East Side Deconstruction

1840 N. Farwell Ave. Deconstruction

Crews have been working all summer to deconstruct the four-floor, modernist office building at 1840 N. Farwell Ave. The building, originally built in 1961, will give way to a new 13-floor apartment tower. Jim Wiechmann and his namesake firm Wiechmann Enterprises are guiding the development of the new tower.

Deconstruction, unlike demolition, seeks to divert as much of the building as possible from the landfill. Sidewalk architects have been able to observe element after element disappear from the building, essentially watching the construction process happen in reverse. Ceiling tiles disappear one day, then glass windows the next. A wrecking ball would certainly be faster, but far worse for the environment.

Recyclean, Inc. has been guiding the deconstruction work of the 25,536-square-foot building. They’re also at work on another project for frequent Wiechmann partner Tim Gokhman, deconstructing the building that housed Renaissance Book Shop at 834 N. Plankinton Ave.

Once the site is clear construction work will begin on the new tower. The tower will occupy the footprint of the building, as well as the parking lot immediately to the south at 1832 N. Farwell Ave. The new building is being designed by Kindness Architecture + Planning, a frequent Wiechmann and New Land Enterprises collaborator. Kindness, a seven-person firm, was acquired by Eppstein Uhen Architects in August.

When complete, the new building will include 153 apartments, primarily one bedroom and studio units. A 215-stall parking garage on the building’s lower floors with service 10,000 square-feet of office space in the building, as well as first-floor commercial space. Award winning chef Justin Carlisle has announced that he’ll open a deli in the building, complimenting his Red Light Ramen and Ardent restaurants just across the street.

How do the neighbors feel about all of this? A February meeting led by alderman Nik Kovac had only two attendees in opposition, a true oddity for the dense Lower East Side.

Photos

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Renderings

Prior to Demolition