ANDERSONVILLE — A developer is trying to get a zoning change to redevelop a multi-unit home on Ashland Avenue into a four-story condo building.
Developer Wes Khan’s plans call for the demolition of the home at 5642 N. Ashland Ave., which most recently housed apartments but has sat vacant for some time. In its place would rise a four-story condo building on a changing block in Andersonville.
If approved, the building would neighbor two other recently redeveloped buildings in the 5600 block of North Ashland Avenue. Just north of Hollywood Avenue at Ashland sits the former Edgewater Hospital building, which has just debuted as a 155-unit apartment building.
Khan bought the house from a judicial bankruptcy sale in October, Cook County property records show. The house was not in salvageable condition, Khan’s attorney said. It was built in 1916, records show.
In its place, Khan wants to build a four-unit, four-story condo building. Three of the units would be duplexes, two units would have private rooftop space and a parking garage would provide four spaces, according to plans shared at a community meeting Tuesday.
The condos would likely be priced $600,000-$700,000, Khan said.
To build the multi-unit structure, Khan needs a zoning change. Much of the block’s zoning was reduced from multi-unit to single-family under former Ald. Pat O’Connor in 2015, city records show. Khan wants to restore the property’s zoning before it was “downzoned.”
Neighbors at Tuesday’s meeting said they expect much of the remaining homes on the Ashland Avenue block to eventually be redeveloped into multi-unit buildings. The proposed development fits in with the scope of other recent projects on the block, some neighbors said.
Some neighbors asked the developer to consider a front property line setback closer to 12 feet from the proposed 10 feet, putting it more in line with other recent developments on the block.
“It’s a nice-looking building,” said neighbor Scott Fink. “As we redevelop this block over time … [we should] try to keep a consistent front line.”
Ald. Andre Vasquez (40th) is considering the zoning change request and is seeking neighbor feedback on the project. To learn more about the project, click here. To fill out a feedback survey on the project, click here.
Subscribe to Block Club Chicago. Every dime we make funds reporting from Chicago’s neighborhoods.
Already subscribe? Click here to support Block Club with a tax-deductible donation.