Caisson work at 920 North Wells gets the North Union party started

Posted on May 5, 2022 by danieldschell

Stalworth Underground drills caisson at 920 North Wells

Holes are being drilled into the earth at 920 North Wells, as construction gets underway for the North Union megadevelopment from JDL Development. The gettin’-our-boots-dirty team of Power Construction, Stalworth Underground, and Adjustable Concrete Construction are all on hand to make rebar cages and pour some concrete.

JDL announced via Instagram Stories Wednesday evening that a caisson permit had been issued that day (along with word that One Chicago had reached full occupancy, so big CONGRATS on that) and here we are Thursday morning, with the city’s permit site showing the permit for caissons under a 21-story tower, and the first two caissons being bored.

920 North Wells, a design by Hartshorne Plunkard Architecture, was approved by the Chicago Plan Commission as part of North Union project in May of 2021.

We’re going to enjoy 920 North Wells for now, but North Union will be overstimulating construction nerds for a long, long time. So get the lawn chair and cooler out of the garage, pack some snacks, and let’s go!

Oh, I almost forgot….I took pictures!

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 using the form below.

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They grow up so fast, One Chicago Edition

Posted on July 28, 2021 by danieldschell

It doesn’t seem that long ago, when the parking lot across State Street from Holy Name Cathedral was being torn up, and foundation digging began.

Now, One Chicago is almost to that point where, if you want to see what’s happening with construction, you have to go inside.

Once again, this is your One Chicago team: JDL Development, with a hand from Wanxiang America, is the developer. Hartshorne Plunkard Architecture and Goettsch Partners shared design duties. And Power Construction is the general contractor.

There are only a couple floors of curtain wall left to install on the east tower, but we still have one tower crane to savor here, so let’s make the best of the rest of our time together. (Cue dramatic music)

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One Chicago is down to One Tower Crane

Posted on April 16, 2021 by danieldschell

Crews were able to remove one section of Tower Crane C at One Chicago Thursday.

Where there were three, there now is just one.

One Chicago once blessed the city with three tower cranes, but progress means we have to say goodbye to them one-by-one, and Tower Crane C has done all it can do to top out the west tower. So down it comes.

Congrats on the milestone to everyone involved: General Contractor Power Construction; Developer JDL Development; and Design Architects Goettsch Partners and Hartshorne Plunkard Architecture. Not to mention those of you who’ll someday live in one of these shiny new beauties.

And now, more photos than you knew you needed of a tower crane being dismantled:

One Chicago dismantles Tower Crane C, April 16, 2021

One Chicago inches ever-closer to full height

Posted on March 30, 2021 by danieldschell

One Chicago takes the entire city block bounded by Chicago Avenue, Dearborn, Superior, and State Streets in River North.

One Chicago is coming.

The residential (condos and apartments,) office, and retail block from JDL Development is making its mark on Chicago’s skyline.

The 49-story western tower topped out back in January, while the 76-story condo tower should be really darn close to following suit, if it hasn’t already.

Here’s your One Chicago team: JDL Development, with a hand from Wanxiang America, is the developer. Hartshorne Plunkard Architecture and Goettsch Partners have shared design duties. And Power Construction is the general contractor.

Want to see a whole bunch o’ photos from Monday? I knew you would.

An August walk-around at One Chicago

Posted on August 27, 2020 by danieldschell

All photos taken back on August 17. The way it’s going up, One Chicago might be finished by now.

CG: Power Construction

Developer: JDL Development

Design Architect: Hartshorne Plunkard Architecture

Design Architect: Goettsch Partners

More photos than I know what to do with: One Chicago Square

Posted on March 3, 2020 by danieldschell

It’s just cool. So freakin’ cool.

March 2 marked the third time in nine days I’ve walked around One Chicago Square, snapping photos and marveling at the progress. Not sure what you do one your days off, but now you know where to find me when I have some spare time. I’ll do you a favor and not post every one of them, but there are a lot of pictures. Good news is, you don’t have to click through them until you really feel you’re ready.

New month, new views at One Chicago Square

Posted on February 17, 2020 by danieldschell

Chicago’s coolest chasm, the Tower C cofferdam at One Chicago Square. Photo courtesy of Mike Conlon at Power Construction.

The calendar has flipped to February. That means it’s time to walk around the One Chicago Square site again and check on progress by Power Construction.

Let it be known that I walked around the site on the 10th, but it wasn’t sunny. So I went back Sunday. SUNday. Everything looks better on a sunny day.

One Chicago Square: Just the tower cranes

Posted on January 9, 2020 by danieldschell

Tower cranes should be cherished. Two tower cranes should be cherished and celebrated. Three tower cranes should be cherished, celebrated, and should get their own post.

One Chicago Square has three tower cranes. This is their own post.

I Like Big Builds and I Can Not Lie — One Chicago Square Has It All

Posted on January 6, 2020 by danieldschell

A rendering of One Chicago Square from the JDL Development website. Dang.

One Chicago Square has it all right now. Construction has started going vertical above street level, but there’s also still a giant pit. There are yellow and orange wooden forms and beams, with blue fencing all around. Classic Chicago architecture, including Holy Name Cathedral and 30 West Chicago Avenue, provides spectacular photo backdrops. Giant round shoring tubes are still visible in the northwest corner. Excavating equipment is still on site. Oh yeah, and THERE ARE THREE TOWER CRANES!

I don’t use the designation “mixed-use” very often. Everything has retail space in it these days, so calling a residential tower “mixed-use” because there will be a drug store at street level isn’t really mixed-use to me. But One Chicago Square certainly qualifies, as it will include apartments and condos, office space, and retail space, all combined into its own city block.

Some project data: One 76-story tower, and one 49-story tower. More than 700 apartments, and 77 condos. 55,000 square feet of office space. Nearly 200,000 square feet of commercial space. And parking? Oh, lots of parking. Over 800 spaces.

And the team? All-Stars. JDL Development, with a hand from Wanxiang America, is the developer. Hartshorne Plunkard Architecture and Goettsch Partners have shared design duties. And Power Construction is the general contractor.

Yeah, One Chicago Square will be fun to watch for a long time. And then, it looks like it’ll be a fun one to live in. Stay tuned.

And now, a ridiculous number o’photos to keep you occupied. Scroll at your leisure:

: Is this a BBQ rig, McHugh?

Eight Eleven Uptown approaches the finish line

Posted on May 25, 2018 by danieldschell

Eight Eleven Uptown sits nearly complete at Montrose and Clarendon.

The tower crane is gone, cladding is complete, and Lendlease has entered the home stretch at Eight Eleven Uptown.

Designed by Hartshorne Plunkard Architecture, and co-developed by JDL Development and Harlem Irving Companies, the residential tower at 811 West Agatite in the Uptown neighborhood will deliver 381 apartments and 36,000 square feet of retail space upon completion.

Opening will include a new Treasure Island grocery store, which this neighborhood badly needs.