CHICAGO | General Developments - v2.0

[twister244]

Originally Posted by Jstange059

Restoration work for the Congress Theater at 2135 N. Milwaukee Ave is expected to finally start next month


https://blockclubchicago.org/2026/02/25/...construction-to-start-in-march-ald-says/

Better late than never.....

I do wish we had this happening with the Uptown Theater. That theater should, in my opinion, be a higher priority for restoration given its beauty and history. I am very excited though to see the Congress project move forward. I am a bit biased since it's down the street from me, so this will do great things for a stretch of Milwaukee that needs it.

I think I have posted before, but that particular stretch of Milwaukee from Western to California does feel like a bit of a black hole. And you may already be seeing the impacts of this announcement cascading to this timely piece of news:

https://blockclubchicago.org/2026/02/24/trader-joes-opening-new-store-in-logan-square/

I don't find that to be a coincidence.... And I wouldn't be surprised if you start seeing all sorts of proposals along this stretch of Milwaukee over the coming months.

[west-town-brad]

Originally Posted by twister244

Better late than never.....

I do wish we had this happening with the Uptown Theater. That theater should, in my opinion, be a higher priority for restoration given its beauty and history. I am very excited though to see the Congress project move forward. I am a bit biased since it's down the street from me, so this will do great things for a stretch of Milwaukee that needs it.

I think I have posted before, but that particular stretch of Milwaukee from Western to California does feel like a bit of a black hole. And you may already be seeing the impacts of this announcement cascading to this timely piece of news:

https://blockclubchicago.org/2026/02/24/trader-joes-opening-new-store-in-logan-square/

I don't find that to be a coincidence.... And I wouldn't be surprised if you start seeing all sorts of proposals along this stretch of Milwaukee over the coming months.

Well, as someone who has lived in the vicinity for 15 years now, I would certainly be surprised.

[Toasty Joe]

Originally Posted by west-town-brad

Well, as someone who has lived in the vicinity for 15 years now, I would certainly be surprised.

Although I'd love to see housing above the Trader Joe's, seems like La Spata is getting serious about housing and less car-centric infrastructure. Waguespack on the other hand.... can't wait to vote him out in 2027

[twister244]

Originally Posted by west-town-brad

Well, as someone who has lived in the vicinity for 15 years now, I would certainly be surprised.

Then you must have missed the various 3-5 story residential/mixed use buildings going up all over the place in the neighborhood. Along Fullerton/Western/Milwaukee I have counted something like 5-7 different buildings going up at various stages of construction.

This particular segment of Milwaukee though has seemed oddly quiet and hasn't progressed like the rest of Logan Square has. With Congress being completely rehabilitated and a Trader Joes going in - Again, I wouldn't be surprised to see a host of proposals start springing up along Milwaukee here.

[twister244]

Also, Super cool proposal for the Boystown area:

https://chicagoyimby.com/2026/02/new-boutique-hotel-announced-for-north-halsted.html

This is the second LGBT hotel in the area, along with the mixed-use development up the street:

https://chicagoyimby.com/2025/10/mixed-u...th-halsted-street-in-lake-view-east.html

Definitely a mini-boom happening on the Halsted corridor in Lakeview.....

[Toasty Joe]

Originally Posted by twister244

Also, Super cool proposal for the Boystown area:

https://chicagoyimby.com/2026/02/new-boutique-hotel-announced-for-north-halsted.html

This is the second LGBT hotel in the area, along with the mixed-use development up the street:

https://chicagoyimby.com/2025/10/mixed-u...th-halsted-street-in-lake-view-east.html

Definitely a mini-boom happening on the Halsted corridor in Lakeview.....

Love how they didn't even bother pretending there would be women in the rooftop pool

[sentinel]

Originally Posted by Toasty Joe

Love how they didn't even bother pretending there would be women in the rooftop pool

Have you ever been to a gay bar? As a gay man, I don't think it's unrealistic.

Anecdotal for sure, but of all of the many lesbians I personally know, I highly HIGHLY doubt many would care to patronize a rooftop bar, especially one that is also specifically targeted towards gay men. And any straight women there would probably stick to the bar on the first floor, being friends/allies/relatives/bachelorette party attendees, etc.
Gay men and women have extremely different ideas of leisurely activities, and I don't think the renders are that far off

[twister244]

Originally Posted by Toasty Joe

Love how they didn't even bother pretending there would be women in the rooftop pool

I mean - They aren't wrong lol - If there is indeed a rooftop club - I can assure you it will look like that.

That rendering is spot on lol.

[west-town-brad]

Originally Posted by twister244

Then you must have missed the various 3-5 story residential/mixed use buildings going up all over the place in the neighborhood. Along Fullerton/Western/Milwaukee I have counted something like 5-7 different buildings going up at various stages of construction.

This particular segment of Milwaukee though has seemed oddly quiet and hasn't progressed like the rest of Logan Square has. With Congress being completely rehabilitated and a Trader Joes going in - Again, I wouldn't be surprised to see a host of proposals start springing up along Milwaukee here.

I haven't missed anything... I was commenting on the specific stretch of Milwaukee Ave that is devoid of development. Also commenting on the fact that the congress theater project has been "coming soon" for many many years.

[twister244]

Originally Posted by west-town-brad

I haven't missed anything... I was commenting on the specific stretch of Milwaukee Ave that is devoid of development. Also commenting on the fact that the congress theater project has been "coming soon" for many many years.

Oh for sure, but it does seem like a lot of financial pieces have been moving into place to make this renovation actually happen.

[Jibba]

925 W Belmont




2700 N Pine Grove




537 W Drummond

[MorganChi]

So I work at Amtrak across from the 78. I pretty much said this since this thing started motion. I got some news that haven’t been released to the public yet but someone bought our property. We’re being told we are being pushed to 35th. Word on the street is that Chicago fire has brought it for parking , another rumor I heard is a mixed development with the Sox, if I found out more info I will report it. But this is major news.

[Randomguy34]

I figured you were Amtrak

The maintenance facility being relocated to 35th has been in the works for a while, but the fact the current facility is being bought is a complete surprise

[MorganChi]

Originally Posted by Randomguy34

I figured you were Amtrak

The maintenance facility being relocated to 35th has been in the works for a while, but the fact the current facility is being bought is a complete surprise

🤣😂😭🤣😂😭 , it’s a nice gig I’m constantly on the road. What I can tell you what’s official the engineering building was part of the sold land , that’s the building with the Amtrak sign. I was told the big heads were out on the yard looking around yesterday. My guess the Chicago fire reps and MLS

[nomarandlee]

Originally Posted by MorganChi

🤣😂😭🤣😂😭 , it’s a nice gig I’m constantly on the road. What I can tell you what’s official the engineering building was part of the sold land , that’s the building with the Amtrak sign. I was told the big heads were out on the yard looking around yesterday. My guess the Chicago fire reps and MLS

Sorry to be completely oblivious. Would that sale and development mean that much of the at-grade yard be built on? Or are we likely talking more about the air rights over the yard (likely used for a parking deck?).

[MorganChi]

Originally Posted by nomarandlee

Sorry to be completely oblivious. Would that sale and development mean that much of the at-grade yard be built on? Or are we likely talking more about the air rights over the yard (likely used for a parking deck?).

It’s all good, I don’t know much. I heard the rumors of the purchase Monday. Then yesterday we were told the land all the way engineer building was bought. Metra owns the other tacks looking west. Metra tracks wasn’t part of the deal. Today I heard the Sox was the buyers but I don’t see it. My assumption is the fire cause of yesterday ceremony.

[left of center]

What does the Amtrak facility sale entail exactly? Is it just the land underneath the building itself, or also the rail tracks along the west side of the river bank?

Is there enough space at the 35th yard for all of Amtrak's facility and maintenance needs? It seems quite a bit smaller than the space they would be giving up, and currently its used for storage of train cars, which I imagine would then also need to be moved to another location, potentially further south to the 47th St yard (assuming NS plays nice and lets them)?

[Lakeviewguy]

If you have not walked by the Drummond place project, then you should. It's some of the best infill I have seen. It's at the corner of Drummond and Lehman Place, so it's basically on a back alley. The building looks great. Also, the building on Pine Grove built is a mystery. I literally can't find any marketing materials about it, so it's clearly not going to be condos. The construction has really dragged. The building should have been completed a year ago.

[ardecila]

Originally Posted by left of center

What does the Amtrak facility sale entail exactly? Is it just the land underneath the building itself, or also the rail tracks along the west side of the river bank?

Is there enough space at the 35th yard for all of Amtrak's facility and maintenance needs? It seems quite a bit smaller than the space they would be giving up, and currently its used for storage of train cars, which I imagine would then also need to be moved to another location, potentially further south to the 47th St yard (assuming NS plays nice and lets them)?

I'm curious about this, there has been ideas kicked around to move some or all of Amtrak's yard to Global One (14th/Damen) or to Canal St Container Yard (26th Canal).

35th St is interesting. It could be part of a land swap with the White Sox to build a big new Amtrak yard in Bridgeport and move the team to South Loop, but technically the state/ISFA owns Sox Park and its parking lots, not Reinsdorf.

[Chi-Sky21]

Pretty sure the people around there in Bridgeport might have something to say about that idea.