The Famous Dave's barbecue joint in Linden Hills closed Friday, signaling the beginning of a significant change for the showcase neighborhood.
The restaurant, which has operated in a converted gas station at W. 43rd Street and Upton Avenue S. since 1995, will be torn down and replaced by a three-story development with ground-level retail and two stories of condominiums.
Mark Dwyer, developer of Linden Crossing, said groundbreaking would probably be in late summer. Seven of the 16 condominiums have been sold, he said. There will be four commercial spaces on the ground floor.
The development was originally proposed with five stories but was scaled back after a storm of neighborhood opposition to its height.
Jon Swenson, owner of the Famous Dave's, indicated last summer he wanted to open another restaurant nearby. He could not be reached for comment.
Bill McAuliffe
