Have you noticed the PH floor of 1600 Prairie lately?According to other owners in the building, an owner of a popular downtown Chicago club purchased all of the units on the PH floor and combined all of the units (3-4) into a sort-of after-party penthouse type dwelling complete with a giant naked greek goddess mural near the entrance. Noticeable from most parts of our neighborhood are the shuffling, colored disco lights that blink 24 hours a day. (Check 'em out) Apparently, all sorts of...ahem...interesting types make their way in and out of the place."I guess we'll see what this does to our community and property values," was the last thing the owners said about it before walking away.Has anyone else caught wind of this?
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Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Rumors Around the Sloop
A reader writes:
uh oh! fun is coming to the south loop!@?@!$!@$!
ReplyDeletegive me a break. there are nightclubs all around the gold coast, streeterville, and river north and somehow the property values there have held up.
there is nightlife is every corner of manhattan, but somehow property values have held up. the point seems mute.
haha-we can see this from our livingroom/balcony. Do they really need the lights going 24/7? My three year old little girl always says: "look mom, it's the party again!" We will NOT be letting her attend any parties there!
ReplyDeleteSo hilarious as I was aruging with my life this weekend about what they were building in that unit. We live at 1600 museum park on the upper floors and our bedroom is facing this building. There is some sort of wall or mirror that changes color during the night. Anyway my question is regarding zoning. If the owner brings in people as paying customers then isn't this commercial space? And don't the residents have board control of the building? Why did they allow this. One more thing..ii don't think its the top floor...there are still a couple unoccupied units above it.
ReplyDelete@Stephen - your point is muted ...this on the top of a residential building no less than 100ft from another high rise. If you dropped 750k on a condo and then had a nightclub open up next to your bedroom window would you be concerned? Think before you post you douche
ReplyDeleteIf there aren't any noise issues and the neighbors are not being disturbed, then leave it alone and mind your own business!! Flashing lights are not grounds for investigation... just look away and get on with your lives!
ReplyDeleteGreat more drunks & drugs to deal with in the area. I live in the area and can see this from my condo. I know my building has changed in the last four years, seems we are at about 50% renters and there is not the same since of pride or respect for others. The last thing we need is an after hours place in the heart of the residential area. Who would want to live in or near a condo tower with a night club, with all the traffic coming and going? If this is true, my bet it will be shut down sooner than later... Time to call our local alderman.
ReplyDeleteMy heart is saddened by this news. I hoped it would not come to this, but I'm afraid it is time for me to take my family elsewhere. The south loop will no longer be a safe place to raise a family.
ReplyDeleteIt is common knowledge that when a community embraces a night club criminals, prostitutes, adulterers, drug users, gangsters, and atheists follow.
How could we, as a community of Christians allow something so tragic to happen? My only hope is that I will not be held accountable for the filth that will begin to pervert our neighborhood and it's residents. I blame myself for not being actively involved in fighting this development, for that I apologize.
I, for one, will be praying for these evil-doers' souls. How dare these people put up lights! The only light shining on this building should be the light of our Lord Jesus Christ!
ReplyDeleteHopefully, they'll convert it into a dog park.
@ paranoid Christian Anon:
ReplyDeleteHow does the existence one "night club", as you refer to it, imply an endorsement from an entire community? There are a lot of unanswered questions about this spot. Tossing up a disco ball and some lights in a condo doesn't mean it's Studio 54.
This is the same building where the board president is trying to turn the park across the street into a Parking Lot...at least the blue light unit will have parking space then.
ReplyDeleteI noticed this too a few weeks back, and wondered if this was the work of a some perv cheese-ball owner, or that the condo association may have installed the lights on a mechanical floor to give the building a different look.
ReplyDeleteHence forward, as Blutowski in Animal House would say as he is giving out pledge pins, your building name is now 'The Blue Light Special'.
And yes, if the owner is doing something commercial, in most Condo Declarations and By-laws, this is strongly forbidden.
to Anonymous (post beginning with "My heart is saddened by this news....", you are nuts. i have a feeling you are joking? who are you?
ReplyDeletei am also truly saddened by this. i will never be able to sleep at night knowing that there is some after-hours circus in my neighborhood. i didn't think an indoor red-light district would ever be tolerated in the south loop. we need to all get together and do something about this unfortunate madness. i think i will just keep my kids in the house locked in their rooms with the blinds closed as i do not want them witnessing such activity. our kids are already being corrupted by television this is the last thing we need.
ReplyDeleteOh my! A naked lady mural and a disco ball. The neighborhood must be going to hell!
ReplyDeleteSeriously a women's Chicago networking group had an event just awhile back in this building's penthouse. I was unable to attend, and I don't know which floor the lights are on, but maybe it's just a savy business owner that is attempting to add another venue to the neighborhood. Why is everything such doom and gloom to so many on this board.
Does anybody know how I can get in that night club?
ReplyDeleteI want every person who posted something against this to be kicked out of the southloop.
ReplyDeleteIf you dont like it, leave the city and move to Palos Park with all the other geriatrics.
Any word on Groupons?
ReplyDeleteTO who said: "I want every person who posted something against this to be kicked out of the south loop" - Let me guess you rent and are angry at the world? And to the church lady, maybe Branson MO might be more your speed.
ReplyDeleteThis is a great area to live but we have to have some standard in which we need to hold people and or businesses accountable if we are to maintain what we have now. After hour party places do not belong in condo towers... Lets get ALL the facts first. Then remove the trash. (if it trash)
What's PH floor? Also we want entertainment to come to the area right? I mean any foot traffic is better than a dark alley...
ReplyDeleteTo all those who wrote something along the lines, "i didn't think an indoor red-light district would ever be tolerated in the south loop," learn your history. The South Loop used to be THE red light district of Chicago. Hell, the term "getting laid" came from the South Loop. It's a bastardization of the euphemism "getting 'leighed" which meant going to the Everleigh Club at 2131-2133 S Dearborn.
ReplyDeleteEither way, it sounds more like someone is creating a private after-hours place if people don't know how to actually get in. I really feel for the neighbors. If it's keeping people up at night I don't blame them for complaining.
If this correlates to an increase in the number of chicken bones around the building, I think we may actually be able to hear the heads of several Sloopers exploding.
ReplyDeleteTo the posters who indicate no problem if this is a commercial enterprise by saying things like, "...but maybe it's just a savy business owner that is attempting to add another venue to the neighborhood. Why is everything such doom and gloom to so many on this board...."
ReplyDeleteYou don't get it; it's not a "fun", or a "geriatrics", or a
'Fo-shizzle' issue. Heck, I would be bangin out some drinks and partying also.
However, if true, it's those annoying petty things like zoning law, use of a condo for commerical business, business license, liability, etc. If the activities are in a business establishment, have at it. However, someone in your condo building was dealing in questionable activities, someone has a whole lot of 'splanin' to do.
I lived in a nice loop condo previous, where DEA showed up and busted a weed-ring next door. The owner seemed nice, but her brother is the one that set up his criminal enterprise out of her condo, which she eventually lost. As great as some might have thought the seizure necessity of the unit was, it did some serious damage to the comps for a few units trying to sell, while also setting the association back some money to deal with. (not saying that is happening in this case, just providing an example)
So what you are hearing is the pragmatic responsibility and legal concern of condo ownership.
@Anonymous 11:11 AM -- Worse than nightlife in the area would be converting a much needed park into a parking lot.
ReplyDeleteWill the building board pay for the congestion that the parking lot generates? Or the increased likelihood we'll get run over crossing the street. Or the asthma our kids are at risk for thanks to all the highways in the neighborhood? Of course not.
Parts of the south loop (Roosevelt Rd) already look and act like a gnarly suburban strip mall. Why degrade an amazing centrally located neighborhood by encouraging still more car trips.
Hilarious comments- ranging from a kook that is worried about "prostitutes, gangsters and atheists", to the last comment above (which had me literally laughing out loud.)
ReplyDeleteCome on all- this is an urban neighborhood. Nightlife is part of what comes with it.
And for the paranoid Christian- if you are afraid of being near atheists, I have no clue where you would be happier. But I know I will be happier when you move and take your precious family with you.
Urban neighborhood! Exactly! That's the point of population density - you have everything in compact area. While I don't know if we need a whore house (although personally I don't mind - and yes I own), I think South Loop is in desperate need of some night life. Where do all of those Columbia College students go for fun? I think we really need some dance clubs along Wabash.
ReplyDeleteIs that really a club? I was out jogging and saw the neon lights against white walls - green/pink lights, I think... It looked kind a cheap and gay. It is on the top floor and if there's parties going on that would suck for the other owners. I mean, your little kids would have to endure standing in the elevators with long legged slutty looking chicks in short skirts. At least we'll get hot chicks like those found in River North... too bad they're usually from the burbs, don't seem to have money, and don't seem to have a job as they seem to only party after midnight.
ReplyDeleteOMG what's wrong with you people? I live at 1600 S. Prairie Ave. The PH is a residence! You ought to know city ordinance rules - you can't put a club up there!
ReplyDeleteAnon,
ReplyDeleteDo you mean gay because it was colorful or as a homophobic insult? Let's keep homophobia out of South Loop.
I'm sure if someone is using this spot illegally, then the owners in that building and the condo association need to find out what's going on. Rumors flying around about what this space is and isn't, doesn't help.
ReplyDeleteWow I didn't know it was a crime for someone to decorate how they want especially when they own a PH that cost millions. I live in the building and I have never seen anything suspicious, get a life people.
ReplyDeleteoh great... my worst nightmare-- N.I.M.B.Y.'s with small brains.
ReplyDeletePeople, u cannot just "put up" a nightclub in a residential tower. Im sure its a private residence and the guy/gal likes to party.
Seriously just leave already! I hate all the whiney babys that live in a urban setting but try and mold it into Elmhurst. Do us all a favor and leave the city.
I hope there's a Subway up there
ReplyDeleteIt can't be a nightclub..... Zoning, ZOning, Zoning. Noise ordinances, etc. As long as he wants to flash those lights he/she will. I can see the place from my buidling and it is a weird eyesore. But if he is within his condo rule limits and city of Chicago limits, nothing can be done. Zoning, Zoning, Zoning. I wonder what his COMED bills are like. geez!!!!
ReplyDeleteMy unit faces his/her unit. Never really thought twice about what it was. Binoculars...? neh. However, they are allowed to have as many private parties as they want. The only time it would be illegal would be if they are charging money to attend or purchase drinks. But this is American and well Chicago and there are ways around everything. If they are an official club no not a nightclub but a book club type club And there were monthly dues this would be completely legal. Maybe the condo association is aware of the situation and are in the process of finding a legal way of getting ride of the owner/problem.
ReplyDeleteLets not forget about the original playboy club in the Gold Coast. Property values did pretty good there. Maybe this is the next Hugh Hefner...?
Maybe it's a big "grow house"...The flashing lights are a decoy!
ReplyDeleteBetter yet, how do I get up there when my wife is asleep.....hahahahahahah Secret handshake. Do I need a Jewel preferred card. hahahahah
ReplyDeleteOk I had no problem with this until I can still hear music BLARING from the rooftop, I live across the street! It's 11:30pm and I can make out the words of the songs being played with my windows closed! I've tried earplugs and can still hear it! What the hell is going on over there?!?!? Seriously, shut the f up!!
ReplyDeleteanon @11:30- i would take a walk over there on Monday and speak w/ the property manager and make a complaint about the noise if i were you.
ReplyDeleteAny word when we are getting a trader joes?
ReplyDeleteWow. Except for the person who can clearly hear the song lyrics, these other complaints are ridiculous. Who cares? For one thing, you live downtown, not in a gated community! Was that comment about prostitutes and atheists real or a joke? And who decided we should call ourselves a "community of Christians"? Why are people hiding their children from a disco ball in a private residence? If these comments are real I'm really shocked by how narrow-minded some of my neighbors are. If you feel run out of "your neighborhood", don't let the door hit you in the ass as you leave...
ReplyDelete