CRM Properties Moves Forward with Willow Street District Retail Redevelopment in Chicago's Lincoln Park

• CRM Properties has received additional demolition permits for the Willow Street District redevelopment at Clybourn Place in Lincoln Park.
• The project will move forward with 43,900 square feet of retail space across five new buildings after the planned 500-unit residential tower was shelved.
• The retail redevelopment will proceed under the site's existing zoning, allowing construction to advance without waiting for new entitlements.

Retail Redevelopment Moves Ahead

Located at 1800 North Clybourn Avenue, Chicago, IL 60614, CRM Properties is continuing demolition work to prepare for the next phase of the Willow Street District redevelopment. The project will replace portions of the aging Clybourn Place shopping center with a new retail district while utilizing the property's existing zoning approvals, allowing construction to move forward more quickly.

What the Project Includes

Plans call for five new retail buildings totaling approximately 43,900 square feet of commercial space. Four retail buildings will be constructed north of West Willow Street, centered around a 101-space parking lot, while a fifth 8,300-square-foot retail building will rise south of Willow Street with an additional 99 parking spaces. The updated plan focuses solely on retail, simplifying the project's first phase.

Residential Tower Put on Hold

The latest proposal marks a significant shift from CRM Properties' original vision unveiled in 2024. Earlier plans included a 500-unit residential tower rising approximately 520 feet, along with a denser retail layout featuring less surface parking. Rather than pursuing a zoning amendment for the mixed-use project, the developer has elected to advance the retail component first. The residential tower has reportedly not been abandoned but remains on hold pending future approvals.

Demolition Clears the Way

Chicago officials recently issued three additional demolition permits covering multiple structures at 1800 North Clybourn Avenue and 1824 North Clybourn Avenue. National Wrecking Company will remove the existing buildings north of Willow Street to prepare the site for new construction. No construction start date or project completion timeline has been announced.

What This Means for Lincoln Park

The Willow Street District reflects continued investment along one of Chicago's most active retail corridors. While the pause on the residential tower delays the addition of hundreds of new housing units, advancing the retail redevelopment allows CRM Properties to reposition the aging shopping center while preserving the option for higher-density mixed-use development in the future.