building can start going vertical immediately after caisson works wraps up. Yes, the West Loop is going to remain a very busy construction hub for quite some time.

900 West is approaching the finish line

Posted on June 7, 2018 by danieldschell

900 West, in between bouts of Wednesday’s sunshine, will open late this summer.

As I wandered past 900 West (900 West Washington) in the West Loop Wednesday, I couldn’t help but wonder how soon its opening would arrive. And then I got my answer.

The PR firm of Murphy Knott sent over a couple new renderings, along with word that residents would move into the new 10-story condominium tower from Taris Real Estate in a mere 90 days. That’s plenty of time to head out to IKEA and pick out your bookcases, sofas, and computer desks.

900 West, designed by Northworks. Rendering provided by Murphy Knott PR.

180 North Ada starts climbing toward 14 stories in the far-West Loop

Posted on June 6, 2018 by danieldschell

Power Construction has driven 180 North Ada up above street level over in the far-west reaches of the West Loop. Granted, that’s only two stories of the 14-story, 263-unit apartment building Brininstool + Lynch has designed for the site. But we all know once groundwork is complete and a project starts going vertical, progress flies. So this is big progress.

Will the tower crane at The Hoxton Chicago be around much longer?

Posted on June 5, 2018 by danieldschell

There’s still a tower crane above Power Construction’s Hoxton Chicago job site. But for how long?

The tower crane atop the Hoxton Chicago hotel in the West Loop has to be operating on numbered days, right? What with the hotel being topped out and nearly glassed up, we’re likely to see this one come down soon. The West Loop can afford to lose a tower crane and still lead all Chicago neighborhoods. so don’t be too upset. For now.

A topped-out 727 West Madison dresses up the parking podium

Posted on June 4, 2018 by danieldschell

That’s the top of the topped-out 727 West Madison in the West Loop.

If it seems like 727 West Madison hasn’t gotten any taller the past few days, it’s for good reason: The 44-story apartment tower by FitzGerald has topped out. Lendlease accomplished the feat some time during the end of May.

You might also have noticed the parking podium is wearing a new outfit. Panels have been added on the south facade to help disguise the parking portion of the building. And it’s a good look.

Progress Update: The Banner Waves at Twelve01West in the West Loop

Posted on June 4, 2018 by danieldschell

Twelve01West flying The Colors on Memorial Day.

Twelve01West, the new seven-story office building at 1201 West Lake Street from McCaffery Interests, is rising above street level out in the West Loop. W.E. O’Neil not only has the site all dressed up in the typical oranges and reds of construction material, but also had the Stars and Stripes draped over the top of the core, waving in the hot Memorial Day weekend breeze. Have a look:

: Behold, my artsiest tower-crane photo ever.

Chicago’s Nobu Hotel is back in action

Posted on May 29, 2018 by danieldschell

Centaur Construction is back on the build at Nobu Hotel, 854 West Randolph Street in the West Loop.

After a brief (okay, kinda long) hiatus, Nobu Hotel on Randolph Street in the West Loop is back. Centaur Construction found the keys to their tower crane, and work is back in full swing now that financial details have been fixed on the hotel project.

Obviously, that delay has set completion back considerably. Originally planned to open late this year, updated expectations are now for late in 2019. Pending any other holdups, my money is on Centaur being able to push that timeline up a little bit. But we’ll see. We’re just happy to see the hotel wasn’t scrapped altogether.

333 North Green puts Chicago’s newest tower crane to work

Posted on May 22, 2018 by danieldschell

The tower crane’s tower rises up from the GR333N construction site.

333 North Green (or GR333N if you prefer), the 19-story office tower Sterling Bay is putting up in Fulton Market, has Chicago’s newest tower crane working hard, as progress starts to push its way off street level. The lot at Green and Wayman Streets (yep, 333 North Green’s address for permit purposes is 810 West Wayman) is no small site, so the crane’s reach comes in handy as work spreads out. That’s Power Construction in charge of the goings-on. That shouldn’t be much of a surprise; Power is very busy in the West Loop.

***This tower crane snuck up on me. I knew there was a permit issued, but I didn’t know the stub had been planted until after the rest of the crane had been erected. So I have no stub photos. Sorry if I let you down, loyal readers.

With 6 other West Loop tower cranes playing back-up-singer roles, 333 North Green’s crane stands tall along N. Halsted Street.

Milieu has a clean West Loop slate to begin construction

Posted on May 22, 2018 by danieldschell

Demolition is complete at the corner of Adams and Peoria Streets in the West Loop, leaving just a silky-smooth lot with which to begin Milieu, the 275-unit apartment project from co-developers White Oak Realty Partners and Crayton Advisors.

It looks like Stalworth Underground will hit the site first, as they’re equipment is already on the lot. They’ll help take care of foundation work for GC Power Construction, tasked with sending Milieu up to its desired 19-story height. Designed by the West Loop’s own FitzGerald, Milieu brings 13,000 square fete of retail space, as well as parking spots for nearly 200 cars.

For now, Power has a permit to build up to the 5th floor. Soon they’ll get a tower crane permit as well, then the full-build will follow. Milieu is expecting a Summer 2019 opening.