Another residential construction permit has been issued for ever-changing North Orchard Street in the Lincoln Park sub-neighborhood of Old Town. At 1638 North Orchard, permission was granted on December 23 for EZMB LLC to build a four-story plus basement, three-unit structure likely to be for-sale condominiums. The application was filed less than two weeks ago, on December 12, and it comes through with a reported cost of $1,468,750.
Site context, via Google Maps
EZMB will be the general contractor, using plans created by Hanna Architects. The permit calls for rear porches on all four floors connected by a stairway. The fourth level will be topped by a roof deck with a pergola and stair enclosure. At the rear of the property, a detached three-car garage will be added off the alley, and it too will have a rooftop deck.
The masonry residence previously on the site, built it 1891, was issued a demolition permit on October 22 of this year. Real estate records show it was sold to EZMB earlier this year for $1.41 million. Demo work was underway as of our most recent visit in late November.
Photo by Daniel Schell
To be replaced by a three-car garage. Image via Google Street View
This is the third residential project under development within a span of four addresses. Two doors north at 1642 North Orchard, demolition was approved for an 1878-built frame home on September 8. As of our last visit, all but that home’s foundations had been cleared from the lot. There is a permit in the Chicago Data Portal, pending since August, that will allow for a four-story, two-unit condo building with a three-car garage. North & Orchard LLC will development the project, designed by Red Architects.
1642 North Orchard Street. Photo by Daniel Schell
1642 North Orchard Street. Photo by Daniel Schell
1642’s old foundations awaiting removal, 11/023/25.. Photo by Daniel Schell
One parcel north at 1646 North Orchard, a condo building has been completed. It replaced a multi-unit residence permitted for demolition on July 23, 2024. A new construction permit for five units was granted approval on June 24, 2024, with available priced between $1.6 million and $1.85 million now listed. The building, another design by Hanna Architects, was constructed by Urban Edge Group.
1642 (left) and 1644-46 North Orchard (right) before either’s demolition, 07/27/24. Photo by Daniel Schell
1642 North Orchard (left) with 1646 nearing completion, 09/12/2025. Photo by Daniel Schell
1646 North Orchard Street. Photo by Daniel Schell
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Now these are the type of situations where demolition makes sense and are more justified. Even though the buildings are historic, only the 1646 buildings retained a minimal amount of charm, but the incremental upgrade in density is worth it.