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Mapping the Development Boom Along Milwaukee Avenue

By AJ LaTrace
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By AJ LaTrace

The city is currently booming with new development activity from highrise residential and office projects, new public park spaces, and historic office building conversions. The greater downtown area has largely been the focus of the most recent real estate boom, however, many of the city's neighborhoods are rapidly changing as well. Take for instance all of the development activity planned for Milwaukee Avenue, primarily in the Wicker Park, Bucktown and Logan Square neighborhoods. Several years ago, the city set out to transform the Milwaukee Avenue Corridor, which stretches from Western Avenue to California Avenue, and this stretch of Logan Square has witnessed numerous proposals this year alone.

In total, between all of the proposals that have been approved and those that are still in planning stages, developers have proposed nearly 1,500 apartments and over 250,000 square feet of retail space for Milwaukee Avenue, and there is likely much more still yet to come. At the same time, only 24 row homes and 18 condos are currently on the way. Milwaukee Avenue has long had empty stretches, and rows of blight, however the major street could make way for some major changes in the coming years.


·Previous Logan Square coverage [Curbed Chicago]
·Previous Bucktown coverage [Curbed Chicago]
·Previous Wicker Park coverage [Curbed Chicago]

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1. 500 N Milwaukee

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500 North Milwaukee Avenue
Chicago, IL 60654

In January, the Chicago Plan Commission approved a developer's plan to erect two new structures on Milwaukee Avenue, just north of Grand and Halsted. The proposal includes 221 apartments, 6,000 square feet of commercial space and 113 parking spaces. However, the stretch is still waiting for action 10 months later. Previously >>

2. 1001 W. Chicago Avenue

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1001 West Chicago Avenue
Chicago, IL 60642

The Chicago Plan Commission has recently approved a developer's plan to bring 360 apartment units and 35,000 square feet of retail space to the 1.8 acre property that was once owned and operated by the Gonnella Baking Company.
Previously >>

3. LG Development Polish Triangle apartments

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1237 North Milwaukee Avenue
Chicago, IL 60622

LG Development proposed this seven story glass and steel retail and residential project earlier this year, which would replace the buildings between 1237-1253 N. Milwaukee Avenue and 1230-1240 N. Ashland Avenue with 58 apartments and nearly 13,000 square feet of retail space.
Previously >>

4. Centrum Partners Division Apartments

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1660 West Division Street
Chicago, IL 60622

A vacant stretch of Division Street may soon make way for a seven story development that would deliver 77 apartments, roughly 12,000 square feet of ground level retail space and 39 parking spaces to the dense southeast end of Wicker Park.
Previously >>

5. Northwest Tower Hotel

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1608 North Milwaukee Avenue
Chicago, IL 60647

The old Northwest Tower in the center of Wicker Park's six corners intersection is being transformed into a 120 room hotel.
Previously >>

6. LG Development Six Corners development

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1647 North Milwaukee Avenue
Chicago, IL 60647

In addition to the Polish Triangle project, LG Development wants to add apartments, retail and possibly office space to Milwaukee Avenue near Wicker Park's six corners. The plan calls for 36 apartments and 7,400 square feet of retail space.
Previously >>

7. 1739 N Milwaukee

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1739 North Milwaukee Avenue
Chicago, IL 60647

Before the real estate crash, a developer sought to convert this abandoned vintage building into eight lofts. However, it is now being developed by Marc Residential Realty who wants to turn it into a pricey apartment building with eight large units.

8. Centrum Partners Aldi & Apartments

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1767 North Milwaukee Avenue
Chicago, IL 60647

The upcoming 606 trail and its string of new parks may have been the inspiration for developer Centrum Partners to propose a new mixed-use development along Milwaukee Ave. adjacent to the new rails-to-trails project. The plan is to demolish the existing Aldi grocery store and build a new 171,426 square foot building with 128 apartment units and over 19,000 square feet of retail space anchored by a new Aldi.
Previously >>

9. Northwestern Medical Center

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1776 North Milwaukee Avenue
Chicago, IL 60647

Right across the street from the Bucktown Aldi is a vacant lot that will soon sprout a medical center operated by Northwestern Memorial Hospital.
Previously >>

10. The Row

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1711 North Winnebago Avenue
Chicago, IL 60647

MCZ Development will soon bring 24 row houses to a large vacant stretch of land on Winnebago Avenue. The homes are expected to be delivered mid 2015.
Previously >>

11. Spearhead Properties Armitage Apartments

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2501 West Armitage Avenue
Chicago, IL 60647

Spearhead Properties wants to demolish an old industrial facility on Armitage Avenue and erect a two building development that will contain 78 apartments, 6,500 square feet of ground level retail and 55 parking spaces.Previously >>

12. PMG Apartments

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2211 North Milwaukee Avenue
Chicago, IL 60647

Developer Property Markets Group is looking to bring 120 apartments, 5,246 square feet of ground level retail and 67 parking spaces to a vacant stretch of Milwaukee Avenue near the Congress Theater. The developer originally proposed a huge monolithic development for the site, but went back to the drawing board and tapped architects Brininstool + Lynch to completely redesign the project.
Previously >>

13. Dual tower TOD

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2293 North Milwaukee Avenue
Chicago, IL 60647

The former Max Gerber showroom across the street from the California Blue Line station could make way for a dual tower apartment and retail development. The plan comes from Rob Buono, former Intelligentsia Coffee co-CEO and developer of the city's first sanctioned transit-oriented development, 1611 W Division Street. If the project moves forward as is, 231 new residences and a combined 7,100 square feet of ground level retail space would come in the form of a 10 and 14 story tower on Milwaukee Avenue.
Previously >>

14. California Studios

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2332 North California Avenue
Chicago, IL 60647

Originally billed as a high density single-room occupancy style micro-apartment development, this project received a tremendous backlash from Logan Square residents who fought to keep the proposal from going forward. Developer Enrico Plati reintroduced the plan in August which called for 56 apartments, of varying sizes.
Previously >>

15. SNS Realty Condos

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2491 North Milwaukee Avenue
Chicago, IL 60647

A long vacant stretch of Milwaukee Avenue in the heart of Logan Square is currently transforming into a stretch of condos and ground level retail. Once completed, the row of new construction will introduce 18 new condos to the neighborhood.
Previously >>

16. Mega Mall

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2540 North Milwaukee Avenue
Chicago, IL 60647

Logan Square's Discount Mega Mall, a large indoor flea market, was recently purchased and developer Terraco Inc. has proposed demolishing the existing buildings on the 2.55 acre site and replacing them with a development that would bring 166,390 square feet of retail space, 426 total parking spaces and possibly some apartments to Milwaukee Avenue in the heart of the Logan Square neighborhood.
Previously >>

17. Logan Square Orchard & Plaza

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2592 North Milwaukee Avenue
Chicago, IL 60647

A stretch of CTA-owned property on Milwaukee Avenue near the Illinois Centennial Monument is looking to sprout an apple orchard and a plaza. The plan would bring the city's first "urban orchard" to Logan Square.
Previously >>

18. IL Centennial Monument Roundabout

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West Logan Boulevard & North Kedzie Boulevard
Chicago, IL 60647

CDOT and the CTA are currently studying a plan that could completely reshape the roundabout surrounding the Illinois Centennial Monument in Logan Square.
Previously >>

19. Logan Square Blue Line Plaza

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2620 North Milwaukee Avenue
Chicago, IL 60647

Alderman Rey Colon and the Metropolitan Planning Council recently wrapped up a series of meetings to discuss the future of the 67,000 square feet of underutilized city-owned space surrounding the Logan Square Blue Line station. The space is likely to make way for a combination of residences, retail and green space.
Previously >>

20. Goldblatt's Building Apartments

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2778 North Milwaukee Avenue
Chicago, IL 60647

The historic Goldblatt's Building at the Milwaukee, Kimball and Diversey intersection will soon boast new retail space and 49 apartments.

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1. 500 N Milwaukee

500 North Milwaukee Avenue, Chicago, IL 60654

In January, the Chicago Plan Commission approved a developer's plan to erect two new structures on Milwaukee Avenue, just north of Grand and Halsted. The proposal includes 221 apartments, 6,000 square feet of commercial space and 113 parking spaces. However, the stretch is still waiting for action 10 months later. Previously >>

500 North Milwaukee Avenue
Chicago, IL 60654

2. 1001 W. Chicago Avenue

1001 West Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL 60642

The Chicago Plan Commission has recently approved a developer's plan to bring 360 apartment units and 35,000 square feet of retail space to the 1.8 acre property that was once owned and operated by the Gonnella Baking Company.
Previously >>

1001 West Chicago Avenue
Chicago, IL 60642

3. LG Development Polish Triangle apartments

1237 North Milwaukee Avenue, Chicago, IL 60622

LG Development proposed this seven story glass and steel retail and residential project earlier this year, which would replace the buildings between 1237-1253 N. Milwaukee Avenue and 1230-1240 N. Ashland Avenue with 58 apartments and nearly 13,000 square feet of retail space.
Previously >>

1237 North Milwaukee Avenue
Chicago, IL 60622

4. Centrum Partners Division Apartments

1660 West Division Street, Chicago, IL 60622

A vacant stretch of Division Street may soon make way for a seven story development that would deliver 77 apartments, roughly 12,000 square feet of ground level retail space and 39 parking spaces to the dense southeast end of Wicker Park.
Previously >>

1660 West Division Street
Chicago, IL 60622

5. Northwest Tower Hotel

1608 North Milwaukee Avenue, Chicago, IL 60647

The old Northwest Tower in the center of Wicker Park's six corners intersection is being transformed into a 120 room hotel.
Previously >>

1608 North Milwaukee Avenue
Chicago, IL 60647

6. LG Development Six Corners development

1647 North Milwaukee Avenue, Chicago, IL 60647

In addition to the Polish Triangle project, LG Development wants to add apartments, retail and possibly office space to Milwaukee Avenue near Wicker Park's six corners. The plan calls for 36 apartments and 7,400 square feet of retail space.
Previously >>

1647 North Milwaukee Avenue
Chicago, IL 60647

7. 1739 N Milwaukee

1739 North Milwaukee Avenue, Chicago, IL 60647

Before the real estate crash, a developer sought to convert this abandoned vintage building into eight lofts. However, it is now being developed by Marc Residential Realty who wants to turn it into a pricey apartment building with eight large units.

1739 North Milwaukee Avenue
Chicago, IL 60647

8. Centrum Partners Aldi & Apartments

1767 North Milwaukee Avenue, Chicago, IL 60647

The upcoming 606 trail and its string of new parks may have been the inspiration for developer Centrum Partners to propose a new mixed-use development along Milwaukee Ave. adjacent to the new rails-to-trails project. The plan is to demolish the existing Aldi grocery store and build a new 171,426 square foot building with 128 apartment units and over 19,000 square feet of retail space anchored by a new Aldi.
Previously >>

1767 North Milwaukee Avenue
Chicago, IL 60647

9. Northwestern Medical Center

1776 North Milwaukee Avenue, Chicago, IL 60647

Right across the street from the Bucktown Aldi is a vacant lot that will soon sprout a medical center operated by Northwestern Memorial Hospital.
Previously >>

1776 North Milwaukee Avenue
Chicago, IL 60647

10. The Row

1711 North Winnebago Avenue, Chicago, IL 60647

MCZ Development will soon bring 24 row houses to a large vacant stretch of land on Winnebago Avenue. The homes are expected to be delivered mid 2015.
Previously >>

1711 North Winnebago Avenue
Chicago, IL 60647

11. Spearhead Properties Armitage Apartments

2501 West Armitage Avenue, Chicago, IL 60647

Spearhead Properties wants to demolish an old industrial facility on Armitage Avenue and erect a two building development that will contain 78 apartments, 6,500 square feet of ground level retail and 55 parking spaces.Previously >>

2501 West Armitage Avenue
Chicago, IL 60647

12. PMG Apartments

2211 North Milwaukee Avenue, Chicago, IL 60647

Developer Property Markets Group is looking to bring 120 apartments, 5,246 square feet of ground level retail and 67 parking spaces to a vacant stretch of Milwaukee Avenue near the Congress Theater. The developer originally proposed a huge monolithic development for the site, but went back to the drawing board and tapped architects Brininstool + Lynch to completely redesign the project.
Previously >>

2211 North Milwaukee Avenue
Chicago, IL 60647

13. Dual tower TOD

2293 North Milwaukee Avenue, Chicago, IL 60647

The former Max Gerber showroom across the street from the California Blue Line station could make way for a dual tower apartment and retail development. The plan comes from Rob Buono, former Intelligentsia Coffee co-CEO and developer of the city's first sanctioned transit-oriented development, 1611 W Division Street. If the project moves forward as is, 231 new residences and a combined 7,100 square feet of ground level retail space would come in the form of a 10 and 14 story tower on Milwaukee Avenue.
Previously >>

2293 North Milwaukee Avenue
Chicago, IL 60647

14. California Studios

2332 North California Avenue, Chicago, IL 60647

Originally billed as a high density single-room occupancy style micro-apartment development, this project received a tremendous backlash from Logan Square residents who fought to keep the proposal from going forward. Developer Enrico Plati reintroduced the plan in August which called for 56 apartments, of varying sizes.
Previously >>

2332 North California Avenue
Chicago, IL 60647

15. SNS Realty Condos

2491 North Milwaukee Avenue, Chicago, IL 60647

A long vacant stretch of Milwaukee Avenue in the heart of Logan Square is currently transforming into a stretch of condos and ground level retail. Once completed, the row of new construction will introduce 18 new condos to the neighborhood.
Previously >>

2491 North Milwaukee Avenue
Chicago, IL 60647

16. Mega Mall

2540 North Milwaukee Avenue, Chicago, IL 60647

Logan Square's Discount Mega Mall, a large indoor flea market, was recently purchased and developer Terraco Inc. has proposed demolishing the existing buildings on the 2.55 acre site and replacing them with a development that would bring 166,390 square feet of retail space, 426 total parking spaces and possibly some apartments to Milwaukee Avenue in the heart of the Logan Square neighborhood.
Previously >>

2540 North Milwaukee Avenue
Chicago, IL 60647

17. Logan Square Orchard & Plaza

2592 North Milwaukee Avenue, Chicago, IL 60647

A stretch of CTA-owned property on Milwaukee Avenue near the Illinois Centennial Monument is looking to sprout an apple orchard and a plaza. The plan would bring the city's first "urban orchard" to Logan Square.
Previously >>

2592 North Milwaukee Avenue
Chicago, IL 60647

18. IL Centennial Monument Roundabout

West Logan Boulevard & North Kedzie Boulevard, Chicago, IL 60647

CDOT and the CTA are currently studying a plan that could completely reshape the roundabout surrounding the Illinois Centennial Monument in Logan Square.
Previously >>

West Logan Boulevard & North Kedzie Boulevard
Chicago, IL 60647

19. Logan Square Blue Line Plaza

2620 North Milwaukee Avenue, Chicago, IL 60647

Alderman Rey Colon and the Metropolitan Planning Council recently wrapped up a series of meetings to discuss the future of the 67,000 square feet of underutilized city-owned space surrounding the Logan Square Blue Line station. The space is likely to make way for a combination of residences, retail and green space.
Previously >>

2620 North Milwaukee Avenue
Chicago, IL 60647

20. Goldblatt's Building Apartments

2778 North Milwaukee Avenue, Chicago, IL 60647

The historic Goldblatt's Building at the Milwaukee, Kimball and Diversey intersection will soon boast new retail space and 49 apartments.

2778 North Milwaukee Avenue
Chicago, IL 60647