Rich Girl Candy pop-up shop, 1750 W. North Ave. [RichGirlCandy.com, storefront, DNAinfo/Alisa Hauser]
WICKER PARK — The stretch of North Avenue that most recently housed a holiday pop-up for Rich Girl Candy — an online store owned by Derrick Rose's ex-fiancée — has been dotted with empty retail storefronts since the holiday season.
Now, as a luxury condo development on that street nears the finish line after 18 months of construction, neighbors are wondering if the residence will bring more businesses to the underutilized block.
The building, located three blocks east of the neighborhood's six corners hub at Milwaukee, Damen and North avenues 1746-50 W. North Ave. has two empty storefronts on its ground floor.
Young Royal Couture, a children's clothing shop that opened in October 2013 along with a neighboring boutique, Epitome, both closed last year. Rich Girl Candy, owned by Mieka Reese, operated a pop-up shop at 1750 W. North Ave. in December, but it was only temporary.
Directly across the street, a large corner space at 1755 W. North Ave. has been vacant since last August when a pet nutrition store relocated.
In February, the city issued a construction permit to Andrew Kleman for a four-story building at 1750 W. North Ave., on the site of a demolished home. Kleman, who owns 1748-50 W. North Ave. as well as the under-construction new development, declined to comment on his plans for the three storefronts.
A 4-story building is underway at 1750 W. North Ave. next to two vacant storefronts, also owned by Kleman.
Marcus Sullivan, a broker for Sperry Van Ness who is trying to rent out the stores at 1748 and 1750 W. North, said that Kleman is "looking to find the right tenants."
"We have had some interest and are open to service, hospitality, and office uses," Sullivan said.
Also on the same block, a 17-unit condo development from developer Sedgwick Properties, called Hermitage SIXTEEN11, has replaced a former Citgo gas station at 1720 W. North Ave., on the northeast corner of North and Hermitage avenues.
The project, which broke ground in October 2013, will be fully occupied by the end of summer, Realtor Jennifer Mills said.
On Monday, Mills that the last of 17 units was sold last week and the building's first residents are scheduled to close on their new home at the end of the month.
The average cost of the units, which feature private elevator access, was $750,000, Mills said.
17 new condos at 1611 W. Hermitage Ave., at North Avenue, have all been sold [Sedgwick Properties]
Mills said the opening of the condos "will positively impact the neighborhood and drive more commercial traffic to the area."
"It's just the tip of the iceberg," Mills predicted. With a lot of couples living there, that's 34 people that will eat sleep, breathe and shop here. The 606 [elevated trail] opening nearby will make a big difference too."
Up to 3,644 square foot of retail at the base of 1611 N. Hermitage Ave. is still available for rent.
Two blocks east of the 1700 block of North Avenue developments, Sedgwick Properties is also building a four-story, 30-unit luxury apartment building at 1545 W. North Ave.
The new building, which includes a green roof, will be neighbored by a gas station to the west and a planned Audi sales showroom at 1521 W. North Ave. to the east, just off the highway.
A building permit for the new apartment building was issued in April.
A rendering of the 30-unit apartment building planned for 1545 W. North Ave. [Sedgwick Properties website]
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