A pair of tower crane permits have been added to the Chicago Data Portal this week. On Tuesday April 8, a permit showed up for 626 South Wabash Avenue in the South Loop, where activity got started late last month on a residential building from DAC Developments. One day later, on April 9, a permit appeared for Bally’s Casino, addressed to 705 West Chicago Avenue in River West.
The pending tower crane permit for 626 South Wabash, via the Chicago Data Portal
Site work at 626 South Wabash Avenue on Tuesday, April 8. Photo by Daniel Schell
Photo by Daniel Schell
Clark Construction is the general contractor for 626 South Wabash. It is not clear if any of the recent contractor changes have affected the concrete contractor, but Pepper Construction was the designee when permits were first issued back in 2022.
At the casino project, Gilbane Building Company is named as the general contractor. They’re part of the group of companies that comprise the Chicago Community Builders Collective. As the concrete contractor, McHugh Concrete will be in charge of operating this crane.
The pending tower crane permit for Bally’s Casino, via the Chicago Data Portal
Caisson equipment at the casino site, Sunday April 6th. Photo by Daniel Schell
While there are certainly lots of small construction projects going on throughout Chicago, the big jobs that require tower cranes always pique interest. They generally indicate larger projects, thereby providing more construction jobs. They’re a decent indicator of Chicago’s construction activity heating up a bit.
As of today, the city has seven active tower cranes building and renovating new and old projects. But there are five more with active permits waiting to be issued: 410 North Elizabeth, 370 North Morgan, 1630 South Wabash, and now these two at 626 South Wabash and Bally’s Casino.
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Only one tower crane for Bally’s? I don’t believe it. I would think they would need at least 3. One for the hotel, one for the casino, and one for the theater. Are they phasing it?
One so far. I don’t know if there will be others.
Like I commented a few weeks ago, working at a subcontractor firm in downtown, a lot of projects that have been dormant for a while will be resurfacing. Theres a lot of upcoming towers that have Q2, Q3, and Q4 starts. Excited to see the city come alive again 🏗️
Thanks for that tidbit, Alex. It’s refreshing news for a disparate crowd desperately waiting for groundbreaking updates. Lol
*desperate
Its good to be alive
Love seeing tower cranes! I wish I could have rode next to delivery truck. The pictures were right on time!