Foundation permit issued for development replacing 720 N. Wells

A foundation permit has been issued for the new hospitality development replacing two historic structures at the southwest corner of N. Wells St and W. Superior St. Planned by Topography Hospitality, the buildings have now been razed to clear the site for the new development. 

The three-story brick and wood framed structure at 720 N. Wells was built near the time of the Chicago Fire but is green-rated on the Chicago Historic Resources Survey with no protections from demolition. The Italianate structure at 207 W. Superior was estimated to be from the 1880s and is listed as orange-rated on the Chicago Historic Resources Survey. It was placed on the 90-day demolition delay list in mid-2023 and was ultimately released in August 2023.

While no renderings or formal plans have been released, the permit application reports that the building will be a five-story masonry structure to hold a new private social club with restaurant space, spa facilities, and hotel guest rooms.

The building permit lists local architect GREC Architects as architects for the project, while reports say New York-based Robert A.M. Stern Architects is involved, likely as the design architect. Bulley & Andrews will be the general contractor leading the new construction.