Condo Building Finally Moving Forward at 9th and State?

A reader writes:

I noticed today, after the Bears game, that the lot on the corner of 9th and State is now closed. Are they finally starting to build that 40 story apartment tower?

Another reader sent this picture:

As you may recall back in 2012 there were some announcements that a condo tower was going in at 9th and State.  It's pretty much been crickets since then, but it would appear something must be coming in here.

Curbed Chicago also had a post yesterday on this lot and provide some additional perspective:

We haven't heard anything conclusive, but it's hard to imagine they'd want to stop earning money from the parkers (many of which were city-owned vehicles) unless they were close to beginning construction. The most recent render of the project dates back to 2012, so what you see above might not be representative of what's actually coming, but so far the story hasn't changed that Solomon Cordwell Buenz (SCB) is designing the 39-story, 396-unit luxury apartment building. As of 2012, about 250 parking spaces were to be included in that massive podium you see in the render. These days, overabundant parking spaces are going out of fashion, so that number may have shrunk to keep with the times.  

The empty lot currently is one of only two undeveloped parcels left on State Street north of Roosevelt, and once filled could go a long way toward improving the feeling of connectedness between the Loop and the South Loop. Hopefully there will be adequate retail at the ground level to improve the pedestrian experience as well. 

We shall see if this is really happening.  Seems like high-rises are back in vogue in the Sloop.

(Hat tip: BV and JS!)