The foundation is in the ground for the fast-moving residential development at 4650 North Magnolia Avenue in Uptown. Little more than a month ago, there was an 1890-built frame residence on this lot. But that was dispatched within a week’s time after a demolition permit came through on April 6, and the site was excavated immediately for new construction.
Foundation progress on May 8. Photo by Daniel Schell
Photo by Daniel Schell
Photo by Daniel Schell
Now, concrete is set for the basement level, and the first delivery of bricks has been divvied up at the front and rear of the site, to be fashioned into residents by Stoneberg + Gross Architects. A local developer using the entity of Chf Prop LLC purchased the property (as 4652 North Magnolia) in December for $740,000, according to real estate records. On April 15, they received a permit to allow construction of a three-story, four-unit building. N.L.I.E. Construction is the general contractor.
Photo by Daniel Schell
Photo by Daniel Schell
Photo by Daniel Schell
Bricks on site ready for use, May 18. Photo by Daniel Schell
4652 North Magnolia Avenue in Uptown. Erected in 1890, demolished in 2026. Photo by Daniel Schell
Demolition progress, April 10, 2026. Photo by Daniel Schell
April 18, 2026. Photo by Daniel Schell
Site context of 4650 North Magnolia Avenue, via Google Maps
Local transit options, via Google Maps
4650 North Magnolia lies within a three-block walk of both the Lawrence and the Wilson Red Line elevated platforms. Several CTA bus routes, including the #22 west at North Clark Street, Route 78 south at West Montrose Avenue, #36 east at North Broadway, and #81 north at West Lawrence Avenue are within convenient walking distance. The Lawrence bus can be used to connect to the Ravenswood Metra UP-N station about three-quarters of a mile to the west.
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Location of the rebar in the middle of the basement separate from the exterior foundation walls, would indicate that the basement & first floor will be home to two separate duplex down units. Time will tell if the upper floors will also be duplexes, or if they will be full floor condos.
I fully understand that real estate economics work against vintage wood frame structures. But in a perfect world, there would be incentives to help relocate and preserve these structures for interested buyers. Of course, then I imagine all the physical obstacles that exist on a typical city lot that probably make moving buildings nearly impossible in a place like Chicago. Sigh!