1. Motor Row All Development- In General, I think buyers will benefit from the Landmark requirements of the area for most of the buildings. The city's landmark requirements creates a more intense review process (too bad this is not the case for all major projects).

In general, the scrutiny in material selection, restoraton detail, facade requirements, eliminating exterior balconies, etc. will help in the appearence and quality of the buildings. You can see it in some of the facade restoration and brick selection and morter detail.

2. Motor Row Condominiums - Noted legal & financial problems aside, my sources speaking to developer indicated they may have underestimated the impact of these historical requirements & process on project cost. I doubt Landmarks will allow this to go unfinished or altered in the long run.

3. Loft's On the Row- The South side of development looks terriffic (restored), with the brick and stone detail, and the juliet balconies; the new section on the North side facing Burger King looks disjointed and haphazard compared to the other side. I do not know why they did not carry the design over to both sides.

4. Motor Row LOFTS - Wow! The Facade restoration
looks impeccable and amazing on the 3
building front development! In addition to
brick detail completed, they even took the
effort to replace the granite detail at the
base of the building facade. This is an
example where others would have tried to
substitute inferior materials or touch up
existing and stick back in. Kudos to them.

Do you think one of the problems with marketing this development is its proximity to the tragic E2 nightclub site? As we know, "stigmatized" properties or neighborhoods can be a hard sell sometimes.

Good question; I don't think most people know what & where E-2 is. I would not be surprised for an exception to be made to replace that building. IMO, it may depend on what happens to the Ford Dealer and lot next door.

Owners of Firehouse & Grace O'malley's have already purchased the 'Defender' building across the street, in addition to one other property. A third Restaurateur has plans on Michigan. Actually, even with it's late start, I think Motor Row may now finally fill up faster commerically due to the McCormick Place projects including Alter group's hotel, McPier Plans, Hyatt Expansion, etc., than more established parts of the South Loop. Example, Hilton Gardens is supposed to start restoration at 24th & Indiana later this year.

I was just down on Motor Row last week, and am always astonished at how much I love that strip of buldings on Michigan Avenue just north of 24th street. Get the projects to the west under control, and this area has tremendous potential if it's properly preserved. I'd support leveling those CHA projects completely and replacing them with mixed-income housing.

I reside in a rokas property on chicago avenue and have spoken to some of their ex-employees. Rokas has gond under and closed up shop, with owner Andrius alledgely leaving the country with $700,000 of condo owners money. Now all his developments are owned by the banks inc American Chartered Bank. Rokas moved out of 200 W Madision on Nov 30, 2007 and over to one of their developments at 2100 S Indiana, and that lasted for 2 months. Good bye Rokas !!!!!

Tishman Construction is reportedly going to finish the building so that the banks can recoup some of their investment.

Andrius Augunas stole $20,000 from me. I was planning on being moved in by now.

CJW-

Sorry to hear about your misfortune. I was fortunate to get my money back from Rokas' 2100 S. Indiana development so I can imagine how frustrated you must be.

Isn't Tishman owed money, too? Its too bad because this is a nice looking project. I really hope everything gets finsihed and turns out OK for the people caught up in this mess.

I heard that the FBI were investigating Andrius Augunas and the Motor Row project - is that true or just a rumor? How come you lost $20,000? Did you put this money into an escrow fund, or write a check to Andrius Augunas for cash.

Just a point of clarification - Motor Row Lofts, which has a similar name, is a completely separate project.

I live in close proximity to Motor row condos….or whatever it's gonna be called now. Anyone know who is continuing the marketing for these units? I see no website, advertising etc….any thoughts?