Historic Rogers Park building to be preserved and expanded into apartments

A plan to reuse and expand a 100-year-old Rogers Park building looks to be the latest project to hop on Chicago’s transit-oriented development (TOD) bandwagon. Designed by Aroner & Somers in the 1910s as a commercial laundry, the historic structure at 1730 W. Greenleaf Avenue could house 30 rental apartments via a two-story addition designed to compliment the structure’s neoclassical white facade.

Located less than 600 feet from the Rogers Park Metra station, the project would be a TOD in the purest sense of the term with no on-site vehicular parking. It will feature storage for two bicycles per unit as well as a green roof. Three of the 30 apartment units would be offered at an affordable rate, per Chicago ordinance.

The Ethiopian Community Association of Chicago currently owns the building but put the property up for sale with the hopes of moving to a smaller and more cost-effective location in the suburbs. Developer David Gassman entered a contract to purchase the building contingent on a zoning change. With the blessing of 49th Ward Alderman Joe Moore, the project should face smooth sailing ahead.

Craft Architecture LLC

A second TOD proposal hoping transform another historic building at nearby 1710 N. Lunt Avenue failed to impress Alderman Moore. Also from David Gassman and Craft Architecture, the Lunt project would have preserved the masonry facade of an eight-unit building and constructed a three-story addition to the rear for a total of 20 apartments. Despite a unanimous vote of support from the 49th Ward Zoning and Land Use Advisory Committee, Alderman Moore opposed the Lunt project.

“Unlike the Greenleaf building, the Lunt building is economically viable in its current condition and use and not in any realistic danger of being demolished,” said Moore via an email to constituents. The elected official also expressed his opinion that the project’s required zoning change to a business district designation didn’t make sense in the middle of an otherwise residential district.

Craft Architecture

• Previous Rogers Park coverage [Curbed Chicago]