Chilling Video Captures Moment After Murder on 700 S. Block of South Clark

Another chilling act of violence comes to the neighborhood (via Chicago Tribune):

Zack Stoner’s YouTube subscribers grew when he posted videos of opposing rap artists who talked “beef” about each other, his friends say.

But as Stoner’s eight-year-old channel topped more than 176,000 subscribers in the past six months, he decided to focus on a positive, anti-violence message for Chicago.

Stoner’s YouTube channel zacktv1 hosted hundreds of videos featuring music and interviews, most highlighting young talent in the city.

Early Wednesday, he was taking in a show at Refuge Live, a South Loop club at 416 S. Clark St., and posted an Instagram video of artists rapping under blue and purple lights.

Half an hour later, he lay dying three blocks away, shot in the head by someone in a passing car.

“I just felt like it was just unreal,” said Stoner’s friend Demetrius Nash, 40, a local activist. “They killed the potential of a young man, again. He hadn’t lived his best life yet. He was just beginning to understand the power of his platform and the influence he personally had on the city.”

Police say Stoner, 30, was shot around 1:30 a.m. in the 700 block of South Clark Street. He had been driving down Clark when someone in another car fired at him, hitting him in the head and neck. He was pronounced dead at 4:20 a.m. at Northwestern Memorial Hospital.

The video - in the middle of the article - is especially chilling. 

(Hat tip: A!)

Teens Damage Property at Target During Holiday Weekend Loitering

This past holiday weekend was a beautiful one in the city.  However, one night we heard what sounded like 30 cop cars with sirens blaring at what seemed like the Roosevelt and State vicinity.  We weren't sure what was happening, but it sounded similar to what happens when protests come through the neighborhood.

With that said, we just read an interesting and disturbing article on the Tribune outlining a difficult predicament the Chicago Police department faced with a large number of teenagers:

The large group of teens had been wandering downtown and along the lake Sunday evening, but police decided it was time for the group to leave. 

The teens, numbering more than 100 and some deemed "borderline criminal" by police, were first steered onto Red Line trains that ran express from the Gold Coast to the South Side. Then they were chased from 31st Street Beach and began running through traffic on King Drive.

Beyond the fascinating read, the article did cite an incident at Target on Roosevelt:

All four nights of the holiday weekend, these extra patrols kept track of groups of teens as they arrived downtown on the Red Line and made their way to beaches and parks. Some lingered around Michigan Avenue or near CTA stations. The groups ranged in size from a few dozen to more than a hundred.

“They came down here specifically to cause problems,” Deputy Chief Al Nagode said. “They were running in and out of traffic, they were confronting different groups, they were running into businesses doing different activities that were borderline criminal, mostly nuisance, so the officers have to work that fine line of, do we (go) out there to arrest somebody.”

In one instance, teens damaged property at a Target store at Roosevelt Road and Clark Street, police said. There were reports of gunfire near the Bottled Blonde bar on Wells Street late Saturday, near LaSalle Drive and Ontario Street early Sunday and at Chicago Avenue and Lake Shore Drive early Monday. That night, officers reported people running from the sound of gunfire as crowds left North Avenue Beach.

The Trib does a good job outlining the fine line the police department toes on this one.  It seems like they're damned if they do and damned if they don't.

Related Midwest Zoning Application Looks to Build Up to 10,000 Homes on 62-Acre Site

Looks like Related Midwest wants the ability to build a lot of houses in the Sloop (via Crains):

Chicago developer Related Midwest is seeking the city's permission to build 10,000 homes on a long-vacant 62-acre riverside site in the South Loop, more than twice as many proposed by the property's prior owner.

Related Midwest earlier this month presented its plans for a 13 million-square-foot development on the overgrown parcel, which stretches south from Roosevelt Road to Chinatown along the east bank of the Chicago River. Called the 78—a name suggesting a project so large it will become the city's 78th official community area—the development would include office, residential and educational uses. It could cost $5 billion and take decades to complete.

Related Midwest was short on specifics at the May 10 unveiling of its plans, declining to say how many residential units it planned on the property. But a zoning application the developer filed with the City Council yesterday requests city approval for 10,000 units. Before the real estate crash, the site's prior developer, a joint venture including Antoin "Tony" Rezko, planned 4,600 homes and 670,000 square feet of retail space.

(Hat tip: AR!)

Happy Memorial Day from Sloopin!

#ShotsAroundTheSloop: Memorial Crane!

(Hat tip:  MG!)

Former Bears Unveil Plans for Co-Working Space and Other Businesses in Historic Building in Motor Row (2222 S. Michigan)

A pretty cool concept and vision for one of the most beautiful, historic buildings in the Sloop (via Crains):

Two former Chicago Bears want to turn a historic Motor Row showroom into a hub for entrepreneurs looking for a live-work-play destination in the South Loop.

A venture led by longtime NFL defensive ends Israel Idonije and Julius Peppers filed an application with the city today to redevelop the 115,000-square-foot Hudson Motor Building at 2222 S. Michigan Ave. into an mixed-use complex that will cater to "creative" business types with co-working space and a range of amenities including restaurants and a rooftop pool, Idonije said.

The vision for the 92-year-old facility, which would be known as FBRK (prounounced "fabric"), has shades of co-working like WeWork and membership clubs like Soho House. The anchor of the five-story project would be 40,000 square feet of office space for members, including private offices, open workspace and conference rooms.

Another 100,000 square feet would feature a gym, barbershop, restaurants and a pool designed to allow members to "live together and work together and socialize and get their work done in one space," Idonije said. "The notion is ultimately that well-rounded people build well-rounded, balanced companies."

As you may remember if you've read this here blog - Idonije has been an active entrepreneur in the Sloop.  He was involved in a short lived restaurant called Alain's (1355 S. Michigan - now occupied by Kurah) that closed shortly after it opened given some issues with the main Chef.  More successfully, he opened a similar co-workshop concept called Workvault at 1420 S. Michigan.

The concept discussed in the Crain's article is much bigger, but it does seem well positioned for the growth in Motor Row.  Also curious to see if Julius Peppers play a role.  We always thought he could have some fun business ventures (like Julius "Sweet" Pepper - like green, red, yellow peppers, or Julius Pepper'oni Pizza, etc).  Additionally, it would have seemed like a logical business venture for Matt Forte to get involved with given the address of the property...(some of you may get that one...).

Anyway, should be a good move for the future growth of the area.

Columbia College Chicago: Radical Leftism Institute?

We're always interested when we see something published about the neighborhood from a news source we don't often read.  That's why we were very interested to see this headline come to our attention - "Radical leftism at Columbia College Chicago has gone unnoticed. It's the next UC Berkeley".

The news source is the Washington Examiner and the article was written by a student.  You can read the entire thing here, but there are some pretty bold statements:

Columbia College Chicago is an arts school, so I knew I was headed to a very liberal college when I applied in early 2016. I was not, however, prepared for a cultural Marxist snakepit of angry feminists and social justice fanatics. I did not expect professors to openly advocate for communism. Mostly, I was surprised to discover the total absence of conservative and libertarian viewpoints.

This seems pretty biased to us, but we've never taken a class at Columbia so can't say one way or the other.  Anyway, if you're interested in politics or how an anchor institution in the South Loop is (most likely) perceived take a read.

After reading this, we immediately wondered what is the Washington Examiner's place in our news world.  So we took a look at one of our favorite charts on the interwebs that plots the how certain media outlets lean on a political bias - check out this article and/or chart below:

 Unsurprisingly the Washington Examiner tends to lean conservative.

What's Up With the Huge Crane on Michigan?

A couple readers were asking us why there is a huge crane at the vacant lot on Michigan:

While there is certainly a lot of action at the Essex on the Park development and a lot of buzz about the Helmut Jahn condo building just south of it, news about development on this lot has been quiet (at least as far as we know).

Anyone have the scoope?

#ShotsAroundTheSloop: Central Planter

(Hat Tip:  JH!)

Various South Loop Restaurants Featured on Curbed/Eater Interactive Maps

One of our favorite things about the Vox media sites Curbed & Eater are their map posts.  It's a fun way to learn about new spots around the city.

Over the past couple of weeks they've had a variety of maps that feature various Sloop spots:

12 Luscious Lobster Rolls:#11:  A two-Michelin-starred restaurant might not seem like the place for a lobster roll but those who sit at the bar are treated to perhaps the finest version in Chicago. Chef and owner Ryan McCaskey, who’s spent time in Maine, produces an indulgent roll that’s lightly dressed with chive mayo and smoky paprika. Guests can also order it Connecticut-style, which is served warm and holds the mayo for butter.

The 20 Essential Outdoor Dining Spots in Chicago  #15: Make the work day a little more bearable by working from this South Loop café. The Spoke & Bird’s 2,500-square-foot patio is a fine stand-in for the office and guests can pass the time with a host of coffees, sandwiches, and — if they desire to get boozy — craft beers.

#16: Dubbed “Reggies Trainwreck Rooftop Deck,” the rock club’s elevated playground is the place to be on a warm day. The patio can accommodate up to 99 patrons and sports a full bar, eight flat screens, picnic tables, a pool table, and other diversions.

20 New Spots for Chicago’s Patio SeasonPut on a bib and get cracking. The seafood boil restaurant emulates backyard gatherings in the South with a patio with abundant foliage and twinkling lights. Dig into bags of delicious shellfish and sip on rotating cocktails from a highball machine.

It's hard to argue with these - that being said, we may suggest adding Flo & Santos to the essential outdoor dining spots, but that's just us.

Some Activity at Small Building on SW Corner of 18th and Wabash; Maybe a Coffee Shop?

A reader writes:

Looks likes finally something is coming to that small business right on the corner of 18th and Wabash when I saw the guys working on it today I asked him what it was going to be and one of them said a coffee shop

We've always been fascinated by this little building and pondered what it could be.  A fun little bar?  A tiny boutique?  Maybe a coffee shop?

Curious if this will be a chain or something more unique.  Anyone have the deets?

(Hat tip:  BL!)

CBS2: Robberies Rattle South Loop Residents

In case you missed it, a couple scary crimes over the weekend (via CBS2):

Gioco Closes Their Doors After 19 Year Run on South Wabash

A neighborhood staple quietly closed their doors this past weekend (via Eater Chicago):

Gioco, the South Loop Italian restaurant that’s been around for 19 years, is closing following dinner service on Sunday. The shutter seemed inevitable after the restaurant’s owner and a real estate agent revealed problems in securing a new lease back in September. There’s no word yet on what the landlord plans for the soon-to-be vacant property at 1312 S. Wabash Avenue.

The restaurant’s lease expires in August, and co-owner Howard Davis said he couldn’t work out an extension. The South Loop was much more barren 20 years ago, and property prices were lower. Davis estimated his team paid about $1,500 per month when they first opened Gioco. That’s a steal compared to current prices.

“We had a great run,” Davis said, who added that he spoke with business partner Jerry Kleiner about the decision. Kleiner lives in California. “We tried for quite a while to strike a deal.”

This restaurant was a pioneering force for the neighborhood and in our book should get a lot of credit for paving the way for other restaurants/bars in the Sloop.  It hasn't been all smooth sailing for this restaurant.  Back in 2017 it appeared they were going to close and way back in 2011 they had some tax issues and change in the kitchen. 

While Gioco will be missed, we're curious to see what comes next for this high-profile space.

Talk to Us in 20 Years: How the new "78" development Could Change the Sloop

It's been a couple days since Related unveiled their plans for "The 78" - the new development planned for the huge 62-acre lot south of Roosevelt road and next to the river.

As expected, there is a ton of information to digest about the project and frankly it will be interesting to see what comes to be.  Bisnow hits on some of the key components, the price tag and also how long this could take:

A 100-foot-wide riverwalk lined with restaurants. Pedestrian and bike paths connecting the South Loop to Chinatown. A tech incubator. Skyscrapers as tall as 950 feet. These are only a few of the plans Related Midwest has for The 78, its 62-acre South Loop site.

Related Midwest unveiled its master plan for The 78 at a public meeting Thursday night. The developer expects to spend up to 20 years and $5B redeveloping the site overlooking the Chicago River. Related Midwest President Curt Bailey said the development will draw from Chicago's history, culture and soul, and serve as a connection between the South Loop, Chinatown, Pilsen and Bronzeville.

A lot can change in 20 years, so while this looks amazing, chances of it living up to this vision seems remote.  The one thing that could accelerate all of this is if Amazon decides to choose Chicago and this site for their second headquarters.  Related's event didn't seem to shed much new news on the topic (via Curbed):

“The request for proposal calls for 8 million square feet. Our site has 13 million square feet so you do the math,” said Related Midwest president Curt Bailey when asked about Amazon at Thursday’s meeting. “But it’s an opaque process. I know as much as you know—which is basically what I read in the papers.”

One of the most interesting items in the release was the desire to add a redline stop to 15th and clark (via Chicago Tribune):

Related also is studying the feasibility and potential funding for a new CTA Red Line station at the intersection of Clark Street and an extended 15th Street, Bailey said.

In terms of when this could get started at this site, things appear to be a little uncertain.  From the articles we read, it seems like they're waiting on the city (via Chicago Tribune):

Because of road work on Wells, Related will likely wait at least 18 months before starting construction, Bailey said. Related also plans to move existing Metra train tracks west of Clark Street, which would become more pedestrian-friendly and would be lined with tall towers.

We are eager to see what transpires here...but patience will have to be key with this one.

#ShotsAroundTheSloop:. Spring Blooms Eternal

Shedd Aquarium's New Exhibit - Underwater Beauty - Opening May 25

Looks like the Shedd is opening a new exhibit soon:

Underwater Beauty New special exhibit opens May 25 

Our living world is full of wonder. Celebrate with us the unbelievable beauty living in our oceans, lakes and rivers in a new special exhibit at Shedd Aquarium: Underwater Beauty.

Get a glimpse of the grandeur beneath the waves as 100 species from around the world come together in an evocative new space. What is beauty? Spark your curiosity as you see all the ways beauty moves and coexists. Watch sea jellies pulse, eels ribbon and a rainbow come alive with reef fishes.

"Hamilton: The Exhibition" Coming to Northerly Island This Winter

In case you missed it earlier this week, looks like the Northerly Island is getting some Alexander Hamilton (via Curbed):

Downtown’s CIBC Theatre won’t be your only shot when it comes to getting your Hamiliton fix in Chicago after a new historical exhibit from the broadway musical’s creators opens at Northerly Island this fall.

Dubbed “Hamilton: The Exhibition,” the interactive attraction will make its world debut on November 17 inside a 27,000-square-foot temporary building south of the Adler Planetarium. It is expected to stay in Chicago until a yet-to-be-determined date before embarking on a tour to select cities nationwide.

A collaboration between Hamilton composer and lyricist Lin-Manuel Miranda, producer Jeffrey Seller, set designer David Korins, and musical director Thomas Kail, the immersive experience will re-create pivotal events featured in the show as a well as lesser known periods in Alexander Hamilton’s life.

Seems a little strange on many fronts.  We know people are enamored by all things Hamilton thanks to the musical, but curious to see what the reception is for this type of "exhibit".

Additionally, the location seems tough to get to - especially during cold months.  Yes, Sloopsters may have a desire to go all the way out to Northerly Island but the common tourist?

What do we know...people were probably saying the same thing before the musical was penned...

Lendlease Receives Building Permit for Next Round of Buildings at Southbank Development (formerly known as Riverline)

Are the two towers on the left side of this picture about to get going?

A reader found some interesting info on the next phase of the "Riverline" project - which has been rebranded to Southbank after the two developers - Lendlease and CMK - split. 

Looks like Lendlease has received some additional building permits:

A member of Skyscraperpage who tracks building permits just posted the following: 

This is on the May Zoning Board of Appeals agenda. I'm not sure whether it's part of Riverline or what, but... 

New proposed 14 story, 173 unit building with ground floor uses at 207-21 W Harrison St (Harrison & Wells).

The developer is Alta Grand Central LLC. I think this is Riverline but...? (link) 

And a follow-up post:
Now here's the even BETTER news. It's actually two separate towers - one at 207 W Harrison and the other at 221 W Harrison. Both 14 floors with 173 units each - 346 units total. I found two permits - one per address pending for foundation new construction. (link)

If this is true, more density is coming to the river.

Although CMK has been active in other parts of the neighborhood (see post from last week) we haven't heard much about their lot along the river - north of Roosevelt and south of River City.

(Hat tip: DS!)

No New News on Mago Grill & Cantina - But Signs Says Temporarily Closed

It's been a couple weeks since Mago Grill & Cantina - the vibrant Mexican restaurant at Roosevelt Collection - abruptly had to close its doors.

While it's been hard to get much information, a new sign is on the door.  The sign says "temporarily closed" which would suggest they will re-open at some point.  Obviously this isn't a guarantee, but at least you can get a sense of their intentions:

We had a great experience at Mago, so hope they open again!

(Hat tip:  BS!)

Related Midwest Set to Provide More Details for "The 78" Development on Thursday

Not sure if you received this in the mail, but we did:

If you have a hard time reading the above, the main take is:

My colleagues and I are honored to present our proposal to transform the undeveloped 62-acre site at the southwest corner of Clark Street and Roosevelt Road into The 78, a neighborhood complete with all of the civic amenities, cultural features and unique character that make Chicago neighborhoods distinct. 

WHEN:   Thursday, May 10, 2018, 5:30 - 7:30 P.M.
WHERE:  Local 339 Union Hall,  2260 S. Grove Street Chicago, IL

Should be interesting to hear and see the vision for this property.  While obviously Related has the motivation to make money off the development, it is true that if developed will transform the South Loop.

We are also interested to hear if/what they say about the possibility of Amazon's HQ coming to the site and/or the "Discovery Partners Institute".

(Hat tip:  TC!)

#ShotsAroundTheSloop: Dragon Skyline

(Hat tip: Cyrus, Everett, Ari!)

David Letterman's Netflix Show That Filmed in the Sloop Comes Out Today

Remember when we said David Letterman was filming his new show in the Sloop?  Well that episode premieres today on Netflix (via Chicago Tribune):

David Letterman’s February visit to Chicago will be shown on an episode of his Netflix show that is scheduled to premiere Friday.

Letterman met with Buddy Guy at the blues legend’s South Loop club and the Athenian Room restaurant in Lincoln Park on Feb. 20 for “My Next Guest Needs No Introduction.”

The Athenian Room is a favorite of Second City alum Tina Fey, who is the featured guest on Friday’s episode. She is shown discussing improv techniques with Letterman in a clip of the show released Monday. That interview was taped in New York.

What's not clear is what role Buddy Guy played in the episode.  It seems as if he was a "secondary" guest?  We've watched two of the episodes and they do feature other people who are tangetially associated with the featured guest.  For Obama's interview it was Representative John Lewis.  For Jay-Z it was music producer Rick Rubin.


For Tina Fey it appears Buddy Guy is the secondary guest.  Maybe there will be some tie between improvisation in comedy and blues (Second City and Buddy Guy's Legends).  For what it's worth a reader sent us this instagram post:

(Hat tip: AR!)

Confirmed: CMK Has Plans for Two More Buildings on South Wabash

Developer CMK continues to build in the Sloop!  Last week we posted about some fences going up on South Wabash and yesterday we received a link that confirmed that story and added some new details (via Real Deal):

The developer went before the city’s Zoning Board of Appeals Friday seeking several variances to construct a 15-story building and a 10-story building near 14th Street and Wabash Avenue.

According to the zoning board, the 15-story building would have 199 units over retail at 45-59 East 14th Street. The 10-story building would have 62 units over retail at 1419 South Wabash Avenue.

The smaller building would use 36 parking spaces in the taller building’s lot as part of the zoning requests that were approved.

The picture in their article - also posted here - makes it look like it's the vacant lot that 14th dead-ends into.  We're having a hard time deciphering which building is going on which lot.  Does anyone have insight?

(Hat tip:  PS!)

Blue Tarps Show-Up at Vacant Retail Space at 1925 S. Michigan

A reader writes:

Anyone know what’s going on here? The building is the old BF Goodrich at 1925 S Michigan Ave nearby La Cantina. Vacant for years. Old historic building across from church.

Here’s 2 pics from outside. For past year and a half the windows were never cleaned and there were old permits posted. Today it looks clean and blue tarps are now hanging with lights on.

Hmmmmm

This is the second person who has asked us about this building.  Does anyone have any scoop?

It is a beautiful building and seems like it would be great for a restaurant or some cool retail.  We can dream right...

(Hat tip: MM & TG!)