Should Chicago mandate below ground parking?

[FAReastcoast]

Originally Posted by steeps

I have too reply.... their can and are Chicago podium ones that are EXPENSIVE HIGH-END and Attractive Unique too.

https://www.google.com/maps/@41.8951...7i13312!8i6656

It is Chicago-style too.... but far from Houston ones. I love to be able to afford one.

Chicago is not NYC. It has aspects of the Loop similar. But not all areas need be like Manhattan or European city. One can prefer NYC with far less podium ones.... but the thread spoke of Toronto in particular and theirs DO NOT seem better without the Podiums but with underground garages instead. That was what my original comment was....

High end? That podium is painted concrete slabs, nothing high end about it, and looks cheap. Actually every example you provided of a garage in Chicago looks bad.

[steeps]

Originally Posted by FAReastcoast

High end? That podium is painted concrete slabs, nothing high end about it, and looks cheap. Actually every example you provided of a garage in Chicago looks bad.

Not to me ....sorry. I find it pleasant foe what it is. Appears WELL-BUILT, STURDY and WELL DESIGNED. We can agree to disagree. Super clean streets and green-space on sidewalks with flowers. Again Grit that is dirty.... Piles of garbage on sidewalks are as UN-IMPRESSIVE to me I'VE SEEN IN MANHATTAN ... I find these buildings with balconies and retail ground-level just fine.... I was not impressed with aspects of Manhattan with steel gated and shuttered retail businesses and cheap electronic stores on parts of 5th Ave. BUT THE MIN PARTS HIGH-END OF 5th AVE.... I LOVED to see AND CHURCHES ALONG THE WAY......

Still plenty of McDonald's around other blocks of the street and Hot dog joints with paper signage even by iconic Empire State building. I even ate off Times Square on my last trip,..... and got seated on the balcony overlooking piles of garbage on the sidewalk.... then with my Asian Sister-in-Law..... got off the subway in Battery Park to a dumpster overflowing with garbage to get the fairy to The Stature of Liberty....Chicago could NEVER get away with that for tourist. NYC can.

But this thread is nothing about NYC. But I merely note aspects of Manhattan I don't Find classy either. But I fond Downtown Chicago today.... all class and improving.... because its your preferred city. I fully respect NYC but note it too is not aesthetically pleasing to me as seems Chicago is not to you.

But we surely can merely disagree..... they are different city's.... one appears far more newer and clean to pristine. Even with older buildings care was taken to re-purpose. In a city that manicures its downtown blocks.... especially high-end areas. Though all Residential areas of downtown Chicago and near.... Are expensive. OH and added green-built green ace with trees and flowers and adds green medians as streets are re-done. Not merely put out, cheap looking planters.....

[FAReastcoast]

Originally Posted by steeps

Not to me ....sorry. I find it pleasant foe what it is. Appears WELL-BUILT, STURDY and WELL DESIGNED. We can agree to disagree. Super clean streets and green-space on sidewalks with flowers. Again Grit that is dirty.... Piles of garbage on sidewalks are as UN-IMPRESSIVE to me I'VE SEEN IN MANHATTAN ... I find these buildings with balconies and retail ground-level just fine.... I was not impressed with aspects of Manhattan with steel gated and shuttered retail businesses and cheap electronic stores on parts of 5th Ave. BUT THE MIN PARTS HIGH-END OF 5th AVE.... I LOVED to see AND CHURCHES ALONG THE WAY......

Still plenty of McDonald's around other blocks of the street and Hot dog joints with paper signage even by iconic Empire State building. I even ate off Times Square on my last trip,..... and got seated on the balcony overlooking piles of garbage on the sidewalk.... then with my Asian Sister-in-Law..... got off the subway in Battery Park to a dumpster overflowing with garbage to get the fairy to The Stature of Liberty....Chicago could NEVER get away with that for tourist. NYC can.

But this thread is nothing about NYC. But I merely note aspects of Manhattan I don't Find classy either. But I fond Downtown Chicago today.... all class and improving.... because its your preferred city. I fully respect NYC but note it too is not aesthetically pleasing to me as seems Chicago is not to you.

But we surely can merely disagree..... they are different city's.... one appears far more newer and clean to pristine. Even with older buildings care was taken to re-purpose. In a city that manicures its downtown blocks.... especially high-end areas. Though all Residential areas of downtown Chicago and near.... Are expensive. OH and added green-built green ace with trees and flowers and adds green medians as streets are re-done. Not merely put out, cheap looking planters.....

Not sure why you can't go one post without mentioning NYC in the Chicago forum.

Anyway you can think painted concrete slabs that try to be something they are not are classy all you want. The truth is that is the result of value engineering to make it as cheap as possible, like calling a fake Rolex classy.

[steeps]

Originally Posted by FAReastcoast

Not sure why you can't go one post without mentioning NYC in the Chicago forum.

Anyway you can think painted concrete slabs that try to be something they are not are classy all you want. The truth is that is the result of value engineering to make it as cheap as possible, like calling a fake Rolex classy.

Not painted slabs... you could post a modern High-rise done right for you? Streetview360° too perhaps? I merely mention NYC.
You also did give comments in a thread where NYC was up against Chicago.... but to post this...

Originally Posted by FAReastcoast

Steeps and Urbanologist may be the two most clueless posters on City Data, and that is saying something.

So far that ended that thread....

Originally Posted by FAReastcoast

To me CHicago feels nothing like an east coast city, Chicago is midwestern the same way New York City is east coast, they are both the center of their regions, but not really like any other city in their region.

Not that I disagree with most of your posts on C-D.... especially on Chicago where you currently live? But I'd say parts of the Loop are passable for NYC vibrancy and of course Michigan Ave. North and South. As you touch on this next post.

Originally Posted by FAReastcoast

I didn't say all Manhattan streets were as busy as North Michigan, I said all Avenues between The Park and 14th (SoHo is south of there) are, and if you look at the pedestrian counts, that is about spot on. Stevie Wonder could see that.

It's merely I knew you know NYC and post in their threads and it is the City that gets Tops vs other cities that fall short UNLESS they can match-up to its attributes.

So still on them podium High-Rises. Are they still SUB-PAR and cheap looking to you? At least them 2 in that streetview ... don't mind. You apparently have SUPERIOR varieties you find much better? Perhaps in NYC? Why I asked for examples.... like in streetviews. No doubt NOT podium-style. I just don't' find a garage necessarily KILLS street-level if it has some retail. Also still sleek and clean lines, not just a box and I like balconies too and light colored buildings or added color. I'm fond of brick red and blue-green color combination.

[compactspace]

Originally Posted by FAReastcoast

Not sure why you can't go one post without mentioning NYC in the Chicago forum.

Anyway you can think painted concrete slabs that try to be something they are not are classy all you want. The truth is that is the result of value engineering to make it as cheap as possible, like calling a fake Rolex classy.

I'd be very glad to see a mandate for underground parking along with the abolition of parking minimums.

But I've got to thinking: for many existing podiums, wouldn't commissioning some quality murals, sculptures or tile mosaics go some way to reducing their bland hideousness?

[steeps]

Originally Posted by compactspace

I'd be very glad to see a mandate for underground parking along with the abolition of parking minimums.

But I've got to thinking: for many existing podiums, wouldn't commissioning some quality murals, sculptures or tile mosaics go some way to reducing their bland hideousness?

This garage alone in the Loop. Was made to look like a Old School Chicago building street-level.

https://www.google.com/maps/@41.8845...7i13312!8i6656

This one has art/drawings built in its exterior.

https://www.google.com/maps/@41.8794...7i13312!8i6656

Here is a PODIUM-STYLE RESIDENTIAL BUILDING.... I wasn't sure it was a garage too... till I looked down the alley. Then I knew for sure.... WHO OBJECTS TO THIS?

https://www.google.com/maps/@41.8963...7i13312!8i6656

A Fuller view of same building above...

https://www.google.com/maps/@41.8966...7i13312!8i6656

This is a PODIUM Residential building with RETAIL street-level. AGAIN, I DON'T MIND IT. I BELIEVE IT LOOKS GOOD.

https://www.google.com/maps/@41.8948...7i13312!8i6656

This one is a Podium Hotel I believe.... right on North Michigan Ave. But walking street-level. You would not realize it... with retail.

https://www.google.com/maps/@41.8917...7i13312!8i6656

LIKE I SAY... SOME ARE MUCH BETTER THEN OTHERS. BUT I DID NOT FIND TORONTO'S PODIUM-LESS MANDATE CREATED BETTER LOOKING BUILDINGS OR STREET-LEVEL BETTER.... I DON'T MIND THE PODIUM. JUST.... I don't think now is a time to add cost to prospective investors..... Chicago is fine with these I believe. Maybe it's just me?

[PerseusVeil]

A decent amount of them downtown have businesses on the main floor, so those aren't so bad. There are some really obvious and really ugly ones though.

But, on the topic of above ground parking, I will forever hate that swivel ramp that leads to the garage in the Hancock Center.
https://www.google.com/maps/@41.8984...8i6656!6m1!1e1

[chet everett]

That corkscrew parking garage ramp has interesting back story. It was supposed to be INSIDE a tower that would have been a TWIN to what the Hancock Insurance firm built. They bought up the rest of the block, but the private club did not sell. It is a favorite spot of the old school power elite to have parties and every once in a while it gets a mention---

Chicago's Casino Club

For Members Only, Inside the private clubs of Chicago|chicagotribune.com

[Midwest Revival]

NYC does below ground parking because of limited space, Chicago has plenty of vacant lots and what not so its not really needed.

[steeps]

Originally Posted by chet everett

That corkscrew parking garage ramp has interesting back story. It was supposed to be INSIDE a tower that would have been a TWIN to what the Hancock Insurance firm built. They bought up the rest of the block, but the private club did not sell. It is a favorite spot of the old school power elite to have parties and every once in a while it gets a mention---

Chicago's Casino Club

For Members Only, Inside the private clubs of Chicago|chicagotribune.com

Very interesting. I never knew there was a second Hancock Tower planned. Never saw pictures of a rendering of a second?? I wonder if it was identical? Something to complement and what the heck it was to look like. But guess it was not meant to be. So many Super-Talls never got built. Many not just some of them.... but many others I liked a lot did not. The Crash killed a lot I liked and wish they were built. I even Wisk the Spire was built. The prestige and international sales should have been sufficient for SUCESS. But the CRASH was too much in probably back outs. But apparently was not ordained to be.