Little remains of Ryan Field. So let’s get ready for construction

Posted on April 22, 2024 by danieldschell

A neighbor’s perspective of Ryan Field demolition.

There’s talk in Chicago about building a new football stadium (for the Bears.) There’s also talk in Chicago about building a new baseball stadium (for the White Sox.) Truth is, we might see one or the other, or we might not see either of them. To be honest, I only care about watching construction, not if either team gets new digs.

What we do know, for sure, is that Northwestern University is building a new football stadium up in Evanston. And let me assure you, I plan to photograph the HECK out of that construction. I was in Pittsburgh when both Heinz Field and PNC Park (ask me about the two-way mirrors in the men’s room) were built, but I didn’t even have a camera then, much less an interest in chronicling the construction process. I’m not missing out on this one. And we’ll just have to wait and see what happens for the Bears and Sox.

There isn’t much left to see up at Ryan Field. Even the goal posts are gone now, along with (what I thought was) that gorgeous willow tree that stood right inside the main construction entrance. It’s firewood now. The tree, not the entrance. They’re also grinding up the parking lots, so it’s like demolition and road construction in one project.

Alpine Demolition. thank you for your hard work. You did indeed Knock It Down. Turner Construction, The Big Green W, and Central Street Consortium, I’ll see you again soon for construction. Maybe even the groundbreaking ceremony?

Anyway, here are likely my last photos of demolition at Ryan Field, taken Monday, April 22. I knew there wasn’t much left to see when I headed up there, so I convinced myself not to spend too much time and take too many shots. I took 120….

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.

Ryan Field demolition progress, in photos

Posted on March 22, 2024 by danieldschell

Demolition continues on Northwestern University’s Ryan Field in Evanston, IL.

Because “Ryan Field demolition progress, in words” would just be “Ryan Field demolition progress continues” and that doesn’t show you much. Much sunnier on this day. Perfectly sunny, in fact. Wednesday March 20, to be specific.

(Ryan) Field Trip! Building Up Chicago visits Tearing Down Evanston

Posted on March 4, 2024 by danieldschell

Not my video. Not my helicopter.

That’s a great video from YouTuber MikeLoweReporter over Ryan Field in Evanston. I had to settle for a pair of comfortable walking shoes to make my way around the former home of the Northwestern University Wildcats.

I think this is the first big stadium demolition I’ve watched live since they dynamited Three Rivers Stadium back in 2001. Sorry, I don’t have video of that because all our phones did back then was make phone calls. And you had to leave them at home.

You’ve probably heard by now, Northwestern is building a new Ryan Field on this site once demolition is complete. Because not everyone in Evanston is pleased with this development, there has been extensive media coverage of the proposal process over the past couple years. Do a quick Google search, and you’ll instantly head down the rabbit hole. Enjoy.

Alpine Demolition is on site with some pretty cool demo toys. The General Contractor for the stadium rebuild is a two-parter. Turner Construction and Walsh Construction have teamed up (football is, after all, a team sport) to form the “Central Street Consortium.” And that’s an official-enough name to have it emblazoned on the back of their branded construx gear.

And here are the pics (there’s a LOT of purple debris):

Progress Update: The Simpson Querrey Biomedical Research Center

Posted on April 3, 2018 by danieldschell

Simpson Querrey Biomedical Research Center April 2018

The Simpson Querrey Biomedical Research Center, at 303 East Superior Street in Streeterville.

My apologies in advance for not making it here in nicer weather. This curvy-on-one-side glass beauty deserves to be viewed under blue skies.

Gone are the two tower cranes that held court atop the Simpson Querrey Biomedical Research Center that Northwestern University is building in Streeterville. Power Construction has been hard at work on this one since ground was broken back in May 2015. Designed by Perkins+Will, the exterior looks nearly complete, while interior work continues, with the goal of a late-2018 opening.

Simpson Querrey giveth, and Simpson Querrey taketh away

Posted on November 8, 2017 by danieldschell

A little birdie landed on the roof of Simpson Querrey and sent us this photo of the derrick crane and South tower crane.

Within hours of assembling its third crane on the site of the Simpson Querrey Biomedical Research Center, Power Construction began using it to take down the South tower crane at the topped-out facility. That derrick crane you see in the photo above would be Chicago’s 34th crane in the air (It’s not a tower crane, but it *is* a crane that required a permit from the City of Chicago, so based on that technicality, it goes on the count) but we’re back down to 33 with the South tower crane being dismantled.

A reminder to those of you walking around on what’s left of the crane, in the photos below: You never have to worry about me taking your jobs. Trust me on that.

The cab comes down, courtesy of that little birdie again.

I’ll always picture you two kids together.

: The North tower crane will remain for a while.

: Hard to tell what’s derrick, what’s North crane.

: It’s not just crane work going on.

More photos than I know what to do with: Simpson Querrey Biomedical Research Center

Posted on October 6, 2017 by danieldschell

There’s more glass happening at the Simpson Querrey Biomedical Research Center in Streeterville. Lots more glass. Once a feature exclusive to the north elevation, the south side’s getting cladding now as well.

Power Construction tells us not to fret about losing tower cranes just yet. One crane will come down soon, probably in early November, but the second crane could finish out the year still before it’s taken down. They must know how painful it would be to say goodbye to both at once.

Touring the Simpson Querrey Biomedical Research Center with Power Construction

Posted on August 21, 2017 by danieldschell

Northwestern University’s Simpson Querrey Biomedical Research Center.

Great big huge Thank You to Brian Tuffy and Power Construction for a tour Friday of the Simpson Querrey Biomedical Research Center in Streeterville. Now topped out with the ceremonial purple beam in place, the 14-story Phase One can expect lots of curtain wall installation in the coming weeks.

As for those two tower cranes, they’ll be around for another month or so. Phase Two, which will see 16 additional stories added to the current phase, won’t begin anytime soon, and tower cranes ain’t free just because you aren’t using them.

Photos galore:

The beginning of the pedestrian bridge over Superior Street that will connect the S-Q Center to 320 East Superior.

Some of the work being done on the four below-ground levels.

: Surprisingly not an art wall.

Elevator shafts, from below and above. Taken with great bravery.

Tower cranes. They’ll be around a couple more months.

: Base of the north tower crane.

: The south tower crane.

: The north tower crane tie-in.

: That’s some impressive hardware.

Views from inside the upper floors.

: The views aren’t bad.

: Lots of glass to be installed.

Finally, the massive generator on the ground floor that will power the entire facility in case of a power outage.

The Simpson-Querrey Center shows off new glass

Posted on July 31, 2017 by danieldschell

Cladding installation has begun at the Simpson Querrey Biomedical Research Center.

Out in Streeterville, the Simpson Querrey Biomedical Research Center has climbed just about as high as it will go, with Power Construction crews now working on the 14th floor. That means Simpson-Querrey needs another feature with which to grab our attention: Glass. Shiny, curvy glass. It’s made its debut along the north elevation.

Are we gonna lose two tower cranes as the Perkins+Will project nears topping-out? I don’t have an answer to that. Yet. There’s a Phase Two for this project, when 16 additional laboratory floors will be added to the 600,000 square feet being built now. I vote to leave the cranes up there until whenever Phase Two starts. They’re a nice addition to the skyline.

The Simpson-Querrey Center shows off its curves

Posted on June 5, 2017 by danieldschell

Gorgeous curves on the north elevation of the Simpson Querrey Biomedical Research Center.

The two cores got off to a big lead at the Simpson Querrey Biomedical Research Center but now the ironwork is making a move, gaining ground on the concrete towers.

The south elevation of the Simpson Querrey Center gets all the sunlight and attention, but around back along Superior Street, the curvy steel cuts quite the striking figure. It’s definitely worth watching this one from the south and the north. Of course, as is usually the case with most high-rise construction projects, do it on a sunny day. Remember, this phase of the Perkins+Will design will be 14 stories high.

The Simpson Querrey Biomedical Research Center gets steelier

Posted on April 25, 2017 by danieldschell

The Simpson Querrey Biomedical Research Center rises in Streeterville.

More iron, more concrete, more fun for spectators. The Simpson Querrey Biomedical Research Center continues to grow in Streeterville. Northwestern University’s new facility, on the site where Prentice Women’s Hospital once stood, is growing toward its goal of 14 stories. (Phase Two will add up to 16 additional floors.)

Power Construction has been hard at work on this one since ground was broken back in May 2015. Designed by Perkins+Will, construction has included extensive foundation work below grade, now hidden by all the superstructure we see today. And there remains a lot of work to be done, with the goal of a late-2018 opening.