WEST LOOP — A Madison Street property previously set to become an upscale bar will now open as a daycare center, the building's owner confirmed.
Steven Greenberg, property owner at 1140 W. Madison St., confirmed Wednesday that the property would soon be converted into a children's daycare center.
"It should be fantastic for the neighborhood," Greenberg said via text message. "So many young families and more to come with all the new residential construction in the works."
For the past year, West Loop resident Daniel Deutscher had been in negotiations to get his bar — which he planned to call the Chicago Tap House — into the 50,000-square-foot vacant building.
At the time, Deutscher faced criticism from members of a condo association bordering the property. He also lacked support from both the West Loop Community Organization and Ald. Danny Solis (25th), whose ward contains the property.
As recent as September, Deutscher had started the application process for a liquor license at the property, despite not having signed a lease agreement.
Greenberg did not give more specifics on who would be operating the daycare or provide a timeline for the project. The most recent permit tacked to the building's front — from January 2013 — stated that work allowed for "interior alteration to existing retail and office building."
Deutscher confirmed Thursday that he no longer planned to open the Tap House at 1140 W. Madison St., but said he still plans to pursue another Chicago location for the bar.
