Isn't this the neighborhood that's sometimes called "Candy Land?" No, nothing naughty intended…rather there used to be some candy factories around here and there was even a special railroad track for cars bringing sugar, etc. to the facilities.

Is this picture current? If so, it seems that they have made little exterior progress lately. I reall like these buildings (from belmont). The treatment from lakewood was in teh works when I last went by and seemed "unique". It would be great if you could snap a photo of that side which has the entrance. Also, sound liek they may have mis priced teh penthouses if they both went that fast.

there was one old candy factory was at Diversey & Lakewood that is getting gutted right now, my recollection is a lot of industry along Lakewood, but at least since the early 80s only that one candy factory.

the RR tracks have largely been pulled, but they do still exist running south of Diversey for a block or two - I recall seeing one train as a very young kid, but they haven't run north of Diversey for decades.

"there was one old candy factory was at Diversey & Lakewood that is getting gutted right now"

It is actually being demolished. This parcel will be all SF homes just like the other side of lakewood. There will be townhomes on diversey.

Let me make something perfectly, clear.(in Nixon Persona)

I meant the building WAS "ratty".

It seems like it is getting quite nice now.

I walked by there awhile back and with the exception of some of the larger windows on the west side of the building most of the outside seemed to be done.

They gutted the interior and were putting in studs. If you walked(walk?) by you could see right in as part of it was open. Now for those of you who are of a thieving frame of mind don't bother. They have overnight security.

right, wrong word choice there - and demolition makes more sense, the building was pretty much just a giant box, no windows, no nothin'.

who steals studs, anyway? now that's desperate.

Where there are studs there are likely to be copper water supply lines.

They had(have?) security there. So they must feel something was worth protecting.

With the windows and brick work it is actually a surprisingly nice looking building.

As for Carter it seems Avondale is now getting hip.

It's own band.

http://www.chicagopublicradio.org/Content.aspx?audioID=19585

irishpirate,

That music was hip when I was in 8th grade. Or was it 7th grade? Whatever year I was obsessed with Lois Brown. Lois, can you jog my memory?

Joe,

For Avondale the 1930's is hip.

As for Lois like you she is too old to jog anything.

Now they're allowing the Irish in Avondale?

There goes the neighborhood.

btw, the 1930s are still hip if you dig Django Reinhardt, my old band is still playing that style of music every Wed at the Green Mill (swinggitan.com)

Carter,

The bloody Irish have been kicked out of every decent neighborhood in Chicago.

All we have left to move to is Avondale.

You do have Chief O'Neils's and the Abbey. I'm sure there are some liquor stores and potato emporiums. Throw in a petting zoo with some sheepies and the whole hood will soon be overrun with drunken leprechauns singing badly and using bad accents.

Pirate - didn't that happen ALL OVER TOWN last weekend?

Yea, pretty much.