Robotic parking, eh? We'll do you one better: robotic valet parking. That's the contrivance that developers of the proposed 725 W Randolph apartment tower have engineered to help sex up and 'green' their project. And, as the Chicago Architecture Blog (CAB) is reporting, it certainly seemed to aid in Tuesday's community presentation with the majority of 100 or so attendees expressing fondness for the 31-story, 220-unit tower. Critically, the tower will stand against the Kennedy and east of Halsted where zoning already permits the proposed height and density.
Developer Jesse Levine is working with architect Scott Sarver of SMDP Studio who released drawings at last night's gathering. The tower is articulated by wraparound balconies, glass, and bulbous ring-like protrusions from the roof (also the site of a bitchin' amenity deck). It's also designed with chubby base that tapers toward a thinner top, with a touch of corkscrewing along the way. As for that fancy-pants parking system, attorney Rolando Acosta likens the mechanics to that of one of America's all-time favorite pieces of equipment: "It's similar to the way you see a vending machine work, but on a larger scale. The cars will be put on a shelf." Head to CAB for more.
·Proposed West Loop Skyscraper to Include Robotic Valet Parking [CAB]
·Development Update: 725 W Randolph [Curbed Chicago]
Loading comments...