Retired L Car Makes Final Stop At Upscale Residential Development
(CBS) – There has been a lot of recent development in the Chicago area that is built near CTA or Metra rail lines. But only one development has a genuine CTA "L" car built into it.
This retired L car was trucked down Milwaukee Avenue Thursday and placed, with the help of cranes, atop a second-floor deck in the newly-built, L-shaped complex, at 2211 N. Milwaukee Ave.
The name: What else? "L."
Luxury Living Chicago Realty owner and managing broker Aaron Galvin says the car body still bears its CTA insignias and car number.
"The thought was let's hollow out this car, let's fabricate it, put the furniture in it, make it community building space," he says.
Developer Property Markets Group worked with Downers Grove-based ARCO/Murray National Construction Co. and Chicago Salvage Works to rebuild the car body for its new purpose.
Its motorman's compartment remains intact. It is said to be perfect for someone using a laptop. End doors remain, although its passenger doors and most of the rest of its windows have been removed, along with the seating and standee rails, and bar furniture has been installed.
Retired L Car Makes Final Stop
It will sit in the middle of a shallow pool, gazebo-like, also sharing the recreation deck with a dog track and barbecue pits.
Galvin said the goal is to make it a home for Logan Square-area community groups who need meeting space.
"L" will have 120 units, all rentals, when completed in July. The first tenants in the 120-unit building should begin moving in late next month.
Pricing ranges from $1,200 a month for a junior one-bedroom (convertible) apartment to $3,400 a month for a three-bedroom.
