A new tenant has been revealed for the long vacant Treasure Island grocery store building at 1639 N Wells Street in Old Town. Located just north of the intersection with W North Avenue, the large space is part of the larger area redevelopment led by Chicago-based Fern Hill. The building will receive a facelift led by GREC Architects who are working on the tower next door.
Site context map of 1610 N LaSalle Drive by GREC Architects
Prior to any move-in, the building will be restored and receive a new red brick facade with added arches and awnings to better fit the overall development’s style. Once that is complete, the space will be divided into two large commercial spaces of which one will go to a temporary Walgreens as it relocates from the street corner. The other half will go to local grocer Commissary Market according to Block Club.
Rendering of temporary Walgreens by GREC Architects
Double the size of their previous location in River North, the new Commissary will boast a larger selection of meats, produce, frozen foods and more. However the developer stated if they are able to find a large singular tenant for the building that Commissary may move with Walgreens to the base of the new Canvas tower.
Rendering of new tower at 1610 N LaSalle Drive by GREC Architects
That tower will eventually rise 36 stories and 395 feet in height with a multi-colored metal and glass facade, inside will be 500 residential units and 14,000-square-feet of commercial space split into two spaces. Currently no construction or opening timeline has been declared, but the announcement ends a multi-year discussion to fill the vacant structure topped by a parking garage on the busy street.
Subscribe to YIMBY’s daily e-mail
Follow YIMBYgram for real-time photo updates
Like YIMBY on Facebook
Follow YIMBY’s Twitter for the latest in YIMBYnews
This area has so much potential to anchor the skyline further north. Please go beyond 40 stories. Please.
I’d be perfectly happy with a tall building here, but I don’t think improving the overall aesthetic appearance of a city’s skyline is among the key factors that developers should/would consider. Each building in a skyline is there based on its own economic/aesthetic/civic purpose, not to add symmetry or balance to the city’s appearance from afar
Inadequate attention has been given to traffic issues, in fact it is the elephant in the room.Especially the continuous congestion from La Salle and west bound North Avenue
Robert, What would you propose to alleviate the traffic concerns? Would reducing the number of lanes on North Ave or Lasalle or Clark be of interest?