THREATENED: Ann Sather and Belmont Army Buildings Targeted for Demolition

Existing historic streetscape and rendering of Mavrek Development’s proposal for 925 W. Belmont. Photo and Rendering credit: 44th Ward Office and Eckenhoff Saunders

“The Lakeview building housing Belmont Army Vintage and Ann Sather could be redeveloped into 11 stories of apartments under a new proposal.

“Mavrek Development wants to redevelop the building at 925 W. Belmont Ave. into a 210-apartment building with ground-floor storefronts and a sleek, glass facade.

“The proposal includes 10,000 square feet of retail space on its ground floor, according to a summary posted on Ald. Bennett Lawson’s (44th) website. The project will stretch from Ann Sather on the east to Belmont Army Vintage on the west.

“Standing 120 feet, the proposed building would have a mix of 90 studios, with the remaining units comprised of one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments, according to the plans. Forty-two of its apartments would be rented out at an affordable rate, a requirement for projects needing a rezoning.

“It’s unclear if businesses like Ann Sather and Belmont Army Vintage will be able to remain in the newly built complex. The beloved restaurant Ann Sather debuted on Belmont Avenue in 1945. Belmont Army Vintage has called that stretch of Belmont Avenue home since 1975, and reopened recently following a fire in their building.

“The project still needs approval from Lawson plus the city’s Zoning Committee and City Council.” (Wittich, Block Club Chicago, 3/14/24 )

Preservation Chicago would like to see the historic facades incorporated into the new development. Additionally, we’d like to see special accommodations made to try to maintain the locally-owned and operated stores and restaurants currently at the site. The concern is that following new construction high-rents will only be appropriate for national chains operators like those found across the street in the new construction building.

Read the full story at Block Club Chicago

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