There’s been some groaning on Yo over the years over the large, ugly edifices that parking structures create at street level. Why not just bury the parking structure? What’s so difficult about that?
It can be expensive, for one, but there are benefits to burying parking. In Streeterville, for example, where outdoor green space comes at a premium, MCL Companies is putting in a new public park in the lot adjacent to ParkView Condominiums. Sales agent Susan Devine says the developer is in the process of excavating the site and should have the park finished by the end of summer.
The skeptic in me says, “Great, but who’s going to pay for park maintenance? The condo association won’t want to pay for a public park.” But Devine assures me that the park won’t be turned over to the condo association or the Chicago Park District; instead, MCL Companies plans to maintain it in the future. It’s not uncommon for developers to offer landscaped green space, but in many cases the green space is either private or it’s turned over to the park district.
Could this be an instance of genuine developer altruism?
Below are a couple more park renderings from Solomon Cordwell Buenz & Associates.
I had to check the date on this post again.
Correct me if I’m wrong, but “excavation”? Are they digging it up to start over? The underground garage is already open for public parking. The park has already been “terraformed” and has grass growing. I think I saw trees planted late last week.
What is the structure that appears (in the drawings) to be on the corner of Peshtigo and Grand (where the construction office is now)? Whatever that is, they haven’t even started building it yet.
That’s a good point, dragonslayer. I guess I misunderstood exactly what’s taking place there right now, because if the park is going to be finished within the next few months, all excavation should be long finished. Good catch.
I’m not sure what that other building is. Maybe MCL plans to build something there in the future. I’ll have to check with them next time I call the sales center.
there will be tower II across the park along peshtigo, which will be like a mirror image.I think it’s zoned for 40 something story
Good looking out, Sean. The top of the garage entrance (on Illinois and Peshtigo) is too big and unfinshed. I figured they were going to build something on top, but then it’s been that way for a long time with no activity.
Maybe I’ll go poke around in the sales office today if I get bored.
The ParkView Park and fountains are completed… The construction fence will be removed in the near-term. Fun and unique features include lighting between the granite steps and the fiber-optic lighting that will stream through the fountain’s water jets.
Susan Devine
Director of Marketing
MCL Companies
Just announced! MCL Companies and ParkView Condominiums, 505 N. McClurg Court, Chicago, IL 60611, was the recipient of several awards by the Home Builders Association of Greater Chicago (HBAGC):
Architectural Design Award – Condominiums under 1,250 square feet
Gold Key Award
ParkView Condominiums, MCL Companies
Architectural Design Award – Condominiums over 1,501 square feet
Gold Key Award
ParkView Condominiums, MCL Companies
Planning and Design Award
Silver Key Award
ParkView Condominiums, MCL Companies
Specialized Web Award – Best Video Pre Roll Ad
Comcast Video
ParkView Condominiums, MCL Companies
Susan Devine
Director of Marketing
MCL Companies
The ParkView park is officially open!
Susan Devine
Director of Marketing
MCL Companies
Chicago, IL