An Elevated Update of Two Logan Square Towers
Progress continues in the Logan Square neighborhood unofficially located at 2293 North Milwaukee Avenue, as Power Construction builds the Transit Oriented Development near the California Avenue blue line station. 2733 West Belden Avenue, the 12-story structure at the north end of the parcel, and 2210 North Washtenaw Avenue, the 11-story counterpart at the south end, are going up simultaneously. When finished, there will be 220 new...
With Controversy Down, Twin Towers Can Go Up
Many a teeth were gnashed and many a word were written about the forthcoming “twin-towers” project for the Logan Square neighborhood. Honestly though. we’re over it. You’re more than welcome to go back through our coverage of the community meetings (here and here) if you’d like, but from now on, this space will concentrate on the work being done to move this project forward. Approved by the Chicago Plan...
From Cops to Kids: CPD Station Begins Transformation Into Children’s Theater
Chicago’s most recent groundbreaking ceremony had the usual: Refreshments, dignitaries, and shiny metal shovels. It also had something different: A gaggle of tittering children digging in the dirt. That’s because this was the groundbreaking for the Chicago Children’s Theatre’s new home at 100 South Racine Street in the city’s Near West Side. The organization has taken over the vacant 12th District...
City Issues Logan Square Dual-Tower Permits
Exactly one month after issuing foundation permits, the City of Chicago has issued permits to begin erecting the controversial dual-tower project in Logan Square. ERECT 12 STORY RESIDENTIAL BUILDING ON PREVIOUSLY APPROVED FOUNDATION PERMIT #100606075. THESE PLANS ALSO INCLUDE 100615401 FOR 2210 N. WASHTENAW. ERECT 11 STORY RESIDENTIAL BUILDING ON PREVIOUSLY APPROVED FOUNDATION PERMIT#100606076. PLANS FOR THIS APPLICATION ARE UNDER...
Architecture and Art Come Together in Millennium Park
It’s already been built, but that doesn’t seem to matter. Yesterday the Chicago Plan Commission approved the construction of a temporary art pavilion in Millennium Park. Chicago Architecture Blog reporter Daniel Schell was there when the city gave the go-ahead to the project called Small Chapel for One Person or at Most a Couple. It’s a pavilion designed by Wheeler Kearns Architects for showcasing the work of...
At Long Last, Logan Square Will Get its Towers After All
The protracted and angry ballet over the Logan Square Dual Towers is finally over, with the Chicago Plan Commission giving its stamp of approval to the project at 2255 North Milwaukee Avenue. As it stands now, the development by Rob Buono, designed by Wheeler Kearns Architects, will consist of two “towers,” one 11 stories tall and one 12 stories tall, with a maximum of 220 residences. They are joined at the base by a...
Cops to Tots: Chicago Children’s Theater Details Plans to Move Into Abandoned Police Station
I witnessed a rare community meeting last evening, where residents overwhelmingly supported a development and rezoning. Which is not to say it was unanimous. But this is the West Loop, where any developer is viewed with a healthy dose of skepticism and suspicion. You’d have to be REALLY skeptical to cast any doubt on this project, though. It wasn’t a developer with visions of a 30-story residential tower. It was the Chicago Children’s...
Will Progressive Architecture Mark the Rebirth of Polonia Triangle?
Within a perpetually changing urban landscape, there come new buildings with a fresh architecture that vividly captures their moment in time and set a new standard for design. The recently completed tower at 1611 West Division is one of these buildings. Chicago-based Wheeler Kearns Architects led the design of the 11 story tower. It imagined the façade as a mass wrapped by fabric with vertical reflective panels and indented glass...
