North Halsted Mega Development Under Construction in Lake View
The entire lot in Boystown is fenced off and hidden from residents while construction work on the highly controversial Halsted Flats commences.
Photos
It’s been more than a month since Ald. James Cappleman (46th) and developers broke ground on Nov. 1, but the construction process is well under way for Lake View’s latest mega-development.
Sitting at 3740 N. Halsted St. near the intersection with North Broadway, the massive lot is fenced off and out of sight while workers prepare the land for the highly controversial addition to Boystown. In two years, residents will see the 15-story Halsted Flats at the site near Whole Foods and Hotel Chateau, rather than cranes and backhoes.
The new building by JDL Development Corp. will feature nearly 11,000-square-feet of retail space, 269 apartments and 276 parking spaces. Combined with a third-floor rooftop with a landscaped park, dog run, outdoor pool, fire-pit and hot tub, the massive glass structure is welcomed by 46th Ward officials.
However, some Lake View residents and business owners aren’t happy about the building’s construction. Between the threat of the new high-rise blocking existing views and the possibility of the development drastically increasing traffic in the neighborhood, some are calling the entire project “Corrupt (and) sickening,” such as a Patch reader did in our first article on the building.
But according to Cappleman, it’s far better than the alternative. Developers first proposed a big-box store in the space, complete with a massive parking garage. After a mass of public hearings, the Zoning Committee—made of a collection of community representatives—voted against the big box.
“Had we gone with a big-box development, the traffic problems would have grown exponentially,” Cappleman told Patch in an email. “The big-box development was the other alternative that did not require a zoning change and the developer would have had every right to go down this path of building a big box. Also, the Zoning Committee was very clear about NOT wanting a big box.”
Want more details about the controversy and the project’s history? Check out Patch’s first story outlining the specifics.
Tread
9:33 am on Tuesday, December 11, 2012
I'm sincerely glad they're getting rid of this eyesore of a parking lot. Neighborhoods should be filled with people, not cars. Also, anything to bring up the value of this particular part of Lakeview can't hurt.
jon svoboda
9:55 am on Tuesday, December 11, 2012
this is going to be an absolutely FABULOUS project!!!!!!! YEAH for lakeview....can't wait to see the final project.......have my support ALL the way :)
Richard
11:29 am on Tuesday, December 11, 2012
At least that antigay church is gone. I hear the pastor ran off with the funds. Love the development.
Brad Little
3:49 pm on Tuesday, December 11, 2012
This is great for us businesses on the 3800 block of Broadway. It will pull foot traffic further north. It will give the immediate neighborhood more voices to get rid of the chateau hotel for good. A welcome and beautiful addition to the neighborhood....way better than a creepy-always-empty parking lot.
Boystown Barry
8:59 pm on Saturday, December 15, 2012
The fact that this construction project has closed the sidewalk on the west side of Halstead without any posted notifications or roped off pedestrian walkway area is a major inconvenience and puts lives in danger at an area with cars coming from multiple directions and no alternative. There are no posted permits on the exterior of the sidewalk blocking structure and no workers or signs alerting pedestrians.
Richard
7:21 am on Sunday, December 16, 2012
OH NO BOYS TOWN BARRY! Ever consider just crossing the street and quit whining? It sounds to me like you need to get laid.
Boystown Barry
10:48 am on Sunday, December 16, 2012
Richard, I don't understand the harsh reply and stereotypical sexual jab that would only be amusing if the reader had undergone lobotomy surgery.
Understand that with no posted signs at or near the intersection prior to the sidewalk closing (like most responsible developers & work crews utilize in this City) pedestrians are being put at risk of having to navigate not getting struck by an automobile (if you look at the photo of the jogger in the photo at the beginning of the article, that is the space a pedestrian has and is also a lane of traffic).
Additionally, such a sidewalk closing with no posted notices and no permits posted violates both the rules of the City of Chicago and the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Richard
11:42 am on Sunday, December 16, 2012
OH BOO HOO, Having lived across the street at 3751 N Halsted I know the area better than you. Of course you didn't understand my reply, your an idiot.
Boystown Barry
11:57 am on Sunday, December 16, 2012
Aside from showcasing the grammar skills of a second grade elementary school student (it is not "your an idiot," it's "you're an idiot"), your comments are the epitome of the rude, vile and faceless anger of the Internet.
I don't understand why you feel the need to attack and belittle someone who is simply attempting to highlight issues that unnecessarily jeopardize the safety of members of our community.
Richard
12:06 pm on Sunday, December 16, 2012
OKAY, YOU'RE AN IDIOT. Get a date, preferably one you don't need a credit card for.