In case you didn't get the PDNA march newsletter, we thought we would post some interesting development news that they highlighted.
We posted about the 1333 S. Wabash news back at the end of January, but they provided an update:
1333 S. Wabash - The original approved PD at 1333 S. Wabash was for a condo tower (which was never built) and now another developer would like to consturct a rental apartment buildng at 1313-1339 S. Wabash. This change requires a zoning amendment to the orignal PD and community review. The original approved plan was for a 260 unit, 270 foot residential building with 260 parking spaces and the new developer is asking for a 307 unit, 280 foot building with 200 parking spaces.
Vesta Lofts (AKA 2100 S. Indiana Avenue Equities, LLC) is the existing building at the SW corner of Indian Ave. and 21st St being converted into 59 dwelling units and 7700 square feet of ground floor retail. The development will have a roof deck, gym, and storage. 65 parking spaces will be available on the adjacent vacant lot for accessory parking. Landscaping will be added around the building and in the parking lot.
The developer hopes to deliver the units by the summer of 2013.
The City's Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) approved a request from 2100 S. Indiana Avenue Equities, LLC for a special use permit for the establishment of 5 dwelling units below the second floor within an existing four-story building.
Curbed had a story saying the CMK may be reviving the Glashaus design:
ReplyDeletehttp://chicago.curbed.com/archives/2013/03/11/glashaus-revisited-as-rental-in-the-south-loop.php
is cmk gonna be allowed to build that cheap cookie cutter concrete loft "design" mess they put up in those 2 buildings on S michigan and van buren? hopefully they will go all out and actually finish units in this building.
ReplyDeleteIs the Glashaus design really any better? Still looks like we'd be looking at people's belongings from the street.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous @ 1:43pm.
ReplyDeleteI agree, ugly, ugly, ugly designs. We don't need any more cheap, square glass box units in our hood. They just look like cheap, warehouses for humans.
Turrbile I say, just turrible.
You what is really ugly....an open pit filled with garbage, weeds, and empty liquor bottles.....oh wait to make it even better, let's surround it with a broken crappy fence...yes that adds value to the neighborhood.
ReplyDeleteBuild the building please- if you don't like the design, don't live there. If you don't want see people's stuff, don't look in their windows...I am sure the owners might appreciate that too.
As for cookie cutter buildings, understand that unique designs require deeper investment that make ventures cost-prohibitive. Whatever the design this will absolutely add more value to the neighborhood than what we have. It could also help bring in more people to provide demand to for some of the vacant retail space (e.g. the burned out restaurant next door).
Yes - build, build, build and build. The design by brininstool & lynch is a beauty. The commenters above are some of what I refer to as the 'red-brick rube crew'. Every neighborhood has a contingent of this type of NIMBY........in the south loop, they mainly seem to reside in the prairie district and printer's row area, with a smattering in Dearborn park, often in atrocious faux-historical/Pomo designed junk. To prove that they know nothing of design, two of the buildings they goofily rant about - 1620 s Michigan and 235 w van buren - are actually among the best designed high-rises over the past decade in Chicago.......but please don't take my word for it - rather, refer to AIA Chicago, which awarded both Distinguished Building Awards, Citation of Merit!! Ask these tasteless folks - many of whom got soaked during the condo bust on their faux-historical south loop real estate investments - which newer south loop buildings they find aesthetically pleasing, and trust me - the AIA will have nothing to say about them - period. Were there an architectural equivalent of the razzies, however, that would be a different issue altogether! CMK's projects are fantastic, and truly among the best additions to the sloop in decades. And there is more greatness out of them to come for our neighborhood!
ReplyDeleteWake me when someone that means something actually gives out an award for a building like 1620 S Michigan. An analysis of the awards giving out by AIA for 2005 indicates in the city of Chicago there were 774 buildings constructed in this category, and they awarded 10% of them as "winners". Not really that great of a story if you ask me.
ReplyDelete^ When it comes to architecture awards, the AIA is it. Your 'analysis' is hardly that. It's 10% or so of buildings that are actually nominated that receive awards....not of buildings that are constructed. Further, if you look at the nominations, it's projects not just throughout Chicagoland, but also located globally that were designed by Chicago area architects. The submitted buildings are generally high to very high quality as well.....generally you don't get the faux-historical red brick/Lagrange junk nominated, because the tasteless realize that they're tasteless, and won't be considered for legitimate design awards.....
ReplyDeleteSouth Loop needs more people badly. We have way too many empty lots, vacant storefronts, and empty retail. Surface parking lots are horrible for neighborhood continuity and resale value.
ReplyDelete^ Amen to that. As sloopers, we need to really press our representatives agressively to encourage much higher levels of infill high-rise develelopment. Let's rise up and urbanize!!
ReplyDelete