5-Story Lakeview Apartment Building Pitched For Former Stage 773 Theater

Skymaster LLC plans to redevelop the former Stage 773 theater into a five-story mixed-use apartment building, featuring 40 residential units and over 2,200 square feet of ground-floor commercial space. The proposal, submitted for zoning approval, includes a shared rooftop deck for residents and parking accommodations for 24 vehicles and 40 bicycles. Located at 1215–1227 W. Belmont Ave. , the site qualifies as a transit-oriented development, being approximately 1,500 feet from the Belmont CTA station.

The developer seeks a zoning change to allow for increased residential density and exceptions to standard parking requirements. Stage 773 had served as a vital hub for Chicago's independent theater community before its closure, highlighting ongoing challenges for smaller venues citywide. The ownership group has held the property since 2010, and previous attempts to reinvent the space have not succeeded. If the zoning application is approved, the project could revitalize an area that has remained largely dormant since the theater’s final performance. The proposal will undergo review by the City Council’s zoning committee before it can advance to construction.