The stretch of North Clark Street between Chicago and Chestnut is abuzz with activity as not one but three unique developments differing in scale and style are set to transform the area. Whether you're looking for a luxury high rise, tony townhomes, or repurposed historic micro-apartments, this stretch of Clark will soon have a variety of new residences to choose from.
The first project is 833 N Clark, a 31-story residential tower developed by Ryan Companies and Lincoln Property Company. Designed by Ryan A+E with Antunovich Associates as the architect of record, the tower is set add 373 rental units to the neighborhood. Replacing parking lot of the adjacent US Bank located in the landmarked Georgian Revival style Cosmopolitan State Bank building, the tower will include 180 parking spaces with 12 being reserved for bank customers. Above the four-story parking podium expect to find the usual suite of modern amenities that we've become so accustomed to seeing in new residential constructions at this high-end price point. With foundation work complete and the first floor now rising above street level, 833 N. Clark should be on track for occupancy in the first or second quarter of 2017.
Perhaps the design antithesis of soaring glass tower at 833 N. Clark Street is Col. Jennifer Pritzker's plans for eight luxury rental faux-historic stone row homes directly across the street. While Pritzker's Chicago-based Tawani Enterprises Inc. is no stranger to restoring historic Gold Coast townhomes back to their original glory, this will project marks the company's first foray into new home construction in the downtown market. Expect these 3,000 square-foot residences to be rather pricey considering their size, the use of high-end materials, and the Gold Coast's severely depressed supply of new single family homes in recent years. Though originally anticipated to break ground back in the spring of 2015, heavy earth-moving equipment arrived on the site as recently as last week and, as the photos suggest, site preparation is finally underway.
Lastly, if small, relatively affordable, car-less living is your bag there is the exciting micro-apartments conversion project at historic Bush Temple of Music immediately to the south at 100 West Chicago. Now cocooned beneath a lattice of scaffolding, this ornately detailed French Revival style building was designed by renowned architect J.E.O. Pridmore in 1901 originally as a piano factory and showroom. Though landmarked by the city in 2001, the property remained fairly dilapidated after decades of neglect before being purchased by developer Cedar Street Properties for adaptive reuse in 2014.
Renovation work is in the good hands of Hartshorne Plunkard Architecture. Judging from HPA's track record with the Chicago Athletic Club, Soho House and Chicago Motor Club hotels, the Gold Coast can expect another neglected example of historic architecture to be repurposed to a higher and better use, joining the likes of the new flagship Restoration Hardware that recently opened inside of the Three Arts Club building. When completed in late 2016, apartments are set to range in size between 350 and 450 square feet and will be some of the area's more affordable options given its pricier neighbors.
A second phase of the Bush Temple project is expected to include a modern addition to the northern edge of the property. According to a public posting, the developers are seeking an rezone from DX-5 to DX-7 with plans including an additional 212 units as well as on-site accessory parking. This application matches an elevation drawing found on the SkyscraperPage forum that illustrates a 15-story addition.
— Jay Koziarz
·Previous Bush Temple of Music coverage [Curbed Chicago]
·Col. Jennifer Pritzker Planning Near North Side Row Homes [Curbed Chicago]
·All previous Gold Coast coverage [Curbed Chicago]
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