Looks like both 1550 N Bosworth AND 1521 W North are biting the dust. Something about a 4 story car dealership at that site at 1521?

not to mention the strip mall ACROSS THE STREET appears to be 1/2 vacant

north broadway feels like a lost cause sometimes

Vue53 in Hyde Park. Construction hasn't started yet, but they've already torn down the gas station.

Speaking of which, has anyone heard any news on when construction might begin?

Very good point. Probably the right way to look at this (saw Mr Downtown also picked up on my concern as well, and it definitely has happened), that with time, as density and walkability increase in select areas, it sure is easy enough to just switch the 'front' entrance back.....

wasn't the elysian (waldorf) site either a gas station or 7-11?

What, you don't think this will be an instant classic public gathering space in Chicago? I can't wait first day open to grab lunch and head over and pick out a prime spot sit on the steps and relax over a leisurely lunch break....

(on a serious note thanks for the photo updates, aaron!)

wow...$7500 fine for this. really sticking it to them

http://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/20141...orkers-cottage

good to know that if you want to violate your permit you can just do whatever the hell you want anyway and just chalk the rest up to the cost of doing business

Novak must have connections higher up.

if youre a construction company operating in the city of Chicago thats a given. not any less infuriating. he knew exactly what he was doing. you pull this kind of shit you should have to forfeit the property.

7500 is a joke and does nothing to dissuade or discourage this behavior from happening in the future

Jail time ? (just kidding it's not like he shoplifted or stole a wallet).

He denied preservation the opportunity to bitch and moan about him doing what he pleased with his own property, the ultimate crime. I say lock him up and throw away the key.......

And his tubby son too.

he does seem to have a habit of ignoring permits and zoning (that blue sculpture and non-regulation stone wall around his property come to mind)

anyway, it was a charming little house in an increasingly bland area. its unfortunate everyone feels the need to outdo themselves and cant appreciate some of the finer grained things that make the city interesting

As cute as it was, this little house was not a landmark, not orange rated, nor was it in a landmark district.

It had no protection. the only thing Novak is guilty of, is not getting a demo permit.

youre correct. im sure its time was limited regardless of the owner but it still rubbed me the wrong way

It bothers me too.
But even as a NIMBY, I firmly believe that As Of Right means exactly that. An absolute right to do what you wish with the development rights you pay for when you purchase with the property.

Sad as this case may be, $7500 is a pretty steep fine for otherwise legal work done without a permit.
This is a crime that happens all over the city every day, and if it was the the owner of a two flat who enclosed his porch without a permit, a $7500 fine would seem astronomical.

I agree 100% if people feel so strongly about saving something they should purchase it, period.

There used to be a 7-11 on the SE corner at State and Walton. And then that athletic store on Walton used to be a big red building, like maybe 8-10 stories, and it was really old and shitty. But I forget what used to be on SW Rush/Walton corner. What is this question related to?

True.

...if you choose to ignore his history of bullshit -- such as the giant sculpture illegally overhanging the public right-of-way and the illegal stone wall (as other have noted above). Furthermore, he's no stranger to the city's permitting process and how things are done. Simply put, he knew better yet he thought the rules do not apply... again.

The neighborhood has been watching this potential project for a year (see link: http://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/20131...ld-be-expanded). Novak knew it would face public scrutiny (especially in a neighborhood where most people incorrectly assume historic = protected). Yet he still went ahead half-cocked. The arrogance!

At the end of the day all he's done is given the local NIMBYs more ammunition to use in their crusade against good projects in the future.

That's what the PD calls for. I'm not sure, it might be a standalone dealer for Sprinter commercial vans.

I really like seeing these awkward parcels along the highway fill in with sleek new architecture. I exited the Tri-State at the new Balmoral exit on Saturday past a block-long LED wall... pretty cool stuff, wish we had more of it. There's the El Centro building too which is in the same spirit.