Former McGee’s Tavern Site Could Become 5-Story Apartment Building

LINCOLN PARK — The former home of one of Lincoln Park’s best-known late-night sports bars could soon be home to 20 households under a developer’s proposal for a five-story mixed-use building. The proposal for 950 W. Webster Ave., the former site of McGee’s Tavern & Grille, calls for 20 two-bedroom apartments, including four affordable units, above 2,200 square feet of ground-floor commercial space. The developer is seeking to rezone the property from B1-2 to B3-3 to allow the project to move forward. The proposal drew a lively discussion at a community meeting Thursday hosted by Ald. Timmy Knudsen (43rd), where roughly 75 neighbors gathered to weigh in on the plans. Residents raised questions about the building’s height, parking and architectural design, including its exterior materials and how it would fit into the surrounding neighborhood. The developer, Arsalan Hamidi, said he heard concerns about the initial design and plans to return to his architect to make changes. “A lot of people there, including our supporters, didn’t like the design,” Hamidi told Block Club. “So we are going to go back to our architect and make those changes.” Hamidi said the initial rendering was an early draft and that he wants to build something that complements the neighborhood. He said he is open to reconsidering the facade and architectural materials, including the proposed limestone accents, but expects the building to remain five stories. The additional floor is central to making the project financially feasible, Hamidi said. Under the property’s current zoning, which allows for a four-story building, he didn’t believe the project would justify the purchase price. He said he made a contingent agreement to buy the property after determining that a five-story building with 20 apartments and ground-floor retail could work financially. The proposed building would stand 57.6 feet tall and include eight indoor parking spaces and storage for 20 bicycles. The apartments would each have two bedrooms and two bathrooms, ranging from 980 to 1,180 square feet. Hamidi said he hopes to bring a tenant to the commercial space that serves the neighborhood, pointing to a bakery, bagel shop, coffee shop or small restaurant as possibilities. He said he would prefer to avoid businesses centered on alcohol or tobacco. Hamidi said he believes the project would be a positive addition to the neighborhood, pointing to the need for more housing in Chicago and the site’s proximity to CTA rail service. He said additional residents could also bring more customers to nearby businesses. The property’s proximity to the CTA tracks is also a consideration for the project. Hamidi said he has worked with the transit agency on another development at 2014 N. Bissell St. and expects his contractor’s experience with the city and CTA to help navigate any additional requirements. Hamidi said he hopes to bring the proposal before City Council in December or January and begin construction in the spring. If the project moves forward without major obstacles, he estimates construction would take 18 to 20 months. McGee’s, a popular neighborhood sports bar near DePaul University’s Lincoln Park campus, opened in 1987 and closed in December 2025 after nearly four decades in business. The bar drew generations of neighborhood regulars, students and younger crowds, and became a popular destination for college football watch parties, particularly among Ohio State fans. The building was listed for sale following the bar’s closure. Hamidi said he first approached the previous ownership about the property over the summer after seeing its potential as a development site. Knudsen’s office is collecting additional feedback through Nov. 23. ______________________________________________________________________ Support Local News! Subscribe to Block Club Chicago , an independent, 501(c)(3), journalist-run newsroom. Every dime we make funds reporting from Chicago’s neighborhoods. Already subscribe? Click here to gift a subscription , or you can support Block Club with a tax-deductible donation. Listen to the Block Club Chicago podcast: From Stoves To Overhead Heat: The History Of The CTA’s Warming Lamps Episode play icon From Stoves To Overhead Heat: The History Of The CTA’s Warming Lamps Episode play icon Should Chicago Have Public Festival Grounds? It’s On The Ballot. Episode play icon Need A Halloween Costume? A Chicago Thrifting Expert Shares Her Secrets Load More Search Results placeholder Previous Episode Show Episodes List Next Episode