The Gold Coast's New Marc Jabobs Store Looks Ready To Go

It looks like things have really come together at the new Marc Jacobs store. The boutique inside the Elysian Chicago Hotel (11 East Walton Street) has finally shed its cloak and you can clearly see the shelves stocked and the windows being decorated with stuffed animals. We haven't heard what the official opening date is, but it looks like it could be pretty soon.

Elysian Chicago Officially Opens

One of the Gold Coast's most anticipated buildings is officially open.

The hotel portion of the Elysian Chicago (11 East Walton Street) opened Wednesday (December 9, 2009).  We've been invited to a lot of building openings lately, but somehow were left off the guest list of this one.

Nevertheless, here is a video that the Elysian PR folk put out.  For some reason it has no sound.

Construction Sites Vie For Luxury Supremacy

There's an interesting things that the developers of luxury buildings do in Chicago (and likely elsewhere): They try to out-do each other's scaffolding.

Now that the foundation work appears mostly done at the Ritz-Carlton Residences (664 North Michigan Avenue), there is proper scaffolding over the temporary sidewalk that pedestrians use on the west side of Michigan Avenue.

But the Ritz has trumped the other lux developers by including a two-story illuminated rendering of its building on the outside of the walkway.  The effect is best seen at night, though this CrappyCameraPhone™ picture simply doesn't do it justice.

This bests the previous best effort, which was at the Elysian Chicago (11 East Walton Street) where the tasteful black scaffolds featured 24-hour piped in classical music.

I can't wait to see what's next.

(In the interest of full disclosure it should be noted that I have recently begun blogging for the Ritz-Carlton.  However, I stumbled across the subject of this article before that agreement was reached.)

A Date With Marc Jacobs

New signs have gone up at the Elysian Chicago (11 East Walton Street) at the corner of Walton and Rush streets in the Gold Coast.  Click on the CrappyCameraPhone™ picture above and you'll barely be able to read the declaration "Marc Jacobs Opening Spring 2010" in the windows.  That's news to us.  Last we heard, MJ was slated for Fall, 2009.  

Of course, the hotel itself still has signs up proudly claiming a "Summer 2009" opening.  Unless the Elysian plans to cater to meteorologists, it's time to change those banners.

Status Update: Elysian Chicago

There are giant banners flapping at street level proclaiming "Summer 2009" for the opening of the Elysian Chicago at 11 East Walnut Street.  Well, in spite of what the mother nature is dishing out, the calendar says that's right about now.

It's a project we were once skeptical about, and that others have given grief for its oversized French chateau look-and-feel.  But the tower really is coming along nicely, and is a great compliment to the Park Tower (as in Park Hyatt) down the street.

And check out that top floor -- those are full-height oval windows.  Want to see more?  We know you do.  Look for a close-up in our new series called "The Tops of Chicago" coming soon to this blog.

Unfurling at The Elysian

New banners have been unfurled over the second floor windows at the Elysian Chicago, 11 East Walton Street.

The signs promise that the hotel will open in "Summer 2009," wrapping up a closely watched construction process for this highly anticipated property.

For those who don't remember, this was formerly the location of a run down 7-Eleven that was a staple of the neighborhood vagrants.

But don't worry -- Walgreen's plans to start selling booze at its locations, soon.  You know -- because between the cup shakers outside and Hollywood stars getting arrested inside, there aren't enough problems at the Walgreen's at Chicago and State (757 North Michigan Avenue).

Another Big Step Forward at the Elysian

It's always a milestone when a crane goes up.  To architecture geeks it symbolizes that construction of a skyscraper is unarguably underway and that the result has the potential to be something tall and magnificent; something worth bringing in a crane for.

Starting today, the crane at the Elysian Chicago is coming down.

Having performed its service, the crane will be removed today (May 12, 2009), tomorrow, and Thursday.

If you're the sort of person who drives, then avoid the area.  It will be a mess.  If you're the sort of person who likes to stand around watching cranes be disassembled, there's a Starbucks on the next block.  Grab yourself a cupppa Joe and enjoy.

Status Update: Elysian Chicago

It's with great anticipation that we've watched the Elysian Chicago rising over the last couple of years.  And now that it's topped off, it really does have a remarkable impact on the city's skyline.

Even though it's only 60 stories (and 700 feet) tall, it has a dominating presence from many vantage points to the north.  And from the west and south it competes quite easily with both the John Hancock Center , and the Trump International Hotel and Tower .

Although a lot of people dislike the style of the building, it has grown on me and I think is a good compliment to 900 North Michigan and The Fordham .  Call it faux deco; call it 90's revival; call it neo chateau; call it what you will -- Chicago should be proud that it can call it "almost done" at a time when so many smaller projects are being canceled in other cities.

Quickie: Manager Named for Elysian Chicago

I don't know if this is new or not, but it's at least news to me.

The Elysian Chicago has a general manager  Kevin Robinson will head up the hotel inside the new tower on Walton Street.


His last job was with the Four Seasons Alexandria (Egypt, not Virginia).  Before that he worked for the same chain in Dallas.


Source

Status Update: Elysian Stands Proud and Tall

It's tapering off!  It's tapering off!  That means there's reason to believe that The Elysian Chicago is going to top out soon.  When construction started we knew it was going to reach 700 feet, but didn't envision how it would absolutely tower over everything else in the neighborhood.

Not that it's a bad thing -- the podium surrounding the roundabout driveway and the setbacks keep the building from giving off claustrophobic vibes.

There were a lot of people in the neighborhood who were against this project, but I think it's coming along quite nicely, and I have high hopes that it will contribute more to Chicago than just its skyline.

Now about that ground floor retail....

Progress report: The Elysian

How's that Elysian coming along?  Take a look for yourself.  The combination hotel and residential tower at the corner of Rush Street and Oak Street is really having an impact on the Gold Coast skyline.



Down below, it's starting to shape up pretty nicely, too.  Walking past, you can clearly see the area where the circular driveway will be.   That's being put in in order to reduce congestion on Rush and State streets from idling cars.  The faux-French rooflines on the lower floors are coming together nicely, and it seems like it's going to be a much nicer tower than everyone feared.



Oh, and there's a note in Women's Wear Daily that a Marc Jacobs Collection boutique will be part of the ground floor retail space.  Just in case you hadn't already heard.