Happy Life Laundromat Opens In Renovated Darlington Apartments

Happy Life Laundromat just opened its doors at 4700 N. Racine in the Darlington Apartments building.

Extensive renovations were done in the lower level retail space of the building. It's been many, many years since there was any sort of retail in this space, so we are happy to see the space activated with something that residents can utilize. 

The space is bright and welcoming and they feature XL washers for those items that might not fit in standard washers. 

This will be the first Happy Life location in Chicago and they are open everyday from 6AM-8PM. Check out their website for a full list of services.

Welcome to Sheridan Park and Uptown!

Two Cedar Street Developments Given Green Light By Chicago Plan Commission

Two 5-story developments by Cedar Street Co. were given the green light by the Chicago Plan Commission today and will now go before city council. Both projects will transform parking lots that have not been used as residential or commercial in many years.

4600 N. Kenmore, looking north from Wilson (Level Architecture)

First up, a 5 story 62 unit development at 4600 N. Kenmore will fill a parking lot next to the Wilson Avenue Theatre (slated for Double Door). It will feature ground floor retail and a roof top deck. Six affordable units will be included on-site. Today's meeting also allows for a theatre use for the former bank building next door, which would be needed for a musical venue to operate. Complete plans are available here.

5051 N. Broadway (Booth Hansen)

The next proposal gaining approval is a large 5 story development that will convert a parking lot at Broadway and Winona into two apartment buildings connected by a walkway bridge. You might recall that this is phase 2 of a project that began with the conversion of 5050 N. Broadway (The Draper). 

Full plans can be viewed here.

Cedar Street is extremely busy in Uptown. 

In addition to the two projects gaining approval today,  4750 N. Winthrop (The Winnie) is nearing completion, a project at Broadway and Foster (The June) is complete, and the conversion of the Bridgeview Bank Building at Lawrence and Broadway to residential and co-working space is underway.

Wilson Club Exterior Work Nearly Complete, Occupancy Early Next Year

1124 W. Wilson, "Wilson Club" by CityPads

We heard from Clint Sabin, spokesperson for CityPads, the developer of Wilson Club at 1124 W. Wilson:

"Thank you for your continued patience as construction crews continue to work on the future Wilson Club.  As you may have noticed, the scaffolding has now been removed, and other than some minor cosmetic work and light installation, the front of the building is now completed.  The facade took longer than anticipated in part because our crews realized the old facade (which is supposed to be decorative) was also supporting the terra cotta above it, so extra care had to be taken.  It further illustrates how neglected this building had become over the decades, and the need for someone to come in and invest much needed money and resources to save it.  

We hope to make some public announcements about the building in early 2021, and we are still planning for occupancy in the spring."  

Peter Rubi Fresh Food Market Coming To Montrose & Clarendon

 

A prime retail space that was originally slated for a grocer is STILL going to be grocer!

The corner space at 811 Uptown (Google)

Peter Rubi, a grocer based in Plainfield, has made it official on their website and has started the building permit process for the space at 804 W. Montrose in the 811 Uptown Building.

Peter Rubi prides itself on carrying wholesome, delicious fruits and vegetables, pantry goods and homemade food. Keep an eye on their
website and Facebook page for more details on the Uptown opening!

Phase Two Of Cedar Street Development At 5051 N. Broadway Set To Begin

Looking SE at Broadway & Winona (Cedar Street)

You might recall that the large parking lot at Broadway and Winona was part of the planned development when Cedar Street renovated the former AON building at 5050 N. Broadway.

Phase two is about to begin as Cedar Street has been granted approval from the Department of Planning for buildings that will fill a parking lot on the SE corner of Broadway and Winona. This proposal will go before the Chicago Plan Commission on December 17. Full plans can be viewed here.

Aerial view of the site (Cedar Street)

New Look For 4600 N. Kenmore Development

Looking NW at Wilson & Kenmore, currently a parking lot (Cedar Street)

 A project first proposed and approved back in 2016 is undergoing some big design changes.

You might recall that Cedar Street had proposed building an 8 story building in the parking lot next to the former Wilson Avenue Theatre at 1050 W. Wilson. The project has been reworked and we now know what is planned.

Cedar Street now plans a 5 story building, setback from the top floor (down from 8 stories) with 62 units (down from 110). The exterior looks more modern than what was previously planned, with metal panels featuring alternating geometric designs.

The proposal has been given approval by the Department of Planning & Development but will go before the Chicago Plan Commission on December 17. There is still hope for Double Door as the historic building next door will be permitted for a theater use as part of the planned development. 

Full plans can be viewed here.

Santa Claus Is Coming To (Up)Town

Keep your eyes open this week for the CTA's Holiday Train coming through Uptown! You can't ride this year for obvious reasons, but Santa is making his yearly trek around the various Chicago train lines.

There isn't a time schedule, so it will be a surprise when the train comes through. The most the CTA can tell us is to look in the afternoons and in the evenings.

Here's the daily schedule:

• Red Line: December 8, 10 and 12
• Purple Line: December 9, 11 and 12

The daily routes for the Holiday Train and Holiday Bus are here, on the CTA website.

* Video courtesy of WGN, taken earlier today from the newscopter, Skycam 9.

Support Uptown Businesses This Holiday With "Winter Warmth In Uptown"

WINTER WARMTH IN UPTOWN starts this Friday, December 4th!  Throughout December, the Uptown Chamber of Commerce is giving Uptown the gift of warmth in 2 ways:

1) Wilson Avenue will be transformed into a Winter Wonderland featuring sparkle and shine hanging from trees and motivational messages popping up along the street—all to keep visitors and local businesses glowing throughout the holiday season.

2) Help us spread the warmth each week throughout December by shopping locally, carrying out, and giving back. Share and tag your photos on social media and/or submit receipts of ANY local Uptown business for your chance to win weekly prize packages valued at $100 per week from local businesses and our Grand Prize Package worth over $250!   Full details at exploreuptown.org/winterwarmth. 

Together we can warm our hearts while keeping Uptown diverse, vibrant, and thriving.