Cedar Tower Axed

The proposed hotel tower to be built at the site of the Cedar Hotel in the Gold Coast is dead.

We've been following the attempted renaissance of the Cedar Hotel/Hotel Cedar (1118 North State Street) for a while (here, and elsewhere).  The most recent plan included plopping a 20-story hotel on top of the current block right in the heart of Viagra Triangle.

Who killed it?  Alderman Reilly.  He's started the process for changing the zoning of this parcel to something more modest.

Reilly believes that a 250-foot-tall hotel isn't exactly the right fit for the neighborhood.  While it can be argued that there are plenty of similar-sized structures within a couple of blocks of the Hotel Cedar, the junction of State and Rush Streets does mark something of a transition zone from the canyons of the Near North Side, and the more genteel architecture of the Gold Coast.

Worse, was the fact that the hotel would have tied up an already congested part of State Street with a loading zone, and it would have had 220 rooms, but zero parking.

In a newsletter published by his office this week, Reilly had other objections, "The proposal did not go through the rigorous and transparent community process it deserved; many local residents opposed the approved hotel tower; and the aggressive plans that were approved in the current Planned Development are not being pursued."

And you can't have a Chicago city council story without a whiff of corruption and conspiracy.  Reilly again:

The former Cedar Hotel property at 1112 North State Street was up-zoned to "Business Planned Development No. 1061" on May 9, 2007 by then-Alderman Burton Natarus.  The substantial up-zoning of the Cedar Hotel was approved just eleven days prior to Alderman Reilly taking the oath of office as the new Alderman of the 42nd Ward.  

So what becomes of the Cedar Hotel?  For the moment, nothing new.  It remains a beautiful old building that has seen better days.  Hopefully it won't remain stagnant long enough to become a liability and face the wrecking ball.

New Lululemon On the Gold Coast

Someone who describes herself as a "sometimes reader" (what's up with that?) of this blog e-mailed us these pictures today of the newly erected retail space at the corner of Rush and Walton.

This was formerly the location of a Gino's East pizza joint that was torn down.  Then it was used for construction storage while the Elysian Chicago was built.  Now it's retail, and from the signs in the window -- it looks like it's going to be a Lululemon yoga place (with an address of 930 North Rush Street).  No opening date is posted, but a note on the Lululemon web site notes that the Rush and Walton location is "coming soon!"

Last we heard about this location was a Crain's article from last year that stated that men's clothier Varvatos was heading into this space.  While the chances of me practicing yoga at Lululemon or anywhere else are pretty close to zero, it's nice to have this space filled, and we welcome Lulu to the neighborhood.

And for those of you who don't get our Tweets, it looks like the Sur La Table nearby is going to become a Sprinkles cupcake joint by March.

Status Update: Almost Done at 930 North Rush

We've been following the lot at the corner of Rush and Walton streets for a while  here, here, here and here) as it was transformed from a condemned Gino's East pizza restaurant into what is almost but not quite yet the district's latest retail boutique.

Today 930 North Rush Street looks pretty good, and went up in what felt like record time once construction finally began. The wood, glass, and steel exterior which faces the main shopping drag works well with the Urban Outfitters across the street, and even makes the Diesel store's facade look slightly less like a Tim Burton film.

Our big worry as this corner was being filled out was the Walton Street side, which is mostly just a brick wall.  But planters have been installed with climbing frames for vines and a wide swatch of exterior wood panelling make it seem less industrial and more warm.  It looks good right now, but it also remains to be seen what a couple of good Chicago winters will do to it.

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.

Hotel Cedar Open Again

After what seemed like an eternity of sitting empty and abandoned, the Gold Coast's Cedar Hotel (1118 North State Street) is open once again.

Not too long ago there were grand plans for the Cedar, but then economic realities caught up with the owner, and one thing failed to lead to another.

Now the place is open once again as a restaurant, and not a bad one, either.  I had the best ruben I've ever had in Chicago here.  It's a dry, barely-krauted sammitch that's billed as Chicago style.  My wife had nothing but good things to say about her fried chicken sandwich.  And this is the first place we've found in Chicago that offers cheese curds as an appetizer.  We ordered them, but it turned out that the kitchen was curdless so we did without an appetizer.

The Cedar Hotel used to be a hangout for some of the worst sort of people who gravitated to the Viagra Triangle area trying to prove that age hadn't affected their manliness.  The Cedar Hotel management has stated in the past that it's interested in being a neighborhood joint, not a haven for cruisers.  They might go a long way toward discouraging the misogynistic douchebag crowd from returning if the waitresses were dressed a little less like Hooters girls, and didn't have "Vacancy" stamped on their uniform shirts just above their butts.  Some of us don't require the services of the neighborhood's eponymous pharmaceutical, so having a dozen muffin tops bouncing around while we lunch is unnecessarily sleazy.

For History, Turn Wright on State Street

The nearest building to downtown Chicago that Frank Lloyd Wright had a hand in is the Charnley House, at 1365 North Astor Street in the Gold Coast.  But a little closer is an often-overlooked Wrightian building that many people assume is new, not old.

The Mariano Park Pavilion at 1031 North State Street is the fulcrum of the area known as Viagra Triangle, at the intersection of North State Street and North Rush Street.  These days the pavilion houses a Whispers cafe, and is a regular stop for many people who live in the area and for the occasional tourist that ventures into the neighborhood.

Although it looks like a reproduction of Prairie School architecture, it's actually the real thing.  It was built in 1895 and designed by Birch Burdette Long.  He was on Frank Lloyd Wright's staff before going out on his own.

The pavilion was renovated in 1979 and contains many easily-overlooked details.  Pay particular attention to the glazed columns flanking the service window, and the details under the roof gables.

Most people just think of it as a place for a quick cup of coffee, but it only takes a few minutes of quiet inspection to develop a different appreciation for this gem hidden right under our noses.

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.

Status Update: 930 North Rush

it's hard to tell from this CrappyCameraPhone™ picture, but there's a welder working on the steel beams that form the third floor of the new 930 North Rush Street.  The former Gino's East location, shut down by the city's health department years ago, is finally being replaced by something.

It's supposed to be upscale retail, of the sort that has fled the mallification of Michigan Avenue for the side streets.  Last we read (in Crain's) was that Varvatos, the men's clothier, is going in that location.

We also hear that the remaining stores on that stretch of Walton Place may not be long for this world.

There's a shoe repair shop and a subterranean jazz club frequently mentioned on WDCB.  Someone from the club is telling people that in 2011 the brownstones between 930 and the brand new Walgreen's may be demolished.  To make way for what, we haven't heard.

And apropos of nothing -- Since we mentioned WDCB/Glen Ellyn, there's good news for Chicago jazz fans.  90.9 is no longer the only jazz station in town.  Clear Channel has moved the smooth jazz music formerly heard on Mega95.5 to WNUA-HD2/Chicago.  It's not much, but we'll take whatever we can get.

Sticking Bricks Together at the Old Gino's East

After nearly a year as one of Chicago's most prominent vacant lot, workers are plowing ahead with earnest on 930 North Rush.

The retail development on the corner of Rush and Walton was formerly the location of Gino's East Pizza, which was torn down several years ago.  After that it was used as a storage lot for construction equipment from the Elysian Chicago skyscraper going up across the street.

Now that the Elysian is almost done, construction is finally starting.  The result is expected to be a row of faux brownstones fitted out for retail.

So, who's coming?  It's hard to say at this point.  Every time we hear a name we hear another name, too.

Latest word from Crain's Chicago Business is that it's going to be Varvatos, the men's clothier.

Intel Pops Up at Dead CompUSA

It used to be possible to walk into 101 East Chicago Avenue and buy an Intel processor.  Of course, that hasn't been the case for at least a year since the CompUSA store at that location closed  its doors.  But Intel is back -- using the space as a combination billboard and PR stunt.

The billboard beckons passers by to text their thoughts on the future to INTEL on their cell phones and what they write might just appear on the big TV on the ground level.  Or not.  With similar displays up at other locations around the country, you might want to wait until the dead of night to try your hand at publicizing your thoughts to what is likely the world's smallest broadcast audience.

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.

Barney's New York Opens Before It Opens

In what is probably going to be the biggest retail opening in Chicago for some time, Barney's New York's new store will open tomorrow morning, April 16, 2009.

But some shoppers have already had a chance to sample the new store.

It was all-hands-on-deck tonight for a special private shopping event for specially selected customers and V.I.P.'s.  Chances are if you're reading this, you weren't there.

We weren't invited, either.  But happened to be walking by admiring the new window displays while it was going on.

Here's some CrappyCameraPhone™ pictures to tide you over until tomorrow morning.

Bits on Barney's

Here are a few more notes about Barney's New York's move across Rush Street to its new store.

• The workers don't have to work weekends for a change as they help ferry the inventory across the street.
  
• Barney's cosmetics department is going to start carrying Bobby Brown and La Mer.  Before now those were considered "lower class" brands relegated to the likes of Bloomingdale's and Saks Fifth Avenue.  If you asked for La Mer at Barney's before now (it's really fantastic on sunburns!) you would get a serious sneer, a toss of the hair, and if you're lucky the makeup maid would only walk away from you.
  
• It's unconfirmed, but we hear that Barney's has joined the ranks of most other large companies and instituted a hiring freeze.
  
• The inside of the new building's stairwell looks really cool, and there's a picture floating around the internet: http://img4.imageshack.us/img4/7065/0903130140web.jpg  You can see the Prairie School architectural homage.
  
• In case you missed it earlier, the new Barney's store opens Thursday, April 16th, 2009.

Barney's On The Move

Barney's New York was closed today for the first day of it's big move across Rush Street. The long-awaited transition cones after years of demolition, construction and preparation.

Papa Milano's Italian restaurant, a bar, a cupcake joint, a button store, and a Bang & Olufsen outlet either moved or closed to make way for the new department store.

Barney's management had long been unhappy withthe diminutive size of the previous space. Unfortunately, the upgrade cones in the midst of a bad economy where even luxury shoppers are asking shopgirls for plain brown bags to hide their consumption.

Hopefully the new store buying frenzy won't cool off too much and bring a little more life to Rush, Oak, and Walton Streets.

Tourists aren't Barney's usual customer, but these days no store is in a position to turn its nose up at a dollar. Hopefully someone will tell that to the unnecessarily snooty black-clad makeup mob that will now put the "sell" in cellar.

Barney's New York Opening Date Update

We received an e-mail from a tipster (well, actually a text message -- what's up with that?) nailing down the dates for Barney's New York's big move across Rush Street.

We're told that the current Barney's store on the corner of Oak and Rush will close Sunday, March 29th, and the new store on the corner of Rush and Oak will open Thursday, April 16th.

You'll recall that Barney's was said to have originally planned to make the transition in late March so it could be open in very early April, but was later delayed by construction .

Still, the only official date we've seen yet is "Spring," so if this second proposed set of dates doesn't work out, Barney's is still covered.

Status Update: The New Barney's New York Store

We haven't heard anything new about an opening date for the new Barney's New York Store at the intersection of Rush and Oak Streets in the Gold Coast in a while.  The last rumor we heard was "late April" and the only official word is "Spring," which can mean anything in Chicago.

But from the outside, things are pretty much done.  The signature awnings went up last week, the sidewalk has been cleared for pedestrian traffic and the windows are papered over as workers frantically try to dress the inside of the store.

Even the old Barney's location is getting into the anticipation with its main curved display window referencing events "across the street."  That curved display window has been copied in the new building, and expanded to five stories, housing a showy staircase that we can't wait to get in to catch views of the Gold Coast below.

The front of the glass cylinder has some Wrightian accents tacked on to it, as does a few other portions of the facade.  These are supposed to pay homage to Chicago's architectural heritage.  Whether they achieve that goal or not is up to your imagination.  Still, the doors of the new store have been revealed and they're quite nice.  Dark and classy, but large and inviting.

And Barney's knows it's not going to be the new kid on the block forever.  Remember that there's multi-story retail planned for the other end of the block where Gino's East used to be.  In anticipation, the Barney's building casts a blank facade in that direction with the exception of a newly added "Barney's New York" sign on the Rush Street edge that should remain visible as long as the Starbucks remains undisturbed.  And considering the time, money, and effort put into renovating that branch of the coffee chain just a couple of years ago, it's unlikely anything taller will sprout on that lot for a while.

Barney's Opening Date Rubble

As construction has progressed on the new Barney's New York store at the corner of Oak Street and Rush Street, it's been surprisingly hard to find out when the new 90,000 square-foot shopping mecca will open.

Many stores would put up big "Grand Opening" banners with dates to generate anticipation.  The best we've gotten out of Barney's is "Spring" -- and quite possibly for good reason.

As we reported a little over a month ago , the plan was to close the existing Barney's New York on March 15th and open the new store April 2nd.  That's not exactly how it's going to be.

Construction delays have Barney's pushing the whole thing back so that the new tentative opening we're hearing is "late April."

Considering that "Spring" in Chicago can mean anything from March 1 to June 30th, having a vague date on the signs makes the planners at Barney's look like the smartest kids in the class, rather than ones who blew an opening date.

+1 for foresight.

New Barney's New York New Update

We have a few more details about the April 2nd opening of the new Barney's New York store on Rush Street.

• The first floor will be all accessories, meaning scarfs, wallets, handbags, and things like that.  
• The cosmetics area which is normally on the first floor of department stores in the Midwest is going into the basement, like in Bergdorf Goodman and Barney's in New York.  "Basement" probably isn't the best word to describe it.  It's actually an inviting, light, airy space that just happens to be subterranean.  
• Chelsea Passage is getting smaller and will share the top floor with Fred's, the new restaurant (Get it?  Fred's at Barney's?). 
  

Barney's New York Closing and New Store Opening Dates

For those of you wondering about Barney's New York's big move across the street, we're finally hearing some firm dates.

Latest word is that the current Barney's New York store will close March 15, 2009.  The inventory will be moved across the street and the brand spanking new store will open April 2, 2009.

Considering the state of the economy, this is likely to be the largest and most interesting retail opening we see in Chicago for the next few years.  Moreover, the new store will draw in a lot of high-end tourists who want to see what it's like, so that will be a nice little extra boost for the area.

As for the old Barney's store... We still haven't heard anything.  Have you?

Crü Cut. Wine Bar Cheeses It

The rumor we mentioned a couple of weeks ago about a certain Gold Coast wine bar shutting down turned out to be true.  Crü is no more.

In its place will be "Feast: Restaurant and Bar" according to posters on Crü's now shuttered façade.  The posters come with a little rhyme:

Working the toasters

For early Gold Coasters

The eatery promises to be open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.  More good news -- the Goddess and the Grocer next door appears unaffected by the Crü shutdown.