L'Oreal Closing Institute at 2101 S. Wabash

A reader sends us a link from the Chicago Tribune:

L’Oreal USA’s institute that researches ethnic hair and skin is moving from Chicago’s Near South Side to the company’s innovation hub in New Jersey.

In terms of timing:

The institute is expected to close by the end of this month and will affect 21 employees working in areas from advanced research to product development and evaluation.  

DiGirolamo said employees were given the opportunity to relocate to Clark, N.J., or another L’Oreal location, and those who could not move were offered severance packages and other assistance.  

The institute is located in the 57,600-square-foot, six-story building at 2101 S. Wabash Ave, which L’Oreal owns and plans to sell.

(Hat tip:  AL!)

Shots Around the Sloop: Eerie

(Hat tip:  AJ and MW!)

Do Your Social Media Thang With Sloopin!

In this ever changing media world we know consuming content takes on a different shape for everyone.  Whether it's in your browser, on your phone, through your tablet or even in your morning newspaper (ok...that's a lie), however you consume Sloopin, we want to say thank you!

And we wanted to remind you that one of the easiest and best ways to stay in the loop on what's going on in our neighborhood is by following us on social media.  Here is a link to our Facebook page and here is a link to our Twitter handle.

First Draft Officially Opens at 649 S. Clark

First Draft (649 S. Clark) from Eater Chicago

A couple of weeks ago we noted that First Draft (649 S. Clark) announced their opening date.  Well it looks like that date passed and they are in face open!

Eater Chicago and Urban Daddy recently confirmed.  Sounds like a good place if you're into beer:

...First Draft, a new public house with 200 beers and other beer-infused marvels (like pizza), open as of today in the South Loop.

It’s pretty pub-y in here—Chicago sports memorabilia, 23 flat-screens, 100-year-old timber beams, doors rescued from Loyola University. Everything points to you saying, “Good place. Good beer place.”

We're big fans of Villain's and are still eagerly anticipating their opening across the street.  Regardless, we always like when more quality places move into the Sloop and First Draft looks pretty solid.

Welcome to the Sloop and looking forward to stopping in!

Business counter is updated.

(Hat tip:  GM!)

Summer in the South Loop: Life at The Grant, South Loop Luxury by Related

Sponsored Post 

It’s clear that life in the South Loop is hard to beat—especially in the summer. If you’re a fan of Chicago’s music scene, you won’t want to miss the Chicago Blues Festival. The event, considered the largest free blues festival in the world, takes place June 13-15 in Grant Park. You can also catch touring musicians at the FirstMerit Bank Pavilion on Northerly Island, or swing by Millennium Park’s Jay Pritzker Pavilion for the Grant Park Music Festival, a series of free outdoor classical concerts that kicks off June 11.

With the charm of a budding local neighborhood, the South Loop offers a convenient and tailored lifestyle thanks to quick access to major retail and grocery stores, a handful of cultural offerings in the area, and a selection of gastronomical restaurants. With the feeling of being connected to a bustling city yet with the tranquility of a protected community, it’s no wonder why the South Loop is an ideal neighborhood to call home.

Explore the residences that define South Loop Luxury.

Learn more at Relatedsouthloop.com.

"The Chicago" High-Rise Renderings Appear Again for Vacant Land at the Corner of Michigan and Roosevelt

Looks like juicy renderings of a unique "planned" high-rise at Roosevelt and Michigan, arguably the most high-profile piece of real estate in Sloop, are making their way around the interwebs again (see post from last year here).

While we are very skeptical of this project, it would be a big deal and would definitely change the look and feel of South Loop architecture (via Curbed Chicago):

Is this Stanley Saitowitz designed tower coming to Chicago's South Loop? According to an inquiry to Natoma Architects last year, a rep from the San Francisco based architecture and design firm basically told us "Don't hold your breath". In late 2012, developer Crescent Heights purchased a two acre site at the southeast corner of Michigan Avenue and Roosevelt Road, and last April, renderings for a sleek glass tower supposedly planned for the site surfaced online. However, yesterday afternoon new renderings for the mystery tower were spotted on Buzz Buzz Home. The renders also appear on Stanley Saitowitz' website.

There are a bunch of other renderings on Curbed Chicago and for those of us who like these types of things it's definitely worth a look.

But onto the real question - is this going to happen?  It doesn't seem like anyone really knows, but if we had to guess we would put it at less than a 5% chance of happening.  Just an educated guess and it appears that there isn't any real news here, just some new renderings that have appeared.

In a Surprise Move Museum Campus Looks Like It's Getting George Lucas Museum

Well this is a surprise!  Late breaking news yesterday evening has word that the sought after Lucas Museum is in fact going to be coming to our neighborhood (via Chicago Tribune):

“Star Wars” creator George Lucas has selected Chicago over Los Angeles and San Francisco as the future home of his collection of art and movie memorabilia, according to a spokeswoman for the museum.  

A vote by the museum’s board, which would make the decision official, is expected Wednesday. The board also is expected to change the name of the museum from the Lucas Cultural Arts Museum to the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art.  

Pending approval of the Chicago Plan Commission, Lucas' institution would be located on parking lots between Soldier Field and McCormick Place and would open in 2018. Architectural renderings will be presented to city officials in early fall, according to a statement from the museum.

It's a pretty fascinating story and in our opinion seems like a good thing.  A museum is better than a parking lot, right?!?!?!

We thought Chicago was just being used as a negotiation tactic against San Francisco, but clearly we were wrong.

Many more details (and likely opposition) are likely to emerge.  While we never like to "block" the lakefront, it seems like a museum with park would be better than a parking lot.

Beyond the museum, the original proposal from the city states that this development would also include a pedestrian bridge from the site over to Northerly Island as well as upgrading the 18th street entrance/exits to the lakefront (which is pretty bad right now).

Stay tuned to this story, it seems to be just starting.  Our guess is it will be a roller-coaster of a ride (see city's handling of Motor Row expansion as evidence), but sounds like it's moving forward for better or worse.

(Hat tip: JG, KP, AR, DF!)

Haberdash At Roosevelt Collection Closed Until the Fall

Barbershop at Harerdash Roosevelt Collection

A reader writes:

There is a sign in the window of the Haberdash store at Roosevelt Collection that indicates they are closed for the day for inventory. It has been there since 6/9. When I checked with one of the barbers who worked there he indicated the store is indeed closed until at least the fall. 

Given the lack of business at the location at would say this one is a goner and should be added to you the list of closed businesses.

We called the River North location and they did confirm that they're closed until the Fall for "renovations".

We are going to give them the benefit of the doubt and say they're not closed.  We will continue to monitor this closely and see what happens before updating the business counter.

(Hat tip:  JY!)

Do You Have $750K and Want to Charter a Yacht? If So Please Email Us!

Do you have $750K?  Do you need a local neighbor to hang out with on a boat?  If so, please email us at sloopin@gmail.com because we would love to hang out.

A reader writes and poses a similar (and valid) question:

Any idea who can afford a yacht that costs $750,000 per week to charter?

http://www.yachtcharterfleet.com/luxury-charter-yacht-23128/freedom.htm

The first picture is of it fueling at the gas dock at Burnham Harbor.

With a 47,000 gallon fuel tank she probably costs more to fill up than many of the boats in the harbor.

You can also see people starting to gather for the Spring Awakening Friday afternoon.

If that hasn't sparked your interest, we highly recommend clicking to the boats page and looking through the picture gallery.  Must be nice...

(Hat tip:  JG!)

Shots Around the Sloop: Ghost Signs

(Hat tip: CM!)

U.S. vs. Portugal Viewing Party on Sunday (6/22) Moved to Lower Hutchinson Field in Grant Park

Well it seems like World Cup fever is sweeping the country and that energy will be on display again in the Sloop on Sunday.

As you may recall, this past Monday there was a viewing party at Arvey Field in Grant Park for the U.S. vs Ghana game.  Apparently a lot of people came.  The Chicago Tribune reported 8,000.  We heard 10,000 on CBS.  Judging by this picture that may be true:

Anyway, apparently they're expecting even bigger crowds on Sunday (6/22) for the U.S. vs. Portugal game that starts at 5pm.  As a result, they're moving to lower Hutchinson field which has played host to many recent high-profile large events (Blackhawks Stanley Cup celebration, Obama's First Presidential Celebration and Lollapalooza annually):

The second 2014 FIFA World Cup viewing party hosted by U.S. Soccer will take place at Lower Hutchinson Field in Grant Park on Sunday, June 22 at 5 p.m. CT. The U.S. Men’s National Team faces Portugal in both teams’ second Group G match.  

“All of us, the guys, the staff, everyone here in Brazil saw clips of the celebrations at watch parties and gatherings throughout the U.S., and what we saw from our fans back home was beyond amazing,” said U.S. Men’s National Team head coach Jurgen Klinsmann. “You don’t have to be with us in Brazil to make an impact. I know the turnout this Sunday in Chicago and all over the U.S. will be incredible and I thank everyone for coming together to show the world that we take a backseat to no one when it comes to supporting the national team.”  

Supported by the Chicago Park District and the Chicago Sports Commission, each event is free and open to the public. The viewing parties will also feature ESPN’s live feed of the matches displayed on a 33’-by-19’ high-definition screen and will include live look-ins on the fans gathered in Chicago. The match viewing area will open at 2 p.m. CT.

While there most likely will be a lot of people, it shouldn't be nearly as crowded as some of the other big events we listed above.  Regardless, it will probably be a fun event if you're looking to watch a soccer game in Grant Park with 10,000 of your closest friends.

(Hat tip: AR!)

A Guide to Family Fun in the Sloop

Women's Park (via Red Tricycle)

The Sloop's pretty great.  And by great we don't just mean for singles, married couples, students and retirees.  Families continue to flock to the nabe and the website Red Tricycle sums it up pretty well:

The South Loop: An Insider’s Guide to Family Fun 
The Museum Campus. The White Sox. Streets with numbers instead of names. This springs to mind when thinking about the South Loop. Well, we’ve got another highlight to add to the list: a goldmine of family attractions. Historically a dicey and undeveloped area, this fast-growing nabe is full of hidden gems and original activities. Venture with your little ones south of Congress to these spots and see how fun the South Side can be.

The article goes onto to name a bunch of reason why the Sloop is great for families.  Don't believe us, check it out.

If you don't know, now you know!

PS - Never thought I would be ending a family fun Sloopin post with a classic lyric from the immortal Notorious B.I.G.

(Hat tip:  MS!)

Old and Long Vacant Main Post Office Rennovation Plans Back in the News

Old (and Vacant) Main Post Office - via Crains

Looks like the Old Post Office that sits just west of what we consider the Sloop is getting some attention again (via Crain's):

Five years after buying the empty Old Main Post Office, British developer Bill Davies has formed a joint venture with Sterling Bay Cos. in an effort to kick-start a $500 million redevelopment of the hulking West Loop structure. 

The Chicago-based developer said it is teaming up on the project with Mr. Davies, who will contribute the building as his investment in the joint venture. 

An office and retail redevelopment of the 2.7-million-square-foot structure is likely to cost about $500 million, said Sterling Bay Managing Principal Andy Gloor, who did not disclose financial terms. A spokeswoman for Mr. Davies declined to comment. 

That figure does not include plans for about four acres of land along the Chicago River at the site, possibly for a residential project or more commercial development.

As Crain's reported last month, Walgreen Co. has looked at the site as it considers a potential move of its headquarters from north suburban Deerfield. But Mr. Davies, who bought the vacant building and adjacent land for $24 million in 2009, has yet to sign any tenants for the highly visible building, which straddles the Congress Parkway.

This quagmire of a building has a history of grand plans that seem unrealistic (see old plan from Davies to build 120 story tower and other buildings).  We've always thought that this building was destined to be the downtown Chicago casino for better or worse.

Bringing on Sterling Bay seems like a move to make legitimate progress and seems to pave the way for the "corporate headquarters" angle that has been discussed in more depth recently.

This is definitely not a done deal, but does seem like a positive move for those hoping that this enormous building gets used in some capacity.  

Sloopin Fave:Cocktails at Acadia

As the Sloop continues to grow there seems to be more and more options to enjoy a bite and a drink.  But after a recent trip to the bar at Acadia (1639 S. Wabash), we have to admit that they have the most intriguing and interesting cocktails in the 'nabe.

Not only are they delicious, they are also beautiful.  Without further ado we present some of our faves based on our recent trip (FYI - we had to include the Sloopin cocktail for obvious reasons, but it is truly a great spring/summer drink):

Sloopin' - CH Key Gin, Cucumber, Mint, Strawberry Pop

Acadia Bloody Mary:  Next Star Vodka, Blended Canadian Tomatoes, Sriracha, Soy Sauce, Pepper (among other ingredients) topped with pickled ramps and oysters granita  

Fishmonger's Nightcap:  Next Star Vodka infused with lemongrass, cardamom, clove & star anise, Fing Sherry, St. Elder Liquer, Sparking Wine