Dick’s Last Resort passes reviews

18-Apr-08 – Out of eleven original drawing reviews in its application for a construction permit at Marina City, Dick’s Last Resort has passed all of them. However, the City of Chicago Department of Buildings is now listing a “Final Data Review” on its web site, and shows Dick’s so far as “denied.”

UPDATE: On Thursday, the status of the Planning Review switched back to “denied” on the Department of Buildings web site for an unknown reason.

A Stop Work Order is still posted on the west side of the commercial tenant space being renovated for the restaurant. Schiff says the order was the result of the general contractor doing demolition work in the space, and coring through concrete for plumbing.

Two other permit applications are listed on the Department of Buildings web site, one to install a “double face pole sign within property line to read Dick’s Last Resort.” The other, to install a flat one-sided sign. According to a note on the web site, it can take two business days for permit data to be posted.

Chicago Tribune claims deemed dubious

An article in Monday’s Chicago Tribune, which appears to be based mostly on interviews with MTCA board members and their spouses, claims 42nd Ward Alderman Brendan Reilly is planning a meeting “in coming days” to get homeowners and officials of DLR to work out a compromise.

According to spokesperson Jeff Riley, Alderman Reilly has not worked out the details for such a meeting. Although they are watching the issue at Marina City, Riley says the Alderman’s schedule is very demanding and they are “juggling other issues.”

According to the Chicago Tribune article, more than 100 residents – which would represent a small fraction of the population – signed a petition objecting to Dick’s Last Resort moving into the complex. The article also describes renewed interest in having Marina City declared a landmark, a controversial issue among residents and commercial tenants.

The Tribune has refused to elaborate on why the premise of its article was based on such a small sampling of residents, or why it chose to quote only MTCA board members and their spouses.

 Dick’s Last Resort’s interest in Marina Towers has condo owners circling the wagons

 Marina City: Why Bertrand Goldberg’s architecture still speaks to us today

 Elgin group wants buildings by Marina City architect preserved

 MCO Editorial: Why we like Dick’s Last Resort and feel landmark status should be a last resort

 Richard Roeper column in Chicago Sun-Times (scroll down to “Dick’s Next Resort”)

Modest construction progress so far

They are not quite ready for photos to be taken, but Dick’s Last Resort CEO Steve Schiff did show off on April 9 the humble beginnings of their new restaurant at Marina City. The floor and ceiling are bare except for work tables, uninstalled pipes, and welding equipment. A metal framework gives some idea of where the walls will be someday.

A copy of an architectural drawing will be available soon.

The main entrance will be near Dearborn Street. A host stand will greet visitors. On the left when you walk in will be the restrooms. Off to the right will be a live band. The bar and HVAC equipment will be in the southwest corner, where the large sign in the window is now located, saying Dick’s is coming to Marina City.

Perhaps the most striking change DLR will be making will be moving the windows back from the south side of the space. Beyond that will be outdoor seating.

The kitchen will be located closer to the northeast corner of the space.

Responding to concerns about the sound of a live band, Schiff points out there are noise ordinances they will have to follow. They will have some sound abatement. He also notes the nearest residents will be 20 floors up, somewhat removed from the source of the sound.

The most unique design challenge, says Schiff, has been being cantilevered over the river. “It’s a huge issue.” The 18-inch concrete floor is colder than what you’d find in most buildings.

Schiff says the last time the space was used was for a steak house operated by Johnny Lattner, a Chicago native who won the Heisman Trophy in 1953.

It was Lattner’s second restaurant. The first one burned down in 1968. The fire also destroyed his Heisman Trophy but it was replaced and went on to sit at the piano bar at the Marina City location.

According to Schiff, what attracted Dick’s to the space was the river, view of downtown, and access to River North.

Schiff says they will be “great neighbors.” He points out the current location of DLR has never been cited for violation of city ordinances, and they pay their rent on time. But he doesn’t want to get into a war of words. Instead of talking about how they will fit in at Marina City, he says, “we’ll just do it.”