Initial caisson permits have been approved for the mixed-use development at 193 N Columbus Drive in Lakeshore East. Located just north of the Blue Cross Blue Shield tower and commonly known as Parcel O, the project is finally moving forward after a multi-year delay. Led by developer Parcel O LLC, as a stand-in for Magellan Development Group, the proposal is being designed by local firm bKL Architecture whose offices are right next door.
Site context map of 193 N Columbus Drive via Google Maps
Parcel O Site at 193 N Columbus Drive. Image by Jack Crawford
The slim site just south of Aqua tower has been in discussion for years, originally meant to hold two-different brand hotels within a boxy tower also designed by bKL. Most recently changes were made to both the design and program when it was aiming for a 2021 groundbreaking after receiving most of its approvals, as it’s one of two remaining empty parcels within Lakeshore East along with Parcel I.
2018 (left) – 2021 (right) rendering of 193 N Columbus Drive by bKL Architecture
Set to rise 47 stories and just over 500 feet in height, the form itself will be a standard rectangle accented by a serrated glass facade. Given the building will have two street levels, the lower one along N Park Drive will include a 3,500-square-foot retail space, and the upper level along Columbus a 5,500-square-foot space according to a 2021 newsletter from Alderman Reilly.
2021 rendering of 193 N Columbus Drive by bKL Architecture
According to the permits, there will be 25 on-site vehicle parking spaces to support the uses above. These will include a single flag 239-room hotel with its own lobby and amenity spaces, as well as 607 residential units most likely made up of studios, one-, and two-bedroom layouts. The tower itself will rise along Park Drive, with a large outdoor pool deck capping the small podium along Columbus Drive.
2021 rendering of 193 N Columbus Drive by bKL Architecture
The building will utilize the existing service drive south of Aqua for drop-off and pick-up, also adding a connection to the existing pedway system according to the newsletter. While parking is limited, users will have access to nine CTA bus routes nearby. Power Construction is listed as the general contractor for the project though no ground breaking date was set, however previous plans called for a roughly 24-month timeline.
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Well, this is certainly a surprise article I did not expect to see in 2023.
Last update this building had was in 2021, and was for sure confident this was a dead project. Nice to see this may actually happen now. A good fill-in for the rest of the New Eastside neighborhood.
Facade down to street instead of an ugly brick garage . Yes , let’s hope it happens that way .
Well said, it makes such a big aesthetic and functional difference not having to deal with a parking garage.
Okay, they can build it. Happy New Year!!
I wish the design was more interesting but with only 25 parking spaces, no ugly podium, and filling an empty downtown lot this is definitely a win. Build it!
Now we just need parcel 1 to be completed.