Another day, another hospital demolition: The obliteration of Cuneo Hospital

Posted on February 1, 2017 by danieldschell

Cuneo Hospital gives way to the Montrose and Clarendon Development.

There are big plans for the intersection of Montrose and Clarendon Avenues in Uptown. And as is often the case, big plans to build first mean big plans to demolish.

And so it goes for the former Cuneo Hospital, and later the Maryville children’s shelter, buildings. Empty since 2005 (“it looks like a science experiment in there. Plants, moss, all kinds of things growing” I was told by a passing explorer) the old buildings had fallen into disrepair. So down they come. American Demolition is out there doing the dirty work.

Taking Cuneo’s place will be a joint venture from JDL Development and Harlem Irving Companies. Hartshorne Plunkard Architecture is the designer.

Construction Progress: No. 9 Walton nears 30 stories

Posted on January 23, 2017 by danieldschell

No. 9 Walton plays peek-a-boo with its new Gold Coast neighbors.

Rendering of No. 9 Walton from JDL Development.

In a very short period of time, No. 9 Walton has gone from vacant lot, to huge hole in the ground, to nearly 30 stories of Gold Coast high-rise. Originally approved as a 35-story tower with 67 uber-luxurious condominiums, the Chicago Plan Commission later filed approval to tack on two additional stories, though it isn’t know if those two extra stories will go on top of the tower, or somewhere in the middle. Say, one between the 17th and 18th floors, and one between floors 24 and 25, for example.

Wherever those floors appear, JDL Development is so excited about this new endeavor, company president and founder Jim Letchinger has reserved one of the units for his own full-time residence. Hartshorne Plunkard Architecture took care of the design for this one; Lendlease is taking care of the construction.

Thus endeth the War On Wells, as 640 North Wells lowers its tower crane

Posted on January 16, 2017 by danieldschell

I don’t know much about construction, but I *do* know when a crane sits below the top of its tower, its time there has come to an end.

It was fun while it lasted, wasn’t it? Two tower cranes, standing on either side of Wells Street, looking like they’re begin jousting at any moment?

640 North Wells and The Gallery On Wells (then known as 167 West Erie, or 637 North Wells, or The Building On Wells Street Where Gino’s Used To Be) got started about the same time, then famously (to me) erected tower cranes nearly simultaneously. That’s how the War On Wells began. But when one tower rises 17 stories higher than the other, it’s not really a fair fight.

And so, having topped out at 23 stories, 640 North Wells took down the tower crane over the weekend. But shed no tears for that lost crane. We’re gonna need two tower cranes at the McDonald’s HQ. And have you seen Thursday’s agenda for the Chicago Plan Commission meeting? Tower cranes won’t be out of season in Chicago for quite some time.

: Severing the tie-in.

: Note the Gallery On Wells crane watching from above.

: A crane-removal crane.

Photo Gallery: The War On Wells, late-night edition

Posted on December 8, 2016 by danieldschell

It’s 640 North Wells vs The Gallery On Wells. may the prettiest under-construction tower win.

Glass is in session at 640 North Wells

Posted on November 3, 2016 by danieldschell

The curtain goes up at 640 North Wells in River North.

In The War On Wells, 640 North Wells lost the first-glass prize to The Gallery On Wells across the street. But not to worry. 640 rallied, and came back with a curtain wall of its own, one that gleams on sunny days. For now, two rows of glass have moved into the tower. Soon, all 23 stories and 251 units will glisten in the sunlight, as JDL Development moves toward a Summer 2017 opening.

: You don’t notice the glass from a distance.

: The The Gallery On Wells reflected in the curtain wall.

: #FlyTheW!

640 North Wells stakes its claim as prettiest Chicago construction

Posted on October 11, 2016 by danieldschell

640 North Wells, rising in River North.

Exhibit on Superior held the title for awhile. But then they covered up all the construction materials with finishing work, so a new leader had to be chosen.

I give you 640 North Wells. All orange and blue. On a sunny day, you can’t beat it. Though the Marriott Marquis comes close.

Shut-out to Lendlease for the nice artwork.

: Next door is 167 West Erie, and it ain’t so bad itself.

: Gratuitous, albeit artsy, tower crane shot.

Construction Update: No. 9 Walton rises (now even higher) in the Gold Coast

Posted on September 21, 2016 by danieldschell

No. 9 Walton, 9 West Walton Street in the Gold Coast.

Over at 9 West Walton Street in the Gold Coast, JDL Development is erecting what may turn out to be one of the crown jewels in an already rather jewel-encrusted neighborhood. No. 9 Walton, a design from Hartshorne Plunkard Architecture, originally set out to be a 35-story residential tower comprised of 67 ultra-luxury condominiums. But then, after beginning construction last summer, JDL asked the City of Chicago to go higher:

A proposal for the amendment of residential business planned development #1043, submitted by West Walton Chicago Investors LLC, for the property generally located at 9 W. Walton Street. The Applicant is proposing to increase the maximum allowable height permitted for tower 2 from the previously approved 430’ to 456’ to allow for the construction of 2 additional floors. The increase would allow for the construction of a total of 5 additional dwelling units. The applicant would be using the Neighborhood Opportunity Bonus to allow for an additional 0.29 FAR within the planned development. The Applicant is requesting to rezone the properties from Residential Business Planned Development #1043 to Residential Business Planned Development #1043, as amended. (2 nd Ward)

And sure enough, the Chicago Plan Commission said yes:

https://twitter.com/ChicagoDPD/status/766314903208591361

So now, No. 9 Walton will rise to 37 stories and a height of 456 feet. And if all goes according to plan, Lendlease, the general contractor on the project, will have condos ready for habitation by Summer 2017. Seem optimistic? We’ll just have to sit back and watch them work.

: No. 9 Walton, from a distance.

: Yep. Gratuitous tower crane shot.

: A rendering of No. 9 Walton from Hartshorne Plunkard Architecture.

: The full-build permit.

: The tiniest sliver of a peek at No. 9 Walton, from atop the John Hancock Center.

Construction Update: 640 North Wells

Posted on September 13, 2016 by danieldschell

640 North Wells continues to grow in River North.

Progress continues on the 23-story apartment tower JDL Development is building in River North, designed by Hartshorne Plunkard Architecture. When completed, 640 North Wells will have 251 units and 12,000 square feet of retail space. Expect about 140 parking spots too, if the building permit is to be believed. Lendlease is the general contractor. They’re working on a completion goal of Spring 2017.

: Looking at 640 North Wells through the tower crane at 3Eleven.

: 640 North Wells on the left, 167 West Erie on the right.

640 North Wells Filling Gap Ed Debevic’s Left Behind

Posted on June 27, 2016 by danieldschell

Good ole Ed Debevic’s. May it Rest Its Peas.

Unless you ate there, you miss Ed Debevic’s.

Kidding. Oh, come on. I’M KIDDING!

Okay, I’m done messing with Ed. (You’ll have to go here if you want to see more.)

At 640 North Wells Street, where Ed’s called home, JDL Development is erecting a 23-story apartment tower designed by Hartshorne Plunkard Architecture. When completed, 640 North Wells will have 251 units and 12,000 square feet of retail space. Expect about 140 parking spots too, if the building permit is to be believed. 640 North Wells is another Lendlease build.