Milwaukee-based developer to bring 31 modern condos to River North

A plan to replace River North’s Carson Ribs and its accompanying parking lot with a condo development is reportedly still moving forward after years of planning and preparation. Dubbed Blanc Chicago, the modern-looking project slated for the southwest corner of Wells and Ontario comes from a pair of Milwaukee-based firms: Barrett Lo Visionary Development and Rinka Chung Architecture. The duo previously collaborated on The Moderne in Milwaukee and The Couture—a 44-story tower that recently broke ground near the city’s lakefront.

Blanc Chicago

Milwaukee’s BizTimes reports that with the The Couture now underway, developer Rick Barrett is turning his attention back to his long-planned Chicago project. Barrett purchased the River North property from Carson’s in 2011 for $4.6 million and plans to keep Chicago’s “place for ribs” as a future ground floor tenant. Upper floors will contain 31 high-end condo units and 128 parking spaces (44 for residents use plus 84 reserved for retail use).

Barrett and company apparently picked a good time to move forward with the Blanc as Chicago’s condo market slowly regains its footing. The intersection of Wells and Ontario is currently abuzz with construction as activity the old Olympia building at 611 N. Wells transforms into the Found Hotel, the 442-unit Gallery on Wells climbs skyward, and 640 N. Wells takes shape at former Ed Debevic's site.

Blanc Chicago

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• Barrett Lo spreads its wings [Milwaukee BizTimes]
• Previous River North coverage [Curbed Chicago]