Construction at Burger King, 1740 Orrington Ave., has been halted since last week because of a stop-work order issued by the City of Evanston Building Division, a city official said.

The restaurant, currently closed for renovation, is scheduled to reopen in late February, the restaurant’s owner said.

Plumbing work inside the popular fast food joint started without acquiring necessary permits, causing city officials to intervene, said City of Evanston Building Official Carolyn Brzezinski.

“They don’t have a permit for any work other than the interior demo work, which I believe is most likely completed,” Brzezinski said. “They can only work on what has been permitted.”

For Burger King to start interior renovation, they must submit revised drawings to the city for review, Brzezinski said.

If the drawings are approved, construction may begin after necessary permits are obtained and a penalty is paid.

Chuck James, the store’s owner, said there are many tasks associated with the store’s renovation, and the plumbing work was begun in error.

“It is a very, very old building and there are a number of things that are done simultaneously,” James said. “The construction crew started doing something before they were officially permitted.”

The redesigned restaurant will include a renovated dining room with new booths, seating, floor plans and bathrooms. Artwork and a flat-panel television also are planned.

“It’s a complete and total renovation,” he said.

James said the work began while students were on Winter Break. Soon after, he realized there was much more to do than they had originally anticipated.

“It’s our goal to have it open as quickly as possible,” he said.

Reach Matt Pressor at [email protected].