Demolition Update: 1411 South Michigan is pretty much demolished

Posted on August 2, 2016 by danieldschell

It’s all over but the hauling away for 1411 South Michigan.

A demolition permit was filed for the old National Association of Letter Carriers building at 1411 South Michigan Avenue on July 7th. My bad for not checking back with it sooner, because a visit Sunday produced multiple angles of nothing but rubble shots. And that’s no surprise. Demolitions this close to downtown usually mean someone’s salivating over the future empty lot said demo will produce.

Such is the case at 1411 South Michigan, where Russland Capital Group is developing a 15-story apartment tower. The Boarman Kroos Vogel Group design will have 199 rental units ranging from studios to 3-bedroom apartments, with 40,000 square feet of commercial space. Lendlease will serve as the general contractor.

: Scrap lies in a pit of despair.

: A render of what’s to come for 1411 South Michigan from Russland Capital Group.

Construction Update: Alta Roosevelt

Posted on July 29, 2016 by danieldschell

Alta Roosevelt, 801 South Financial Place, in the South Loop.

Has the ringing in your ears subsided? Good. That’s because Walsh Construction is done pounding piles into the ground at 801 South Financial Place in the South Loop. Alta Roosevelt is now focusing on height, instead of depth.

Let’s refresh: Alta Roosevelt is a 33-story, almost-500-unit apartment tower designed by Pappageorge Haymes Partners. It’ll have a whole bunch of parking spots, tons of amenities, and no space for retail. The core is rising out of the ground now, and a full-build permit should be filed in the very near future.

: Humble beginnings of the core back on July 9.

: Gratuitous tower crane shot.

: Looks like a building supply yard.

Construction Update: 30 East

Posted on July 28, 2016 by danieldschell

30 East s starting to show itself at the corner of Balbo and Wabash.

Ah yes, 30 East. This is a new concept for me. A rental tower aimed at the student population in the South Loop. Roosevelt University. Robert Morris University. Columbia College. East-West University. Heck, there were 170 kids in my high school graduating class, so Jones Prep looks like a college to me. Even DePaul has a campus nearby. All crammed within a few urban blocks. And those students — not all of them, but many — need places to live.

30 East, at 30 East Balbo Avenue, is going to be a 16-story apartment building catering to those students. 134 apartments, all furnished. 255 beds. No bring-your-own-mattress-and-desk here. There will be studio, convertible, one-, two-, three-, even four-bedroom units. There will be a service to match residents with roommates. Plus all the amenities you’d expect from today’s new residential construction.

Gilbane Development Company is responsible for the project. Solomon Cordwell Buenz designed the tower. Power Construction is the general contractor. Opening is expected in late summer of 2017, just in time for fall classes.

Have a look at the progress Power has made so far:

: You know what this is, right?

: Looking at the southwest corner of the development.

: Power construction workers scale the west wall.

: Do not tag the banners.

: Along Balbo.

: From the intersection of Balbo and Wabash.

: The city makes a nice backdrop for city construction.

: Looks deceiving, but the trains do not pass *through* 30 East.

Construction Update: McCormick Place Event Center

Posted on July 21, 2016 by danieldschell

The McCormick Place Event Center and the Marriott Marquis Chicago.

Yes, DePaul University will play its basketball games here. But it will be much more than a basketball arena.

The new McCormick Place Event Center is being constructed in the Prairie District of the South Loop. In addition to being a 10,000-seat arena, the Event Center is also expected to host concerts, conventions, business meetings, and other sporting events not featuring the Blue Demons.

The architect of record for the McCormick Place Event Center is Curtis Moody, of Moody Nolan, while Pelli Clarke Pelli and Goettsch Partners lead a who’s-who of architecture firms also involved in the project. Similarly, Clark Construction is the general contractor, but you’ll find a number of other companies involved in construction, including Bulley & Andrews.

They hoop (see what I did there?) to have the court open in time for the 2017-18 NCAA basketball seasons.

: Soldier Field keeps a watchful eye on the new kid.

: Even the cheap seats get special attention to detail.

: There’s more of that blue steel waiting to be put into the game.

Quick Look: Marriott Marquis Chicago Getting Connected

Posted on July 19, 2016 by danieldschell

Steve’s out, and a big yellow crane is in, setting the pedestrian bridge in place.

Part of The Collection at McCormick Square, the Marriott Marquis Chicago hotel is growing by leaps and bounds in the South Loop. There will be two pedestrian bridges included in the new development, one connecting the Marriott to the McCormick Place Events Center, and one that will carry people over Cermak Road, between the hotel and the West Building of McCormick Place.

That second bridge is half in place. Not quite connected to the West Building yet, it’s just kinda hanging out over the sidewalk along Cermak.

1001 South State Approaches the Finish Line, Nails Its Mural Game

Posted on July 18, 2016 by danieldschell

These outdoor skylights seem to be all the rage lately.

1001 South State, the Solomon Cordwell Buenz-designed apartment tower in the South Loop, continues to hurtle towards completion. Developer and building manager Golub + Company plans to have residents moving into the 40-story tower before summer is over.

Walsh Construction has been working on the tower since December 2014. When completed, it will feature 397 studio, one-, two-, and three-bedroom rental units, with 248 parking spaces. The fifth level will feature an outdoor pool and sundeck, while ground level will contain 8,800 square feet of retail space.

: Shot of the Walsh tower crane and moon that I will forever include in every single 1001 South State post.

: The mural on the south wall.

: The podium and “front” of 1001 South State, looking up State Street.

: Usable space atop the north end of the podium, as well as the south end, where the pool and sundeck will be.

Marriott Marquis Hotel: More Photos Than I Know What To Do With

Posted on July 14, 2016 by danieldschell

The Marriott Marquis Chicago, and the American Book Company building. Soon to be joined as one.

Down in the South Loop (you may call it this part of the South Loop the Prairie District if you like. McCormick Square? That jury’s still out), Clark Construction is working feverishly on the new Marriott Marquis Chicago hotel at 2121 South Prairie Avenue. Part of the expansion of McCormick Place by the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority (McPier), the new Marriott Marquis will be a 39-story tower boasting a whopping 1,206 hotel rooms.

Designed by Goettsch Partners (150 North Riverside! YAY!) the Marquis will also include 90,000 square feet of meeting space. As part of the project, renovations are being done to the American Book Company building next door at 330 East Cermak Road, which will then be connected to the new hotel.

It’s a huge construction site. And that, of course, means I take a billion photos. In fact, it’s more like a field trip than a visit every time I go down there.

Enjoy the gallery.

: This is the American Book Company building, with the Marriott Marquis rising next door.

: American Book Company building and the Marriott Marquis Chicago.

: Shiny new glass.

: Installing glass.

: I watched them work on glass for awhile. No doubt they think I’m nuts. But I’m not the one hanging off a building.

: Equipment being used for glass installation.

: The view from across Cermak Road.

: The crane lifting glass panels.

: From in front of McCormick Place, on the southwest corner of Cermak Road and Prairie Avenue.

: Standing down low, pointing to things. I appreciate this.

: Upper-level crew.

: This will support the pedestrian walkway over Cermak Street from the Marriott Marquis Chicago to McCormick Place.

: The same walkway support.

: And this is the hole in McCormick Place where the walkway will be.

: STEVE! Steve is helping with the walkway.

: Looking straight up the south wall from Cermak Road.

: This will be the “front” of the Marriott, along the now-closed-off Prairie Avenue.

: The back of the American Book Company building. yes, they too a large chunk out of it. yes, they will fix it.

: Looking west at the east wall.

: Atop the core.

: Giant street crane.

: Marriott construction reflected in the windows of McCormick Place.

: A rendering from Marriott.

: And another Marriott rendering.

: Sadly, I couldn’t get up to the rooftop garden at McCormick Place this visit. So here’s a shot from up there in May.

: And another May shot.

Prairie Court Renderings From the Real Builder

Posted on July 13, 2016 by danieldschell

Just Monday, I told you about walking past ground work for the new townhomes of Prairie Court. According to the nine permits issued by the City of Chicago for Prairie Court, the general contractor was to be Richard Builders.

Well, that came as quite a surprise to Summit Design + Build in the West Loop. They were kind enough to send over a few renderings of the new townhomes, as well as to clear up the confusion over the GC duties. Summit Design + Build is, in fact, the general contractor for Prairie Court. Which explains the excitement of the tweet they sent.

Can't wait to get started! #generalcontractor #newconstruction #chicago https://t.co/p1PoZU6CmD

— Summit Design + Build (@SummitDBTweets) July 11, 2016

Here’s the press release Summit Design + Build sent along with their photos, followed by fresh interior and exterior renderings.

SUMMIT DESIGN + BUILD, LLC STARTS WORK ON PRAIRIE COURT TOWNHOMES IN SOUTH LOOP

Luxury townhomes to be completed by 2018, bring best of both worlds to Chicago’s next residential boom

CHICAGO – Chicago general contractor Summit Design + Build, LLC recently started construction on Prairie Court Townhomes, a luxury development in the South Loop’s historic Prairie Avenue District.

A joint venture between Sandz Development Co. and Golub & Co., who bring over 90 years of luxury development experience, will see the addition of 55, four-story luxury townhomes within nine buildings at 18^th and Prairie Avenue. Buyers can choose from three and four bedroom units that will range from 2,800 to 4,500 square feet.

“Our team is excited that construction is getting underway at Prairie Court Townhomes, and we are thrilled to work with Sandz [Development] and Golub, two great developers, to bring not only new luxury townhomes, but a new community to the South Loop,” said Adam Miller, President of Summit Design + Build, LLC. “We also look forward to expanding our portfolio in Chicago’s next ‘hot’ neighborhood.”

The site was poised to be the home of the X/O high-rise nearly ten years ago, but the plan, which included 479 condos, was abandoned in 2009 after the developers defaulted on their loan. The Prairie Court Townhomes, which will feature individual attached two-car garages, contemporary upscale finishes, brick veneer and accent limestone facades, private wrought-iron ornamental fenced yards, landscaped building courtyards and private rooftop decks, have already garnered serious interest and enjoyed early sales success by having a scheme that better fits the historic neighborhood. The land was rezoned for residential use of six stories or fewer after its sale in 2011.

The Prairie Avenue District was established over 100 years ago as an escape for the city’s wealthiest and was designated a Chicago landmark in December of 1979. “This project brings the best of both worlds – a piece of secluded Chicago history yet easy access to the city’s nightlife and cultural happenings,” said Miller.

The project will be completed in stages over the course of 30 months based on sales of the townhomes. Chicago real estate brokerage firm @Properties is overseeing the sales at Prairie Court, led by Cyndy Salgado. An onsite sales center, which opened late March, offers potential buyers a glimpse of the Prairie Court lifestyle by taking a three-dimensional virtual tour on a tablet or laptop. Additional information can be found by visiting the Prairie Court website.

Sullivan Goulette & Wilson are providing architectural services for Prairie Court Townhomes.

ABOUT SUMMIT DESIGN + BUILD, LLC

Summit Design + Build, LLC is a provider of full-service general contracting, construction management and design/build construction services to the commercial, industrial and residential markets. Located in Chicago’s West Loop, Summit Design + Build has been involved in the design and construction of over 150 buildings totaling more than 2.5 million square feet over the firm’s 10 year history.

Summit Design + Build even sent a shot from the site. They know me well 🙂

Townhomes of Prairie Court Pushing Dirt

Posted on July 11, 2016 by danieldschell

Prairie Court is underway.

If progress is a thing you’re into, construction in Chicago is a nice hobby to have. When obsolete buildings and parking lots become empty lots, and those lots turn into something brand new, few things in life are more enjoyable than pulling up a lawn char and note pad and watching contractors go to work.

But that process takes time. Case in point: Prairie Court.

Prairie Court is a joint project in the South Loop from Golub and Company and Sandz Development bringing 55 townhomes to the Prairie Avenue, between 16th Street and 18th Street. The seven-story building previously occupying this long lot was permitted for demolition back in march of 2015. A year later, on March 31, 2016, nine new construction permits were filed by the City of Chicago to begin building the townhomes. And now, large amounts of dirt are moving around as foundation work gets underway.

The nine different addresses, from 1626 South Prairie Avenue north through 1736 SOuth Prairie, with 220 east 18th Street thrown in for good measure, will have between five and nine units per structure, all with their own private parking garages.

Sullivan Goulette & Wilson provided the designs for Prairie Court. Richard Builders in Lincoln Park were hired to be the general contractor.

: Permits are nice. But once a project has a billboard, you know it’s Go Time.

Double-Duty Tower Crane Gone From 1333 South Wabash Avenue

Posted on July 10, 2016 by danieldschell

Noticeable for its absence: the tower crane that used to stand between 1345 South Wabash (left) and 1333 South Wabash (right)

The tower crane that schooled us all in stamina and stick-to-itiveness is now gone from the side-by-side towers at 1333 and 1345 South Wabash Avenue in the South Loop.

Planted smack dab in the middle of the double site, the crane built the south tower, 1345 Wabash first, then turned its attention — and boom — north to work on 1333 Wabash.

CMK Companies is the developer of both residential towers. 1345 is a 15-story condominium tower with 144 units (the website says only 2 are left!) while 1333 will feature 28 stories and 307 rental apartments. Both were designed by Chicago architecture firm Brininstool + Lynch, and both are being built by general contractor Lendlease.