The List

The following is a list of cities, in no particular order, I would move to, if I had employment already lined up:

1. Sydney
2. London
3. Melbourne (Australia, though I’m sure the Florida one is lovely)
4. Seattle (Tower cranes galore)
5. Los Angeles
6. San Diego (Mostly for the weather. La Jolla in particular)
7. New York City (If I can make it there…well, you know…)
8. Boston**
9. Tokyo* (I’ve never been here; it’s the idea of Tokyo that I like)
10. Singapore* (Like Tokyo, have never been)
11. San Francisco (That job I have lined up would have to be VERY lucrative)
12. Phoenix (brutal in summer, but I’ve had it with cold winters)
13. Toronto (So much construction going on here, I couldn’t resist the opportunity)
14. Detroit** (This one surprises even me. It would be fun to be part of the comeback)
15. Miami*** (Mostly the sunshine)
16. Denver
17. Pittsburgh (Reluctantly. I would have to live RIGHT downtown.)

If you don’t see your favorite city on this list, but you think it belongs, make me an offer.

• Cities in bold (read: unlikely) are dream destinations
• * Denotes cities I’ve never visited
• ** Denotes cities I’ve been to, but haven’t really seen
• *** Denotes an airport visit only

Kris Bryant fills the Chicago River with baseballs

Kris Bryant, with his BP pitcher Juan Cabreja, survey the outfield. Which is actually the Chicago River.

As far as PR stunts go, this one wasn’t bad.

Kris Bryant of the Cubs put on his jersey and took batting practice on the lawn at River Point Plaza. With Chicagoans lined up along the Lake Street Bridge, Wacker Drive, and the Chicago Riverwalk, he took swings and launched fly balls into the Chicago River with River Point tower providing the backdrop. This was a Red Bull event, so there was plenty of pomp and circumstance, including reps with backpack coolers handing out energy drinks, and a hyperbole-obsessed MC who let the crowd know at least 174 times that this kind of thing had never been done before.

I was there, and I took some pictures and video from a distance.

Here’s the windup…

…and the pitch…

…Bryant swings…

…and there it goes.

Big screen set up at Wolf Point.

Juan Cabreja.

Kris looks up…

…at the peanut gallery over head.

KB downs a Red Bull.

Construction halted so workers could watch.

355 feet down the right field line.

353 feet down the left field line.

The Chicago River looked like McCovey Cove.

Ball Girl.

Ball Boy.

The crowd at Wolf Point…

…and on the Riverwalk.

A wave to the crowds.

Awaiting Kris Bryant’s arrival in front of River Point.

Red Bull.

14 better ways to speed up baseball than that moronic “Runner On Second” MLB idea

In case you hadn’t heard, Major League Baseball wants to test a new rule that would automatically place a runner on second base to start each inning, once a game is tied after nine innings, according to Yahoo Sports.

**Keep in mind here, if the game has gone to extra innings, the horse is pretty much out of the barn on shortening the game.

So, to shorten the amount of time we have to sit in the open air and smell the grass and hear the crack of the bat, here are 14 better ways to make baseball games go by faster. They make as much sense as putting a runner on second base to start an inning:

1. Hit off a tee.
2. If, when hitting off the tee, a batter swings and misses, his place in the lineup is eliminated for the rest of the game, and is instead an automatic out. Come on, you swung and missed OFF A TEE?!
3. If you insist on having pitchers — no tee — go to 2-1 counts. Two balls is a walk, one strike and you’re out. Or at least consider 3-2 instead.
4. If a fan catches a foul ball in the air, the batter’s out.
5. Those twin, parallel mounds in the bullpen? Utilize that technology on the field. Pitch to two hitters at once.
6. Instead of 3 outs per inning, you get 5 outs every 2 innings. Follow me here. Every odd-numbered inning, the team at bat would have to decide, with 2 outs, whether to end the inning now, therefore allowing them 3 outs to use in the even-numbered inning that follows, or play on to the 3rd out, leaving them with just 2 outs to use next inning. So, if you’re first two batters make outs in the 3rd inning,  give up now, and save that third out for the 4th inning.
7. Apparently Joe Torre is in favor of this fiasco. So make him pitch the 10th inning for the team that gave up the lead that resulted in extra frames.
8. Show all commercials on the Jumbotron during the action, and eliminate breaks between innings.
9. Bring back the bullpen cart. As a bullet train.
10. Have relief pitchers be peanut vendors. They can warm up their arms throwing snacks, so they’re ready to pitch immediately upon being called onto the field.
11. Use FaceTime for meetings on the mound, instead of waiting for 70-year-old managers to walk onto the field, then back to the dugout.
12. Use only ambidextrous pitchers. Arm’s tired? Pitch with the other one. Saves time warming up a new pitcher.
13. Put low ceilings over ball fields. As anyone who’s ever played squash will tell you, that really speeds up the game.
14. If game time is 7:10, start at 7:00. Most fans don’t show up in time for first pitch anyway.

                             

                                                        PLAY BALL!

 

Heading into 2017 with an unburdened mind

I did *not* miss a smiling Kris Bryant as he wore the Championship Belt at the Cubs victory parade.

I thought I’d never admit this. Seriously. I didn’t want anyone to know. I was fully prepared to go to my grave with nary a soul finding out the truth behind one of the greatest moments in human history. But I need to get it out in the open, and let the healing begin.

I missed the final out of the 2016 World Series. You know, the one the Chicago Cubs won.

I missed Kris Bryant’s smiling, slipping throw to first. I missed Anthony Rizzo tucking the ball into his back pocket. I missed Ben Zobrist skipping in from left field like a child who just found a shiny nickle. I missed Addison Russell and Javy Baez meeting in midair like a couple of Cirque du Soleil acrobats.

I missed it all.

There was a pitching change. Carl Edwards, Jr. was coming off the mound. Mike Montgomery was coming in to pitch. I needed to use the restroom. So I did what you do when you have to go: I went. I thought I had time while Montgomery warmed up.

I did not.

https://twitter.com/thedanielschell/status/795411240394903553

I was away from every television Moe’s Cantina had to offer. And the sound I dreaded, happened. First, a nervous cheer, then a quick crescendo into pandemonium.  And I knew the crowd wasn’t cheering for a commercial. I ran to the sink, did a less-than-thorough washing of the hands, and ran out into the restaurant in the hopes I hadn’t really missed the culmination of 46 years of Cubs fandom.

No such luck. I had missed it. And you know what? It bothers me. A lot. I feel shame.

Sure, we still got to celebrate. And I got to watch, half-crying, half-laughing, as the Cubs players celebrated on the field. But I missed The Last Out. And I’ve still not quite forgiven myself.

Addison Russell. I thought I’d missed him at the parade, too. The tears came back when I found this photo.

Javy Baez

Anthony Rizzo

Ben Zobrist

Kyle Schwarber

Miguel Montero. That Grand Slam, Miggy. That single.

Willson Contreras

Theo Epstein

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Alta Roosevelt Coming to Big South Loop Dirt Lot

The Alta Roosevelt lot in the background, way back in May of 2014. I took this from the ShowPlace ICON at Roosevelt Collection. The construction equipment was from the early work on the British School.

They say a watched pot never boils.

Sadly, there is no other way to know when to put the pasta in the water.

But that’s a whole other issue. What’s important right now is that you know a watched lot of dust and dirt will one day be transformed. I know, because I’ve watched that lot. A lot.

At 801 South Financial Place in Chicago’s South Loop neighborhood, Alta Roosevelt has been given the all-clear to begin digging foundations for its future 496 apartments. As we’ve reported at Chicago Architecture, the 33-story tower will have studios, one-, two-, and three-bedroom units, and a whopping 348 parking spaces to go along with them.

According to the Chicago architecture firm with the outstanding name that designed Alta Roosevelt, Pappageorge Haymes Partners, the tower will feature “resort-like amenities.” These types of highfalutin perks are becoming the norm for new-construction apartments, not just for condominiums. Developers are looking to provide renters with as many creature comforts as possible, making today’s apartment projects look much more like fancy condo buildings. (You can make the argument that high-end amenities will help developers turn those apartments into condos somewhere down the road, but I’m not going there.)

What is a tad unusual for a new Chicago development the size of  Alta Roosevelt is that early indications and renderings show no retail space at ground level. Nor any other level, for that matter.

A soil-sampling rig parked in the dirt back in August.

I can’t say for sure why I’ve been so anxious to see something happen at the 801 South Financial lot. I’ve visited often, mostly to watch progress on the new British School that was completed in the space just to the south. It was on one of those visits that I saw a soil-sampling rig parked in the dirt, a sure sign that development was imminent. But that was way back in August. It took seven months to finally see some action going on here.

Any construction project I can get to and photograph before any work actually starts becomes an instant favorite for me. It let’s me chronicle the entire process, from dirt to done, with pictures all along the way. That means lots of trips to the South Loop. Like I needed another reason to visit…

The lot at 801 South Financial Place, from the park atop the British School.

There’s that soil sampling rig again.

Alta Roosevelt render, from the Pappageorge Haymes Partners website.

The park in the foreground will remain.

Expect lots of digging. Early indications call for underground parking.

Trench.

Looking south from Financial Place.

Breakin’ rocks in the…hot sun

2515 South Wabash Loses a Water Tank

This Chicago water tank sits, for now, atop 2515 South Wabash Avenue.

New today, on Tumblr:

https://www.tumblr.com/chicagowatertanks/141143963309/this-chicago-water-tank-atop-2515-south-wabash

On Tuesday the 15th, the City of Chicago issued a demolition permit for the water tank sitting atop 2515 South Wabash Avenue in the South Loop.

This one instantly became one of my favorites when I spotted it back in September because it’s a “character” tank. Not just one color, not just plain, but with distinct markings on it. In this case, it’s just a company name with some tagging. But that still distinguishes it from every other water tank in the city. Heck, from every other water in the world, for that matter.

 

 

 

The Lazy Photographer’s Guide to West Loop Construction

A dreary-day panorama of the West Loop.

If there’s one thing you know about me, it’s probably my name. If there’s a second thing, it’s how much I love walking around Chicago snapping photos. But if there’s one thing you know about Chicago, it’s likely to be that not every day is conducive to long walks, where cold and wind can make it downright impossible to hold a camera steady.

As it turns out, construction workers are a much heartier lot, and they’re tasks continue despite conditions. Lucky for me, I have my perch atop the Chicago Architecture West Loop Bureau from which to keep tabs on a whole bunch of projects and developments around the West Loop neighborhood.

The Parker Fulton Market.

The Parker Fulton Market, more than half-glassed, at 171 North Halsted Street.

The Parker Fulton Market is the most noticeable construction site from our windows, standing just to the north along the Kennedy Expressway. It’s a project of Shapack Partners, a West Loop-based development company doing wonderful work to transform the Fulton Market District from a meat-packing mecca into a lively urban neighborhood. Topped out in December, the 29-story tower brings 227 new apartments to the West Loop, and will include 9,000 square feet of retail space. Residents should start moving into the new digs in June.

Brooklyn Bowl

Somewhere back there is Brooklyn Bowl, a new bowling alley/entertainment space at 832 West Fulton Market

Brooklyn Bowl finally got the ball rolling last year after an eternity in the planning stages. Besides a huge, fancy new bowling alley, the space will also include dining, retail, and even a live-music venue. Designed by OKW Architects, a West Loop-based firm, a key feature is the facade along Fulton Market and Morgan being preserved from the original warehouse. You can see a photo of it in the gallery below.

The Ace Hotel

The Ace Hotel, mostly hidden by a giant condo tower blocking my view. #NIMBY

The Ace Hotel will be a seven-story, 159-room hotel directly across North Morgan Street from the new Google building. It was designed by Chicago firm Grec Architects, and should be open sometime in 2017. Not that I’ll be able to tell; Skybridge blocks my view.

One South Halsted

See the soil sampling rig at bottom left? That means construction on One South Halsted is imminent.

It’s not a construction site yet, but the soil-sampling rig you see in the photo above is a positive sign. It means the project known as One South Halsted has a very bright future. Finally. The 50-story tower was approved for the site, now a parking lot for the Crowne Plaza Hotel, three years ago. Designed by FitzGerald Associates Architects — yep, a West Loop firm! — One South Halsted will have about 500 apartment units. It will also include banquet halls, a business center, a pool, and a health club, all to be shared with Crowne Plaza guests.

Jane Byrne Interchange Flyover

The Jane Byrne Interchange Flyover is a multi-stage construction project to restructure what Chicago used to call the Circle Interchange. When finished, it will include a new ramp from the inbound Dan Ryan Expressway (pictured above) as well as a new ramp from the Dan Ryan onto Congress parkway into The Loop. Also included in the project is a brand new Halsted Street bridge, pictured below.

On the right, work continues on the Halsted Street bridge. At center of frame, you can see how far the Ryan-to-Eisenhower ramp has progressed.

The United Center

The United Center is adding a 6-story office building next door.

Saying it’s in the West Loop is a bit of a stretch, but the United Center is adding a 6-story office building in the lot just to its east. In addition to housing employees of the U.C, Chicago Bulls, and Chicago Blackhawks, the structure will include a 10,000-square-foot retail store selling merchandise from both teams, and a large atrium open to the public. It’s expected to be open in time for the 2016-2017 NHL and NBA seasons.

Coming Attractions

Shapack Partners, busy in the West Loop, wants to build an 11-story hotel with about 170 rooms on this lot at 832 West Lake Street.

Those cars may not be park there much longer, if 111 South Peoria is approved by the Chicago Plan Commission on March 17.

Directly below us is 645 West Madison, where a 20-story office building is planned.

As promised, here’s the facade being saved on the new Brooklyn Bowl project.

And as an added bonus, this is a photo of the facade being saved as part of the Ace Hotel. It’s being supported by three shipping containers.

I thought you’d like to see how cool The Parker Fulton Market looks at night.

River Point Loses an Appendage

One building sans crane, while its neighbor looks in the other direction and whistles softly to itself.

I don’t mean to stir up controversy here, but as I walked to the train Monday morning, I couldn’t help but notice something very different about River Point.

It wasn’t the glass; they’ve been adding that for months, so it’s not surprising to see it rising higher every week.

It wasn’t the arch facing the river; I’ve pointed that out before. Because it’s fascinating.

No, River Point is different because of what isn’t there. Much like Cheers after Frasier moved to Seattle, River Point has no Crane. That’s normal for a building that’s topped out, which River Point did way back in December. But look at the photo above and tell me that tower crane atop 150 North Riverside doesn’t look a wee bit guilty.

I’d check the Chicago River for a freshly-severed crane.

The Riverbend Three now counts just one tower crane among them.

150 North Riverside, Chicago Construction, and The Quest For New Angles

The Riverbend Three, from the 94th floor of The John Hancock Center.

Check the John Hancock Center off the list.

It took me far too long to return to 360 Chicago. Actually, this was my first visit since the renaming. And they’ve done a lot of work to the observation area on the 94th floor. The TILT thing (no, I did not), new benches and seating areas, a nice food counter.

But the views haven’t changed. I mean, they have, in as much as Chicago itself is constantly changing. It’s a great vantage point for all things northward in Chicago. Not so much for the South Loop. But that’s what the Sears Tower is for. Some day soon, the Aon Center will help out in that regard as well.

150 North Riverside. But I think you know that by now.

River Point dwarfs Wold Point West.

360 Chicago is tower crane heaven. This golden beauty reigns above NEXT Apartments.

This tower crane is building Niche 905, just north of NEXT.

Remember the Howard Johnson motel on LaSalle? It’s gone, being replaced by 165 West Superior.

Another tower crane, this one at 833 North Clark.

Waaay over there across town they’re working on The Hudson, at 750 North Hudson Avenue.

This crane is in Streeterville, above a tower called Moment.

Today, in “Jobs I’ll Never Want” workers erect a tower crane at The Sinclair, on Clark and Division where the Jewel used to be. And will be again.

That huge hole in the ground will be No. 9 Walton.

This is 4 East Elm, which is almost completed.

The Chicago construction boom extends to Navy Pier, where they’re erecting a new Ferris wheel.

Even the United Center is in on the festivities, adding a 6-story office building next to the arena.

No construction here. Just the great view up Lake Michigan.

 

150 North Riverside Makes Headlines Again

Early Saturday morning, wood framing around the highest reach of the building’s core looked like they’d been through a rough night.

My beloved 150 North Riverside tower continues to make headlines in Chicago. And not in good ways.

As I’m sure you recall (and I’m even more sure I’ll never let you forget) 150 first became famous for sinking a construction barge on the Chicago River back in October of 2014. Then, a year and five days later, a minor structural collapse inside the core brought emergency vehicles to the site in droves.

I counted three such boarded-up holes in 150 North Wacker’s west facade.

Then, this past Friday, furious winds on as unseasonably warm February day sent construction materials airborne like so many whirling seeds from a maple tree. Vehicles and pedestrians were prohibited from using Wacker, Lake, and Randolph streets around the tower until late Saturday morning. Buildings along Wacker Drive were evacuated, and it appeared windows were broken in the west wall of 150 North Wacker.

Fortunately, the mighty tower crane stood firm.

Once the dust and wind and plywood settled, crews were able to get back into the tower and begin shoring up the scaffold and framing that had been ripped apart by the high winds, and work got back to normal. Or, as normal as can be for this already famous, though not half complete, office building.

Slightly disheveled, but still mighty pretty.