Nearby Mariano’s Moves Forward with $7.5M Construction Permit

Crews are making progress at the local Mariano’s Fresh Market after the City of Chicago approved a new construction permit, estimating this phase will cost $7.5 million.

The development of the 4-acre site bound by Ashland, North Elston and West Webster avenues comes after years of financial interruptions. But now the ball is rolling at the more than 72,500-square-foot structure.

This permit is just one of many that will make up the final grocery store.

Mariano’s will take up the first floor of the building, while there will be parking on the second level. More than 315 total spaces will be available for customers.

That’s combined with a two-story office and retail building on the south end of the lot. Developers plan that building will have a green roof.

As of January, the buyers—Houston-based Transwestern Investment Management LLC and Bloomington-based State Farm Life Insurance Co.—say construction will be completed in 2014. The investors purchased the property from Hayes Mechanical for $11.1 million in June of 2012.

Mariano’s on Ashland will join a sister store also under construction in Ravenswood. A mild summer with weather meant for construction has put that store ahead of schedule. 

Although the official word for an opening date is still January 2014, Ravenswood residents might get their new grocery store as early as November, workers confirmed at the site Tuesday. The new grocery store broke ground at 1800 W. Lawrence Ave. in December. 

That’s in addition to another Mariano’s rumored to fill a vacant lot in Lake View formerly home to a Dominick’s grocery store. Ald. Tom Tunney’s (44th) office says that location is still in limbo while they wait to hear if Chicago’s pension board will reinvest in the location.