It's honestly a nationwide issue. Some cities barely even have preservation ordinances, and there is a ton even in those that do that is unprotected for one reason or another.

The bank opting out of a landmark district sounds believable, except that I don't know of any landmark districts near there. Any idea what landmark district of which it might have been part? Was it one that failed altogether? Lakeview really has very few overall. There are landmark districts at Surf and Pine, Hawthorne Place, Alta Vista Terrace, Oakdale Ave (between Halsted and Mildred) and the Terra Cotta Row District (also on Oakdale) in addition to a handful of individual landmarks, many recently designated, but no commercial landmark districts.

1952 W Chicago
 

After at least 12 years of being a bombed-out, half-built hellhole, the abandoned construction site at 1952 W. Chicago finally is seeing some action. A permit has been applied for -- interior build-out and the addition of a third floor. No idea who's behind it or what the plans are, but that's been a blight since Bella's Pizza burned down many years ago.

Related Midwest back for Phase 3 of Roosevelt Square, and wanting to build on 3 separate vacant/surface lots near UIC . The sites are currently owned by CHA but Related Midwest is the developer. Slated to be completed in 2023.

https://chicago.legistar.com/Legisla...vanced&Search=

1) 1002 S Racine Ave (Racine & Taylor) - New 6 story, 67 unit building with ground floor commercial and 30 parking spaces. Currently a parking lot. 50 of the 67 units will be market rate while the other 17 will be low income.

https://www.google.com/maps/place/10...!4d-87.6567604

Soource: https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/20...t-little-italy
https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/_jcU...dy_Nolan.0.jpg

2) 1257 W Roosevelt Rd (Roosevelt & Throop) - new 6 story, 70 unit building with 35 parking spaces. Currently a vacant lot. 20 of the units will be market rate, another 21 will be affordable, and the other 29 will be low income.

https://www.google.com/maps/place/12...8!4d-87.658905

Source: https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/20...t-little-italy
https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/fkyJ...ign_Bridge.png

3) 1357 W Roosevelt Rd (Roosevelt & Loomis) - new 6 story, 70 unit building with 35 parking spots. Currently a vacant lot. 20 of the units will be market rate, another 21 will be affordable, and the other 29 will be low income.

https://www.google.com/maps/place/13...!4d-87.6607515

4) Rehab of the building at 1322 W Taylor St (Taylor & Ada) across from the new library building into 15 mixed income residential units. The National Public Housing Museum will move from River North to here.

https://www.google.com/maps/place/13...!4d-87.6598791

NPHM vision: https://www.nphm.org/our-vision/place

https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/c...pg?format=500w


Also
New zoning document for 3817-19 to replace the Zia's Lago Vista and the vacant lot next to it with a new 5 story, 55'1" building with 48 residential units with 22 parking spaces. Developer is Mavrek Development Street view:

https://www.google.com/maps/place/38...9!4d-87.668476

https://chicago.legistar.com/Legisla...vanced&Search=

Yimby Chicago had a story about this a few months ago:
https://chicagoyimby.com/2021/01/ren...lake-view.html

https://chicagoyimby.com/wp-content/...o-1024x742.jpg

3921? N Sheridan TOD
 

TOD Kitty corner from the Sheridan Red line stop. For some reason I had thought this thing was only gonna be 4 stories so pleasantly surprised. Google Maps lists the ACE hardware as "temporarily closed" which tickles me cuz gurl, it's demolished. It will be reopening in the new building so I guess?

NW corner
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...822196ab_b.jpgUntitled by Tomasz Wojtasik, on Flickr

Back
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...2c5b8413_b.jpgUntitled by Tomasz Wojtasik, on Flickr

From 95th bound Red Line platform
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...9db78e5e_b.jpgUntitled by Tomasz Wojtasik, on Flickr

1240 W Lawrence Ave
 

The development replacing the surface lot between the Uptown theatre and the cemetery, don't remember if it's TOD. It recently has started getting its cladding and glass. I'd describe it as definitely a choice.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...8f95efab_b.jpgUntitled by Tomasz Wojtasik, on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...7297b1eb_b.jpgUntitled by Tomasz Wojtasik, on Flickr

Technically “temporarily closed” as the renderings show Ace Hardware as the ground floor tenant

1991

The owner of that Ace Hardware was the actual owner of the building, and was the one who proposed this building. Fairly confident Ace will go back in there once this is done which is why it's noted as "temporary closed" and not "permanently closed"

harryc - any more pics from that time period you can post?

Old stable house wall - as the Super-Mercado moved up from an old garage to a recently closed adult theatre.


Currently - the big new building.


my view gone
https://live.staticflickr.com/7906/4...a95f1354_c.jpgChicago | Days on Dakin by Harry Carmichael, on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/7872/4...930468ff_c.jpgChicago | Days on Dakin by Harry Carmichael, on Flickr

awesome! Thanks

There's an article in the Sun Times talking about how the developer of the Ramova Theatre redevelopment in Bridgeport (3518 S Halsted) is undeterred and plans to get it underway in late spring or early summer. Plans are to open it up in late 2022 with the performing arts center, brewpub, restaurant, etc. He said no backers have backed out of the project during the pandemic.

Ald. Reilly submitted a rezoning of the Thompson Center to DC-16, the densest zoning classification. He previously expressed skepticism about the State selling the site, but now seems to be on board

https://chicago.legistar.com/Legisla...vanced&Search=

Interesting. Wonder what changed his thinking. The state was certain to work around him anyway if he balked.

I'm sure I'll get smashed around here for being a Debbie Downer but......

The rehabbing of Uptown Theatre was by people who are "undeterred"
The rehab of Congress Theatre was by a developer who was "undeterred"

So I'm not exactly holding my breath.

I may be way way late to the party but the Office Max/Depot/Whatever at Grand/Orleans is liquidated with a big sign for a "Premium Corner Available"

Except both of those lost interest from their investors whereas this one is basically slated to start probably in April or May or June.

Entirely different and also way smaller in scope. Congress and Uptown Theater projects are way bigger in scope and cost way more money.

Yes, you are finding reasons to be a debbie downer instead of realizing that they plan to start maybe even next month (but probably May or June reliastically)

I thought the Uptown theater rehab was still planned, just delayed due to the pandemic...is there recent news that investors had backed away?

I might be confusing it with something else. I think each project though is unique enough to not just put a blanket statement on any other project that's kind of similar but in other parts of town.

Developer drops out of Uptown Theatre rehab (owner still plans on moving forward)

This just a month after the Congress Theatre rehabber pulled out (after years of effort).

Pardon me for not sharing your enthusiasm, Marothisu.....