“The rehabilitation of two historical Jefferson Park buildings could help revitalize the neighborhood, and the developer is looking for tenants.
“For the past eight years, developer Tim Pomaville has been working to transform the Jefferson Park firehouse at 4841 N. Lipps Ave. into a mixed-use residential development. The initial plans involved Lake Effect Brewing Company setting up its taproom on the ground floor, but years of delays and complications to buy and rezone the property prompted the brewery to pull the plug in 2022.
“Ambrosia Homes has similar plans for the Lero building at 4762 N. Milwaukee Ave. Pomaville, who is the president of Ambrosia Homes, Inc., said both buildings are ready for commercial tenants to draw people to Jefferson Park.
“‘Whenever someone calls about one of the buildings, I show them both,’ Pomaville said.
“Built in 1906, the firehouse has been vacant for years. The City Council agreed to sell the property to Ambrosia Homes in 2021 as part of its $1 land sale program. Ambrosia paid $208,000 to the city, which used the money for remediation reimbursement. Pomaville said lead paint and asbestos had to be removed from the fire station.
The property had to undergo a zoning change in 2020, and a liquor sales ban was lifted along the street in 2021. After six years of waiting, Lake Effect couldn’t weather any more delays as its lease at 4727 W. Montrose Ave. was up at the end of 2022, the owner said at the time. Instead, the brewery found a location at 3074-76 N. Milwaukee Ave. in Avondale.’I think we just ran out of time with Lake Effect,’ Pomaville said.
“‘This is a really special property. We love the location,’ Pomaville said. ‘When people see this building kind of brought to life, once the renovations are done, I think they’re going to see why we would never sell it.'” (DeVore, Block Club Chicago, 2/28/24)
Preservation Chicago applauds Tim Pomaville and Ambrosia Homes for his dedication and commitment to this adaptive reuse over the past 5 or more years. He genuinely partnered with the community, listened to and integrated the comments, and changed the trajectory of his development accordingly. A special thanks to the dedicated and outstanding advocacy of the Northwest Chicago Historical Society, Susanna Ernst, Frank Suerth, and Jacob Kaplan.
The Northwest Chicago Historical Society and Preservation Chicago encourage Ambrosia Homes to seek a Chicago Landmark Designation for the building. This could be considered as an individual landmark or as an extension of the thematic Chicago Fire House Landmark District.
Read the full story at Block Club Chicago
- Old Jefferson Park Firehouse, Once The Planned Home Of A Brewery, Is Ready For A New Business; The firehouse was to be the home of Lake Effect Brewing Company before the deal fell through. Developer Tim Pomaville is looking for tenants for the firehouse and the Lero building on Milwaukee Avenue, Molly DeVore, Block Club Chicago, 2/28/24
- Tenants sought for two historic buildings in Jefferson Park on Chicago’s NW Side, Brian Nadig, Nadig Newspapers, 1/24/24
- After Lake Effect Brewery Calls Off Jefferson Park Plans, Neighbors Ask: What Will It Take To Keep Promising Businesses? The developer is committed to bringing another brewery, restaurant or bar to the historic firehouse and has been showing the space this week, Ariel Parrella-Aureli, Block Club Chicago, 7/14/22
- Lake Effect Brewing Won’t Open Taproom In Jeff Park Firehouse After Years Of Delays, Heading To Avondale Instead; After six years of planning, Lake Effect Brewing’s owner said he couldn’t wait any longer for construction to start on the historical firehouse. The taproom is slated to open in Avondale early next year, Ariel Parrella-Aureli, Block Club Chicago, 7/11/22
- Lake Effect Brewing and nine apartments coming to former Jefferson Park firehouse after legal battle ends, Sarah Freishtat, Chicago Tribune, 4/7/21
For leasing information, call Ambrosia at 312-437-8292