No less than nine proposals were heard and passed today
Following a particularly busy July meeting, the August agenda of Chicago’s Plan Commission was no less packed with a number of big ticket items going before the city-appointed panel for review and approval. Thanks to the city’s Department of Planning and Development posting up to the minute updates on social media, keeping tabs on proposals as they are introduced and (more often than not) approved by the Commission has become a fairly straight-forward affair. Here’s a look at what was approved earlier today.
Easily the most high-profile item on the agenda was an amendment to Navy Pier’s Planned Development (PD) that clears the way for a new event pavilion, an elevated scenic walkway, and a seven-story, 240-key hotel designed by KOO. The approved additions represent the latest phase in a multi-year effort to reimagine and update the state’s most popular tourist attraction.
Commission OKs new @NavyPier uses: 240-key hotel, welcome pavilion, seasonal ice rink, elevated walkway, and more pic.twitter.com/d1N2jk3imR
— Chicago DPD (@ChicagoDPD) August 18, 2016
Next up was glassy 32-story hotel tower slated to replace a surface lot and rug store behind the landmarked Reid-Murdoch Building along the Chicago River. Penned by HKS Architects, the modern design includes new office space, ground floor retail, and 500 guest rooms.
Commission OKs plan for a 32-story tower at 322 N. Clark with 500 hotel keys; behind the Reid-Murdoch Building pic.twitter.com/aPplNHxMHP
— Chicago DPD (@ChicagoDPD) August 18, 2016
Continuing with today’s hotel theme, the commission OK’d an 18-story, 199-key hotel to replace the surface lot at 430 N. LaSalle in River North. The plan comes from Michigan-based developer the Porritt Group and Saroki Architecture and features 1,900 square feet of meeting space, 5,360 square feet of ground floor retail, an indoor pool, rooftop terrace, and no on-site parking.
Plan Commission approves an 18-story, 199-key hotel plan for 430 N. LaSalle St. pic.twitter.com/V4ztEg1Spf
— Chicago DPD (@ChicagoDPD) August 18, 2016
While not a particularly large-scale project, city approval was required in order to move forward with a new four-story commercial retail and restaurant development slated for 57-65 E. Oak Street. The city body voted in favor if the Gold Coast proposal.
Plan Commission approves four-story commercial building at 65 E. Oak St. in #GoldCoast pic.twitter.com/42VzHxFD8m
— Chicago DPD (@ChicagoDPD) August 18, 2016
The commission gave the nod a new office project from Baker Development that would expand and reuse the former Stawski Distributors building at 2017 N. Mendell on the West Bank of the Chicago River’s north branch. The 63,300 square foot project is designed by Chicago’s MRSA Architects.
Commission OKs adaptive reuse project for high tech office space at 2017 N. Mendell along Chicago River in #Bucktown pic.twitter.com/VWaGv0BxJ2
— Chicago DPD (@ChicagoDPD) August 18, 2016
Already approved under construction for some time, the Gold Coast luxury condo tower known as No. 9 Walton returned to the Plan Commission seeking a two-story bump in height that would allow the addition of five dwelling units. Chicago-based JDL Development will pay into Chicago’s Neighborhood Opportunity Fund for the increase.
Commission approves updated plan for 9 W Walton. Using Neighborhood Opportunity Bonus, developer will add two floors pic.twitter.com/blMLAUIzO4
— Chicago DPD (@ChicagoDPD) August 18, 2016
The Commission passed an amendment to the existing Planned Development of Edgewater’s Sacred Heart School allowing the addition a 7,450 square foot parcel located at 6217-21 North Kenmore Avenue. The site in question is currently a surface parking lot and will continue to be so moving forward.
Commission OKs amended plan for @sacredheartchgo at 6250 N. Sheridan; will now include accessory parking on Kenmore pic.twitter.com/RVtfzQ3MkN
— Chicago DPD (@ChicagoDPD) August 18, 2016
Plans to repurpose an industrial property at 3250 S. St. Louis in Chicago’s South Lawndale neighborhood were heard and subsequently approved. A rehabbed 18,000 square foot building would be joined a new 11,400 square foot building to establish an auto salvage yard/recycling facility.
Commission OKs PD at 3250 S. St. Louis. Will rehab existing structure and build a new 11,400-square-foot building pic.twitter.com/1KbgS9fDNo
— Chicago DPD (@ChicagoDPD) August 18, 2016
An 17-story, 80-unit apartment tower located at 450 W. Belmont Ave in Lakeview was given the Plan Commission stamp of approval. The proposal comes from developer Chioros Properties and architect Antunovich Associates and includes 48 off-street parking stalls.
#Chicago Plan Commission approves 17-story, 80-unit residential development at 450 W. Belmont Ave. in #Lakeview pic.twitter.com/pg8rGxNjCF
— Chicago DPD (@ChicagoDPD) August 18, 2016
Hotels for Navy Pier, River North top agenda for August Plan Commission meeting [Curbed Chicago]
August Plan Commission final agenda [City of Chicago]