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.
With the exterior removed, significant renovations are underway at 679 N Michigan Avenue along Magnificent Mile. The structure was formerly an Apple Store, then subsequently the canvas for a mural titled “Rapt on The Mile” by Nick Cave and Bob Faust. This third chapter for the four-story building will be a retail redevelopment by Nick Canellis and will span four levels. According to an article by Crain’s Chicago Business, H&M will be the occupying tenant.
Caisson permits have been issued for the residential development at 438 W Saint James Place in Lincoln Park. Located near the intersection with N Lakeview Avenue and replacing an existing two-flat, the project was originally proposed in mid-2022 and since then has gone through a major redesign. Developer St. James Interest, LLC is behind the project with local firm Hirsch MPG working on its current design.
In the Fulton Market District, construction on the nine-story commercial building at 732 W Randolph Street is progressing toward completion. Overseen by Samuel Oliva, this development spans 7,000 square feet, dedicating seven floors to offices, a ground floor for retail, and a top floor for tenant amenities.
The new commercial project at 801 W Belmont Avenue in Lakeview East is seeing further progress in its exterior construction, with the installation of dark brick and large, loft-inspired windows ongoing. This two-story retail building is replacing a parking lot and a 1921 brick bank building designed by Ivar Viehe-Naess. The new development is planning 59,000 square feet of commercial or retail space, augmented by 300 feet of new storefronts.
