What's New in West Town - Top 5 New Developments
/1) Top Real Estate Developments in West Town - Chicago
Bally's Casino Chicago River West
A four-tower development project by Shapack Partners received a green light from the City Council in October. The proposed plan seeks to add more than 2,000 apartments to a site in River West where Grand Ave, Milwaukee Ave and Halsted St meet. In addition to the residences planned for these four towers, Shapack Partners also intends to transform the old Salvation Army building (509 N Union Ave) into a 141-room boutique hotel. This project joins another large-scale development plan slated for River West, Bally’s Casino in Chicago.
After a heated discussion in City Council, the $1.7 billion casino project received the go-ahead to redevelop the former Tribune Publishing facility located at 700 W Chicago Ave. Apart from the casino, the project includes plans for a 500-room hotel, a 3,000-seat theater, an entertainment venue, as well as food and beverage concepts. This massive development project is targeting 2026 for its completion and opening.
2) New Morton Salt Warehouse Indoor/Outdoor Music Venue by River
Salt Shed Chicago River | Salt District
For those familiar with the iconic warehouse adorned by Morton Salt’s logo, as seen from the I-90/I-94, the nearly century-old structure is now reborn as The Salt Shed, a massive, industrial indoor/outdoor music venue. The team behind Chicago music venues Empty Bottle and Thalia Hall, 16 on Center, teamed up with developers to unveil this new live music hub. The building’s transformation gives the factory a refreshed purpose while keeping its historic charm and the Morton Salt logo across the exterior.
The venue’s team introduced patrons to its outdoor venue portion, called Fairgrounds, earlier this summer with “Outside the Shed” music series, and it is preparing to open its indoor hall in February 2023. You can view the artist line up on its website.
Goose Island has also recently announced that it will close it’s brewpub location in Lincoln Park and move its brewery operations to The Salt Shed in West Town on the Chicago River.
3) Fresh Concepts by Neighborhood Favorites in West Town Food Scene
A gelato shop by a new-to-Chicago Polish gelato maker and a bakery from a beloved Chicago chef are just a couple of the new openings in West Town. Chef Mindy Segal, of HotChocolate fame in Wicker Park, has pivoted after the closing of HotChocolate in 2020 to bring her baking expertise to the spotlight at her newest concept, Mindy’s Bakery (1623 N Milwaukee Ave). The menu here focuses on pastries and baked goods, and all items are baked fresh and available until they run out. Another popular Wicker Park restaurant has set their sights on a second concept. The team behind Big Star, a local favorite in Wicker Park, has opened Big Star Mariscos (551 N Odgen Ave) in West Town, showcasing a seafood-focused menu - think ceviches, aguachiles, and, of course, fish tacos. And then there’s the first US location of Paulo Gelato & Chocolate (1058 W Chicago Ave), by Chef Pawel Petrykowski. Following his wife to Chicago after she received a job offer, chef Pawel seized the opportunity to open his first US gelato shop (he has 7 back in Poland). He is a Polish gelato master and has a passion for the craft and natural, balanced flavors. A team of veteran chefs also introduced a new wine bar in Bucktown, occupying the space that was once Izakaya Mita. Pompette (1960 N Damen Ave), which is a French slang term for “just a little tipsy,” is both a wine bar and an all-day cafe. Its menu borrows inspiration from French and Italian cuisine and is designed to pair nicely with wine, seeing as that is the focus.
4) Flat Iron Building Changes Ownership
Flat Iron Arts Building Chicago
The large, three-story mix-use building at the six corner intersection of Milwaukee Ave, Damen Ave and North Ave, in Wicker Park, was sold this fall to North American Real Estate for nearly $20 million. Known as the Flatiron Arts building, built more than 120 years ago, its former owner, Burger Realty devoted the units to artist lofts.
The new owners intend to stay in line with that purpose and say they will focus, instead, on bringing in new retailers for the ground level spaces.
In that regard, North American Real Estate will have an opportunity to start fresh as previous retail tenants have all cleared the building.
5) Winter Indoor Farmers Market Opens in Avondale
Green City Market Avondale Chicago
Green City Market, the non-profit group that runs the well-established outdoor farmers market in Lincoln Park, opened the doors of its indoor farmers market in Avondale on December 3, 2020. After the pandemic put limits on indoor activities, Green City Market had to put a hold on its seasonal indoor market. After a two-year hiatus, Green City Market has chosen the location at 3031 N Rockwell St to host its December through March farmers market, which will take place Saturdays.
The Avondale farmers market features more than 20 Midwest vendors and rounds out the year for Green City Market, which hosts outdoor markets April through November in Lincoln Park and the West Loop.
MICHAEL SAMM | 312-767-7504
KELLER WILLIAMS REALTY
WEST TOWN CHICAGO REALTOR
