What's the Deal with Spanglish?

We haven't heard much about Spanglish since we did a post back in July, but recently two curious readers sent us emails about the subject:

Hi Sloopy!

Wondering if you have heard any recent news about Spanglish? I can't find anything updates online. I passed Frank, the owner, while crossing the street the other day but, unfortunately, did not have the opportunity to ask him about it.

Thanks, and keep up the GREAT work!

S

From what we read back then on Metromix, they were planning a September opening. Looks like that ain't happening. Regardless, hope they open soon.

Anyone have the scoop?

(Hat tip: TR & S!)

Celebrating Hackney's 10 Year Anniversary

This past Saturday night, we decided to meet up with some friends for a couple drinks at one of our favorite neighborhood haunts, Hackney's in Printers Row (733 S. Dearborn). We heard that there was going to be some live music, so that's all we needed to make us choose Hackney's

Little did we know, Saturday night was special for Hackney's. The owners were in the house with their family celebrating their tenth year in Printer's row.

As a token of appreciation, everyone was given complimentary champagne.

With that said, a quick shout out and congrats to Hackney's. Keep up the good work!

(Hat tip: DD and N!)

18th Street El Stop Preferred

Shots Around the Sloop: Fall is Upon Us

(Hat tip: AB!)

Looking for Something to Do on Saturday? Hit Up the Annual South Loop Loft Walk

A reader writes:

Hi Sloopy!

I'm a loyal reader, but this is my first time contacting you. I wanted to inform you of an event taking place tomorrow, Saturday, November 5th in our neighborhood. I am "friends" with the Greater South Loop Association on Facebook and saw them post a link for the South Loop Neighbors Loft Walk.

http://www.southloopneighbors.org/LoftWalk.asp

It sounds like it's a tour of the neighborhood with specific lofts that have undergone recent renovations, new decorating, etc. Sounds like an open house of sorts. As someone with an avid interest in real estate, and our awesome neighborhood, I think it's a wonderful way to see various units in the area without looking like a creep going to realtor sponsored Open Houses. The website isn't super helpful with how to purchase tickets, and it is last minute, but I wanted to pass along anyways because there may be others who share my same interest. Love the blog...keep it up!

Thanks,
KB

We also found this video on their website:


(Hat tip: KB!)

Massive Hotel/Retail/Entertainment Project Proposed for Motor Row Area

A reader recently sent us an article from Chicagobusiness.com (subscription is required). It is pretty much summed up in the following:

An Arizona developer aims to jump-start a massive hotel, retail and entertainment
project next to McCormick Place and turn the nearby Motor Row area into a
nightlife hot spot.

Winners Development LLC agreed to invest $40.2 million in a parcel on East Cermak Road, directly north of the McCormick Place West Building, according to a recent court filing in a bankruptcy case involving the property's owner. The first phase of construction would include a convention hotel with 900 rooms, although the 4.9-acre property is zoned for nearly 2,600.

If the Scottsdale-based developer can pull it off—still a big if — the project will be the first of its size on the Near South Side since the real estate collapse derailed the frenzied residential development that transformed the area in the 2000s. It also could help bring more trade shows to McCormick Place, addressing a big complaint from meeting planners: the lack of hotel rooms near the convention center.

This is probably good news for the area. More development means more people means more business/retail. This also aligns with the city and alderman's push to evolve this area into an entertainment hub. We will see what happens. Should be interesting.

(Image from YoChicago.com)
(Hat tip: EJM!)

Old School Sloop on Display in "City of Superlatives" Video

A good watch with parts showcasing how the Sloop looked was back in the 1930s (via WBEZ). Some good Shots Around the Sloop at the 1:00 mark:

(Hat tip: Curbed Chicago!)

Traffic Lights Coming to 13th and 14th Corners on Wabash?

Back in May we posted about "The Danger Zone at 13th and Wabash" where a concerned emailer sent us a note about the amount of cars not stopping at the stop signs. This post garnered a lot of opinions.

Many residents wanted something done and "Timothy" posted a comment saying that the Alderman requested that the CDOT look into safety issues at the corners of Wabash/13th and Wabash/14th. That was the last we heard about this topic...

Until yesterday. A reader sent us this email:

Sloopin-

Just wanted to share some news about the repaving on Wabash. You might have noticed that after pouring the initial blacktop layer & working on the man holes, construction seemed to slow down & then they actually started digging things back up at the corners of Wabash & 13th and Wabash & 14th. Wondering what the deal was, a friend of ours spoke with the project foreman. He said approval had been giving to put stoplights at those corners to replace the (always blown by cabbies) stop signs so they were tearing up part of the new road to get the pressure pads & wiring in for the new stoplights. Just a few more weeks!

DC

Pretty interesting stuff and it seems like this is what most readers wanted. Hope this helps with the problem.

The other interesting thing we noticed was that the lines on Wabash now have two "official" lanes of traffic (see image below looking North at Wabash and 14th). It makes sense now that they have lights going up.

(Hat tip: DC!)

More Movement Inside Old Grace O'Malley's?

We haven't heard much information about the old Grace O'Malley's space and what we do hear seems to be unfounded rumors (see rumor about Italian restaurant moving in).

However, that's not going to stop us from hoping something is coming. Curious Sloopers have been whispering to us that they continually see new "small" things going on at the space. This might not mean much, but in our mind it's still worth posting about.

One Sloopster, noticed garbage and wood (presumably the bar) being unloaded out the back of the space and into a dumpster. Does this mean they're cleaning up or tearing down to make way for new finishes?

Another Sloopster amazingly noticed a small detail about the windows in the front of the building on Michigan. It appears that there are now additional pieces of paper covering the windows to prevent people from seeing in.

Finally, there are new flowers in the flower planters just under the windows. Peculiar if you ask us. Why would they now put in flowers? The winter is about to come.

Anyway, this might not mean much, but it appears that Sloopsters are on the lookout and want to see something open in the space soon!

(Hat tip: NS!)

Shots Around the Sloop: Dude Throws Car

The Burger Point Set to Open on November 4th

We recently received an email from a reader who noticed some people outside of The Burger Point (1900 S. Sate):

Hey Sloopin,

I just walked by The Burger Point at 1900 S. State. There were about a dozen people in there and I didn't want to wait in line, so I grabbed a menu and will try it for lunch tomorrow.

The menu says 'limited soft opening menu' so it will probably be tweaked. The burgers all sound unique and they claim to only serve all natural beef. I was hoping to see a bison burger, but as of right now they do not offer one. No chili on the menu, either. They list 10 different sauces for their wings. Fries come either russet potato or sweet potato. Sorry no interior pics, but I scanned and attached the menu (see
below).

JR

With that said, we did some internet sleuthing and found an official opening date via their Facebook page:

The moment is finally here!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Grand Opening is set for November 4th 2011!!!! We are so excited! Thank you for all the well wishes and cheers! We hope to see all of your friendly faces soon! To our Facebook fans tay tuned for special offers and tastings only for you!

Looking forward to this one!

(hat tip: JR!)

The Sloop View from the Auditorium Building

An interesting view of the Sloop, by Lee Bey's Beyond the Boat Tour blog on WBEZ:

The Adler & Sullivan-designed Auditorium Building has complemented the streetscape and skyline since 1889.

And looking out on the city from the top of the tower that crowns the 122-year-old landmark (and home to Roosevelt University), the building returns the favor. Nineteen stories above the corner of Congress and Michigan, it's a view few get to see--but, man, is it a good one. The above photo looks south and you can see the EL snaking down the right side of the photo; the Congress Hotel is on the left. In the distance you can see the residential towers along Roosevelt Road seven blocks south.

(Image from Lee Bey)

Sold! Investors Buy Old Land Where X/O was Supposed to Go

It's been awhile since we've heard about the controversial X/O building that was supposed to be built on Prairie Avenue, but yesterday we read an article in Crains about new owners buying this land:

A joint venture between Golub & Co. and Sandz Development Co. has taken over the site of a controversial South Loop condominium project that never got built, a property likely to sit fallow for a while longer as the developers figure out what to do with it.

The venture took title to the parcel at 1712 S. Prairie Ave. last week, more than two years after the condo project’s developers were hit with a $20.2-million foreclosure suit, county records show. The developers, Keith Giles and Jerry Karlik, relinquished the site through a so-called deed-in-lieu of foreclosure.

“Basically, it’s a long-term land play,” says Golub Executive Vice-president Lee Golub.

Condos are no longer an option amid an overbuilt South Loop market, but many downtown developers have turned to apartments amid rising apartment occupancies and rents. The venture could also just wait for South Loop land values to rise and then sell the parcel to a developer.

Nothing to get that excited about. From the sounds of it, this could be an investment for the future.

(Hat tip: Curbed Chicago!)

Where is the Best Place to Meet Women in the Sloop?

While Sloopin isn't shifting its focus to be a hyper-local match.com, we thought readers might be able to help a new potential Sloopin resident:

Hey Sloopin-

I stumbled upon your website as I am moving to Chicago and am thinking about moving to the “Sloop.” Couple of questions. Where is the best place in the “Sloop” to meet women? What are “Sloopin” women like? Also, I am going to be living close to Donna’s café… It looks cute… Thoughts on if it’s a good place to meet people?

Thx!
E

Let him know your thoughts, but please keep it clean.

Also, for some reason, this video popped into our mind when we read this readers email, enjoy:


(Hat tip: EB!)