(Above) Rendering of 22-story apartment tower proposed for 640 North Wells Street in River North. (Click on image to view larger version.)

May 15, 2015 – The sarcastic, dancing and singing wait staff at Ed Debevic’s will take their shtick east – to Michigan Avenue – to make way for a 22-story apartment tower, proposed, at least, for 640 North Wells Street.

The land on which Ed Debevic’s is located, worth $4.5 million in 2005, has been sold. The developer, JDL Development LLC, presented their plans for the site at a community meeting on Tuesday that was hosted by River North Residents Association and 42nd Ward Alderman Brendan Reilly.

The tower, designed by Hartshorne Plunkard Architecture of Chicago, will offer 251 apartments and 12,000 square feet of ground floor retail space. The apartments will range from studios to three-bedroom units and ceiling height, says JDL, will be slightly taller than average.

Ed Debevic’s is looking for a new location at least closer to North Michigan Avenue. The 1950s-themed diner will close later this year after 31 years on North Wells Street.

Rich Melman of Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises founded Ed Debevic’s in 1984. Bravo Restaurants, Inc., currently owns it.

(Below) Ed Debevic’s at its current location.