Took a train downtown this evening. Even lugged the tripod along with me, since it’s been almost forever since I’ve tried to take a night shot. And discovered that what little I knew about taking photographs, I’ve mostly forgotten. Couldn’t even tell that most of the shots were badly out of focus. Oh well.
Here’s one of Wolf Point East, Merchandise Mart (during Art on the Mart), and whatever that kite/hammock contraption is along the Riverwalk.
A hearty welcome to Chicago to The Bentham. We were a little worried about you. (Rendering from Sedgwick Development.)
The Bentham is happening.
We were getting worried about the empty lot at LaSalle and Erie in River North. It had been quite some time since the old Erie and LaSalle Body Shop had been demolished to make room for a new residential tower, but The Bentham’s website never went offline, a good sign of hope that the project was still alive.
Sedgwick Development is building this condominium tower, not only as the developer, but as the general contractor and designer as well. They got a tower crane permit way back in September of last year, and yesterday, a foundation permit was issued. That permit calls for 15 stories and 31 condos, plus 53 parking spots and 3,132 square feet of ground-floor retail space.
Congrats go out to Sedgwick Development. I bet they’re champing at the bit to get going.
727 West Madison stands stoic behind the painted water tank at Morgan Mfg.
I like construction. I like Chicago Water Tanks. So it made me slightly giddy to see 727 West Madison lined up perfectly with the delightful water tank atop Morgan Mfg at 401 North Morgan Street in the West Loop. I thought I’d share it.
Sometimes we lose track of topped-out buildings. So we rely on your eyes to see what’s slipped our memories. Twitter user @West_Looper let us know on Saturday that the tower crane was coming down at Hayden West Loop, so we headed over there to watch some of the action.
Hayden marked the only crane in the sky for Macon Construction, but its removal means big progress on Sulo Development’s 28-condo project. Hayden’s website shows 80% of the units sold, so you better make your move soon if you’re hoping for new digs in the Booth Hansen-designed building. Sulo plans on having your condo ready for move-in before 2018 comes to a close.
And now, as we’re known to do around here, more photos of a tower-crane disassembly than you’ll ever need:
Chicago’s newest tower crane is at 145 South Wells. And it’s a shiny yellow one!
The 20-story office tower Moceri + Roszak is building at 145 South Wells has erected The Loop’s first tower crane since we waved bye-bye to the sidewalk-hovering iron beast at 151 North Franklin more than a year ago. Now the real fun begins for Clark Construction, what with the crane being operational and caissons having been sunk into the earth. That means it’s time for some verticality at 145 South Wells.
Do what you do, shiny yellow crane.
Vista Tower will be completed with just one tower crane.
Chicago has taken quite a hit over the past few months. Sure, we’re still seeing new tower cranes go up on a regular basis, but we’ve also lost a bunch as well, including ten since we last surveyed the. Not to worry though; there are more on the horizon. Not literally, though. Those would have to be counted as suburban cranes.
Wanna see ’em? Moving south to north:
A matter of mere days after I’d finally come to grips with no longer having two tower cranes at the new McDonald’s Headquarters in the West Loop, word came that the East Crane at Vista Tower was coming down. I made the pilgrimage over to Streeterville to take a few shots from across the Chicago River, turned to look behind me, and what else do I see? One tower crane at One Bennett Park! I appreciate everyone’s progress here, but noooooooo!
We’re counting on you to never finish, The Lincoln Common!
Vista Tower’s East Tower Crane is at half-mast.
What’s funny is, I took this photo earlier Saturday morning for the single crane at Vista Tower, not noticing the half a crane atop One Bennett Park.
Now seems like as good a time as any to revisit and celebrate the TEN TOWER CRANES(!) of Battersea Power Station in London, and the 5-pack of cranes at Jewel Residences in Gold Coast, Australia.
Please never leave us, Lincoln Common tower cranes! (Announcer voice: The Lincoln Common is almost topped out, so….)
