10-story Lincoln Park proposal ditched for low-rise commercial project

After failing to earn the support of neighbors and the local alderman, developers are giving up on a plan to construct a 10-story mixed-use development at a blighted corner in western Lincoln Park. Revealed twelve months ago, the project at 2300 N. Clybourn would have contained 85 rental apartments, ground floor retail space, and 103 parking spaces. The site in question has been vacant since a Kinko’s at the location closed more than four years ago.

While some residents in attendance of last year’s meeting admitted that the corner was currently doing little to improve the quality of the neighborhood, the majority voiced opposition to the plan, pointing to the already congested traffic situation on Clybourn, Ashland, and Fullerton. Alderman Brian Hopkins (2nd) ultimately sided with residents and the requested zoning change from C1-3 to C1-5 went no further.

The setback, however, has not dissuaded property owner Arie Zweig from redeveloping the corner “as of right”—or within its existing zoning. According to DNAinfo, Amstadter Architects has drafted a heavily revised two-story design that forgoes apartments in favor of 7,500 square feet of ground floor retail topped by office space above. A demolition permit for the former Kinko’s building was issued by the City of Chicago earlier this month.

Amstadter Architects

Amstadter Architects

• After Neighbors Oppose 10-Story Building, Developer Backs Off Proposal [DNAinfo]
• 10-story apartment project slated for blighted Lincoln Park corner [Curbed Chicago]
• Demolition permit at 2300 N. Clybourn [Chicago Cityscape]