Three demolition permits were issued on July 30 to tear down the Torstenson Glass buildings on North Sheffield Avenue in Lake View, and work is now underway to raze two of them. 3233 North Sheffield, considered by many to be the best of the lot, is still intact, but 3241 and 3247 North Sheffield are both in varied states of ruin. Apex Construction Group is the demolition contractor on the job.
Brown Line view. Photo by Daniel Schell
From the alley. Photo by Daniel Schell
The glass is half empty in this front window frame. Photo by Daniel Schell
3233 North Sheffield, for now still intact. Photo by Daniel Schell
Photo by Daniel Schell
Photo by Daniel Schell
Passing Brown Line trains are a good vantage point for checking on demo progress. The easily recognized Torstenson signs, at least the ones still in existence, sit at eye level with riders heading southbound. You can see down into the site now that there are no roofs left on two of the structures, and the rear alley under the L allows for good sight lines as well.
The north wall of 3233 from the alley. Photo by Daniel Schell
Photo by Daniel Schell
Signage as seen from the Belmont platform. Photo by Daniel Schell
An L train passes. Photo by Daniel Schell
Photo by Daniel Schell
Photo by Daniel Schell
Photo by Daniel Schell
Photo by Daniel Schell
Photo by Daniel Schell
A foundation permit addressed as 3243 North Sheffield remains pending in the Chicago Data Portal for a five-story, 99-unit residential building on the site from co-developers North Park Ventures and SNS Realty Group. There is also a pending stormwater management permit, but permission for the full buildout hasn’t been seen yet. A general contractor is not named in the foundation permit; the building design is by 2rz Architecture.
Photo by Daniel Schell
Photo by Daniel Schell
Photo by Daniel Schell
Photo by Daniel Schell
Rendering of 3233 North Sheffield Ave by 2rz Architecture
Rendering of 3233 North Sheffield Ave by 2rz Architecture
According to information from the 44th Ward, foundation work was expected to begin this month, with full construction wrapping up in April 2028. No word yet on whether that projected opening is still achievable.
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The two story facade on the south end should’ve been incorporated