Another Setback For Block 37

By Marcus Gilmer in News on Nov 24, 2008 7:42PM

The troubled Block 37 project seems to have suffered another setback today as David Barton Gym, "the first and largest retail tenant to sign," has pulled out of an agreement to put a 40,000 square foot gym on the top level of the structure. Instead, Barton will be focusing on a gym located at The Roosevelt Collection, a mixed-use project in the South Loop. Said Barton, "Even though Block 37 has suffered a few delays, I do think that the project will be a success in the long term. However, I have instead decided to focus on the Roosevelt Collection project which will cover the region effectively and makes more sense for my growth strategy."

Sources say missed construction deadlines are what allowed Barton to back out of the project. In an official statement released to the media, developer Joseph Freed & Associates LLC said, "We have been working with them since we took control and would like to retain them. Recently the company has been trying to extricate itself by making various claims, but we understand the economy is the real factor here." A spokesman for Freed said more tenants for the project would be announced "over the coming holiday season." Freed, the third developer to take on the project, claims on its website that the project is still scheduled for a Summer 2009 opening.

Photo by chascarper