Near North Side · Then vs Now
Near North Side: 2025-03 vs 2026-03
A side-by-side look at how Near North Side shifted between two periods.
| 2025-03 | 2026-03 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Building permits | 223 | 181 | -19% |
| Construction value ($) | $74,116,098 | $106,735,590 | +44% |
| New business licenses | 653 | 152 | -77% |
| Business closings (proxy) | 0 | 0 | — |
| 311 service requests | 1,522 | 1,806 | +19% |
| Reported crimes | 905 | 868 | -4% |
| Violent crimes | 227 | 227 | 0% |
| Failed food inspections | 34 | 17 | -50% |
2025-03
Near North Side permit value hits $74M
Building permits in Near North Side jumped 34% in March to 223, with total value up 65% to $74 million. Express permits led the way with 136 filings, followed by 45 renovation-alteration permits and 22 elevator jobs. Three new construction permits came through. No new business licenses appeared in the monthly data, and 311 requests weren't tracked.
2026-03
Near North permit values jump 75% to $107M
Permit values climbed to $107 million in March, up from $61 million—a 75% increase on the same 181 permits. Violent crime rose 55%, from 146 incidents to 227, and overall crime was up 24%. E-scooter parking complaints topped 311 requests with 300 reports, ahead of graffiti removal and Divvy bike gripes. New businesses included Motel Bar Chicago & Monty's Chicago and George the Spa. Food inspection failures jumped from 10 to 17.
New businesses — 2025-03
- Purple Innovation, LLC (Limited Business License)
- LUGANO (Limited Business License)
- SILKY BEAUTY SALON (Limited Business License)
- FAVORITE NAIL BAR (Limited Business License)
- DRIED & TRUE (Shared Kitchen User (Long Term))
- Canteen BreakBox (Retail Food Establishment)
- GIRLS ON THE RUN CHICAGO (Limited Business License)
- LEVEL HOTELS & FURNISHED SUITES (Commercial Garage)
- ADVANCE VALET PARKING INC (Valet Parking Operator)
- TAILWIND ROASTING (Wholesale Food Establishment)
New businesses — 2026-03
- Motel Bar Chicago & Monty's Chicago (Retail Food Establishment)
- ALLIED GLOBAL MARKETING (Limited Business License)
- DDB CHICAGO, INC (Limited Business License)
- MERCHANDISE MART PROPERTIES, INC. (Pop-Up Retail User)
- LA SUSTANCIA (Shared Kitchen User (Long Term))
- GEORGE THE SPA (Limited Business License)
- THE MOVERS, LLC (Limited Business License)
- Levy at The Hand and the Eye (Outdoor Patio)
- Factor Wealth Management, LTD (Limited Business License)
- CHICAGO VALET, INC. (Valet Parking Operator)