Will Lincoln Square's Saint Matthias rectory building finally become apartments?

 

The former Saint Matthias parish rectory building at the corner of North Oakley and West Ainslie is subject to an apartment conversion proposal. Selling the long vacant property for development has proved difficult. All  photos Eric Rojas, Broker, Kale Realty

A Lincoln Square church building at 2310 W Ainslie may become "nine market rate apartments" according to development filings.  Another attempt to re-zone and develop the shuttered Saint Matthias parish building will be heard at an October 3rd, 2024 community zoning meeting. The convent building on  North Claremont around the corner was already converted to apartments by a different developer. The rectory building has proved more difficult to sell and develop. The last legitimate proposal was shot down by the community process (mainly due to losing the open yard space on the corner).

Public notices for a community zoning meeting have been posted on surrounding properties and car windshields.   

Housing in this desirable Lincoln Square location remains in great demand. 

-Over the past 12 months the average rent for a two bedrooms apartment in a four block radius from the development is about $2,300 / month. 
-The median price of a closed single family home in a four block radius of the proposed development is about $1.2M.
-Median price of a sold condo in the same area is $417,500. 

Contact me to buy, sell or rent in the Lincoln Square area. We'll be happy to answer your questions concerning available properties real estate related issues. erojas@kalerealty.com

North Center, Lincoln Square high-end developer turns to condo projects

 

1800 West Berenice gets zoning approval in the 4th Ward. Luxury house builder Landrosh Development has a few higher-end multi-unit developments in the the works in Lincoln Square and North Center. Image from Alderman Matt Martin 47th Ward site www.aldermanmartin.com/development 

A North Center 44 unit development received zoning approval in the 47th Ward. Landrosh Development paid $1,925,000 for the 12,825 sq/ft property according to the Cook County Recorder of Deeds.

This one caught my eye for a couple reasons: First, it's another example of building large mixed use multi-unit on original one and two story commercial buildings. Chicago developers (with the blessing of city planners and council members) have been aggressively building up on underused commercial lots near transit over the past five years. The boost is partly due to the 2013 Transit Orientated Development ordinance and expansions. This sits less than three blocks from the Irving Park Brown Line stop. 

More interestingly the local developer - better known for getting some of the highest sale prices for speculation homes in Lincoln Square - has a few condo developments in the works.  I mentioned this 14 unit development in Lincoln Square and the company is trying to get THIS North Center development approved... with some million dollar asking prices.

There seems to be no shortage of demand in Lincoln Square and North Center for higher-end condos and single family homes.

40th Ward Alderman introduces ordinance to "down zone" Lincoln Square development

Fifth Third Bank property in Lincoln Square at the corner of Lawrence and Western. An ordinance has been introduced to "down-zone" the property.

40th Ward Alderman Andre Vasquez quietly introduced an ordinance yesterday to down zone the Fifth Third Bank property (4800 North Western). My real estate data partner Chicago Cityscape tweeted the ordinance to me due to my posts/ tweet on the potential retail development.  My past post HERE. This is effectively an effort to stop a planned "as of right' development.  As of this writing there is no public statement concerning this unusual step on the 40th Ward website, Facebook site or personal accounts.

The zoning reclassification ordinance can be read here

I'm not supportive of attempts of a single alderman to unilaterally "spot zone" properties to prevent as of right development. One similar attempt to down zone an individual property in Logan Square failed to stop a 60 unit development.

I have no direct financial stake in the re-development plans for the Fifth Third bank properties. This is not an endorsement of this particular development. I am opposed to introducing an ordinance, in this manner, to change zoning classification in an attempt to prevent as of right development by private property owners. 

"Down-zoning" can be good policy if done as broader, more inclusive process like any legislation. Crain's Chicago Business has a good article explaining the practice of ad hoc down-zoning HERE 

 

Large new grocery development coming to Lincoln Square

The Fifth-Third Bank building at 4800 N Western in Lincoln Square. All photos Eric Rojas, Broker, Kaler Realty

The Fifth-Third Bank property on the northwest corner of North Western Avenue and West Lawrence Avenue in Lincoln Square will be redeveloped with a grocery store tenant. Rumors I've heard were confirmed by a post this week from the 40th Ward Alderman's office. The zoning allows for the re-development of the property "as of right". There would be no need for the community approval or zoning process. The developer of the project has not disclosed the specific grocery store tenant that will lease the space.

A bank drive-through and two bank parking lots are adjacent to the west of the building.

Lincoln Square has become one of the most desirable neighborhoods in Chicago (if home sale numbers, restaurants, schools, new development and sale prices mean anything). But the high profile corner of Lawrence and Western still has a bit of a gritty underused feel. An old Walgreens with pigeon soiled plaza, a vacant Mattress Firm storefront, the over-sized drabby bank building and vacant adjacent commercial building... and parking lots.  In fact there is a Burger King with a large, barely used surface parking lot across the street from the bank parking lots.  

Looking east over the parking lots.

Looking northeast down West Lawrence Ave.

The property has large underused parking lots in a prime location near the popular shops, restaurants and CTA Western stop of Lincoln Square. 

A legitimate concern is the affect a large chain grocery store may have on local business.  Even with several grocery options within 4 to 6 blocks of this location I feel a quality grocer would not be detrimental to local stores. Harvest Time and Gene's Sausage Shop (closest, local owned shops) have specialty products and service that keep loyal patrons coming back. Tony's Fresh Market serves a large diverse area six blocks north. The Mariano's is six blocks straight east could be affected. However it is a large corporate chain in which most people I talk to feel the quality has gone down since it was purchased by Kroger.

The new development would be just steps away from "downtown" Lincoln Square shops and restaurants.

Just a few stores of many in the main shopping plaza of Lincoln Square.

Washed up! Lincoln Square laundromat building near Winnemac Park looking to redevelop

 

4939 North Damen is currently an operating M&M Coin Laundromat

The laundromat building owner has put in a zoning change application and proposal with the 40th Ward. The redevelopment of the one story retail building would feature 12 residential units and ground floor retail. Here's a rendering of the project:

A community zoning meeting will take place today, Wednesday December 9th at 5PM

Looking north down North Damen Avenue

Popular Over Easy Cafe breakfast place building is adjacent to the north of the proposed development (separate building). 

I would like to see this development happen. I'm all for more density along North Damen Avenue to support more business and services near Winnemac Park. We've seen one or two development projects a year from 4800 North Damen to 5200 North Damen over the past decade.

Another 40 unit building proposed in Lincoln Square

 

The new owners of 5214-5224 North Lincoln Avenue have a zoning change application in and a proposal for a 40 unit residential building with retail on the first floor. All photos Eric Rojas, Broker, Kale Realty

Development proposals in the northwest portion of Lincoln Square is on 🔥🔥 A forty unit residential building has been proposed at the site of a now vacant strip mall. 5214-5224 North Lincoln Avenue once housed a Chase Bank branch, a Chinese restauant and a liquor store (basically... everything you need!).  I'm cool with this development... even if it may be boring. 

The strip mall was picked up in a foreclosure sale in 2019 and flipped this year for $1,250,000.

Looking at the strip mall to the northwest. 

The Diplomat Motel is adajacent to the property and great for your out of town guests! If NO VACANCY the Summit Motel is a half block up. 

Tony's Fresh Market is across directly across the street. I have a complicated relationship with Tony's since they took over my beloved Dominick's space. 

A relitively successful four story mixed use development sits on the busy northeast corner of West Foster and North Lincoln Ave across the street. This gives you an idea of what the new development will look like.

A 40 unit new construction development has already been approved for the southeast corner of West Foster and North Lincoln Ave just a half block away. Home of Jimmy's Pizza (future TBD). So, 80 more residential units will be added to the corner. The Dunkn' Donuts on the northwest corner has to love this! 24 more units have been approved at Western and Carmen nearby as well.

This sort of  "trafficky" strip of traditional one story retail and services (motels, Dunkin', Mr Submarine, Walgreens, grocery store, old mixed use apartments) is doing it's best to consolidate into larger new construction multi-unit mixed use development. The draw of Lincoln Square's center six blocks to the southeast and Andersonville directly east has made residential development viable. 

(Da) Coach house... yea or nay?

A large coach house (brown with front porch) a few doors down from my yard. There are several coach house units in close proximity to my house in Lincoln Square. They can be a tad difficult to price when prepping for sale.

Chicago Cityscape's Steven Vance muses on coach houses today.  It's also a nice dive into how crazy Chicago zoning ordinance is (the moon alignment with Mars is in there somewhere). To bolster my Chicago street cred my wife and once lived in a second floor coach house apartment in Lakeview. You ain't lived in Chicago until you lived in the alley.

We have listed/ viewed many coach house units around Chicago.  Some are "detached" fee simple homes while most units (if bought and sold) are part of a small condo association.  We once listed a coach house condo above at 3127 N Clifton #1 as part of a three unit condo association with the front house (shown above, rear of photo).

Booming Damen Avenue in Lincoln Square waits for new condo development

The property at 4646 N Damen is under contract but a developer's proposal for zoning change has not been approved.

Like many of you I drive, ride or walk by 4646 N Damen every week.  The property is under contract with an asking price of $499,900.   The 47th Ward Alderman's office announced a zoning change application for the property some time ago. Basically the buyer is seeking to change the property zoning to allow a 9 residential building with ground floor commercial.

Check out the development proposal and zoning application HERE

According to the Alderman's web page (and an email exchange I had with the office) the zoning change as requested is not approved.  Another property may be in play to allow this project to proceed near the CTA Damen Brown Line station.  My guess is a nearby neighbor objects to the change. All politics and the neighbors aside... this is a great Lincoln Square location for more density in general and I hope something gets done.

47th Ward Community Meeting for proposed Ravenswood Senior Housing

4501 N Winchester Chicago IL 60640 (Photo Eric Rojas, Broker, Kale Realty)

Community Meeting for proposed Senior Housing at 4501 N Winchester (shown above).

Wednesday Feb 3rd, 7PM

 Lycee Francais Chicago (cafeteria)

1929 W Wilson

Questions? info@chicago47.org

www.chicago47.org

 Check out my earlier post with some nearby housing prices.