Developer Planning Micro-Apartments On Site Of Popular Old Town Hot Dog Stand
The fate of another longstanding Chicago hot dog stand is uncertain after a local developer bought the site the stand calls home. The Domain Group acquired a 21K SF site at 236-238 West Division St., the longtime home of Sammy's Red Hots in Old Town, for just under $6M, and plans to build a six-story micro-apartment building on the site.
Imperial Realty Co. Senior Associate Drew Neems, who represented Sammy's Red Hots owner Jafar Lashkariya, said the site is zoned to allow for a 70-foot high building. Sammy's has been in business for 71 years, and recently reopened after a fire forced the stand's closure in November 2014. Land prices in Old Town have risen as developers are seeking opportunities outside of the downtown core. JAB Real Estate is selling The Northland, a 61-unit apartment building it opened last year. The redevelopment of Atrium Village, now in its second phase, is the subject of a federal lawsuit from low-income renters who claim the developer, Onni Group, reneged on its commitment to preserve the original affordable housing count on the site.
The Domain Group's building would be 105K SF, and units would consist of mostly studio and one-bedroom apartments. Neems said Sammy's has no plans to reopen. Bisnow has requested comment from The Domain Group on the acquisition and its plans. Attempts to reach Lashkariya were unsuccessful.
Fulton Grace Realty represented The Domain Group. Another hot dog stand, The Wiener's Circle, may have to find a new home after the owner of that site placed the building on the market last month.
