777 W. Chicago Avenue Building Transformational Riverfront Development Illinois, IL architecture photos

777 W. Chicago Avenue Building

Tribune Real Estate Holdings in Illinois design by Solomon Cordwell Buenz (SCB), United States of America

Nov 2, 2018

Design: Solomon Cordwell Buenz (SCB) Architects

Location: 777 W Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60654, Illinois, USA

Chicago City Council Approves SCB-Designed Tribune Media Plan For Transformational Riverfront Development

777 West Chicago Avenue Building Development

Chicago (November 1, 2018) – Tribune Real Estate Holdings, a subsidiary of Tribune Media Company (NYSE: TRCO), today received final approval from the Chicago City Council for a transformational riverfront development at 777 W. Chicago Avenue. The approval is the culmination of a multi-year process that included meetings with and input from city planning officials, local Alderman Walter Burnett, neighborhood businesses, and area community groups.

777 W. Chicago Avenue building design:

Together with Tribune Media’s neighboring property at 700 W. Chicago Avenue, the combined site will be reimagined as The River District, a landmark urban tech-centric neighborhood that will reflect how people want to live and work. The new neighborhood extends Chicago’s downtown district and establishes a natural connection between The Loop, River North, Fulton Market, and River West. Today’s City Council approval of the phased development of The River District reaffirms Chicago as among the most innovative cities in the world.

777 W. Chicago Avenue building design:

“We thank Mayor Emanuel, Alderman Burnett, members of the City Council and the many community leaders and city staff with whom we have worked over the last two years to move the River District forward,” said Murray McQueen, president of Tribune Real Estate Holdings. “The River District will be a dynamic new neighborhood that will transform the face of the North Branch and serve as a natural extension of Chicago’s downtown, connecting neighborhoods and people. With today’s approval, we can take the next steps to build an in-demand neighborhood that will help the city continue to attract and retain new jobs and talent.”

Under the current plan for the site, more than 8 million square feet of mixed-use development rights will accommodate over 19,000 jobs and 4,100 residential units. More than 18,000 construction jobs are expected to be created during the build-out of the site. The current plan is expected to generate a $1.1 billion municipal tax benefit to the city over the next 20 years – approximately $60 million per year.

777 W. Chicago Avenue Master Plan

The master plan was designed by Chicago-based architects Solomon Cordwell Buenz (SCB), whose principal, Christine Carlyle, said, “We are extremely proud to be working with Tribune Real Estate Holdings on this important project, which will enhance the quality of life for Chicago residents and support Chicago’s growing business sectors.”

Benefits from the redevelopment of the property are expected to include significant infrastructure upgrades including transportation improvements, expansive publicly accessible green space and river access, and utility enhancements.

· Increases public access and green space: More than 50%, or 12.7 acres, of The River District will be dedicated to public park space throughout the site. This includes 6.8 acres of riverfront improvements, a centrally located public park, associated pocket parks to activate the building/streetscape relationship and site-wide landscaping.

· Celebrates the Riverwalk expansion: As part of the Riverwalk expansion, the site will feature over 2,000 linear feet of continuous publicly accessible pedestrian paths on the river.

· Supports City’s pedestrian and bike programs: The plan capitalizes on natural connections to surrounding neighborhoods by providing pedestrian and bike path connections and direct visibility from nearby streets. The site will also include multiple Divvy bike-share stations.

· Improves Infrastructure Enhancements: Major regional infrastructure upgrades are outlined in the plan, including the construction of a new on-site roadway network and associated traffic infrastructure, and a number of additional supporting and surrounding infrastructure upgrades.

Under the plan, a major arterial boulevard linking Grand to Chicago and an extension of the city grid at Ancona and Superior will be built and associated signalized intersections installed. Viaduct construction to connect to Halsted and Chicago and site-wide upgrade of utilities will be made, and the plan calls for a sustainably developed storm water management system and access to high-speed fiber throughout the site.

The first phase of the redevelopment of the property is expected to occur on the site’s southern end, on 7 “shovel ready” acres that could support 1.5 million square feet beginning in 2020. This will include approximately 1,250-1,500 residential units along Grand Avenue, a 1.8 acre public park adjacent to the Ohio Feeder ramp and 560 feet of linear river walk. The remaining phases will be built out based on market demand and support up to an additional 7 million square feet.

777 W. Chicago Avenue building design images: Solomon Cordwell Buenz (SCB)

Solomon Cordwell Buenz

Solomon Cordwell Buenz (SCB) is an architecture, interior design, and planning firm that practices nationally from offices in Chicago and San Francisco. Since 1931, SCB has made a lasting impact on the nation’s skylines, campuses, and neighborhoods, helping our clients across the country achieve their goals, serve their constituencies, and make their mark. For more information, visit www.scb.com.

Tribune Media Company

Tribune Media Company (NYSE: TRCO) is home to a diverse portfolio of television and digital properties driven by quality news, entertainment and sports programming. Tribune Media is comprised of Tribune Broadcasting’s 42 owned or operated local television stations reaching approximately 50 million households, national entertainment cable network WGN America, whose reach is more than 77 million households, and a variety of digital applications and websites commanding 54 million monthly unique visitors online.

Tribune Media also includes Chicago’s WGN-AM, the national multicast networks Antenna TV and THIS TV, and Covers Media Group, an unrivaled source of online sports betting information. Additionally, the Company owns and manages a significant number of real estate properties across the U.S. and holds a variety of investments, including a 31% interest in Television Food Network, G.P., which operates Food Network and Cooking Channel.

777 West Chicago Avenue Building images / information from The Chicago Athenaeum

Location: 777 West Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL, USA

Chicago Architecture

Chicago Architect – chronological list

Chicago Architectural Walking Tours by e-architect

Chicago Office Buildings

Chicago Architecture News

Chicago Architecture

Wintrust Arena
Design: Pelli Clarke Pelli Architects

photographer : Jeff Goldberg/ESTO
Wintrust Arena Chicago Building

110 North Wacker Office Building
Design: Goettsch Partners

rendering from architects
110 North Wacker Building in Chicago

747 North Clark
Design: Ranquist Development Group

photograph : Marty Peters
747 North Clark

Zurich North America Headquarters in Schaumburg
Design: Goettsch Partners

photo © Steinkamp Photography
Zurich North America Headquarters Building

Viceroy Hotel
Design: Goettsch Partners with hospitality design firm TAL Studio

photo © Christian Horan Photography
Viceroy Hotel Chicago Building