Retail Development Imagined for Former Western Avenue Car Wash

Say goodbye to the former car wash near Western and Waveland avenues, because the lot’s new owner has big plans for a complete redevelopment of the space.

Situated at 3636 N. Western Ave., the former unsightly car wash is already being demolished after recently getting the green light by Chicago officials in late May. The project has been on the fast track since the developer by the name of Bobb LLC purchased the lot for more than $1 million early in May, records show.

Now Ald. Ameya Pawar’s (47th) Director of Constituent Services Ernie Constantino says the owner wants to breath new life into the almost 24,000-square-foot property.

“Regarding the lot at 3636-58, we did get notice of the demolition of two buildings there,” Constantino said in an email. “The owner Mark O’Toole contacted us a few weeks ago about a retail development concept. We are awaiting more formal plans.”

A representative in Pawar’s office said on the phone that a Starbucks was mentioned for the space, however, O'Toole could not immediately be reached for a comment.  

Constantino said the project is still in its early stages, but any changes in the land’s zoning would need to go through the 47th Ward Zoning Approval Process.

According to the current zoning, the site is pegged as ”large sites that are destination oriented, (and) permits dwelling units above ground floor.”

More information about the project is likely to come about in the upcoming weeks.