LOGAN SQUARE — Construction crews have begun erecting a modern apartment building on the vacant lot next to Foodsmart on Armitage Avenue.
The project at 1955 N. Richmond St. calls for 33 apartments, 34 parking spots and a 3,500-square-foot ground-floor retail space. Some of the apartments will have balconies, according to a rendering of the project.
The lot sat vacant and was filled with overgrown weeds for at least a year until work began last week. Before that, the lot was home to a community garden that was maintained by the folks behind Global Cafe, a neighborhood group that helps recovering drug addicts and alcoholics. The cafe and adjoining resale shop, which were both situated next to the lot, closed in 2014.
The view of the construction site from Richmond Street. [DNAinfo/Mina Bloom]
A new construction permit for $5.912 million in work was issued for the project in November, according to city records.
It's unclear how much rents will be. The architect behind the project, John Hanna of Hanna Architects, deferred the question to developer Gary Levitas of Bas 3 Development in suburban Northbrook, and Levitas didn't respond to requests for comment.
Hanna said the developer is aiming to finish construction by October.
The view of the lot from Armitage Avenue. The lot is next to Foodsmart. [Google Maps]
