Things are starting to come together at Block 37/108 North State. After more than two years of disarray, the ground floor of the building is starting to make sense to the casual observer.
Some of the barriers have been lowered so we can get a peek at what's going on. The near completion of the sidewalks is a good sign that most of what is left to do is cosmetic and interior. With glass walls marking entrances it's easier to get an idea of what the finished project will look like.
I'm really looking forward to this opening, especially the movie theatre. Nice blog, by the way.
ReplyDeleteThanks. I'm looking forward to it opening, too. But I worry that it will only suck the life out of retail in some of the more anemic streets nearby. Mayor Daley looks at it the opposite way -- he sees it as a magnet for new retail. Maybe he's right. Maybe we can get some of the more innovative shopping off of Armitage and Damen and Milwaukee and bring it back to the Loop where it belongs.
ReplyDeleteI think it will act more like a magnet. I don't think some of these retailers would open stores in the Loop if this mall-like opportunity didn't exist. I too hope that other streets downtown get more retail but in the last few years stores like the Gap, Coach, Sharper Image have all closed. Maybe this project will further boost State to the point that retailers will start looking at nearby side streets.
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