McDonald’s goes three-dimensional. And I’m lovin’ it

Posted on March 22, 2017 by danieldschell

The second floor is showing at the new McDonald’s Headquarters in the West Loop.

Life happens quickly. What did you expect from two tower cranes?

To no one’s surprise, the new McDonald’s Corporation Headquarters in the West Loop has lifted off the ground. After weeks of attending to ground-level matters (they’re still at it) McHugh Construction has started going vertical. That mostly good news, because now we can see what’s going on above the perimeter fencing, but bad news because no one with an adjacent balcony or rooftop has offered their vantage point to me for looking downward onto progress. Stuff is harder to see as it gets higher, you know.

Fact: Even in the snow, Vista Tower construction is still cool

Posted on March 20, 2017 by danieldschell

A cold, sunny day at Vista Tower.

While last week’s wintry weather threatened to slow down air traffic and snarl roadways, it didn’t cancel the show at Vista Theater, as McHugh Construction crews plowed through snowy conditions to continue progress at Vista Tower.

Similar to the McHugh project over at the new McDonald’s HQ, Vista Tower seems to have several separate sections of different activities ongoing, from holes being dug and ramps being started to the continuing extension of Upper Wacker Drive.

One request though, if I might add to the growing list of chores to be done: Can we get a pedestrian bridge over Field Boulevard? That long walk around The Tides, GEMS Academy, the Shoreham et al to get optimal views is starting to wear on me. Or maybe just have a tower crane hoist us across the Field void. Thanks.

: All’s weld that ends welded.

: One level above Field Blvd.

: Looking into the guts.

: Ramp.

: Wacker Drive extension.

: Taking out the trash.

: Ramp.

: We want you on that wall. We need you on that wall.

: Considering there are 2 tower cranes, one gratuitous tower-crane shot doesn’t seem all that gratuitous.

: Hammering away at a brand new concrete column.

: Tightrope walking.

: Road’s closed.

: Top of ramp.

One Grant Park is officially on tower-crane watch as caissons wrap up

Posted on March 17, 2017 by danieldschell

Case Foundation breaks down a caisson rig Thursday at One Grant Park in the South Loop.

Down at One Grant Park in the South Loop, Case Foundation has disassembled most of its caisson equipment and hauled it away. And while I’m no math genius, I couldn’t count more than one caisson on site that still awaits its concrete filling.

Now B.U.C. crews will be monitoring the lot at Roosevelt and Michigan 24/7, watching for tower crane parts to arrive. The City of Chicago issued that permit on February 1st, so somewhere there’s a free-standing Potain MD 485B seething to get into the game. It’s March Madness time; I say BRING IT ON.

: There it is, The Final Caisson.

: And everyone wants to see it.

: Pulling counterweights off the caisson rig.

: Most of the tall stuff is gone now. Until the tower crane arrives, at least.

: Yep, they’re off the Case.

It’s Craning Day at the Triple Hilton McCormick Place

Posted on March 3, 2017 by danieldschell

Thursday morning, this tower crane cab rolled past the B.U.C. HQ. On its way to the Hilton McCormick Place? Sure seemed like it.

Last week, we found the makings of a tower crane at the Triple-Branded Hilton Hotel at McCormick Place. That always means to be on high alert for assembly. Now, I can’t prove the crane parts I watched being driven down the Kennedy to the Dan Ryan this week were headed to McHugh Construction’s site, but it sure added up. A peek out the window Thursday morning confirmed that the crane was being set up down in the Prairie District. And field trip ensued, resulting in the following photos. Best guess is, assembly will be completed Friday.

Way off in the distance, tower crane set-up has been spotted. Time to head to the South Loop.

: This rolled by B.U.C. Wednesday morning, then exited at 18th Street.

: hat-tip to some blue sky for showing up out of nowhere.

: This crane is the real star of tower-crane assembly.

: Stacking counterweights.

Quick Look: Both tower cranes are up at McDonald’s

Posted on February 28, 2017 by danieldschell

West Crane and East Crane are both assembled at Sterling Bay’s new McDonald’s Headquarters in the West Loop. East Crane gave us quite a ride, as it started up Saturday, only to have the tower top and cab removed Sunday. But Monday it was erected in full.

Monday evening’s view.

Tuesday morning’s view, with brief sunshine.

Yep, I got more from Wanda Vista Tower for ya

Posted on February 24, 2017 by danieldschell

There’s still a lot going on, so why wouldn’t construction and skyscraper nerds take more photos? Really, it’s out of our control. So here ya go, another slew of action shots from this week at the ever-changing Vista Tower site.

Quick Look: Tower crane action in the West Loop and Prairie District

Posted on February 23, 2017 by danieldschell

The McDonald’s headquarters is erecting the first of its two tower cranes, while the triple-branded Hilton Hotel at McCormick Place planted a tower crane seedling in the South Loop.

: NOPE

: Raising the boom.

: So much NOPE

One Grant Park caisson work continues in the South Loop

Posted on February 22, 2017 by danieldschell

Caisson work continues in earnest at One Grant Park in the South Loop.

Caisson work is good, dirty fun. And proving that once again is One Grant Park. But don’t take my word for it; here are a bunch of photos from last week that are each worth at least 300-400 words apiece. Thanks, as always, to Case Foundation, for putting on a show.

Surprise! West Crane is first to be erected at McDonald’s HQ

Posted on February 21, 2017 by danieldschell

A piece of West Crane is hoisted into place at the new McDonald’s HQ in the West Loop.

East Crane went into the ground first. So obviously it gets set up before West Crane even gets planted. Right?

Wrong. Crews from Central Crane are busy Tuesday erecting a tower crane on the west side of the McDonald’s Headquarters construction site, leaving pour ole East Crane to watch and wait its turn.