You’re more likely to hear a machine alderman criticize the mayor than you are to hear a major architect publicly criticize a major development proposal. Successful Chicago architects, like aldermen, are highly political animals and keenly aware of the potential consequences of their public utterances.
So, it comes as a surprise to learn that Lucien Lagrange has, on behalf of a community organization, spoken out against the most recent proposal for the redevelopment of the Children’s Memorial Hospital site in Lincoln Park. David Roeder’s recent Sun-Times column reports:
Developer McCaffery Interests Inc. came up with a “superblock” scheme that doesn’t do the site justice, Lagrange said. “Retail on two levels never works in Chicago. He’s got 20-story glass boxes. The density and the FAR [floor area ratio] are too high,” Lagrange said.
McCaffery, Lagrange said, is building too many apartments for a rental market that’s liable to fall hard soon. “There’s been overbuilding. It’s the story of Chicago,” Lagrange said.
Sounds like LaGrange is mad he isn’t the architect on the project.
Pedro, looks like you hit the nail on thehead.
LaGrange’s bankrupt firm has little left to do but b&*ch and moan these days
the urban politician, exactly right. Lincoln Park needs more density in this area especially, not less. What would LaGrange put here?
I agree with one thing though, 2 floors of retail may be a mistake.