More work is continuing around Wrigley Field and Wrigleyville, as demolition is underway for a new development near the home of the Chicago Cubs.
Work on the development known as Addison & Clark is starting with a fairly extensive demolition phase. Crews are currently performing tear downs to structures along Addison Street between Sheffield Avenue and Clark Street, while more work is taking place just south of Addison, on the east side of Clark Street.
Once complete, Addison & Clark will take the place of several existing businesses and parking lots. The new development will be a mixed-use space that includes approximately 150,000 square feet of retail, as well as 148 apartment units, and 405 indoor parking spaces.
While it is a part of the continuing work around Wrigleyville, Addison & Clark is not being carried out by the Cubs or the team’s owners, the Ricketts family. Rather it is a joint venture between M&R Development and Bucksbaum Retail Properties. Developers believe that, as a more modern structure, Addison & Clark fits into the longterm plan for Wrigleyville by providing options that include housing, retail, and dining to attract more residents and drive business to the area on a year-round basis. More from the Chicago Tribune:
A hodgepodge of shuttered buildings — mainly one and two stories — will come down to make way for the Addison & Clark development, which will be a taller, more uniform, property with sleek, street-level storefronts, plenty of windows and a gray and brown color scheme.
A joint venture of M&R Development and Bucksbaum Retail Properties LLC, the developers were drawn to the site because of its proximity to the iconic ballpark, said Tony Rossi, president of M&R Development. He said it will provide some conveniences to the neighborhood and make it a destination even in the off-season.
“It’s going to provide some additional parking. The whole thrust of our property, we’re trying to have it where it provides more year-round amenities to the neighborhood and places to go do things as opposed to (just) the baseball season,” Rossi said.
Under the current timeline, a groundbreaking ceremony will be held for Addison & Clark on August 4. The development is projected to be in place by the summer of 2018.