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Watch Crews Wreck Wrigley Buildings Ahead Of Addison & Clark Groundbreaking

By Ariel Cheung | August 3, 2016 5:51am
 Ahead of Thursday's groundbreaking, demolition crews knocked down the line of buildings in the space across from Wrigley Field set to become Addison & Clark, a massive mixed-use development.
Demolition For Addison & Clark Plows Ahead Before Groundbreaking
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WRIGLEYVILLE — Despite starting later than expected, demolition crews are plowing ahead on wrecking several prominent Wrigleyville buildings to make way for the Addison & Clark project.

A groundbreaking ceremony for the massive mixed-use development is set for Thursday. Two days prior, crews were laying waste to the buildings that formerly housed Starbucks, Goose Island Wrigleyville and Salt & Pepper Diner.

Situated on an L-shaped, 2.3-acre property spanning along Addison and Clark streets, Addison & Clark will include 148 apartments, 405 parking spaces and 150,000 square feet of retail.

 

 

The project stalled for years over failed financing and foreclosure lawsuits until M&R Development and Bucksbaum Retail Properties took over.

After nine years, construction will begin this week and is expected to take two years. Meanwhile, Wrigley Field renovations and construction on the hotel where McDonald's once stood will continue at the same time.

Debris tumbles from the building that formerly housed Salt & Pepper Diner before it's razed to make way for Addison & Clark. [all photos DNAinfo/Ariel Cheung]

Crews sort through debris during demolition across from Wrigley Field.

Hints of progress sprang up in late 2015, when Goose Island Wrigleyville closed — for good, this time — after squeezing in one last Cubs season.

RELATED: This $140 Million Project Is Changing The Face Of Wrigleyville (PHOTOS)

The remaining businesses fell like dominoes, with 7-Eleven, Starbucks, Red Ivy, Mullen's and Salt & Pepper Diner closing in 2016. Starbucks reopened soon after in the former Harry Caray's Tavern at 3551 N. Sheffield Ave.

Addison & Clark developers promise an estimated 400 permanent jobs will be created along with $7 million in tax revenue. Another 200 construction jobs are expected to come with the project.

Demolition debris piles up next to a former Starbucks, which closed in February to make way for Addison & Clark.

Multiple buildings will be razed to make way for Addison & Clark, a massive mixed-use development set to break ground Thursday.

At its peak, Addison & Clark will stand 93 feet tall. Three floors of retail will be topped by two parking garage levels and four floors of apartments. Renderings of the project show 14 retail spaces from Addison and Sheffield to 3545 N. Clark St.

Luis Auto Shop and Sports World will remain open. While business owners said they haven't been invited back, developers pledged to give the existing businesses the option after construction.

The development should be finished in summer 2018.

The former Goose Island Wrigleyville building is demolished to make way for Addison & Clark.

Multiple buildings will be razed to make way for Addison & Clark, a massive mixed-use development set to break ground Thursday.

RELATED:

Salt & Pepper Diner Closes Last Location: 'It's The End Of An Era'

Addison & Clark Demolition Date Set For June Across From Wrigley Field

Red Ivy Opened With Dreams Of A World Series — Missing It Is 'Bittersweet'

Wrigley Field 7-Eleven Closing For Addison & Clark Project

New Wrigleyville Starbucks To Open In Old Hi-Tops, Harry Caray's Location

Starbucks Across From Wrigley Field Closes After 21 Years

Goose Island Wrigleyville Closed For Good — Addison Park On Clark Nearing?

This $140 Million Project Is Changing The Face Of Wrigleyville (PHOTOS)

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