Another Plan To Redevelop Lubinski Furniture In Wicker Park Scrapped

Envoi Partners announced it will not move forward with its proposal for a nine-story addition to the Lubinski Furniture building in Wicker Park. The developer initially sought to add 46 residential units, later proposing a plan for 75 apartments, which drew significant opposition from the local community, particularly artists occupying spaces in the building. Feedback from a virtual meeting indicated that preserving art spaces was a primary concern for residents. Legal constraints, including setbacks required by the Chicago Transit Authority and historical preservation regulations, limited the project's scope, leading to its cancellation. Envoi could have built 12 housing units without a zoning change, but financial considerations made that option unattractive.

The Lubinski building, home to a furniture business and various arts spaces, remains a critical site for community development discussions. Equity Arts, which received a $5 million grant to buy the building, has not yet finalized any purchase agreement. The ongoing tensions between proposed redevelopment and community needs continue to shape the narrative around this historic site.