Historic Ukrainian Village dairy gets ready for condo rebirth

After being spared from the wrecking ball, a 1920s-era Ukrainian Village building at 1938 W. Augusta Boulevard is ready to begin its transformation into condominium units. This week, Chicago-based MCZ Development has been awarded a $4.9 million construction permit to begin work on the project, designed by Space Architects + Planners.

Space Architects + Planners

Once home to Pure Dairy Products—Chicago’s only Ukrainian dairy—and more recently a Leona’s restaurant, the existing structure will see its Augusta frontage preserved and incorporated into a five-story addition containing a total of 16 dwelling units. The old masonry facade will conceal a 14-foot-wide courtyard slotted between the street and the new condo building. The plan also includes ground floor parking for 16 cars and 8 bicycles.

The former diary building was originally slated for total destruction but was saved when efforts by Ukrainian Village residents and local preservationists prompted 2nd Ward Alderman Brian Hopkins to block its demolition permit.

The revised plan and the decision to utilize a so-called facadectomy was presented in mid 2016 as a compromise, reported DNAinfo at the time.

• New construction permit at 1938 W. Augusta Boulevard [Chicago Cityscape]
• 16 Condos At Preserved Ukrainian Dairy ‘A Good Compromise’ [DNAinfo]
• Ukrainian Village archive [Curbed Chicago]