CHICAGO CARLESS

(Photo: Opposing nightly: 1,300 screaming concert-goes and 1,500 sleeping condo-dwellers.)

THE JOYS OF HIGH-RISE LIVING

Kneeling in front of the toilet bowl shortly after I moved into my Marina City high-rise home, I realized there are some things newbie tower dwellers have to learn for themselves. No matter how long you stare at the water line, you’re not going to see evidence of the building swaying. That was an early lesson in skyscraper living for me.

[Read more →]

(Photo: Don’t believe everything in print–especially if it’s printed at Marina City. Credit: Steven Dahlman.)

I am a glutton for punishment. I have the evidence to prove it: this week I signed my fourth lease for life in my Marina City high-rise home.

[Read more →]

(Photo: The good life in five-hundred square feet. Credit: Marina City Online.)

My friend, Donn, the sole man, has been downsized out of a job. Now he’s talking about downsizing his apartment. He’s a got a huge two-bedroom packed to the rafters with shiny nice things in a seedy corner of East Rogers Park. It’s never a bad idea to make bring your lifestyle into agreement with your income. But I think more than finances are at play, here.

[Read more →]

Many have emailed me to ask if I am still covering the Gary Kimmel scandal. You may remember it as the case of Marina City’s alleged pimp dentist that brought unwanted attention to the towers in 2006.

I haven’t been following the story closely lately, but my good friends over at Marina City Online have. They are reporting today that, as many have long suspected would happen, Kimmel, a former corncob towers condo board member, pleaded guilty yesterday to charges of money laundering in connection with a national prostitution ring operated out of several of Kimmel’s Marina City apartments.

[Read more →]

(Photo: Tell me, Gepetto, do they get taller if you lie about them? Future “unlicensed” images of the Chicago skyline if the Marina Towers Condominium Association gets its way. Original Credit: Steven Dahlman.)

The fun never ends inside Chicago’s upended corncobs, especially if you consider bald-faced lies by your condominium association entertaining. Last week, I brought you the tale of bone-headed new rules proposed by Marina City’s controversial condo association (in a story brought to me by the scrappy, independent Marina City Online website).

[Read more →]

(Photo: Notice anything missing? Original Credit: Steven Dahlman.)

There are two ways to brand and position a world-famous residential tower: the right way; and the way downtown Chicago’s Marina City condo board is planning to go about it.

[Read more →]

(Photo: If only Mrs. O’Leary had had an annunciator. Credit: Cushman Collection.)

On those nights when they burn the house down at the House of Blues, we shudder in Marina City condos above. Most of us are familiar with the midnight din of emergency vehicles looming loud and coming to a halt beneath our bedroom windows.

[Read more →]