Viagra Triangle Location
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The Gold Coast
If Hopkins’ gives his approval, the project will have to go before the city’s zoning board for review.
“Frankly, this is exactly the kind of conversation that we hoped would come out of our proposal,” Active Trans director Ron Burke told me. “A weekend closure of the streets around the park could be a good way to test the waters for making a street car-free and could hopefully be expanded from there. There’s potential all over the city to create exciting, liberating car-free spaces that are good for businesses and the community.”
Even if you’re not here for the “scene”, there are some really great restaurants here like Blue Door Farm Kitchen (don’t miss the really beautiful patio!), Three Arts Club Cafe (gorgeous atrium inside historical building turned into a Restoration Hardware), and Somerset inside the newly renovated Cedar Hotel.
Some of the popular restaurants include the aforementioned Hugo’s Frog Bar, Gibson’s Steakhouse, Maple and Ash, Le Colonial (love this place!), Nico Osteria, and the stunning 3 Arts Club Cafe (a must-see!).
“We all benefit,” said Barnes. “Maybe I’m biased, but I get an extra boost because couples meet at the other two places, but a guy brings his potential girlfriend here to close the deal. Dinner here means he’s serious about her.”
“I remember my mom, who is 67, saying when she met my dad’s parents, they were home sitting on the couch wearing horn-rimmed glasses and watching Lawrence Welk. They were done. And they were in their mid-50s.
Hopkins was not at the meeting due to inclement weather. John Geahan, his director of community relations, came in the alderman’s place to collect community feedback but declined to comment on the development after the meeting.
Credit: Tatiana Walk-Morris/Block Club Chicago A proposed development at 12 W. Maple St. would include an Italian restaurant and a private club.
Neighbors saw a presentation of the proposal Tuesday night at a public meeting at the nearby Newberry Library. The developer needs a zoning change from the city — and some pre-sales — to get started.
As winter creeps in and the patios close, the action has moved to the warmer climes of restaurants, bars and lounges until next spring. But the popularity of the Triangle’s Big Three isn’t lost on neighboring establishments.
On another afternoon, six women gather for drinks and dinner around a patio table at M Bistro. Their ages range from 40 to 50-plus. None of them is in the market for a man. But they like the Bistro, because they want to be around those who are.
The Viagra Triangle
If approved, the project would take about 18 months to complete, Pisor said. The existing businesses at 12 W. Maple St., including the Merlo on Maple restaurant, Core Power Yoga studio and the Bella Bianca bridal couture shop, will be relocating, he said. He also confirmed that the proposed project could not commence without zoning approval.
A manager at Carmine’s Clam House, across the street from the park on Rush, who declined to provide his name, told me many customers valet park their cars in front of the restaurant or arrive by taxi, and he was curious how street closures would affect access. It would be fairly simple for drop-offs to be done on the side streets off of the triangle: Maple, Cedar and Bellevue.
Okay, so why the name? Before the name the blue pill even existed, the Viagra Triangle has been stereotyped as a place where “older” men with money hang out and pursue younger 20-30 somethings or women full of botox and silicone trying to look 20-something.
For more ideas on what to do in Chicago, check out these posts:
“The Crawl is important,” he explained. “See, when you meet a woman for the first time, the encounter has ‘pickup’ all over it. Maybe you just chat and introduce yourself. Maybe you buy her a drink. But 10 minutes or a half-hour later, you see her down the road at another place. Now you are acquaintances. You’re not some stranger in a bar.”
Scott Brotherton is a featured lounge singer at Saucy Bistro. He sings the music of Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett. He has an appealing bass-baritone and enjoys a popularity pioneered by recording artists like Harry Connick Jr. and Michael Buble. He’s also impressed by the vitality he sees in this older crowd.
The current zoning allows up to 88 units, according to an announcement from Ald. Brian Hopkins (2nd). Booth Hansen, the architecture firm behind the 30 W. Oak St. condominiums, Chestnut Row Homes and the 1100 N. State St. developments, is handling project.
“I have been a developer in the Gold Coast for the past 20 years, this boutique, high-end property will be a perfect fit for the neighborhood,” Pisor said in an email. “It is rare to find a building in Chicago with so few homes at such large scale. The incredible amenities, including room service and housekeeping, will make this property quite unique.”
GOLD COAST — A developer is proposing a luxury condominium tower near the Gold Coast’s Viagra Triangle offering 12 luxury units, room service, housekeeping, a pool and an Italian restaurant on the ground floor.
The Clubhouse Grill bar and restaurant on Columbia Road and I-90, just down the road from the Viagra Triangle, has begun construction on its own outdoor bar and patio.
They’re people-watching. They want to be close to, if not in on, the action.
What to do in the Gold Coast
The Active Transportation Alliance’s recent call for 20 Chicago streets to be considered for partial or total pedestrianization has definitely got people talking. One idea that already has a bit of traction is pedestrianizing the upscale Gold Coast nightlife area centered around three-sided Mariano Park. This district, bounded by State, Rush, and Bellvue, is nicknamed the Viagra Triangle because it’s a popular place for well-heeled older gents to take their dates, lined with upscale venues like Tavern on Rush and Gibson’s steakhouse.
Head west on Detroit Road and on the left is Saucy Bistro, a popular, high-end gourmet restaurant with a patio and a new indoor lounge downstairs. Just across the street is Viva Barcelona, yet another upscale venue that offers an outdoor courtyard, live music and a rocking bar scene.
Stefani previously said that if he could find the right space to reopen Tavern on Rush, he would — but he revealed few details beyond his cryptic words Wednesday.
The building’s amenities include room laundry and dry cleaning services and a house car for the building, Pisor said.
Ah, Rush Street Chicago (aka the Viagra Triangle Chicago) in the Gold Coast neighborhood. Just north of downtown Chicago, the Gold Coast is not only one of Chicago’s wealthiest neighborhoods, it’s one of the most affluent in the nation.
“And the thing about the women you meet at these places, most are divorced. Which means also that most were screwed over by some guy. They are suspicious. They’re looking out for themselves.”
“Bob” is an example of the VT male. He did not want to be identified for obvious reasons. He is 47 years old. He ended a 20-year marriage a year and half ago. His two kids are in college. He is a high-end retail manager who wears a suit and tie to work.
The building will have at least 36 parking spaces allotted for residents. There won’t be a dedicated bump out for cars to make designated drop-offs; instead, there would be two parking spaces to make room for valet parking or rideshare drop-offs, Pisor said during the meeting.
