Initial details have been revealed for the upcoming renovation to the Vienna Beef Factory in 2501 N Damen Avenue in Bucktown. Located on the corner with N Elston Avenue along the Chicago River, the large structure was vacated in 2020 after a long history of production. Now Vienna Beef itself is redeveloping the property after a failed attempt to demolish it in exchange for a Drive Shack driving range.
A courtesy presentation has been given to the Plan Commission on the Discovery Partners Institute (DPI) at 1519 S Wells Street in The 78. The mega-development sits just west of the South Loop and recently completed the Wells-Wentworth connector, this much needed piece of infrastructure will allow for the project to start constructing buildings. The first of these will be the DPI led by Illinois Capital Development Board and Related Midwest with architecture firms OMA and Jacobs working on its design.
New details have been revealed for the renovation of the common spaces of Merchandise Mart at 222 W Merchandise Mart Plaza in River North. Originally announced in January of 2022 and building on the last major round of renovations in 2016 when it became The Mart, construction is now progressing with further details and renderings on the refined plans. The New York-based property owner Vornado Realty is behind the project with the local office of Gensler working on the design.
A zoning application has been submitted for an expansion of the Ed Paschke Art Center at 5415 W Higgins Avenue in Jefferson Park. Located near the corner with N Long Avenue across from the neighborhood’s namesake park, the addition is the first phase of what will be a larger arts campus. Ed Paschke along with Chicago Art Center are the developers of the addition which is being designed by Sandberg Architecture & Design Inc.
The Chicago City Council has received the application for the mixed-use development at 8840 S Commercial Avenue in South Chicago. Dubbed Galleria 89, the Invest South/West project was the winner of a 2021 request for proposals and was recently approved by the Plan Commission as well. Developer 548 Capital is leading the project that will preserve an existing structure while adding affordable housing designed by Rivetna Architecture and Farr Associates.
