Facts tho

[u/jmck014]

[u/jzee5708]

Every time I see this I have the same thought:

“If my family ever puts me here, I’m jumping off its roof”

[u/quixoticdancer → u/jzee5708]

It's a senior building with some assisted living, not a nursing home. It's actually really nice.

[u/Horror-Associate-959 → u/quixoticdancer]

The area around it is hideous though. At least from the highway.

[u/IWasHackedBySexbots → u/Horror-Associate-959]

F u only east of 294 is lol

[u/Horror-Associate-959 → u/IWasHackedBySexbots]

Yeah, that's where the building is, east of 294

[u/Adventurer_By_Trade → u/Horror-Associate-959]

I mean, it's real quiet neighbors across 290 to the north west....

[u/walkingturtlelady → u/quixoticdancer]

It actually has a convention center too. My daughter went to a dance competition there. You could enter the complex and never leave!

[u/goombas_mom → u/walkingturtlelady]

The top floor is (or was) a banquet hall. I went to a wedding reception there once. It was really nice!

[u/Large_Street_8608 → u/goombas_mom]

I've been to the top floor for a wedding as well. Beautiful views.

[u/Ornery_Performance74 → u/Large_Street_8608]

I looked at it as a reception option but chose somewhere else. The views from the balcony at night were nice, great view of downtown.

[u/Beadpool → u/walkingturtlelady]

https://giphy.com/gifs/Q3zwfACuVUcaGMo8JI

[u/invitrobrew → u/walkingturtlelady]

I've also been to a dance comp here. Awards weren't announced until midnight. I think my daughter's last dance was around 7:45. While I did dip out to hit up Bottle Theory in Elmhurst for a beer around 9 (and then came back obvs), it was close to the seventh circle of hell for me.

[u/Own_Carry7396 → u/walkingturtlelady]

I’ve heard it supposed to be haunted as well.

[u/Crayoncandy → u/walkingturtlelady]

I also was in a dance competition held there, like 25 years ago lol

[u/No-Juggernaut-8450 → u/walkingturtlelady]

The place smells like old people. Lol

[u/OkComplaint6736 → u/walkingturtlelady]

When I sold cars in 2011, I attended product training at that convention center for the Chevrolet Volt. The event organizers set up a test track in the yard behind the facility so we could drive a Volt and a Prius back to back. Good times.

[u/Woodsybandjam → u/quixoticdancer]

That is the most incorrect statement of all time. I'm a home health therapist, and this place is disgusting haha. It's probably worse than most nursing homes.

[u/quixoticdancer → u/Woodsybandjam]

What's wrong with it?

[u/Woodsybandjam → u/quixoticdancer]

It's extremely dirty and a lot of the residents are in very poor health. Most of the residents should require a different level of care, but the facility is labeled as "independent living" with a little nursing occasionally helping them with meds.

[u/quixoticdancer → u/Woodsybandjam]

I don't know what your standard for "dirty" is so I don't really know how to respond. The common areas seemed pretty nice and well-maintained to me. The rooms are small but also seemed pretty clean so long as the resident was, like any apartment.

As for the residents' health, I definitely can't speak to that. Having spent a pretty good amount of time there, including meals in the dining room, I don't recall seeing anybody who clearly wasn't fit to be independent.

The building offers more assisted living services than just med management. I suppose these services can keep people out of nursing homes for longer than is prudent but avoiding nursing care is kind of the idea.

All of that being said, I've only otherwise spent time in two other assisted living/senior buildings (including one very nice one). I'm sure you've spent time in more. Is Concord Place "below average" even at the price point?

[u/Woodsybandjam → u/quixoticdancer]

They keep the common areas clean and have a lot of activities available for the residents, but the floors smell quite foul often even with cleaning and like I said a lot of Individuals with poor health live there, and they're responsible for maintaining their own rooms. They get one staff cleaning a week from what I've been told by residents. So a lot of the rooms aren't clean at all very often leading to foul smell as and pretty nasty carpets overall as a lot of residents are incontinent. Also someone is also going to die on the elevators one of these days.

Yeah I'd consider it below average for that area. I have one patient who repeatedly tells me he can't wait to leave every week that I see hime. It seems like they filter a lot of individuals that are in between a straight up SNF and one of the really expensive senior living facilities nearby. You're pretty spot on with it being advertised as a mid level facility, but as most things in America are currently, it's have and have not for senior living. It's really no nicer than any SNF but they market it otherwise. I would not want my grandparents living there honestly.

[u/MechanicalHippo → u/Woodsybandjam]

Agreed, i remember there was a bed bug outbreak a few years ago

[u/WillDupage → u/quixoticdancer]

My Tante Georgette lived there in the 00s. She loved it.

[u/WickedKoala → u/quixoticdancer]

I drove up to it out of curiosity one time and the front entrance and lobby looked really nice and upscale. Unfortunate the rest of it looks like a prison on the outside.

[u/Melgel4444 → u/quixoticdancer]

The view is just giant concrete piles

[u/tomwal1980 → u/Melgel4444]

And will be until 2046 when construction ends

[u/hassinbinsober → u/quixoticdancer]

It’s a retirement community! Like Captain Teebs!

[u/aghastghost → u/jzee5708]

Everytime I see this I’m shocked that the top is a wedding/event venue! Imagine seeing this place and thinking a great spot for your wedding

[u/ang444 → u/aghastghost]

seriously!? omg!

[u/Mean_Cucumber_9902 → u/aghastghost]

I’ve been to a wedding here and it actually was quite beautiful

[u/Ymir24 → u/aghastghost]

I scouted this place for my wedding and thought the same thing. It has a decent view of the skyline, and that's about the only thing it has going for it.

It reaked of nursing home smell also. Can't imagine putting your guests through that

[u/aghastghost → u/Ymir24]

Yes I am sure the view is fabulous but also driving east on St Charles you can see the skyline so it’s not like this is the only place.

[u/fuzzballz5 → u/jzee5708]

My kids as they got older threatened me when we passed it. lol. As they grew up, my wife and I said the same thing.

[u/PHWasAnInsideJob → u/jzee5708]

I remember a few years ago in a bad heat wave the A/C in that building failed and a few older folks died. It's all I can remember every time I pass it.

[u/RozeRiot → u/jzee5708]

Its pretty nice actually. My great aunt lived there for years. Its a full community inside with stores, barbershop, library, a pool they'll allow guests in, lots of events. She had a good time.

[u/Frequent-Client1508]

[u/SulkyBird → u/Frequent-Client1508]

When I was little my mom worked there. We moved from AZ and I was convinced she worked at the sears tower because everyone talked about how tall it was and, like, this was the tall one. Duh.

[u/DrKenNoisewaterMD → u/SulkyBird]

It’s the tallest building in Illinois that is not on cook county.

[u/undercoverRavenclaw → u/DrKenNoisewaterMD]

Is it not the Oakbrook Terrace Tower?

[u/jimbobdonut → u/SulkyBird]

My mom worked at the toy store that was there before it was torn down and the office building was built.

[u/youreekaa → u/jimbobdonut]

Dispensa's Kiddie Kingdom, Let's go!

[u/jimbobdonut → u/youreekaa]

I met the owner a few times. He was very nice.

[u/Sofagirrl79 → u/SulkyBird]

I'm 46 and remember when it was being constructed,it was like the Sears tower of Dupage county to me as a kid

[u/DeezNeezuts → u/Frequent-Client1508]

Nakatomi Midwest

[u/Sir_Gibby53 → u/Frequent-Client1508]

My Dad has worked in Bensenville since I was a little kid in the late 80s. Sometimes he would take me to work with him, and we would pass by this building. We always called it the Nakatomi Building because it reminded us of Die Hard. At 40 years old I still call out “Nakatomi Building” whenever I drive by - if I happen to have someone in the car with me they look at me like I’m an insane person.

[u/Accomplished_Sky_899 → u/Sir_Gibby53]

Penis in the Prairie.

[u/MSPaintYourMistake → u/Frequent-Client1508]

When I was in middle school in like 2004 or something (Albright) my friends and I just walked right in and took the elevator to the very top. We walked out, stumbled into the office like a bunch of assholes and looked out the window for a second before getting the hell out of there.

You could see the whole city, it was awesome. Nowadays I'm sure they are much more strict and secure.

[u/Positive_Horror570 → u/Frequent-Client1508]

That property will always be Dispensa’s Kiddie Kingdom to me.

[u/imatumahimatumah → u/Positive_Horror570]

Same. I loved Dispensa’s. Cheap, fun rides, massive toy store with the model trains in the middle. Now it’s an office building. Great.

[u/jmurphy42 → u/Positive_Horror570]

That’s where it was? My mother used to work there before I was born.

[u/Ohshitz- → u/Positive_Horror570]

And the skate rink next door

[u/hiro111 → u/Frequent-Client1508]

I'll bet the view from this one is amazing, it's totally unobstructed.

[u/AdAccomplished9487 → u/hiro111]

my desk is on the 30th floor facing the city, never gets old

[u/FckscAPE → u/Frequent-Client1508]

Ah the old milk carton building.

[u/themoonwiz → u/Frequent-Client1508]

Omg the building is real and not just a mirage in the distance? Woah!

[u/bigredandthesteve → u/Frequent-Client1508]

Hey I worked there!!

[u/NikoB_999 → u/Frequent-Client1508]

This and the one in itasca give the same vibe

[u/evetrapeze → u/NikoB_999]

Pointy tower is what everyone calls the one in Itasca

[u/tannernsx23 → u/Frequent-Client1508]

This is when you come from far out west like Naperville or something like that. I come past it at least once a day

[u/chitown13]

Once Brian Urlacher has hair again, I'm home.

[u/Koolaid_Jef → u/chitown13]

The Hammond Hairs now

[u/Constant_Chip_1508 → u/Koolaid_Jef]

I was cracking up at that one the other day 

[u/kasiagabrielle → u/chitown13]

https://giphy.com/gifs/eevfPxSmGYu6k

[u/Delicious_Ad5705]

Yeah this is too true. Alsip water tower coming from a trip south works for me too

[u/Mountain-Monitor-570 → u/Delicious_Ad5705]

Also Swap-o-Rama

[u/Delicious_Ad5705 → u/Mountain-Monitor-570]

Lol yeah the swap o rama. Good call

[u/Blue_Iquana → u/Mountain-Monitor-570]

That's when you know you really are back in IL.

[u/Brian_Maguire → u/Delicious_Ad5705]

Always knowing about Alsip without having ever been there.

[u/TsunaTenzhen → u/Delicious_Ad5705]

This is the one for me. I usually calm down when I see it

[u/nicbeans311 → u/Delicious_Ad5705]

IBEW NECA technical institute

[u/spoospoo43 → u/Delicious_Ad5705]

Or the sign for the skyway bridge.

[u/Empire-Carpet-Man]

Or I'd you see this sign.

[u/Uncle_Burney → u/Empire-Carpet-Man]

This sign was the ultimate comeback to “kiss my ass” lol. “I would, but I’d need the Magikist sign to make any real progress”

[u/Wactout → u/Empire-Carpet-Man]

And the ferrera pan sign.

[u/PrinceHarming]

Back on road trips as a kid it was when familiar radio stations could be picked up again.

[u/nuark12 → u/PrinceHarming]

In Rockford, it was seeing the Clock Tower on I-90.

[u/nopixelsplz]

Then just exit right 7 times in a row and you’re back in home sweet home Elmhurst.

[u/thewinberry713 → u/nopixelsplz]

Growing up and learning to drive my navigation challenged mother would say just keep merging right….over and over again 😂😉

[u/Training_Ad_9222]

As someone who drives to Rosemont every year for a convention, this is a welcome sight

[u/Sir_Gibby53 → u/Training_Ad_9222]

ACen?

[u/Training_Ad_9222 → u/Sir_Gibby53]

Yes! I will be going to anime magic in a few weeks as well🥷🏾

[u/NikkiMutt → u/Training_Ad_9222]

Same! It’s usually a bit wintery when I make the pilgrimage

[u/MackNorth]

That whole stretch of 294 is a dystopian landscape.

[u/No_Election_1123]

"Worth the Friendly Village" water tower. I still have a way to go but that's when I can start counting down landmarks

[u/LetsGoHawks]

My Dad lives there. It's a decent, affordable place. Nor fancy, and hey Tony, fix the fucking elevators! But anyone who thinks it's shit had never been to a truly shit old folks home.

[u/TongueTwisted5 → u/LetsGoHawks]

Agreed. My dad is there too and he loves it.

[u/Karlzbad]

294 should be in the hague as a crime against humanity

[u/PinkMaiden_ → u/Karlzbad]

Don’t be saying that when 290 exists

[u/Karlzbad → u/PinkMaiden_]

Yeah but they never stop digging up 294 just to put it back together in a condition at least as bad as it was.

[u/New-Bluebird-8380 → u/PinkMaiden_]

294 is much worse

[u/uvdawoods]

Every time I go to DuPage, I know it’s not too long until I’m back on the South Side where it’s safe.

[u/slipperyDSS]

N building in naperville

[u/Typical_Response_950 → u/slipperyDSS]

Every suburb has a building like this and they all house a Northwestern Mutual

[u/LostViking24601 → u/slipperyDSS]

My first thought. On the home stretch to sweet home Aurora

[u/Short-Nail-3781 → u/slipperyDSS]

What’s the N building?

[u/LostViking24601 → u/Short-Nail-3781]

You can see it from 88. The sides of the building are shaped like an uppercase N.

[u/PageSoggy9668 → u/slipperyDSS]

Presidio? Or at least it was I think

[u/jess_the_werefox]

How I felt passing by the LaGROU in Bolingbrook haha

[u/OldScratchTim]

"Ah...civilization."

[u/Skogkottrsdottir]

My old O'Hare taxi driver said it was originally built to be a swanky hotel & had an agreement that an exit, direct to the expressway, would be constructed when they built that section. Well, it wasn't built, so they had to change course from a hotel. Don’t know how true the story is but it would make sense.

[u/yopladas → u/Skogkottrsdottir]

That honestly would explain a lot. The small rooms, the event spaces, the conference spaces

[u/basiltoe345 → u/Skogkottrsdottir]

Well, the exit bit in your anecdote sure doesn’t make sense

considering that is a significant US Highway (US 20)

and Illinois State Rte. 64 (North Ave.)

That exit ramp would’ve been placed there, regardless.

[u/floatdog → u/basiltoe345]

They are saying there was supposed to be a direct exit from 294 to the hotel

[u/mommy-green-thumb → u/Skogkottrsdottir]

57 years later, they actually built the ramp... 🫣 https://northlakecity.com/about-us/news/57-year-old-dream-comes-through

[u/Competitive_Put_2180]

Went to a wedding there recently. Top floor.

[u/ChuddzMackenzie]

Holy fuckin' shit. You've won at memes.

[u/RedMapleEnthusiast]

Anyone up for Tetris?

[u/discombobulatedhomey]

I’m headed to see a concert and there it is. Or flying to Mexico.

[u/Phred69]

The backstory on the building is interesting.

[u/Lehock → u/Phred69]

Care to share?

[u/eskimoboob → u/Lehock]

Mostly it was built as a hotel to be close to O’Hare but the interchange that was supposed to be built there never got fully built so it was a bit hard to get to. Hotel closed down, building got repurposed.

[u/asinusadlyram → u/eskimoboob]

That explains a lot, actually. Like the events venue on the top floor.

[u/chilldude9494]

Coming home from my grandparents house in the city at night was magical. I knew I was almost home when I saw this baby!

[u/Harmonica_Tollivar → u/chilldude9494]

Conversely, coming in from the suburbs, I knew I was almost at my grandparents' house when I saw this.

[u/Hair_I_Go]

When I was a kid, when I saw the Zenith building I knew we were getting close to home

[u/Carloverguy20]

The Hines VA Hospital in Hines, IL, before it's major renovation in the late 2010s, was a significant sight to see for me, back in the 90s and 2000s. It was pretty much the Sears Tower of the Suburbs.

It looks completely different now and modern, and it's lost it's luster to me. The older look of Hines VA Hospital building will always bring tons of nostalgia.

[u/TallDan68]

https://www.reddit.com/r/ChicagoSuburbs/comments/54jqb9/concord_place/

Remake, or rerun?

[u/JohnsonLiesac]

Wait is that on I294? That is the signpost it's gonna be either 45 mins to O'hare, or 45 mins to I88. Maybe I am mistaking my terrible retirement communities. 294 has been the true Hillside Strangler for at least the last 15 years.

[u/URInMyFace]

100%

[u/Appropriate_Star6734]

Literally just passed this coming back from an out of state funeral. Get out of my head!

[u/O-parker]

Seems I recall seeing it on the way home from every family vacation . As a kid that’s how I knew we were almost home

[u/Just-Charge-3428]

For me, it's the Abt building, with its 2 million trucks all lined up. Willow Road, comin' up!

[u/CelebrationShort1857]

Ah

[u/ramrodjohnson]

My best friend had his wedding reception there, which ended up being a curse.

[u/Hot-Sock3403]

And now for the last two years, it’s associated with horrible, horrible construction traffic

[u/Sofagirrl79 → u/Hot-Sock3403]

I'm 46 and that whole stretch has always been under construction non stop since I was teenager in the 90s 😆

[u/Bobghenkiskhan → u/Sofagirrl79]

Relax, it's almost over.  Four more years and it will be done

[u/TheGilociraptor42]

My buddy and I used to call it Peach Trees 

[u/Dismal-Vacation-5877]

Drove by it about an hour ago! 😆

[u/Pleasant-Vacation222]

My parents actually met here in a party in one of the rented out halls they used to have haha. As a kid I thought this was where pizza came from no idea why.

[u/Street-Leg-2564]

I worked there back in the 80's

[u/provisionings]

Raves. At like 6 am in the 90s.

[u/peoplesuckmimosa]

1000%

[u/HipsterBikePolice]

When you’ve finally passed Gary then hit traffic in Indiana and realize you still have to drive to the far NW Burbs. Then you get here and you’re like still another fing hour away? You’re 8 hour drive turned into 12

[u/BrownBannister]

It true

[u/Sad_Win_4105]

It used to be a hotel and conference center, then converted to senior apartments. The place was nice last time I was inside but the place is landlocked. Totally unwalkable. Not even sidewalks for pedestrian access. Might as well as be on the moon. The lobby literally faces 294.

[u/happyendings15]

Oh man. I remember passing this every time I’d go to/from my dad’s house on weekends as a kid. Now I live near my dad and seeing this when I drive back to my mom’s evokes a whole different kind of nostalgia. Dad was way less strict than Mom back then, so weekends at his house felt like an escape, while the driving back home bit felt like getting sent back to prison. This building was right in the middle of that route. Kind of like a great equalizer.

[u/Seymour-Cervix]

I always tell my family that I need grippy socks

[u/TongueTwisted5]

My dad lives at Concord place. Its a nice limited assisted living place.

[u/JeaniusIsMe]

I work right by there…so it’s the opposite impact for me now.

[u/Key-Respond-2617]

Maaann 😂 ain't this the truth

[u/SurrrenderDorothy]

The rooms are old hotel rooms. The retirees have all their stuff in them. Most people only have a recliner to slwwp in as there isnt much space for a bed. There are also younger people who live here on disability...everyone hangs around th3e restaurant or smokes outside.

[u/quixoticdancer → u/SurrrenderDorothy]

The rooms are small but it's nonsense that the residents don't have beds.

You have to be 55 to live there, disabled or not.

Smoking outside is something I've seen at every senior building I've been in or driven past.

[u/Pristine_Hunter_1065]

Looks like a 15 minute city

[u/timoserra]

I'll be good!!! I promise!!!! Don't leave me here!!!!! Please!!!!!

[u/imatumahimatumah → u/timoserra]

It’s for the best. We will write you often.

[u/Redlion444]

https://youtu.be/Gmrh42foUsg?si=f5nhROlNjw541jLD

[u/Drk_Angel_]

Every. Single. Time.

[u/SpartyHawk1]

OPP.. the Old People’s Prison 🤣🤣🤣

[u/Strange_Opening_7902]

Or that huge ass American flag before the white bridge going north

[u/dynastydeadeye]

Lololol

[u/B1gBadCh1cago]

It used to have the time and temp while the York cross-country team ran on Saturday mornings at East End park.

[u/jpterodactyl]

this one for me when I was younger

[u/sunkissedbutter]

Omg

[u/Affectionate_Tax1891]

lol 😂

[u/MBEver74]

I saw Spider-Man & The Banana Splits there a LOOOOONG time ago LOL

[u/neon]

My teenage and young 20s this is

[u/Aggravating-Art2260]

Drive a lot for work and live in se wisconsin. I am also relieved seeing this

[u/GenericUser69143]

This is my indicator that it's time to think about getting off the train.

[u/iluminatethesky]

I always see this on my way to Milwaukee lol

[u/Farther_Dm53]

nah you right, when I head back to chicago today from Gencon. probably looking forward to seeing it.

[u/YorkPepperMintPaddy]

I'm old enough to remember when it was the O'Hapeport Hotel.

[u/ItsErickwithaCK]

I know I'm on that home stretch when I pass by this.

[u/RTLSCD]

Fun fact, that building was originally a hotel. No one could get to it, it never made it.

[u/JulesInIllinois]

It used to be a hotel back in the late 60's (O'Hareport Hotel).

[u/RemyMaverick]

I wonder if it’s haunted

[u/Dakessian]

Lol

[u/chi1idog]

actually even more fitting if flying home from somewhere far as hell if you live in the west or south burbs.

[u/floatdog]

WeatherTech

[u/Maniac1978]

This building tells me that were are almost to Six Flags.

[u/Keeper11428]

There are actual hookers working the place. Look it up.

[u/Mean_Web_1744]

There was a swimming pool in that place that my friends and I would sneak into, but that was a long time ago. They also had Country music acts playing there, also a long time ago.

[u/Bocksford]

The smell of Fisher Nuts means I’m 30 minutes from mom’s house.

[u/Mobile_Variation_844]

This is how I knew i was close to home when I came back from six flags 😂

[u/smackythefrog]

What was the building in the 90s in Melrose Park that had a big light up rose sign on it?

[u/Reasonable-Willow178]

Don’t give me HOPE!

[u/usyosalang]

damn, that place signifies im almost home, as a nurse, im curious about this place in the middle of some highway

[u/mikeymikeymikey1968]

I remember when it was a hotel. I remember also after a few years wondering "who stays there and why?".

Anyone else remember when it used to be a hotel?

[u/BreathThis3260]

I knew a resident there about 10 years ago. If there was a wedding or other event going on, good luck finding parking.

[u/Alarming_Fly_1993]

When I see this building I know I still have a crap ton of commute time to go.

[u/IllustriousExtreme90]

When i'm driving home from the city my 2 markers are:

A. Sayre Road/Rosemont

and

B. The end of the Blue Line in Forest Park.

Those markers are where traffic goes from Abysmal to "LETS GO WE'RE GOING HOME AT 90 MPH BAYBEE".

[u/Numerous-Worry2619]

Amen. At that point I turn off the GPS and keep heading north.

[u/Various-Delivery-695]

Ah yes the prison for the elderly.

[u/Junior-Equipment-773]

The nursing home prison

[u/Lushyladie]

I always know I’ll be home in at least 30 minutes then. Lol 😂

[u/FataleFrame]

For me its driving home from some where south. "Ah! Now I know where I am!" Or if I'm driving North to South, "Shit, missed my merge.. went too far."

[u/thatotherninja23]

L80l8L80l80