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Brown Bag Luncheons
Friends of Downtown’s popular lunchtime programs are usually held the first Thursday of the month, in the Chicago Cultural Center. Click here for a summary of recent programs.

No Brown Bag Luncheon in July

The next Friends of Downtown Brown Bag presentation
Thursday, August 7th at 12.15 pm
Chicago Cultural Center
Millennium Room

Chicago’s Olympic Vision
Friends of Downtown is an avid supporter of the Chicago’s bid for the 2016 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games and is honored to have Mike Segobiano, Mayor Daley’s pointperson for the 2016 Host Committee, as our featured speaker at our August Brown Bag program. Please join us as we learn what the current plans are for Chicago’s Olympic bid, what’s left in the International Olympic Committee’s bid process and how citizens across the city can help make this vision a reality.

Past programs:
Jun 08 GO TO 2040
May 08 A Year in the Life of the CTA
Apr 08 Preserving 208 South LaSalle
Mar 08 Burnham’s Life and Legacy
Feb 08 Children’s Memorial Hospital
Jan 08 Unbuilt Chicago
Dec 07 Garmin Store
Nov 07 DePaul: A Commitment to Diversity
Oct 07 DeStefano+Partners
Sep 07 Fashion Focus Chicago
Aug 07 Sullivan Center
July 07 Public Art Downtown
June 07 Projects by Lucien LaGrange
May 07 Palmer House Renovation
Apr 07 353 North Clark
Mar 07 Aqua
Feb 07 Central Area Action Plan
Jan 07 Looptopia
Dec 06 Blackstone Hotel Renovation
Nov 06 300 North LaSalle
Oct 06 Columbia College Master Plan
Sep 06 Chicago Federal Campus Expansion
Aug 06 Waterview Tower & Shangri-La Hotel
July 06 A New Vision for Navy Pier
June 06 The Fordham Spire
May 06 A Garden in a City
Mar 06 A View from the Top: The Art Institute of Chicago
Feb 06 Loyola University Water Tower Campus
Jan 06 McCormick Tribune Freedom Museum

GO TO 2040  Jun 08 Brown Bag Lunch presentation
Randy Blankenhorn, executive director of the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning, detailed the current work of the agency created to integrate planning for land use and transportation in the seven counties of northeastern Illinois. CMAP recently launched the GO TO 2040 planning campaign to develop and implement strategies to address projected growth in population and employment and their serious implications for transportation, housing, economic development, open space, the environment, and natural resources.

Preserving 208 South LaSalle  Apr 08 Brown Bag Lunch presentation
The Prime Group is currently in the process of renovating 11 South LaSalle and 208 South LaSalle, and Lucien LaGrange Architects are the architects behind the renovation of 208 South LaSalle. These experts in transforming Chicago’s historic buildings will discuss everything involved in the rejuvenation process, from key renovation details to how to attract new tenants.

Burnham’s Life and Legacy  Mar 08 Brown Bag Lunch presentation
Judith Paine McBrien will present a short “trailer” of a film she is producing “Make No Little Plans: Daniel Burnham and the American City.” The film is planned to inaugurate the centenary of Edward Bennett and Burnham’s 1909 Plan of Chicago, often considered the first comprehensive urban plan in American. The “trailer” will be complemented by a “behind-the-scenes” presentation of Burnham’s birthplace and early years—followed by a discussion of Burnham’s legacy today.

Children’s Memorial Hospital  Feb 08 Brown Bag Lunch presentation
Founded 125 years ago, Children’s Memorial Hospital is now embarking on the most important undertaking in its history: to build a new state-of-the-art hospital on the downtown campus of Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine. Patrick M. Magoon, President and CEO, presented plans for the new hospital and discussed the importance of this location.

Unbuilt Chicago  Jan 08 Brown Bag Lunch presentation
Lee Bey, executive director of the Chicago Central Area Committee, presented a century of downtown skyscrapers and urban schemes that never made it off the drawing board—an alternate view of Daniel Burnham’s “make no little plans“ dictum that shows the heights to which Chicago has been willing to dream.

Garmin Store  Dec 07 Brown Bag Lunch presentation
Garmin International, the leading manufacturer of global positioning systems, decided to open its first retail store in Chicago at 663 North Michigan. Working on an extremely short time frame for design and construction, Valerio Dewalt Train Associates created a space that allows customers to “experience Garmin Navigation” in “a high-tech, interactive and unique shopping experience.“

DePaul: A Commitment to Diversity  Nov 07 Brown Bag Lunch presentation
DePaul University was recently named the most diverse campus in the nation by the Princeton Review. The Rev. Dennis H. Holtschneider, DePaul’s president, will discuss what it means to make an institutional commitment to diversity.

DeStefano+Partners  Oct 07 Brown Bag Lunch presentation
DeStefano + Partners President Scott Sarver and Avi Lothan will presented the firm’s recent and current downtown projects, as well as projects in the planning/design process. The program showcased the firm’s diverse practice, including commercial, residential, and educational projects.

Fashion Focus Chicago  Sep 07 Brown Bag Lunch presentation
Melissa Turner, from the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs, discussed Mayor Daley’s vision for Chicago’s fashion industry. In October, she brings Fashion Focus Chicago into its third year, including runway shows, seminars and shopping events.

Sullivan Center  Aug 07 Brown Bag Lunch presentation
Representatives of Joseph Freed & Associates discussed the ongoing renovation of the former Carson Pirie Scott department store, actually nine separate buildings, the most famous an 1898 landmark designed by Louis Sullivan. Over the past several years, Freed has completed the reinstallation of the original cornice and terra cotta exterior, and converted the upper floors to modern office space. Next up: the redevelopment of the lower floors for new retail and office users.

Public Art Downtown  July 07 Brown Bag Lunch presentation
Chicago’s Loop is home to one of the world's greatest collections of modern sculpture, and traveling exhibits or temporary installations, from the 1999 “Cows on Parade” to the current Mark di Suvero installation in Millennium Park, bring tourist interest and excitement to the central area. Nathan Mason, curator of special projects for the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs, talked about how public art helps make downtown special.

Projects by Lucien LaGrange  June 07 Brown Bag Lunch presentation
Lucien LaGrange discussed his design for X/O, being constructed at 1712 South Prairie, and offered a look at other new projects including the Ritz-Carlton Residences, the Blackstone Hotel, and 208 South LaSalle.

Palmer House Renovation  May 07 Brown Bag Lunch presentation
This historic Chicago property has already begun a major renovation. Ken Price, Director of Public Relations of Hilton Hotels, will offer a history of the Palmer House; Mary Ann Cronin, Director of Development of Thor Equities, will discuss the challenges of converting a landmark building into a 21st century economically viable property, and Jim Pritchett of Loebl Schlossman & Hackl will review the upcoming design plans for the project.

353 North Clark  Apr 07 Brown Bag Lunch presentation
Rux Currin from Mesirow Financial Real Estate and Dirk Lohan of Lohan Associates discussed the new 1.1 million square foot office tower now under construction on the block bounded by Kinzie, Dearborn and Clark. The tower, designed by Dirk Lohan and A. Epstein & Sons, will be the new home of Jenner & Block and Mesirow Financial. In addition, the building will include retail, health club and dining facilities.

Aqua  Mar 07 Brown Bag Lunch presentation
Jeanne Gang, of Studio Gang Architects, discussed her firm's philosophy of design and presented the 80-story Aqua development under construction in Lakeshore East. The new tower, being developed by Magellan Development Group, will include hotel rooms for the Fairmont, a ballroom addition for Swissôtel, apartments, condominiums and parking. The tower’s unique design, featuring undulating waves of concrete, will make it a striking addition to the Chicago skyline.

Central Area Action Plan  Feb 07 Brown Bag Lunch presentation
Chicago’s Central Area Plan, completed in 2003, set a blueprint for the growth and development of downtown Chicago for the next 20 years. Now, the City of Chicago is embarking on an action plan to bring the Central Area Plan’s recommendations and ideas to reality. Benet Haller of the Department of Planning & Development and Richard Wilson of URS Corporation discussed the Central Area Action Plan and its impact on the future of downtown. See the presentation slides here (1.2MB PDF).

Looptopia  Jan 07 Brown Bag Lunch presentation
Ty Tabing, Executive Director of the Chicago Loop Alliance, discussed Looptopia, a new all night Celebration of Downtown scheduled for May 11th. Based on “White Nights” events such as in Paris and Rome, Looptopia will transform Chicago with all kinds of site-specific cultural performances, art and media installations, and a sunrise concert at Millennium Park.

Blackstone Hotel Renovation  Dec 06 Brown Bag Lunch presentation
Representatives from Sage Hospitality will discussed the history, acquisition and renovation of the Blackstone Hotel.  The hotel is undergoing a $112 million renovation with a planned opening in 2007 in a deal between Marriott Renaissance and Sage Hospitality, a Denver-based company. The renovated building, with 332 guest rooms and 13,000 square feet of meeting space, will retain its historic name as well as several historic public spaces and historic rooms.

300 North LaSalle  Nov 06 Brown Bag Lunch presentation
Representatives from Hines Interests will present plans for a 60-story office tower on a prominent site on the Chicago River, at LaSalle Street. The lower 24 floors of the 1.3 million square foot offer tower have been leased to law firm Kirkland & Ellis. The tower will be a prominent addition to the Chicago skyline and will feature a riverfront plaza and waterfront café. The developer will discuss the building’s design, public space, leasing, development process and unique environmental features.

Columbia College Master Plan  Oct 06 Brown Bag Lunch presentation
Columbia College’s Master Plan is intended to guide the development of Columbia’s campus to create a “coherent, student centered campus,” and a “distinct sense of place.” As envisioned in this plan, by 2010, Columbia’s presence in the South Loop will be highly visible and its brand well recognized. Alicia Berg of Columbia College, Joe Valerio of Valerio Dewalt Train Associates and Linda Searl of Searl and Associates, Architects, explained the master plan’s recommendations.

Chicago Federal Campus Expansion  Sep 06 Brown Bag Lunch presentation
J. David Hood of the General Services Administration discussed expansion and improvement plans for the Chicago Federal Center.  He explained the process that led to the acquisition of an expansion site on State Street, the current plans for the site and how the expansion will serve the public, enhance State Street and the Chicago Loop, while complementing Mies van der Rohe’s original Federal Center design.

Waterview Tower & Shangri-La Hotel  Aug 06 Brown Bag Lunch presentation
Filling the last gap in the wall of buildings along the Chicago River, Waterview Tower & Shangri-La Hotel takes its place in one of the world’s great architectural ensembles. The building’s articulated form and crystalline curtain wall are designed to capture magnificent views of the river, lake, and skyline. Design Architect Thomas Hoepf and Project Manager Sean McMahon discussed the project, set for completion in spring 2009.

A New Vision for Navy Pier  July 06 Brown Bag Lunch presentation
Monorails? Waterparks? More Parking? Better attractions? Tim Macy, general manager of Navy Pier, will provide an update on the planning process for taking Navy Pier to the next level. Many ideas are being reviewed as the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority is working with the city, state and local community leaders on the best way to improve the Midwest’s number one visitor destination.

The Fordham Spire  June 06 Brown Bag Lunch presentation
Christopher Carley, chairman of Fordham Company, talked about his plans for a Santiago Calatrava-designed 115-story tower that would dramatically reshape downtown Chicago’s skyline.

A Garden in a City  May 06 Brown Bag Lunch presentation
Laura Foxgrover, director of development at the Chicago Park District, will discuss Garden in a City, America’s first garden and landscape design show focusing on urban horticulture and the greening of urban communities, which will debut in Grant Park May 13-21. Displays will be created by leading landscape architects, landscape designers and landscape contractors in the Chicago area. Laura will also offer thoughts on Chicago’s role as an international leader in urban greening.

The New Cook County Domestic Violence Courthouse  Apr 06 Brown Bag Lunch presentation
Opened in October of 2005, the new Domestic Violence Courthouse is located at Harrison and Clinton. Designed by Campbell Tiu Campbell, Folgers Architect Limited and Booth Hansen Associates, and developed by the firm Mesirow Stein for Cook County, the $51 million project is the complete renovation of a 19th century four-story (plus basement), 169,000 square foot loft warehouse into a ten-courtroom, state-of-the-art courthouse, which includes ancillary facilities such as holding cells, secure parking for judges, childcare and associated agency space. A 16 foot rust-colored wall, secured by steel trusses, was constructed on the former backside of the building to form a grand entry point atrium.

A View from the Top: The Art Institute of Chicago  Mar 06 Brown Bag Lunch presentation
James Cuno, President, and Eloise Martin, Director of the Art Institute of Chicago as they offer their thoughts about Chicago, its cultural community, and the past, present and future of the Art Institute. This View From the Top program is the first in an occasional series of Brown Bag Lunches that allow key leaders to discuss general topics of interest that affect downtown Chicago.

Loyola University Water Tower Campus  Feb 06 Brown Bag Lunch presentation
A building boom under way at Loyola University’s Water Tower Campus will help the university better serve growing academic needs while exploiting the growing value of the campus’s Magnificent Mile location. Wayne Magdziarz and Jennifer Clark of Loyola University—Chicago discussed the new retail space along Michigan Avenue, the Clare building, new residence hall and student center and other exciting new changes and future plans.

McCormick Tribune Freedom Museum  Jan 06 Brown Bag Lunch presentation
As part of its 50th anniversary, the McCormick Tribune Foundation is opening a public museum dedicated to America's freedoms in the spring of 2006. The museum will specifically focus on the importance of our First Amendment freedoms and will serve to inspire individuals to understand, value and protect these freedoms. David Anderson, executive director of the McCormick Tribune Freedom Museum, discussed the design and content of the museum as well as the concept behind the museum’s creation.

Click here for Brown Bag Luncheons prior to 2006.