Permits in hand, no time’s being wasted at 1136 South Wabash

Posted on October 7, 2016 by danieldschell

A parking lot no more! Two days after the filing of permits, 1136 South Wabash is getting started.

This comes as no surprise.

Just two days after permits were filed for both the foundation and the full-build, crews are at work in the former parking lot at 1136 South Wabash Avenue in the South Loop. No reason to waste time now. They’ve likely been chomping at the bit for two months, ever since the tower crane permit was filed, with no place to put it. But now it’s safe to expect constant activity there by Lendlease, the general contractor on 1136 South Wabash, for the next 18-24 months. And the good news is, you can watch the fun happen from the Orange and Green Line trains at the Roosevelt station.

: This Flyboy is sure to soon disappear. Let’s hope Hebru Brantley can replace him somewhere.

1136 South Wabash gets permits to begin construction

Posted on October 5, 2016 by danieldschell

The cart has been here for a while; now there’s finally a horse to pull it.

1136 South Wabash is a 26-story apartment tower approved by the Chicago Plan Commission back in May. A development of Chicago’s CA Ventures, the project received a tower crane permit on August 3rd. That’s all well and good; every high rise needs a tower crane. But no one plants a tower crane before starting foundation work. And at long last, that permission has been granted. Yesterday, the foundation permit for 1136 South Wabash was filed, as well as the full-build permit, allowing general contractor Lendlease to begin work on the SCB-designed building.

That’s right, first came the tower crane, then, two months later, both the foundation permit and full-build permit, on the same day. That’s a new one to me.

Those permits tell us to expect 320 rental units, 143 parking spaces, and retail on the first floor. Expect work to begin sooner rather than later, so that tower crane permit can make itself useful.

Nothing to see here. Yet. But soon.

I hope Hebru Brantley can somehow save this work. Or, paint about 2,000 more around Chicago.

The tower crane permit, filed a full two months before the foundation permit.

The foundation permit. At last.

The full build permit.

Riverline mega-development begins caisson work in the South Loop

Posted on September 29, 2016 by danieldschell

Caisson work for Building B at Riverline is underway at 720 South Wells.

Everything has to be massive these days. Now you know that. Granted, some of the things we’re all referring to as “massive” lately are quite large, but we’re about two days away from ruining that word.

Anyway, the quite-large Riverline development CMK Companies is building along South Wells Street, in the lot just to the north of River City condominiums, is in full caisson mode these days. Case Foundation crews are out in full force, with the usual array of tools and equipment, drilling holes into the earth that will eventually support the weight of “Building D,” as the first of five phases is affectionately known. Per the permit on file, at least.

Building D will get Riverline started with a 27-story residential tower, containing 452 units and 246 parking spaces. It’s a design by Chicago’s Perkins+Will. Lendlease is the general contractor.

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.

151 North Franklin gets crankin’

Posted on September 3, 2016 by danieldschell

The core of the CNA Center has reached the top of the 7-story garage next door. So I’m gonna say it’s about 7 stories high right now.

Admittedly, I became so infatuated with that funky tower crane at the new CNA Center, at 151 North Franklin Street in The Loop, that I forgot to notice how much of the core had risen from the earth. Then, all of a sudden, there it was, right in front of me.

General contractor Lendlease looks to be having a wonderful time pouring concrete and hammering lumber and such. I went ahead and took some pictures, figuring you wouldn’t mind seeing them…

: I strongly suggest stopping by when the sun i hitting it.

: That funky tower crane setup.

: Sorry for the vertigo.

1035 West Van Buren continues its climb along the Eisenhower

Posted on September 1, 2016 by danieldschell

The “back” of 1035 West Van Buren is starting to rise into view of passersby on the Eisenhower Expressway.

Work continues on 1035 West Van Buren, Related Midwest‘s newest residential tower in the West Loop. The tower is beginning to make its presence known at the foot of what will soon be the end of the Jane Byrne Flyover ramp from the Dan Ryan Expressway onto the Eisenhower. The parking podium is up the the fourth floor, while the elevator core continues to climb from within.

The 30-story, 300-unit development by Morris Adjmi Architects of New York City, and Chicago’s own GREC Architects, is expected to be inhabitable before Baby New Year rings in 2018. Lendlease, the general contractor for 1035 West Van Buren, will see to that schedule being met.

: Let’s end this gallery with a gratuitous tower crane shot.

Construction Update: One Bennett Park foundations continue

Posted on August 18, 2016 by danieldschell

An eagle’s eye view of foundation work at One Bennett Park.

Instead of a series of little holes, there’s now one large crater on East Grand Avenue. That’s where Lendlease is building Related Midwest’s One Bennett Park. Don’t worry if you blinked; One Bennett park will be in production for a good long time. Its 69 stories of splendor aren’t expected to be complete until 2019.

There’s still construction to watch at River Point

Posted on August 9, 2016 by danieldschell

But it helps if you keep your eyes down, instead of up.

There’s a small corner of open space left above the arch.

Yes, there’s still a tiny bit of cladding left to install at the very top of the west-facing side of River Point, and there’s a construction elevator to finish removing. Then all that glass where is used to be will need to be filled in.

Of course, there’s a ton of work to be done inside River Point. But only a chosen few will get to see that process. Which leaves the rest of us to watch the plaza out in front of the tower, along the Chicago River.

Designed by The Office of James Burnett, the one-and-a-half-acre park will sit 35 feet above the river, with fantastic views of the Main and South branches.