Development on Chippewa
So-called for its long-time occupant, Chippewa Chop Suey, this 2-story brick building was constructed in the 1920s. After suffering a kitchen fire in 2008, the building sat vacant for over a decade before construction could begin. Charred walls and buckled floors were made worse by the unfortunate decorating strategy of “when in doubt, paint it pink”. The facade suffered a less-than-tasteful midcentury alteration that removed many original architectural components and concealed others. Water was entering the building however it could – through the roof, windows, and even walls, as a result of some extremely deteriorated tuckpointing. And the yard (if you could call it that) was a cumbersome mess of concrete debris and tree-sized weeds.
Not one to be put off by a challenge (2755 Chippewa was in a lot worse shape, and have you seen future project Homestead?), our team began the stabilization and renovation process in December 2020. COVID-19 dealt us our fair share of setbacks throughout the year, and this project was no exception: material shortages and schedule interruptions made the development longer and more difficult than anticipated. But in April 2021, the project was completed, with a combination of new, restored, and replicated elements that honor the building’s historic past, and Chop Suey joins a multitude of other construction projects that are revitalizing this ever-improving district.
The finished product includes a first-level retail space with a 3-bedroom apartment above. Both spaces have all new electric, HVAC, and plumbing, along with a combination of modern and original details.
