“Construction recently began on the conversion of the second-floor of the former firehouse in Jefferson Park to four apartments.

“The 119-year-old structure at 4837 N. Lipps Ave., located less then a block south of the Jefferson Park CTA Terminal, has been vacant for years, and at one time plans called for the addition of a third and possibly a fourth floor to the two-story building, but structural issues eventually ruled that out.

“The redevelopment plan also had called for a brewery on the 4,000-square-foot ground floor, but those plans never materialized, and the first floor is for lease, for either one or two commercial tenants. The commercial space also comes with access to a basement.

“Several years ago the city sold the building to developer Tim Pomaville in exchange for putting $200,000 in escrow to cover the estimated cost of environmental remediation for the site.

“Each of the planned apartments would measure about 900 square feet and include two bedrooms and two bathrooms, with a balcony. The balconies on the front units would be hidden behind the firehouse facade so that they are not seen from the street, helping to maintain the building’s historic nature, Pomaville said.

The ceiling height of the apartments will range from about 10 to 13 feet. On-site parking also will be available for tenants.

Until around 2010 the firehouse building was used for several decades by the city Bureau of Streets and Sanitation. (Nadig, Nadig Newspapers, 8/20/25)

Preservation Chicago applauds Tim Pomaville and Ambrosia Homes for his dedication and commitment to this adaptive reuse over the past 6 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, Dan Pogorzelski, 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 Nadig Newspapers

• Converting 2nd floor of former Jefferson Park firehouse into apartments starts, Brian Nadig, Nadig Newspapers, 8/20/25
• 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