Work continues below street level on the new residential building at 1950 West Lawrence Avenue in Ravenswood. Vista Group Realty is developing up a five-story, 12-unit building here, formerly the site of a terra-cotta faced furniture store, and long before that, a Jewel grocery. That has all been demolished now, and Vista, acting as their own general contractor, has made significant progress on the new structure’s foundation.
From the Lawrence Avenue sidewalk. Photo by Daniel Schell
Photo by Daniel Schell
Photo by Daniel Schell
Photo by Daniel Schell
From the alley, looking south toward Lawrence Avenue. Photo by Daniel Schell
Photo by Daniel Schell
All 12 dwelling units will be located on the second through fifth floors. The first floor will include a parking garage accessed from the alley connecting Damen and Winchester Avenues at the back of the lot, the residential entrance off the sidewalk on Lawrence Avenue, and retail space. The furniture store that closed before demolition is not expected to return to this location.
Below-grade progress on March 8, 2025. Photo by Daniel Schell
Below-grade progress on March 8, 2025. Photo by Daniel Schell
Snowy foundation work on February 14, 2025.
1950 West Lawrence Avenue was permitted for demolition on January 6, 2025. Photo by Daniel Schell
Demolition on January 23, 2025. Photo by Daniel Schell
Looking toward the front of the store from the alley during demolition, January 23, 2025. Photo by Daniel Schell
Residents of 1950 West Lawrence will live within a two-block walk of the Ravenswood Metra station and its access to UP-N trains. The north origin of the newly rerouted southbound Route 9 bus is located next to the Metra station. One block west of their building, at the intersection of Lawrence and Damen Avenues, residents will find stops for Route 81 and 50 buses. Two blocks south, on Damen Avenue, is the Damen Brown Line elevated train platform.
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
I wish the developers would have tried to salvage the beautiful terracotta facade of the previous building.