BREAKING NEWS: I took more photos at Vista Tower

Gallery

Posted on September 18, 2017 by danieldschell

This gallery contains 29 photos.

One Grant Park plants its second tower crane

Posted on September 14, 2017 by danieldschell

Tower Crane Stub #2 at One Grant Park, courtesy of a reader.

A little birdie told us the second tower crane stub arrived at One Grant Park on Wednesday, and proved it with a couple photos. Birdies are smart. And good sharers.

McHugh Construction got the second permit on August 24, then got a foundation permit for it on August 29. 12 piles were driven into the ground for support, and now the stub stands ready for a “free-standing Pecco SN 160 tower crane.”

: Tower Crane #2 peeks out above construction fencing at One Grant Park.

: Meanwhile, that looks like 16 levels of progress on Crescent Heights’ apartment tower.

Ordering two McDonald’s tower cranes to go

Posted on September 6, 2017 by danieldschell

McDonald's Headquarters tower crane removal

A yellow street crane waits at the foot of East Crane, ready to bring her down.

Strong Chicago breezes kept Tuesday from being a sad day in the West Loop, but once those winds calm down, the two tower cranes at the McDonald’s Headquarters will be removed.

The Yellow Street Crane Of Doom was on-hand Tuesday, but couldn’t get started on East Crane because of conditions. Wednesday calls for lighter winds, so there’s a good chance crane removal will begin.

Both cranes were erected on the McDonald’s site back in February within a couple days of each other. McHugh Construction was said to be utilizing the top-down method, which allows the frame of the building to go up faster than normal. According to a story by Curbed at ground-breaking time, that shaved off about four months from the construction schedule. Now, a little over six months after the cranes went up, they’ve completed their duty, and it’s time for them to move on.

The Stars & Stripes, and the Stars, fly just below the criss-crossing tower cranes at the McDonald’s HQ. Tuesday, September 5, 2017.

More tower cranes, more patriotism.

One Grant Park jumps the big tower crane as we wait for the little one

Posted on August 31, 2017 by danieldschell

That’s a good looking group of recruits lined up for the One Grant Park tower crane jump.

Thursday was crane-jumping day at One Grant Park in the South Loop, as crews got ready to raise the tower crane to Phase Two. McHugh Construction got a permit tie in for phases 2-thru-5 back on August 4. How many tower-crane phases will there be for the 76-story tower? Well, that’s a question I wish I hadn’t asked, because I have no idea. Let’s pretend that sentence isn’t here.

The second tower crane permit, issued 08/24/17.

As for the “little one,” the City of Chicago issued a permit for a “FREE STANDING PECCO SN 160 TOWER CRANE” on the 24th of this month, then followed it up with a foundation permit for said crane on Tuesday of this week, the 29th. So yes, One Grant Park will have two tower cranes.

: The tower crane has the cutest little house.

: Oh, hey.

Renelle On The River begins prep work in River North

Posted on August 22, 2017 by danieldschell

The plaza park has given way, making space for Renelle On The River.

More than a year after the City of Chicago issued a renovation permit for demolition of the small plaza park at 403 North Wabash Avenue in River North, and a second reinstatement of said permit later, site prep has begun for Renelle On The River.

Designed by bKL Architecture, Renelle On The River will be a 17-story tower featuring 50 3-bed and 4-bedroom condominiums. There’s been quite a sales push for Renelle in recent months, and a banner on site boasts that 40% of the units have been spoken for.

Belgravia Group, which also brought us the still-spectacularly-yellow CA Washington in the West Loop, is the developer. McHugh Construction will handle general contractor duties. As of August 22, no construction permit has been issued. Let’s hope for one soon; we’d love to see a tower crane fill that little space.

The park was still visible in April, but the Fence Of Doom made it clear the future was limited.

: Rendering of Renelle On The River from bKL Architecture.

: The twice-reinstated permit.

Vist-AHHHHH

Posted on August 18, 2017 by danieldschell

A view of Vista Tower from the lower deck of the Lake Shore Drive bridge.

I know I get carried away when I walk around Vista Tower, but come on. So much going on, in such a large area. Think about the skyscrapers being built in New York City: straight up in the air, over tiny footprints. (Well, except Hudson Yards, of course.) Not Vista. That’s a big, sprawling site. With beams and columns and scaffold and concrete rigs. Oh, that’s right, don’t forget the two tower cranes.

So, with yet another hearty “Thank You” to Magellan Development Group for bringing the project together, Studio Gang and bKL Architecture for designing it, and McHugh Construction for doing all that hard, pretty work, here we go with another set of Vista Tower progress photos:

More from One Grant Park

Posted on August 14, 2017 by danieldschell

One Grant Park rises on the corner of Indiana Avenue and Roosevelt Road.

It’s been a couple weeks since we’ve checked in on One Grant Park, when the Rafael Viñoly Architects-designed tower scored its full-build permit. And sure enough, McHugh Construction is still building it. That’s what you do when you get permits.

Have a look:

: It was moving day for that…loading-platform thing.

: Night views.

Construction Progress: The Triple-Branded Hilton Hotel climbs on Motor Row

Posted on July 31, 2017 by danieldschell

Up to the ninth floor (of 21) at the Triple-Branded Hilton Hotel at McCormick Place.

Three Hilton Hotels, 21 stories, and 466 rooms. That’s what you see growing along East Cermak Road, between Michigan and Indiana Avenues. (A Hilton Garden Inn Chicago McCormick Center, Hampton Inn by Hilton Chicago McCormick Center, and Home2 Suites by Hilton Chicago McCormick Center, if you’re scoring at home.) Of course, they’ll all be in one building.

Antunovich Associates worked with McHugh Construction on this project, which joins the Marriott Marquis Hotel and Wintrust Arena across the street in completely changing the character of this two-block stretch of Cermak Road. McHugh is up to the ninth floor of the hotels now, a veritable beehive of activity. And it has to be; Hilton plans to have all three brands open late next year.

Finish it! One Grant Park scores its full permit

Posted on July 29, 2017 by danieldschell

One Grant Park’s best side.

Friday, when big news always happens, One Grant Park received its full-build permit from the City of Chicago, confirming that McHugh Construction can keep doing what they’re doing at 1200 South Indiana Avenue in the South Loop. And what they’re doing is shooting One Grant Park skyward at an impressive rate.

The Rafael Viñoly Architects design for Crescent Heights brings nearly 800 apartments across 76 stories, with 12 of those for parking.

: The Permit.

Too soon for more Vista Tower pics? (SPOILER ALERT: There’s no such thing)

Posted on July 27, 2017 by danieldschell

Removing forms from the angled concrete columns at Vista Tower.

Vista Tower column b/w Tribune Tower.

“I was just at Vista Tower. No need to go by there again.” I said to myself as I walked in the general direction of Lakeshore East. An hour or so later…

Just that process of taking forms off the angled concrete columns had me staring for a solid 30 minutes. Throw is some signage that looks like it came straight from a European auto race, plus non-stop work seemingly 24/7 considering the progress that’s been made, and there’s a lot to see that’s new.

So yeah, as long as they (they being McHugh Construction) keep doing cool stuff here, I (and everyone else in Chicago with a camera) will keep snapping photos.