Mixed-use development proposed at 749 W. Briar

A mixed-use development is in the works to convert the former Briar Street Theater into retail and residential at 749 W. Briar. Planned by JAB Real Estate, the former Briar Street Theater building sits at the southeast corner of W. Briar Pl and N. Halsted St and will be retained. The surface parking lot on the south side of the building will be included in the development. 

Designed by Moth Architects, the redevelopment will renovate the existing building, add three stories of units on top and build a five-story addition in place of the existing surface parking lot. The project will have a total 66 residential units, approximately 1,200 square feet of retail space, and 14 parking spaces. To meet the 20% affordable requirement of 13 units, 10 will be included in the building and the remaining 3 units will be covered with a fee-in-lieu payment.

The building’s ground floor will host the retail space overlooking the corner of W. Briar Pl and N. Halsted St with the residential entry fronting W. Briar Pl within the existing building. A bike room with room for 66 bikes will be accessible from the residential lobby and the 14 parking spaces will be accessed from the alley occupying space within the footprint of the current surface parking lot. The ground floor will also have 8 lofted apartments with 7 of them two-beds and one three-bed layout. 

The second floor of the project will have a fitness center in the middle of the floor plate with 14 units surrounding it and in the addition. The third floor is the first fully new floor above the existing building and will be setback from the full footprint of the existing building. The fourth and fifth floors will be similar with the top floor including a community room and roof deck at the southeast corner of the building. The overall unit mix will include 45 one-beds, 19 two-beds, 2 three-beds.

To allow for the scope of the development, the developer is seeking to rezone the site from B3-2 to B2-5. Approvals will be needed from the Committee on Zoning and City Council. If approved, Heritage Builders is expected to lead the construction.