Retail Space, Parking Added to New Lawrence Avenue Apartments

New retail space and apartments will join Roots Handmade Pizza at two parcels of land on Lawrence Avenue.

The proposed project is for 2200 and 2208 W. Lawrence Ave., just blocks away from a new Mariano's Fresh Market.

John Steven Livaditis of Oxford Lane Capital bought the properties in July after a 6 month planning process with Ward 47 Alderman Ameya Pawar. 

Livaditis presented his development Tuesday night to the community at Fountainhead. Besides representatives from office and reporters, only three residents attended. Given the lack of objection to the project, the Ward 47 Constituent Services Director Ernie Constantino said the alderman was likely to approve a zoning change for the building. 

For the vacant lot at 2200 W. Lawrence Avenue, Livaditis proposes a four-story building with one or two retail spaces and 25 parking spots on the first floor. 

Three one-bedroom and 18 two-bedroom apartments will make up the remaining three levels. Livaditis said the living spaces will be rented out at about $2 per square foot, ranging from $1,500 a month for the one bedroom, to $2,200—$2,400 for the two-bedroom units. Sizes start at 900 and end at 1,400 square feet. 

A previous plan called for 28 apartment units with no commercial space, but Livaditis said Pawar insisted on the retail availability for Lawrence Avenue. The new plan also creates a setback and green roof for the building. 

Spencer Gardner, one of the attendees, has lived around the corner from the proposed development for the last 2 years. 

"I think it's awesome," he said. "Lawrence (Avenue) needs some serious work—it's a lot better than a vacant storefront."

If approved by the September city council meeting, Livaditis said he'd like to break ground in October and rent the first apartment by March 2014. 

The property sits next to another property owned by Livaditis, formerly the old Chicago Ale House at 2208 W. Lawrence Ave. Roots Handmade Pizza committed to partially fill the first floor of the building in June. 

A second location of the Wicker Park barbecue joint, Lillie's Q could be a possibility in the building as well, "But," Livaditis said, "We're really not sure yet…There's a lot of work to be done in that building." 

The owner is also debating whether to add apartments to the second floor of the building, or keep that as commercial space as well. 

Read more about Lawrence Avenue development: 

• New Pop-Up Storefront Adds to Lawrence Avenue Revival
• Construction on Lawrence Avenue Underway with November Deadline
• Lawrence Avenue Plan Good for Pedestrians, Bad for Business, Some Say
• Mariano's, New Apartments to Create 500 Temporary and Permanent Jobs
• New 'Culinary Brewhouse' in Ravenswood Receives Aldermanic Approval