As an unseasonably cold February (even by Chicago standards) has passed us by, meanwhile construction crews continue to push through the winter. The city is experiencing a flurry of new construction activity, with several new projects on the way throughout the Near North Side. Curbed braved the cold to venture through the city to get an update on downtown construction sites north of the Chicago River.
Nearly complete, crews are applying the finishing touches to the 35 story building at 805 North LaSalle. The 295 unit rental project by Smithfield Properties was designed by Berkelhamer Architects, with Antunovich Associates as the architect of record. If you notice some similarities between the finished product here and the second SoNo tower near North and Clybourn, that's because it was done by the same design team.
The project, which has a very low parking ratio, is located in a transit oriented location just two blocks east of the CTA's Brown and Purple Lines and three blocks east of the Red Line. The finished tower blends right into the North LaSalle streetscape when looking north from the river, but certainly has quite the presence on Chicago Avenue, whose frontage at this time is still dominated by low-rise structures to the west of State Street.
Also finishing construction is the 35 story, 367 unit rental apartment tower at 845 North State. Newcastle, Ltd is developing the tower on land purchased from Loyola University's downtown campus. As part of the project, Loyola's new 10 story Quinlan School of Business is also being constructed next door. The two structures feature a contrast of brick and glass facades. The project, which runs along State Street from Pearson to Chestnut Streets sits only a half block north of the Red Line station at Chicago and State.
Meanwhile, over in Streeterville, The Ability Institute of RIC is still erecting steel, but inching closer to its final height. The glass curtain wall facade has climbed to the ninth floor, with the parking levels now fully enclosed. The tower will stand 27 stories high on the site of the former CBS Studio, where the first televised presidential debate took place between John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon.
To south of RIC, Golub & Company's 545 North McClurg is on the rise with the first floor now framed out. This 45 story tower with 490 units is another rental project designed by the Chicago based Solomon Cordwell Buenz (SCB). The tower is being built on land that was formerly an RIC surface parking lot that was sold to Golub by way of a land swap with the RIC. Golub had originally planned a twin tower concept where the Ability Institute is currently underway. The 545 McClurg project will also include ground floor retail space and medical offices that will wrap the parking podium's north side, providing visible occupied space, enhancing the streetscape along Ohio.
— Shawn Ursini
·Previous Chicago & LaSalle coverage [Curbed Chicago]
·Previous SoNo coverage [Curbed Chicago]
·Previous 845 North State/Loyola coverage [Curbed Chicago]
·Previous Ability Institute of RIC [Curbed Chicago]
·Previous 545 North McClurg coverage [Curbed Chicago]
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