The condo explosion continues, this time at North and Clybourn. The sales office opens tomorrow for this larger-than-life highrise being built near the el stop. We're happy to see more residential space in such an retail-heavy spot, but it is getting a bit congested...
The area has changed dramatically in the years we've lived close by and traffic has increased right along with all the retail coming in (luckily my family lives car-free, so it doesn't cramp our style too much). The building has been designed by Laurence Booth of Booth Hansen and according to the site, this is the only highrise that will be allowed in the general vicinity, due to zoning laws.
What does everyone think? Thumbs up or down on this plan/design...
I work right down the street from this development (former Expo + adjacent lot). It's a great location to build in, and I figure most of the semi-industrial area between Halsted and the river will be developed. Easy access to transport + expressways + Loop. Hopefully we'll see more lofting of the existing buildings (old great industrial brick stuff) vs. 28 story monsters.
...and we thought the shopping building at North/Sheffield was an eyesore...
Gross.
Huge thumbs down.
"according to the site, this is the only highrise that will be allowed in the general vicinity, due to zoning laws."
Don't you just love how in Chicago the zoning laws are really just flexible suggestions...
WOW! That'll really be a place marker there. Like the flatiron building further west at Milwaukee/Damen. Though it looks rather like MoMo from website rather than 30 W. Oak. I wish we had more of these scattered about and around the city at critical intersections.
They may close the New City YMCA! Boo hoo, gentrification... Will I have to succumb to a membership at Bally's? Please, let it not be!
They can't close NewCity! What about the Wrigley Field Replica?!? Of all Chicago, the area at North and Clyborn reminds me of LA the most. A highrise is a perfect fit, it just depends if you like that atmosphere I guess.
I think it's better for "city-livers" as a whole to try to concentrate development, and this area is good as a center (retail, transit, etc.). The fact that the city grants variances to zoning should be seen as a good kind of flexibility for sensible development of former industrial areas like this.
Too bad there are no renderings of what this might really look like, the silhouette lokks a lillte lame. May the buyer beware! The fact that the developer isn't showing the full floorplan (ie. how far is your 3 bedroom from the elevator?), or dimensions of interior rooms are both a little misleading (they may be counting things like the footprint of walls in the square foot total).
um, isn't New City being closed/sold exactly for something like this?
and i'll answer my own question:
yes, it is.
What is DN talking about?
You canNOT compare THIS to the Flat Iron Arts Building, a 3-story landmark artist's residence built in 1913 (click my name.)
(and don't even get me started on gentrification in Wicker Park, either, I never got to have a fried twinkie at Swank Frank.)
JJ is right, though, if you're going to keep building condos, keep building them by CB2.
I didn't think New City Y closing was definite, but it does seem inevitable.
What does the Tribune article say? I'm not registered...
anna - www.bugmenot.com whenever you need registration at a site.
Yay! Another building that isn't made of red brick and limestone. There are enough of those in the city, we need more modern buildings like this.
My only gripe is that I feel sorry for the unsuspecting buyers, buying from Smithfield.
I bought a Smithfield unit in 2002 and our association has been in a 750K legal battle from impropper, incorrect, or incomplete work (like the "20" year roof which is really a five year roof and will need to be replaced in the next two years at our expense. But I digress...
modern building... improper, incorrect, or incomplete work...
surprise, surprise
Two 28 story towers going up, with a potential 3rd phase. I walked through the models this weekend as I saw the sign. I bought a Ranquist Development Condo that is currently being built up the street on Clybourn (much smaller seven unit building). Much more modern that what they are doing on the interior of this building.
With that said, the floorplans were actually pretty decent. Decent sized bedrooms and great rooms across both the 1 bdrm and 2 bdrm units. Finishes are ok. Lowest 1 bdrm unit $274k w/o $30k charge for parking. The 1415 sq ft. 2 bdrm we looked at was above $500k including parking. Looked like they were selling at a decent clip as well.
According to the agent, the zoning got changed after smithfield purchased the parcel. They had to take the city to court and won. You never know how much b.s. is being tossed your way though.
It will be interesting to see who much more congested the area gets. Luckily, I don't drive.
isn't swank frank re-opening? or is the sign on the store a lie? it says they are essentially remodeling the interior.
and i think you should replace modern with rehab.....
For more information on the new SoNo Towers Condominiums please email me or visit my web site.
This place is sooooo NOOOO!!!!
(Whats up with all these condos trying to have NY-esque names???)