GRguy

This is a huge move in the wrong direction. That important corner with a parking garage and some infill retail? What a disaster. At least move the tower to the corner of Division to keep some importance there. I have heard of value engineering, but this plain slash and burn. If they can do no better than this, turn it back over to the city and start over. Delay would be better than bad.

I think their current location is too hidden to attract many patrons that are not intending to go there. The current facility (from what I have heard) is extremely costly to heat and the flat roof with north facing skylights, leaks. I would love for them to become a "mainstream" draw. Like maybe have more than 5 people attend a really good movie there. I would love to see the gallery filled every night of the week.

When you use the quotes around "spec", what are you implying? Is there a tenant that has yet to be announced? I have not seen many spec offices being built recently. Is this the start of a trend? Is there a shortage of Class A space in Buckhead?

Tamias: The only voice many people have is to vote with their feet and dollars. Don't like someone's business practice? Don't shop there. This is the basis for many boycotts by the gay and other minority communities. Also the opposite version is true as seen in the Local First campaigns. Want to see local firms survive and prosper? Shop there first... Americans have shown most of us have a short memory span. If Meijer builds there and starts offering low prices and doing some community sponsorship, I think many folks upset right now will shop there.

When I lived in Atlanta, it did not even recognize that it was in Georgia, much less the South.

That big front angled piece looks like a "Breathe Right" strip.

A nice neon sign advertising what is playing at the UICA moviehouse that night would also be a big help for this corner.

Right off Division at Franklin? The old projects they razed and rebuilt...

That is quite a transformation from what was built as Days Inn

Very cool, Dadoff!

Don't know if you are misinterpreting. The arched windows were a poorly proportioned renovation at some point, nothing close to what would have been done on the building originally. They look like someone's garage addition. Look at some of the storefronts done by bazzani, for example, along Wealthy to see what this should look like.

If only they would take out the suburban arched windows and put in a real historic looking storefront, the building would be perfect.

Ate at the Green Well. Nice meal, had a flight of beer(s) and enjoyed the atmosphere. Great new addition to the GR scene

No, actually the Mariott Marquis tower is much taller than the CNN atrium. Both are unique and wonderful in their own way. Wouldn't want to be on the receiving end of an airborn TV at either one of the properties. They closed the hotel for several days, I believe and essentially shoveled the debri out.

Yes, a few years ago at the Atlanta Mariott Marquis (45-50 story lobby) some kids started throwing things off the balconies on New Years Eve. I think it started as toilet paper rolls. Then went to soda bottles, then went to lamps, then chairs and sofas. Millions of dollars of damage.

From where I was standing, this looks like the elevator core at the top left of your plan.

OK, back to the subject at hand...the Spire. Some photos from today Taken from under LSD on a closed sidewalk, overlooking the site and small extension of the river. Taken from the 14th floor parking deck thru the only slot window with a broken grill. Hah! They have cleaned all the scrub and mess from the future park. Closer view of the foundation going in. Seems small. Maybe there are more like this coming? Maybe this is something else? These lucky guys will be able to tell their kids, "Yup, I built that thing..." Overall site and view toward Lake Michigan

Great rendering Dadoff. You da man.

I believe it is also called Waterview Tower, on Wacker Dr. 90 stories, hotel and condos.

OK, my highly scientific, extremely accurate, lifelike rendering of what Chicago may look like in a few years. Shangrai-La site (hotel and condos)

The area in question is outlined in red. It is currently just scrub and grass, being used as a staging area and will in the short term be used as a temporary exit from LSD. The rendering is a bit deceiving as it almost appears that the new park will be on Lake Michigan, but it is boxed in by Navy Pier (not shown in the rendering). I don't think this is a bad thing, Navy Pier is great to look at.

Wow, Da Achiever, great shot and great spot to watch the construction...Here is ground eye view of the same place...hey, I see you up there with your camera

The date I have read is 2011 for completion. I just want to see it going vertical, beyond a "point of no return".

I believe the previous version of this was designed by Bill Reynolds at Smallwood Reynolds Stewart Stewart. Never got built

OK, here is the site, from all I can gather. North of the River, next to LSD, across from Navy Pier. Equipment on site, rock and huge (excuse the layman's terms) pipes(?!). And a closer look