Shovels in the Ground: Lake View's Long-Awaited Torstenson Glass Redevelopment Is Finally Moving — and a New Wrigleyville Block Party Is Coming This Fall

By Socialhood News · Il/Chicago/Lake View · August 5, 2026

Lake View neighbors, big things are happening on the construction front — and the neighborhood's event calendar just got a major addition to look forward to this autumn.

First, the development news that's been building all summer: demolition permits have been pulled for the former Torstenson Glass buildings in Lake View, officially signaling the start of a long-anticipated residential redevelopment. According to 44th Ward Alderman Bennett Lawson, whose office sits right next door to the project site, excavation and foundation work are set to kick off in mid-August and run through mid-October — meaning neighbors will start seeing real, visible progress on the ground very soon. Full construction is slated to carry through to an April 2028 opening, so this one is officially off the drawing board and into the dirt.

And if you're already thinking about fall plans, mark your calendars: the Lakeview East Chamber of Commerce has announced a brand-new block party event coming to Wrigleyville on September 26 & 27, 2026, running along Clark Street from Addison to Newport — and for the first time in nearly 30 years at that. Between a major new residential project breaking ground and a fresh fall festival joining the neighborhood's already-packed event roster, Lake View is proving once again that the energy here never really slows down. Stay tuned to Socialhood for more updates as construction gets underway — and get those September weekends blocked off now!

Sources:
1. https://chicagoyimby.com/2026/08/three-demolition-permits-for-torstenson-glass-buildings-signal-start-of-residential-redevelopment-in-lake-view.html
2. https://lakevieweast.com/