Has Chicago lost is architecture zeal? (rent, condo, neighborhoods) - Illinois (IL) - City-Data Forum

UrbanCheetah · 09-19-2013, 01:02 PM

No doubt Chicago has and will always have wonderful architecture. But I am starting to feel as of late we are falling behind.

I am glad to see construction is on the rise again, but a lot of these new projects that are going up are "nice" but I really wish Chicago would really start becoming a leader again in architecture. I really think the gap between the newer projects (in regards to design and innovation) of what Chicago is putting out there and let's say a place like NYC, is getting bigger and bigger. I am not trying to compare NYC to Chicago, but I am just saying that Chicago I feel in the past was one of many cities in the forefront of modern architecture, but it just feels like as of late we are just putting out there nice mediocre buildings, and as of late are producing Tier 2 type buildings, nice to look at, but nothing impressive or really moving the industry forward.

Then again, compared to what a lot of other cities are putting out there (within the U.S. that is), Chicago is putting out some good stuff. It just feels like we have been lagging a little bit. Or maybe my expectations are a little too high?

marothisu · 09-19-2013, 01:11 PM

While I agree with the general sentiment, I don't agree that every single building has to be an amazing masterpiece. Remember we're coming off a recession - not everything that will be built in a lot of places will be amazing. I do like the new proposal for the 50+ story Marriott Marquis though - it's pretty awesome. Same as the new Chinatown library.

UrbanCheetah · 09-19-2013, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marothisu

While I agree with the general sentiment, I don't agree that every single building has to be an amazing masterpiece. Remember we're coming off a recession - not everything that will be built in a lot of places will be amazing. I do like the new proposal for the 50+ story Marriott Marquis though - it's pretty awesome. Same as the new Chinatown library.

That could be it too, due to the recession. Aqua and Millenium Park itself are amazing recent additions in the past decade. I also agree that not every building needs to be a masterpiece.

But then the Marriott Marquis (as proposed). It's a real nice building, but I don't find it to be a standout building. It's a cool looking building but nothing we haven't seen before.

And I am not only talking about the skyscrapers, I am talking about lowrise, residential, streetscape, etc. Chicago is producing nice architecture for sure, but it just doesn't feel like were are being innovative anymore like we used to be. I see cities like NYC, Shanghai and London designing amazing buildings and breaking the mold. I feel like Chicago used to be part of the group that was "breaking the mold" it just feels like we are not anymore. It's like comparing a Tesla to a Lexus. Both produce amazing an beautiful cars, but one is in the forefront and really making a name for itself on how it's revolutionising the industry. I feel Chicago was like that before, but we are lagging behind lately.

Aleking · 09-19-2013, 01:26 PM

go back to curbed

UrbanCheetah · 09-19-2013, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aleking

go back to curbed

Seriously, what's the point on commenting if you are just going to make annoying comments?

marothisu · 09-19-2013, 01:34 PM

^ The recession has a ton to do with it. Buildings like Aqua were completed at the beginning of it, but they were started before it ever happened. The thing is that now, why would you spend $100,000 extra on something if it's barely going to increase the price of rent or cost of a condo in the building. It seems like many developers are going more in the "flat design" approach to things and taking out certain embellishments.

I have seen a lot of other good, contemporary architecture in the city in some neighborhoods but I am a fan of that type of stuff. It's not AMAZING but it's pretty good.

UrbanCheetah · 09-19-2013, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marothisu

^ The recession has a ton to do with it. Buildings like Aqua were completed at the beginning of it, but they were started before it ever happened. The thing is that now, why would you spend $100,000 extra on something if it's barely going to increase the price of rent or cost of a condo in the building. It seems like many developers are going more in the "flat design" approach to things and taking out certain embellishments.

I have seen a lot of other good, contemporary architecture in the city in some neighborhoods but I am a fan of that type of stuff. It's not AMAZING but it's pretty good.

Domestically speaking though, Chicago is definitely in the forefront, with the exception of NYC, when it comes to Architecture. Most other American cities aren't really putting anything all that interesting out there.

marothisu · 09-19-2013, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UrbanCheetah

Domestically speaking though, Chicago is definitely in the forefront, with the exception of NYC, when it comes to Architecture. Most other American cities aren't really putting anything all that interesting out there.

I don't agree about NYC with the exception of a few buildings. There's just as much semi cookie cutter stuff going up in NYC as there is here in Chicago. Chicago and NYC though are #1 and #2 IMO though, in the US.

I do think architecture matters, but as long as it's not ****ty, I'm not going to get pissed that Chicago isn't turning out amazing design after amazing design.

Lookout Kid · 09-19-2013, 01:51 PM

Well, this didn't help:

Shaking the Foundation: Chicago’s architecture community devastated by recession

I personally went from working on amazing fantasy projects in Shanghai and Dubai to scraping along for whatever work I could get. I left the profession because it was in shambles. It seems like things are slowly getting better, but I think the profession of architecture in Chicago will be changed for a long time, and a lot of people are shaken up.

UrbanCheetah · 09-19-2013, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marothisu

I don't agree about NYC with the exception of a few buildings. There's just as much semi cookie cutter stuff going up in NYC as there is here in Chicago. Chicago and NYC though are #1 and #2 IMO though, in the US.

I do think architecture matters, but as long as it's not ****ty, I'm not going to get pissed that Chicago isn't turning out amazing design after amazing design.

But my point is that Chicago really use to be at the forefront before (globally). It used to be a leader in architecture, and I feel it no longer is. Again I see Chicago right now being like Lexus, nice designs and good quality, but imo Chicago used to be a Tesla.