“Developer GW Properties has come back to the community to propose a new plan for the rehabilitation of the Hollander Building. Located at 2422 N. Milwaukee, the building stands just north of the intersection of N. Milwaukee Ave and W. Fullerton Ave. The rear of the Hollander Building turns to front W. Fullerton Ave, with the rest of the site backing up against the public alley and Blue Line CTA L tracks.
“Designed by NORR, the updated plan would rehabilitate the Hollander Building and build a new five-story addition that will replace an existing parking lot and one-story structure. Rising 74 feet, the project would add 4,500 square feet of retail to the base of the Hollander Building and there will be 5,000 square feet of retail in the new addition. According to the developers, Guidepost Montessori and a salon have already signed onto the project.
“The site has gone through multiple zoning changes since its first version, with an approved plan from 2019 calling for a five-story addition to convert the building into offices, retail, and commercial space. In 2021, the developers came back to remove the addition, use the existing one-story building as an extension of the ground floor commercial space, and put 9 apartments and office space into the Hollander Building. (Kugler, Urbanize Chicago, 9/6/22)
Preservation Chicago had been in communication with developer, former owner David Hollander and aldermen’s offices to encourage a preservation-sensitive reuse of the building and to promote a potential landmark designation. All were receptive to the concept. Preservation Chicago encourages the developer to consider landmarking the Hollander Warehouse building and its highly decorative and intact lobby.
A different building with similar name, the Hollander Fireproof Warehouse located at Milwaukee, North and Damen avenues was renovated in 2016 as part of the Northwest Tower/ Robey Hotel project.