Pictured: Illume, Project #8.
Over the past week we took a deep dive into Chicago Building permits to find projects that we, at BuildZoom, found interesting. After scanning more than 2,000 building permits, here are the 9 projects we picked out as our favorites. The projects are limited to ones permitted in December, and span everything from office renovations to multifamily housing projects, hotels and coffee shops. Take a look and let us know what you think! Should other buildings be on the list? Let us know in the comments and we’ll look into it.
1. Google’s Upgrade and Expansion
Google was issued building permits for interior work on 5th floor office space and for a 10th floor employee cafe at 320 N Morgan Street. Google originally moved into the office building in the summer of 2015 but this is the first sign of them occupying the 5th floor. According to the permits, the work total is estimated to cost $10.5 million. The $10 million, 5th floor office space will make up the bulk of the work while the $500,000 cafe makes up the remainder of the total. From the permits it looks as though VOA Architects designed the project.
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2. Flea Market
The Buyer’s Flea Market that burned down last March in Chicago’s West Humboldt Park Neighborhood is being rebuilt. A $13.4 million building permit was issued by the Chicago building department on December 8th for the project.
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3. Dollop Coffee
Dollop Coffee is opening a new diner at 5060 N Clark Street. A building permit was filed on Monday December 12th for a coffee shop listing Dan Weiss as the owner. The new location will be the first in the small chain of coffee shops that is also diner.
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4. Foot Locker’s Flagship Store
According to building permits issued on December 13th, Foot Locker will occupy the first two floors in the new 112 S. State Street building. The permit indicates that $6.2 million will be spent on the construction of the space and lists Foot Locker Realty as the owner of the project.
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5. Conde Nast Chicago
Conde Nast is spending $1 million renovating their office on the 21st floor of the Merchandise Mart at 222 W Merchandise Mart Plz. The permit for the project was issued on Friday, December 9th. GREC Architecture designed the space and the construction will be completed by Executive Construction.
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6. Bacci Pizzeria
Bacci Pizzeria is undergoing renovations. Located half a block away from Wrigley Field Bacci’s will take advantage of the Cub’s offseason following their World Series win to upgrade their restaurant. The permit indicates that Bacci Pizzeria will spend approximately $35,000 on the interior work.
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7. McHugh Hotel
An $80 million permit was just issued for a new hotel at 123 E Cermak Rd. It looks like the permit is for the McHugh Hotel proposed two years ago (as seen in this Curbed article). The hotel will be 22 stories and have 466 units. An additional permit for site preparation was issued for the project on December 13th.
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8.The Illume
The Illume, a luxury condo building, just received a building permit. The $40 million project will be 10 stories and add 79 condos to the West Loop Area. The permit was issued on December 7th to Norcon Construction.
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9. Milwaukee Avenue Apartment with Bocce Ball Court
A new apartment building located at 1920 N Milwaukee Ave will have a 3,775 square foot green roof with a Bocce Ball court. The 7 Story 44 Unit building will be built by Vequity Construction.
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