Old being turned into new in the West Loop’s Igoe Building.

I just read from Skyscraperpage’s ’spyguy’ that the Igoe Building, located at 600 W. Van Buren Street in Chicago’s West Loop neighborhood, is being renovated…but for office or residential?!  When researching the background of the name, either the Igoe Building was named after a printer or was named after James T. Igoe, a former U.S. representative who was as Chicago’s city clerk from 1917 - 1923 and was later chairman of the executive committee of Chicago.  For the past year, whenever I’ve gone past this building, I’ve thought the the Igoe Building would make a great loft condo building because of the massive windows but we’ll see.  The 285,900 square foot former industrial turned loft office building already has a Panera Bread opening up on the ground floor.

Plans for a fully renovated Igoe Building.

Current look of the Igoe Building.

514 luxury apartments proposed for Crowne Plaza parking lot in the West Loop

At a time when barely anything is being proposed in Chicago, let alone the West Loop, this article coming from Gazette Chicago speaks about a 514 luxury apartment development planned for Crowne Plaza’sparking lot.  Included in the development, proposed by Skokie developer F&F Realty, Ltd., is 10,000 square feet of retail space fronting Halsted Street.  The parking lot is located at the Southeast corner of Halsted and Madison Streets.

This parking lot was just begging for something of this magnitude for such a long time.  Now, lets all say a prayer that the design will be good.

Check out the full Gazette Chicago article by clicking HERE!

Huge retail transformation for Presidential Towers in the West Loop!

Retail leases launch Presidential Towers redevelopment

By Eddie Baeb, Aug. 12, 2009

(Crain’s) — A health club and a trendy breakfast restaurant have signed leases to become the first new retail tenants at Presidential Towers in the West Loop, paving the way for a major redevelopment to take place beginning later this year.

Chicago-based Fitness Formula Ltd. has leased 52,043 square feet that will be spread over two levels along Clinton Street, where a glass-enclosed, three-story atrium will be built to replace a loading dock there now.

The restaurant Yolk has leased 4,200 square feet just south of the new gym that will also front Clinton between Madison and Monroe streets.

A big thanks to ChicagoRealEstateDaily.com for the article.  I am 110% for this project and only wish it could start construction earlier than they’re saying.  Right now, the Presidential Towers retail and parking podium is a huge, blank, brick wall and is basically an indoor mall but now, this will make it so the storefronts are facing the outside…the more modern version of a mall. 

Check out the full article by clicking HERE!

 

Reflection in West Loop/Fulton River District

Get a taste of the Taste of Randolph Street in the West Loop this weekend!

For those of you who aren’t too farmiliar with the West Loop restaurant scene, Randolph Street, centered around Randolph Street and Peoria Street.  Restaurants range from upscale sushi to low country bbq so no matter what, you’ll find something.

This weekend, from June 19th – June 21st, is the 12th annual Taste of Randolph Street.  The Taste of Randolph Street is a neighborhood festival showcasing local restaurants as well as different crafts, food demonstrations, and some fun bands to liven it up even more.  Examples of participating restaurants include Market Bar, Veerasway, Izumi Sushi, De Cero Taqueria, and more.  Suggested donation is $10.00 and check out the hours and the band lineup below as well.

Friday, June 19th - 5pm – 11pm — Saturday, June 20th – 2pm – 11pm — Sunday, June 21st, 2pm – 10pm.

Friday
5:30 p.m.: Miles Nielsen
7 p.m.: These United States
8:30 p.m.: Dr. Dog3 p.m.: Dan and Leland
4:15 p.m.: Ultra Sonic Edukators
5:30 p.m.: Posies
7:15 p.m.: Urge Overkill
9 p.m.: Tinted Windows2 p.m.: Baby Loves Disco
4:15 p.m.: Old Fake
5:30 p.m.: Regal Standard
6:45 p.m.: The Ladies & Gentlemen
8 p.m.: The Hold Steady

Saturday

Sunday

Construction check-up for Belgravia Group’s 565 Quincy!

While walking around my new neighborhood the other day, I walked across I90/94 on Washington Blvd and I noticed off in the distance 565 Quincy, a loft/condominium development by Belgravia Group.  Construction on 565 Quincy is, for the most part, wrapping up soon and closings have already started on the three floors of lofts.  565 Quincy’s prices range from the 200K’s to the mid 400K’s and the sales center is open 7 days a week from 10am – 6pm.  To take a look at the homes, pay a visit to 565 Quincy’s sales center, located at 565 W. Quincy Street, or give them a call at 312-207-0007.  I still need to get over there to post more pictures.

Catalyst, a proposed West Loop high rise developed by Urban R2.

Catalyst, located at 123 N. Des Plaines Street in the West Loop, is a proposed condominium building that is being built by Urban R2, and is designed by Lucien Lagrange Architects.  Right now, the site of Catalyst is one of the many surface parking lots around Chicago’s West Loop neighborhood and from the looks of it, Catalyst will be around 20 stories tall. 

The neighborhood is great and when/if complete, Catalyst residents will be able to take advantage of the abundant public transportation, the Randolph Street restaurants and shops, a nearby Dominicks, and of course downtown Chicago.  Homes in Catalyst will include high end finishes such as Poggenpohl Cabinets in kitchens and baths as well as appliances by Wolf and Sub-Zero to name a couple.  Catalyst will include amenities like a landscaped rooftop terrace, massage therapy room, and an indoor dog run.  This proposal has been around for awhile with an original closing date of January 2009 so I honestly have no idea if it will ever get built.  For more information, give Catalyst a call at 312-775-0000.

Wisdom of Q event TONIGHT with Belgravia Group’s 565 Quincy and Time Out Chicago!

Come and join Belgravia Group’s 565 Quincy and Time Out Chicago for the Wisdom of Q Event at 565 W. Quincy Street in the West Loop!  The Wisdom of Q Event will be tonight from 6-9pm in 565 Quincy’s amazing amenities room, called the Q Room.  A great turnout is expected, so great that everyone chose to have another party next Thursday, April 30th also from 6-9pm!  So if you can’t make it tonight, we would love to see you there next Thursday night.

Wisdom of Q event with Belgravia Group’s 565 Quincy and Time Out Chicago!

565 Quincy, an exciting development from Belgravia Group, has officially moved its sales center into the building with some brand new model homes!  Because of this, 565 Quincy and Belgravia Group has partnered with Time Out Chicago for a huge celebration in the building, located at 565 W. Quincy Street.  Because of an OUTSTANDING response, 565 Quincy had to expand to two events which are currently filled to capacity! 

The first event will be Thursday, April 23rd from 6pm – 9pm and the second event will be Thursday, April 30th from 6pm – 9pm.  Each event is at maximum capacity so check out this website for further information!

The party will be held in 565 Quincy’s Q Room which includes amenities like a two lane bowling alley, putting green, private movie screening room, full workout facilities, billiards, and a full kitchen and bar area.  Complimentary cocktails and plenty of food will keep the party going the whole time. 

I will for sure bring you all another post with pictures and even more information on 565 Quincy.  Just so you all know, 565 Quincy’s sales center is open 7 days a week from 10am – 6pm.  Give them a call at (312) 207-0007 to set up an appointment or just stop in when they’re open!