$162 Million Research Center Started at U. of C.

Groundbreaking was held in October for the $162.5 million Center for Biomedical Discovery on the University of Chicago campus.

The 10-story, 330,760-sq.-ft. research building that will house research personnel and provide the university's Division of Biological Sciences with space for its Pediatric,
Cancer Center and Medicine departments. The facility is aimed at developing remedies for sick children.

The center will also provide space for divisional core laboratories, vivarium, clinical offices and a multi-purpose area. Completion is slated for April 2008. It is located on Drexel Avenue between 57th and 58th streets.

The construction manager is Turner Construction Co. in Chicago, and the architect is the Portland, Ore.-based Zimmer Gunsul Frasca Partnership.

Hunt/Smoot to Finish Indianapolis Library

The Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library board took a step to ensure the completion of the Central Library addition and renovation.

While the project started in 2001, it experienced an almost 16-month delay to identify and repair concrete deficiencies in the two-story underground parking garage located below the construction site that resulted in legal battles. The project re-commenced on July 1, 2005.

The board announced that the construction management team of Hunt Construction Group Inc. in association with Smoot Construction LLC has been selected to complete construction.

The hiring of Hunt/Smoot to complete construction on the 293,000-sq.-ft. addition opens a new chapter for the construction project.

The estimated $103 million project is being funded by a combination of public and philanthropic support. More than $43 million of the $102.7 million project was raised privately through the Library Foundation.

The transformed facility will house a majority of the library's collection of books and materials, and provide a technology-rich environment for the public. The addition will increase the number of computers available to the public by 230. It also will double Library guest seating, and add underground parking for 420 vehicles.

Design-Build Act Passes in Illinois

The Illinois Legislature recently passed SB 766, The Design-Build Procurement Act legislation, and Gov. Rod Blagojevic is expected to sign the bill, the Washington, D.C.-based Design-Build Institute of America announced.

The House adopted the bill in November by a 106-9 vote, and the Senate adopted the bill in April by a vote of 51 to 2.

The Act will give the Illinois Capital Development Board, the construction management arm of Illinois' state government, the ability to use the design-build project delivery method. Previously, only limited design-build authority existed for public projects in the state.

340 on the Park Nearly 80 Percent Sold

Buyers have snapped up almost 80 percent of the 344 luxury residences at the 340 on the Park condominium since its sales center opened one year ago.

Remaining residences include one-, two- and three-bedroom, as well as penthouse, options and range from 1,281 to 5,489 sq. ft.

The modernist structure, by architects Solomon Cordwell Buenz & Associates, has a prow-shaped profile.

Designed for luxury living, the building features an amenities floor with a fitness center, 25-yard lap pool, clubroom, and wintergarden with oversized glass doors.

Plans also call for more than 4,000 square feet of retail and six stories of underground parking.

27-Story Avenue East Latest Mag Mile Condo

Groundbreaking was recently held for Avenue East, the Magnificent Mile's newest boutique condominium, took place on site at 160 E. Illinois St.

The 27-story tower offers residences ranging in size from studios to three-bedrooms; a wide selection of homes are still available, priced between the mid-$300,000s and more than $1 million.

The developer is the Lake Forest-based Residential Homes of America.

20-Story Condos to Plant 400 Units in South Loop

Tri-North to Get New Corporate Headquarters

Madison-based Tri-North will be tripling its space to 53,000 sq. ft., three-story structure featuring offices, team break-out spaces, training rooms and fitness area.

The building is expected to receive a Silver ranking from the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. Sustainable features include daylighting, green roof, energy-efficient systems and use of recycled materials.

Milwaukee-based Plunkett Raysich Architects is designer. Completion is set for the summer.

Harley Davidson Facility To Rev Up St. Charles

The 70,000-sq.-ft. Zylstra Harley-Davidson dealership was announced for west suburban St. Charles, Ill. The dealership anchors a 38-acre development.

The development is located at the southwest corner of Randall Road and North Avenue on the West Side, just north of the Kane County Fair Grounds. The dealership will feature a 50,000-sq.-ft. first-floor showroom and service department, and the showroom will have the capacity to display 300 motorcycles. A 20,000-sq.-ft. mezzanine will be used for equipment/product storage and administrative offices.

Hoffman Estates-based Leopardo Construction is the design-builder, and Chicago-based OWP&P is providing architectural and engineering services.

Industrial Condominiums Planned for Naperville