Essex on the Park gets ready for a tower crane jump, begins cladding installation

Posted on November 17, 2017 by danieldschell

If you pretend all those supports are trees, you can envision the winter garden taking shape on the 7th floor of Essex on the Park.

Big milestones in the life of Essex on the Park, the 56-story, 476-unit apartment tower at 808 South Michigan Avenue in the South Loop. After receiving a permit from the City of Chicago on November 8 to jump the tower crane, Power Construction will do just that this weekend.

Also appearing on site are the first few panels of cladding on the exterior. Most of it is hidden at the north, rear corner of the tower, but there are a few small panels installed right out in front. You can also see the extra-tall 7th floor taking shape. That’s where Hartshorne Plunkard Architecture included the infinity pool and winter garden in the design. Hence, the extra space.

Oxford Capital Group is developing Essex on the Park, along with renovations of its namesake hotel next door, the Essex Inn. Work is expected to conclude in 2019.

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.

Unboxing Chicago’s brand-new Apple Store

Gallery

Posted on November 1, 2017 by danieldschell

This gallery contains 16 photos.

You can check up on progress at 900 West Washington via construction cam

Posted on October 30, 2017 by danieldschell

Here’s a screenshot from Earthcam at 900 West Washington in the West Loop.

Just because your favorite construction bloggers go away on vacation doesn’t mean you have to miss out on progress around Chicago. Many projects have webcams set up to let us all peek in on the goings-on.

We got an email from Earthcam this morning making sure we knew about the camera watching over 900 West, at 900 West Washington in the West Loop. All you need do is go to the development’s website here and click on the “VIEW CONSTRUCTION PROGRESS” link, and you’re right on top of the action.

Thanks for the heads-up, Earthcam!

Essex On The Park is becoming Noticeable In The Skyline

Posted on October 11, 2017 by danieldschell

See it over there? Essex On The Park is starting to show through the trees of Grant Park.

From the east side of Grant Park, looking west, you can see Essex On The Park beginning its slow creep into the Chicago skyline. That’s what going vertical can do for a 56-story tower.

The giant, shiny, 476-unit project by Hartshorne Plunkard Architects will add 476 apartments to the Michigan Avenue streetwall. Oxford Capital Group, Essex On The Park’s developer, plans to have the residences open for move-ins in 2019. Remember that this project also includes the upgrading of the Essex Inn next door, expanding its capacity to 281 guest rooms.

That short red stubby tower crane Power Construction is using to build the apartment tower is fast becoming one of Chicago’s most photogenic. Take a walk around Grant Park, by by changing your location, you can use different buildings as a backdrop. Or, walk through the South Loop to the west, on Wabash or State Street, and get clear blue skies behind the tower crane. I know, I sound obsessed, but try it. You’ll see.

: Sears shots.

: Wait…are you Ceres right now?

465 North Park jumps the tower crane again as it keeps growing taller

Posted on October 11, 2017 by danieldschell

Evidence of a tower-crane jump at 465 North Park.

*** AIA Chicago is sponsoring a tour of 465 North Park this afternoon. Get on this! Deets here

A couple weekends ago, Power Construction jumped the tower crane at 465 North Park, as work is ongoing on Jupiter Realty Company’s 47-story apartment tower.

It seems like only yesterday I drove from Uptown to the empty lot bounded by Illinois, North Water, and New Streets, with Park Drive on the west, planning to leave my car in the surface parking lot. Yep, that’s when I was first introduced to the Loews construction site. And now the north end of that same lot is filled in with 465 North Park.

When complete, the Pappageorge Haymes Partners-designed apartment tower will boast 444 rental units, 181 parking spaces, and nearly 12,000 square feet of retail space. Power’s been on the build here since getting a foundation permit back in July. Caisson work started that same week. A tower crane was planted, and official groundbreaking ceremonies were held, in September. The first week of October 2016 saw the tower crane assembled. And that brings us to where we are now, exactly one year into the life of 465 North Park’s tower crane.

A show of glass from Marlowe brightens up Wells Street in River North

Posted on October 9, 2017 by danieldschell

As Marlowe approaches full height, the first row of glass is being installed.

We visited Marlowe near the end of September, and noted it appeared to be close to topping out. Whether or not it’s officially achieved that milestone, here’s one it’s reached for sure: the first panes of glass are up.

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.

It’s caisson time for GEMS World Academy Upper School

Posted on October 6, 2017 by danieldschell

Checking out a caisson from above at GEMS World Academy Upper School.

The Upper School at GEMS World Academy Chicago has begun caisson work at 355 East Wacker Drive. Case Foundation is on site digging long, slender holes in the ground and then filling them right back in with rebar and concrete.

Originally issued a foundation permit way back in March of 2015, the GEMS Upper School got a new caisson permit on September 20. Designed by bKL Architecture, as was the first GEMS school, Power Construction will take build the school atop the Case’s caissons.

Marlowe nears full height in River North

Posted on September 26, 2017 by danieldschell

Power Construction has Marlowe near the top in River North.

Over on the busiest block in River North, Marlowe (675 North Wells Street, 169 West Huron Street, whichever you prefer) is getting dangerously close to topping out. Power Construction might be setting some land-speed records with the future 15-story apartment building, which was only at the fifth floor when last we checked in on it in early August. Now, we can see the underside of 13, maybe even 14 floors already. That’s gettin’ it done in a hurry.

Lennar Multifamily Companies is developing the 176-unit Marlowe, designed by Antunovich Associates. They want to have it ready for move-ins next year, but at this pace, it might be open tomorrow. (No it won’t.)