With a full renovation permit now issued, Vienna Beef has kicked off a major new initiative at 2501 N Damen Avenue in Bucktown. Unofficially listed as 2409 N Elston Avenue in the permit, the $20 million redevelopment project will revamp the site the company had occupied for over 40 years before its closure in 2020. Previously, there were failed plans to replace the property with a Drive Shack driving range.
A construction permit has been approved for a new early childhood daycare facility at 1745 N Damen Avenue in the Wicker Park neighborhood. The project is a three-story building for early childhood care, replacing a former two-story auto body shop. Kensington School Inc is listed as the owner of the new development.
Construction continues to progress for a three-story commercial building located at 151 N Michigan Avenue in New Eastside. This project is a direct addition to the Millennium Park Plaza apartment complex adjacently north, and has been developed by BJB Partners. The development resides at intersection of Michigan & Randolph, formerly home to a single-story restaurant.
A future single-story restaurant at 169 W Ontario Street in River North now sports new windows on both the front and rear facades. The building, formerly home to Al’s Beef from 1985 to 2020, is currently under renovation. Al’s Beef relocated just one block south to 548 N Wells Street.
Today, YIMBY takes a look at the adaptive re-use project of Asador Bastian, a steakhouse at 214 W Erie Street in River North, having opened this past April. The Flair House, an 1800s townhouse and former office space, now houses this boutique restaurant experience, blending architectural elements of old and new across its three stories.
