Creating off-street parking in a building constructed without it in 1929 will provide the developer with engineering and logistical problems. A rotating rooftop beacon, however, is no longer expected to prevent the project from co-existing in the high-density Streeterville residential neighborhood and cause 42nd Ward Alderman Burton Natarus' telephone to ring.
"This happens to be a big issue in my community," Natarus says. "I wouldn't want someone to be awakened at 2, 3 in the morning by this light."
Plans call for the beacon to make a 110-degree swing, shining out toward Lake Michigan, just three blocks east, to Navy Pier to the southeast, according to the department of planning and development. The development team, which includes Chicago-based Draper & Kramer, hired lighting consultants Schuler & Shook, whose work has included lighting at the historic Water Tower down the block, the Picasso statue in front of the Daley Center and Art Institute.
Redevelopment will be done in phases, according to Palmolive Building Base LLC's plans, starting with condominiums in the tower portion of the building above the 13th floor. Next would be retail space from the second to fourth floors if market conditions are ripe.
The building, deemed by the Cook County assessor's office to be worth less than the land it sits on, was sold in June for $58.5 million.
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