Chicago’s red-hot West Loop looks set to continue its unprecedented growth with no less than three proposals headed to the City of Chicago’s Plan Commission this month. With a high-rise apartment tower, a mixed-use boutique hotel, and a mid-rise condo project all on the March 2016 agenda, developers in the West Loop are hopeful to capitalize on Chicago’s booming rental market, strong hospitality segment, and a steadily rebounding demand for condominiums. Here's a look at what is being proposed.

346-358 N Union / 347-357 N Halsted

California-based Cardiff Mason Development Inc. showed plans for a proposed development at 346-358 N Union Street and 347-357 N Halsted Street to the public in November. Located in the heart of the West Loop’s Fulton River District, the plan calls for a 405-foot tower containing 373 rental units ranging from studios up to 3-bedrooms. Designed by Pappageorge Haymes (the same firm that penned the neighboring K2 tower), the new development is bordered on two sides by train tracks and will be constructed over the enclosed stretch of the Kennedy Expressway known as Hubbard’s Cave. To ease congestion on Halsted, vehicular access will come from Union and a new easement that will connect west to Green Street. In addition to the expected host of resident amenities, the development also includes a new public dog park to complement the existing facility at nearby Fulton River Park. According to the latest Plan Commission agenda, the number of parking spaces has been slightly reduced from the original proposed 158 down to 145.

200 N Green

Fresh off the success of West Loop projects like the Soho House and WeWork co-working spaces, developer Shapack Partners is planning an 11-story hotel for 200 N Green. Designed by New York architect Morris Adjmi in collaboration with Chicago’s GREC Architects, the yet-to-be-named hotel will house approximately 170 guest rooms as well as two levels of office space above ground-floor retail and dining options. Shapack’s hotel joins a host of other boutique hotels coming to the hip Fulton Market neighborhood from outfits such as Ace, Nobu, and Equinox. Unlike the next project on the agenda, the Green Street hotel project received overwhelming positive community feedback when it was revealed in January.

111 S Peoria

One of the more controversial and contentious items up for review this month is a new condo project at 111 S Peoria street. Located just east of Bartelme Park, the site’s original plan from LG Development called for a 13-story, 215-unit rental building before facing fierce opposition from local neighborhood groups. The West Loop Neighborhood Association went so far as to propose their own plans for the privately held site that involved the construction of a new low-rise community center. LG’s proposal was eventually pared down to a nine-story, 95-unit condominium building before getting the nod from Alderman Walter Burnett Jr. Despite Aldermanic approval, many neighbors remained irked by the project’s size, scale, design, and location. Legal notice from the Plan Commission indicates that the number of dwellings has once again shrunk, with just 79 units slated for the relatively large site.

As part of the Planned Development process, all projects must first pass the Plan Commission before heading to the Zoning Board and full City Council for approval. This month’s Plan Commission will meet on March 17th at 10:00 AM in the Council Chambers on the second floor of City Hall at 121 N LaSalle. It will be open to the public.

·373-Unit Tower Proposed for Long Vacant River West Site [Curbed Chicago]

·Booming Fulton Market Area to Get One More Hotel Project [Curbed Chicago]

·West Loop Condo Project Receives Aldermanic Support [Curbed Chicago]

·Plan Commission [City of Chicago]