Essex on the Park taking over the skyline on Michigan Avenue

Posted on April 11, 2018 by danieldschell

Essex on the Park, and the Plane.

Not North Michigan Avenue, where the sidewalks are narrow and choked with pedestrians. This is South Michigan Avenue, in the South Loop. Where one can actually stop on the sidewalk and take in the sights without getting in anyone else’s way. The Other Mile. The cool Michigan Avenue.

Essex on the Park keeps rising higher and higher at 808 South Michigan Avenue, on its way to 56 stories in height. Credit Power Construction for the progress; Hartshorne Plunkard Associates for the design; Oxford Capital Group for the development.

After 18 months of labor, the tower crane comes down at 465 North Park

Posted on April 9, 2018 by danieldschell

A tower crane at half-mast; you know a tower is nearing completion.

Remember when the stub photobombed groundbreaking ceremony? (Photo courtesy 465 North Park)

A year and a half after being put into service above Streeterville, the tower crane at 465 North Park came down last week. Power Construction used it to erect the 48-story, 444-unit apartment tower by Pappageorge Haymes Partners for Jupiter Realty, but with the exterior topped out and glazed, it’s time to concentrate on getting interiors ready for the anticipated opening later this year.

You can reminisce about tower crane assembly at this link, then check out the gallery of the crane coming down below.

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.

180 North Ada puts that new tower crane to work

Posted on April 3, 2018 by danieldschell

180 North Ada reaches for the West Loop sky.

180 North Ada was approved by the Chicago Plan Commission back in August, then received its first building permit on December 18, 2017. That permit allows for the foundation through Level 2 of a “14-story, 263-unit apartment building with 148 parking spaces.” And like stalagmites stretching up from the floor of a spelunker’s paradise (I learned in second grade that stalactites “have to hold on tight so they don’t fall from the cave ceiling.” That’s how I remember the difference. No Googling), concrete columns are starting to rise from the West Loop construction site’s floor.

As Power Construction makes progress on the foundation, we’ll keep an eye out for the next permit, which will allow 180 North Ada to reach its ultimate 14-story height.

The Hoxton Chicago rises in the West Loop

Posted on March 26, 2018 by danieldschell

A few shots of Power Construction’s progress at the GREC Architects-designed Hoxton Chicago hotel at Lake and Green Streets in the West Loop.

GEMS foundation work includes a tower crane pad

Posted on March 1, 2018 by danieldschell

Sparks fly as the tower crane pad is readied at the GEMS World Academy Upper School.

Caisson work at GEMS World Academy Upper School in Lakeshore East started and finished in the fall. Then, we all settled in for winter. But now that the ground is thawing, Power Construction is back to work on the bKL Architects-designed school.

Will this be the next tower crane erected in March? It sure looks like that pad is just about ready for a stub. That would get Chicago back into the 30s, as long as the crane is fully assembled before any of the topped-out projects bring theirs down. No pressure, Power! (But don’t take 900 West or 465 North Park down too soon…)

Fifteen Fifty on the Park begins demolition, but saves the Village Theater facade

Posted on February 28, 2018 by danieldschell

Demolition for Fifteen Fifty on the Park

3 stacked shipping containers are being used to stabilize the Village Theater facade, which is being saved.

Demolition has begun at three addresses in Old Town, as space is cleared for the new Fifteen Fifty on the Park. The threes are wild, as another trio, this one of developers, are building the new project. Golub, CIM Group, and Avoda Group are collaborating on the 10-story building, designed by Solomon Cordwell Buenz.

One of the buildings to be demolished, at 1548 North Clark Street, is the old Village Theater. Its facade is being saved, and Power Construction is utilizing one more 3-fer, this time with three shipping containers stacked atop each other, as a means of stabilizing that facade while everything else crumbles around it. We’ve seen Power use this technique before, at the Ace Hotel site in the West Loop.

According to Golub’s website, Fifteen Fifty on the Park will include 32 luxury condos, 2,600 square feet of retail space, and parking for 66 vehicles.

Taylor Excavating is doing the demolition work.

: Rendering of Fifteen Fifty on the Park from Golub’s website.

: Demo permit for Village Theater at 1546 North Clark.

: 101 West North Avenue demo permit.

: 109 West North Avenue demo permit.

: I operate on the assumption that the 109 demo permit includes 113-115 as well. Or another permit is coming.

: These facades will *not* be saved. I hope.

Construction Progress: Addison & Clark in Lake View

Posted on February 27, 2018 by danieldschell

Power Construction has topped out Addison & Clark in Lake View.

M&R Development and Bucksbaum Retail Properties are the co-developers of Addison & Clark, the sprawling mixed-use project next to Wrigley Field bringing 148 apartments and 146,000 square feet of retail space to Lake View. Power Construction is the general contractor, and they’ve topped out the eight floors in total. The SCB design involves parking for 400+ cars, which will be used not only by Addison & Clark residents, but also shoppers, diners, and baseball fans.

180 North Ada begins construction along the Lake Street elevated tracks

Posted on February 22, 2018 by danieldschell

180 North Ada, seen here from a Green Line train, has begun digging in to the West Loop.

Yesterday in this very space, we talked about the two walls of development going up on either side of the CTA’s elevated tracks along Lake Street in the West Loop. That development isn’t going to slow any time soon.

One project that’s just getting started is 180 North Ada. Approved by the Chicago Plan Commission back in August, 180 North Ada got its first building permit on December 18, 2017. That permit allows for the foundation through Level 2 of a “14-story, 263-unit apartment building with 148 parking spaces.” The permit doesn’t mention retail space, but that was included in the August approval.

Foundation work is precisely what’s happening now, as Revcon has their big red rigs on site, drilling into the earth. When they’re done, Power Construction (very busy in the West Loop, with the Hoxton Chicago, 900 West, and 811 Fulton all in progress) will set about the task of sending the Marquette Companies development upward. The tower crane permit issued February 9 will help facilitate that growth.

Neighbors of the West Loop posted about 180 North Ada back in April. You can see their information, including a rendering from design firm Brininstool + Lynch, at the link here.

: The Foundation Permit.

: The Tower Crane Permit.

Power Construction brings the pane to (a topped out?) 900 West

Posted on February 22, 2018 by danieldschell

The green & glass of home at 900 West.

What stands out to you more at 900 West in the West Loop, the fresh glass? or the green insulation?

There’s no wrong answer here, as both features are rather striking. We suggest putting your sunglasses on if you plan to drive across Washington Boulevard any time soon.

Power Construction has been working on Taris Real Estate’s 10-story, 22-unit condominium tower since the foundation permit was issued back in July 2017. Designed by Northworks Architects + Planners, the building was the subject of a major transaction back in May, when Crain’s reported a penthouse sale for over $5 million.