National Teachers Academy Launches Tuition-Based Pre-Kindergarten Program

Looks like NTA has a new program starting:

Orange Theory Fitness Officially Open at 1005 S. State

Looks like Orange Theory Fitness is open at 1005 S. State:

We first posted about this back in September of last year.

Business Counter is up-to-date!

Jahn's 73-Story Tower Supposedly Will Start Construction in 2018

We've spent a ton of time talking about two high-profile (here and here), Grant Park facing developments that recently broke ground.  There is actually another one that is the tallest of the bunch, but last week we found out that this one is supposed to start in 2018 (via Curbed):

While this winter saw skyline-altering South Loop projects such as Rafael Viñoly’s One Grant Park and HPA’s Essex on the Park move forward, work on 1000M—architect Helmut Jahn’s 73-story residential tower—is reportedly at least one year away. The news comes from Robert Singer of developer Time Equities who recently told the Chicago Tribune that groundbreaking is anticipated to take place in 2018 with delivery targeted for 2021. New York-based Time Equities is co-developing the project with partner JK Equities. 

Arguably the most high-profile South Loop project of the current crop of towers produced by downtown’s building boom, the 832-foot proposal for the parking lot at 1000 S. Michigan was first revealed as a bold and boxy supertall reaching 1001 feet skyward. The design was subsequently shortened (and smoothed) following input from neighbors and elected officials and the issuance of amended guidelines for the Historic Michigan Avenue District from Chicago’s Committee on Landmarks.

However, if you look at the comment section, you'll get a different read on this story as most of the writes read this to mean the project is not happening.

While we're not real estate experts, it does seem like waiting another year would put this project way behind the aforementioned high-rises going up around Grant Park.

What do you think?

#ShotsAroundTheSloop: Missing Lake?

(Hat tip: MS!)

South Loop = Binge Drinking Neighborhood?

This was from late last year, but a strange article none-the-less (via XRT):

What do Lakeview, Wicker Park/Bucktown, and the South Loop have in common? They are the neighborhoods with the highest rates of binge drinking in the country. 

According to new data released by the CDC, 31% of residents in these areas engage in binge drinking behavior.

The article doesn't really get into a ton of depth and we poked around on the CDC website to find out more, but were not successful (call to readers to help get to the bottom of this!).

If this research includes binge drinking at events (ie Bears games, lollapalooza, concerts, etc) then it's not a surprise that the Sloop ranked high.  Same goes for Lakeview as we would imagine Wrigleyville would impact this drastically.

Anyway, just thought we would share.  Thoughts?

(Hat tip:  EM!)

Renzell Restaurant Rating System Scores Acadia at 10th Best in the City

From Eater Chicago:

Renzell, the restaurant ratings system that arrived in Chicago last year—positioned as a competitor to the Michelin Guide—has debuted their Chicago rankings. These preliminary rankings sort a cohort of 51 Renzell-selected restaurants. Renzell solicited members who dined at restaurants and filled out 60-question surveys which determined a restaurant’s score in eight categories, as well as an overall score.

Acadia - the 2-star Michelin Guide restaurant in the Sloop - is rated 10th best in the city according to this new list.

No other neighborhood restaurants cracked the top 50 in this list.  Notably missing is the venerable French restaurant, Everest (440 S. LaSalle), which is just north of what we consider the Sloop.

This restaurant has been around for awhile and consistently has garnered a 1-star rating via the Michelin Guide.

Could a High-Rise Finally Be Coming to Roosevelt Collection?

More potential development news (via Curbed Chicago from last week):

Criticized sometimes for being too auto-centric and suburban, the South Loop’s Roosevelt Collection may finally get an infusion of urban design as plans for the project‘s long-discussed high-rise phase appear to be moving forward. A recent post on the online development-watching forum at skyscraperpage.com revealed a new rendering of such a building as well as information that prelimary bids for the project are expected to be forthcoming. 

The existing mixed-use complex is currently home to over 300,000 square feet of retail space topped by 342 loft-style rental units plus a 16-screen cinema and utterly gargantuan 1,500-space parking garage. The aforementioned high-rise piece would occupy an empty notch set aside at the Roosevelt Collection’s northwestern corner.

The Bar Method Recently Opened at 2112 S. Michigan

This is a little late, but better late than never.  Bar Method officially opened at 2112 S. Michigan:

To find out  more, here is a link to their Facebook page.

Welcome to the neighborhood!

PS - our new 2017 business counter is updated with this!

Tamarind Looks to be Closed for Business at 614 S. Wabash

We've received a couple emails stating wondering what the deal was with Tamarind Sushi at 614 S. Wabash.  Judging by this picture as well as the "closed" status on Yelp, it seems like their fate is sealed:

It seems like this retail strip hasn't had much luck for restaurants and businesses.  Tamarind was one of the few that has been there for awhile, but it apparently has couldn't sustain.

Interestingly, the new 16-story rental building "30 East" is progressing quickly and would seemingly be bringing a lot of additional potential customers to this area.  Maybe rent is going up for this space?

(Hat tip:  AB, CC, NA!)

The Sloop Added a Net 12 New Businesses in 2016

Ok, so here it is, the final tally for the 2016 business counter looks to be +12.  The revision is due to the fact that Wingstop at 500 W. Roosevelt apparently opened back on December 21st, 2016:

Opened:

1. Stan's Donut & Coffee (28 E. Roosevelt)
2. Belly Up Smokehouse & Salon (1132 S. Wabash)
3. Harold's Chicken Shack (612 S. Wabash)
4. Bespoke Men's Grooming (529 S. Dearborn)
5. Saraya Salon (1463 S. State)
6. Portillo's (520 W. Taylor)
7. Mago Grill & Cantina (250 W. Roosevelt)
8. Nando's Peri-Peri Chicken (250 W. Roosevelt)
9. Lenscrafters (250 W. Roosevelt)
10. &Blowdry (1315 S. Michigan)
11. Chopstick's (20 E. Roosevelt)
12. Old Navy (250 W. Roosevelt)
13. Armand's Victory Tap (1416 S. Michigan)
14. Rylon's Smokehouse (67 E. Cermak)
15. Akirah's (1845 S. State)
16. Sip & Savor Coffee Shop (2239 S. Michigan) 
17. Aligned Modern Health (1335 S. Michigan)
18. The Nook (1929 S. Archer)
19. Ivy Garden (1455 S. Michigan)
20. Roots of Integrity & Deep Roots (1006 S. Michigan)
21. New City Alfa Romeo FIAT dealership (2401 S. Michigan)
22. Hertz Equipment Rental (2424 S. Wabash)
23. Re/max Synergy Real Estate (1345 S. Michigan)
24. Versailles Massage (1331 S. Michigan)
25. Wingstop (500 W. Roosevelt)

Closed or Moved Out of the Sloop in 2016 (note some may reopen):

1. Lululemon (250 W. Roosevelt)
2. Harold's Chicken Shack (636 S. Wabash)
3. La Haven Coffee (1250 S. Michigan)
4. The Shrine (2109 S. Wabash)
5. Chicago Kernel (511 S. State)
6. Toss the Hair (60 E. 13th)
7. Artist's Cafe (1150 S. Wabash)
8. Golfsmith (627 W. Roosevelt)
9. Chopstick's (20 E. Roosevelt)
10. Mercat a La Planxa (638 S. Michigan)
11. Hackney's (733 S. Dearborn)
12. Castle Keepers Realty (729 S. Dearborn)
13. George's Lounge (646 S. Wabash)

Giant 62-Acre Lot South of Roosevelt Cleared Out

Looks like the 62-Acre lot South of Roosevelt and next to the river is completely cleared.  Two readers sent us some pics:

We haven't heard much lately on this one, but clearly there is movement.  Back in early December we posted that crews had moved in to start the process of clearing the land.  It appears they've done their job!

As a reminder the city's Wells-Wentworth connector project will go through this lot as well as a massive development by Related Midwest.

(Hat tip: GH & DS!

#ShotsAroundTheSloop: Epic Clouds

(Hat tip:  JBT!)

Looks Like Essex on the Park is Officially Underway

Another major development is officially underway in the Sloop (via Curbed):

The Essex project involves the construction of a 479-unit luxury rental building at 808 S. Michigan Avenue as well as the renovation of the neighboring 1961 Essex Inn at 800 S. Michigan. The soon-to-be-landmarked midcentury modern hotel will be expanded from 254 to 271 guest rooms and repositioned as the ‘Hotel Essex.’ Shared amenities include a new chef-driven three-meal restaurant, a bi-level sky bar named ‘SX,’ and a multi-story indoor winter garden with pool and spa.

Seems like a pretty good addition and we're pretty pumped for a bi-level sky bar.  While those have become prevalent throughout the city, we don't really have many in the Sloop.  Should be cool!

Judging by the pictures, another cool amenity is the "winter garden":

This joins the 76-story rental skyscraper currently underway at Roosevelt and Indiana as two huge projects that will dramatically shift the South Loop and Chicago skyline.

Pizano's Gets It's Sign for Impending Restaurant at Indiana & 21st

A reader writes:

Looks like the corner of 21st and Indiana is getting a new restaurant. Spotted this. Right across from the new DePaul Stadium.

While this news isn't really new, it is the first time we've seen the sign and seems like a good sign (pun intended) of progress!

(Hat tip:  BL!)