The Chicago Boom (Astoria, Detroit: hotel, schools, place to live)

[Steve-o]

Originally Posted by j33

... I don't even know what this statement is supposed to mean.

Youre not the only one scratching your head.

[mdz]

Originally Posted by Drover

I think it means "let's see how long I last on this board." I've got my money on "doesn't make it to the end of November."

try "doesn't make it to 5 pm"

[Steve-o]

Originally Posted by mdz

try "doesn't make it to 5 pm"

Dang, I was gonna bet that they didnt last until the end of the day.

[via chicago]

speaking of the south loop....(im pretty almost none of these buildings existed 5 years ago. the amazing thing is this would comprise most cities entire skylines. in chicago, it gets lost in the shuffle )

[avalonsuperstar]

I am in AWE. Stunning doesn’t even begin to describe what I am seeing. I have been an admirer of contemporary architecture most of my life and nothing compares to this when you take in account the other amazing points about Chicago (green spaces, waterfront, etc.)

Made my mind up to move in the next 5 years from Boston… think I’m kidding?

[Avengerfire]

Originally Posted by Drover

I think it means "let's see how long I last on this board." I've got my money on "doesn't make it to the end of November."

I would agree. Still a week left....!

[Skyscraperfanatic]

Originally Posted by incognito

These buildings are so tacky. They are sterile and plastic and lifeless. The are based on typical Dirty Capitalistic American greed. They dont add anything to an already ugly city. Bigger is NOT better. Taller is NOT better. BETTER is BETTER. Why dont these so called "architects" design something that actually has some some class instead of focusing on how much glass and steel they can fuse together to make as much money on as small a plot of land as possible. How repulsive.

Why do we make large, tall buildings in Capitalistic America? Because we can.

[Lookout Kid]

I agree that a lot of the high-rise development in Chicago has been sub-par in terms of architectural integrity, but much of it has been really great as well. And the cumulative effect of building a "skyline" is truly stunning. Luckily, a skyline doesn't need every building to be a standout.

We do need to worry about how what we're building tranforms neighborhoods at the pedestrian level, however. Too many of Chicago's new high-rises have pre-cast concrete parking podiums at or just above the street level. This is creating neighborhoods of towers that are disturbingly disconnected from the street. We as Chicagoans either need to embrace public transportation and abandon parking requirements, or we need to insist on underground parking. As it stands now, no developer would pay for underground parking in Chcago because of the expense and the ridiculous number of spaces required by zoning.

[Lookout Kid]

By the way, what is the sort of tapering tower pictured near the NBC tower? I'm not sure I've heard of this one yet...

[via chicago]

Originally Posted by Lookout Kid

I agree that a lot of the high-rise development in Chicago has been sub-par in terms of architectural integrity, but much of it has been really great as well. And the cumulative effect of building a "skyline" is truly stunning. Luckily, a skyline doesn't need every building to be a standout.

We do need to worry about how what we're building tranforms neighborhoods at the pedestrian level, however. Too many of Chicago's new high-rises have pre-cast concrete parking podiums at or just above the street level. This is creating neighborhoods of towers that are disturbingly disconnected from the street. We as Chicagoans either need to embrace public transportation and abandon parking requirements, or we need to insist on underground parking. As it stands now, no developer would pay for underground parking in Chcago because of the expense and the ridiculous number of spaces required by zoning.

i agree. the near north side has singlehandedly been ruined due to poor architecture and bad planning. while Chicago does get great projects now and then, we are being nickled and dimed to death. these hideous precast po-mo towers plopped on top of a 5 story parking podium are sins against man. what was once a walkable neighborhood filled with old brick warehouses and lofts has been desecrated. this is what tends to get overlooked in all the hoopla.