The Chicago Boom (Homer, Simpson: sales, 2009, mattress)

[Lookout Kid]

I don't really like the weather in Chicago, but it's only one factor for me. It just doesn't affect my mood or activities all that much. Other factors are more important.

[eureka1]

It was someone else , not me, who brought up the idea of the Gold Coast. And I stay inside half the year here due to rain. This is a great forum and you are all very generous with your knowledge. Thank you.

[jdiddy]

Great article detailing the architecture duds staining the city amid this recent high-rise boom.

A gallery of rogues -- chicagotribune.com

[via chicago]

A quick update on some of the larger projects coming along...

Chicago Spire




Trump


Waterview


300 N LaSalle


Aqua


One Museum Park

[Steve-o]

Thanks for the updates, Aqua looks just like the artist renditions so far. Im glad to see they didnt change it much. Such a bizarre building....

[CarolinaBredChicagoan]

Thanks for posting these. The view of the Spire foundation is wild.

[Sailaway50]

Originally Posted by Tex?Il?

I totally agree!

I have lived downtown for 17 years and totally agree with Drover and Tex.

Also re Holy Name. The new building would totally destroy the feeling of the church when viewed from outside.

And no, I do not think that living in the city inherently means NUMEROUS, and in some cases EYESORE super high skyscrapers will be built....the city, any city, is not necessarily fair game for any developer without regard to aesthetics or quality of life. I have spent large amounts of time in Manhattan and you do not see this type of continuous construction of super tall buildings next to low rise buildings going on. There is construction in Ny around the ground zero site (obvious), but there is not this constant "construction mayhem" that residents have had to tolerate in recent years. Almost every skyscraper destroys neighborhood businesses, which then NEGATES the idea of "not needing" a car.....because there are no neighborhood businesses to walk TO.

This is not necessarily a zoning issue; anyone who thinks that doesn't realize "how" Chicago "works." (euphemistically stated).

[via chicago]

Originally Posted by SBurgess

Also re Holy Name. The new building would totally destroy the feeling of the church when viewed from outside.

Thats not Holy Name, its St James Cathedral.

Also, as far as I can tell the Canyon Ranch developement is on hold indefnintely and there are no current plans for demolition.

[via chicago]

[quote=SBurgess;2653312] I have spent large amounts of time in Manhattan and you do not see this type of continuous construction of super tall buildings next to low rise buildings going on. quote]

Manhattan is inherintly different than most of Chicago. manhattan is virtually landlocked, with virtually every single piece of real estate developed in one form or another. Chicago has vast swathes of old industrial areas, as well as underutilized surface lots, which are ripe for development. Thats why it seems like theres something going up on every corner, because theres tons of usable land which dowtown NY dosent necessarily have.

[Sailaway50]

I agree somewhat. However, there are areas such as the West Village in NYC, Soho, etc., with low rise buildings and long term business that give the neighborhood it's identity and flair. In Chicago, these would have been razed to build skyscraper/condos.

It's getting too cookie cutter with the skyscrapers here...sterile.