Even though Punxsutawney Phil has indicated that there will be several more weeks of winter, 2015 is already looking to be a very strong year for construction in Chicago. Here's a look into what's happening with three projects along the Halsted Street Corridor in the West Loop. First, the upcoming Gateway Tower at the southeast corner of Halsted and Green Streets is quickly approaching its final height as crews have reached the 17th floor, the last floor to frame for the new 167 unit apartment tower designed by Antunovich Associates. Floor to ceiling windows now enclose seven of the tower's residential floors as the exterior facade takes shape and provides a contrast to the historic 2 South Halsted Building next door.
At Lake and Halsted Streets, foundation work may soon begin for a new 28 story, 227 unit rental apartment tower designed by Booth Hansen. The site was cleared of the existing buildings last September and sat empty heading into winter. Recently, clean fill was brought in to level the property and Focus Construction banners have been attached to the perimeter fences. The project is being developed by Shapack Partners, Focus Development and Atlantic Realty Partners.
Meanwhile at 725 West Randolph Street, an already approved high rise might soon be getting a boost to jumpstart the project. Crain's Chicago business announced this week that Related Midwest is is negotiations with a developer at 723-729 West Randolph Street. This property last year saw a proposal for a twisting apartment tower with 220 units stacked above what would be Chicago's first fully automated parking garage for 260 cars. The unique design was created by Chicago based architecture firm SMDP Studio and would be located on a highly visible site adjacent to the Kennedy Expressway while serving as a visual gateway to the booming Randolph Street Restaurant Row directly to the west. The property currently is occupied by four 2-3 story buildings, all of which are presently vacant.
What isn't clear though is if the negotiations mean a different design with the programming switch from apartments to condos. So the question is, will the project get the financial boost needed for construction to start, or will it be added to the history of bold but never built high rise designs?
— Shawn Ursini
·Is This West Loop Apartment Tower Back From the Dead? [Curbed Chicago]
·Here's What the Gateway Apartment Tower Will Look Like [Curbed Chicago]
·Meet the West Loop's Newest and Curviest Apartment Tower [Curbed Chicago]
·Related Midwest Plots West Loop Push [Crains]
·725 W Randolph [SMDP Studio]