Modernist Harry Weese Condo in Old Town Asks $425K
Architectural iconoclast Harry Weese may have made his reputation at other sites around town, from the Time & Life Building to the Auditorium Theatre (where he lead a restoration project), but this two-level condo demonstrates his skill with urban settings on a smaller scale, while putting ownership of an original Weese within more people's reach. Brick-clad and built in 1962, this unit belongs to a sturdy row of 20 units that sits east to west, allowing for generous sunlight through the north and south faces as well as large outdoor areas. The backyard also features an odd detail; a brown box protruding from the wall that Weese built to house and conceal an air conditioning unit. At $425,000 and within walking distance of the mainstays of Old Town, it's not a bad way to experience the designs of the mercurial Modernist.
Kayak to Whole Foods? Check Out This Plan for a Northside Riverwalk
All renderings via Moss Design
Amid the recent frenzy of plans and articles examining Goose Island'spotential as a tech hub and entrepreneurial center, why not focus on the area's recreational potential as well? Chicago's Moss Designrecently illustrated a proposal for the North Branch Canal, the man-made channel that initially created Goose Island, that would transform this industrial stretch of the Chicago River into something akin to a north side Riverwalk.
"It's a rare piece of the river and present the unique chance to turn a backwater into an important part of the river system," says architect Matt Nardella, owner of Moss. "As Chicagoans, we're all into the lakefront, but there's a lot more waterway that could be utilized."
Food Desert Fix: Public Housing Reinvented as Grocery Store
Image of foodDenish C/Creative Commons
The suburban community of Ford Heights finds itself in a food desert, defined as areas where residents cannot walk or take public transportation to buy affordable food. As an experiment to try and alleviate this issue, Chicago Housing Authority (CHA) has converted one unit in a local public housing complex into a grocery store. ,Run by Crisp Fresh Market, a for-profit arm of Catholic Charities, the grocery store opened on Wednesday in partnership with the CHA.
Wrigley Field Caught Between Contemporary Touches and Historic Charm
Image of Little Village via Jim Ellwanger/Creative Commons
As the ballpark's renovation has progressed throughout the year, Wrigley Field has been struggling with an identity crisis. How is an aging park supposed to keep up with the times without losing its original character and charm? While some reviews of the bleacher renovations by VOA Associates have been critical (see a recent Crain's review), a new article by Blair Kamin focuses on how the simple act of keeping track of the game illustrates the central drama inherent in updating a landmark.
Living in the White City? $1.9M Gets You This Brilliant, Full-Floor Ivory Condo
All images via Redfin
Ever wish you could say your home has been featured in a magazine? If you fall for this $1.895 million listing, you can. Arranged by Evanston-based designerJohn Ansehl, this full-floor unit graced the pages of Interiors Magazine, and it's not hard to see why. Virtually every corner of this 4,500-square-foot unit in a vintage 1922 building has been coated in a different shade of white, which provides a perfect backdrop for punches of color and pop culture, such as this Marilyn Monroe nude photos in pink duotones. In other words, the walls are primed to hold your art collection and conversation pieces, so you can entertain in style here. Previously on the market for $2.19 million, this full-floor co-op just south of the Gold Coast and a block from Lake Shore Drive offers
New Map Shows Where Working From Home Is On the Rise
Hit the alarm, get dressed, hit the road, walk past the water cooler, socialize and attempt to focus. It doesn't always have to be like this. Some have already rebelled against this scenario, and now we know where they live/work. According to a new interactive map published by DNAinfo, 4.3 percent of the 1.18 million workers in Chicago now work from home. Lakeview clocks in as the most untethered neighborhood, with 4,080 people recorded as remote workers from 2009 to 2013. On its heels are the Near North Side at 3,902, West Town at 3,271, and Lincoln Park at 2,740. Working from home doesn't have to conjure up images of sitting on a couch in pajamas. Technically, it encompasses working from a coffee shop, co-working space or your living room. If you're curious to see if you live in a neighborhood with a higher work-from-home population, enter in your address here.
Portillo's; 6 Cycling Routes; Chicago's Architectural Chutzpah; More
[Photo via the Curbed Chicago Flickr pool/Curtis Locke]
· Dick Portillo's buys $24M Oswego shopping center [Crain's]
· Six great Chicagoland cycling routes [Chicago Magazine]
· City Hyde Park is moving up [Hyde Park Herald]
· Deerfield office complex sells for $154M [Crain's]
· The long-term value of building green [Chicago Agent Magazine]
· Optima II finally starting construction [Chicago Architecture Blog]
· Cops starting checkpoints for cyclists [DNAinfo]
· Chicago called out for "architectural chutzpah" [Chicago Reader]
· Six great Chicagoland cycling routes [Chicago Magazine]
· City Hyde Park is moving up [Hyde Park Herald]
· Deerfield office complex sells for $154M [Crain's]
· The long-term value of building green [Chicago Agent Magazine]
· Optima II finally starting construction [Chicago Architecture Blog]
· Cops starting checkpoints for cyclists [DNAinfo]
· Chicago called out for "architectural chutzpah" [Chicago Reader]
Argyle Streetscape Plan Countdown Begins, Killing All Curbs
TheArgyle Streetscape Plan is starting on July 6, per an announcement by Ald. Harry Osterman (48th). At that time, Argyle Street will only allow one-way eastbound traffic. Let the detours begin. This $3 million project aims to create the city's first shared street, creating the feel of a plaza in Uptown. Once renovations are complete, there will no longer be a curb; the sidewalk and road will be on the same plane.
Little Village & Pilsen Residents Wanted for Planning Opinions
Image of Little Village via yooperann /Creative Commons
Little Village and Pilsen are kindred neighborhoods, both centers of the Mexican community, and community leaders in both aim to expand access to parks and open spaces, improve housing options, and promote sustainable business and retail development. That's why the Chicago Department of Planning and Development (DPD) is drafting a land use plan to better develop each area's assets, ideally in concert with those who known them best. To engage the public in the planning process, a series of community workshops have been scheduled. Details on time and location are here
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Wacker Drive Redevelopment Gets Whacked by Owner Feud
The General Growth Properties headquarters is not experiencing much growth at all, property-wise. The historic, squat five-story building is supposed to be redeveloped into an imposing tower like its neighbors, but plans have stalled because the owners just can't agree. Development Resources sued Howard Hughes in Cook County Circuit Court, claiming that they are being pushed out from the sweet deal at 110 N. Wacker Drive. It's gotten legal, folks.
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$2.15M Buys David Adler Home Straight From Architect's Heart
Photos courtesy Estately
David Adler was an all-around good guy. Not only was he a world-renowned architect who favored expansive, Old World architecture and designed numerous landmark buildings, but he also loved his mom. Or, at least that's what we gather from this remodeled and expanded 3,500-square-foot home and coach house he designed for her in Libertyville on a large, secluded lot. Like many of his residential projects, this five-bed, 2.5-bath home has earned a place on the National Register of Historic Places. And while respect is paid to the architect's original designs, there are modern finishes where it matters, such as the Bosch, Wolf and Sub-Zero appliances in the kitchen. Got $2.15M to spare, plus $110 in monthly HOA fees? If not, maybe mom can loan you the difference.
Board of Trade Futures Pits Could Be City's Next Cool Office
Image via daniel.gene /Creative Commons
On July 6, the historic futures pits at the Chicago Board of Trade will become a thing of the past as they close down for good. Operated as a exchange floor since 1930, the space will soon be open to a completely new life as it goes on the market for new tenants. Who's it going to be? The high-ceilinged office space with a storied Art Deco design make it a hot prospect for a number of different industries. Wide-open interiors have fetched premium prices from big-name tech tenants, as the new Google space in Fulton Market has shown. Located in the heart of the Loop, the trading floor at the CBOT could be one of the most high-potential commercial acquisitions on the market.
Pedway Map; New Hancock Observatory; Fulton Market Changes; More
· A complete map of Chicago's pedway system [Chicago Detours]
· Take a look at the Hancock's renovated observation deck [Crain's]
· Chicago's top-selling suburbs in May [Chicago Agent Magazine]
· Moody planning 100 units of new senior housing [Chicago Architecture Blog]
· A look inside WGN anchor's recently sold condo [Chicago Tribune]
· How Fulton Market wholesalers are handling the changing 'hood [The Distance]
· New O'Hare chief talks expansion and airport makeover [Chicago Tribune]
· Take a look at the Hancock's renovated observation deck [Crain's]
· Chicago's top-selling suburbs in May [Chicago Agent Magazine]
· Moody planning 100 units of new senior housing [Chicago Architecture Blog]
· A look inside WGN anchor's recently sold condo [Chicago Tribune]
· How Fulton Market wholesalers are handling the changing 'hood [The Distance]
· New O'Hare chief talks expansion and airport makeover [Chicago Tribune]
5 Spots For Great Chicago Skyline Views Away From Tourists
It's hard to beat this, but we have some ideas. Photo via Opacity/Creative Commons
Where's the best perch for seeing Chicago's iconic architecture and signature cityscape? The answer to that question is attracting a lot of investment from the city's tallest buildings, according to a new Tribune article, which notes that the John Hancock Center is currently upgrading its observatory, recently renamed 360 Chicago, with stadium benches that allow for a more relaxed view of the sunset. Not to be left behind, the Willis Tower Skydeck will also see some yet-to-be-revealed improvements, according to a spokesman from new owners the Blackstone Group. The Trump Tower is even upgrading its Terrace. While its fair to say the Hancock and Willis Tower offer some of the city's best panoramas, these upgrades suggest they'll continue to attract a good portion of the city's tourist traffic. If you're looking for inspiring views without dispiriting lines, here are some suggestions. It's by no means a complete list, so add any suggestions in the comments.
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