Plans are finally progressing for the commercial redevelopment of the former Grace’s Furniture building at 2618 North Milwaukee Avenue in Logan Square. The project has been in the works for over six years, with our last update coming back in 2022 as the developers pivoted from a hotel to a large-format gym before going dormant.
Image of 2618 N Milwaukee Avenue via JLL
The five-story structure was built in 1914 and sits right across the street from the neighborhood’s namesake square, which recently completed a multi-year transformation. The building has sat vacant since 2010 and had its east facade demolished in 2017, a few years before developers Blue Star Properties and Marc Realty purchased the site.
PREVIOUS iterations of 2618 N Milwaukee Ave by K2 Studio
After stalling on the hotel proposal, the team pivoted to the current plans for a large gym under the Chicago Athletic Clubs brand on the upper floors. This will be complemented by a restaurant and cafe space on the ground floor. The 80,000-square-foot building would have its eastern facade rebuilt with larger windows, its historic facade repaired, and its neon marquee restored.
Image of 2618 N Milwaukee Avenue via JLL
Additionally, the team has confirmed a deal to assist in preserving the Paseo Prairie Community Garden adjacent to the property, while also providing volunteers with permanent water access, per Block Club. The $11 million project will be partially funded by a now-approved $3 million Community Development grant from the city, along with additional private loans.
Construction is set to commence this fall after the team renews its permits, with a late 2027 completion date.
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That’s an awful lot of square footage for a gym for a low population neighborhood like Logan Square. There’s No parking (it’s all permit) so what’s going to be the draw from outside the ‘hood, even though it’s at an el stop? No pool. Room height too low for a court. Hope the developers have a plan B.
According to the US Census more than 75,000 residents live in the Logan Square Neighborhood.
The phrase “low population neighborhood like Logan Square” is just laughably false when you compare its density to the areas around the other Chicago Athletic Club locations of similar size like their Bucktown & Lincoln Park buildings. Which similarly are right next to CTA stations.
No real parking at Lincoln Park Athletic Club (they rent a parking lot of a nearby church as an option a block away but that deal could go away at any time), just a few spots at Wicker Park Athletic Club, and zero parking at Bucktown Athletic Club. This building looks very simmilar to Bucktown AC, which seems successful. The majority of members come right before or right after work – so these gyms need to handle the swells of people. In general they just want nice workout equipment and locker rooms, at all gyms the pools and courts are underused. This seems to match CACs other buildings, hopefully they are successful.
RESTORE THE ALOHA BILLBOARD
We love our trans racial YT actors
One would think this site would have been earmarked for a TOD…