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SixForty, 640 N Wells St, is a 23-story, 250-unit apartment tower in the River North neighborhood.
The development includes ground-level retail space. SixForty has been designed for LEED Silver certification and has a green roof and on-site storm water retention.
Construction began early in 2016. First occupancies began in July of 2017.
Chicago-based JDL Development is the developer. The award-winning Hartshorne Plunkard Architecture is responsible for SixForty’s distinctive design.
SixForty replaces the well-known Ed Debevic’s Restaurant that formerly occupied part of the site.
The apartments
SixForty offers studio, convertible, 1-bedroom, 2-bedroom, 2-bath, 2-bedroom, 2-bath plus den, and 3-bedroom, 2-bath apartments. Floor plans and near real-time rent and availability info are online.
SixForty apartments have 9 ½ foot ceilings, plank flooring, floor-to-ceiling windows, in-unit washer / dryers and a high level of finishes.
SixForty has upscale kitchens with stone counters, wall-mounted ovens, side-by-side refrigerator / freezers and breakfast bar islands with under-mount sinks.
Baths have walk-in showers with frameless glass surrounds. A number of the apartments have private balconies.
Views. 640 North Wells is surrounded by largely low-rise development, ensuring spectacular skyline views to the north and south, and a fairly unobstructed view corridor to the west. The views to the east are constrained by new development directly across the street on the former Gino’s East site.
Amenities, services, policies
SixForty has an extensive and imaginative suite of amenities.
SixForty is one of only a few River North buildings with a rooftop pool. The pool deck has a hot tub, private cabanas with flat-screen TVs, and skyline views.
The 23rd floor “social club” has a restaurant-grade demonstration kitchen, a fireside library and dining suite, and a gaming lounge.
The fifth-floor amenities include a fitness center, and a landscaped terrace with grilling stations, outdoor dining, fire pits and TVs. There’s also a golf simulator and an outdoor putting green.
The location
640 North Wells is near the geographic center of River North, affording the location good proximity to the Gold Coast, Streeterville and the Loop.
Loyola University’s Water Tower campus, home to its law, business, education and communications schools, is a few blocks north and east of the property. Northwestern and Lurie Children’s hospitals are a short walk further east.
Shopping. 640 North Wells is a few short blocks from what Whole Foods bills as its “Gold Coast store” despite its River North location.
Jewel-Osco and Trader Joe’s are also within a few blocks of 640 North Wells.
A number of convenience stores are nearby, as are Walgreens and CVS pharmacies.
Michigan Avenue’s Magnificent Mile shops and The Shops at North Bridge, anchored by Nordstrom, are a half-mile east.
Oak Street boutiques are a few blocks to the north. Big-box retail stores abound in the Clybourn Corridor, a mile northwest and a new Target is just over a half-mile northwest.
640 North Wells is on the cusp of the River North Gallery District, which has been shrinking in recent years but remains a scene worth visiting.
Dining, nightlife. 640 North Wells is a short walk from a dense array of dining and nightlife options in River North and the Gold Coast.
Café Iberico on LaSalle is known for its tapas, and for an outstanding selection of affordable wines.
Nearby Clark St venues include Zed 451, 25 Degrees, and Clark Street Ale House.
The 700 block of Wells St hosts Brehon Pub, Prosecco and the ever-popular Yolk. Farmhouse is just around the corner.
The immediate area is also home to many of the venues that draw crowds of suburbanites, tourists and conventioneers to the area. Hooters is across the street on Wells. The Rainforest Café, Hard Rock Café, Portillo’s and Rock N Roll McDonald’s are nearby – and that’s just for starters.
Parks, recreation. Most of River North is a park desert, and SixForty has limited proximity to public parks.
Transportation. Public transportation is good.
The CTA Red Line stops Chicago Ave and Chicago Ave are about a 10-minute walk from SixForty. The Brown and Purple Line stops at Chicago Ave and the Merchandise Mart are, respectively, a 5- and 8-minute walk away.
A variety of CTA bus routes traverse LaSalle St, Grand Ave and Chicago Ave within a short walk of SixForty.
The location has good access to I-90/94 and the city’s expressway grid via the Ontario and Ohio on / off ramps.
Zipcar car sharing locations are within a block or two of the building. Taxi service is available 24/7. DIVVY bikes are available nearby.
The competition
You’ll find additional options at YoChicago’s comprehensive River North apartment guide.
Note: SixForty is a YoChicago advertiser.