Lakeshore East Explained

Lakeshore East is a master-planned mixed use urban development being built by the Magellan Development Group in the Loop community area of Chicago in Cook County, Illinois, United States. It is located in the northeastern part of the Loop, which, along with Illinois Center, is called the New Eastside. The development is bordered by Wacker Drive to the north, Columbus Drive to the west, Lake Shore Drive to the east, and East Randolph Street to the south. Skidmore, Owings & Merrill created the master plan for the area.[1] The development, which had been scheduled for completion in 2011,[2] was set for completion in 2013 by 2008.[3] Development continued with revised plans for more buildings in 2018 and continuing construction of the Vista Tower in 2019.

Although the majority of the buildings in the neighborhood will be 21st century constructions resulting from the master plan, some of the current buildings were built as early as the 1960s and 1970s decades. Thus, the term "Lakeshore East" refers only to the components of the new master plan, while the term New Eastside refers to the greater neighborhood surrounding Lakeshore East that extends westward to Michigan Avenue.[4] In the 1960s, Illinois Center near Michigan Avenue was developed. There is little formal distinction between buildings in the masterplan and other buildings in the neighborhood because the pre-existing buildings are referred to as being located in the Lakeshore East area.

Lakeshore East features several of the tallest buildings in Chicago and may include a few of the tallest buildings in the United States. The overall planned development, the park, and several of the individual buildings have won awards for architecture and/or urban planning. The buildings are planned for various types of residential use (condominiums, apartments, or hotels). Due to the neighborhood's proximity to both Lake Michigan to the east and the Chicago River to the north, many of the buildings are named with aquatic or nautical themes.[5] As of August 2008, 1,500 condominiums have been sold and 1,200 apartments have been completed.[3]

History

Previous to this urban development, the Lakeshore East area had been used by Illinois Central Railroad yards. After World War II, the railroads sold airspace rights north of Randolph Street.[6] For several years after the rail yards were vacated, the site was used as a 9-hole golf course. Pete Dye designed the course, known as Metro Golf at Illinois Center, which was completed in 1994 and closed in 2001.[7] [8] The area was originally planned for development as part of the Illinois Center, and one of the challenges to the new development was to integrate itself into the inherited triple-level street system while creating a visually appealing and pedestrian friendly neighborhood.[9] The solution was to stagger ground-level amenities and building entrances from the upper level at the perimeter to the lower level at the interior. Thus the multilevel street grid is utilized around the edges, with large parking structures in the podiums, while a large park at the lowest level forms the core of the development.[9] When the redevelopment was planned in 2001 and commenced in 2002, completion was anticipated to happen in 2013.[10]

The following buildings pre-existed the 21st century master plan for the neighborhood: Blue Cross Blue Shield Tower, Three Illinois Center, Swissôtel Chicago, Buckingham Plaza, The Parkshore, North Harbor Tower, 400 East Randolph Street Condominiums and Harbor Point. A 27-floor vertical expansion of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Tower was completed in 2010. When Harbor Point and 400 East Randolph were built, Lake Shore Drive ran through this neighborhood to the west of these buildings, but it has since been rerouted to the east of these buildings. Buildings in the development have featured new segments of pedway. These have been integrated into the Chicago Pedway system, segments of which have formally existed since 1951. The pedway system provides connections between public and private buildings, Chicago Transit Authority stations and Metra commuter rail facilities.[11] The pedway has generated controversy among Lakeshore East residents due to segments of promised pedway which have not been constructed. The archives available on the NewEastside.org website show numerous plans and unfulfilled promise regarding connecting the pedway to most of the New Eastside.[12] Among developers' unfulfilled promises regarding the pedway is promises dating as far back as the 1990s that the development would feature the construction of a full pedway link to Buckingham Plaza and North Harbor Tower.[13]

The 4, 6 and 60 CTA bus routes run along the borders of the Lakeshore East area, and the 60 makes a turnaround within it on Harbor Drive.[14]

Overview

This $4 billion lifestyle center spans 283NaN3, and will include 4,950 residences, 2200000square feet of gross commercial space, 1,500 hotel rooms, 770000square feet of retail space and a planned elementary school surrounding a magnificent 6acres botanical park.[1] The plan, which had Adrian Smith as the design partner, calls for fourteen high-rise condominiums and two commercial officespace superstructures.[15] Lakeshore East is within walking distance to the Chicago River, Lake Michigan, DuSable Harbor, Michigan Avenue, Grant Park, and Millennium Park.

The park, named Lakeshore East Park, opened in 2005 and is supported by a mixture of public funds from the Chicago Park District and private funds from the neighboring Lakeshore East condominium buildings. It is the city's first and currently only free wireless park.[9] The park features several fountains.[16] [17] The park is dog friendly and also home to a dog park where dogs can be let off leash.[18]

The Lancaster (completed in 2005) was Lakeshore East's first new completed building.[19] The Shoreham (2005) was Lakeshore East's first completed apartment building.[20] 340 on the Park (2007) was briefly the tallest all-residential building in Chicago, but was surpassed by One Museum Park. Aqua (2009) is the first skyscraper in Chicago to combine condominium residences, luxury rentals, deluxe hotel and retail spaces in the same structure and it is believed to be the tallest building in the United States designed by a female-run architectural firm.[21] The development has its own village center, named Village Market Center,[22] which includes a full service supermarket. The other buildings completed in the first phase of development were The Regatta (2007), The Chandler (2008) and The Tides (2008) as well as the Benton Place Parkhomes townhouses (2009).

In 2011, construction began on Coast at Lakeshore East. Lease occupancies began in February 2013.[23]

The St. Regis Chicago, a condominium/hotel combination that is now the third tallest building in Chicago, began construction in August 2016 and was completed in 2020.[24]

Lakeshore East is a venture of Magellan Development Group LLC, a recently formed corporate partnership culminating a long-term collaboration between Magellan Development Group and NNP Residential & Development.[25]

In 2017 revised plans were unveiled for remaining construction in the masterplan,[26] but 42nd ward Alderman Brendan Reilly rejected them because of concerns about landscaping, security, minor traffic issues and building setbacks.[27] [28] They were revised in August 2018 to include buildings of 40, 50 and 80 storeys. The newly proposed plan would update and replace the 2001 masterplan.[29] On mid-October 2018, the Chicago Plan Commission approved the plans that included a 950feet tower as one of four new towers.[30] Chicago City Council approved the plans in an October 31 meeting.[31]

All of the buildings in Lakeshore East are luxury condos and high-end apartment highrises. Many of them are named with an aquatic theme. In addition to the luxury skyscrapers, the development will include 24 ultra-luxury town homes in the $2 million price range.[32] [33]

Awards

The master plan won the 2002 American Institute of Architects National Honor Award for Regional and Urban Design.[2] The park was honored as the Best New Park in Chicago by Chicago magazine and the city’s Best New Open Space by the Friends of Downtown.[32] The master plan, the park and several individual buildings have won numerous other awards.[34]

In 2008, the International Real Estate Federation declared the Lakeshore East master plan the recipient of the FIABCI Prix D'Excellence international award. Lakeshore was the only United States winner for international design excellence.[35]

Buildings

NameAddressCompletedFloorsHeight
ft (m)
Use
195 North Columbus 195 N. Columbus Drive Proposed 60 650feet TBD
340 on the Park[36] 340 E. Randolph Street 2007 64 672feet Condominium/Retail
400 East Randolph[37] 1963 40 378feet Condominium
Aqua[38] 2009 82 822feet Hotel/Apartment/Condominium
Blue Cross Blue Shield Tower[39] 300 E. Randolph Street 2010 54743feet Office
Cascade[40] 455 E. Waterside Drive 2021 37 396feet Apartment
Cirrus211 N. Harbor Drive 2021 47 512feet Condominium
Coast at Lakeshore East[41] 345 E. Wacker Drive 2013 45 550feet Apartment
GEMS World Academy[42] 350 E. South Water Street 2014 9 153feet School
Harbor Point[43] 155 N. Harbor Drive 1975 54 550feet Condominium/Retail
Lakeshore East I Tower[44] 475 E. Wacker Drive Proposed 80 950feet TBD
North Harbor Tower[45] 175 N. Harbor Drive 1988 55 556feet Apartment
Swissôtel Chicago[46] 323 E. Wacker Drive 1989 45 457feet Hotel
The Buckingham[47] 360 E. Randolph Street 1982 44 400feet Condominium
The Chandler[48] 450 E. Waterside Drive 2008 36 389feet Condominium
The Lancaster[49] 201 N. Westshore Drive 2005 30 324feet Condominium
The Parkshore[50] 195 N. Harbor Drive 1991 56 556feet Condominium
The Regatta[51] 420 E. Waterside Drive 2007 45 466feet Condominium
The Shoreham[52] 400 E. South Water Street 2005 47 450feet Apartment/Retail
The Tides[53] 360 E. South Water Street 2008 51 500feet Apartment
Three Illinois Center[54] 1979 28 350feet Office
St. Regis Chicago[55] 375 E. Wacker Drive 2020 93 1198feet Hotel/Condominium

External links

41.886°N -87.6176°W

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Portfolio. 2008-05-26. magellan development. 2007 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080225223955/http://www.magellandevelopment.com/portfolio-current.html . February 25, 2008.
  2. Web site: Lakeshore East Master Plan . 2008-05-26 . . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20080325130314/http://www.som.com/content.cfm/lakeshore_east_master_plan . 2008-03-25 .
  3. Web site: Lakeshore East project lifts Magellan to top. https://archive.today/20091019231647/http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-magellan-builder_chomes_0801aug01,0,3137964.story. dead. 2009-10-19. 2008-08-04. 2008-08-01. Chicago Tribune. Diesenhouse, Susan.
  4. Web site: New Eastside . 2008-06-10 . . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20070429111225/http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/zo/?id=100200 . 2007-04-29 .
  5. Web site: Aqua. 2008-05-28. Artefaqs Corporation. Chicago Architecture Info.
  6. Web site: Fair Game on Lake Michigan. 2008-06-01. November 2004. American Society of Landscape Architects. Landscape Architecture Magazine. Freemen, Allen.
  7. Web site: Metro Golf at the Illinois Center (semi-private). 2008-05-30. Thegolfcourses.net . https://web.archive.org/web/20071009230226/http://thegolfcourses.net/golfcourses/IL/14535.htm . October 9, 2007.
  8. Web site: Metro Golf at the Illinois Center - Semi-Private. 2008-05-30. WorldGolf.com.
  9. News: Spacious rooms, all with views. April 3, 2019. 2008-05-11. Chicago Tribune. Rosenberg, Janice.
  10. News: Lakeshore East project lifts Magellan to top. August 1, 2008. Chicago Tribune. Diesenhouse, Susan. .
  11. Web site: Pedestrian Program. 2008-05-30. Chicago Department of Transportation. https://web.archive.org/web/20080607090702/http://www.chicagowalks.org/pedway.shtml. 2008-06-07. dead.
  12. Web site: ARCHIVES - Neighborhood Advocacy Memory. 2008-05-30. Neweastside.org. Ward, Richard.
  13. News: Where is the IC pedway?. North Loop News. 2000-03-23. Cermak, Sean. 1.
  14. Web site: Downtown System Map. 2008-06-10. Chicago Transit Authority . https://web.archive.org/web/20080430211449/http://www.transitchicago.com/maps/maps/200804D.html . April 30, 2008.
  15. Web site: Lakeshore East . 2008-05-26 . . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20080316191519/http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/cx/?id=lakeshoreeast-chicago . 2008-03-16 .
  16. Web site: Lakeshore East Park Southeast Fountain. https://web.archive.org/web/20070209034031/http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=harborparksoustreetastfountain-chicago-il-usa. dead. February 9, 2007. 2008-05-27. Emporis Corporation. 2008.
  17. Web site: Lakeshore East Park Northwest Fountain. https://archive.today/20130409085203/http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=harborparknorthwestfountain-chicago-il-usa. dead. April 9, 2013. 2008-05-27. Emporis Corporation. 2008.
  18. Web site: Lake Shore East Dog Friendly Area Chicago Park District. District. Chicago Park. www.chicagoparkdistrict.com. en. 2018-01-23.
  19. Web site: The Lancaster . 2008-05-28. Lakeshore East. 2007 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080521190652/http://www.lakeshoreeast.com/lancaster.html . May 21, 2008.
  20. Web site: The Shoreham. 2008-05-28. Magellan Development. 2007 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080410044442/http://www.magellandevelopment.com/the-shoreham.html . April 10, 2008.
  21. Web site: Leading Hospitality REIT Agrees to Purchase on Completion Luxury Hotel in Aqua Tower at Lakeshore East. https://archive.today/20070420062511/http://www.lakeshoreeast.com/media/pr/aqua-hotel-10-12-2006.html. dead. 2007-04-20. 2008-05-28. lakeshoreeast.com. 2006-10-12. Schaffel, Larry . Tricia Van Horn.
  22. Web site: Magellan Development's Village Market retail center in Chicago to debut first tenants. 2012-03-22. https://web.archive.org/web/20120105011000/http://www.rejournals.com/2011/09/29/magellan-developments-village-market-retail-center-in-chicago-to-debut-first-tenants/. 2012-01-05. dead.
  23. Web site: Magellan opens leasing offices for Coast tower. 2013-07-26. 2013-02-15. Chicago Tribune. Mann, Leslie.
  24. The New Class of Skyscrapers That Will Forever Change the Chicago Skyline. LaTrace. A.J.. 5 October 2015. Curbed Chicago. 11 October 2015.
  25. Web site: History. 2008-06-10. magellan development. 2007 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080603052951/http://magellandevelopment.com/about-history.html . June 3, 2008.
  26. Web site: Huge Lakeshore East plan riles neighbors. April 5, 2019. July 11, 2017. Crain's Chicago Business. Tepper, Nona.
  27. Web site: Alderman rejects Lakeshore East development plan. April 5, 2019. December 13, 2017. Crain's Chicago Business. Gallun, Alby.
  28. Web site: Developers revise plan for 1,700-unit residential project in Lakeshore East. May 1, 2019. August 28, 2018. Crain's Chicago Business. Gallun, Alby.
  29. Web site: Column: Lakeshore East developers retool plan for three new towers. April 3, 2019. August 30, 2018. Chicago Tribune. Ori, Ryan.
  30. Web site: Column: Don't put those cranes away yet, Chicago: Plan Commission approves three megadevelopments. April 3, 2019. October 19, 2018. Chicago Tribune. Ori, Ryan.
  31. Web site: City Council makes it a red-letter day for downtown-area development. April 3, 2019. October 31, 2019. Chicago Sun-Times. Spielman, Fran.
  32. Web site: Lakeshore East proving to be the next best thing to the lake? . 2008-05-26 . 2006-10-23 . NewcitySkyline, Inc. . Matlock, Kelly . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20090301095736/http://www.newcityskyline.com/LakeshoreEastNews.html . 2009-03-01 .
  33. Web site: Housing Bulletin - An Update from Chicago's Lakeshore East. 2008-05-26. 2007-06-06. Chicago magazine. Rodkin, Dennis.
  34. Web site: Lakeshore East Awards. 2008-05-26. lakeshore east . 2007 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080501231812/http://www.lakeshoreeast.com/awards.html . May 1, 2008.
  35. Web site: Old bungalows can win awards for energy efficiency . 2008-09-02 . 2008-06-13 . Digital Chicago, Inc. . . Cunniff, Bill . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20080618090614/http://searchchicago.suntimes.com/homes/news/1002990%2Cdigest13.article . 2008-06-18 .
  36. Web site: 340 on the Park. https://web.archive.org/web/20061208203336/http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=340onstreetpark-chicago-il-usa. dead. December 8, 2006. 2008-05-27. Emporis Corporation. 2008.
  37. Web site: Outer Drive East. https://web.archive.org/web/20061231092241/http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=outerdriveeast-chicago-il-usa. dead. December 31, 2006. 2008-05-30. Emporis Corporation. 2008.
  38. Web site: Aqua. https://web.archive.org/web/20061214085152/http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=aqua-chicago-il-usa. dead. December 14, 2006. 2008-05-27. Emporis Corporation. 2008.
  39. Web site: Blue Cross-Blue Shield Tower. https://web.archive.org/web/20061214105037/http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=bluecrossblueshieldtower-chicago-il-usa. dead. December 14, 2006. 2008-05-30. Emporis Corporation. 2008.
  40. News: Koziarz. Jay. 29 August 2019. Two residential towers with 866 combined units break ground in Lakeshore East. Curbed Chicago. 2 September 2019.
  41. Web site: Coast at Lakeshore East. https://web.archive.org/web/20121019231159/http://www.emporis.com/building/coast-at-lakeshore-east-chicago-il-usa. dead. October 19, 2012. 2012-03-22. Emporis Corporation. 2012.
  42. Web site: GEMS World Academy I. https://web.archive.org/web/20170216045900/https://www.emporis.com/buildings/1211297/gems-world-academy-i-chicago-il-usa. dead. February 16, 2017. 2017-02-15. Emporis Corporation. 2017.
  43. Web site: Harbor Point. https://web.archive.org/web/20040405102632/http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=116841. dead. April 5, 2004. 2008-05-30. Emporis Corporation. 2008.
  44. Web site: Proposed towers for Lakeshore East will deliver thousands of new residences . LaTrace . AJ . 11 July 2017 . Curbed Chicago . 16 September 2017 .
  45. Web site: North Harbor Tower. https://archive.today/20120629085403/http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=northharbortower-chicago-il-usa. dead. June 29, 2012. 2008-05-30. Emporis Corporation. 2008.
  46. Web site: Swissôtel Chicago. https://web.archive.org/web/20061213002520/http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=swissotelchicago-chicago-il-usa. dead. December 13, 2006. 2008-05-30. Emporis Corporation. 2008.
  47. Web site: Buckingham Plaza. https://web.archive.org/web/20061228180532/http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=buckinghamplaza-chicago-il-usa. dead. December 28, 2006. 2008-05-30. Emporis Corporation. 2008.
  48. Web site: The Chandler. https://web.archive.org/web/20070206191938/http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=streetchandler-chicago-il-usa. dead. February 6, 2007. 2008-05-27. Emporis Corporation. 2008.
  49. Web site: The Lancaster. https://web.archive.org/web/20070520180537/http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=streetlancaster-chicago-il-usa. dead. May 20, 2007. 2008-05-27. Emporis Corporation. 2008.
  50. Web site: The Parkshore. https://web.archive.org/web/20070211012639/http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=streetparkshore-chicago-il-usa. dead. February 11, 2007. 2008-05-30. Emporis Corporation. 2008.
  51. Web site: The Regatta. https://web.archive.org/web/20061124010710/http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=streetregatta-chicago-il-usa. dead. November 24, 2006. 2008-05-27. Emporis Corporation. 2008.
  52. Web site: The Shoreham. https://web.archive.org/web/20061214195549/http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=streetshoreham-chicago-il-usa. dead. December 14, 2006. 2008-05-27. Emporis Corporation. 2008.
  53. Web site: The Tides. https://web.archive.org/web/20070206191004/http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=streettides-chicago-il-usa. dead. February 6, 2007. 2008-05-27. Emporis Corporation. 2008.
  54. Web site: Three Illinois Center. https://web.archive.org/web/20070324093830/http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=3illinoiscenter-chicago-il-usa. dead. March 24, 2007. 2008-05-30. Emporis Corporation. 2008.
  55. Web site: Wanda Vista. https://web.archive.org/web/20151017234605/http://www.emporis.com/buildings/1230778/wanda-vista-chicago-il-usa. dead. October 17, 2015. 2016-08-24. Emporis Corporation. 2016.