Construction on the property will begin immediately so that we can stay on track to host a Grand Opening before November 1st of this year. In addition to having construction complete by that time, we plan to have 75% of our retail stores leased and opening as well.
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| Plaza Playground at Roosevelt Collection (photo: YoChicago) |
So that leads us to the biggest question of all -- the retail. Is an Apple store coming to this development? How about Yard House? Or maybe some of these other quality retailers? Or maybe we won't hear anything?
Joe Zekas, from the blog YoChicago, visited the complex recently and weighs in on the situation:
I visited Roosevelt Collection last Friday, and the plaza appears to be nearly on target for completion by the end of this month. There were no signs, however, of progress toward any retail openings. The Roosevelt Collection blog isn’t listing any on-site retailers, although the McCaffery site does have a brochure naming several tenants.
The November 1st date is looming and a curious bunch of Sloopin shoppers and residents are eager to hear where we might want to spend money.
At a minimum we would at least like to hear if any retailers are confirmed. We will see what happens...
Anyone have any thoughts or news on Roosevelt Collection?
The Roosevelt Collection feels like "Block 37" did about 2 years ago - Very empty.
ReplyDeleteAt least we got the movie theater, Block 37 still has an open space for one. That's even though a theater is listed on ALL their wayfinding signage.
Side note, I was looking through Communication Arts magazine, (a trade magazine for Art Directors), and noticed that the artist who created the "temporary" walls for those empty retail spaces was profiled. Her name is Karen Klassen, from Calgary Alberta Canada. I only note the Canadian, because I am one too. If this link works for you, please check out the article here.
If we do get the retail we are all hoping for, then I think I will miss the large canvas prints.
-- Sloop Resident
The lighting is "interesting." It's changed the view of the skyline from where we are, and I expect it will get dated quickly. Magenta isn't a terribly long-lived color.
ReplyDeleteThe lighting will be changing colors. It is currently as you say Magenta for breast cancer month. I think the lighting and entrance was very well done.
ReplyDeleteI think the lighting is dumb and stoopid
ReplyDeleteI'm a strong believer in that nothing is going to open at this point in the year. Maybe by next spring/summer something will open.
ReplyDeleteIt's obvious that the Christmas opening window closed in August... no chance of getting anything open for at least 3 months (typical build out time).
ReplyDeleteThis would make you think that the summer is the next opportunity to open some stores... with the new exterior design, it is inevitable that retail will start to fill the vacancies.
Patience all of you sloopers, it will happen!
My 2 cents: I give McCaffery alot of credit. This is the one project in the South Loop that 100% needed to happen. It could have fell into the wrong hands and just been a ho-hum project. Take a look at North Ave and the new project just off Clybourn (New City Development). It is very similar to RC. The south loop needs one project like this on Roosevelt and something (of the sort) near Motor Row. These guys took the right steps in addressing the plaza (I love the lighting, etc.) and trying to line up quality retail. It sounds like they are close.
ReplyDeleteSo crazy that retail has seen an uptick in every other "peer neighborhood," but sloop remains so unbelievably under served.
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone else feel that this is due to our proximity to hoods just west and south?
I dont at all agree with 1:54pm.. we have actually seen an uptick in retail more than others. Take a look at South Michigan and how fast retail filled in (example botttle bottega, haircut place, ups, accessories place). The South Loop is a large area and think about what we will have in about 2 years time: Roosevelt Collection filled in, Maxwell (canal street), Motor Row, the pocket spots along South Michigan will also be filled in. We do need to catch up regarding restaurants, but in regards to retail, West Loop is catching up to South Loop and all of the other neighborhoods are going to hit their peak and max out. South Loop still has Riverside area to develop (the area south of Roosevelt and west of Clark).
ReplyDeleteLynn Becker has a must-read piece on the Roosevelt Collection and the "Viaduct district."
ReplyDeletehttp://arcchicago.blogspot.com/2012/10/frontier-outpost-roosevelt-collection.html
I heard of 2 potential tenants over there at RC:
ReplyDelete1/Uno. Burger Point might be having a look-see to determine if it would be a good location for Burger Point 2. Maybe it depends on rent costs and if they can find local chefs which is the key to their success apparently.
2/dos. An upscale tattoo place with trendy body paint artists and a real hip artesian decor.
I agree with Anon @1:54, especially in light of the reports in the Trib today highlighting Chicago's out-of-control homicide rate, with the overwhelming majority occurring just south and west of the South Loop.
ReplyDeleteA burger joint (when 5 guys is a block away and epic burger is 2 blocks away) and a tattoo parlor? Yep, that sounds like sloop retail plan to me! However, what more could we expect from a neighborhood that gets excited over the opening of a hot dog joint in a gas station parking lot?
ReplyDeleteI guarantee you there is zero chance the Alderman will allow a tattoo parlor and even if he did Mccafrey would have zero interest.
ReplyDeleteI would love to see an upscale taco place go in there. Someone who is willing to experiment with flavors, such as red snapper and mango, pork belly and horseradish!
ReplyDeleteDang... lunch is still two hours away!
Take it easy Elizabeth
ReplyDeleteThere is practically zero foot traffic in that area, no way will any "walk up type" restaurant open in the RC (unfortunately).
ReplyDeleteAlso, I am very disturbed by news of a Sports Authority potentially opening at RC. Will be very ghetto.
South Loop does not have any serious crime.. you are speaking of west/south area of University Village, west area of West Loop, Uptown, West Town, even Bronsville actually has some crime on their South and West areas, the area west and south of Pilsen as "just near south loop"?, then EVERYTHING is just near south loop! For gods sake, Logan Square, Humbolt Park, area between old town and river north has much more crime.
ReplyDeleteI have to disagree with the comment above that there is no foot traffic near the RC. I walk by there several times a week and there are always tons of other people walking right along with me.
ReplyDeleteAlso, how is a Sports Authority ghetto??? I think a Sports Authority would be a perfect fit in the RC, especially because a lot of us who live in the Sloop do a lot of outdoor activity.
anon @ 11:04
ReplyDeletewhy are you being mean to me and asking me to take it easy. I am just being me and telling everyone that I like to eat and drink. I love to eat prok, chicken, chocolate, and ice cream.....all four of which would be great at RC.
Taking note that there is basically no construction after November in Chicago until about February (not sure if this is union thing), not convinced the retail will make the April/May opening schedule if there is no interior construction right now.
ReplyDeleteactually you are wrong, there is construction all year round in Chicago....
ReplyDeletewow the amount of idiots on this blog---
ReplyDeleteHey, "Elizabeth" at 12:57: If you're going to impersonate me, at least spell "pork" correctly.
ReplyDeleteI agree that there is a lot of foot traffic in the area. Not nearly as much as Michigan/Roosevelt area, but it's not a far walk from the CTA lines.
Once there are retail stores walk-up restaurants will come as well. Look at the shopping center on Canal - they have a Panera, Jimmy Johns and Starbucks. I certainly get hungry when I shop and if there are exceptional tacos, I'll make a trip just for those!
did i mention that I loooove tacos?!?!
ReplyDeleteAccording to the leasing office at RC, April is when the retail stores are slated to open. Confirmed stores include those listed on the McCaffery website/brochure. Others will be announce post-Christmas.
ReplyDeleteWhat a joke! Suddenly when the 11/1 "deadline" arrived, the date was pushed back to April 2013? Wanna bet that on 3/31/13 another new opening date is announced?
ReplyDeleteThis development had been promising retail openings since early 2008!
And to follow-up on another person's comment: for those of you who don't think a Sports Aithority on the south side of Chicago will be very ghetto: stop kidding yourselves!!
Nov 28th is the day you will hear about the confirmed retail tenants.
ReplyDeleteHere is additional info about the Nov 28 date: http://www.chicagojournal.com/Blogs/Near-Loop-Wire/11-07-2012/Roosevelt_Collection_announcing_retail_Nov._28
ReplyDelete