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Offices Planned For Massive Division Warehouse After Apartments Nixed

By Alisa Hauser | January 30, 2017 5:50pm
 Former industrial building at 1714 W. Division to become offices after apartment plan nixed.
Former industrial building at 1714 W. Division to become offices after apartment plan nixed.
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DNAinfo/Alisa Hauser

WICKER PARK — A huge warehouse spanning 28,300-square-feet on Division Street that was formerly a renowned sculptor's studio will likely be converted into office space after a plan to bring loft-style apartments to the site was scrapped.

New York City-based Jenel Management, which owns many other Wicker Park buildings, bought the striking 3-story timber loft warehouse at 1714-22 W. Division St. in May 2015, county records show.

Initially the plan was to build 25 apartments anchored by retail, but it was recently decided to bring offices to the upper two floors instead of residences. The offices would be anchored by retail, which is currently for lease on the ground floor.

Earlier this month, zoning attorney Michael Ezgur told members of the Wicker Park Committee's preservation and development subcommittee that his client, Jenel Management, needs a new zoning designation that would allow for an office building.

Members of the neighborhood group voted unanimously to support the request.

"Regrettably, they couldn't make it work financially [as apartments]. We consider having successful commercial space in the neighborhood a good thing.  We hope they can make a success out of the conversion," said Ed Tamminga, chairman of the Wicker Park group's subcommittee.

Though the previously approved apartment plan called for adding on a fourth floor, the new plan is to keep the 107-year-old building as-is and a three-story structure, Ezgur said. 

"It's taking an existing building and doing an interior remodeling to bring it back to life," Ezgur said, adding that no specific tenants have been tapped yet for the offices or for the retail storefront.

Joseph Dushey, a representative for the family-owned Jenel Management declined a request for comment on the change of plans.

If everything goes as scheduled, work to renovate the building would begin this spring, Ezgur said. 

Since 1988, Italian-born sculptor Giovanni "John" Desiderio Bucci operated Bucci Studios in the warehouse. After the building was sold, the 80-something Bucci had planned to relocate to Georgia and open a smaller art studio there, it was previously reported.