Two NEW Lincoln Square / Ravenswood developments steps from the CTA Brown Line at Damen

Demo, including some nice trees, was completed a few weeks ago at 4713 N Damen in Lincoln Square/ Ravenswood.  A six flat building will replace the former frame building and small addition that occupied the property.

Two projects are in development steps from the CTA Brown Line station and a couple blocks from the Lincoln Square restaurant and retail center. 4713 N Damen pictured above was a property long for sale privately, not on MLS (well, privately despite a giant billboard on the property). The land had fallen into foreclosure proceedings in 2013 but did sell this year for just over $1.2 million according to recent public records. The new construction six-flat building will sit between the former "The Rail" bar and grill to the south and the Rambler Lofts to the north.

Ravenswood Station bar/ restaurant -a single story commercial building (formally The Rail Bar and Grill) - sits adjacent  south of the new six flat development.

The construction permit on 4713 N Damen via Chicagocityscape.com is estimated at about $750,000 but there is a roughly $5.2 million mortgage taken out on the property.

4646 N Damen that sat next to the CTA "L" tracks was sold in 2015 (and closed in 2018 for $436,000) along with the adjacent property to the north. 4650 N Damen to the north held on and finally sold for $700K.

Just south and across the street 4646 N Damen- 4650 N Damen (both small frame homes) were sold to make way for a new 24 unit TOD development (transit oriented development explained). It took about three years for the developer to secure the second property at 4650 N Damen for $700K after entering into a contract with  the first at 4646 N Damen for $436,000. More info here.  

The development sits across from the CTA Damen Brown Line station entrance and adjacent to the exit stairs and tracks. Friends joked there should be a pedestrian sky-bridge from the building to the station so you don't have to cross the street with the common folk.

The improved CTA Brown Line station with exterior and interior bike storage.

The building will sit adjacent to the CTA tracks on the south and a vintage mixed use building to the north.  Friendly Aroy Thai next door and popular long time business Perfect Cup coffee is on the Leland/ Damen corner a few steps away.

Interestingly, these new construction buildings represent the first substantial multi-unit residential construction along North Damen from West Montrose to West Lawrence (four city blocks). This despite the location so close to the CTA station and the very active and successful residential development on Damen north of Lawrence and up and down West Lawrence nearby going on for a good seven years now.

Under Contract! Lincoln Square condo on convenient North Damen Avenue

 

The condo building at 4856 N Damen, Chicago IL 60625 in the Lincoln Square/ Ravenswood neighborhood.

We recently helped our awesome clients secure a two beds, two baths condo with garage parking along the North Damen Avenue commercial district of Lincoln Square. 4856 N Damen Avenue #2 is asking $429,900. We once again faced a multiple offer situation in this tight market. Our clients made a swift, strong and professional offer. After some negotiations the sellers accepted our offer and were now cruising to the closing.

The 4800 to 5000 blocks of North Damen Ave feature newer construction condo buildings and convenient shops, cafes and restaurants. The Damen Brown Line is two block away. 
 

The Damen corridor is popular among condo buyers (condo/ attached units/ townhomes). The median price of a condo sale along the 4600-5200 Blocks of North Damen in Lincoln Square is a hefty $485,000 over the past 12 months.  The highest priced condo sale is 4854 N Damen Unit 3 for $881,950.  The three bedrooms new construction penthouse features a walk-out roof-top deck.

The lowest priced condo sold over the last 12 months is 4737 N Damen, Unit 2F for $317,500. 

New construction condos make big street impact on North Damen in Ravenswood

Newly completed condo buildings on the 4800 block of North Damen complete a contiguous street wall. Photo Eric Rojas, Broker, Kale Realty

Although I pass this stretch of Damen several times a week I finally stopped and really took a good look at the street impact of the nearly completed new construction.  The 4800 block of North Damen was once home to sprawling dilapidated one story strip retail and then 6 vacant over-sized City lots.  A series of larger condo construction started along the block around the early 2000s including the CVS/ condo building at Lawrence and Damen completed in 2005

4835-4845 N Damen condos shown above are the most recent large development completed on the block. The condos filled in a major vacant eye sore in what's been a booming location for property values and construction.

The six lots sat vacant for roughly 7 years in the otherwise established neighborhood.

Directly across the street two new construction three unit condo buildings (4834 - 4836 North Damen) have also been built.  The first sold out pre-construction.  Unit 2 (three bedrooms, two baths) at 4836 North Damen, Chicago IL 60625 is listed for sale at $499,900 on the MLS.  The identical Unit 2 at 4834 North Damen Chicago IL 606025 was sold in July at $500,763.

4834 - 4836 N Damen development (photo Eric Rojas, Broker, Kale Realty).

Showing homes on North Damen in Lincoln Square

Living on North Damen Avenue in Lincoln Square has pluses and minuses.  Sure there is a little more traffic and noise but you typically get a price discount and you can walk out to shops, restaurants and CTA transportation. All photos Eric Rojas, Broker, Kale Realty

I spent last Saturday morning looking at a gut renovated frame home on North Damen Avenue near West Lawrence in Lincoln Square.  My clients are long-time Lincoln Square multi-unit owners  contemplating rehabbing their building or just buying something else. The bustling street location is not a deterrent for them and they loved the idea of being so close to the CTA Brown Line at Damen for them and their kids.

Traditional (and some grand) frame construction single family homes are mixed in with commercial and multi-unit buildings along Damen Avenue in Lincoln Square.

Only four single family homes sold along Damen Avenue in the Lincoln Square neighborhood over the past 12 months.  Two over-sized (wide) properties sold for development at $436,000 and $470,000.  A newer construction (2007) single family home on a  25' x 173' for $1,030,000.  A really cool gut conversion of brick commercial building sold for 4542 N Damen sold for $1,973,010. The $10.00 bucks probably bought a cabinet pull!



The Perfect Cup has been a treasured neighborhood institution for many years. Coffee shop + train stop = city living! 

Turin Bicycle Chicago is one of many independent shops that line the Damen commercial district near the CTA Brown Line station.

Currently there are two properties for sale. The gut renovated house at 4740 N Damen priced at $799,900 and "tear down" property at 4610 N Damen offered at $850,000.  That property on a 40' wide by 125' long lot has been listed for 1634 consecutive days on MREDLLC.com.

North Damen Avenue a new retail, condo destination in Lincoln Square, Ravenswood

Alapash and neighbors on the new Damen  (Photo Eric Rojas, Broker, Kale Realty)

Shiny new condo buildings and retail line the 4800 block of North Damen in Lincoln Square. The "Ravenswood" neighborhood has been a nice, if not sleepy, place to live for many, many years for natives. But the recent spat of development and infrastructure improvements around North Damen and West Lawrence has made this particular location highly desirable to city newbies as well as long time Chicagoans.

Alapash and District have moved their attractive home goods stores to Damen. One Key Yoga
Groundswell Coffee Roaster and the greatly anticipated Ampersand Wine Bar all inhabit the smart street front spaces. Long time retail has been anchored by the CVS (in a nice condo building) on Lawrence and Damen.  Private offices, Mee Dee Thai Cafe and local hair salons fill out the stretch I've lived near for almost 15 years.

Condo Sales on 4800 N Damen
The block is full of mostly newer build condos, mixed use commercial and a few existing residential two flats. There have been 22 closed condo units on the 4800 block of North Damen over the past 12 months.  The median price of a condo on this stretch is a hefty $499,000 (typically a three bedrooms home with garage parking). The price reflects the new construction that has hit the market and sold over the last 12 months. A 3 bedrooms new construction duplex down at 4836 N Damen recently closed for $730,000.

Newer construction condo buildings line the block across the street from the new mixed use condo/ retail development.

The area has just began to explode really.  The catalyst was the Ravenswood Station development on the Sears property at West Lawrence and North Ravenswood.  A new super popular Mariano's grocer and packed LA Fitness anchor retail and a 150 unit rental apartment development brought needed density to support business.  I look forward to more apartment units to be added along Lawrence, Damen, Ashland and Western alike.

People make the neighborhood vibrant.

Local developer buys vacant lots in Ravenswood, plans luxury condos

 Lincoln Square and Ravenswood residents have been asking me for years about these large vacant lots along the 4800 block of North Damen Avenue.

 Bob and I were recently told by local developer that he's purchased the long vacant 6 city lots on the 4800 block of North Damen Avenue in the Ravenswood neighborhood (greater Lincoln Square Community Area).  Candea Development is planning to build quality, luxury condo units. 

Vacant lots on Damen, looking southeast.

Looking northeast

The lots have long been an eyesore since another eyesore -a beat up commercial strip mall- had been torn down over 4 years ago. The original developer way back planned a 14 unit condo building from what I heard.


The new owner and developer of the lots sent along this photo below of the type of buildings he plans to construct on the lots...I believe there would be three buildings.

This is an existing project by Candea development...similar buildings could find a home on Damen.

This Damen location in Ravenswood is a great candidate for continued condo and apartment density now that we see the real estate market settling a bit.  Already an established community with great amenities...the Damen Brown Line is a couple blocks away, Ravenswood Metra stop a few blocks, a brand new Mariano's Fresh Market in development a couple blocks east, close to the Lincoln Square retail/ restaurant strip, Winnemac Park and new, high-end Lycee Francais school in development a few blocks south.


Below are some examples of existing condo developments along the block...some re-sales less pummeled by the market than others.

The CTA Brown Line is in site along with several convenient amenities like an Budacki's (for Italian Beef!) Crystal Cleaners, Bagel on Damen, Thai restaurants, coffee shops, brunch joints, CVS (yes CVS!), grocery, tailors, hair salons, phone and electronics stores, a Sears store etc.. And, this stretch of Damen Avenue maintains a more residential feel rather than commercial.

The CTA Brown Line is close, but not TOO close.

Candea development has offered to address the project at one of our local neighbor group meetings in Ravenswood (check out  www.winnemac.org   and sign up for updates). It's an interesting development as there have been NO new construction condos built for almost three years in Lincoln Square.

Property sold for $1,136,000 next to CTA Damen Brown Line in Lincoln Square, now 24 unit development

4646 and 4650 North Damen were sold in two separate transactions closing in 2017.  The total cost of the properties was $1,136,000 according to MREDLLC.com and Cook County Recorder of Deeds records. All photos Eric Rojas, Broker Kale Realty

Two adjacent properties directly north of the Damen Brown Line stop sold for a combined $1,136,000 in 2017.  4646 N Damen (40'x125' lot) next to the tracks was a frame house under contract for quite some time by a local developer. According to the MLS the contract was entered into back in 2015 and it closed for $436,000 in early 2017.  The next property over next at 4650 N Damen closed at the end of 2017 for $700,000 according to public records (this was not openly listed on MLS). Sounds like a nice hold-out for $700K!

Mixed use residential buildings will now run from the Damen stop to Leland on both the east and west side of Damen Avenue. City living at it's best... shops and apartments on the way to the train!

A 24 unit new construction rental building with eight parking spots has been approved for the site. The project next to the "L" of course qualifies as a transit-orientated development (TOD).

Check out the rendering HERE

Patty Wetli has more coverage of the development here.
 

Damen Brown Line to Open Friday in Ravenswood

The old Damen Brown Line in happier days...

From the 47th Ward Alderman's desk:

Damen Brown Line Station Reopening

Saturday, December 13, 2008 at 8:46am

Dear Neighbors,

The Damen Brown Line Station will be opening for full service on Friday, December 19 at 4:00 am.

While there will be minor punch work at both the Irving Park and Damen Station, the Damen Station reopening brings a close to three years of Brown Line station closures in the 47th Ward and completes most of the impact of the Brown Line Capacity Expansion Project to local 47th Ward businesses and residents.

Best,
Alderman Gene Schulter

Meet the Developer: Ravenswood area developer to discuss plans for 4800 block of North Damen

Special Update! Damen Avenue developer to meet neighbors Tuesday August 7th

Candea Development, the developer of vacant lots at 4845 N Damen, will address our next Winnemac Park Neighbors meeting Tuesday August 7th at 6:30 PM, Dolce Casa Cafe 4947 N Damen Chicago.

Vacant lots to be developed on 4800 block of N Damen: Photo Eric Rojas, Real Estate Broker

View the recent plans and documents submitted to the 47th Ward Service Office

Learn more about the project and future plans in our coffee house setting. We thank local neighbor and developer Alan Candea for making himself available in these early stages!

*Also on Tuesday, general updates on local schools and Winnemac Park initiatives.

*Invite pending for 47th Ward Service Office officials to update the many nearby infrastructure and development projects.

*The Lincoln Square Chamber will be moved to a meeting in September...we are looking for a date good for everyone.  We will be taking the pulse of business on Damen Avenue.



 Volunteers from Winnemac Park Neighbors will keep the meeting on topic and moving forward to respect every one's time.  These meetings are purely informational.  Topics and agendas are created from neighbor and local official inquiries.  If you have a meeting topic or item you feel the Winnemac Park community would be interested in, please email info@winnemac.org

 

 

 Read my past post on this development HERE

New construction North Center building slowly taking shape near North Damen and Irving Park Road

A new eleven unit residential building with retail is slowly coming together at 3912-3918 N Damen. The construction permit was issued last August. The building takes the place of a one story auto repair shop and continues the positive trend (in my opinion) of "going up".  The location is great for density.  It's close to diverse retail, services and dining along Lincoln, Damen and Irving Park Road. The Irving Park CTA Brown Line stop is a few blocks away.

An eleven unit building with retail goes up near a busy intersection in North Center

I don't know if these will be condo or apartment rentals.  Either prospect can be lucrative in this desirable North Center location.  There are several three unit condo buildings beign completed within a few blocks of this development on North Damen heading south. New construction keeps on churning on the North Side where many residential units are replacing one-story retail.

New construction residential units fill in each side of North Damen Avenue in North Center.

The new eleven unit new construction building is adjacent to the MB Financial bank branch near the corner of Damen/ Lincoln and Irving.

Bang Bang Pie confirms new location on Damen near Winnemac Park

The store front at 4947 N Damen Avennue teases walker-bys. All photos Eric Rojas, Broker, Kale Realty

Patty Wetli of DNAinfo confirms Bang Bang Pie will open a new store at 4947 N Damen Avenue in the Ravenswood neighborhood of Lincoln Square. The location is across from popular Winnemac Park.  We posted earlier this week on speculation over what would replace Dolce Casa Cafe.

Bang Bang Pie and Biscuits should do great at this location.  North Damen Avenue from Lawrence to Foster has become a fairly high-end destination for new condos and has added quality retail and dining over the past few years.

Residents living near Winnemac Park on Damen Avenue have been longing for a new cafe to take over for local favorite Dolce Casa Cafe.

 

 

Ravenswood Antique Mart on Damen closing

4727 N Damen Chicago IL 60625 in Lincoln Square/ Ravenswood (Photo Bob DePalma and Eric Rojas, Brokers Kale Realty).

We spotted the large CLOSING and for lease signs at Ravenswood Antique Mart 4727 N Damen, Chicago IL 60625. The long time dealer with the attractive store front and pricey items (my opinion) has been a mainstay on the Damen Avenue commercial district south of West Lawrence.

No mention on the store's web site about the closing.  The area of Damen and Lawrence has seen significant infrastructure improvements, large retail, apartment and condo developments along with new independent businesses both north and south of (and along) West Lawrence Avenue. It's booming.  Will be interesting to see what moves in.

Development and Improvements in Ravenswood: Lawrence and Damen

The Ravesnwood neighborhood has seen plenty of quality condo conversions, new construction homes, renovated single family homes and new business over the past 10 to 15 years. But the corner of Damen and Lawrence has remained a bit of an eye sore. It's busy and a bit crusty compared to the lush, serene tree-lined surroundings.

However, two major condo developments started to change the corner over the last 4 years. The 4814 N Damen building pictured above on the northwest corner is a terrific 30 something unit elevator building with some very nice layouts. It's been a successful addition to the neighborhood and houses a CVS drug store... which is super convenient (especially to us parents). More recently, the 4815 N Damen 9 unit condo building just in from the corner extended the row of new construction on the east side of Damen.

At the southeast corner pictured above, a pretty solid and now established T-Mobile store took the place of a run down, hanger-on bar. This completely improved the busy intersection in one swoop. Below is a look at the new masonry work being completed to the retail building. It will look great when finished. They renovated the second level as well. I’m curious to know how the space will be used. Apartments? New Business?

On the northeast corner, a dumpy convenient store was cleared out and renovations have been taking place. Just a few steps north from this corner, a new food establishment is going in the site of a former small coffee shop.

On the southwest corner is the existing senior facility run by the Chicago Department of Senior Services. It’s a pretty nice activity center with much needed landscaping beautifying the corner.

It’s tough to make any corner on the four lane West Lawrence Avenue shine. But this corner is well on it’s way to anchoring an already high quality neighborhood.

New Bowmanville yoga studio adds to the business mix

Ashtanga Yoga Room Chicago is the newest addition to the Damen strip of commercial spaces in Bowmanville.  The growing Lincoln Square North Damen/ West Lawrence scene has certainly helped Damen Avenue further north.

North Damen Avenue north of West Foster in Bowmanville (north Lincoln Square) features a handful of unique small businesses and helpful services.  Examples include an art studio, insurance agent, yoga studio, full service mechanic,  a scooter shop, doggie training center, Thai restaurant, bars, a chocolate cafe and a car wash.

Morpho Gallery also houses Daves Classic and Rare Records

Check out the retail/ office space opportunities for your business along the 5200 block of North Damen and join a successful cluster of privately owned local shops and services.

"Good things coming" to old Dolce Casa spot in Ravenswood/ Lincoln Square

The old Dolce Casa Cafe spot at 4947 N Damen has a new lessee working diligently on the space.

The Ravenswood / Lincoln Square neighborhood is breathlessly waiting for an official announcement: What will replace Dolce Casa Cafe near Winnemac Park?  I was in withdrawal again today as Dolce was my "go to" spot for work and lunch when getting out of my home office. We're doing a full gut renovation of our kitchen so escape is necessary.

Luxury condos in the foreground next to the one story commercial space that is home to a laundromat, popular Over Easy brunch spot, a yoga studio, property management company, dry cleaners, liquor store and the new cafe coming soon. This retail spot near the park has lagged a bit compared to just a little south on Damen where new businesses have consolidated near improved Lawrence Ave.

The 4800 -5200 block of North Damen Avenue location near Winnemac Park and the CTA Damen Brown Line has exploded like many desirable areas on the north side.  Condo prices are high on North Damen at median price of $499,000 and new single family home construction in all directions selling for $1.1 million and up is the norm. 

Area neighbors like nothing more than supporting a new business!

Renovated retail build-outs continue on Damen Ave, Lincoln Square

Retail/ office space gets a new look along growing Damen Avenue in Lincoln Square.

Business is booming on Damen Avenue in Lincoln Square. And it should. Great bus service and access to CTA Brown Line / Ravenswood Metra are great draws. The median price of a condo sale on Damen (4600 N to 5200 N) is about $495,000 whoa! Several nearby multi-unit developments will add to the residential density (people!).  Older ground level commercial spaces are getting spruced up and filled in.

New windows have been installed at 4823 N Damen and a clean, sharp looking space is being completed inside. The former home of Larsen and Sons Plumbing and Heating (also the building owner) looks primed to find a new tenant.  If you know of the business going in please send us a note.
Yesterday we posted on Milk Supply going in a little north of this location.  The response was huge on our Winnemac Park Facebook page with over 2200 looks as of this morning.