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The improving United States economy has once again brought exciting new developments back to the skyscraper's birthplace. Chicago's River North district is one of several neighbourhoods benefiting from a recent influx of proposals, enhancing the area's already robust nightlife scene. Home to the largest concentration of art galleries in the United States outside Manhattan, this cultural centre is about to welcome a new multi-unit addition to the streetscape. Located at 640 North Wells Street, a 22-storey apartment building by JDL Development will soon grace the skyline.
The tower will rise from the site formerly occupied by Ed Debevic's restaurant. Self-proclaimed as Chicago's only retro-themed diner since its 1984 opening, the quirky eatery with a 1950s interior will be replaced by 251 modern residential units. The Hartshorne Plunkard Architecture-designed development will host 12,000 square feet of ground floor retail space and 117 parking stalls hidden within the second and third floors of the building. According to Curbed Chicago, the garage will be clad in a porcelain material while a glass-enclosed box marks the front entrance to the tower.
Residences will begin at the fourth floor podium rooftop level, which will also contain an amenity terrace for occupants. The stacked-box design of the tower allows room for balconies at the apex of each block. In total, 28 percent of units will have outdoor space. The average unit size of 875 square feet includes one-, two-, and three-bedroom arrangements. A top floor penthouse and deck completes the 85-metre (280-foot) building. The development may receive LEED Silver certification for its stormwater retention system and planned green roof installations.
The site is well-served by transit, including a Divvy bike share station, several bus routes, and the Brown and Purple "L" lines. It sits within a particularly active stretch of road, with developments at 635 and 612 North Wells ready to add to the streetwall. Site preparation began late last year and photos by Forum contributor harryc show the restaurant has been completely demolished. It's a scene that signals that the intensification of River North continues unabated, removing underperforming single-storey structures in favour of a more downtown-centric scale and use.
Additional images and information can be found in the Database file linked below. Want to get involved in the discussion? Check out the associated Forum thread or leave a comment at the bottom of this page.
