IIT unveils new home of design school
Illinois Institute of Chicago unveiled its $40 million Ed Kaplan Family Institute for Innovation and Tech Entrepreneurship on the South Side campus that once was home to architectural icon Ludwig Mies van der Rohe. The gleaming 70,000-square foot building will be the new home of IIT’s Institute of Design, which previously was located in the Loop, and its Interprofessional Projects Program. [Crain’s]
Glass installation begins at Vista Tower as construction continues
Crews have begun installing the glass exterior on the Vista Tower[https://therealdeal.com/chicago/tag/vista-tower/] as work on the 101-story skyscraper contines. Work to install the six distinct shades of glass began this month at the tower, 363 East Wacker Drive. The shades will alternate among light and dark to accentuate the undulating design of the building. [Curbed]
“Schmidt Metzgerei” building in Old Town hits the market, could be demolished
An Old Town building best known for having the words “Schmidt Metzgerei” (Schmidt’s butcher shop) on its facade was listed this week for just under $1.9 million. The one-time butcher shop was built in 1892 and is now used as offices and apartments. If the building is torn down, current zoning would allow a four-story building nearly twice as large as the existing structure. [Crain’s]
Housing tax credit for ministers in jeopardy after court decision
Like many ministers, Rev. Chris Butler receives a tax-free housing allowance for clergy.
Now Butler and other local pastors are fighting in federal court in Chicago to keep the tax break, after a judge in Wisconsin ruled last year it violates the separation of church and state. [Chicago Tribune]
Heathrow Scientific to take 187K sf industrial building in Lincolnshire
Medical equipment-maker Heathrow Scientific signed a build-to-suit agreement for a 187,000-square-foot industrial building at 325 Marriott in Lincolnshire. The building will be situated on 10 acres, and listing agent Cushman & Wakefield has another 69,000-square-foot spec building it’s marketing at the site. [REJournals]
Newcastle/NORR venture plans three-story retail project on Near North Side
Newcastle Limited and Chicago-based NORR Architects are planning a three-story retail development at the southeast corner of State and Elm streets. The city last week issued a permit for the project, which is across the street from another retail property bought by Newcastle this year. [Curbed]
Storage facility to replace former Gary supermarket
Midwest Self-Storage Development of Valparaiso wants to redevelop the former Ultra Foods on Ridge Road in Gary into a self-storage business. The 69,000-square-foot store is near a Menards home improvement store that the developer hopes to sign a lease extension after it expires this year. [Post-Tribune]