CHICAGO | General Developments

[left of center]

Impressive density, and located right next to the Belmont L stop. It is replacing some very handsome two story brick retail buildings, but other than that I think this development is a big win!

[twister244]

Impressive density, and located right next to the Belmont L stop. It is replacing some very handsome two story brick retail buildings, but other than that I think this development is a big win!

Yeah, I'm hoping the new development will bring in some of those business tenants, but it's also good to this level of new construction adjacent to CTA.

[OrdoSeclorum]

^The 925 W Belmont project above.

Wow, Lakeview has changed since I moved there in 2003. From the Punkin' Donuts, all the funky stores, 24 hour restaurants, the 'interesting' bars and such. Not opposed to this development but it does knock down part of what made Lakeview unique and it tells me how much Lakeview has changed and everyone says that as they get older. I get all that :)

https://i.imgur.com/0r07FQW.jpeg

[Chi-Sky21]

I used to love hanging out in that area, between the target and now this, it kills all that vibe now. Oh well. Things change.

[r18tdi]

Does it mention who the developer is? I see that it includes Ann Sather... maybe former-Ald. Tunney is the behind the project lol!

[sentinel]

https://i.imgur.com/0r07FQW.jpeg

Wow, I remember these days so well :)

[woodrow]

Does it mention who the developer is? I see that it includes Ann Sather... maybe former-Ald. Tunney is the behind the project lol!

He did own the entire space where this is going but sold it in 2013. Made a killing on it I imagine. Primo real estate.

[Busy Bee]

Those dudes on the corner played the Fireside Bowl that nite LOL

[Busy Bee]

^The 925 W Belmont project above.

Wow, Lakeview has changed since I moved there in 2003. From the Punkin' Donuts, all the funky stores, 24 hour restaurants, the 'interesting' bars and such. Not opposed to this development but it does knock down part of what made Lakeview unique and it tells me how much Lakeview has changed and everyone says that as they get older. I get all that :)

Yeah but it's got some Keith Haring decoration to keep it "edgy."

[Randomguy34]

Structured Development's co-founders are rebuying an office building they sold at 1333 N Kingsbury, and plan to convert it to 200 residential units. Lol they basically short sold a building

https://www.costar.com/article/1444979004/boutique-office-building-on-chicagos-north-side-could-be-converted-to-apartments

[tjp]

Ugh, the Belmont project is really testing my commitment to YIMBY'ism. That's such a nice, vibrant stretch of retail.

[marothisu]

Ugh, the Belmont project is really testing my commitment to YIMBY'ism. That's such a nice, vibrant stretch of retail.

Same. If they could guarantee some of those businesses going back in the same building or in some vacant spaces nearby I'd be better. But I could think of other places nearby that need this development way more than this part on Belmont.

I am very pro development but also not blindly.

[Toasty Joe]

^Agree with both of you. I'm not opposed and by no means calling for historic preservation here, but Chicago is not currently that strapped for space where we need to be knocking down vibrant and attractive business strips. I'd be much happier if they built a residential annex on the 63-car surface lot (!) behind the existing structure. Bonus points for little-to-no car parking, filling in the curb cut, and redesigning the exposed brick "alley" as a walkway entrance for the new residences. It could be really nice.

We see expensive, spacious new retail spaces like the one proposed sit empty for months/years while tons of the businesses that actually draw foot traffic in our popular neighborhood areas (Armitage, Wells St, Wicker/Bucktown, Broadway, Andersonville, etc.) all heavily feature small-format retail. And the places that do rent out the larger spaces often suck.

[killaviews]

Ugh, the Belmont project is really testing my commitment to YIMBY'ism. That's such a nice, vibrant stretch of retail.

The buildings that would be torn down look nice, but I feel like that stretch of Belmont always underperformed considering the amount of foot traffic. Always seemed like a good amount of turnover and nothing hits.

[Randomguy34]

There are pending permits for 1619 W Neva, 125 units. It seems like we're experience a midrise boom across the city

https://i.imgur.com/InRtDMth.png
https://enclavegalewood.com/

[SolarWind]

February 27, 2024

https://imgur.com/TIgwCSw.jpg

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[SolarWind]

February 27, 2024

https://imgur.com/KC0QQcv.jpg

[SolarWind]

February 29, 2024

https://imgur.com/AMPjoDm.jpg

[BorisMolotov]

There are pending permits for 1619 W Neva, 125 units. It seems like we're experience a midrise boom across the city

Have they relaxed the 5+1 wooden construction codes? I thought I remembered reading somewhere that the reason Chicago doesn't have a whole lot of these is because they generally don't adhere to Chicago's fire codes.

[moorhosj1]

Article from Crain's has an image of the location (https://www.chicagobusiness.com/health-care/uchicago-city-colleges-plan-washington-park-lab-facilities), not a render.

The University of Chicago and City Colleges of Chicago plan a joint project that would see new health care educational facilities built on the South Side.

The plan, announced March 5, is for the University of Chicago and UChicago Medicine to erect a facility on vacant land it owns along Garfield Boulevard near Washington Park. The clinical lab will centralize functions for many of UChicago's existing labs.

Additionally, directly west of UChicago's new lab facility, City Colleges of Chicago would build a new learning center for Malcolm X College. That facility would be on land owned by the Chicago Transit Authority, immediately east of the Garfield Green Line station.

[BrinChi]

^ That's great. And now we know tangibly why that land wasn't an option for the Obama Library.

[w.miles2000]

I wanted to know, what is the name of that Gas station they building on the North East corner of 59th Wentworth in Chicago Englewood

[sentinel]

Article from Crain's has an image of the location (https://www.chicagobusiness.com/health-care/uchicago-city-colleges-plan-washington-park-lab-facilities), not a render.

I brought up U of C's planned expansion west of Washington Park many months ago, glad it's finally happening!

[nomarandlee]

^ That's great. And now we know tangibly why that land wasn't an option for the Obama Library.

I think it's pretty obvious that this equation was that if Obama had chosen the Washington Square site the land wouldn't be open for this tech lab.

I will always think that the Washington Park site was the preferable of the two options between this and the Jackson Park location. Obama dismissed my opinion over a 2018 lunch so.....

Hopefully, the design of this building will be great. The community and site deserve a great anchor to help spur the neighborhood.

[SolarWind]

March 4, 2024

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[BVictor1]

925 W Belmont | 11 stories | 210 units | 36 parking

https://www.44thward.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/925-Belmont-1-2048x1153.jpg
https://www.44thward.org/development/major-development-projects/925-w-belmont/

https://www.44thward.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/925-W.-Belmont-Site-Plans.pdf

There will be a public meeting for this project...

Date and time: Monday, March 18 · 7:30 - 10:30pm CDT

Location: 915 W Belmont Ave

[SolarWind]

March 11, 2024

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[SolarWind]

March 14, 2024

https://imgur.com/MB5wzsK.jpg

[mh777]

March 14, 2024

https://imgur.com/MB5wzsK.jpg

There's 3 projects that broke ground on that same block on Wabash at the same time? 1630 1700 1730.. awesome for the South Loop.

[gandalf612]

There's 3 projects that broke ground on that same block on Wabash at the same time? 1630 1700 1730.. awesome for the South Loop.

It's en route between work and my pole dance studio, will have regular pics once it's consistently warm enough to bike again

[Jibba]

https://www.44thward.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/925-W.-Belmont-Site-Plans.pdf

There will be a public meeting for this project...

Date and time: Monday, March 18 · 7:30 - 10:30pm CDT

Location: 915 W Belmont Ave

What was the feedback like at the meeting? I assume most folks think it's too tall?

My hope would be that the retail here attempts a different model for retail spacing and leasing -- smaller spaces, flexible spaces, new types of spaces (conducive to pop-ups or more transient concepts); different financing options to promote these different business types.

Retail is struggling; there's an opportunity here to try something different in a well-trafficked part of the city. Maybe the revenue from the unit density for a building of this size could help manage the risk.

[BrinChi]

Yeah it's a shame they're not preserving the existing storefronts and adding a setback tower. I count something like 9 separate retail spaces in that 200' of street frontage, and it appears this will be reduced to only about 3 in the new building. A large quantity of narrow/small retail is what makes urban living desirable so to replace small-scale, affordable retail with brand new, large, expensive retail seems like a step backward.

[Segun]

Aw man, first the Alley, now Belmont Army Vintage and The Gallery Bookstore are leaving. If they get rid of Egor's dungeon, they might as well rename the street.

[twister244]

Yeah, I'm normally not one to oppose a development, but man.... This stretch of Belmont is not something I think should go.

I was just walking down this stretch yesterday, and it's such a great stretch of organic retail/food right next to CTA. I don't recall seeing any spaces not being utilized, and I'm sure many folks who live in that area would also hate to see it go.

If the developer were to maintain the old facade/spaces, and integrate the new construction behind it, that would be great. But to just knock all of that down is depressing.....

[BVictor1]

What was the feedback like at the meeting? I assume most folks think it's too tall?

My hope would be that the retail here attempts a different model for retail spacing and leasing -- smaller spaces, flexible spaces, new types of spaces (conducive to pop-ups or more transient concepts); different financing options to promote these different business types.

Retail is struggling; there's an opportunity here to try something different in a well-trafficked part of the city. Maybe the revenue from the unit density for a building of this size could help manage the risk.

I went to the meeting and it was a full house. A mixture of older homeowners and younger individuals.

It was mixed, but more in favor.

An individual did ask about facade preservation. The developer said because of the multiple entryways and condition of the brick that was ruled out.

A few questions/concerns on height, but they were minor.

Several thought the proposal included too much parking with its proximity to the 'L'.

I don't foresee too many alterations.

[Randomguy34]

Grand Ave is finally feeling the Fulton Market boom. Proposal for a 61 foot, 72 unit building at 455 N Carpenter. This is across the street from Sterling Bay's development at 1100 W Grand

https://chicityclerkelms.chicago.gov/Matter/?matterId=EA7B178A-5CE8-EE11-904C-001DD80685D6

[r18tdi]

Grand Ave is finally feeling the Fulton Market boom. Proposal for a 61 foot, 72 unit building at 455 N Carpenter. This is across the street from Sterling Bay's development at 1100 W Grand

https://chicityclerkelms.chicago.gov/Matter/?matterId=EA7B178A-5CE8-EE11-904C-001DD80685D6
72 units and 30 parking spaces? Sounds pretty good to me.

[Randomguy34]

Blommer closing Chicago chocolate factory
The chocolate supplier today announced it will close its manufacturing plant at 600 W. Kinzie St. and relocate its headquarters and local research and development operation to the Merchandise Mart, according to a statement from the company. The production facility, well known for spreading the scent of cocoa throughout parts of the River West neighborhood, debuted as Blommer's original manufacturing plant in 1939.

The move not only marks the end of Blommer's long history on the site, but it also raises the prospect of the 5.5-acre property being sold for redevelopment. The company's plans for the facility are not clear, and a spokeswoman did not respond to a request for comment.
https://www.chicagobusiness.com/commercial-real-estate/blommer-closing-chicago-chocolate-factory

[Busy Bee]

That makes me sad.

[BrinChi]

Yes, sad but not surprising given the transition to residential in the area. I just smelled the chocolate recently while in oldtown. I wonder where they will move manufacturing operations? Maybe they will try to stay in the city or area if they are keeping headquarters downtown.

[Busy Bee]

^It says they are combining operations at a plant in rural Ontario and keeping company HQ and R&D in Chicago at the Merch Mart.

[SolarWind]

March 19, 2024

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[SolarWind]

March 19, 2024

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[BVictor1]

https://www.chicagobusiness.com/commercial-real-estate/south-loop-church-pitched-residential-site

Former South Loop church site pitched as redevelopment opportunity
By Rachel Herzog

A Chicago-area megachurch has put its shuttered South Loop campus up for sale, teeing up the site for a redevelopment play that could include hundreds of residential units.

Willow Creek Community Church ceased operations in February at its downtown location and has hired real estate brokerage CBRE to sell the property at 1319-1347 S. State St. While the one-acre site holds a low-slung building that includes offices, day care space and a 730-seat auditorium, prospective buyers are most likely eyeing the site for its proximity to a planned megaproject, The 78, and its potential for denser development.

The site's zoning allows up to 200 residential units, and CBRE’s marketing materials play up the opportunity for a buyer to take advantage of the city’s Neighborhood Opportunity Bonus program. Doing that would let the buyer pay into a city fund and build up to 503 residential units.

[r18tdi]

^ I bet CMK buys it and puts up two 19-story boxes.

[r18tdi]

Grand Ave is finally feeling the Fulton Market boom. Proposal for a 61 foot, 72 unit building at 455 N Carpenter. This is across the street from Sterling Bay's development at 1100 W Grand

https://chicityclerkelms.chicago.gov/Matter/?matterId=EA7B178A-5CE8-EE11-904C-001DD80685D6
Crain's (https://www.chicagobusiness.com/commercial-real-estate/developer-plans-72-unit-apartment-building-north-fulton-market)has a rendering. More Chicago infill should look like this. HPA is the architect:

https://s3-rd-prod.chicagobusiness.com/styles/1024x512/s3/Screenshot%202024-03-25%20at%2011.40.00%E2%80%AFAM.png

[Steely Dan]

^ well yeah.

It's all about facade depth.

Architects love to design it.

And developers love to VE it.

[SolarWind]

March 25, 2024

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[BVictor1]

https://www.costar.com/article/1978106475/closing-chicago-chocolate-factory-known-for-sweet-aromas-puts-developers-on-the-scent

Closing Chicago Chocolate Factory Known for Sweet Aromas Puts Developers on the Scent

Blommer Facility in the River West Neighborhood To Be Sold After May

By Ryan Ori
CoStar News
March 26, 2024 | 4:10 P.M.

Blommer Chocolate plans to end its 85-year tradition of sending candied aromas into Chicago’s River West in May, but real estate developers are getting a fresh whiff of the possibilities of the long-coveted site on Kinzie Street that's large enough to hold two residential high-rises.

After announcing plans last week to shut its four-story factory at 600 W. Kinzie St., Blommer now says it is headed toward an eventual sale of the 5.5-acre site that long has been eyed by property professionals.

[BrickellBased]

Thanks - I thought announced they were moving from here a long while back and then I never heard anything again.

Sad to see them go but this will help clean up that awkward area and connect River North more with Fulton Market.

https://www.costar.com/article/1978106475/closing-chicago-chocolate-factory-known-for-sweet-aromas-puts-developers-on-the-scent

Closing Chicago Chocolate Factory Known for Sweet Aromas Puts Developers on the Scent

Blommer Facility in the River West Neighborhood To Be Sold After May

By Ryan Ori
CoStar News
March 26, 2024 | 4:10 P.M.

[Randomguy34]

Construction permits issued for 3951 N Wayne, 31 units. There's been a midrise mini-boom in the city the past year, probably because they're easier to get financing at the moment.

[Jibba]

Construction permits issued for 3951 N Wayne, 31 units. There's been a midrise mini-boom in the city the past year, probably because they're easier to get financing at the moment.
Ooohhhh — hopefully that Burger King at Clark/Irving? Yep, it’s the BK. But woof, that site plan — they are saving those curb cuts mamma! Whatever, that intersection is beyond civilizing, I suppose; gas station, 70s towers-in-park, cemetery, cemetery make up the corners.

[marothisu]

Thanks - I thought announced they were moving from here a long while back and then I never heard anything again.

Sad to see them go but this will help clean up that awkward area and connect River North more with Fulton Market.

They aren't *moving* everything. They are moving their HQ to Merchandise Mart. From an actual business perspective this is a wise move. It has nothing to do with cities or anything. That factory's location has become VERY valuable in terms of land values with everything going on nearby and what's planned nearby too. It makes complete sense for them to move their HQ operations to offices nearby, move manufacturing elsewhere (even consolidate to cheaper locations and expand potentially) and sell the land. They're sitting on tens of millions of dollars of land they can use to increase profit margins and probably not sacrifice too much in terms of manufacturing.

I would love to see them build a new factory in another part of the city or suburbs, but they already have a few factories elsewhere. We'll see what they do on that front but business-wise this makes actual sense to me what they're doing given the skyrocketing property values in that area.

[pullmanman]

A couple small projects I passed today with active sites:

513 W Fullerton (https://chicagoyimby.com/2022/03/initial-details-revealed-for-redevelopment-of-513-w-fullerton-avenue-in-lincoln-park.html)

the site will be split up into nine separate lots, eight for single-family homes, two-flats, and one for a multi-unit building on a 20,175-square-foot lot at the center of the site accessed off an extended N Cambridge Avenue from W Fullerton Parkway. The remaining eight lots will consist of three fronting W Fullerton Parkway roughly 4,800 square feet in size, three fronting N Cleveland Avenue roughly 5,600 square feet in size with onehaving an extra 2,000-square-foot leg, and two-fronting N Cambridge Avenue roughly 5,000 square feet in size.

https://i.postimg.cc/WNpFyR44/IMG-2152.jpg?dl=1

Concrete pour going on for this one. This is the view from Cleveland, so one of the single family homes.

5035 N Sheridan (https://chicago.urbanize.city/post/mixed-use-development-planned-5035-n-sheridan)

https://i.postimg.cc/6BRv2LSB/IMG-2174.jpg?dl=1

BTW I hope these projects aren’t too small to post here. Just was happy to see some developments while I’m here touring apartments for my move (the name is misleading, I don’t live in Pullman). After I move I plan to use my drone to get some pics of the 400 N Lakeshore Drive site!

[Randomguy34]

A 24 unit cube is proposed for 1055 W Diversey. Not sure how I feel about the design

https://chicago.urbanize.city/sites/default/files/styles/2018_primary_feat_360x229_retina/public/background/2024-03/LEAD%20IMG%201055%20W.%20Diversey%20-%201%20-%20Studio%20Dwell%20Architects.jpg?itok=w_iFQ-zO
https://chicago.urbanize.city/post/residential-development-proposed-1055-w-diversey

[pip]

^I actually don't mind it

[IrishIllini]

Prefer what's existing, but not opposed to the proposed. Would be better one block west :D

[Jibba]

A 24 unit cube is proposed for 1055 W Diversey. Not sure how I feel about the design

https://chicago.urbanize.city/sites/default/files/styles/2018_primary_feat_360x229_retina/public/background/2024-03/LEAD%20IMG%201055%20W.%20Diversey%20-%201%20-%20Studio%20Dwell%20Architects.jpg?itok=w_iFQ-zO
https://chicago.urbanize.city/post/residential-development-proposed-1055-w-diversey

I was gonna say, "looks like Studio Dwell." I like their work, but the collaborations they've had with Contemporary Concepts have not always resulted in well-realized designs. (See this apartment building on Broadway just N of Irving: https://maps.app.goo.gl/k3agi9uQ5gBRTQvCA)

Success or failure of the kind of design of this proposal rests wholly on the material execution, IMO, since fine differences between planes and the subtleties of the brickwork are most of what's driving the aesthetic value of the building. I think the concept is cool in an early-50s way, but if any party along the path to completion cheaps out, it's not gonna be pretty...

The version on the developer's website is a little more appealing to me: https://www.contemporaryconceptsinc.com/multi-family?itemId=xfcjd8hkx35wxh8qhrkptzksi6mry4 It has some different bonds interspersed in the larger expanses of masonry that lend verticality and help it balance better with the fenestration pattern.

[ardecila]

Ooohhhh — hopefully that Burger King at Clark/Irving? Yep, it’s the BK. But woof, that site plan — they are saving those curb cuts mamma! Whatever, that intersection is beyond civilizing, I suppose; gas station, 70s towers-in-park, cemetery, cemetery make up the corners.

The site plan is pretty typical for a Chicago condo. Front door on Wayne, the two BK curb cuts will be closed off and the garage doors accessed from the public alley. Actually with the ground floor residential, the whole Wayne frontage and half the frontage on Irving Park is lined with "real" windows.

Unfortunately you will see the garage doors from Irving Park and Clark because the senior housing site plan is so open, but there's nothing the developers can do about that.

[dewbs]

Yeah, I'm normally not one to oppose a development, but man.... This stretch of Belmont is not something I think should go.

I was just walking down this stretch yesterday, and it's such a great stretch of organic retail/food right next to CTA. I don't recall seeing any spaces not being utilized, and I'm sure many folks who live in that area would also hate to see it go.

If the developer were to maintain the old facade/spaces, and integrate the new construction behind it, that would be great. But to just knock all of that down is depressing.....

https://chicagoyimby.com/2024/03/further-details-revealed-for-925-w-belmont-avenue-in-lake-view.html

they're cutting the retail space by half: "will replace a pair of existing two-story commercial buildings with 18,960 square feet of retail space...The new ground floor will hold approximately 9,900 square feet of retail space instead."

So more housing density -- "210 residential units [!!] made up of 90 studios, 43 junior one-bedrooms, 58 one-bedrooms, and 19 two-bedroom layouts" -- but also much less retail.

Housing can go either on main streets like Belmont or on side streets, but retail is only allowed on the main streets. The end result is that developments like this kind of inevitably push out organic retail. Would be nice to have the Jane Jacobs-style retail around the corner off the main streets to allow for more variety.

[k1052]

Belmont has had vacancy issues from Halsted to Sheffield basically as long as I can remember. Adding residents and subtracting retail footage might actually help. At least what they are putting in is divisible so that they don't have to find a single tenant who will take all 10k feet.

[Jibba]

The site plan is pretty typical for a Chicago condo. Front door on Wayne, the two BK curb cuts will be closed off and the garage doors accessed from the public alley. Actually with the ground floor residential, the whole Wayne frontage and half the frontage on Irving Park is lined with "real" windows.

Unfortunately you will see the garage doors from Irving Park and Clark because the senior housing site plan is so open, but there's nothing the developers can do about that.

Yeah, never mind — one of the elevations I saw had me confused; thought the garage door was fronting Irving (not sure that would even make code).

[Zapatan]

Is the Tribune Tower renovation finished? I wonder how sales are doing.

[gandalf612]

https://chicagoyimby.com/2024/03/further-details-revealed-for-925-w-belmont-avenue-in-lake-view.html

they're cutting the retail space by half: "will replace a pair of existing two-story commercial buildings with 18,960 square feet of retail space...The new ground floor will hold approximately 9,900 square feet of retail space instead."

So more housing density -- "210 residential units [!!] made up of 90 studios, 43 junior one-bedrooms, 58 one-bedrooms, and 19 two-bedroom layouts" -- but also much less retail.

Housing can go either on main streets like Belmont or on side streets, but retail is only allowed on the main streets. The end result is that developments like this kind of inevitably push out organic retail. Would be nice to have the Jane Jacobs-style retail around the corner off the main streets to allow for more variety.

Chicago has tons of empty retail space so this is IMO a good thing. In general the US has a ton more retail square footage than Europe but I doubt anyone would accuse European retail streets of not being vibrant.

[dewbs]

Chicago has tons of empty retail space so this is IMO a good thing. In general the US has a ton more retail square footage than Europe but I doubt anyone would accuse European retail streets of not being vibrant.

It's not 100% clear from the plans, but at least some of the square footage reduction is coming from parking going back there, which is probably not how it would go in Europe. At least part of the reduction is from a residential lobby.

And the point here is that this retail space wasn't empty. Sure, put in residential where the retail is empty.

[Toasty Joe]

I still can't help but feel frustrated by the 925 W Belmont proposal, mostly a combination of the following:
- the fact they could build a tastefully slim tower on the parking lot behind the existing structure, which isn't an architectural gem but still adds character to a busy retail street
- the soulless replacement... if you're going to knock down something near our 2nd busiest CTA stop (outside of downtown), at least put up something interesting or taller or both! Seeing NYC, London, Tokyo, etc address neighborhood mid- and high-rise infill with more thoughtful designs leaves me wanting more for our city.
- there's been an uptick in demolitions of perfectly fine ~1880s buildings around this area, despite a bunch of vacant lots or more reasonable teardowns
- the handful of planned megadevelopments that haven't found steam yet and sit vacant while the city overall seems to be in a high-rise lull
- I often pass a bunch of vacant & parking lots near transit in Wicker, Bucktown, LP, Logan, Old Town, and Lakeview that could use the investment without anything to knock down


I want Lakeview to be more urban, but developers have made a ton of questionable decisions there lately, like knocking down the beautiful Fifth Thirds bank building for a bland low-rise grocery store, or the missed opportunity with the Target. This feels like another example we'll look at in 10+ years as a missed opportunity, but I'd love to be proven wrong.

[twister244]

I still can't help but feel frustrated by the 925 W Belmont proposal, mostly a combination of the following:
- the fact they could build a tastefully slim tower on the parking lot behind the existing structure, which isn't an architectural gem but still adds character to a busy retail street
- the soulless replacement... if you're going to knock down something near our 2nd busiest CTA stop (outside of downtown), at least put up something interesting or taller or both! Seeing NYC, London, Tokyo, etc address neighborhood mid- and high-rise infill with more thoughtful designs leaves me wanting more for our city.
- there's been an uptick in demolitions of perfectly fine ~1880s buildings around this area, despite a bunch of vacant lots or more reasonable teardowns
- the handful of planned megadevelopments that haven't found steam yet and sit vacant while the city overall seems to be in a high-rise lull
- I often pass a bunch of vacant & parking lots near transit in Wicker, Bucktown, LP, Logan, Old Town, and Lakeview that could use the investment without anything to knock down


I want Lakeview to be more urban, but developers have made a ton of questionable decisions there lately, like knocking down the beautiful Fifth Thirds bank building for a bland low-rise grocery store, or the missed opportunity with the Target. This feels like another example we'll look at in 10+ years as a missed opportunity, but I'd love to be proven wrong.

Agreed.

And as I have pointed out, it's not like there is a swath of dead retail space here. Most of the spaces on this block are full of active businesses/retail/food.

[SolarWind]

April 1, 2024

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https://imgur.com/31LmoQT.jpg

https://imgur.com/ie41mwI.jpg

[Toasty Joe]

doesn't look like this rain affected their pour schedule too much

[BVictor1]

https://www.chicagobusiness.com/commercial-real-estate/loop-office-residential-conversions-moving-forward

Johnson to greenlight four Loop office-to-residential conversions
By Danny Ecker


Four projects that would use massive taxpayer subsidies to help turn outmoded office buildings on and near LaSalle Street into nearly 1,100 apartments are poised to move a key step closer to reality.

Mayor Brandon Johnson is expected to announce tomorrow that the city will move forward with negotiations for proposed office-to-residential conversions of properties at 111 W. Monroe St., 208 S. LaSalle St., 30 N. LaSalle St. and 79 W. Monroe St., according to people familiar with the plan.

Sources familiar with the LaSalle Street initiative said the Johnson administration continues to work with other development teams seeking city financing for office-to-residential conversions, but that the four projects were chosen to move forward now with a formal city review process.

A budget document obtained by Crain's shows the LaSalle Central TIF is projected to bring in over $175 million in 2024, rising to $203 million in 2030, the year the district is set to expire. That annual amount would likely allow the city to both fund LaSalle Street projects — which get paid in increments as developers meet major milestones — and still have surplus money from the LaSalle Central TIF to pay down future deficits.

Three of the four projects slated to move ahead — those at 111 W. Monroe St., 208 S. LaSalle St. and 30 N. LaSalle St. — were part of Lightfoot's shortlist.

[BrickellBased]

Not very tall - but this is a large project. The building has such a huge footprint. I'm really looking forward to seeing how this affects the neighborhood.

April 1, 2024

https://imgur.com/bxIUbW8.jpg

[Toasty Joe]

There's been some activity lately at the iconic St. Paul’s Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Church on North Ave in Wicker Park. I'd noticed the roof on the spire had started deteriorating for the past few years and couldn't be more excited it's being fixed up. Any news on redevelopment plans?

Preservation Chicago has an article (https://www.preservationchicago.org/buyer-wanted-st-pauls-norwegian-evangelical-lutheran-church-listed-again/) from 2 years ago saying they were looking for a buyer after 2 failed residential conversion attempts in 2017 and 2019.

https://i.imgur.com/X7ZSfAj.jpeg

[Via Chicago]

just because theres scaffolding dosent mean its being fixed, could just be a safety thing. see St Adalbert which has had massive scaffolding for years now with no active redevelopment plan. in this case it has code violations and dosent seem to have any new permits pulled

[dreamy-developer]

Not sure if this belongs here, but thought I'd share this news from Brandon Johnson's admin his plan dubbed "Cut the tape" to fast track development in Chicago.

Fast-tracking Chicago’s housing, commercial development (https://chicago.suntimes.com/money/2024/04/05/chicago-mayor-brandon-johnson-overhaul-housing-commercial-development-process)

Key Highlights in the article about helping fast track development:

Policy: Initiate expedited reviews for affordable housing projects
Zoning: Adopt transformational zoning changes, including eliminating minimum parking requirements, streamlining special-use permits and more
Boards & Commissions: Evaluate the feasibility of streamlining the Community Development Commission and Chicago Plan Commission
Design & Construction: Streamline the Department of Housing’s Architectural and Technical Standards manual
Design: Reduce the number of internal design review meetings in the Department of Planning and Development from three to one; reassess the role of the Committee on Design
Environmental Review: Eliminate Phase 1 & 2 environmental reviews as a requirement for the sale for environmentally cleared city-owned parcels
Finance: Expand the pilot for cash advance payment options
Finance: Create an online “city wallet” account to improve options for customer billing, online payments and debt check
Procurement: Evaluate the feasibility of reducing the administrative burden of the city’s Economic Disclosure Statement

Really hope that a majority of this is passed through the City.

[LouisVanDerWright]

just because theres scaffolding dosent mean its being fixed, could just be a safety thing. see St Adalbert which has had massive scaffolding for years now with no active redevelopment plan. in this case it has code violations and dosent seem to have any new permits pulled

Adalbert is very much alive:

http://https://i.imgur.com/pmMbWEz.jpeg

Spot the mason in the bell tower working on stabilizing it. They are putting serious money into the structure of this building which is a relief. You can also see the new balconies they are adding.

https://i.imgur.com/ZZ2lgsa.jpeg

[LouisVanDerWright]

In other preservation news, they are trying to raze a whole district of historic loft buildings designed by Alfred Alschuler in North Lawndale. These buildings were occupied as recently as last Fall and have been cleared out so they can be razed and replaced by a diesel exhaust belching microplastics distribution center for Amazon. To make matters worse, they are straight up Hilcoing it, blasting out the old factory windows with hammers to "abate asbestos glazing" as if launching glazing chunks and glass all over the place with hammers and no canopy is abatement of anything:

https://i.imgur.com/BZmwbgc.jpeg

https://i.imgur.com/ryFecVu.jpeg

https://i.imgur.com/cZDrGsQ.jpeg

https://i.imgur.com/j7O30Gn.jpeg

https://i.imgur.com/ly4JAld.jpeg

https://i.imgur.com/vYz51DJ.jpeg

https://i.imgur.com/MnLDgJp.jpeg

Everything you see here is coming down in about 30 days if the Alderman doesn't pull the demo permit. The alderman is Mile Rodriguez, call his office and let him know this is a travesty. This district was featured on Preservation Chicagos Chicago 7 this year so now it seems IDI Development is attempting to rip it down as quickly as possible before the public can chime in.

[ardecila]

Adalbert is very much alive

That's St. Boniface. Adalbert is in Pilsen / white terracotta cladding falling down. The building is falling apart while Byron Sigcho and the archdiocese dick around with each other.

The Landmarks Commission voted to landmark it, but it still hasn't even been introduced at City Council. There have been proposals to turn it into a music academy and an event venue, but no smart developer is gonna sign a purchase contract with so much uncertainty hanging over it all.

Turns out it's insanely hard to repurpose a gigantic ornate cathedral in a profitable way, especially when the alderman keeps letting the community dictate terms. At least with St Boniface the community was pretty open-minded about different reuse schemes, they just needed to find a developer who could make it pencil.

Back in Pilsen, Sigcho is also trying to expand the industrial corridor TIF to cover the whole neighborhood and he's already making plans to use it as his personal slush fund to dole out to homeowners and businesses. The funniest possible situation is that the city buys St Adalbert with TIF money, and still lets people worship there so we get a city-owned Catholic church. It was my grandma's parish church growing up so I'd love for it to be saved but this whole situation is such a clownshow it's ridiculous.

[Randomguy34]

50 unit building proposed for 1440 W Fillmore, continuing the midrise mini-boom we're having

https://chicago.urbanize.city/post/zba-approves-variances-1440-w-fillmore

[intrepidDesign]

Preservationists are seeking an eleventh-hour reprieve for a historic 152-year-old River North building facing imminent demolition...


https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/historic-152-year-old-river-north-building-slips-through-the-cracks-faces-imminent-demolition/ar-BB1lpY6S?ocid=msedgntp&pc=U531&cvid=a4f5a7f03cc84100b4034cb0b94d412d&ei=31

WTF, how can they tear this down? This building is awesome! What a waste. Who do I email!!

[mh777]

Preservationists are seeking an eleventh-hour reprieve for a historic 152-year-old River North building facing imminent demolition...


https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/historic-152-year-old-river-north-building-slips-through-the-cracks-faces-imminent-demolition/ar-BB1lpY6S?ocid=msedgntp&pc=U531&cvid=a4f5a7f03cc84100b4034cb0b94d412d&ei=31

WTF, how can they tear this down? This building is awesome! What a waste. Who do I email!!

The new one will be just as awesome!

https://blockclubchicago.org/2022/08/31/move-over-soho-house-a-new-members-only-club-is-coming-to-chicago/

[Toasty Joe]

That's odd because Tao went into a historic building in River North and from what I've gathered seems like most Lettuce Entertainment restaurants are in older buildings. Seems odd they'd be knocking this down vs. salvaging. I wonder if it has major structural issues.


Edit: It's being knocked down by Liam Krehbiel who is the founder and CEO of Topography Hospitality per this MSN article (https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/historic-152-year-old-river-north-building-slips-through-the-cracks-faces-imminent-demolition/ar-BB1lpY6S) and this Real Deal article (https://therealdeal.com/chicago/2024/04/11/liam-krehbiel-to-demolish-historic-chicago-building/). Nothing about structural integrity...

[west-town-brad]

Preservationists are seeking an eleventh-hour reprieve for a historic 152-year-old River North building facing imminent demolition...


https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/historic-152-year-old-river-north-building-slips-through-the-cracks-faces-imminent-demolition/ar-BB1lpY6S?ocid=msedgntp&pc=U531&cvid=a4f5a7f03cc84100b4034cb0b94d412d&ei=31

WTF, how can they tear this down? This building is awesome! What a waste. Who do I email!!

"preservationists" seem to always be behind the ball...

[Jibba]

"preservationists" seem to always be behind the ball...

They have no time to act on anything unless a building has an orange or red rating in the CHRS (which was done in 1995; I've heard it's not an exhaustive survey), thus triggering a demolition delay. That might be their only source of intel in finding out about these demolitions. There would be no practical or even feasible way for a small non-profit to know which buildings are being threatened until either a demolition delay is issued (if that's even publicly published anywhere) or a demo permit is issued. Or they get lucky enough to hear through the grapevine about a developer's plan for a demolition before it's documented anywhere in the city process.

According to the MSN article, 720 Wells is green-rated in the CHRS, so no demo delay would have been issued (leaving no time to assemble a campaign):

"When the developer applied for a demolition permit in May 2023 for the 207 W. Superior St. building [this is the building just W of the Wells St. building in question], it was put on hold for 90 days and then approved for removal in August. As a green-rated building, the 720 N. Wells St. building didn’t require such a review before seeking demolition, the city said.

“'The survey missed the most historically significant structure on the block,' Miller said of the Wells Street building. 'Time and time again it slipped through the cracks. Now it may be too late for this building, but I hope it will lead to a broader landmark district for River North.'"

[Jibba]

The new one will be just as awesome!

https://blockclubchicago.org/2022/08/31/move-over-soho-house-a-new-members-only-club-is-coming-to-chicago/

Robert AM Stern is a Driehaus laureate (not that this makes him or his -- giant -- company a preservationist), so my (faint) hope is that they find a way to preserve and incorporate at least the cast iron first floor into the design somehow.

[Toasty Joe]

What bums me out is a Stern building would look great on that parking lot next to the L a block to the west, and we'd keep a rare example of post-Fire cast iron in River North, which was built in the image of pre-Fire Chicago and therefore still historically relevant. Shocked this one slipped through the cracks.

[tjp]

The new one will be just as awesome!

https://blockclubchicago.org/2022/08/31/move-over-soho-house-a-new-members-only-club-is-coming-to-chicago/

It's being replaced by that Tao / Lettuce Entertain You venture? I hadn't heard that anywhere..

[BVictor1]

04.12.24
https://uniim1.shutterfly.com/render/00-RXenJfzaBMqnIvhUYKY5Dky7QdnjyvmJHTIv4pJZssmFr029T3MYNR929rjmuDYgVZV51t4MhjbEwRNyGscOgg?cn=THISLIFE&res=large&ts=1712976107

https://uniim1.shutterfly.com/render/00-RXenJfzaBMqnIvhUYKY5Dky7QdnjyvmJHTIv4pJZsskoxHltm2znDddVP34MVULnV7ntXQOewWgszVPDOQPWWw?cn=THISLIFE&res=large&ts=1712974486

https://uniim1.shutterfly.com/render/00-RXenJfzaBMqnIvhUYKY5Dky7QdnjyvmJHTIv4pJZssl1yGLkE6N2_PgCqfjprehzVZV51t4MhjbEwRNyGscOgg?cn=THISLIFE&res=large&ts=1712974490

[KWillChicago]

Anyone got information on the Congress Theater renovation? Not seeing much on google.

[Steely Dan]

04.12.24
https://uniim1.shutterfly.com/render/00-RXenJfzaBMqnIvhUYKY5Dky7QdnjyvmJHTIv4pJZssmFr029T3MYNR929rjmuDYgVZV51t4MhjbEwRNyGscOgg?cn=THISLIFE&res=large&ts=1712976107



Wow, so nice to see this kinda scale as new infill along 47th.

[Randomguy34]

^ three more buildings planned for that lot received permits this week

[Steely Dan]

^ nice!

[Klippenstein]

Th_3En3UtlY

[ardecila]

Robert AM Stern is a Driehaus laureate (not that this makes him or his -- giant -- company a preservationist), so my (faint) hope is that they find a way to preserve and incorporate at least the cast iron first floor into the design somehow.

No, RAMSA's design will be a faux Georgian mansion, perfect for your Peaky Blinders cosplay. Essentially this (link (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Willard_D._Straight_House)).

The cast iron arcade may be salvaged somehow, but it will probably just go into storage if anything.

The fact that RAMSA, of all firms, decided the post-Fire building was unworthy of preservation is a huge slap in the face from NY to Chicago. Tearing down actual history of a major world city to put up a Disneyland fake version of history is insulting.

[Toasty Joe]

No, RAMSA's design will be a faux Georgian mansion, perfect for your Peaky Blinders cosplay. Essentially this (link (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Willard_D._Straight_House)).

The cast iron arcade may be salvaged somehow, but it will probably just go into storage if anything.

The fact that RAMSA, of all firms, decided the post-Fire building was unworthy of preservation is a huge slap in the face from NY to Chicago. Tearing down actual history of a major world city to put up a Disneyland fake version of history is insulting.

Agree but they likely didn't make that decision, the developer (Topography Hospitality / Liam Krehbiel) did. I'm still surprised RAMSA is on board with replacing it, though. You'd think they'd want to stay away from a controversial demolition like this for the sake of their brand.

[Rizzo]

^ I don’t know about that. RAMSA designed a new dorm for the university of Michigan, but it replaced the old Ann Arbor high school.

https://aadl.org/N027_0502_001

Granted the interior was terrible and it was owned by the university for a long time, but the exterior was impressive and only a small section was saved. The rich warm tones of the original stone on a classical facade clashed with the cooler red brick and light tan limestone of the neo gothic dormitory replacement.

I rarely see the stewardship of firms turning down jobs to defend protections of the historic building. Even if it happened a Developer or property owner would ultimately level a building anyway, and leave it a blank site until it’s forgotten. At least a high profile architect may try to make up for the loss with a better replacement. It’s rare but hopefully that happens

[Randomguy34]

Edison Park's zoning committee is supporting two midrises totaling 82 units, now they're waiting for Ald. Napolitano approval. Here's his current position
“Something’s going to be built whether we like it or not,” Napolitano told the audience. “I’m hoping you guys in the room can figure out something that works for our neighborhood, because if it goes Downtown [to City Council], it’s not going to be what you want.”
https://blockclubchicago.org/2024/04/17/edison-park-committee-signs-off-on-controversial-apartments-as-alderman-considers-proposal/

[r18tdi]

Edison Park's zoning committee is supporting two midrises totaling 82 units, now they're waiting for Ald. Napolitano approval. Here's his current position

https://blockclubchicago.org/2024/04/17/edison-park-committee-signs-off-on-controversial-apartments-as-alderman-considers-proposal/
Napolitano is such a goober, but he's right here.

[LouisVanDerWright]

https://twitter.com/ajlatrace/status/1780736421738721502?s=19

The Ogden - Keeler Loft District is coming down for a distribution center if we don't speak up at the Plan Commission meeting tomorrow. 10:00 AM at city council.

BVic, Via, anyone out there please come help. This whole proposal is like Hilco meets Chicago Mercantile Exchange. It's an environmental, preservation, and social justice nightmare.

[Toasty Joe]

https://twitter.com/ajlatrace/status/1780736421738721502?s=19

The Ogden - Keeler Loft District is coming down for a distribution center if we don't speak up at the Plan Commission meeting tomorrow. 10:00 AM at city council.

BVic, Via, anyone out there please come help. This whole proposal is like Hilco meets Chicago Mercantile Exchange. It's an environmental, preservation, and social justice nightmare.

Open to the public? I think I can make it

[w.miles2000]

I wanted to know When are the Roux gas station. On the north east corner of 59th Wentworth in Chicago Englewood neighborhood going to open