Round 1 of the Curbed Cup: Sloop vs. Wloop

Wloop just sounds silly...but we had to do it.

Anyway, as many of you know the 2012 Curbed Cup is just getting underway.  The Uptown neighborhood has won the last two years.  In 2010 the South Loop finished second.  This year Uptown was not included in the bracket.  What does that mean?  It's time to bring the cup home to the South Loop!

We garnered the cherished number one seed this year and our first round opponent is our "rival" and "alter ego" the West Loop.  Anyway, head to this link and vote for whatever neighborhood you would like (we would suggest the Sloop).

Finally, this match-up seems like a perfect segue to a recent message board post where a poster named Naya asked a similar question about where to move -- the South Loop or the West Loop?  

Equilibrium Health & Wellness Brings Holistic Health and Wellness to the Sloop

Sponsored Post

It's been a solid year in the Sloop with numerous new businesses opening.  One of the newest is Equilibrium Health + Wellness at 1509 South State Street.  They just opened in November of this year and are eager to be your local holistic health resource.  We're excited to have them in the neighborhood!

We recently sent them some questions about their offerings as well as some specific South Loop questions:

What is Equilibrium Health + Wellness?

Equilibrium Health + Wellness is a holistic health, wellness clinic. They are dedicated to not only bring their patients back to a pain free state utilizing several different modalities, massage, chiropractic, and rehabilitative therapy, but most importantly, to help their patients maintain their symptom free state and regain normalcy in their bodily function.

Why did you decide to open up Equilibrium Health + Wellness in the South Loop?

Dr J Chan opened Equilibrium Health + Wellness, November 2012, in the South Loop neighborhood of Chicago. The vision behind the office design is to make her visitors feel very pleasant and relaxed and not feel intimidated or uncomfortable as one would when they enter a typical medical facility. Dr J's intention is not only to promote holistic health care, but also to raise awareness of the importance and the simplicity to lead a healthier lifestyle. Dr J is passionate about helping her patients through their entire recovery process and loves building a close relationship with each and every patient.

What is "alternative health care"?

Alternative health care is a form of healing the body back to its healthy state utilizing techniques and modalities that are non-invasive and natural. It differs from traditional medicine because no drugs are administered and no surgery is performed. Dr J recommends patients should consult an alternative health care practitioner before resulting to surgery or medication, or also to patients who have consulted multiple traditional practitioners but have found no relief in their recommendations.

Who benefits the most from this type of treatment?

The wonderful thing about chiropractic care is that it caters to patients of all ages, from newborns, to the elderly. Patients of all ages may suffer from some sort of neuromusculoskeletal dysfunction, or have some pain symptom they have been enduring because they have never found a proper remedy to rid the issue.

Why should people come to Equilibrium Health + Wellness instead of a different doctor?

Equilibrium differs from other offices because Dr J truly cares about the well-being of her patients. Unlike most doctors, she takes a great deal of time on their first visit to get to know the patient. This helps to build a relationship between her and her patient, because chiropractic care is a very intimate form of healing and treatment. The better the relationship, and more information is revealed, the more specific the treatment plan is designed for each patient.

Do you offer any specials?

We are currently offering a holiday special on our therapeutic massages. The original price is $80/hour, and our holiday special is $55/hour.

Do you accept insurance?

Yes, we do accept insurance. We also have cash plans for patients that do not have insurance.

What's your favorite thing about the South Loop?

The diversity. The community ranges from kids to retirees, Asian to Caucasian to African Americans.

Windows Appear - Snap Fitness Construction Has Begun

It's been a couple of months since we've heard anything about Snap Fitness, the new gym that's coming to 1212 S. Michigan.  We first posted about it in August and had a quick update in September.

We didn't hear or see anything happening, so thought it might have gotten delayed.  However, it appears that there has been some recent developments.  As you can see in the picture above, windows have been cut out and new paint has been applied to the building.

We've never been in the building and are curious to see how this turns out.  We always thought that the part of the building was parking or something else to do with the building.  However, it appears that this will house the gym.  Does anyone know if they plan to have access via Roosevelt or some other way (maybe through Michigan or through the back)?

This appears to be a 2013 new business.  Regardless, it will be nice to have a little more retail action and life for this unsightly building.

(Hat tip: SR!)

Shots Around the Sloop: Gradual Incline

(Hat tip: JW!)

Catch the 2012 CTA Holiday Train on the Red Line

Image from CTA's Flickr page

It's the holiday season and that means everyone's favorite use of the CTA is back again...the 2012 CTA Holiday Train!

We apologize for just posting this now as the Holiday Train is already finished on the Green & Orange line.  But don't fret!  You still have the opportunity to venture underground at the Roosevelt or Harrison Stop to check out the train on the Red Line.  Here are the days from the CTA website:

• 12/12
• 12/14
• 12/15
• 12/18
• 12/22

Where Dreams Come True...Not So Much

Back in the beginning of November we posted about the mysterious brown paper being put up on the windows at the old Roosevelt Cleaners (Southeast corner of State and Roosevelt).  At the time, there was some banter on what this may be (Bears Shop, Mattress Store, Garretts Popcorn) and what people hoped it would be (Einstein Bros. Bagels, Chick-fil-a).

Well the mystery has revealed itself as a reader sent us the picture on the right.  The Bedding Experts are in the hood and whomever posted about the mattress shop wins a Sloopin speculation award.

While most of us will lament about a boring mattress shop, not all is lost.  At least we can post this old commercial and remind everyone of what a catchy ad jingle sounds like:


(Hat tip:  AV & Bekki!)

The Internet is an Amazing Place: Gangnam Style, The Sloop, and Segways!

All we can say is that the internet is an amazing place!  Depending on your view, Gangnam Style is either an amazing example of how the internet is truly one of the most revolutionary tools ever or just an example of how pointless it can be.  Realistically it's probably somewhere in the middle.

Regardless, Gangnam Style is one catchy viral video.  

Besides it being catchy, we got a good chuckle when we watched a recent mash-up of Gangnam Style that featured Buckingham Fountain (which we like to consider in the Sloop).  The funniest thing is that Chicago's two seconds of fame in this video has a segway scooting through it...A GODDAMN SEGWAY! (at the :32 mark): 

If you're a loyal reader you know about our feelings towards segways!

Bankruptcy Ruling, DePaul Arena, Data Centers and More -- The Latest on Stories Surrounding McCormick Place Area

Lots of information pouring out about projects, buildings and miscellaneous stuff about things around McCormick Place.

For those of you interested in this topic, we wanted to share some links for you this afternoon.

The Tribune reports that the clock is running out for the owners of the land on Cermak just north of McCormick Place:

The development team behind a long-stalled plan to build hotels and restaurants just north of McCormick Place suffered a serious setback in federal bankruptcy court on Wednesday afternoon. 

Judge Jack Schmetterer granted a motion by lender CenterPoint Properties Trust to reject the latest development plan of property owner Olde Prairie Block Owner LLC, which is led by developers Pamela Gleichman, Karl Norberg and Gunnar Falk.

So they have 10 days to come up with a more solid plan.  Chicagobusiness.com reports that this latest development makes the DePaul Arena on Cermak more plausible.

Of other news associated with McCormick Place, chicagorealestatedaily.com reports that:

Image from Chicagorealestatedaily.com

McCormick Place officials are seeking a developer to invest more than $300 million to convert underused exhibit space into a large data center, aiming to boost revenue at the massive convention complex by millions annually. 

The Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority, the government entity that owns McCormick Place and Navy Pier, is courting data center firms interested in building and operating more than 280,000 square feet of data storage space in Lakeside Center, the oldest and easternmost exhibit hall in the four-building complex. President Barack Obama celebrated his re-election last month during a rally at Lakeside Center.

A data center right on Lake Michigan?  Seriously?  What a waste of prime real estate...Maybe this could be the Obama Presidential Library.  Seems like there could be a lot of better uses.

(Hat tip:  KS!)

What's Next for Ryan McCaskey - Chef/Owner of Acadia?

It's well documented at this point that Acadia (1639 S. Wabash) won an illustrious star in this years Michellin Guide.

Image from Eater Chicago

So what's a hot restaurant and it's owner/chef to do after it reaches a milestone?

Well besides striving for a two star rating, Ryan McCaskey has some additional goals (via Eater Chicago):

McCaskey's long-term goal is to make Acadia the cornerstone of his restaurant empire and branch out into more casual endeavors. "I want to open up a bar and a more casual spot. A dingy clubby little restaurant. I want to open a breakfast/lunch place. Right now I'm kind of in the mood to open up a killer bar with family meal food," he says.

Sounds intriguing to us...hopefully he continues to build his empire in the Sloop!

Opposition Voice Heard on Recent Sloop Projects

Thought we would share a couple quick links for you this afternoon in case you didn't already see them.

First, as we posted about last week, the bike lanes on Dearborn were striped and are reportedly on schedule to be up in running sometime mid-December.  The city is apparently getting some negative feedback on this project and Mayor Emanuel took to the mike to defend his biking plan (via the Sun-Times):

Image from Sun-Times

Mayor Rahm Emanuel on Tuesday defended his decision to constrict traffic on a popular street that runs through the heart of Chicago’s congested downtown area — by installing 12 blocks of protected bike lanes along Dearborn between Polk and Kinzie. 

“I made a pledge that we were gonna do 25 miles of protected bike lanes throughout the city each year, so we could [reach] 100 miles by the time my term was done. And we’re on course to achieving that,” the mayor said.

The article goes onto to give some more rationale as well as a quote by the Mayor saying it was partially a play to recruit start-ups and entrepreneurs to the city.  Seems like a stretch to us, but it's fine...we like bike lanes here at Sloopin.

In other news, more controversy and complaints are being directed at the discussion around a new proposed stadium in Motor Row.  The primary use is for the DePaul men's basketball team.  We've tried to keep our finger on the pulse on the topic (see post two weeks ago) and also linked to a survey that the Prairie District Neighborhood Alliance was conducting about this proposal.

Well the results of that survey are in and the Chicago Tribune provided some city wide amplification for the group:

The prospect of a DePaul University men's basketball arena being constructed on land just north of McCormick Place is drawing strong opposition from the Prairie District Neighborhood Alliance, a South Loop residents' organization, according to a letter released Tuesday. 

A survey of 700 neighbors of the site, conducted by the community group, found more than 70 percent oppose construction of a Blue Demons arena there, Tina Feldstein, president of the organization, stated in the letter.

Does the city or DePaul care what the neighbors say?  Who knows...

New Renderings for The Maxwell at Canal and Taylor

New Renderings of The Maxwell (photo courtesy of bondcompanies)

Thanks to Curbed Chicago for directing us to the Skyscraper page and new renderings of The Maxwell (Southwest corner of Canal and Taylor)!  The biggest news is that the development has apparently dropped plans to include a residential component.  Instead it appears that it will strictly be commercial.

Back in June we had a post about this development and some rumors on potential tenants.  The list was pretty long (Banana Republic Outlet, Ulta 3, Chick Fil-a, Container Store, Ross, Pier 1, Dicks Sporting Goods, REI and Butcher Burger) and these latest renderings may shed some light on which ones might be true.

For instance, the renderings include Dicks, Chick Fil-a, Burlington Coat Factory, Nordstrom Rack and TJ Maxx.  What to make of this?  Don't hold your breath...we're still skeptical.  We've seen developers include "potential" tenants in sales documents/renderings before and often it doesn't mean their confirmed.

In the meantime, the developers site (Bond Company) states the following:

With work underway, the Maxwell will be available for its first tenants in Spring 2014.

Anyone have thoughts or additional information?

Time will tell what happens with this one!

Nominate the Sloop for the 2012 Curbed Cup

Neighborhood pride in Chicago is at stake and naturally we think our hood is the best!  Do you agree?  If so, we need you to go to the following post on Curbed Chicago and let it be known that the Sloop should be considered for 2012 neighborhood of the year.

Uptown has won the last two cups in 2010 and 2011 (most likely due to its influential and great neighborhood blog Uptown Update).  

As you may recall the South Loop was a 7 seed in 2010 beating the likes of venerable neighborhoods Lincoln Park and Lincoln Square.  But we ultimately lost an intense battle with Uptown that year.

Anyway the 2012 rendition of the cup, could be ours for the taking!  It sure has been a solid year for the Sloop.  Go nominate our fair neighborhood and show Chicago what's up!

 

This History of Jones Commercial High School Building

Image from Designslinger

There has been a lot of talk about the new Jones College Prep building that is being built at the corner of State and Polk.  As well as a lot of debate about what to do with the old Jones College Prep building at Harrison and State.

Well this story on designslinger doesn't really touch on those controversies, but it does provide an interesting historical look at the area and history of Jones Commercial High School.  Our favorite blurb from the post:

The school was located at the southern end of the city's central business district which was packed with train yards, smoke, and an ever expanding number of the 19th century's version of men-only, single room occupancy hotels. On November 20, 1885 a Chicago Tribune headlined declared, "The Jones School - Located in the Very Midst of the Vilest, Wickedest Part of the City." The article reported that the school was "surrounded by bed-flats, saloons, meat-markets, cigar stores and other undesirable places. Drunken men shouting at the top of their voices, swearing, cursing, and using ribald language as no innocent child ought to know."

Seems like a good place to go to school if you ask us!

(Hat tip: Curbed Chicago!)

Sun-Times Talks Roosevelt University's New Athletic Center

Image from Chicago Sun-Times

We posted about this a couple of weeks ago, but the Sun-Times has a little more detail as well as some pictures inside of the facility:

Roosevelt University will open the new Lillian and Larry Goodman Center, a two-floor athletic facility located at 501 S. Wabash Ave. in Chicago’s South Loop, on Dec. 1 with a Roosevelt Lakers women’s basketball game at 1 p.m. and a men’s basketball game at 3 p.m. Both teams will play Trinity Christian College.

The first stand-alone facility for college athletics to be located in Chicago’s Loop, the Lillian and Larry Goodman Center is a 28,000-square-foot field house that will host home games for the Roosevelt Lakers men’s and women’s basketball teams and women’s volleyball team. A variety of athletic department competitions and events, intramural and recreational programming for the Roosevelt community and other external functions also will be held in the new facility. 

Located at the southeast corner of Congress Parkway and Wabash Avenue, the new Goodman Center includes a multi-purpose gymnasium on the second floor, which has retractable bleachers with seating for 500 people. The facility also will house: administrative offices for athletics staff, a varsity-athletics strength and conditioning center, an athletics training room, team meeting rooms, student lounge and locker rooms on the first floor — much of which will be built out by the spring of 2013.

And if that wasn't enough Crain's had the following video and article on the new facility (behind online registration):