First Renovation Permit Issued To Add Units At 1317 North Ashland In Wicker Park

The first permit has been issued by the City of Chicago to renovate the John Paul II Catholic Center of Polish Culture at 1317 North Ashland Avenue in Wicker Park. The building is owned by the Polish Catholic Church, and Base 3 Development is doing the renovation work, according to Block Club. City council approved the alterations in March. Now home to five apartments on the upper levels with religious meeting space on the first floor, renovation work will transform the building to residential use only.

Overhead Google view shows the rear portion of the existing building where a two-story addition will be built

Issued on April 22, with the application dated January 27, the initial permit allows demolition of interior partitions, the roof, and exterior walls on the third floor. A pending permit in the Chicago Data Portal, applied for on April 3 of this year, will authorize complete renovation work. That includes adding three more dwelling units, building a rear third and fourth floor addition, and the inclusion of a single-space parking garage.

The project joins a busy stretch of Ashland Avenue, with residential projects underway at 1235 and 1257 North Ashland. Nine units that began construction two doors north, at 1321 North Ashland, may have stalled. One block north, demolition has cleared space for a 12-unit building at 1445 North Ashland.

Public notice of the application can be seen in the window. Photo by Daniel Schell

Photo by Daniel Schell

Site context via Google Maps

1317 North Ashland Avenue is located less than two blocks from the Division Blue Line subway station. At the same crossroads of Ashland Avenue, Division Street, and Milwaukee Avenue are stops for Route 9, X9, 56, and 70 buses.

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