Wrigleyville Development Proposal

[UMFan83]

I was reading another Chicago development website and their discussion about this proposal and someone mentioned that all of the existing retail tenants have been offered leases in the new space.

[circlechange]

I believe that the owners of the sports memorabilia shop and the auto shop at the SE corner of Addison have not agreed to sell and would therefore still remain. Hopefully they're just holding out for more money that will eventually cave, because to build that huge complex and have those two shops cut out of it would look terrible.

 

I live in the area as well. At first I didn't support the building because I thought it would take away from Wrigley's grandeur. At 8 or 9 stories I still think it might, but some of those areas along Addison and Clark can use a facelift (or new face entirely). Nothing along Addison from Clark to Sheffield is worth saving. The triangle lot should be redeveloped. The McDonald's is awful, and someone should redevelop the U-Haul outlet north of Patterson as well. It's a fun area, but most of the commercial lots directly across from the stadium are eyesores. The one redeeming factor is that the McDonald's parking lot allows for a broad view of Wrigley when you're still a couple hundred feet away.

 

Btw, anyone know what they're doing to the Addison sidewalk? Just extending the new brick design or is it something more extreme?

[danonwaveland]

You've got to admit though folks that there is a better use for that land than what is there now.

 

Only if they retain the Wrigley cam that pans across the front of the park on Addison.

 

____________________________________________________

Sandberg>Mazeroski>Morgan

[swordsman]

You've got to admit though folks that there is a better use for that land than what is there now.

 

Only if they retain the Wrigley cam that pans across the front of the park on Addison.

 

 

 

 

____________________________________________________

Sandberg>Mazeroski>Morgan

 

I'll be down there tonight at about 6:30-6:45.

 

I'll wave to you.

[RedIvyCub]

I believe they are putting in more pavers and that is where the Ernie Banks statue will be.

[J.R.]

This project is moving along. A decent hotel adjacent to the ballpark would be fantastic IMO.

 

M&R Development LLC and other investors two years ago wanted to plop a 22-story building on Addison south of Wrigley. They're settling for a complex that's 91 feet tall, or eight floors, at its highest point, and that's for the hotel part. Fronting on Clark, the hotel will be the furthest piece from Wrigley. The apartment section will face Addison, and its 81-foot height will leave it lower than the Wrigley rooftop, which is about 88 feet.

 

Residents couldn't spy the game, even with a periscope.

 

...

 

The project calls for 135 apartments, a 137-room hotel perhaps managed by Hyatt, and 145,000 square feet for stores, including a health club.

 

Lahey said that to address worries about density, the developers involved more parcels in the deal, increasing the land site by about 20 percent to 93,000 square feet. The construction thus spreads over a larger area.

 

The concessions and improvements should give Tunney enough cover to take its zoning change to the city. A hearing before the Chicago Plan Commission could occur in June.

 

http://www.suntimes.com/business/2265592,wrigley-lake-view-apartments-051210.article

[J.R.]

The $100 million proposal, which was designed by Chicago architects Solomon Cordwell Buenz for M&R Development in partnership with SAS Equities, isn’t that bad. But nor is it a particularly compelling work of architecture. It looks like many a project that has gone through an extensive public review process, as though it were trying very hard not to offend anyone. While its broad outlines are good enough to merit approval from the Chicago Plan Commission next month, it still needs considerable l tweaking before it’s in sync with the vibrant, chock-a-block streetscape of Wrigleyville.

 

http://featuresblogs.chicagotribune.com/theskyline/2010/05/thousands-of-people-are-getting-all-steamed-up-about-a-controversial-plan-for-an-eight-story-hotel-apartment-and-retail-comp.html

[daske17]

The $100 million proposal, which was designed by Chicago architects Solomon Cordwell Buenz for M&R Development in partnership with SAS Equities, isn’t that bad. But nor is it a particularly compelling work of architecture. It looks like many a project that has gone through an extensive public review process, as though it were trying very hard not to offend anyone. While its broad outlines are good enough to merit approval from the Chicago Plan Commission next month, it still needs considerable l tweaking before it’s in sync with the vibrant, chock-a-block streetscape of Wrigleyville.

 

http://featuresblogs.chicagotribune.com/theskyline/2010/05/thousands-of-people-are-getting-all-steamed-up-about-a-controversial-plan-for-an-eight-story-hotel-apartment-and-retail-comp.html

 

I'm not saying this development will kill the vibe of Wrigleyville, but it will wound it. Currently built, it's a hodge podge of wonderful bars, restaurants and iO Theatre.

 

A perfect example of urban renewal that killed a neighborhood is what happened to Belmont between Clark and Sheffield. High-price condo developments move in, character moved out. Now it could be anywhere in the city.

[J.R.]

A hotel, retail and residential complex on Addison Street across from Wrigley Field won approval Thursday from city planners despite complaints that it's a "sterilization" of a lively urban scene.

 

The Chicago Plan Commission endorsed the project, which would be anchored by a 137-room hotel. It also would include 135 residences and about 140,000 square feet for stores.

 

...

 

Ald. Tunney said the project will add vitality to a commercial block that suffers a "feast or famine" depending on whether a Cubs game is being played. He said Improv backers that signed petitions against the project mostly don't live in the area.

 

http://www.suntimes.com/business/2405782,CST-NWS-wrigley18.article

[daske17]

A hotel, retail and residential complex on Addison Street across from Wrigley Field won approval Thursday from city planners despite complaints that it's a "sterilization" of a lively urban scene.

 

The Chicago Plan Commission endorsed the project, which would be anchored by a 137-room hotel. It also would include 135 residences and about 140,000 square feet for stores.

 

...

 

Ald. Tunney said the project will add vitality to a commercial block that suffers a "feast or famine" depending on whether a Cubs game is being played. He said Improv backers that signed petitions against the project mostly don't live in the area.

 

http://www.suntimes.com/business/2405782,CST-NWS-wrigley18.article

 

Seriously? Does Tunney live in the area? Clark is hopping every freaking night with all the bars even in the winter! I'm so glad that I'm moving out of the area in a couple months. I am done with Chicago politics.

[apete6]

A hotel, retail and residential complex on Addison Street across from Wrigley Field won approval Thursday from city planners despite complaints that it's a "sterilization" of a lively urban scene.

 

The Chicago Plan Commission endorsed the project, which would be anchored by a 137-room hotel. It also would include 135 residences and about 140,000 square feet for stores.

 

...

 

Ald. Tunney said the project will add vitality to a commercial block that suffers a "feast or famine" depending on whether a Cubs game is being played. He said Improv backers that signed petitions against the project mostly don't live in the area.

 

http://www.suntimes.com/business/2405782,CST-NWS-wrigley18.article

 

Seriously? Does Tunney live in the area? Clark is hopping every freaking night with all the bars even in the winter! I'm so glad that I'm moving out of the area in a couple months. I am done with Chicago politics.

 

Not really. Friday and Saturday nights are hopping, but Sunday-Thursday its kind of a ghost town. A grocery store and/or gym would provide the city more constant revenue streams. Not to mention the hotel and the property taxes from the condos.

[Ding Dong Johnson]

Seriously? Does Tunney live in the area? Clark is hopping every freaking night with all the bars even in the winter! I'm so glad that I'm moving out of the area in a couple months. I am done with Chicago politics.

There is more to commerce than bars.

[daske17]

Not really. Friday and Saturday nights are hopping, but Sunday-Thursday its kind of a ghost town. A grocery store and/or gym would provide the city more constant revenue streams. Not to mention the hotel and the property taxes from the condos.

 

Really? Any time I've walked down the street the bars are stuff are, surely not as packed as the weekends, but still active. No matter. Bitching about it isn't going to change anything. I just disapprove.

[javy knows my name]

This is [expletive]. DO NOT WANT

[SouthSideRyan]

A hotel, retail and residential complex on Addison Street across from Wrigley Field won approval Thursday from city planners despite complaints that it's a "sterilization" of a lively urban scene.

 

The Chicago Plan Commission endorsed the project, which would be anchored by a 137-room hotel. It also would include 135 residences and about 140,000 square feet for stores.

 

...

 

Ald. Tunney said the project will add vitality to a commercial block that suffers a "feast or famine" depending on whether a Cubs game is being played. He said Improv backers that signed petitions against the project mostly don't live in the area.

 

http://www.suntimes.com/business/2405782,CST-NWS-wrigley18.article

 

Seriously? Does Tunney live in the area? Clark is hopping every freaking night with all the bars even in the winter! I'm so glad that I'm moving out of the area in a couple months. I am done with Chicago politics.

 

Not really. Friday and Saturday nights are hopping, but Sunday-Thursday its kind of a ghost town. A grocery store and/or gym would provide the city more constant revenue streams. Not to mention the hotel and the property taxes from the condos.

 

Yep, unless there's a home game, there's nothing going on during the week. The winter in general is dead.

[daske17]

I want to make a distinction without beating a dead horse.

 

Dead means relatively few are frequenting Clark Street establishments at any point.

 

In that case, Wrigleyville is RARELY dead during the week or winter, especially when Loyola and DePaul are in session. It may not have the same traffic as during a gameday, but none of these businesses are hurting for cash.

 

All this development does is increase residents into an already congested area of the city. It does not expand Clark or Addison to four lanes to account for increased traffic. It does not bring in increase the prospect for commercial revenues beyond what currently exists.

 

There are three grocery stores within a half mile radius of Clark and Addison: two Jewels (one under construction) and a Whole Foods. I believe that any big box retailer or non-bar/restaurant will not have the level of success expected because it really doesn't cater to the type of crowd that currently exists in that area. The only store I see succeeding would be a Walgreens because there's nothing like that in the immediate vincinity.

 

To me, the sole benefit is a hotel in the area, but really, if the prices are comparable to downtown (which I have to imagine they will be), what's the point?

[jersey cubs fan]

I want to make a distinction without beating a dead horse.

 

Dead means relatively few are frequenting Clark Street establishments at any point.

 

In that case, Wrigleyville is RARELY dead during the week or winter, especially when Loyola and DePaul are in session. It may not have the same traffic as during a gameday, but none of these businesses are hurting for cash.

 

All this development does is increase residents into an already congested area of the city. It does not expand Clark or Addison to four lanes to account for increased traffic. It does not bring in increase the prospect for commercial revenues beyond what currently exists.

 

There are three grocery stores within a half mile radius of Clark and Addison: two Jewels (one under construction) and a Whole Foods. I believe that any big box retailer or non-bar/restaurant will not have the level of success expected because it really doesn't cater to the type of crowd that currently exists in that area. The only store I see succeeding would be a Walgreens because there's nothing like that in the immediate vincinity.

 

To me, the sole benefit is a hotel in the area, but really, if the prices are comparable to downtown (which I have to imagine they will be), what's the point?

 

I don't understand any of what you are saying here. It will bring in more people and businesses but won't increase the prospect for commercial revenues. And why does the price of a hotel room (which you have no idea at this point) matter at all?

[C.C.]

Yeah, the Hotel thing has me stumped.

[treebird]

oh no, don't sterilize the fratty douche bars in wrigleyville

 

WHERE WILL I LISTEN TO JAY SEAN

[daske17]

I want to make a distinction without beating a dead horse.

 

Dead means relatively few are frequenting Clark Street establishments at any point.

 

In that case, Wrigleyville is RARELY dead during the week or winter, especially when Loyola and DePaul are in session. It may not have the same traffic as during a gameday, but none of these businesses are hurting for cash.

 

All this development does is increase residents into an already congested area of the city. It does not expand Clark or Addison to four lanes to account for increased traffic. It does not bring in increase the prospect for commercial revenues beyond what currently exists.

 

There are three grocery stores within a half mile radius of Clark and Addison: two Jewels (one under construction) and a Whole Foods. I believe that any big box retailer or non-bar/restaurant will not have the level of success expected because it really doesn't cater to the type of crowd that currently exists in that area. The only store I see succeeding would be a Walgreens because there's nothing like that in the immediate vincinity.

 

To me, the sole benefit is a hotel in the area, but really, if the prices are comparable to downtown (which I have to imagine they will be), what's the point?

 

I don't understand any of what you are saying here. It will bring in more people and businesses but won't increase the prospect for commercial revenues. And why does the price of a hotel room (which you have no idea at this point) matter at all?

 

RE: Commercial revenues. All I'm saying is that how much more revenue do they hope to gain that they aren't already from existing businesses (not residential)? I also don't believe that this development will increase the number of businesses to the area.

 

RE: hotel. It's just a matter of personal preference. If there are comparably priced hotels downtown and across from Wrigley, I would choose downtown. It isn't like this new hotel is going to be bargain-priced.