Mid-Continental Plaza (Chicago)

[Viktorkrum77]

Surprisingly enough as it is, I'm actually quite sad to see this modernist huge banal box building loose its distinctive look. According to Emporis the top 15 stories are being converted to condominiums, and will be entirely reclad with balconies being added. They plan on calling this The Park Monroe.

Here's a few pictures to give you an idea of the building, which is among the largest in Chicago, 50 stories, somewhere around 2,200,000 square feet, and covering half a city block.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a199/jbeboatman/mid-conplaza3.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a199/jbeboatman/mid-conplaza2.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a199/jbeboatman/mid-conplaza1.jpg

Does anyone else think this plan will make this building look hideous? Am I alone in admiring its simple appeal and quintessential modernist look, especially as a backdrop and even more impressively as seen from street level? Or are you happy that they're doing something about this 70's banal box skyscraper?

[spyguy999]

I think pretty much everyone thinks that this is a bad idea except for the developers and buyers. This building has sold a pretty good % of units, which is surprising since the prices are close to nearby new construction.

Anyway, this is going to be a real disaster for the skyline since it is such a prominent building. I'm not sure how it was even allowed to happen, but it scares me if some other modernist buildings are forced to do something similar if they convert to hotel or residential use.

[Viktorkrum77]

Not to mention this building probably has some of the best office space in Chicago given its size per floor.

Do you think it will look top heavy?

[Fabrizio]

Look at the night photo at the top of the page. Note the post-modern 1980's tower to the right, with the pitched roof.

Now THAT'S ugly.

[ASchwarz]

How are they going to have apartments with such giant floorplates? You can't sell windowless residences.

Are they going to punch a hole in the center of the building?

[Viktorkrum77]

Look at the night photo at the top of the page. Note the post-modern 1980's tower to the right, with the pitched roof.

Now THAT'S ugly.

I would disagree. Besides, it was built in the 90's.

[Fabrizio]

Completed in 1992. Architecturally that building is a child of the 80's:

http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=coronelcoroneldonnelleybuilding-chicago-il-usa

They went to school together:

http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=60wallstreet-newyorkcity-ny-usa


( oh and BTW... IMHO chicago has some very very nice 1980's post modern stuff.... but for me this is not one of them)

[Viktorkrum77]

They went to school together:

http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=60wallstreet-newyorkcity-ny-usa


( oh and BTW... IMHO chicago has some very very nice 1980's post modern stuff.... but for me this is not one of them)

I had this exact same thought. Except I adore 60 Wall Street, one of my top favourite buildings infact.

[sfenn1117]

Easily Chicago's worst proposal, in a city where there's so many awesome buildings going up. It's just a shame it's so large and prevalent on the skyline....if they left it alone and just converted it, fine, but the addition of new floors with balconies, in a completely different colored glass is just horrible. I can't believe people would buy into it when there's much better stuff for a comparable price.