A spirited—and sometimes heated—discussion took place tonight at a community meeting hosted by Alderman Walter Burnett, Jr. The topic was the proposed development at 765 W. Adams Street.

The location, currently a parking lot, is directly across Halsted from Greek Islands. If approved, the $100 million development will include a retail space at ground level, several levels of parking and 351 rental apartments.

And, by the way, the building will be 33 stories tall. The developer, White Oak Realty, and architect, FitzGerald & Associates, were quick to point out that at a height of 355 feet, the 765 W. Adams property would be 95 feet shorter than Skybridge.

That distinction did little to generate enthusiasm among a half dozen West Loop residents who voiced their concerns about a potential “canyon effect” should other high-rises come forward.

One resident questioned whether the development would be consistent with “community cohesion.” Another resident said the artist’s rendition looked “visually enormous—it will stick out like a sore thumb.” Several residents expressed concern that the building would negatively impact the quality of life in the West Loop.

Responding to a barrage of resident feedback, Michael Blum, the principal of White Oak, shot back: “It is what it is—a 351-unit apartment building.”

The building height was clearly the issue of the hour. Several residents—and Alderman Burnett—inquired whether the building could be scaled down to 20 stories. Blum said it would be economically unfeasible to make it one floor shorter.

Although the City of Chicago can technically allow a 33 story building on the east side of Halsted, there is a small matter of current zoning for the block in question. It’s zoned DX5, which means the developers could build 20 stories right now with a rubber stamp from the city. However, the 33 stories they want will demand a rezoning to DX7. That will require a special review from the city and the Department of Housing and Economic Development. The latter has not yet occurred. This clearly is not how Alderman Burnett would prefer it to go. But, as Mr. Blum from White Oak said, “it is what it is.”

The building design will fit in nicely with the Greektown neighborhood, promised Pat FitzGerald, the architect. That includes a blue-and-white color scheme at street level. The apartments will average 1,000 square feet and run approximately $2,500 per month. Plus parking.

Burnett thanked the audience—about 30 residents—for attending and expressing their views. He also said, height concerns aside, the project would be good for the neighborhood, particularly from an economic perspective.

“I’ve never seen a building developed in the roughest communities, or on the Gold Coast, that didn’t benefit the community in some way,” he said.

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By Joe from West Loop
Posted: 10/02/2012 8:31 AM

The issue here is height. The people of the West Loop don't want 33 story towers. Its that simple. Yet the alderman continue to grant zoning changes for taller buildings to developers who donate to their campaign fund. How can the alderman be an objective voice of the community when he's taking money from the developer? The answer is he can't. The instant he recieves money from the developer, the people of the community are being cheated of his services as a "public" servant.

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By WestLooper from West Loop
Posted: 07/25/2012 12:21 PM

I can confirm that I saw no other negative comments. If you have a comment, maybe you should post it Lady.

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By Ben Meyerson from Chicago Journal
Posted: 07/23/2012 2:05 PM

@West Loop Lady: We haven't removed a single comment. Perhaps you're thinking of another website.

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By West Loop Lady from West Loop
Posted: 07/23/2012 2:00 PM

WHY were all of the negative comments on this article removed??? There were far more comments than just 7 last week. Now there are only 7. That looks a little shady, Chicago Journal. This development is not a good idea and those of us against will make ourselves heard, even if our comments are censored.

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By Mike from West Loop
Posted: 07/21/2012 9:33 AM

I think the height could be scaled down a few stories but I'd love to see a design that doesn't look like every other new building going up around the world these days. Where s the creativity?

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By WestLooper from West Loop
Posted: 07/19/2012 8:48 PM

I agree, this is a positive. Let's face it, eventually the east side of Halsted will be a wall of high rises. It is too tempting for developers given the proximity to the business district (and the center of gravity thereof has been moving west for years and years). From that location you have an *easy* walk to thousands of jobs.

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By Mike from West Loop
Posted: 07/19/2012 11:20 AM

This building is exactly what the West Loop needs. With a growing retail base (Target and Roundy\'s), these businesses need more residents to shop at their stores to be sustainable. The developer is going to add luxury apartments with no TIF money right next to the second largest business district in the country. Most of the residents will walk to their Loop office jobs and shop and dine at neighborhood businesses. I am all in favor of adding hard working, tax paying, law abiding citizens here.

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By Matt from West Loop
Posted: 07/19/2012 10:43 AM

As a West Loop resident, I would be in favor of such a development. Yes, with the other development at Halsted and Monroe, this new apartment building, the Target... traffic will get worse. However, this is a dense part of the City and the benefit is people can walk, bike, use public transit, or drive down another roadway... a walkable community. With a target rent at $2,500, these residents will help support surrounding local businesses and establishments, which is a definite benefit.

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By Bill Motchan from West Loop
Posted: 07/19/2012 8:04 AM

The comments at the meeting from residents opposing the structure didn't seem to take issue with density, but rather the height of the structure. Also, several residents expressed concern about traffic flow on Halsted (which can be notoriously molasses-like during morning and afternoon drive-time) when another 300 to 400 cars will be exiting the new building.

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By CB from West Loop
Posted: 07/19/2012 7:56 AM

The West Loop is directly adjacent to one of the most densely developed areas in the US. I can't understand the logic of people who live in this area yet oppose this kind of density.

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By David from West Loop
Posted: 07/19/2012 7:07 AM

I thought the community had decided that it was OK to build high-rise buildings along the highway. The NIMBYism of some folks in this community is silly.