14-story mixed-use development proposed for North Avenue shopping strip

The plan would replace the Father & Son Plaza near Old Town with up to 365 new dwelling units

By Jay Koziarz Dec 14, 2016, 12:12pm CST

After reportedly being put up for sale earlier this year, the strip shopping center known as Father & Son Plaza located at the west edge of Old Town at southwest corner of North and Larrabee is preparing for redevelopment. Last night crews were on-site pulling soil samples from the parking lot. Meanwhile, a Planned Development (PD) application to convert the site into a new 200-foot-tall mixed-use building was filed today with the city of Chicago.

According to the paperwork, zoning is being sought for a 14-story building that would contain up to 365 dwelling units, 30,000 square feet of ground floor retail, and parking for 188 cars and 188 bicycles. Based on the elevation drawings that were submitted, Chicago-based architecture firm FitzGerald Associates has designed a glassy building that appears to be a bit shorter than the conceptual rendering first published by Crain’s back in June.

That same Crain’s report mentioned that the property owners had hired real estate brokerage firm CBRE to market 609-657 W. North Avenue. Based on the zoning application, an LLC associated with Father and Son Plaza is still listed as the site’s ownership. The applicant, however, is Chicago’s White Oak Realty Partners—the developer behind such projects as Greektown’s Arkadia apartment tower and the upcoming office high-rise at 625 W. Adams.