Ann Sather to open in former Stella's Diner location in Chicago's East Lakeview community; location to north to close CBS News
Open Story
Chicago
Illinois
Midwest
United States
Commercial Building
Demolished / Lost
Architecture
Preservation
Public Research
Ann Sather Building, 909 West Belmont Avenue, Chicago
The restaurant relocated, but the loss of its longtime building closes a distinct chapter in the commercial life surrounding the Belmont elevated station.
Ann Sather Building
909 West Belmont Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60657
Precision: Exact
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Quick Take
- The two-story building at 909 West Belmont Avenue dated to 1903.
- Ann Sather served its final meals there June 28, 2026, before opening another location on Division Street.
- Demolition was largely complete by August 5; a five-story, 46-unit building with ground-floor commercial space is proposed for the site.
Email updates for Ann Sather Building.
Why It Matters
The building was modest architecture with outsized social recognition. Its storefront and rear rooms were associated with decades of breakfasts, cinnamon rolls, political gatherings, neighborhood events, and the public life of Northalsted.
Ann Sather's move means the business survives beyond the address, but a business and its building are not interchangeable. Demolition removes the physical setting that accumulated those memories.
Belmora adds housing beside a major rail station and restores commercial frontage. The tradeoff should be recorded plainly: transit-adjacent density arrived through removal of a 1903 mixed-use building and a longstanding neighborhood venue.
Field Network
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Research Narrative
A Long-Running Belmont Storefront
The 1903 building combined a commercial front with the low-rise scale that once characterized much of Belmont near Sheffield. Ann Sather made it a recognizable destination long after surrounding blocks began changing.
The restaurant closed the Belmont flagship June 28, 2026, while shifting service to other Chicago locations. That continuity preserves the name but not the place-specific interior and streetscape.
Replacement At The Belmont Station
A July demolition permit allowed Brophy Excavation to remove the building. By early August, little remained beyond portions of the front and side walls.
Mavrek's second Belmora phase proposes 46 apartments over approximately 3,400 square feet of commercial space. Together with the first phase next door, the project is planned for 92 homes near the Red, Brown, and Purple lines.
Public Actions
Campaign / Petition Record
Ordered oldest to newest.
July 10, 2026
Demolition Permit
City issues demolition permit for 909 West Belmont
by Public record Previous
The permit authorized removal of the 1903 structure.
August 5, 2026
Demolition
Demolition reported largely complete
by Public record Current
Only portions of the building remained while material was sorted for salvage and scrap.
Signals
Latest Google News
Latest 3 stories
Ann Sather Building, Chicago, Illinois
Demolition Approved For Ann Sather Building At 909 West Belmont Avenue In Lake View Chicago YIMBY
Open StoryAnn Sather to close Belmont Avenue flagship on June 28, open in Chicago's West Town community CBS News
Open StoryResearch article pages show a recent coverage slice. Paid subscribers can use Signals inside the workspace for longer results and additional follow-up tools around the place.
Watchlist Blog
Related Updates
1 published update is linked to this article.
Watchlist Blog
August 5, 2026
Ann Sather’s Belmont building disappears, but the restaurant moves on
By early August, little remained of the 1903 building that housed the restaurant's longtime flagship; a 46-unit Belmora...
FAQ
Did Ann Sather close entirely?
No. The Belmont flagship closed and its building was demolished, but the restaurant continued at other Chicago locations, including a new Division Street site.
Sources
Source Trail
Chicago YIMBY: demolition permit and replacement plan
news
Building date, permit, project phases, unit count, and commercial program.
Chicago YIMBY: August demolition update
news
Current site condition and material-salvage observations.
CBS Chicago: Ann Sather relocation
news
Closure date and continuation of the restaurant at a new address.
Place Snapshot
- Place
- Ann Sather Building
- Location
- 909 West Belmont Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60657
- Coverage
- Exact
Key Facts
- Region
- Chicago, Illinois / Midwest
- Location type
- Mixed-use commercial building
- Built
- 1903
- Current status
- Demolished in 2026
- Replacement
- Belmora Phase Two, 46 apartments and commercial space
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