Demolition Begins for 7 West Elm Residential Tower in Chicago

• Demolition permits have been issued for the former Barnes & Noble and Lou Malnati's buildings at 1120 and 1130 North State Street, paving the way for the 7 West Elm residential tower.
• The project at 7 West Elm Street will deliver 304 rental apartments, 24,000 square feet of retail space, and 142 parking spaces.
• Developed by Convexity Properties and designed by Goettsch Partners, the 28-story mixed-use tower is expected to be completed in late summer 2028.

What the Redevelopment Includes

A major redevelopment is moving forward at 7 West Elm Street, with demolition officially set to begin at the former Lou Malnati's restaurant at 1120 North State Street and the former Barnes & Noble building at 1130 North State Street in Chicago's Gold Coast neighborhood. The demolition permits, issued on August 4, mark the first construction milestone for the long-planned mixed-use development. The two properties have already been enclosed with fencing, and Taylor Excavating has been selected as the demolition contractor. The demolition work carries a combined permit value of approximately $246,000. Once the site is cleared, construction will begin on a new residential tower that will replace the aging commercial buildings with new housing and retail space.

What the New Tower Will Include

Developed by Convexity Properties and designed by Goettsch Partners, the new tower will rise 28 stories and reach approximately 315 feet in height. The development will feature 304 rental apartments above a four-story podium containing 24,000 square feet of retail space and 142 parking spaces. The retail component will continue activating the busy North State Street corridor, while the residential tower will add hundreds of new homes to one of Chicago's most desirable neighborhoods. The project will occupy the southwest corner of North State Street and West Elm Street, directly across from 4 East Elm and adjacent to the Viceroy Chicago, both of which are also owned by Convexity Properties.

What Happens Next for Construction

Permits for the project's foundation and caisson work are already progressing through the City's approval process, while the full building permit remains pending. Although the permits do not identify a builder, W.E. O'Neil Construction has previously been announced as the project's general contractor, and company signage has already been installed around the site. If demolition proceeds on schedule, foundation work could begin shortly afterward, allowing vertical construction to start later this year.

What This Means for the Gold Coast

The redevelopment of 7 West Elm Street represents another significant investment in Chicago's Gold Coast, replacing two long-standing commercial properties with new housing while maintaining retail activity at street level. The project will add 304 new rental apartments in a neighborhood where demand for housing remains strong, while new retail space will help reinforce North State Street's role as one of the city's premier mixed-use corridors. Based on the anticipated 20-month construction schedule, the building could welcome its first residents by late summer 2028.