On October 31, 2025, the City of Chicago issued demolition permits for the two main buildings at 1633 and 1649 N. Halsted Street. Precision Excavation is handling the teardown. With demolition now underway, the site is being cleared for redevelopment by Draper & Kramer under a plan approved earlier in 2023 by the Chicago Plan Commission. The Royal George complex, which included the theatre itself, a restaurant space, a parking deck, and associated commercial buildings has been dormant since the theatre closed in 2020.
What’s Planned: A New Nine-Storey Residential Building
The approved redevelopment envisions a mixed-use tower rising nine storeys, with 131 residential units above ground-floor commercial. The ground level will feature roughly 4,500 square feet of retail or restaurant space, plus a parking garage with 34 vehicle spaces and storage for 131 bicycles.
Chicago Yimby reports that the residential units will include a mix of layouts, from studios to multi-bedrooms and are designed to meet demand for housing in a transit-rich, centrally located Chicago neighborhood. The building will also include resident amenities such as a coworking space, fitness studio, lounge, and a landscaped sky terrace.
The tower’s massing steps back from the street along Halsted to reduce bulk, and the redevelopment will include publicly beneficial contributions, including commitments toward nearby parks and affordable housing as part of negotiated community benefits.
Construction & Design Outlook
Hoodline reports that though exact construction start dates haven’t been announced, demolition is well underway and is a visible sign that redevelopment is imminent. The new building is likely to begin foundation and structural work once the site is cleared and permits for vertical construction are issued.
Key design considerations will include integrating retail frontage, providing a well-connected lobby entrance on Halsted Street, and concealing parking access via a rear alley. Bicycle parking and amenity spaces add layers of complexity to mechanical, structural, and interior systems. Developers also plan to restore community connectivity to the theater corridor through streetscape improvements that complement the new building and surrounding uses.
Trades and Workforce — Who’s Building It
Transforming the former theatre block into a modern mixed-use tower will mobilize a broad range of skilled construction trades. Among the key trades likely involved:
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Demolition crews and site-preparation specialists — clearing existing structures, removing debris, prepping the foundation area.
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Excavation teams and foundation contractors — preparing soil and subgrade, installing footings or pile foundations.
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Concrete formwork carpenters and rebar crews — building structural walls, slabs, and cores for the tower and podium.
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Steel erectors and ironworkers — where structural steel framing or reinforcements are required.
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Masons, façade installers, and exterior finish trades — building exterior walls, cladding, retail storefronts, and architectural finishes.
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Glaziers and curtain-wall installers — installing windows and storefront glazing, ensuring energy performance and weather sealing.
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Electrical contractors and low-voltage technicians — wiring units, common areas, retail space, and building systems (lighting, data, fire alarms).
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Plumbers and mechanical pipefitters — installing plumbing, drainage, water supply, fire suppression systems for residential and retail areas.
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HVAC technicians and sheet-metal workers — installing heating, cooling, ventilation, and mechanical systems appropriate for residential use.
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Interior carpenters, drywall and ceiling installers — constructing apartment interiors, lobbies, and amenity spaces.
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Finish trades: flooring, painting, trim carpentry — completing apartment interiors, retail spaces, and common areas.
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Landscape, hardscape, and civil contractors — building sidewalks, street-edge landscaping, alley improvements, and any public-realm frontage enhancements.
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Project managers, safety inspectors, quality control, and scheduling coordinators — ensuring compliance, timely delivery, and safety across all phases.
What’s Next and What to Watch
With demolition in progress, neighbors and future residents are now turning their attention to several key indicators of project momentum:
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Permit filings for foundation work and vertical construction, once submitted, will provide a clearer timeline for build-out.
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Selection of general contractor and subcontractors will reflect the project’s construction schedule and workforce mobilization.
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Construction staging, especially regarding access, noise control, and materials delivery is important in a dense, residential neighborhood.
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Community benefit commitments, including affordable units, public-realm improvements, and potential support for local arts institutions is a legacy consideration given the theatre’s cultural history.
