A future single-story restaurant at 169 W Ontario Street in River North now sports new windows on both the front and rear facades. The building, formerly home to Al’s Beef from 1985 to 2020, is currently under renovation. Al’s Beef relocated just one block south to 548 N Wells Street.
169 W Ontario Street. Photo by Jack Crawford
169 W Ontario Street. Photo by Jack Crawford
The owner, identified as GSAS/Ontario LLC on the initial permit, plans to develop a 3,100-square-foot outdoor area adjacent to the existing low-rise structure. This new space will replace a parking area while introducing a patio and waste enclosure.
169 W Ontario Street. Photo by Jack Crawford
169 W Ontario Street. Photo by Jack Crawford
Jeremiah Johnson of CBD Architects is the architect behind the project. The design plan involves retaining the existing structure and billboards while modernizing the facade with more oversized windows trimmed in black.
Future staff and patrons will have access to Route 37’s southbound bus service at the nearby intersection of Wells & Ontario. Additional benefits from Routes 65, 125, and 156 are accessible within a two-block radius. The CTA L, offering Brown and Purple Lines services from Chicago station, is a six-minute walk to the northwest.
Blackwood Group LLC will oversee this approximately $500,000 project as the primary contractor. Details about the project’s completion timeline or the identity of the future tenant remain unavailable.
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black is trendy
Really interested to see what they do with the whole space. Al’s was a landmark but the lot/drive thru was a waste of prime space.
Curious that they did not take whole footprint and go rooftop deck and bump the height of billboard.
I am sure the AlderNazi is trying to revoke the liquor license before this even opens.
I remember hearing a rumor back when Al’s left that this was going to a Big Star, but that was a while ago so who knows?
It’s a pity the billboard is staying.
This project has been going on for over a few years now with very limited progress to show… Have wondered what the deal is.
Any idea on what is moving into the space? Looks like they started doing additional work in the past couple of weeks.
Not at this time. I’ll see if I can find out.
Just rode by the other day and saw the new stuff, got excited.