thanks alot. that give's me quite a few options. how risky is "risky" to park 4 nights in the Kingsbury area. If i don't leave anything out in view, or in my car period, is it still likely to be broken into? would that are be any more risky than leaving it at a park&ride for 4 nights?

edit; thinking i don't really want to take that risk, do you have any favorite garages/secured parking near the Westin that is near or below $20 day? is that even possible? my hotel is asking $46 per/day(no way im paying that!), but i could do $20 or so, if it's worth it(secured).

also, if i did take commuter rails in from Univ. park, what would the fare be?

THANKS!

I have a question. I'll be visiting the city here in a few weeks, I'm driving up, but plan to leave my car once i get there. I'm staying at the Westin on Michigan Ave. However, the hotel parking is $46 per day! So, where can i find free or cheap parking that i can leave my car for a saturday-tuesday.

I know there is some free street parking, but is most of that time restricted?

help!

Awesome pictures GRDad! I think the Aqua tower is awesome except for what you term, "wedding cake architecture." Is that a parking garage that it is sitting on top of? This building would be great if it were not for that.

OK, here they come, from all over the city:
.......


"Aqua" tower in Lakeshore East:

WOW - Great pics Jeff! Thanks for positing these, as many of the projects you included I only see from a distance while riding the train! One note. The EL project above is the Brown Line renovation project that has now been going on for a couple of years. SLOW progress. This was formally called the Ravenswood branch of the EL system. This is the Chicago Ave station serviced by Brown trains to Kimball and Purple trains to Evanston. The CTA is renovating 18 stations along the Brown line lengthening platforms (allowing for more cars) and making the stations ADA compliant, among other things. One nice thing is that they are reusing the 100 year old canopies at most stations.

The little building you see undergoing renovation in the second pic is the station house at Chicago Ave and Wells St. While they have removed some of the old stations houses, they are renovating some too. It's hard to believe that this is the first renovation/expansion of the Brown line in 100 years!

BTW, great south Loop pics too! It you would have seen that area 8 years ago it would have been much different. The residential development in the area has skyrocketed!!! It's like a whole new city.

Nice work Dadoff. Rush and State Triangle AKA Viagra Triangle. Tells you a bit about the crowd that populates this area: older, wealthy "gentlemen" and the younger "ladies" that seek them out.

Oh yeah, and I go there now & then too, so it does not hold true for all patrons of this area of town...

Is there a way to verify that height? This shot seems quite a bit lower than 36,000 feet.

Nice collection of downtown photos.

Though, I would call the grouping of the Trump, IBM and Wrigley buildings - Son, Dad and Grandad.

That's One Museum Park, it is 65 floors and 734 feet. If I'm not mistaken it is the 13th tallest building in Chicago.

Thanks. Do taxis frequently stop or line up at rail stations?

That will be a much better location than staying around the airport. It will be a small hike to get to your hotel and because of that I would just suggest taking a cab from the Washington/Dearborn Blue Line station to the hotel. It won't cost much of anything and will save you the headache of lugging all of that luggage several blocks. You'll only need to take the taxi twice though, once to the hotel from the station and then when you leave to go back to that station to head to the airport. For the remainder of your visit you'll be close to all kinds of transportation options in that location that is easily walked without luggage (and enjoyable I might add). Have fun!

Just an update; I found a great deal at the Hyatt on Wacker (near Mag. Mile), so I'll be staying there. From what I saw on the map, this location is pretty great for all the things I want to see and do. Only thing is, it looks like I'll have to walk about 7 blocks from the nearest blue line stop (or take a taxi).

long time reader but this is my first post.

I attended the New York launch two days ago at the Pratt House here in NYC. Calatrava was there as well as Kelleher. Spoke with both of them for a bit, seemed like solid dudes, especially Kelleher.

No pictures, but the highlights:
*Calatrava said they sold around 20 units in less than 2 hours during the Singapore event
*Sales rep said it would probably take at least a year before getting to the fifth floor
*Calatrava drew some incredible sketches which were projected live onto flat panels all over the room
*The foot/bike bridge is still being worked out but was not included in the model

Being a proud Chicagoan living and working in NYC, I was pleasantly surprised by how many people showed up for the event. Based on the solid turn out and the caliber of these people (wealth all over the place) I have no doubt this building gets sold out.

After Chicago, I would say Evanston. Lots of great restaurants and pubs. And very close to Northwestern.

This baby is moving!

Update 10-5-07:




(Photos by Solar Wind and BVictor1)

Since we're on the topic: does anyone know anything about the Essex Inn - 800 S. Michigan? The reviews seem to be fine, the location great, and the price is moderate in comparison. We don't need a lot of service or swank, but we do need clean and good location.