May
2
HGTV Urban Oasis 2011 Location
Without further ado … Please enjoy our location announcement video on this fine Monday morning.
Without further ado … Please enjoy our location announcement video on this fine Monday morning.
The countdown is on! You can enter twice daily starting August 18 at 9 a.m. ET. Get reminders from our HGTV Inspiration Newsletter.
Way to go HGTV! Trump Tower. I thought of that in the beginning, but once I got hung up on the 2520 property I was blind-sighted to anything else. Good choice! I can't wait to see it unfold. Thank you, HGTV for picking Chicago. We are proud of our city and proud to host the Urban Oasis.
Congrats on being part of the host city !
HeyJude, will you be our "blogger eyes" for the Urban Oasis and tell us about all the places to go and things to do that only those in Chicago know?
You DA MAN JACK! Thank you Mary for posting. Someone is going to be very happy they've been Trumped!! Coop, Coop, wake up. A new blog has been posted. See what happens when you stay up past your bed time.
LOL!!!
Great Choice !
Trump Tower huh, nice choice. My offbeat sense of humor got the best of me though, I kept picturing Jack
wearing a Donald comb-over, and got scared for a minute. I calmed myself down by thinking about Frank Sinatra singing "My kind of town".
The name Trump is everywhere these days, and now we have a Trump Towers Urban Oasis, now can you trump that? Hah, I got to that line first Coop!
Oops, sorry Lucyyourdog, I was in such a hurry to post I missed the fact that you "trumped" me. You gotta be quick around here, bloggers are on the ball.
AES, that sounds like your sense of humor ! Do you think Jack would have the nerve to appear in a wig with that famous hair-do ? He could pouch his lips together and say, "Chicago, Trump Towers, you're hired ! "
Good one, LL.
Jack in a Donald Trump comb-over, AnneEliseSouth? That would have been worth seeing!!! Thanks for the big smile you brought to my face.
Does anyone mind if we call this the "T" Tower.
Ditto
I'm in, Nebraska !
We can call it the "T Tower, Nebraska but the winner will happily say, "I live in Trump Tower. Would you like to come over?"
I'm with you Nebraska. T Tower it is!
I just posted the location on the other blog. I was so proud of my sleuthing abilities! LOL
And those are? Did you know that this is a 1000 SF, 1 bed, 1.5 bath unit on the 35th floor?
Sounds good to me. Does this mean you dislike the UO because of its size Nebraska?
Nebraska, your sleuthing abilities are much better than mine are! Kudos!!
TY
This is a 1000 SF, 1 bed, 1.5 bath unit on the 35th floor. Not quite the size we wanted. I would kind of like less luxury and more space.
I am thinking its either D or L. http://www.trumpchicago.com/Floorplans/floorplans…
Can't wait to see the views from that space.
Now A is great – a his and hers master baths!
irishsprite, D or L do appear to be the best bet for 1000 sq. ft. Thanks for that link.
That's my guess too…I am sure hoping they aren't going with a 900sf and rounding up. Kind of wish they would have at least gone for a 2 bedroom.
Thanks for the link Nebraska.
Oooh…can we add 300 SF to that and make it floorplan G? I love the closets and dressing room area!
Great sleuthing, once again, Nebraska! I'm just glad that there's a half bath for guests this time.
I agree 100% Charlotte more space less luxury. Oh well if you win it, you could trade for a lower cost condo elsewhere.
Exactly what I would do! I gulpped when I heard that the lowest price condo there was $400K (for the 580 SF studio) OUCH! Those must be some amenities and a spectacular view!
Just think what the 14000 SF one is going for.
I can't even imagine what a 14,000 sq. ft. condo there would cost. I wonder how expensive the monthly fees are going to be for the concierge service and all of the other amenities?
From the short video footage with Jack, I can't tell if its D or I floor plan from your link. I noticed they walled the kitchen off from the entry differently than the drawing. It will be interesting to see how Vern decorates it and what unusual local finds he comes up with…
Nebraska … I'm not sure if it is D or L. If you look at the video, and assume Jack is standing at the window of the UO, the building curves outward over his left shoulder.
Since the window is on his left, Jack would have to face C if he was in D and face I if he was in L.
D doesn't fit the vide because there isn't an angle to the window directly behind him where the building architecture moves in toward E. L doesn't fit because the building architecture goes back in a straight line toward J. You wouldn't see any curve. And there isn't another building that close on the same level to account for that curve.
Sadly, the floor plan that matches the view seems to be I … but that would involve some serious rounding up by HGTV to account for 1,000 square feet.
G could fit if the floor plan was tweaked to make the master bedroom take up more space from the second bedroom and the living/dining room, but that's 2,000 square feet and serious rounding down. If it's a trick of optics with reflections in the window, making the building seem to be out farther than it is actually, then G and C might work. One can only hope for more space.
My favorite rooms in the tower on the floors in this section is G, J, K, & L. But if it has to be a one bedroom, I agree with SIDfromAR. D or L would be the best bet. Thank you for the site also. It was nice to see the different floor plans.
Always thankful for our troops and so hopeful that this will be the beginning to the end of terrorism.
It's always a pleasure to see DA MAN– Jack Thomasson. I guess it's time for me to learn more about Chicago. I'm sure You'll educate me until the UO sweeps is over. This will be another exciting UO year.:)
Thumbs up, not a Trump fan myself. It is a nice building though, and that walk sounds pleasant to me, if I happen to win you're invited to join me!
Chicago would be a fun city in which to live and the view from T Tower (see Nebraska's post above) are incredible. Thanks for the invite. If you win I will gladly take that walk, heck, with todays news I would gladly skip to the headquarters!
When I was in Chicago I saw the Trump Tower being built and it is SPECTACULAR! It is right on the river near the convergence point of the River and Lake Michigan! You can see up river towards so many beautiful buildings, down to the Navy Pier and the gorgeous views from there! OMGOSH, this is FABULOUS!
That is so true. I think we are blessed to have such an incredible team of administrators and service personnel that got the 9+ year-old job done.
T Tower does have an incredible view!
Love Chicago. This is a place I would really like to win.
the wrigley building is still an office building, though the palmolive building (at one time the playboy bldg) is now condos & would suit your request.
personally, i would prefer a condo in the Aqua tower over anything else downtown, at least they have balconies (even if only marginally used)
Getting ready for out-of-town guests who'll be staying over several days, so I'm WAY BEHIND THE CURVE here in Urban Oasis blogland. Still, it's nice to sign on and see that the actual site has been revealed, and we already have some preliminary info sifted out by industrious bloggers.
Mr. T's Tower is an impressive building, loaded with amenities and ideally located close-in to all that Chicago offers.
I'm definitely counting myself "in" for round two of the Urban Oasis game.
Chicago nice ! a lot of people said it would be there, wow Trump Towers expensive.
Since they announced the floor and the amount of space only two of the floor plans are 1000 SF- check them out!
All right everyone which would you rather have D or L?
The only real difference is ths orientation of the view.
Which ever one has the best view of the river-that one!
Who would've guessed? At 92-stories, Trump International Hotel & Tower® Chicago is the tallest residential building in North America, located in the heart of the city at 401 N. Wabash Avenue. The building consists of 486 luxury residences located on floors 29 through 89 as well as 339 luxuriously appointed hotel condominiums on floors 14 to 27M. Residential condominiums include studios, one- to three-bedroom plans, and four- and five-bedroom penthouses and range in size from 580 to 14,000 square-feet. (14,000 square feet? Plenty of room for Terri to run around.) Homes showcase floor-to-ceiling windows that afford unparalleled views of the Chicago River, Lake Michigan and the city skyline, as well as gourmet kitchens, custom baths and state-of-the-art appliances.
How Sweet It Is!
You realize the town I lived in in WV had less people than this building. Infact it and the two towns on either side combined wouldn't have as many people! The 14000 SF is the Penthouse- wow the floor plans make me dizzy.
The Press release on Yahoo: http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Second-Annual-HGTV-…
See everybody tomorrow.
Thanks for another great link, Nebraska!
Great job!
14,000 feet for Terri to run around? I'm sure she'll want to explore Chicago too, Coop.
Hi DBCoop,
The trump towers, wow. The towers in NY were great,top that. I know they will.LOL ^_^ ^_^.
Ooh…Trump Tower Chicago…I should have stuck with my first guess on condos in Chicago…I am surprised I named it…then I swayed to other condos because I didn't think it would happen.
Seriously, this is an AWESOME selection! This building is right on the river, and a block from the start of Magnificent Mile! My, oh my, can you say location, location, location?!? FABULOUS!
Oh, and Ivanka Trump does an introduction on the website, too. Now THAT was a smart move;)
From the views in Jack Thomasson's reveal video (shot out of the actual Urban Oasis unit I'd presume) the condo would face East, down the Chicago River towards Navy Pier and Lake Michigan. Two of the iconic buildings seen at the right of the UO floor-to-ceiling windows are (far right) 35 E Wacker Drive, built in 1927 as the "Jewelers Building" and somewhat to its left, the Carbide & Carbon Building, completed in 1929.
35 E Wacker Drive originally housed a parking garage, along with many jewelers' offices, on the 2nd to 22nd floors. Yes, that meant a 22 story car lift! Delivery vehicles would ride up to the jewelry merchants to make safe transfers.
The Carbide & Carbon Building was transformed in 2004 to the Hard Rock Hotel.
Viewed from the Urban Oasis on the north bank of the Chicago River is the Wrigley Building, an Art-Deco beauty from 1920-21. It was the first office building in Chicago to feature air conditioning. Its east and west facades are night-lit by 1,000 watt floodlights from across the river, making for a spectacular evening skyline.
I think this HGTV Urban Oasis is going to steal many hearts over the course of the next several months. I'm not going to tempt fate with only one entry though. I'll be sure to get in my daily quota, just to be on the safe side.
Trump Tower! Wow, I'm ready for a trip to Chicago. Any bloggers live close by to give us more information on what to expect?
Thanks for another great choice Jack!
I will gracefully bow out of this one, good luck to everyone who really wants it!!
I've never been a fan of "the Donald" either, ever since the infamous Marla Maples affair and subsequent messy divorce from his first wife. I actually remember a segment, I think maybe on "This Old House", when a very pregnant Ivana Trump gave a tour of the then brand-new Trump Towers in New York, only to be dumped by her husband a short time later. Anyway, I will still enter the giveaway but this is one I will not keep if by some miracle I win. And since I would have a very hard time saying anything nice about Mr. Trump, I think I will follow my mother's advice and say nothing at all!
You certainly can't say "nice hair". Maybe 'nice birth certificate"? Maybe "nice bank account"? No, I think you're right just say nada.
If I win, will I have to show my birth certificate? OK, I just had to say it. Can't wait to read all about this fabulous area!
Wyo_Girl, Only if you decide to run against the Donald! LOL!
In any case I'm sure as HGTV reveals more about this delightful location you will fall in love with Chicago as I did many years ago. My husband and I still go back to visit friends whenever we can.
Wyo_Girl, you are so bad! I love it! I hope you have the long form or the Donald may not let you take possession of your condo.
Too funny!
I'd be out of luck – mine says Certificate of Live Birth. So do my sons and we were born in different states.
It's a little weird that the Trump Towers are on Wabash St. in Chicago, and the Green Home is at the corner of 33rd and Wabash St. in Denver. Now, if there's a Wabash St. in Hawaii, Cami is going to flip out!
Wow, interesting coincidence! Hmmmmm, she is most likely Googling, now…LOL!
Yeah, they should have named the streets Jack's Place. What's this Wabash stuff?
That is an unusual coincidence. I'll bet Mary was going to use it as her last UO clue.
Too bad you let the cat-outa-the-bag Wyo, now Mary has to come up with an entirely different clue.:D
Poor Mary it must be difficult trying to come up with nebulous clues for Hawaii. They certainly can''t be direct clues, like coconuts or pineapple or something.
Sorry Mary Wabash is out.;)
Here is a train load of info (pun intended LOL!) of info about how the "Wabash" connection could be used for DH, but there is just one problem. It does not specifically reference VIrginia so I am pretty sure that must not be it. That, and they would have had to build a monumental bridge to Hawai'i to make this clue work… ^_^
Ahhh I think Mary can stretch that ol' clue clear to Hawaii. I know I could.;)
You, I have no doubt in my mind. Structurally speaking, it could be a whole different ball game!
The more I think about this condo, the more I want it! But who will do the decorating this time around? Whatever it is, I am sure it is going to look spectacular! I love a room with a view……skyscrapers all around and the Chicago River…Thanks Jack!
Vern is decorating this one too so it will be spectacular!
A couple of days ago I posted a press release link. http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Second-Annual-HGTV-…
And we have discussed who is decorating it. NTB & PS.
If we're going to nickname the building T Tower, it conjures up an even scarier vision. Stay with me here, picture "the Donald" sporting a Mr. T Mohawk hairdo, a sleeveless black tank top, and a neck full of gold chains. Are you scared, or falling off your chair laughing. I even though up a campaign slogan. "I pity the fool that don't vote for me, sucker"
OK, I'm gonna go take my medication now, and try to forget the silly visions running around in my head.
A 2 bedroom would be great next time and if a single person won then they could either have a roommate or an office.
Like I said – I would give up some of the luxury for more space.
HEY Mary is HGTV really running this giveaway in the exact time frame as DIY's Blog Cabin?
What an awesome location and views! LOVE this!
The Trump Tower would highlight all of the new and modern aspects of Chicago. It will be a good central location to explore this vibrant modern city and its European-influenced historical development
(Paris in the Prairie). Good luck to all!
Does anyone know when the voting begins!
Voting? I am puzzled we don't vote on UO. We enter to win but thats about it.
Thanks Nebraska,
This is all new to me ,I'm guessing this is all about the revelation the designer has upon entering this space. Wow !!!! Will it be Vern Yip again, he has an idealist mind. Went back in time to the NY make over. What is the time frame they work with(pressure) love that Jack!! His job is so cool travel,travel,travel what a chance.
Happy Cinco de Mayo, Urban Oasiians, which surprisingly, happens on the 5th of May this year…. ^_^
surprisingly…B)
I apologize, but this is the first time seeing the urban oasis sweepstakes and I have a question…Does the Urban Oasis have a cash prize included in the grand prize or is it strictly the property and the car?
Thank you!
AAAAGH! Again Trump? I thought, once I'd avoided him on "Moron Apprentice" and the cable news channels, I'd be safe. But HGTV?
First we had the plague of bedbugs, now the plague of Trump.
Gotta call Terminex…
Even the Indy 500.
Yes, but you gotta admit he build some stupendous buildings! Concentrate of the buildings, not "the Donald", it might work!
Thanks, Ed, I earned that honor, didn't I?
Yes Ma'am! ^_^
A man doesn't define a building. A building doesn't define a man. When a gift is given I believe it is customary to eat cake. Enjoy the views and have your cake too. <3:)
Cami, how did you bring CAKE into this ? (as if I didn't know—pretty soon we will be hearing about specialty cakes in Chi town..)
Funny Cami. It seems that you think cake is a cure for everything! ^_^
Yes Ed cake is a cure for everything, but it's the ice cream that fills in all the empty places.
Boy that sounds like my philosophy Cami! ^_^
Cake has always been associated with bringing people together, unlike chocolate which is often selfishly hidden away in a secret hiding place. I'm not saying I hide my chocolate of course =/ I've been known to share an M&M or two, once in awhile.
Now, who wants another piece of cake.
Oh BTW Ed, It's always just assumed that you'll bring the ice cream.
LLColeman the cake is going fast, can you pick up some more of those specialty cakes on your way?
PARTYB)
Can we have hot dogs? Chicago style red hot dogs? That's what I remember most about my 6 months living in Illinois, that, and how flat the landscape was, corn fields, and soy beans and nice people.
Yummy hot dogs. Is sauerkraut allowed on Chicago hot dogs? Or is it strictly chili, cheese and onions? I really don't know anything about Chicago, especially their traditional food customs. I wouldn't want to offend the natives. =/ :S
Time to watch the Food Network, Travel Channel & Cooking Channel for their specials on food (and food trucks ) in Chicago–and Anthony Bourdain had No Reservations about asking his chef buddies, from Chicago, to show him about town for the best eats.
Not sure if I want to share Cami. I only have about 25 half gallons left in the freezers! ^_^
"Want to share" With only 25 gallons you Can't share.. That'd probably only last a week at your house.
You need at least a months worth stored up at all times. =/ You'll need another 3 freezers, and an additional storage building. :s I'm sure you're already acutely aware of the importance of keeping the main food staple of frozen sweet cream well stocked at all times. You might want to buy into the 100 gallon ice cream of the month club. Perhaps you can strike a deal with the freezer guy– to throw in the ice cream club membership for FREE.xD
When I get into the limo you have reserved for me at the airport, I will ask the driver about the best bakery to go to, so we can load up on cakes (and stuff our pockets with Selfishly-Hoarded-Chocolate, LOL )
If Jack is looking out of the UO window the view will be stunning! They actually dye that river bright kelly green every St. Patrick's day, and there is a wonderful parade. There is always something fun going on in downtown Chicago.
Am I the only who thinks of the movie "Adventures of Babysitting" when I see pictures of the Chicago skyline? So excited to see the Urban Oasis completed!
My only sense of Chicago, never been, comes form "Ferris Bueller's Day Off ". But I do love "Adventures" too. Love the scene when Elizabeth Shue is rushing back to the house, set to the tune of the great Edwin Starr (rip) singing "Twenty Five Miles from Home ".Gospelicious song.
"I've got eight– step on step on/ seven –step on step on/ SIX, six six…I'm just FIVE more miles from home, over the hill, just around the bend…"
"Got to walk on… <a href="http://.http://youtu.be/2ZEMmewFj6k” target=”_blank”>.http://youtu.be/2ZEMmewFj6k
I think of the movie Home Alone, and funny you should mention movies because the house from Home Alone is for sale in Chicago, right now. For a cool $2.4 million you can pick up that FABULOUS house near Lake Michigan! In the words of Kevin, "Ahhhhhhhhhh…!!!!"
Decisions, decisions, do we go for the "Home Alone" house, or the Trump Towers penthouse? Better take a look at the checkbook before deciding. Oops, looks like the old homestead is looking better, and better.:):):)
The highest-priced penthouse in Trump Tower is on the 89th floor, with seven bedrooms in 14,260 square feet and a listed price (negotiable?) of $32,798,000. There are 16 foot ceilings. And stunning views (of course) in every direction. So if the 1,000 square foot Urban Oasis won't quite fit your family or upscale lifestyle, give The Donald a call and make your best offer. Then call one of your favorite HGTV interior designers to come in and finish it to perfection. Don't forget to post photos, before and after. As a matter of fact, a "work-in-progress" video cam would be ideal for appreciative bloggers.
The rest of us will be looking forward to viewing Urban Oasis 2011 in all its furnished glory after Vern Yip works his magic.
For almost 33 mil. the views had BETTER be stunning; plus it should come with its own CLIMATE !
Well, anyway, that penthouse won't have Vern Yip designing its interior.
Checking to see if I have a spare 33 mil.
If you do you won't have any trouble finding a husband Charlotte! LLL
Exploring Chicago's architecture and art would be on the top of my list. I noticed the symbol Y
on some of the bridges and older buildings. Why the Y? It's a symbol that represents the
three branches of the Chicago River, specifically Wolf Point. I think Vern should definitely
include art with the iconic Y.
http://chicago-outdoor-sculptures.blogspot.com/20…
http://chicago-architecture-jyoti.blogspot.com/20…
Believe it or not, Trump tower, Chicago was my first guess. I really want to win this!!!!! I always want river view home.
Happy Mother's Day, UO bloggers! <3<3<3
I look forward to seeing how Vern will decorate this year's Urban Oasis. But please, give us the floorplans! I want to know what my future home is going to look like.
Regarding the start date for the sweepstakes, last year I show it started on September 1, the TV program was Sept 6, and the sweepstakes ended October 20. The drawing was Oct 28. The TV show announcing the winner was Nov 20. So it looks like a long wait before the lucky winner moves in.
Re the T Tower business, can we keep this positive? It is easy to make fun of the media character. On the other side, it is too easy to put down people who have accomplished big things. When I heard the condo would be in a Trump building, I assumed it would be built to high standards and would be luxurious because the building has Donald Trump's name on it.
Actually when they issued the press release they said 8/18 to 10/7 – the same time frame as DIY's Blog Cabin. I kind of thought that would put extra pressure on the servers that store the votes!
Their press release: http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Second-Annual-HGTV-…
That was an interesting article, thanks! I was wondering why everyone was so sure Vern Yip would be the decorator. I really liked his homage to the NYPublic Library and the lions last year.