Hyatt House has started to grow at May and Washington

Posted on June 12, 2018 by danieldschell

Skender is ramping up construction on the Hyatt House hotel in the West Loop.

The 16-story Hyatt House Hotel is starting to rise from the former parking lot at 105 North May Street in the West Loop.

Skender is the general contractor on Hyatt House; this represents their one and only tower crane on the current Chicago Survey, and they’re making it count. The future hotel has risen above street level already. Designed for Sterling Bay by Eckenhoff Saunders Architects, Hyatt House will have about 200 guest rooms.

Union West sets its foundations on Chicago’s oddest lot

Posted on June 11, 2018 by danieldschell

I made this fancy drawing from Google Maps of the Union West site.

If it’s funny shapes you like, has Union West got the site for you!

Using a plot of land that will touch on all four street fronts of its block, Union West is in the foundation phase on the block bounded by Washington Blvd to the north, Sangamon Street to the east, Madison Street to the south, and Morgan Street to the west.

Last week, we saw some serious iron beams being delivered to Power Construction’s job site. So if you’re hearing loud noises in the West Loop, it’s likely those suckers being driven into the ground. They don’t sink themselves, you know.

Foundation and full-build permits were issued to Union West on April 12 and May 8, respectively, allowing for the bKL Architecture-designed apartment project to start heading skyward. ZOM Living is developing the two-towered complex, which will ultimately deliver 357 apartments, with 12,000+ square feet of ground-floor retail space, and parking spots for 255 cars.

With caisson work complete, it’s time for Toyoko Inn Chicago to begin construction

Posted on June 8, 2018 by danieldschell

There’s a kind of hush over the Toyoko Inn Chicago site, now that caisson work has wrapped up.

Things have gone eerily silent at 320 South Clinton in the South Loop. But that’s a good thing. It means caissons are complete for the Toyoko Inn Chicago, and now we’re just waiting for the next wave of construction equipment to take over the lot.

We got a few more shots of Stalworth Underground’s caisson work at the end of May, before returning to the site this week to find the barren lot. Soon, the Toyoko Inn Chicago can start shooting up toward its 24-story goal.

Milieu plants a tower crane stub amidst caisson work

Posted on June 7, 2018 by danieldschell

That’s a fresh tower crane stub at Milieu in the West Loop.

Even as Stalworth Underground continues caisson work at Milieu (205 South Peoria) in the West Loop, something even more exciting has taken over the lot: Power Construction has evened out their tower-crane count after taking down the rig at the Hoxton Chicago by planting a stub on this site.

The Power Crane permit was issued Tuesday the 5th; they wasted no time getting that stub in place. Now, progress on the FitzGerald-designed 19-story, 275-unit apartment building can start going vertical immediately after caisson works wraps up. Yes, the West Loop is going to remain a very busy construction hub for quite some time.

900 West is approaching the finish line

Posted on June 7, 2018 by danieldschell

900 West, in between bouts of Wednesday’s sunshine, will open late this summer.

As I wandered past 900 West (900 West Washington) in the West Loop Wednesday, I couldn’t help but wonder how soon its opening would arrive. And then I got my answer.

The PR firm of Murphy Knott sent over a couple new renderings, along with word that residents would move into the new 10-story condominium tower from Taris Real Estate in a mere 90 days. That’s plenty of time to head out to IKEA and pick out your bookcases, sofas, and computer desks.

900 West, designed by Northworks. Rendering provided by Murphy Knott PR.

180 North Ada starts climbing toward 14 stories in the far-West Loop

Posted on June 6, 2018 by danieldschell

Power Construction has driven 180 North Ada up above street level over in the far-west reaches of the West Loop. Granted, that’s only two stories of the 14-story, 263-unit apartment building Brininstool + Lynch has designed for the site. But we all know once groundwork is complete and a project starts going vertical, progress flies. So this is big progress.

Will the tower crane at The Hoxton Chicago be around much longer?

Posted on June 5, 2018 by danieldschell

There’s still a tower crane above Power Construction’s Hoxton Chicago job site. But for how long?

The tower crane atop the Hoxton Chicago hotel in the West Loop has to be operating on numbered days, right? What with the hotel being topped out and nearly glassed up, we’re likely to see this one come down soon. The West Loop can afford to lose a tower crane and still lead all Chicago neighborhoods. so don’t be too upset. For now.

A topped-out 727 West Madison dresses up the parking podium

Posted on June 4, 2018 by danieldschell

That’s the top of the topped-out 727 West Madison in the West Loop.

If it seems like 727 West Madison hasn’t gotten any taller the past few days, it’s for good reason: The 44-story apartment tower by FitzGerald has topped out. Lendlease accomplished the feat some time during the end of May.

You might also have noticed the parking podium is wearing a new outfit. Panels have been added on the south facade to help disguise the parking portion of the building. And it’s a good look.

Progress Update: The Banner Waves at Twelve01West in the West Loop

Posted on June 4, 2018 by danieldschell

Twelve01West flying The Colors on Memorial Day.

Twelve01West, the new seven-story office building at 1201 West Lake Street from McCaffery Interests, is rising above street level out in the West Loop. W.E. O’Neil not only has the site all dressed up in the typical oranges and reds of construction material, but also had the Stars and Stripes draped over the top of the core, waving in the hot Memorial Day weekend breeze. Have a look:

: Behold, my artsiest tower-crane photo ever.

Chicago’s Nobu Hotel is back in action

Posted on May 29, 2018 by danieldschell

Centaur Construction is back on the build at Nobu Hotel, 854 West Randolph Street in the West Loop.

After a brief (okay, kinda long) hiatus, Nobu Hotel on Randolph Street in the West Loop is back. Centaur Construction found the keys to their tower crane, and work is back in full swing now that financial details have been fixed on the hotel project.

Obviously, that delay has set completion back considerably. Originally planned to open late this year, updated expectations are now for late in 2019. Pending any other holdups, my money is on Centaur being able to push that timeline up a little bit. But we’ll see. We’re just happy to see the hotel wasn’t scrapped altogether.