High-rise deal for 40 West Oak is back on

October 10, 2020 – A proposed residential high-rise near the Warren Barr rehabilitation center in the Gold Coast is moving closer to being built. 40 W Oak Owners, LLC, is asking the city for a zoning change to allow it to build a 35-story building with 75 residential units, according to a letter sent to Near North residents from the developer’s law firm. Originally, the developer wanted 90 units.

The 465-foot-tall tower would be built on the northwest corner of Oak & Dearborn Streets, replacing a parking ramp attached to the rehab center.

Steven Dahlman is the editor and publisher of Loop North News. With over 40 years of experience as a journalist and 20 years as a commercial photographer, his career includes work as a radio news director, reporter, and anchor. He is the co-author of three books on Chicago’s evolution, including Chicago’s River: At Work And At Play and Changing Chicago: A Portrait in Postcards and Photos. His first solo book, Marina City: The Definitive History of a Chicago Landmark, is scheduled for publication by Trope Publishing Co. on October 28, 2026.