- Credibility:
WICKER PARK — Wells Fargo is planning to open a branch in the middle of Wicker Park, the second bank to make a move to the Milwaukee/Damen/North intersection in recent months.
The bank, which operates a handful of ATMs in Downtown Chicago, is moving into the Flat Iron Arts Building, 1585 N. Milwaukee Ave., a spokesperson confirmed Tuesday.
Wells Fargo did not share a timeline for the branch’s opening or additional details. The opening was first reported by Crain’s reporter Steve Daniels.
“Wells Fargo has recently entered into a lease agreement to open a branch at 1585 N. Milwaukee Ave. We do not yet have an estimated completion date for the branch. We continue to regularly review new branch location opportunities as part of our ongoing process to better serve our customers,” spokesperson Jéntill Neal wrote in an email.
Wells Fargo is taking over a former Bank of America location that closed in 2021. It will be located across from a new Chase Bank branch slated to open in the next month.
Credit: Quinn Myers/Block Club ChicagoChase is consolidating two Wicker Park branches into the renovated space at 1954 W. North Ave., formerly home to the Wicker Park Tavern, commonly known as just Tavern.
The new branch will have three ATMs and a more “consultative” and “comfortable” feel, Chase Market Director Claudia Guzman told Block Club last month.
The Wells Fargo move comes as the Damen/Milwaukee/North intersection has struggled with vacancies in recent years. The Flat Iron’s corner retail space has been empty since Bank of America closed its branch.
And in January, Walgreens closed its flagship Wicker Park location at the former Noel State Bank Building across the street.
The Flat Iron building changed hands last year for the first time in three decades, with new landlord North American Real Estate pledging to expand retail options. The building has long been home to artist studios and other creative spaces on its upper floors.
Wells Fargo’s Wicker Park announcement is the latest in an expansion of its retail presence in Chicago. Crain’s reports the bank is planning to open additional locations in Lincoln Park, the West Loop and other neighborhoods.
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